White Flags

Chapter 3: Behind Every Story

His only memory was waking up with a clear blue sky above his head and to his side, an albino with blood colored eyes that held out his hand.

"Who are you? What happened?" were the first questions he asked. The other man was surprised.

"So, you don't remember at all?" The boy shamefully shook his head.

"I'm Prussia. It seems you've had a case of amnesia. Well, no matter!" Prussia dragged him onto his feet, "Think of a name for yourself! Start over!"

"But… how do I prevent myself from losing my memories again?"

"Simple," said Prussia, "Just don't mess up again. Become stronger and you live longer."

"I shall be dubbed Germany," he smiled. And with that, he took the only good advice Prussia gave him to his heart.

…

"You mean to tell me you never used a gun before?" asked Prussia. Italy shook his head quickly.

"I can see why West never did, considering you would probably hurt yourself," Prussia sighed.

"Veee~well, he did try to teach me to use a grenade once, but I put it in my mouth and he was flipping out on me…" Prussia decided not to comment. He took the pistol next to him and reloaded it.

"Obviously, you can't use a gun if there's no bullet. Otherwise, it won't do anything. This is how it's done." He grabbed Italy's hand and placed it on the holder of the gun and then his index finger on the trigger.

"All you have to do is press on it and shoot! Just be careful where you aim. Try going for that target over there. You want to aim for the middle." And Italy fired, but it hit the tree.

"Did I win?"

"No, try again. Remember, aim for the middle. Concentrate!" And he did several more times until he realized it wasn't getting anywhere near the middle, so he bullet after bullet after bullet, he ended up unsuccessful. All were used up. Prussia smacked his forehead.

"It seems to me like we need more work."

…

To Germany:

Hello, this is Italy. I had a nightmare recently. In the dream, you completely forgot about me. Now, I'm worried that if you become friends with Russia, you'll really forget about me. Friends forever, okay? Oh yeah, and your sausages taste like shit.

From, Italy Venenciano

Germany had placed the letter on the corner of his desk after he read it and placed one hand over his face. That letter was… He wasn't sure how to describe it. (Although the last sentence was surely offending) How was he supposed to forget about Italy? Italy was stupid, naive, had betrayed him several times during warfare, was lazy, was persistent and annoying, but… he was also strangely creative. He had seen Italy paint on the easel several times and create amazing portraits. Not to mention he wanted to be around Germany constantly and considered them as friends.

Of course they knew they had very little in common. In fact, they were complete opposites. Germany was the hard worker striving for great power when all Italy wanted was to have fun and relax. Only around Italy did he ever get chances to do either. Maybe that was what attracted him so much to the weaker nation…

"Become stronger and live longer…" Germany had wasted much of his time on Italy. He was sure he was becoming weaker and held down more as a result, but he did want to protect him. He wanted to make sure his friend wouldn't get hurt! At least if he trained Italy, he might be able to care for himself and Germany could concentrate on other things…

No, that was too selfish of a thought. He couldn't just leave Italy after all this time. It wouldn't be right for him. Friends forever.

…

"Okay," Prussia began, "It took you only a half hour to get your bullet inside the actual target. It took you another hour to get it in the middle. I suppose this is improvement." Italy pointed the gun towards Prussia and put a bullet through his hat, making it fall off.

"So, when's my next lesson?"

"…Tomorrow… I have a headache…"

…

It was quiet at Germany's. There only sounds in the house were the ticking from his cuckoo clocks, the pen he was using to write and the shuffling of his feet. The stereo wasn't blasted nor some kind of video game on the T.V. It was nice to finally have peace for once. He actually got all his work done and it was… 21,30. Not bad.

He went upstairs and tucked himself in to prepare himself for another day. And shut his eyes.

'I wonder… how Italy is doing. I hope Prussia isn't doing anything vulgar to him.' He cringed at the thought of seeing Prussia grinning wildly at the door way and shouting, "All it took was 5 meters" in his pride. Germany turned over in his sleep and tugged at the pillow that rested below his head.

'Remember, this is for the best… He'll lose, so I can prove to him that he's wrong. We can't be friends-possibly allies, but at that at most. Or maybe…' Germany thought, 'Maybe he'll be more dependent on me than ever. He'll come back to me and realize that he really does need my help to become stronger and'- Germany stopped his thoughts and forced his eyes shut. He decided it was best to think about it later.

…

Italy was finally able to sleep well that night. He drifted off into a deep , comfortable slumber…

"It's Germany and Japan! Look! Look!" Italy raised a pink looking flower above his head, "I found this really cool flower!"Complete silence. "What are you two talking about?" Neither nation responded, so he listened in closer to their conversation.

"Let's proceed the next mission without Italy."

"Good call. We wouldn't want him betraying us again." A crack pounded in Italy's ears. He was pretty sure that sounded like his spirit.

"Let them say what they want!" Romano joined in with Italy, "War is all about winning, even if you have to sell out your allies." Italy frowned.

"What're you talking about, brother? They're my friends." Regardless, he crept over to Germany.

"G-Germany, I'm weak, but I'll do my best. So don't forget me, okay?" And he walked away.

Italy woke up with a scream that was more terrifying than the first time he had the dream and jumped out his bed and took off in lightening speed.

"G-GERMANY!!!" He slammed open a random door and threw himself onto the occupier of a bed, all the while crying hysterically.

"Don't forget me! Don't forget me!"

"How can I not? You just pounded me!" Italy stopped whimpering momentarily when he noticed it wasn't Germany's voice this time. "Now get off me! You're heavy! Stop crying!" This only made Italy whimper even louder.

"You're not Germany! Where is he?"

"At his house! Get off of me already!" Reluctantly, Italy rolled off onto his side.

"I had a nightmare, Prussia…" Prussia sat up half way and looked at the Italian tiredly.

"It wasn't real, Italy. Now please go back to bed."

"B-But what if it comes true?"

"Then don't let it happen. Jesus, Italy. Don't worry so much." Italy wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and sniffled.

"Okay, then I won't…" He smiled sadly at Prussia. "Thank you, Prussia."

"Don't thank me, I'm just awesome like that," he grinned, "Next time you have a nightmare, next time, don't jump on top of me, got it?"

"Sì, Sì!" He left the room quietly and this time slept easier than before.

…

Germany looked at himself in the mirror in the morning. Dark circles appeared to have developed under his head. He washed his face thoroughly, feeling like he was ready to pass out any moment. He hated the feeling of going through a night without sleep.

'Maybe… if I at least see how he's doing, I'll feel better.' He left the house after eating breakfast and walked the familiar path to Italy's house and hid behind one of the trees.

"Good, it seems like you can handle the rifle now. You're not directly hitting the target in the middle, but you're at least getting it inside. Your aim is getting better," he heard Prussia say.

"Veee~ Really? I am?"

"Yeah! We still gotta try the submachine guns, shotguns, but first, I need to teach you how to use that grenade properly."

"Okay!"

Oh… so he was fine after all. As he overheard, he's actually using weapons correctly? He couldn't believe it.

He watched Prussia un clip a grenade and throw it at a tree next to him and let it explode.

"And that's how it's done! You just need the right aim and distance. This time, you're actually throwing it, so it might be harder. When you master this, you'll be able to fight!" Germany quickly scurried away, realizing how dangerous it was to be in the forest, and ran back home, but he couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe Italy might actually go head to head with him.

…

"But I don't like fighting," Italy complained.

"This is war, Italy. You have to." Prussia handed Italy a grenade, which he successfully unclipped and bombed another several trees.

"Is this the only way to win?"

"Yes," Prussia nodded, "Especially to have your way with Germany." Italy stared at the next grenade that was handed to him. It went against everything that he thought about war. All it did was bring hardship and hurt to others including himself, but if tragedy was the only way he could prove his worth to Germany… perhaps it really was worth the try.

A/N: Sorry for the late update! School and all that crap is going on… Hopefully, I'll get the next update done soon!