Right so we're still in the early stages of this story. The interesting parts haven't even started to kick in yet! But there will be a slight moment at the end of this chapter which will play a big part in the plot and one at the end of next chapter. Just letting you know that this isn't all completely boring. Personally I like how the story goes from chapter 9 onwards.

Also I've decided that this will eventually end as USUK. I hope I've made you fangirls happy!

Another thing I'd like to mention: I just love America in this fic, since he's Cowboy America! I find his speech so cute, even if it does go against my extreme behaviour about spelling and grammar.

Tanoshimu!

Ahh... Life in the North sure is fun... There ain't that many people and it's pretty easygoing! I've got all the freedom I want! Unfortunately, my little bro hasn't been granted with the same luck. He has to live life in Europe and there isn't anyone around to stick up for him.

America arrived at the place where he usually met England, only to see France there talking to the small nation.

"And in France, we call our capital 'La Ville-Lumière' sounds pretty, non? Come on, be my little brother and I shall instantly refine your food palette and free you from zat idiot America." France finished explaining.

America was obviously concerned- France was trying to steal his brother so why wouldn't he be? He was about to step in and say something but then England shot a glare up at the perverted nation and pushed him off the tree stump that he was sitting on.

"Go bother someone else you wine loving tool!" England hissed. "I'm waiting for my big brother and when he gets here he won't be happy! So get out of here before I get my brother on you!"

France stood up and dusted himself off. He began to back away from the small country, smiling at him sweetly with his eyes closed.

"Oui, oui whatever you say England. Zough I would not be so reliant on zat happy go lucky fool. After all, you're in Europe and 'e is all ze way across ze pond. 'E won't be zere to protect you forever, so I suggest toughening up before you start going to cry to zat idiot America." France explained.

Then France hit something as he finished explaining. He had been backing away, insulting America but he had accidentally backed away into America so he looked up and smiled.

"Oh, bonjour America!" France greeted.

"France." America said bluntly.

"Oui?"

"I'm giving you the count to ten to get out of here before I really take offence to that last comment."

"Oui America."

Then France ran off, suddenly in a hurry. America laughed at France's sudden cowardice, though when he turned to look at England, his laugh suddenly dropped. England was standing there with a worried expression on his face, staring at the spot where he had pushed France onto the floor.

"England? You okay?" America asked.

He walked up to the young boy and then picked him up. He looked him in the eyes in a way to kind of reassure him and he smiled. England responded with a weak smiled before saying:

"I was just worried... About what France said? If I get in trouble, I really have no way of defending myself, just a sharp tongue and empty threats." England explained.

"They aren't empty threats! I'll always come to save ya!" America cried.

"I know but... What if... What if it's too late?" England asked.

"Listen England." America whispered seriously. "It'll never be too late. Y'know why? I'll never let it be that way. No matter what, I'll always try and save ya. Hell, I won't try. I will. I'll always save ya as long as we're brothers. You got it?"

"I got it. But how am I to defend myself until you come to my rescue?" England asked.

"Hmm... Ya got a good point there Iggy." America mumbled.

"...Iggy?" England mouthed, confused as to where the sudden nickname came from.

But America wasn't paying attention: he was in deep thought which was quite an accomplishment for him. Eventually, he looked back down at his brother and smiled as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I really don't know!" He beamed.

"Errr..."

England was obviously at a loss for words, though America didn't even understand why. He didn't even pick up on it.

"Anyway, you feel like takin' a visit to my place?" America asked.

"Yeah!" England shouted.

"Okay then." America smiled as he put England down on the tree stump. "Hop on."

America turned around and held his arms out, gesturing England to get up on his back. England jumped up and America began the tiring walk back to his house. He had a little extra weight on now that England had joined him, but England wasn't all that heavy. He was small and therefore quite light.

Something Iggy can use to defend himself... Hmmm...

America had settled England down in his sitting room with something to eat for lunch while America went upstairs to search for something that he could give to England for protection.

"Okay he can't use that... No not that... OH! Definitely not that! Maybe I could give him a horse or somethin'? Though I do need one to round up cows... Hmm? What's this?"

America had been mumbling to himself but upon seeing what was in his hands, he stopped and froze immediately. It was a gun, a small yet pretty good gun.

Guns? True the little guy does need some way to defend himself but...

There was a knock at the door which made America jump slightly and put away the gun quickly. Then he ran down the stairs and, taking a quick glance at England first, he opened the door. Standing in the doorway was a blond haired, blue eyed man. A very frog like one at that...

"Bonjour! You are glad to see me, non?" France beamed.

"France if this is another scheme to get England then forget it. I'm not fallin' for it." America sighed.

"Ah but I bring somezing of value to your petit frère." France explained.

Then America noticed that France had his hands behind his back. Then he slowly brought out what he was hiding, making America flinch slightly. He had brought England a long and very sharp sword.

"What the hell? You can't expect him to fight, he's just a kid!" America snapped.

"Oui but you forget zat countries like 'Ungary were wielding swords when zey were zis small." France explained.

"Yeah but that's Hungary and she always did love fighting." America retorted.

"We all 'ave to do it in order to defend ourselves. 'Ow else is 'e supposed to survive?" France asked.

"He's got me!"

At this, France started laughing. America shot him a glare and France stopped.

"Sorry but it is just so funny. America, you know zat 'e is in Europe? You are in North America. Do you really zink zat you can protect 'im from all ze way across ze pond?" France asked.

"I... I don't know." America stuttered.

"Well you really need to start thinking about it. I am just zinking about what is best for England."

"What the-? Since when were you his guardian? Honestly you make it sound as if we're his parents or something! Honestly, I ain't marryin' you."

"Alright but I still zink I should get custody over 'im when we divorce."

"Get out, now."

"No kiss goodbye?"

"GET OUT!"

"Alright but I still zink 'e needs a new, closer guardian. Per'aps moi?"

Upon hearing this, America snapped back up and out of his worried thoughts about England. He pushed France out of the door, throwing his sword at him before slamming the door on him completely. Afterwards, he went back into the doorway of the sitting room to look at England, who was happily playing by himself.

"A new guardian huh...?" America muttered. "Maybe I should think about it... After all I can't protect him from where I am... Or can I?"

Then America walked up and sat down by England. The boy looked up at him with a wide smile, catching sight of how dark it was outside as he did so. It was beginning to get dark, making England gasp with worry.

"It's almost night time. I'd best be leaving soon. You will walk me back won't you?" England asked.

"Actually..." America began as he stood up. "I don't think you should go back. I think you should stay here."

"W-with you?" England stuttered.

"Yes, with me. After all we're brothers right? I think we should be livin' together."

"I-I guess so..."

"Well I know so. England, you're my lil' bro and I'll always do what I know is best because I wanna protect you."

England stayed quiet, not knowing what to say to the comment that America had just made. Really it was very deep, but England was obviously too young to notice this. He was also too young to realise that America wasn't this deep this often.

"Anyway, d'you wanna go see your new room?" America asked with a smile.

"Yeah!" England beamed.

America led England through the house, to his room. However, on the way England passed two doors. One seemed to lead to the closet or a storage room, intriguing England slightly, but the other was even more interesting.

It was dark and most likely locked. It seemed to blend into the background and England barely even noticed it. The door seemed to lead to the basement and England had a slight desire to go inside but not now because America was leading him to his new room.

England had no idea what was inside, and what consequences it would eventually lead him to.

Don't you just love the France and America banter? I hope you do because then it means that I've done a good job! I wonder what's behind that door? (Well I know anyway so it really doesn't affect me) What's in that room will play a big (but also at the same time minor) part in the story so make sure you're paying attention in two chapters time!

Review, PM me, email me or check out my other fanfics! It's entirely up to you and none of it is mandatory!

Sayonara minna-san!

~Neko