Japan sighed. If they were gone, there was no reason to remain here any longer. "Guess I'm out then," he muttered and reached for the door knob.

Only to find it wouldn't move.

Japan was baffled. "It won't open...?" He jiggled and turned it, yet the door did not open. He was locked in. Japan grumbled at his misfortune, imagining that Prussia must have locked it when they left or something. "Guess I'm stuck here..." he sighed and decided to walk on.

"Well, might as well look around. Perhaps I'll find a key or another way out," he muttered and began to stroll down one of the halls. "Those three... Italy I understand, but why would Germany and Prussia be scared? It's so abnormal. Why did we bother coming in the first place if they're going to be this scared."

Suddenly, the air felt chilled. Japan shivered. "Is there a draft in-" He did not finsh his sentence as the feeling of dread crawled down his spine in a split moment and distortion as well as emptiness filled the air. There, at the end of the hallway, the back of a large humanoid figure had its back toward him was entering a doorway. It's skin was pale and grey and looked as though it was a newborn baby, if it wasn't twice his size and its head wasn't so grossly enlarged. The creature itself payed no mind to him as it opened a door and left through it.

All of this happened in a split two seconds.

The moment the creature was gone, the atmosphere returned to his former state, yet Japan's own fears were not so easy to bestill. "W-what? Wh - what was that just now?" he gasped, releasing that long held breathe. He looked long and hard at the door the creature itself entered. Then he gulped as he grasped the knob. He began to jiggle it. "... It won't open..." he muttered, relieved yet scared at the same time.

Japan decided then and there he needed to walk more. During this time, he began to ponder once again. He remembered the feelings he had and how tense he was in that brief, frightening moment. "That was... I think that it was..." Japan shook his head. "No. I must be tired. I'm seeing things. I'm getting too old." He didn't see the shadow under the door as he left.


As Japan climbed the stairs, he contemplated possible causes. The air becoming cold. A strange grey figure. Unnatural appearance. The image of a little alien came to mind. "... I wonder if America has something to do with this..." he wondered as the Nation's alien friend came to mind. He shook his head, displeased he thought of such a thing. "No. I mustn't think like that. I've got to find the others - if they're still here."

Now driven by a new goal, Japan opened the first door he saw once he reached the top of the stairs. The room itself was empty, save for some dressers, bookcases, a television set, a couch, carpet, a bed, and -

Japan gasped and rushed to the bed, picking up an object so neatly put on it. "This... Isn't this Germany's whip?" he held the whip. It was worn out and letters spelling "Germany" were engraved on the hilt. "What's it doing here?" The Asian Nation wondered, not imagining that Germany would simply abandon his whip. "Then again, he was acting quite different when we came in," Japan reminded himself and tucked away the whip. "Maybe he ran off with the others and accidentally dropped it. Why they are so frightened, though, is beyond me."

As if betraying his remark, the image of the strange creature's backside appeared in his mind. The remembrance made Japan shutter. "When I get home, I'm having a cup of tea. All this excitement is not good for my health."

Yet again, Japan had to stop. "You. You're still here?" the girl from before asked, her eyes angry but at the same time... concerned?

Japan nodded. "Yes. Gomen nasai. I don't think I introduced myself earlier. My name is Japan."

The girl's eyes narrowed. "That's the name of a country..."

Japan nodded, feeling uncomfortable. "Yes... And you are?"

The girl turned away. "My name is Nai. In your language it would mean 'dead,' 'isn't there,' or 'doesn't have,'" she explained herself with little emotion.

Japan could feel another chill - not like before but fiercer. "Ah ha..." was all he could say.

Nai crossed her arms, a curious glint in her eyes. "By the way, you still haven't answered my earlier question. Why are you here?"

Japan swallowed. "W - we... my friends and I... We came to this mansion a short while ago to explore it. Ri -eight now we've all been separated and i believe they're still in this mansion."

Nai rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Well, duh. The door out is locked - shut tight without its key-"

"So, there is a key out?" Japan asked hurriedly, grasping her shoulder blades.

She glared at him in anger before nodding. "Yes, but I haven't found it as of yet. It's still lost in this hole."

Japan released her with a sigh. Okay, so now he knew that he and his friends had a chance out, but where were they and the key?

His thoughts were once again broken as Nai began to leave. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I have someone important to find. If you're looking for a blond guy with blue eyes, you might want to look in the room down the hall," she answered pointing to the door in his direction.

He looked at the door then gave her a polite smile. "Arigatou," he thanked her.

Nai just waved her hand with her cape still facing him and walked down the stairs.

Japan grasped the door's knob. "... Well, she was helpful at least," he commented and opened the door.

The room seemed very similar to its neighbor except without the television set and couch and a closet was in the upper hand left corner of the room. "Germany?" Japan called softly when a sound reached his ears.

Someone - something - they were definitely in this room. "Germany...?" Japan called again, somewhat hesitantly as he looked around the room.

The sound continued. "Is that... shuttering?" Japan wondered and turned to the closet. "It's coming from there. Who are you?"

Japan carefully walked up to the curtained place, then touched the fabrics surface. He had just barely brushed it when something tumbled out.

It was Germany.

Japan never felt more relieved. He was about to ask his commander where the others were when he realized the atmosphere. Germany's face was pale and his body was shaking all over. Badly. Suddenly, the feelings of relief turned into feelings of disappointment. "You... look shaken..." he joked, trying to get Germany to reply, but to no avail. Germany just kept shaking. "G - Germany, calm yourself..." he told his commander trying to pat his shoulder comfortingly yet it was like Germany could even tell he was there. Japan looked hopelessly at his comrade when an idea struck him. "I know, I'll bring some water! You just stay here and try calm down."

Germany did not move - save for his continuous shuttering.