*crying tears of joy* You are all the best readers ever! I tell you I don't like the chapter I've written and I get the most favorites and story subscriptions for this story yet! My confidence went up about a million percent because of you all!
I believe it's time I thanked my American readers, who gave me the most hits and emails to see in my inbox. I also thank my reader from Guam, my reader from Mongolia, my many readers in the UK, and those from Spain. Dear Ra all of you readers are awesome!
This chapter has a lot of dialogue, so be prepared!
No own Hetalia, please enjoy. ^^
A few more days passed and Mathieu was due to leave the hospital soon. Kumajiro didn't mind staying by his master's side for so long and would have continued doing so if there wasn't something he needed to take care of.
Getting out of the hospital bed for the first time in days was much harder than Kumajiro had predicted and he almost fell on his head because of it. "Almost" thanks to a nurse's quick reflexes.
"Whoop! Be careful Kumajiro!" Everyone in the hospital knew Kumajiro's name by that time. It always took a few more second for Kumajiro to reply when his name was used because he wasn't used to people saying it.
The male nurse gently placed Kumajiro on the ground and went to the sleeping Mathieu to change his bandages. The bear stretched quickly to avoid any other potential injuries and left the room. He stopped in front of Francis and swiped the man's leg to get his attention.
"Ow! What was that for Kumajiro?"
"I have to leave for a little bit. Can you tell my master I'll be back soon when he wakes up?"
Rubbing his barely injured leg, Francis nodded. "Sure, but where are you going?"
"If I wanted you to know I'd ask you to come with me." Kumajiro continued his way out of the hospital, ignoring the slightly aggravated look Francis was giving him.
The amount of people who wanted to see "The Miracle Man!" had diminished since the time Mathieu had first arrived, but enough of them were around to still be annoying. Seeing Kumajiro sent them into a frenzy of picture taking and a few of them even started to ask questions. Kumajiro simply tuned the press out until they refused to let him leave.
The questions and flashes came to a screeching halt when Kumajiro carefully aimed so that his full bladder was released only on the press and not the hospital floor. Those who got it ran out of the building and most of the people left worked with those who had left and had no choice but to also depart. In no time at all the hospital was considerably less crowded and the woman at the front desk could relax.
Happy with the results, Kumajiro exited the hospital and headed back to Nita's place. The land was almost deserted with only Nita remaining. She greeted Kumajiro warmly with her nose.
"I thought you'd be coming around. That's why I waited for you."
What Nita said confused Kumajiro. "Waited for me? Why were you waiting? Where are all the other bears?"
"They've already left."
"…Huh?"
Nita looked out into the distance sadly. "This area has run out of enough fish to feed all of us. I informed the other bears where the next place we should head is and sent them on their way. I waited for you so that you wouldn't be searching endlessly for us."
"I… see. So the fish I had caught last time…"
"Were the most I had eaten in a while, yes. I am getting older and I can't hunt as well anymore. My clan would like to feed me at times like this, but they never have enough food to sustain me and them. They were all very grateful that you fed me, Kumajiro."
Kumajiro was slightly embarrassed by the thanks. "It was nothing compared to what your clan did for me."
"Is that what you think? You saved me by supplying food and we saved your friend by getting him to a place where his wounds could be healed. I think the exchange was fair."
"How did you know my master was okay?"
"Your aura would have been much sadder had he not made it." Nita pushed some of the snow out of the way to reveal a small flower sprouting to life. "That, and the land has returned to its former life."
Kumajiro's eyes widened. "You… you know about what my master is?"
Nita nodded. "Of course. The bears of our clan have passed down the story of an ancient polar bear that looked like a cub and serves the land we walk on. I knew the moment I saw you that you were this polar bear and your friend you cared about so much the land we walk on."
"Mathieu." The correction came out of Kumajiro's mouth instinctively. "My master's name is Mathieu and he is the personification of Canada."
"I see. Well, I know the clan will be glad to hear Mathieu made it."
"I still owe you all even if I saved your life with fish." Nita tilted her head to the side. She couldn't imagine why Kumajiro still owed them and when she didn't say anything he continued. "Because of your clan my master gained attention from the whole world. A bunch of bears walking into a place for humans causes a lot of commotion. The buzz caught the attention of my master's family and for the first time in… forever they noticed him. I believe his family being around has made him heal faster and that is why I owe you."
The explanation did nothing for Nita. "I cannot imagine family not paying attention to one another."
Kumajiro sighed. "I didn't know it could happen either until master took me in. I would maul the people master calls 'family' if it would not cause him more pain."
If bears could chuckle then Nita would. "It is obvious to me your master will be fine as long as you are around. I believe you are the man's family, not men who forget him."
In turn, if bears could blush then Kumajiro's cheeks would be bright red. "That's very kind of you to say Nita."
"It is simply the truth. Now go back to your family Kumajiro. He still needs you."
"But-"
"Your debts have been paid. If your master's health didn't improve so fast I'd never have found a new place for my clan to eat."
"If you're sure…"
"I am. Now go. I also must leave to catch up with my clan." Both bears nodded and went back to their families with light hearts and stories to tell.
Notes:
~I love it when Nita tells Kumajiro that he's Mathieu's family because I think that's true. The rest of Mathieu's "family" kind of sucks.
Next Chapter: The Conclusion! (I know! It's almost over already! ;;)
Favs, Subscriptions, and comments are enjoyed SOOOO much! And I hope you all return to see the end!
