Sorry it took me so long to update! I was being a dummkopf and was freaking out that I have no way to upload files with my computer, and when I was about to give up, I realized there was copy-and-paste choice. -_-" Hope you guys enjoy reading the chapter as much as I liked writing it.

Disclaimer: I (sadly) do not own Hetalia or any of it's characters.

Chapter 2 Encounters

His violet eyes widened in what I can only guess to be disbelief as he saw my face. He said a word with a shocked look upon his face. I had to strain my ears to hear it because although he seemed to have tried to be loud, it had only come out in a whisper. "Gilbert?!" The tips of his lips went up forming the biggest smile I've ever seen. "So this is where you've been? And here I was worried that you were dead or something. Do you know where any of the others are?"

Well, that confirms it, I do know him. And he is the one that the name I remembered belongs to. But he expects me to know who he is! Why couldn't I have run into him after I remembered him? It'd be so much easier to not have to explain that I have no clue who the heck he is except 'Matthew'. After thinking for a moment, I said, "Nope, I'm not dead. But I was in the hospital for a little while. So, who are you?"

The happiness and relief that mingled in his eyes were instantly replaced with despair and disappointment. Matthew's head lowered so that it was facing the floor. It was clear that he was sad. But why? Was it something that I said to him? His whole demeanor changed when I asked, "Who are you?"

"Are you messing with me Prussia? You know who I am." Matthew said quietly. Couldn't he speak louder? And wait, didn't he say my name was Gilbert a while ago? Was Prussia my last name or something? Gilbert Prussia. Nah, that didn't sound right. My last name was something else. Was Prussia a nickname perhaps?

Then I realized I hadn't responded to what he said. "No. I don't know you. Sorry." I would have added that I'd remember someone like him, but that'd be a lie. He didn't have much of a presence. Matthew looked hurt by my statement. He was frowning now. And there was no trace of the smile he had previously on his face.

"Liar," Matthew said, "You even knew my name." Again he spoke quietly. It was getting annoying having to strain my ears to hear him speak.

"That's all I know." I said. "Just the name 'Matthew'. Nothing else. I have no clue who you are."

"What do you mean by that?" Matthew asked.

I let out a sigh and to this day I don't know why. Relief? Anger? Disappointment? Laziness? All four? To hell if I know. "I have amnesia. I woke up in the hospital, and couldn't remember a thing. The doctors told me I was in a drunken car crash."

"Are you okay?!" Canada asked. Wait Canada? Why did I just think that? He does look Canadian, but why the heck would I think of him as Canada? "I knew something must have been wrong when you weren't at the World Summit, actually no one was. But I never thought this would happen. Do you-"

"Wait! Slow down my quiet friend! What do you mean 'World Summit'?" I asked, "You gotta remember that I don't know you, or anything you're talking about!"

The Canadian blushed, "Sorry, I forgot! ...It's a long story, do you mind?"

"No one else is here, trust me, I got time." I told him. "How about we sit down?" Matthew nodded. He walked over to a booth near the counter and sat down in one of the seats. I followed and sat down in the seat across from him. "So just who are you, and how do you know me? And just what is that 'World Summit' you were talking about?"

"My name is Matthew, Matthew Williams. But I go by another name. You see, me- and you are the personifications of nations. I'm Canada and you're Prussia."

Okay, this guy's a nutjob. People who are countries. That's idiotic. It'd probably be something in some anime. But in real life? No way. And Prussia? That country doesn't exist anymore. Even if what he said was true, I'd be- No! I'm not even going to consider this. It's just unthinkable. Countries are just that, countries, not people.- No that can't be right- What am I saying? I'm not going to buy this! It's completely crazy!

"Are you sure you should be here? Shouldn't you be getting back to, I don't know, an insane asylum?" I said to the supposed personification of Canada. It was only after the words left my mouth how harsh that might have been. He looked hurt as I said it. I could see the pain in his eyes.

"But it's true!" "Canada" yelled. Well, not really yelled. More like tried to yell. It was still rather quiet. It sounded about as loud as a normal person using an "indoor" voice. Something about that made me believe him a little less. 'Cause the way he talked was almost as if he wasn't used to talking. Maybe because people never listened to what he had to say? Because he's crazy? Works for me.

"Yeah, and I have tons of baby chicks," I said sarcastically.

"But you do!" The crazy guy said at a failed attempt to yell. Again.

I got up from my seat and was about to leave, not wanting to listen to his ramble, completely dismissing what he had to say, when I remembered that I was on my shift. So I couldn't leave. Darn it! Maybe I could kick him out! No, he's a customer, so I can't. Stupid service industry rules! So instead, I went over to the back of the counter and mumbled to myself, "And here I thought I could finally learn something about myself."

I'll admit, I was disappointed. I hadn't gotten one breakthrough with my memories the whole time I had been out of the hospital. I was really looking forward to learning about my identity before the crash. And Matthew was my one way ticket to remembering something. That was the real reason that I was being so cold to him. I was upset that it was a let down, I wasn't freaked out by his craziness.

Matthew can believe whatever he wants. Who am I to stop him? But I personally want the truth. Not some fairy tale or something. Just, the cold, hard facts. Though it would be pretty awesome if what he said was true. It'd definitely make life more interesting. I however, have other things to think about. So I can't just day dream like that.

I thought I heard something. Not sure what. It was to quiet to make out, but I think it was a voice. I turned around to find the source of the sound. Canada- I mean Matthew. "Can you speak up?" I asked him wishing that I had been hearing things.

"Can I at least get some pancakes and maple syrup?" The Canadian asked.

"Sure, I guess." I answered. I went into the kitchen to get his order. Instead of heating up some of the ones I had already made, I started to whip up some fresh ones. I don't know why, but I didn't like the idea of Matthew eating something that's been sitting out for a while. Though nothings going to change the fact that it'd fast food. I finished the pancake by adding some delicious maple syrup. I brought it back to the front counter and I typed it up on the cash register. "That'd be $3.28." I told him. Matthew nodded glumly and handed me the money. He mumbled something that I couldn't make out before grabbing his food and heading out the door.

The rest of my shift was uneventful. Except for the fact that a lot more customers started coming after Matthew left. At first it was just one or two, but the numbers gradually grew larger. It got crowded in there after a little while. I had not more free time because I had my hands full dealing with customers. I might have gotten one or two short breaks, but they only lasted a minute or less. As the hours dragged on, more coworkers came in to help. After that it wasn't so bad. Eventually, my shift ended.

I was extremely eager to leave. So naturally I was out the door the second my shift was over. I guess I was jittery after what had happened this morning. It had only just sunk in. I met someone from my past!

Talk about a breakthrough! Why'd I dismiss him like that?! It made no sense! It was a good thing to meet him, I could have learned more about myself! Sure he had an odd idea, but it was something to go on! What the heck possessed me to do something so stupid?! How will I find him again. This city was a really large place! I'd have to be really lucky to run into Matthew a second time in one day. My heart was beating faster. I could practically hear it's pounding in my ears. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. What if that was my only chance? Ba-bump. Ba-bump! I blew it!

"Chirp! Chirp!" Where had that sound come from? I quickly glanced around. Was it a bird? "Chirp! Chirp!" There it was again!" My eyes settled on store window that I standing next to on the sidewalk. It was a pet shop. In the window was the most amazing animal I had ever seen. A baby chick! "Chirp! Chirp!"

"What an awesome bird!" I said to nobody in particular. "Chirp! Chirp!" It replied.

"You talk a lot don"t ya?" I asked.

"Chirp!"

"I'll take that as a yes." The chick chirped back at me as if to agree. "An awesome bird like you needs an awesome name." I told it. "Um... how about... Gilbird?" The word slipped off my tongue unconsciously. I never actually planned on saying Gilbird. I never heard a name like that before. I wonder where it came from. Who cares, it's an awesome name! "So do you like that name?" I asked it.

"Chirp!"

"Then Gilbird it is!" Only then did I see the irony. I called Matthew crazy when I was the one talking to a bird. I laughed at the thought.

"Hey!" Someone shouted at me! I turned around to see a blond-haired man with a scornful look on his face. If looks could kill, I'd probably be dead three times over. I could practically see the fire blazing in his held a broom as if it was some sort of weapon.

"What do you want?" I asked, not at all liking how things looked like they were heading. This guy looked violent, as if he was ready to strike at any moment. And the look in his eyes didn't make him seem any less intimidating.

"You're scaring away all my customers! Go away or I'll make you go away!"

So that's how this guy wanted to play it. By threatening me. But the question is, were those threats empty? Or was he serious? "And what if I don't?" I challenged. Then I saw it, a flash of hesitation in his grey eyes.

But then it went back to anger in a matter of a millisecond. "I already told you, or I'll make you go away!" He raised his broom as if about to strike down on my head.

"And what if I said I was a paying customer?" I asked while raising my hands up, showing that I come in peace with my body language.

"Oh?" The blond raised an eyebrow in confusion as if he thought that he heard me wrong. His eyes seemed to question me and he made no effort to hide his confusion. That guy seriously needed to learn that if he kept like that someone could seriously exploit his weaknesses. After a moment of thinking of a response, he said, "Then I'd ask what you were doing here gawking out here when you should be inside buying." He lowered his broom and gestured towards the door for me to come in. It was amazing how his entire personality did a 180 when I said that I was buying something. This guy must have been really money grubbing. Odd how people can be that way. "Hurry up! I don't have all day!" The man snapped at me. I walked through the door as he suggested wondering if it was some sort of trap. The employee guy walked past me and went to his post at the cash register.

I quickly looked around the store before getting what I wanted there. The lights were dimmed really low so it was a little hard to see. It was probably for the nocturnal animals. And the temperature in the room was warm considering it was winter. Surprisingly, the store didn't smell as bad as you would would expect a pet store to smell. There was every kind of pet imaginable in the store, from Saint Bernards to lizards. All of them in cages, except for the fish (obviously). Some barked or meowed or made whatever sound their species made, trying to get my attention. I almost felt bad for them, but I wasn't here for them, I was there for the chick. So I tried my best to ignore them. I made my way over to the window where the Gilbird and the rest of the birds were on display.

The chick looked up at me for a second before flapping it's wings and starting to fly. "Can baby birds fly that well?" I wondered briefly. It began to fly circles around my head and I couldn't help but laugh. "Kesesese! How much for the chick?"

"$30." The blond said from behind the counter not looking up from whatever he was doing.

"What?! Doesn't that seem like a little to much?" I asked. I don't know much about buying animals or normal prices, but this seemed pretty expensive to me.

"It's the standard price." The employee said as he rolled his eyes looking annoyed at my question.

"Oh," was my oh-so-amazing response.

The chick decided to stop flying and landed on top of my head. It felt weird as it walked around through my silvery hair, trying to get comfortable. "Hey, watch it up there." I said jokingly. I made my way to the counter at the front of the store. "Got any bar codes to scan?" I asked.

"No, it's a bird. Are you sure you don't want a perch for him?" The blond asked. Wise guy eh? I could see what he was doing, he was trying to get more money out of me. I know that trick cause I use it at work all the time. I wasn't about to fall for it, partially because of my low wages.

"No, my head'll do the trick," I told him as I paid the money for Gilbird.

"Suit yourself," he mumbled as I left the store.

The second I stepped out the door the light hit me like a rock! My eyes must have adjusted to the poor lighting in the pet store. I blinked a couple times trying to keep the sun out of my eyes. I bet being albino made it worse! I put my hand over my eyes to block out any direct sunlight. After a minute my vision came back and my mood had gone sour.

After about a half hour of walking i made it back to my apartment building. I walked up the stairs wanting to avoid trouble more than I usually do because I didn't want my little buddy getting hurt. When I made it to my third floor apartment, I began to ponder what Matthew had who are countries. I decided that the idea did seem kind of familiar to me, as I unlocked my front door. But at the same time, not familiar enough to confirm the idea. I still wasn't ready to believe him just yet. I'm going to need the more than the words of one person to convince me. I need evidence. Otherwise I don't think I'll be able to believe him. For all I know, the reason it's somewhat familiar to me could be because some weirdo tried to convince it to me of it.

I paced over to the kitchen. Today had been a long day, I was hungry. I raided the cabinets, fridge, and freezer for the ingredients that went in what i was currently craving. To be precise, ingredients for wurst. I picked out all the ingredients as if I was cooking for royalty. Of course I was cooking for me, so it was more important than that. I put them in a pan and began to cook.

After I had my dinner and fed Gilbird, I decided that for the hundredth time I would try to remember something. Anything, just something from my past. I had given up on remembering recently, but my determination was rekindled by my encounter with Matthew. Before I had no leads to try to remember. If you just think 'I want to remember' it doesn't work. I didn't have anything to go on, but now I do.

I thought back to today, about Matthew. Then I tried to recall where I'd seen him, before. I was racking my brain trying to find a memory of him. Even if brief, it was better than nothing. I put a lot of thought into it, and focused on what about him was familiar. I don't completely know what happened next. I remember I was on the verge of remembering something, something important. But before I could fully access the memory, pain surged through my brain. But that wasn't about to stop me. A little headache shouldn't be to bad. The more I tried to ignore the pain and try to remember, the worse the pain got. It felt as if someone had set it on fire and it was taking forever to completely burn leaving me in an intense agony. I stubbornly continued to try. But in the end, it hurt to much so I had no choice but to stop.

It was odd, I remember hearing somewhere that headaches were gradual and that they started off mild and just got worse. Mine started off terrible and was in no way mild. And on top of that, it was sudden. It had only started when I was about to remember something. That didn't make any sense to me at all.

It was obvious that I wasn't going to get anything this way. So the next best thing is the Internet. But I don't have a computer. To expensive for someone working in fast food. I'll just have to go to one of those Internet cafes. Not today though. I already did enough for the day. There was nothing I wanted more than to just sit down, relax, and drink gallons of beer. So I did.

Hope you all enjoyed! I think I did better with Prussia's character in this chapter, but it was still a little OC in my opinion. Listening to his character songs helped a lot. And I'm not sure if I got Canada right. This time I edited the chapter. I guess I forgot to with the last one. Anyways, I'll try to come up with a normal schedule for updating, but haven't decided on one yet. Please review! Tell me what you think! Reviews are my sustenance, I die without them. Danke. Freilos!