Chapter 4

Italy craned his neck, struggling to see through the pulsing white light of Switzerland's border. His eyes combed the trees surrounding the barrier for what must have been the hundredth time for the familiar blond head that had rushed off an eternity ago... or had it only been moments ago? He couldn't remember, exactly- time didn't seem to cooperate when he was worried.

"Hey fratello!" Italy flinched but didn't turn around as his brother's voice broke through the silence that had surrounded him since Germany left.

Romano's eyes narrowed as he reached his brother, easily reading his twin's worry from the pallor of his skin beneath the Italian's dark brown hair.

"Hey," he called again, somehow managing to keep his voice nonchalant. "That buddy of yours was wondering how long you would be staying out here."

"Buddy? Do you mean- is Germany back?" Italy asked, his eyes glowing with relief as he looked over at his brother for the first time.

Romano shifted uncomfortably and shook his head, his dark eyes straying towards the trees that his twin had been studying only moments before.

"No," he muttered quietly. "The other one... Japan or whatever."

"Oh..." Italy felt his cheeks burn slightly. He should have known... he would have seen it if Germany had returned, and besides his friend would have come to look for Italy himself, not send Romano.

"Fratello... Feliciano..." Italy looked back at his twin, slightly surprised that he was using his human name. Romano hardly ever referred to him by any name other than Italy or even the occasional Veneziano.

"What is it, Lovino?" he asked warily, slipping easily into the habit of calling his brother by his own human name.

Romano sighed and ran his hand through his hair in frustration, his dark eyes flashing with what Italy recognized as concern.

"Do you- do you really think that all of the others that we couldn't find were taken like Austria and Hungary?" he asked quietly. "I mean... They could have run away, right? They could still be safe, couldn't they?"

"Are you talking about Spain?" Italy asked, his youthful features suddenly serious as he remembered the look on his twin's face when they had seen Spain's empty home ravaged by flames.

Romano stiffened, his cheeks reddening in furious embarrassment.

"I- no I was- not that bastard-," he sputtered. He stopped abruptly and ran his hand through his hair again in exasperation. "We should get back before the others start to worry," he said finally. "Your ally, what's-his-name, will be worried..."

"Ve~ why would Japan be worried about me?" Italy wondered, showing a hint of his usual cheerfulness.

Romano rolled his eyes and grabbed his twin's arm, trying to hide his relief.

"Come on, idiot," he grumbled. "We should get back... see if that asino Switzerland has any pasta."

"Yay! Do you think he will?" Italy asked eagerly. He allowed Romano to begin to drag him away from the barrier, although he continued to look over his shoulder at the trees every so often, as if hoping to see a familiar blond with clear blue eyes appear out of thin air.

"Probably not- lo stronzo stupido only buys horrible cheese and other crap like..." Romano's voice trailed off as he glanced behind him at his brother, his dark eyes widening. "What the hell-?"

Italy frowned and followed Romano's gaze, his own hazel eyes widening in mute horror as a flash of light erupted from within the forest, followed quickly by the booming roar that normally only accompanied the explosion of a bomb.

"Mio Dio," he gasped. "Germany!"

"No- Feliciano!" Romano gasped, his arms wrapping around his twin's shoulders to hold him back as the Italian launched himself towards the barrier.

"Romano? Italy?"

Romano's head whipped in the direction of the new voice, nearly breathing a sigh of relief when he saw Japan hurrying towards them with Switzerland and the others behind him.

"Romano-san, what happened?" Japan demanded, his brown eyes bright with rare concern as they flickered between the frantic Italy and the barrier.

"That light- I was taking Italy away and- it just appeared and it sounds like a bomb," Romano struggled to explain, nearly tripping over his words in an attempt to explain.

"Is it like the light we saw when Austria and Hungary were-?" China began.

"The same," Romano interrupted, his breath becoming slightly labored as his twin continued to struggle. "Shit. Can I have some help here?"

Japan nodded and reached out to take one of Italy's flailing arms as Romano retained his grip on the other.

"Where are America and the others?" England snapped, his wide green eyes fixed on the fading light in the distance. "Did they-?"

"They are still out there," Switzerland interrupted tersely. "I can sense them faintly since they are so close to my borders-." He stopped suddenly, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What-?"

"Big brother?" Liechtenstein whispered. "What is the matter?"

"I-I can't sense them any more. They're all... they are all gone."

Italy cried out again and renewed his struggles against his brother and ally. Canada groaned and pulled Kumajiro against his chest, not really expecting anyone to notice his distress. To his surprise, he felt England's hand on his shoulder and looked up at the country that had been his caretaker many years before.

"Don't worry," England growled, his eyes flashing with a fury that he had not felt since his days as a pirate. "I will find America, I'll bring him back."

Canada nodded, feeling slightly guilty. How could he explain that America wasn't the only one he worried for, that there was a quiet, slightly insane, violet-eyed Russian occupying his thoughts alongside the loud, blue-eyed American?

"I will come," he said softly. "I will help."

As always, no one heard him except Kumajiro, who only glanced up at his master with confusion.

"Who?" the polar bear murmured.

"Canada," the country sighed. "I feed you."

"Oh. Don't go, it's dangerous."

Canada gave the bear a comforting squeeze and looked back at the countries as Italy also expressed his determination to find Germany and the others.

"No one is going anywhere," Switzerland snapped. "You came here because this is the only safe place left, and America, Russia, and Germany put you all in my care before they left. I won't let you endanger yourselves by going on a suicide mission."

"Since when do you owe America, Germany, or Russia anything?" England snapped. "And I do not take orders from anyone."

"We need to stay safe," Switzerland insisted.

"I agree," France interrupted. "As much as I want to help my fellow countries, Angleterre, I will not endanger my own people by getting myself killed for anyone."

"Your people are more than likely destroyed by aliens by now anyways, frog," England snapped.

"We don't know that," France snapped back. "Besides, America, Germany, and Russia can handle themselves. They are our best fighters."

"Even the best can be beaten in battle," Japan murmured quietly.

"Shut up!" England snapped, his cheeks going pale at the thought. "I need to go out there now, I need to save them-."

"You need to save him," Switzerland interrupted savagely. "I'm sorry, England, but I won't let you. We need to stay alive and safe for our own sakes."

"Funny," England sneered. "I never took you for a coward. I suppose that rifle you always carry with you is just for show, then? No wonder you never fight, you're too scared of a little pain-."

The other countries flinched as Switzerland's fist connected with England's chin, sending the Englishman sprawling. The blond Swiss lifted England by the lapels and brought his lips to the country's ears.

"If I went into battle, my sister would follow and she would be killed," he growled. "Do not pretend to know everything about me, England. I will fight to protect myself and others, but I will not endanger myself needlessly to launch a harebrained rescue attempt when we don't even know what our enemy is like. More importantly, I will not endanger Liechtenstein when she cannot protect herself."

England fell silent. After a few moments, he nodded to Switzerland to let him go and, without another word, turned to walk back to the house that the countries had vacated at the sight of the flash. He didn't notice when one of the countries followed him- although to be fair hardly anyone noticed Canada. England paused when he was sure that the other countries were no longer watching him and looked back towards the gleaming barrier that now separated him from America.

"I will find him," he promised quietly. "I will bring you back, Alfred, with or without their help."

"Let me help." Canada's quiet voice was ignored again by the Englishman as the country continued on towards Switzerland's house, absorbed by the plans he was just beginning to formulate. America's brother frowned and pulled Kumajiro closer to his chest, feeling the familiar sense of frustration rising inside of him. Why could no one hear him? Why did they only see Alfred?

"Someday they'll see me," the Canadian murmured. "Someday I'll matter."

"Who?" the polar bear in his arms managed to squeak, its dark eyes reproachful as it struggled to breathe.

Canada loosened his grip on the bear with an apology, ignoring the animal's traditional question.

"Kumaji," he murmured. "I'm going to leave you here, okay? Ask France to take care of you, or Liechtenstein. They'll feed you."

"Why?" the bear demanded, forgetting to ask who his master was for once.

"I'm leaving," Canada said firmly. "To find my brother." And Russia, he added mentally, although he still wasn't sure why the insane country was in his thoughts at all.

Later, he told himself firmly. There would be plenty of time to wonder what his feelings were for the Russian... after he was sure that both Russia and his brother had returned and were safe.

England slipped silently out of his bedchamber, pausing to let his green eyes sweep the ornate hallways of Switzerland's home to make sure no one was watching... or stalking him (he knew for a fact that France had been told which room was his).

The country nodded in satisfaction when he saw that no one was around and continued on his way, his hands hovering over the twin pistols that he had hidden in the pockets of his jacket. The guns wouldn't do much good in an extended battle- he supposed he should have packed some extra rounds but there hadn't been much room in his pack next to the knives he had placed in his pack beneath America's- Alfred's bomber jacket.

England paused again as he reached the end of the hall, his gaze sweeping across his surroundings one last time to make sure that no one had seen him. He didn't want to get into another fight with Switzerland, and he knew that if any other country found him it was very likely that he would be locked in his room with no chance of escaping.

Someone gently tapped on England's shoulder, making his muscles tense. One of his hands tightened on the hilt of one of his pistols as he whirled around to face the new arrival, his green eyes widening as they collided with light violet irises hidden behind a pair of glasses.

"A-."

"Call me America or Alfred and I swear I'll call Kumajiro and have him attack you," Matthew Williams snapped.

"Canada?" England hissed instead, dimly surprised by the fact that he had remembered the country this time. Although, Canada could be quite memorable when he wanted to be.

The Canadian nodded, looking pleased. His mauve eyes flickered to the slight bulges in the older country's pockets and his lips curved upward into a slight smile.

"Pistols?" he guessed.

England nodded, feeling slightly sheepish. "I have some knives in my pack."

"Nice." Matthew hesitated before reaching into the lining of the dark jacket that had replaced his usual red hoodie. He failed to suppress a grin as he showed the Englishman his own dagger and gestured towards the rifle strapped to his back. "I slipped Russia's lead pipe in with my rifle."

England blinked in surprise but decided not to ask how the other country had managed to get his hands on Russia's favorite weapon.

"You're coming with me?" he guessed, unable to hide his surprise at the knowledge.

Canada shrugged then nodded. "I was going to go alone if I didn't meet anyone but I saw you sneaking around and decided to go with you. I mean, it's better to have a partner than to go alone, right?"

England nodded, then hesitated as he remembered his promise to America.

"I- I told Alfred that I would keep you safe," he argued.

Matthew snorted.

"Look, Arthur," he snapped, his voice unexpectedly strong. "I'm not Al's helpless little brother. I can handle myself in a fight, and I don't need protecting. And, if you really wanted to keep me safe, you would let me come with you because at least then you'd be able to watch out for me, whereas if you don't I'll go on my own and you won't be able to tell if I'm safe or not."

Arthur grunted in reluctant agreement and glanced at Canada with reluctant respect.

"Why aren't you this forceful all the time?" he wondered aloud.

"Why haven't you noticed it before?" Matthew shot back, his eyes sad. "It's not exactly my fault that I tend to be a bit shy and Alfred easily overshadows me."

England nodded and tried to ignore the slight guilt that his former charge's words had awakened within him. It was true that he had often ignored Matthew before the American Revolution, and even after Alfred's departure had neglected the boy in his despair over America's loss. I'll make it up to him, he told himself firmly. Once everyone was safe, Arthur would work on fixing things with the boy; he owed him that.

"Let's get going, then," he said gruffly. "Or are there any other friends of yours that will be accompanying us?"

Canada shot him a look of gratitude and shook his head.

"No, I don't think there's anyone else," he assured the older country.

England nodded and motioned for Canada to follow as he turned back to the hall that led to the front door. The two countries slipped out of the shelter of the house, their eyes continually flickering around them to make sure that no one was following them. They both breathed a collective sigh of relief when they caught sight of the glowing barrier a little ways ahead of them.

"Almost there..." England found himself murmuring.

Canada nodded in agreement and opened his mouth as if to add something when a voice came out of the darkness to their left.

"W-who goes there?" the voice squeaked. "Don't hurt me... I have a white flag!"

"Italy?" England called warily, his hands tightening on his pistols again.

"Yes... Is this England? Ve~! Are you going to find Germany too?"

"Um, actually we're looking for America... Wait, what are you doing here?" England demanded.

The Italian's dark head appeared out of the darkness, his hazel eyes crinkling with an embarrassed smile.

"I'm going to look for Germany and bring him back!" the Italian declared cheerfully. "Do you want to go together? I don't like traveling alone, do you like traveling alone?"

"Well... no, not normally-."

"Then why are you alone now?"

"He's not alone," Canada snapped quietly.

Italy blinked and looked over at him, seeming surprised to notice him. Canada wondered if he had turned invisible again.

"Who are you?" he asked happily. "Are you looking for Germany?"

"I'm Canada," Matthew grumbled, trying to ignore his frustration. He needed to help Alfred... and Russia. Getting angry over not having people notice him wasn't going to help anything. "And no, I'm looking for America. But if you want, we can help you look for Germany if you help us look for America and Russia."

England glanced at Canada in surprise at the mention of Russia but made no comment as Italy nodded fervently.

"Ve~! Of course I'll help! America is nice and even though Russia scares me he has better food than Germany and England!"

"What do you mean Russia has better food than me?" England hissed.

"Oi! Fratello!"

Italy winced and turned around as his twin stalked out of the shadows towards him, his dark eyes flashing with fury.

"You dumbass! What the hell- are you trying to get yourself killed?" Romano yelled.

"Shh," England hissed. "Do you want to wake up the entire country?"

"Shut your pothole, you English bastard! Did you put my brother up to this?"

"Ve~! Please calm down Romano, it's ok! England and... Canada are going to help me find Germany! We'll go together and get them back!"

"What the h-?"

"Do you want to come, Romano?" Canada interrupted, earning himself surprised glances from both England and Romano. "You could watch over Italy, and it would help to have another pair of eyes. Besides, isn't there someone that you want to look for?"

"Who the hell told you about-? Uh, yeah, sure, I'll come. But just to make sure that you don't screw up and get my fratello killed, got that?"

Canada nodded, trying to fight back a smile. He glanced back at the barrier and sighed impatiently.

"Is there anyone else we should wait for or can we just go?" England snapped, voicing Canada's thoughts.

"God, I hope not," Romano snapped. "It'll be hard enough dealing with three idiots without adding any more."

"Okay, then lets go," Canada urged, choosing to ignore Romano's last comment. "Come on, the others have waited long enough."

Okay, translation time! Hope I didn't get anything wrong this time (I accidentally added an "n" to Gute Nacht in the last chapter hehe).

Fratello- brother

Asino- Ass

Lo stronzo stupido- the stupid asshole

Too bad Switzerland, England, and Canada had to get a little snappy in this chapter, I hope I didn't get too OC there, especially where the Italy brothers were involved, but I felt like they should honestly be a bit angry, considering everything that's going on. Also, to those of you who are concerned about Germany and the others, all I can say is that they're coming up in the next chapter, which should be up in a day or two... maybe.

Also, thanks to everyone who read/reviewed this story! And I don't own Hetalia... which means I don't own Ivan or Matthew or Alfred or Arthur... Oh, the horror! Sniff...

Oh well. Reviews are love so please spread the love! ;)