Chapter 3

Sometimes Liechtenstein half wondered if Netherlands happened to be part ghost. Every moment she could steal away to go out into the gardens in the mornings, the girl could never find the Dutch. The signs of him were there, but the man had vanished into the warm, spring air. Often she would jog quickly ahead of Hungary, to stumble by a rose bush that had a faint scent of tobacco. As if Juriaan had just been there smoking but recently left to another part of the gardens. This perplexed her. Germany's gardens were large, but nothing that could hide a whole person, and most certainly not someone as tall as Netherlands.

"What are you looking for?" Hungary asked on several occasions.

"Oh, I thought I saw a rare bird." she would lie quickly.

The month of April passed by with relatively no commotion. As May came in, Gilbert replaced Elizabeta. Hungary laid ill in bed with a bed case of allergies. Gilbert would huff and puff about picking roses or just walking the small enclosed garden.

"Aren't you bored of this? We just went here yesterday. Let me take you to Berlin." everyday consisted of these complaints and offers. But Lily denied them all, her eyes continued to search for the Dutch man. Fate had allowed her to enjoy his quiet serenity twice now, surely it would grant her a third or fourth time?

But the world seem to have engulfed the man leaving him to be never found. The only sign he remained with in the walls of Germany's estate, were cigarette buds that dotted the ground. However, it could have easily been Gilbert smoking, but the scent told her other wise. Gilbert smelt bitter, Juriaan did not.

The month of May crept into being and Lily received a sudden opportunity at freedom.

"We're going north." Ludwig announced one night over dinner. "We have a potential to extend further into Scandinavia and the higher ups have advised we go in almost full strength."

Her uncle straightened in his seat, "Who exactly is going?" his voice was weary and uncertainty. Liechtenstein didn't blame him. Austria, much like herself had been forged into a finer nation his hands weren't meant for war. They were just not built to rough it out in battle or the wilderness like Germany and Prussia.

Ludwig looked bewildered at the fine clothed man. "Why the three of us men, of course." his answer rang from his mouth as if it were a common and logical decision.

"And who exactly will run the house hold in your absence? You have a mountain of servant nations wondering about." Elizabeta's voice chided in.

"I am leaving one ally here. Italy will be here in my absence. His brother can take over all Italy while his younger brother is here. It's a perfect job for such a coward." Ludwig divulged the extra information with an long sigh.

"For the glory of the German race." Prussia lifted his glass. The other members at the table followed, most not as enthusiastic.

They were all German now. The motto slapped them all in the face. Liechtenstein might as well been called Fraulein Germany.

Italy arrived five hours after Germany, Austria, and Prussia left. A day and half late. In case Italy never showed up, Lily would be appointed to lead the house hold. A wave of relief washed over her when she saw his blue uniform walking up the path to their estate. He brought a huge briefcase that he swung as he did some weird dance as his voice rang out in a strange Italian tune. From her window chair, Lily giggled at the sight. She had forgotten how incredibly cute the man was.

"Feliciano?" Elizabeta coarse, allergy ridden voice screamed from the front door.

The man stopped his singing and dancing. Even far away his large beaming smile could be seen. "Miss Hungary?" he called back his voice full of delight.

"Oh my god! Feli!" Hungary ushed like a mother hen over her chick before rushing out onto the lawn to meet the man half way in a bear hug. There reunion was drowned out by laughter, Lily found herself feeling down hearted. Her thoughts wondered to her brother. How she wished she could be reunited with Vash. But no such thing would happen for a long time, she knew.

Crawling from her spot, Lily walked to the front door to great Italy as well. The two crossed over the threshold still with their arms wrapped around each other, stumbling and taking out the coat rack. Lily barely had time to side step the object before it made a loud thud with the floor.

"Oh shoot, sorry Liechtenstein." Hungary said as she finally let her embrace fall from the Italian. The woman sneezed violently into her handkerchief.

"Italy this is Miss Liechtenstein. You remember her don't you? She is Switzerland's little sister." she managed in a nasal sounding voice.

Italy beamed at her before kissing Lily on the cheeks twice. The girl blushed in total shock, "Of course I do. My you are such a pretty little girl, aren't you!"

"T-Thank you." she muttered as her cheeks began to heat up. "I'm glad you have finally showed up, Italy. I was put in charge in case you never turned up. So…" she trailed off not sure in what she should say.

"Oh I am truly sorry about that. But there were so many pretty ladies to great me, I had to sample them all." the Italian indulged. "I hope Germany wasn't too mad."

"Not at all." Lily lied.

"Italy you should really be more responsible." Elizabeta told the truth. "We are just two women surrounded by many conquered nations. What if they decided to rebel."

Feliciano seem to stiffen, "You don't think they actually would, do you?"

"No." Hungary sighed at the blatant show of cowardice from the man. Lily supposed that was why Eliza was kept in such high regards. If the other's tried to revolt, this woman would beat them down to protect her Uncle's things.

Italy brightened once more before heading into the kitchen. "I'm hungry Miss Eliza, would you like something as well?"

"No, I'm not in the mood for pasta." she admitted as she sniffled into her kerchief.

"That's too bad. It would have cured your cold. What about you Miss Lily?"

"Oh no, I'm not hungry." she whispered softly. "Would it be okay if I went out into the garden, Italy?"

"I don't see why not." he replied as he headed into the kitchen. "Help me find my way around the kitchen, please, Eliza."

Hungary quickly intervened with Liechtenstein's freedom. "Feliciano, you were sent here to look after Miss Liechtenstein and the house. We cannot have her wondering around without company…"

"Why? Are they terrible men?" he asked fearfully.

"No… it's just…"

"She's a big girl, Hungary." Italy concluded good naturedly.

Hungary did nothing more than frown and sniffle. Not feeling well enough to argue with the young nation this left Liechtenstein to her own devices. Before the two reunited friends could start up another conversation, Liechtenstein was out the door. Quickly her steps made their way to the garden. Like a phantom, Netherlands appeared.

Liechtenstein stopped in front the tall Dutch who spaded the earth and placing in seeds. "Where have you been?" Liechtenstein asked after realizing that Juriaan wasn't going to acknowledge her presence.

"Here. It's not like I can actually leave this place." he mumbled.

"How come I could never find you?" she asked slightly bitter, her voice high a childish.

"Mmm I don't like too many people around making noise. If you wish to see me, I suggest to come by yourself." he said bluntly.

"How!" the girl spoke a little loudly. This made Juriaan stare up at her, a deep frown on his face. "I can never be alone. So if I want to see you, then how do I do this?"

A pause passed, and Netherlands went back to his seeds.

"Why is it that you want to see me so much?" he asked finally. "After all you are German-"

"I am not German." Lily seethed, tears flooding to her eyes. "I am Liechtenstein, I'm not German!" the girls knees began to shake as she looked into Netherlands' eyes. No sympathy, almost cold. "I…" she tried to begin but her voice seem to leave her. Saying she was German was too cruel. As the years ticked by, Lily only wish she could go back home to the mountains. Lily wanted to feel the Liechtenstein soil in her hands, smell the Edelweiss that her brother grew in huge amounts by the front door. Most of all, she wanted her older brother. Sweet, quiet Switzerland, how he must be worrying about her now. All she had were these tiny moments where home didn't feel so far away. In a way, Netherlands cruelly reminded her of her older brother. So quiet, so frank. Taking a few breaths she stilled herself, "I feel as if I can forget the cage I'm trapped in when I'm around you. It's almost like a slice of home is here in this garden. You make me feel as if I'm not a child, as if I have an identity again."

"You might as well forget that feeling." the man answer coldly. "For we are all German now."

"Even you?"

"Even me."

"You're terrible and mean." Liechtenstein bit back at the Dutch. A few warm tears slipped down her pale cheeks. This caused Juriaan's face to falter and soften.

"I'm sorry Liechtenstein." he said as one of his big hands awkwardly touched her shoulder. "I'm just used to being blunt. I didn't mean to make you cry." The girl just let out a few sobs, crying into her hands. Netherlands felt uncomfortable watching her display such sadness in front of him. "What do you want me to say?" a slight edge of desperateness trilled through his vocal cords. He swallowed thickly. "Do you want me to lie? Is that it? Do you want me to say there's not a war that your people is apart of?"

Lily just hiccupped and shook her head. She would have answered but a strange voice piped up.

"Oh what is this? Dude Netherlands did you make a girl cry again?" the voice was loud and rather carefree, causing both of their heads to snap up in the mans direction.

"Denmark…" Juriaan half growled.

Lily blinked her tears away to see an overly smiling face framed by wild hair. The man was soon in her bubble looking at her as if she were an interesting toy. His bright blue eyes twinkled with mischievousness.

"Don't worry miss!" he cooed loudly as he pushed her into a too tight embrace. "This Dutchman just hasn't been laid in a century! Don't fret your pretty little head over his gruffness. The Dutch are just known to be ass holes-"

Lily was pushed from Denmark's embrace to see Netherlands grabbing the blonde by the hair. The former Viking hissed in pain as his smashed and to the side craned on the dirt path. All the while, Netherlands gigantic hand pinned the Dane down.

"You're stepping on my seeds." Netherlands said calmly before releasing the man.

"Jesus fucking Christ! What is it with people being so violent with me lately?" the man pouted as he sat up brushing his worn coat. "Do you know what has happened to me, Miss?"

Lily shook her head. "No I don't have a clue, sorry."

"Well first off earlier this year I am rudely conquered by those Yodeling heehaws, then I am stuffed in a small shed with about 5 other men. Then Norge, he comes and instead of embracing me, happy to see me, he punches me in the teeth. Look at this I have a lose tooth." he pointed to one of his front teeth. "What if I lose a tooth, I'll be the laughing stock of Scandinavia."

"You already are." Netherlands cut in.

"Yeah well that's not what your sister thought last night-"

An upper cut from Netherlands made the Dane change course in his topic quickly.

"Ouch ya prick. But anyways, I get up today and I am ordered to add a whole 3 more meters to our left wall. That shack is about to collapse and they want me to make the thing bigger. I swear German's are forever drunk."

"That does seem dreadful."

Netherlands scoffed, "Don't give him pity, Liechtenstein. First of all when Norway joined us here in hell, he punched Denmark here because of surrendering so easily. You know what that lead to right?"

"No."

"You're naïve." the older man quipped. "Quick access to conquering Norway. Norway is here because of this idiot. Ever since he's been here, he's received far more food than any of us. In fact he gets three square meals a day."

Lily looked up at Netherlands in horror. "You mean you don't?"

"Of course not."

"Hey now." Denmark spoke up. "Don't try and make me look like a demon. I did all that to save my people. I don't need my country to be treated terribly like yours, Juriaan."

Netherlands didn't even bother to look at the man. Instead his eyes seem to glance off into the distance. His thoughts must have been a thousand kilometers away, somewhere where suppression could not reach him, a place Liechtenstein would never know.

"Tell me, ma'am, do you like to dance?" Denmark asked out of nowhere. His words seem to snap the Dutch back to the garden for he his frown deepened.

"What are you planning? Do you even know who this lady is?"

"Why of course I do! You are Miss Liechtenstein! The pearl of the German empire." Denmark suavely as he mocked bowed to her, making Lily giggle in delight as he took her hand in his and placed a quick kiss on her knuckles. "Now tell me, ma'am do you like to dance? And ignore this Dutch's gripes. It's an easy question, needs only an easy answer."

"Yes." Lily answered. "I really do Mister Denmark. I used to dance all the time back in Switzerland."

"Oh! Don't they let you dance anymore, my flower?" she shook her head no. "Then you must come to the servants quarters tonight! You and I and the other's will sing and dance!"

"That is not happening." Netherlands interrupted. "You know damn well they watch her like a hawk in there. If she's caught with us, god cant even count the number of beatings we will all get!"

"Ah, ah, Netherlands. I am not going to let your bitterness into this argument. Besides…" he smiled wickedly. "I am too smart to get caught. And they're not home now. Perfect opportunity to let Lily have some fun. And I have been saving my meals up for this occasion!"

"Lily!" Hungary's stuffy voice called from the kitchen window.

"Oh no the Hungarian is calling you." The Dane let out a whistle. "She sure does have a rack, even now days."

"Lily! Where are you?" Hungary called once more.

The Dane began to walk away before adding, "Tonight, leave your window open."

He was gone just as quickly as he came.

"Liechtenstein!" Hungary's sharp voice called.

But Lily looked up at Juriaan, "What should I do?" she asked.

The Dutch shrugged. "Do what you want."

"Can I trust him?"

The Dutch let out a dry chuckle. "Mathias doesn't have the ability to hurt a fly, but I still wouldn't trust him."

His words didn't even echo in her head. Liechtenstein had already made her mind up. The girl dashed off to Hungary's calls, leaving Netherlands alone.

Grumbling darkly, the Dutch abandoned his seeds and searched for the Dane. Mathias was found quickly, amongst long pieces of wood he was marking to later be sawed down to the right size.

"Why did you do that, exactly?" Netherlands spoke.

"Huh? Oh you mean the girl. I really was planning on having a party tonight. Something Belgium and I have been concocting for the past month since we heard of the possible news of Germany leaving for Finland." Those last few words left the mans mouth sadly. Germany going to Scandinavia could only mean one thing really. Netherlands, last he had heard before succumbing to defeat, learned that Finland was in a bitter fight with Russia. With Germany looking at Scandinavia to expand into, there was no chance that the bright Fin could hold out two powerful nations.

"But why did you invite, Liechtenstein?" Netherlands decided to steer away from the dark truth involving Finland. "She is one of them you know."

"Ah, but being Germany's personal driver I get the privilege to see the things that go on. That girl… she looks so sad, so out of place. You know Bel agrees with me. That girl is probably just as big of a prisoner as us."

"My sister is a hopeless gossip." Netherlands countered as he reached into his pocket taking out his pipe before lighting it.

Denmark's nose crinkled at the smell, "Is that cloves your smoking? So you can't get tobacco so you smoke a spice. Dear god Juriaan, it's burning my nose from here."

"Stop your annoying whining and tell me why you're so interested in Liechtenstein."

"Bah! I'm not interested in her like THAT." Denmark laughed. "Just… when was the last time I touched a girls hand? God I miss women, Netherlands. I miss they're warmth, their soft skin…"

"Stop," Netherlands voice came out roughly. "I get it."

"Glad you do. Now if you don't mind. I got until tonight to add 3 meters onto our shack. Go away you depressing Dutchman."

Zomg guys. I'm sooooo sorry I took so long to write this. First off I got stuck, then I'm like I wanna draw. By the time I wanted to write again it was midterm time and I had to write a 7 paged history report. After that dreadful thing I decided to go back to drawing. Today I finally pooped out on drawing and decided I wanna write and booya it was my weekend and I had all of my homework done. So here I am with this chapter. Btw Denmark was hella fun to write. After I finish this fanfic or my other one I am so gonna do a Denmark fic!

Also, heads up. The next thing I'm going to update is Romano and Me. I have edited, my beta'r has edited it, so it is time I get my butt in gear and update that story! However, I use a beta'r for that. So if I am in must write mode for long enough, you may see this one updated again... or another one shot that involves that sexy, sweet, and fine Dane. Anyways, tell me how you guys are liking this! If you got any suggestions let me know!