Here's chapter four for you guys :3 I'm thankful for all the favorites and reviews I'm getting ^^ It's keeping me motivated on the story. Have fun reading!
America grunted as he pulled England out of another snowbank that he had sunken into, surprisingly passing the chance to make fun of the smaller man. The other nations didn't mention it, however, each lost in their own thoughts. The treeline had long ended and now they were in open land, easily susceptible to any icy winds that could blow. Russia and America had taken it upon themselves to pack as much wood they could both carry so they didn't freeze to death. America pulled out the compass, staring at it a moment before nodding and tucking it away again. Germany glanced at him a second, adjusting his scarf around his neck.
"Bloody hell." England grumbled to himself. "If I didn't see a single snowflake after this, I'd die a happy man."
America rolled his eyes at his comment, continuing to trudge through the thick snow.
"You wouldn't sink so much if you followed behind, Да?" Russia said, plowing his own way through the snow and creating a path behind him.
England huffed, not wanting to accept the almost kind offer to follow behind the Russian and avoid having to plow through himself. His pride wouldn't allow him to sink to that level quite yet.
Germany turned his eyes back out to the frozen wastes they were heading towards. Snow, snow, and more snow. Nothing but snow.
"How much longer, Amerika?"
America looked at the German. "Three days, hopefully, dude. But I'm not too positive on it. It's hard when you have to walk." He frowned, also staring across the waste. "Let's just hope that we can find good places to sleep."
~o0o~
It was nighttime now and America tended carefully to the small fire that they had managed to create. They had found a place that sheltered them from the wind. It was better than having to sleep out in the open. Much better.
"It shouldn't be too much longer after this." America commented. "If I remember right, Mattie kept his house close to the border. He never seemed to like heading too far north. Wonder why…."
Russia took a swig from his vodka (how many bottles he carried the other three didn't know and didn't want to find out). He knew exactly why Canada didn't like to head too far north. If he was right, it was for the same reason Russia himself didn't head north. He glanced outside the circle into the dark. He couldn't suppress a chill and a faint hope that Canada wasn't in His hands. That would make things problematic. And much, much more dangerous than before. He took another swig. Oh yes, the Canadian would owe him, big time.
~o0o~
"Papa, papa! Look, look! I found a bear!" A proud little blond with violet eyes held up the bear in question, nearly giving France a heart attack.
"My little cabbage, no! Where did you get it? Put it back!" He placed a hand over his heart. He sighed when the little one looked down, pouting.
"But papa, the other bears were being mean to him…." He looked up, tears welling in his eyes. "Please, papa! Let me keep him! I'll take good care of him, promise!"
France sighed crouching down and becoming the child forward. He trotted over, bear still held tightly in his arms. The white fuzzball of a bear turned its head, staring at France with beady black eyes.
"Hungry." It mumbled and little Canada squealed with delight as France gave a start.
"He talks, he talks!" Canada celebrated, twirling around with it. "I'll name him Kumajiro!" He smiled with delight at France, who sighed.
"Fine, fine. We can keep the bear." France frowned at the little one. "But you must take care of him! Promise?"
"Promise!"
~o0o~
Canada stirred slightly under his blanket of snow, drawing General Winter's gaze to him.
"Promise…" He whispered softly and then lay still again.
General Winter moved forward, peering down into the unconscious nations face, withdrawing satisfied only after the nation did not stir again.
"Still you dream, my pet? Dream as much as you wish, then. Soon you won't have them anymore." He chuckled darkly. "The time is nearing. So dream to your hearts content."
So, the part in italics was Canada's dream. For the sake of time and my sanity, I didn't translate to French. Didn't want to mess anything up ^^;