Chapter 3

The years flew by as quickly as they came. In no time at all, Alfred was ten years old and more hyper and energetic than you could imagine. But despite that, he was a good boy; Arthur had done his best to raise him right and teach him about his responsibilities of being a Leader.

One day, Alfred woke up early just as dawn was breaking. He tiptoed into his father's room, "Dad? Dad! C'mon Dad, wake up!" he whispered loudly as he ran towards his bed.

His father had promised him that he would take him outside early and tell him more about being a Leader, so Alfred had gotten up extra early to get ready. A droopy-eyed Arthur leaned on the doorway as Alfred tried to wake Ludwig. The boy had woke him up just as early to help him because he couldn't find his shoes. How did that boy get so much energy?

"Dad? Daaad!" Alfred whined as his father continued to snore.

His dad turned away and muttered, "Vait until after sunrise, son."

But Alfred was getting impatient, "Dad! C'mon dad!" he whined and pulled on his dad's nightshirt.

Unfortunately it was too heavy and Alfred went flying backwards onto the floor when he let go. Arthur chuckled from his view from the door. The boy got up and knew this meant war. He jumped on the large bed and climbed onto his father who opened one eye.

"You promised!" Alfred said firmly.

Ludwig sighed looking at his son's angry expression, "Alright, I'm up." He said.

"Yes!" Alfred cheered quietly as he ran back towards the door.

Ludwig got up and got dressed and met Alfred who was holding Arthur's hand near the entrance of the staircase that led to the roof of the mansion. Ludwig walked out ahead of him while Arthur quickly adjusted Alfred's little brown jacket and fixed a bit of his hair that was sticking out. When he was done, he gave Alfred a small push towards Ludwig, signaling to hurry along. Alfred smiled and ran towards his father as Arthur went back inside to his own room.

Alfred and Ludwig arrived on the rood just as the sun was rising. "Look Alfred," Ludwig said looking out at the country side and the cities below them, "everyzing you see is your country."

"Wow…" Alfred breathed looking at the big cities that were just beginning to wake up.

"A Leader rules a nation vhen he becomes of age," Ludwig continued looking down at Alfred, "One day, vhen you're old enough, you vill rise as ze new Leader of America." He said smiling.

"And this'll all be mine?" Alfred asked pointing at the large country.

"Everyzing." Ludwig confirmed, nodding.

Alfred looked around the enormous landscape until his eyes fell on a small, dark, barren patch of land near the east coast, "What about that dark place?" Alfred asked pointing.

Ludwig frowned, "Zat's land outside zis country; you must never go there until you are old enough."

He couldn't tell Alfred, but that patch of land was so barren that nothing could grow and flourish there. A while back before Alfred was born, the Soviet nations of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine had tried to occupy America by force and a war broke out near the coast. The Axis Powers and Allies were able to defeat them, but the battle had ravaged the natural growth, leaving it barren and untouched by sunlight. But even that didn't stop the Soviets from staying in that barren place, waiting for their next chance to strike.

Alfred frowned, "But I thought a Leader was like a king and tells others what to do." He said.

Ludwig smiled, "Vell zere's more to a Leader zan just bossing everyvun around."

Alfred's eyes widened, "There's more?" he asked.

"Come vith me." Ludwig said.

Alfred followed his father into the large meadow near their house as he explained to him about all the responsibilities of being a Leader.

"As a Leader, you have to do vhat is best for your people, and try your best to have good relations vith other countries." Ludwig said.

"But Dad, don't we take over other countries in wars and stuff?" Alfred asked.

"Not exactly; our goal is to bring peace to other nations, so you have to-"

"Ludwig!" a voice cried out. Ludwig and Alfred looked up to see Francis and Wang Yao, the Leader of China running towards them.

"What is it?" Ludwig asked.

"The Soviets! They are entering the city to the east!" Yao said.

Ludwig nodded, "Francis, take Alfred home." He ordered the Frenchman and started to run off with Yao.

"Wait! Can I come too?" Alfred called.

"No." Ludwig answered quickly and continued to run.

Alfred frowned as he turned towards his home with Francis beside him, "I never get to go anywhere." He muttered.

"Don't worry mon enfant, someday you will be a Leader like us, non? Zen you can join us in fights against zose Commie Soviet freaks whenever you want." Francis reassured.

Francis left him alone as soon as they arrived at home. Alfred went down the hallway and decided to visit his uncle. He found the door open as usual and saw his uncle staring out the window.

"Hey, Uncle Gilbert, guess what?" he asked excitedly.

Gilbert rolled his eyes, "I hate guessing games," he growled. He always despised it when his nephew barged in like this; it always seemed to happen when he didn't want to be disturbed.

"I'm gonna be the Leader of America!" Alfred said proudly.

"Vonderful," Gilbert said monotonously.

Alfred went next to him and looked out the window, "Dad just showed me the whole country, and I get to rule it all since I'm a hero!" he said looking at his uncle.

"Vell, forgive me for not leaping for joy, but I'm qvite tired today." Gilbert said frowning as he slumped on the couch.

Alfred, not seeming to notice his uncle's mood, jumped on the couch next to him.

"He showed you ze whole country?" Gilbert asked the boy.

"Yep!" Alfred said.

"I bet he didn't show vhat's out on ze east coast." Gilbert said.

Alfred sighed, knowing he was talking about that barren place, "No, he said I can't go there,"

"And he's absolutely right, it's far too dangerous!" Gilbert exclaimed, "Only ze bravest and most awesome Leaders go zere." He said.

Alfred frowned, "Well I'm brave and awesome! What's down there?" he asked.

Gilbert stood up and shook his head, "I'm sorry Alfred I just can't tell you."

Alfred jumped up, "Why not?" he asked.

"Alfred, I'm just doing vhat's best for my awesome nephew." Gilbert said patting the boy's small head.

Alfred smirked, "Yeah right, I'm your only nephew."

Gilbert took his hand away, "All ze more reason for me to be protective; an abandoned battlefield is no place for a child-oops!" he said covering his mouth.

Alfred's eyes were wide with wonder, "An abandoned battlefield? Whoa!" he gasped.

Gilbert face palmed, "I've said vay too much!" but he sighed, "Vell, you vould've found out eventually, zith you being as smart as you are," he knelt on one knee and pulled Alfred close, "Just do me a favor and promise me you'll never go to zat dreadful place." He said.

Alfred paused before answering, "No problem."

Gilbert smiled, "Good boy, now you run along," he said nudging him towards the door, "and remember, it's our little secret."

Alfred nodded and ran off. Gilbert smiled as Alfred disappeared; it wouldn't be too long now.

Alfred raced up the stairs and through the house until he was in the backyard. Most of the other Leaders were relaxing and talking, but there was one who caught his eye. Since America was usually sunny and so big, a lot of Leaders visited to relax from their rigorous duties, or when Ludwig called a meeting.

He ran towards the back where Arthur and Honda Kiku, the Leader of Japan were sitting. Kiku was brushing the hair of a brunette girl about Alfred's age. Alfred ran towards her, "Hey Rachel!" he greeted.

The girl smiled, "Hi Alfred!" she said back.

Rachel was the soon-to-be Leader of the small island of Seychelles. She was found on the island with no parents in sight, so she was brought to America to be raised. Kiku had taken the responsibility of raising her, and since he and Arthur were good friends, the two children got to play together often. Rachel looked up to Kiku as her father and loved him just as much.

"C'mon, I just heard about this great place." He said quietly to her.

Rachel frowned, "Alfred, I'm kind of in the middle of brushing." She said as Kiku continued to brush her hair and tie it back.

"That reminds me, it's time to fix your hair." Arthur said.

Alfred tried to get away, but the Brit was too quick. He picked him up and placed him on his lap. He pulled a comb out of his pocket and began brushing the struggling boy's hair back.

"Arthur! Arthur, you're messing up my hair! No one messes with the hero's hair Iggy!" Alfred protested.

"Oh hush, it won't take long." Arthur said smiling and continued to brush until he was done. Having raised Alfred for ten years, they were practically like family. Alfred saw and loved Arthur as the big brother he never had, and since his mom was dead, Arthur was always there to spend time with him and teach him new things since he occasionally went back to Britain to see how his country was faring without him.

Alfred jumped off of Arthur's lap and shook his hair, "Okay, I look great; can we go now?" he asked with an annoyed tone.

"So, where are we going?" Rachel asked, "It better not be stupid."

Alfred shook his head, "No, it's really cool!"

Arthur leaned towards him, "So, where is this 'really cool' place?" he asked.

Alfred hesitated before answering, "Near the river." Alfred answered.

"The river? What's so great about the river?" Rachel asked as Kiku tied her hair into two ponytails with red ribbons.

"I'll show you when we get there!" Alfred said quietly through his teeth. Rachel's eyes widened as she realized what he was up too. She smiled and turned to Kiku who had finally finished her hair,

"Kiku, can I go with Alfred?" she asked.

Kiku looked at Arthur, "What do you think Arthur?" he asked. The two kids turned to the Brit, "Well…"

Arthur said trailing off. "Pleeeease?" the children pleaded with big eyes.

"It's alright with me," Arthur finally said. The two kids cheered and started to run off, "As long as Francis goes with you!" Arthur called after them. They stopped in their tracks, "Not Francis!" Alfred moaned.

AN: YAY! The plots finally moving! In case you didn't catch it, Rachel is Seychelles (Look her up if you don't know who she is in Hetalia). I had to give her a human name since she doesn't have one, and I figured since she didn't really have a spot in the show, she would be the perfect pair for Alfred!

Oh! And how'd you like Alfred and Arthur's brother relationship. I'll talk more about it when the climax comes around.

Next chapter we get to sing! YAY!