Tono: Hey there everyone, as you should know by now 8basketballdiva8 and I don't own Hetalia… if we did Germany would have confessed to Italy by now XD read and review!

Chapter 2: Rebel

Kiku sank to one knee and bowed his head. King Francis sat on the throne, a glass of wine in one hand and a rose in the other. He looked rather comfortable and relaxed on the surface, but Kiku was able to tell that something was wrong. Underneath the always cheery demeanor laid a ruthless king, on who ruled with an iron fist. However ruthless he was, he always found time for drinking wine and courting women and taking over other countries; first America, then Japan. Any other sane nation was concerned if they would be next.

"My liege."

"Ah, Kiku. Welcome back. I trust your journey was a success? The rebel forces have been crushed, no?"

"Yes my liege. They were little match for your military."

"Good, good. That's one less problem to worry about."

"Pardon my asking, my liege, but what is troubling you? You are not yourself." Francis smiled and tiled his head. He took a sip of the glass of wine before answering the question.

"You were always able to read the atmosphere, Kiku. It was a good decision to make you the head of my military."

"Thank you, my liege."

"As for your question, yes something has gone wrong. Princess Alfred has disappeared from the castle. My guards are incompetent and cannot find him." Kiku rose, bowing to his king.

"I shall find him and bring him to you." Francis nodded.

"Good. Go now, and find him quickly." The blonde smiled slightly with a maniacal glint in his eyes. "He shall have to be punished when he gets back."

Kiku turned on his heel and exited the great hall.

Kiku and Alfred were of the first to be taken by Francis, so their friendship had become even stronger than in the past. He remembered when Alfred first escaped, he wasn't able to explain why, but this had become a habit. Alfred never had a reason to run, none which he could form into words. Still, he ran and ran, he tried and tried, he never was able to give up.

Kiku smiled at this thought, even here in Neo-Earth, Alfred was still Alfred; and nothing would ever change that. He took his walk to the large oak tree, on the outside of the castle wall. It rested on the cliffs and was difficult to get to, in other words the perfect place for Alfred to run and hide.

Kiku looked up into the thick branches and saw Alfred looking out at the ocean as the sky began to turn shades of purple and orange, little parts of the day's blue remained.

"Kiku! Looks like you've found me again!"

"Of course; this is where you always hide."

"That's because this is my favorite place," Alfred smiled watching the sun fall into the water, "I feel like I can forget the world when I'm here."

Kiku hesitated to say what he had to, "Alfred, er Princess Alfred you must return to the palace now."

"I don't wanna…"

"But you must."

Alfred climbed higher into the trees. Then, as the world became darker and closer to night, he found something strange happening. In the tree, little glass balls of light began to shine in the branches. Alfred was adding another one, "And 50."

"Alfred… what is all of this?" Kiku said amazed.

"My 50 stars. Every night in the summer and late spring time they glow. I've lined each of these balls with a honey type thing, and when I come out here I put in some more. They glow because fireflies come out here."

"If King Francis knew about this place, he would let you out of the castle every now and -!"

"No! He would cut down this tree, the 50 stars. Even you must understand what I'm saying."

Kiku stared at Alfred up in that tree, the cloak of night finally falling.

"I'll take 100 beatings, 1000 punishments, but this place is mine, it is what stands against all odds. This is what will never be forgotten, this is what's left of my home, left of me. This is America, and I refuse to let it disappear like Japan and Iceland and everyone else!"

Kiku stared at his friend, "I don't remember you being like this… Alfred, no America, tell me the real reason you keep trying to run."

"What happens to me affects my people, and what happens to my people affects me. That is why the more you stay, the more you listen, the harder it will be for your people to break free. That is why… That is why I keep trying to escape! That is why I keep fighting! I want my people to find a way to feel that this isn't it for them. That one day we can rise against him and -"

"Alfred that's treason!"

Alfred sighed, looking into the glass lights of the large tree by the cliffs, "But, as of late, it seems to be becoming more and more hopeless…"

"Alfred… why don't I remember you being this way? How is it you could have changed so much since I last saw you?"

"Because of The Unraveling," Alfred stared at Kiku now, their eyes locked. "As you know we've all changed. You more drastically than I, but still, we've changed. You've become a dog and I was forced to grow up."

"I see… Alfred -"

"You may take me back to the King now, I'm ready to face him… as I always do."

"Right… this way Princess Alfred."

Alfred climbed down from the branches and laughed a little, "Why am I a princess again? Last I checked I'm still a dude."

Kiku smiled, "At least you didn't grow up too quickly."

The walk to the castle was uneventful. Guards, who had been actively looking for Princess Alfred, sighed with relief when they saw Alfred then bowed in respect at Kiku's authoritative presence. Alfred joked about being called a "princess" constantly while tugging at the skirts King Francis forced him into.

The halls of the castle were quiet and almost abandoned, save for the few guards on patrol. As they neared the throne room, Alfred slowed considerably and started wringing his hands in apprehension.

"Alfred?" Kiku noticed the change in character immediately. "What troubles you?"

"Dude, could you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Stay with me when I meet with Francy Pants."

"What for?"

Alfred's eyes were downcast. "Things happened while you were gone dude. Things that I don't want to have to go through again. Stay with me, please? I don't think I could face him alone."

"Princess, I will protect you. Whether it be from pirates, marauders, Vikings, or the king himself, I will protect you." Kiku sank to one knee and placed a fist over his heart. "You have my word."

Nervous laughter escaped from Alfred's throat. "Get up dude. Just because I'm called a princess doesn't mean you have to treat me like one." Kiku stood, and Alfred smiled with unmistakable gratitude shining in his eyes. Kiku smiled back and pushed open the doors to the throne room.

King Francis hadn't moved. If anything had changed, it was that his wine glass was now full. The Frenchman's brightened for a second upon their entry and then narrowed again. Alfred's pace slowed once more and Kiku had to nudge the American slightly to keep him from freezing in place.

They approached the throne. Kiku sank to one knee once more and bowed his head.

"I have brought him here, my liege."

"Good work Kiku." Then, addressing Alfred, the king said, "That was very naughty of you, Princess Alfred. Running from the castle like that is not a good habit to be in, wouldn't' you agree?"

Familiar with the routine, Alfred dropped to both knees, his forehead touching the cool stone floor. "My deepest apologies, King Francis. I just needed to get out for a while."

"But it happens too often, does it not? That is the second time in the past four days, and the twelfth time this month." The King's eyes narrowed once more. "I believe it is a habit you need to be punished for. Kiku, you are dismissed."

At this, Kiku's head shot up. Alfred looked up also, obvious worry etched across his face. "But, my liege…"

"But what, Kiku? Do you dare question the orders of your king?"

Kiku sighed heavily and stood. "No my lord. I do not."

"Then leave. The princess and I have some unfinished business to take care of." Francis stood, shooing Kiku out of the room. Kiku glanced at Alfred one more time, pained by the desperate look in his friend's eyes.

My apologies, he mouthed before turning around and walking out.

Once out of the throne room, Kiku immediately knelt and placed an eye to the key hole. A very unprofessional act for a man of his rank and dignity, but he couldn't just leave Alfred alone. Muffled voices came from inside the room.

"Now, Princess Alfred, how do you suppose we punish you?"

"I d-don't know, my k-king."

"Hm…shall it be like last time, or shall we try something different?" King Francis lifted Alfred's head, staring into his eyes. "I enjoyed the last time very much, did you?"

"Y-yes my king. I enjoyed it v-very much also."

King Francis smiled, not bothering to hide his hungry stare. "I'm certain you will enjoy this much, much more then." His lips pressed against the trembling American's, startling Alfred before he gave into the man's intentions, already knowing what was planned.

Every hair on Kiku's body was on edge. Blood boiled in his veins. Seeing Francis take advantage of Alfred like that was not something he would stand for. He rose, ready to kick the door in and placed a hand on his katana, ready to slice the French bastard's head off.

"General Kiku!" An urgent voice brought Kiku away from his rage for a second. He turned to see a guard running towards him, panting.

"What do you want?"

"Sir, we've just gotten word of a growing rebellion in Denmark. The rebels have already taken multiple cities and their forces are growing fast."

"Does the king know of this?"

"No sir. I was sent to find you before we told him."

"Let us tell him now." Without wasting any time, Kiku threw open the doors of the throne room. His blood boiled once more at what he saw.

Alfred was still kneeling on the ground. Tears were streaming down his face and red patches where the skin had been sucked could be seen all over his neck. Kiku's eyes narrowed as he ran forward, helping Alfred off the ground.

"Tell the king your news." Kiku addressed the guard, venom dripping from his voice.

The guard was still for a moment, still trying to process the state Princess Alfred was in. He began talking quickly when Kiku shot him a poisonous glare. King Francis smiled and sat back on his throne.

"A rebellion? This sounds like a job for my favorite dog. You there," the king said, addressing the guard, "Take the princess to his quarters." The guard nodded, bowing before escorting Alfred out of the room. "And you, Kiku. I am sending you to crush this rebellion. Leave no survivors. Lay waste to this pathetic little country, and show them what happens when they try to cross me."

Kiku bowed, less formally this time, before leaving the king alone with his wine and the taste of the American on his lips.

Renee: Grrr! Francy Pants! Why you try to rape the Princess? *rage face*

Tono: Renee wrote the little "punishment" bit and I couldn't stop cheering the whole time! XD Make sure to comment! XDDDDD