~Under watchful eyes we are kept

I cannot see you and fix this mess

Though your decision I have to accept

I still wish to me you would have said yes~

The heavy thumping of Germany's boots was the only sound that could be heard on the cobble stone streets. The sound of his shoes reminded Germany of a heart beat. The steady continuous thumping and pumping of a heart. A heart beat… a sad and lonely heart beat, the beat that his heart seemed to be playing.

His eyebrows were pulled together and his lips were pressed together tightly forming a line across his face. His eyes, cold and blank, hid his ocean of emotions. He had never felt this bad or upset before in his life. He was mad and hurt and sad and confused and so very lonely. Sure he had Russia and Japan on his "side" but they weren't his best friends. They weren't the ones who always greeted Germany with a warm smile and a loving hug. They weren't the ones that force fed him when they worried that he was getting too skinny. They weren't the ones that kept him company when all he needed was a friend or someone to talk to. They weren't Italy.

Every single person in the world needs someone. Just one person to mean everything and to share things with and to love, and that included Germany no matter how much he liked to be alone. Germany, no matter how stubborn he was and hated to admit it, needed Italy. He needed him now more than ever. He had been right next to him for years and this war, where he had two main opponents instead of just one, had him so stressed out and quite frankly a bit scared.

He wished Italy was there to cheer him up or to promise him some silly thing like pasta or some other kind of food. He wished he could hear the soft music of Italy's singing. He wished he could take back the mean things he said. He could have been more accepting right? He tried to understand where Italy was coming from. Sure they were best friends and were close but family is family. If Prussia was still alive and in a war then he would- well maybe that wasn't the best example.

Germany continued walking down the unusually cold streets of his country, pulling his jacket tighter around his shoulders. The wind blew slightly causing his skin to prickle with goose bumps and he again wished Italy was there… there just so that he could… apologize… say he was sorry…ask him why he sided with Iraq…make sure they were still friends…

Suddenly he heard another pair of footsteps. They were fast and light and they were coming from behind him. He turned to see who it was nervously since the footsteps sounded like they were running. He saw in the distance a figure, a person, running fast, almost in a panic…? Were they running from something? Were they hurt on in trouble? Who was it?! It was dark so he couldn't tell but he could tell by the way they were running they were in some sort of rush or panic.

Wait what if it was an enemy? No they wouldn't be that obvious would they? Or maybe this person was just a distraction and there was a massive army waiting to capture him any second! His hand went instinctively and quickly to his belt where his gun rested in its holster. His heart beat furiously as the figure in the distance continued to run closer to him. Germany squinted and strained his eyes in attempt to at least define whether this figure was a man or a woman.

No, it was too dark to see and dim street lamps that cast only shadows onto the cold street offered little assistance. Finally Germany, with the handle of his gun in hand while it remained half way into the holster called out to try to identify the strange figure.

"Who are you? What business do you have here?" He called this out strongly and since his voice was naturally deep it carried fairly easily to the distressed person. The person stopped running and stood there for a few second almost stupidly. Germany still couldn't make out the face or body but he could see that the person held a confused pose. Their legs looked like they wanted to keep running but stood stiff as if unsure what to do. The arms hung lamely at their side and the head looked like it was straining to see Germany. Well if Germany himself couldn't see that well why would this person have an easier time? And who knows maybe this person was lost and afraid. He again called out in a louder voice.

"Hello? Are you hurt? Is something wrong?"

The figure's head jerked as if in recognition and resumed running but even faster this time. They looked even more frantic, almost desperate! As it came closer into view he could see it was a man. Smaller than him, he seemed somewhat strong by the way he was running, short hair… and he seemed very familiar.

But why was he running so fast towards him? Was he going to attack? No he couldn't be that stupid could he?! Well this was war and better to be safe then… well dead.

"Hey! Stay back! I'm warning you I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use-"

"GERMANY IT'S ME!!!"

"…!"

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Iraq sighed in relief as the pain in her head finally faded. After removing her head dress, having the heaviness of it lifted off her skull, she leaned her head into her folded arms and closed her eyes to rest. She hadn't been sleeping that well lately due to all her worry and stress, but now her desk never seemed more of an inviting place to nap.

She exhaled heavily and sleep seemed to greet her rather quickly. She surrendered herself to it and allowed the cloud of drowsy comfort to carry her away. Away from the worry of the war, away from her problems, away from the issues, away from everything even if just for a little bit. Her thoughts started to dull and her breathing became deeper, the first stages of sleep at promise. Just as waves of half sleep swept over her like a comforting blanket her head shot up and she gasped from the alerting and startling sound of the telephone.

Her heart pounded from being snapped out of her half-asleep state and she continued to stare at the bothersome telephone for a few seconds. Had anyone promised to call her back with updates or reports? No, not that she could remember… and Italy had just left so it couldn't be him. People didn't call Iraq randomly that much…well actually people didn't call Iraq at random period. After composing her breathing and state of mind for a few moments she picked up and answered formerly, a hint of question in her voice.

"Good evening this is Iraq."

"Hello there, good evenin' to you too."

The voice was distorted and manipulated on purpose. It sounded computer generated and was concealing the anonymous caller's voice quite well except for a slight accent which she couldn't place. Iraq made a skeptical face and stared at the phone wondering dumbly if she stared hard enough, that the face of the caller would seep through.

"I have some news that I think you might find interesting." The voice continued snapping her out of her frustrated and irritated daze.

"Who is this?"

"Stupid question Aasera! If this person wanted their identity to be known they wouldn't be use a voice distorter! Really! I mean how obvious is that? Even Italy would probably be smart enough to figure that one out! The idiot who doesn't use his brain would outsmart you! Well I haven't been sleeping all that much and I have been so busy that it is wearing me down! And everyone makes mistakes right? And-"

Iraq shook her head and it snapped her out of another one of her dazes. She really had to work on this rambling and going on thing…

But despite her zoning out she didn't hear the voice or the response to her question, which she hoped they wouldn't mock her for.

Finally the voice broke the awkward silence. "You don't need to know that. But I think you should know something else… something pretty important!"

Iraq looked around her, paranoid that someone was in the room with her waiting to strike after emerging from the shadows or from the closet. Iraq clicked on the lights and saw that she was in fact alone in her office.

"What makes you think it's important? Why should I even listen to you? I don't even know who or what you even are! Give me one good reason why I should believe this 'important information'! You could be making it all up! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't hang up the phone! I don't even know why I'm talking to you! You're obviously trying to make me paranoid-"

"Oh believe me you don't need any help in the paranoia department!"

Iraq's mouth was agape and her eyebrows furrowed from insult. She was not paranoid... Well not paranoid much… right?

"And what is that supposed to mean?!"

The voice sounded like it was either clearing its throat or trying to stifle a laugh. Iraq held the phone to her ear with one hand and her other hand was clenched into a fist trying not to snap a pen.

"Nothing! Nothing!"

Iraq rolled her eyes and her patience was dwindling.

"Well if you have this information which is so important would you mind just telling me? I don't exactly have all night to argue."

"Oh right well you see it's about one of your allies…"

Iraq's head jerked in question.

"My allies…?"

"Yes, North Italy to be specific. I'm guessing you don't want him to speak with opposing sides yes?"

"H-How did you…?"

"Lucky guess, but I think you would be interested to know that he is in fact on his way to Germany at this very moment."

Iraq's stomach boiled with anger towards the Italian. She specifically told him he was absolutely not allowed to speak with any enemies! And she made it perfectly clear he was not to sneak off to Germany! And she had told him this all a matter of ten or fifteen minutes ago! But wait! How did this person know that Italy was headed to Germany?! Oh no was he already there?!

"How do you know th-"

"Italy's house is exactly North West from yours right?"

"Yes that's correct…"

"He's running more northward than west which according to a map leads straight to Germany."

Iraq pictured an atlas in her head and found that the voice was right. But other countries were in that direction as well! So Iraq reasoned at loud.

"Well that direction also leads to Austria and Hungary as well! Italy used to be under the control of-"

"What business would he have with Austria this many years later? And what business would he have with Hungary at all?"

Iraq was at a loss for words. Not only were they right but they knew the basics of the conversation, or more of argument, she had had with Italy previously. And also maybe even more importantly they knew exactly what Italy was doing! Iraq knew the exact reason Italy was going to Germany but… did this person know that too? She feigned ignorance and panic from the unknown and questioned," Why would he do that?!"

The voice fell silent. Iraq smiled to herself and leaned back in her chair. So there was still a chance that this voice was making it all up. That lie really could have been made up fairly easily since Italy was so easy to read. Iraq, and other countries that were in their right mind, of course wouldn't want their ally conversing with an opposing force! That was just common sense! And Italy going to Germany would be pretty easy to figure out as well since the two were inseparable… well more like Italy refused to separate from Germany.

But she couldn't help wonder what this person's motive was. It couldn't have been Russia or Germany himself! If they wanted to capture Italy calling her would just give it away. Iraq thought of the surrounding countries from the path from her house to Germany's.

Turkey was pretty close by and Italy would have had to pass through his land to get to the European continent again. Iraq and Turkey had never gotten along and he was always pulling pranks on her so it could very well be him! Oh wait no it couldn't have since Iraq remembered Turkey laughing loudly over how Greece had invited him over for a rematch of a fight they had had the previous week. That rematch was today so it wasn't the Turk on the other line.

There was Hungary along the way there as well. Iraq had hardly ever spoken to the girl but she knew Italy used to be like a little brother to Hungary. Maybe she was trying to protect him in some weird way? Hungary also had some strange taste for two men in love with each other so maybe she was living out some fantasy? No, she wouldn't do that knowing a war was going on. She seems like she has a pretty decent head on her shoulders.

Romania was also along the pathway. She and Italy were siblings but Romania was always denying it, even though both were off springs of Rome and Italy had insisted that they were. Romania had also been in the axis but she seemed to ignore Italy most of the time so there was no reason she should be involved.

Austria? No he was too straight laced and proper to get involved in pranks.

So who was this person on the other line?

Suddenly the voice interrupted her train of thought.

"I believe he's headed there to apologize for something."

Panic took over Iraq's body and she slammed the phone back onto the hook. Her breathing became harsh and her heart started to pound. Someone was watching her! Were they in the house?! Where were they?! Who were they?! A cold sweat broke out along her hairline and she was shaking violently as she picked up the phone again calling her men.

Iraq, due to her never ending worry, had placed men all over the country in squads of three or four to protect the most important things. She had handpicked them from her troops and stationed them all over her land to protect the borders, landmarks, and of course her house. They were fast, strong, and got the job done at any cost.

Iraq picked up the phone and pressed the speed dial one button which automatically connected her to the captain.

"Hello Ms. Iraq, what do you need?"

"Someone is watching me! They may be in the house or outside! They know about my conversation with Italy!! They know! I don't know what they're planning but I know that they're planning something against me! Please help!"

"Okay Ms. Iraq please try to calm down. Where do you need security and how many men?"

"I need four or five in my house protecting me-"

"No problem."

"-And also I need whoever is close to the border to go retrieve someone…"

"We are at your service miss."

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Italy had started to run as soon as he heard the dogs and the sound of Iraq's men. He looked behind him and sure enough in the distance were ten men or so running after him yelling. His heart started to pound and he ran away from them terrified. He stayed on the path to Germany's and still intended to see him men chasing him or not. When Italy wanted to run he sure could run.

Hoping to lose them a bit Italy dashed through a nearby alley way that led to a short cut that he found a few months ago. He was right near the Austrian-German border and this short cut would have him in Germany's land in less than five minutes. The path though, if you didn't know it, was hard to follow. Italy of course could navigate it in his sleep but the men who were chasing him may have had some trouble since it involved so many turns and it was getting hard to follow Italy since the sun was setting.

Italy had to admit they were pretty fast but he was faster since he was technically retreating. After a few more twists and turns through and around alleys and a climb over a small brick wall the border was in sight. Italy's feet moved even faster and he hoped with all his heart that Germany would listen to what he had to say. He didn't have much time since the men were probably smart enough to find another way to get to Germany and follow him. Italy at first wondered why these guys were chasing him but then figured they probably had something to do with Iraq. Italy had to apologize quickly but convincingly and also tell Germany the real reason he had come to visit him a couple days ago in the first place.

Well… this was going to be a challenge. He couldn't exactly think about what he was going to say since he was focused on where Germany would even be at this time of the day. The sun was fully set and the stars were starting to come out. Let's see Germany would either be walking his dogs, or by himself, or he would be at home bathing. Something told Italy Germany would have an easier time accepting his apology if he was doing the first thing.

He also was focused on how far ahead of what he figured were Iraq's guards he was. He couldn't hear them any more so he guessed he was about five minutes or so ahead of them. Hopefully that would be enough time.

Suddenly a figure came into Italy's view. It was tall, muscular from what he could see, and short hair. Obviously it was a man…but was it Germany…? He tried to call out to it but he was out of breath from running. He tried to keep moving but his energy was starting to dwindle. The figure turned to see him and looked… nervous? He was going to call out to it and ask who it was but then he heard the voice. It was deep and loud, just like Germany's. It sounded like him but it was still a little faint so he couldn't tell if it really was him. He stopped running and walking all together and strained to see if it was him.

Suddenly it called out to him again.

"Hello? Are you hurt? Is something wrong?"

Italy heard this and he immediately knew it was Germany. His energy suddenly returned and he raced forward to Germany, too excited and hopeful to identify himself.

"Hey! I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use-"

Italy realized that Germany didn't know it was him since it was dark and the street lamps were dim and Italy hadn't said a word. He voice bubbled in the back of his throat and he felt so many things at once as he yelled out. Hopeful, scared, nervous, happy, and excited.

"GERMANY IT'S ME!!!"

Germany's mind clicked as he recognized the voice as Italy's. His face lit up and he ran to meet Italy half way. He was thinking so many things and couldn't think of the right way to piece them together. So many things came to his mind. Italy I'm sorry, are we still friends, I don't hate you, don't hate me, I miss you, I need you, you're my best friend.

Not wanting to wait and fearful that Italy would, for some reason, turn and run away from him he started to yell out his apology while he was running.

"Italy I'm sorry! I'm sorry I got so upset! It was just because you sided with someone other than me and I was surprised that's all! I understand why you allied with Iraq and its okay! I'm not mad! I didn't mean to scream at you! I was mad and confused but, please forgive me!"

Italy's face brightened and the gap between him and Germany was only a few feet. Germany thought he was mad at him?! Italy laughed out loud from the irony and smiled widely. He tried to think of a way to apologize but his mind was so overfilled with joy and hope that he acted on the whim of his heart.

Casting aside his original plans and nervous feelings, Italy met Germany's lips with his own in a passionate and loving kiss.

"I love you Germany!"

And suddenly Italy felt himself being shoved away from the German.

HC: Oh God I am so sorry! I took almost a month to update! I am a horrible person! This chapter would have arrived ages ago but I was so busy since I just graduated from middle school. And then of course I had to go and catch the stomach flu and get a super high fever making it so that I couldn't work! I really do feel awful for making you guys wait so long!

I have come up with a plan that should, if it works, produce a chapter every 1-2 weeks! Cross your fingers!

And thank you to everyone who keeps coming back to check for updates, and those who read and favorite and review or add me to your subscription or the story to your alert! I appreciate every single one! Thank you so much for reading and I'll see you in chapter four!!

RedMoonDragon: I'm sorry too it took so long to update this chapter!! I hope this chapter illustration can make up for consolation; it has Iraq's design on it. Thank you for everyone who reviewed our story, we appreciate it so much, and cross your fingers! I also would like to thank anyone who likes the illustrations too; it fuels our anticipation to finish this story. Demo~ I'll see you at the next chapter!