Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

17 Years later

Arthur sneaked a look behind him, breath hitching and coming in gasps. He glared at the bread in his arms, which was more trouble than it was worth. He had just barely escaped the bakery with it, and now the guards were chasing him.

It's not like they were fast—they were actually really slow, but they were in large numbers, which made Arthur nervous. He stole the bread to feed the kids at the orphanage, since they went to bed hungry often. Arthur didn't have any money, either, so he just tried slipping it in his cloak and hoped that they wouldn't find out—which they did.

It wasn't like this was the first time he had done this, either. He did this quite often, actually, and hadn't been caught yet. He knew the guard just wanted to give up, but the head strong captain, Captain Yong Soo, was determined to capture him. He was only twenty-two, and he was already a captain. His twin, Feng, was a book shop owner. Also known as Arthur's boss.

Arthur liked the silent man, and he liked working at the small book shop, but the pay was small. If it wasn't as small, Arthur wouldn't be in the situation he was in now.

All of a sudden, a loud wailing noise of sirens screamed through the streets, making Arthur clutch his ears, trying to block the sound out. The guards behind him stopped for a few milliseconds before running the other way, out of the alley and away from Arthur, not caring if he stole some measly bread anymore.

The sirens started to die down, letting Arthur finally be able to focus and hear again. He looked over his shoulder one more time before continuing to the orphanage—the only place he had ever known. He had been told that his father had died fighting, and his mother died giving birth to him. Arthur had been only a few hours old when his mother's maid had given him up.

Arthur shook his head, trying not to think about his past. He was a worthless, good for nothing, orphan. If it wasn't for his job at the book shop or for the small children at the orphanage, he would probably be entangled in a gang, and most likely would wind up dead.

He made his way back toward the orphanage, his forest green cloak flowing behind him. Arthur was often called 'Forest' or 'Greenie' or 'Faerie freak' because of this cloak. And the fact that everyone thought he was crazy because he could see the faeries and they couldn't. He just thought they were jealous.

Arthur was almost near the orphanage now. He smiled as he thought of a couple of his favorite children. There was Krista, who was eight and demanding. She was convinced she was going to marry Arthur, and since he knew it would never happen, he just smiled and went along with it. There was Mya, who was very much of an absent minded child. She was a tom boy all the way, and loved playing in the mud with Krista and their other friends. Krista and Mya were like twins and insuperable, but they weren't related in any way, which was a bummer.

Then there was Rose, who was really quiet and loved reading books. She also loved giving Arthur a hard time; making arguments that would last hours and would always leave his brain scrambled beyond repair. She had single handedly convinced him that he was an alien, but he only believed it for about a week.

There was also Aylin, who loved fighting Krista for Arthur. She wasn't in love with Arthur; she just loved watching Krista get angry and defensive. It was rare for the small eight year old to get mad at all.

Lastly, there was Sam; he was adventure loving and demanded Arthur tell him all about his 'adventures' in the city. He was eleven and loved to pester Krista and take her on his 'adventures'. There was a hole on the roof where they had fallen on one of the adventures.

All the children loved it when Arthur told stories. He told the stories that were long forgotten; he could make a boring old story into one of the best of all time. Arthur didn't know why he felt he had to take care of all the kids at the orphanage; he just did. That's why he always risked his freedom, and in some cases, his life, to keep all of them fed more than they were—which was little to none.

While Arthur was lost in thought, the stench of smoke came to his nostrils. His eyes widened, since there was never any fires here in Concord. He sprinted to his destination, nearly dropping the bread in the process.

When he reached the small building that had been his home as long as he could remember, he saw it being licked up by flames. Arthur ran to the entrance, barely thinking. He tried to break down the door, but it didn't work. He wasn't strong enough, and it was locked. He heard the screams of children inside. He easily picked out every one and could give them off by name. Tears rolled down his face with the agony of it all.

He knew that the King would be behind this. His servants had been trying to buy the orphanage from the old priest that ran it, but he would never sell. Now he had to burn with the wrath of the King.

Arthur was dimly aware of the coughing coming from himself. He knew he had to get away, but he felt that he couldn't. He then decided that if he died, then the death of everyone else would have been a waste, and he trudged through the streets, heartbroken and homeless.

He wondered if he would ever have married Krista in the future. Or if she would've married Sam. Arthur didn't want to keep on the subject, but he forced himself to. Would Mya become part of the guard, like she wanted to? Would Rose become a scholar, and eventually, a school teacher? Aylin, a story teller? He didn't know anymore.

Arthur found that he was walking toward the old abandoned house on the outskirts of town. He had hid here many times, even though it was infested with critters and other unwanted things.

When he arrived, he warily opened the door and looked for a place that was clear enough for him to sulk and sleep on, even though he had to work in the morning. He would try and return the stolen bread, even though they probably wouldn't take it back; but he would try and be honest anyway.

He put the bread high up where he knew nothing but he could get it, and flopped down on a mattress that he had found. He closed his eyes, welcoming the dark escape to life that was sleep.

Like? :D? Yeah, I put Sam and a few other friends and me in the story. But then we died... HAHA. … You're probably gonna kill me later, aren't you? Ah, well.

R&R~