A few weeks later and Russia's injuries from that day had healed completely. He had gone back to that silent stranger who rarely spoke but always smiled that fake inhuman smile. Sometimes Ukraine thinks she hears him crying but when she finds him, he is just standing there normally. He always smiles a little brighter when he sees her or Belarus but she can still see the hatred and sadness behind it. She knew he was an emotional time bomb and a deadly one. He truly believed that if he became big and strong then his life would get better. She couldn't find it in her heart to correct him or tell him otherwise. Belarus always followed Russia around now, clinging to him desperately, like she was trying to comfort him. The old Russia would have grinned and start playing with her or try to pick her up but the new Russia just smile and nodded and greeted her formally. "Hello little sister." or "Hello Belarus." He seemed caged and trapped within the Boss's grip and the empty loneliness of the house, unable to speak his mind. His only goal seemed to be to grow taller and stronger.
Another loud noise came from Russia's room and Ukraine hurried to the room, hoping not to find Russia being pushed around by the boss again. She almost bumped into the boss as he emerged from the room.
"Ukraine. I told you before. No running in the house. And no talking to Russia for a week. He is grounded."
"Da sir." replied Ukraine weakly, already teary. The boss left down the hallway and down the stairs without looking back. Ukraine hurried to the open door way and looked in. A trampled sunflower lay on the floor, dead and destroyed beside the broken vase which once contained it but the worst sight was Russia. He stood staring emotionlessly at the scene, with his hands covered in blood.
"Brother Russia!" She almost ran into the room to hug him if he didn't raise his hand to stop her.
"I'm okay. I just cut myself on the glass."
"What happened?"
"Oh... I dropped the vase and the boss got angry. I'm not allowed to leave my room for a week." He said in a 'matter of fact' voice, not seeming to care about his last sunflower being crushed.
"What happened to the sunflower?..."
"The boss stepped on it."
"Oh..." Ukraine felt awkward, standing there. She wished he would cry or show some sort of emotion that a young boy would show when something important to them was crush. He was only a six year old boy, he was supposed to cry and get angry, throw temper tantrums! Not just stand there emotionlessly! Suddenly he smiled and Ukraine looked up surprised. Her surprised turned to horror though as Russia stood on the sunflower's big round head with one foot.
"I'm stronger than this flower but I want to be stronger still..." Ukraine just stared, slightly afraid of this new Russia who would step on his only favourite flower while smiling. He turned and looked up at her innocently. "Sorry sister but you need to leave. I'm not allowed to talk to anyone for a week."
Ukraine nodded and left, tears brimming.
(N/A - Review Da?)