Cora

Unfortunately, this chapter is mainly filler. Nevertheless, please enjoy!

Pluckley Village, 2016

Arthur was surprised with how well Matthew was coping. It had been a week since the Canadian had discovered the existence of ghosts.

Matthew decided to visit Carlos again, and that had gone well. Well enough, after Matthew had established that he wasn't Alfred, that is. Carlos hadn't had one of his flashbacks since that time, so that was a good sign. Arthur had hoped that Matthew could act as Carlos's anchor to reality, and so far it was working.

Alfred had started to notice his brother's constant eagerness to get away as soon as he could. Most of the time he was heading the infamous Fright Corner to do who knows what. The American honestly couldn't understand the new development in his brother's life. They had done everything together since their parents had married when they were five, and it was very new for Alfred to have no idea what Matthew was up to.

On Friday, Matthew received a call from Arthur. It came just before seven o'clock, so the blond haired Canadian had to excuse himself from the table earlier.

"Matthew?"

"Arthur?" Matthew replied, unsure as to why his new friend would be calling. "Do you need help with something?"

"Actually, I do…" Arthur sounded hesitant, as if he was unsure about what he was about to say. "I'm terribly sorry Matthew, but my brother has decided to have us stay in Hothfield for the next week. I wasn't aware of this until Allistor told us yesterday."

"So what can I do?" Matthew asked. "I'll do anything I can to help."

"I feel bad for asking this of you, Matthew, but would you be able to go around the town every second night, just to make sure everything is in order? You can take… Gilbert with you if you want."

Matthew grinned from the other end of the phone. "Sure! Where do you want me to go?"

There was a pause, as Arthur considered his words. "Thank you Matthew, this makes things so much easier! Well… You'll need to check up on Carlos every now and again, to make sure that he's okay, and keep an eye on Gilbert. The two of them tend to be quite noisy sometimes. They are the two ghosts that normally cause the most trouble, but just make sure that there aren't any disturbances elsewhere. Gilbert can show you the most common spots."

"That sounds fine." Matthew nodded, pleased that Arthur trusted him with such a job. "You can count on me, Arthur! Would you like me to take notes for you at school as well?"

"Oh, that would be great." In addition to his normal hesitance, there was relief in Arthur's voice. "I'm sorry to spring this upon you suddenly… I- "

Matthew cut him off. "Normally I'm the one apologising all the time! Arthur, I'm just glad I can help okay?"

"Well…" If he was there in person, Arthur would have been looking anywhere but at Matthew's face. He had always done things alone. "Thanks again Matthew, I'll let you get on with your evening."

Staring at the silent phone, Matthew silently cheered. He had been trusted with an important job by one of his classmates!

"Dude, who was that?" Alfred asked when Matthew re-joined the family at the table.

"Arthur. He's going away for a few days and wants me to take some notes for him in class and stuff." Matthew replied, leaving most of the details out.

"He's one of the Kirkland boys, isn't he?" Marianne Williams commented. "That's very kind of you, Matthew. Be sure to be neat when you take the notes, don't write in scribbles." Matthew's biological mother gave a pointed look to Alfred, who shrugged while simultaneously consuming another mouthful.

Just after Arthur had finished his phone call, Dylan barged into his room. "Are you excited?"

"No, and you know why, Dylan." Arthur refused to meet his brother's eyes. "We haven't been there for years. I don't know what Allistor is thinking…"

"Maybe he thinks it's time." Dylan paused. "This is hardest on Connor, Arthur. We need to be there for him."

Arthur nodded. "I plan on coming, don't fret."

Dylan grinned. "Great! Well, I'm going to go and make sure that Peter's all packed…"

This was Matthew's first run around town, and he had Gilbert accompanying him, lest he get lost.

"Have you done this before, Gilbert?" the quiet Canadian asked his obnoxiously loud friend.

"Nope! Artie never lets me tag along…" Seeing Matthew's worried expression, Gilbert laughed. "Kesesese, don't worry birdie! I know were everything is. We're not going to get lost. You said we have to go see Carlos, right?"

Matthew nodded. "Yes. Arthur said that he might have a panic attack, and I may need to calm him down."

The ghost immediately became more serious. "Carlos has got it tough, you know. He should have lived a long life. He doesn't deserve to go through all that pain time and time again."

"Um, Gilbert…" Matthew hesitated, wondering whether he was prying. "Arthur told me how Carlos died, but… I don't know about you. I don't mean to pry, I just want to know more about you…!"

"Oh, that." Gilbert shrugged. "I knew you'd ask eventually Birdie. It's no big deal. I was killed by some stingy lawmen. I was a highwayman, you know. An awesome one!" He unbuttoned his thick coat, showing Matthew a crimson wound in his side. "All ghosts have a reminder of how they died, mine is just more visible."

Matthew suddenly felt very uncomfortable for asking. "I'm sorry, Gilbert."

Gilbert waved his hand, laughing it off. "Kesesese, it's no big deal! It was a very long time ago. Now… where does Carlos live again?"

Matthew sighed. He had a feeling that this was going to be a very long night.

It was now Friday. Matthew had separated all of his work into two neat, separate folders, one for Arthur and one for himself. He was now starting to walk home. The Canadian didn't plan on going around town that night. That was when Arthur called him again. Matthew was surprised honestly, in all the time he had known Arthur, this was the most contact they'd had in a single week.

"Hey, Arthur." Matthew answered his phone. "How has your… family trip been going."

"It's been fine." Arthur said shortly, before changing the subject. "How have you been handling everything?"

"I think I've been fine." Matthew replied. "I've been out twice now, and everything seems quiet. Well, apart from that one time up on Maltman's Hill. There was like this carriage that sped through there last night. No one else seemed to see it, but it was really noisy."

"Did you have Gilbert with you?"

Matthew nodded, forgetting that he was on the phone. "Um, yeah."

"I see. Well, don't worry about that, Matthew." Arthur said. "Just avoid Maltman's Hill until I get back. The ghost that lives up there doesn't… take well to others ghosts trespassing up there."

"That'll be fine." Matthew replied. "So it was a ghost?"

"Yes, it was…" There was a moment of silence, before Arthur spoke again. "Matthew, this wasn't exactly why I called you."

Matthew laughed quietly. "I had a feeling that was the case. So, what do you need?"

"Well… You know how Carlos said that your brother had antagonised him in the past? If your brother also possesses the gift to see ghosts, it's important we know. Would it be alright if you take him to see Carlos or Gilbert this afternoon? That way we know for sure?"

Matthew frowned, and kicked a clump of dirt near his foot. He didn't really want to share this part of his life with Alfred. "Do I have to…?"

"Unfortunately, yes." There was sympathy in the Brit's voice. "Am I correct in assuming that you don't want your brother involved."

"Yes." Matthew confessed.

"Well, I certainly can relate." Arthur chuckled from the other end of the line. "None of my brothers are aware of what I do after dark. I have a feeling that they think I am part of some gang or cult! Listen, Matthew, I also have my reservations about Alfred, however, Carlos is my friend as well as yours and if your brother is causing problems for him, we really should try to help him out."

"I hadn't thought of it like that…" the Canadian said guiltily. "I suppose you're right, I'll go with him to see Carlos when I see him next!"

"I'm sorry to bother you again, Matthew." Arthur said for the umpteenth time. There was a noise in the background, like someone was yelling. "Unfortunately, if you need something, you may need to ask Gilbert, Carlos or Bella. I won't be able to answer your calls for a couple of days… I need to be able to support my brothers tomorrow."

Matthew didn't know who this Bella was, or what was so important about tomorrow to Arthur's family, but Matthew was polite and didn't want to pry. In a way, he had learnt his lesson with Gilbert. "Okay, sure, Arthur. I'll see you when you get back, eh?"

Saying his goodbyes, Arthur left the phone. Matthew sighed, and returned the silver device to his pocket. He would honour Arthur's wishes and take his brother to visit Carlos, although he still wasn't completely happy about it.

Before he knew it, Matthew was back at his house, being greeted by the energetic Kumakerri who had been allowed to stay in the Jones-Williams household until his owner was found. Matthew doubted that that would ever happen, so Kumajiwa was as good as theirs.

"Al!" he called as he entered the hallway. "Al!"

"What is it bro?" Alfred said, materialising at the entrance to the room where he kept all of his video games. "You need advice on how to deal with girls?"

"Wha-?" Growing flustered, Matthew shook his head vigorously. "No, no, not at all Al! I was just wondering whether you'd like to go somewhere with me."

Alfred frowned. "I dunno bro… my game's pretty intense."

As much as Matthew was tempted to leave the American alone, he had to persuade his brother to come to help his new friends. "Please, Al? We don't spend much time as brothers anymore…"

Staring into Matthew's puppy dog eyes, Alfred relaxed. "Then let's go Matt! Our brotherly relationship is like, ten times more important than some lame video game, anyway. Lead the way, bro!"

All of Matthew's bitter feelings and reservations disappeared. Even though they argued a lot, and had very different friend groups, Matthew and Alfred were incredibly close.

"Thanks Alfred." Matthew smiled at his brother, and absentmindedly, scratched Kumakiki behind his fluffy white ears. He opened the door to the outside world, and motioned for his brother to go through first. "This way!"

Pluckley Village, 1504

A young girl of seventeen was staying at 'The Ghost's Arms' in Pluckley Village until the most recent dramas calmed down. Her best friend, Lady Jane Grey, had been crowned Queen a few days ago, and lots of rumours were circling the nation. Her other friend, Camille, had recommended the place for its quaint and polite locals, and had not so subtly hinted that this place may be the place for her to find love, just like Camille herself.

"Ah… Camille, you were right…" the emerald eyed girl murmured aloud, enjoying the soft music of a violin, enjoying a simple meal. "You were right." Suddenly, a murmur from one of the young ladies nearby caught her off guard.

"The Queen has been convicted of treason," one girl said.

The other gasped. "Really?"

The first nodded. "I heard from my cousin who lives nearby the palace. She is to be beheaded in two days. High treason is such a serious crime; my cousin believes that she was conspiring against Mary's plans."

The blond haired Tudor girl couldn't stand to hear anymore. She had just learnt that her best friend was going to die so very soon, and she was unable to say goodbye. Feeling tears forming under her eyelashes, she excused herself from the table to retreat to her room to privately grieve.

However, before she reached her room, she was stopped by a man's voice. "Are you Bella Jacobs?" he asked.

"Yes." Bella sniffled, wiping at her eyes, but not turning to face the man. "Who are you?"

The man did not answer, but responded with another question, or rather, statement. "You must be very upset about Jane Grey."

"She was my best friend! And now… now she's going to die!" Bella cried, turning to face the man.

All Bella saw was the eerie glint of sharpened silver before she knew no more.

Cora

Thank you for all the response I received for the last two chapters. It means a lot, and motivates me! For the first time in a long time, I'm pushing myself to attempt a one-chapter per week schedule which will succeed (positive thinking!) So thank you all!

Kitsunes-Chan, Magician of Khemet, Scottish Hills, Irie Momoe, LetheTree and DMockingBird- Thank you for favouriting and/or following! This story is receiving a lot more attention than what I originally thought it would received, so this really means a lot!

Scottish Hills, Starwig II, LetheTree and AnimeLover- Thank you so much for your kind reviews! They were all so nice! I'm glad you like this story so far.

Please vote on the poll on my profile. I have enough material up in my head to write one more chapter before I need to move on to one of the three mini-plots that are represented by a Hetalia character on this poll. So again, please vote!

Please review, thank you!

EDIT 21/10/16- I've just moved Bella's backstory to the bottom of the chapter, it didn't quite fit where it used to be.