A sense of the out most giddiness washed over Liechtenstein. Several times Lily had to coach herself to not smile too much as Hungary combed her hair and helped her into her night shift. It felt like a strong coarse of electricity kept jolting through her limbs, all she wanted to do was get up and run until her excitement drained. But Hungary would instantly suspect something, so like an overly trained doll, Lily remained stiff as a statue. Replying disinterested as she answered Hungary's babbling about Italy's arrival.

When the woman finally left her room, Liechtenstein practically bolted to her window opening it widely. She peered out into the darkness hoping to spot Denmark or Netherlands. There wasn't even a sound besides the crickets chirping or the sound of men strolling by the high walls of Germany's estate. Deciding quickly she could hardly go out dancing in a her garments, Lily opened her closet, reaching for her old, simple maroon dress. The heavy cotton was abrasive and Liechtenstein almost wrinkled her nose at the poor quality. It was hard to believe that she had turned up at Germany's doorstep wearing this exact dress.

Slipping the thing on, she blew out her oil lamp before diving under her bed's covers. Lily laid still as a board for what seemed like an eternity awaiting for Denmark's arrival. It came twenty minutes after eleven, after Liechtenstein had fallen asleep.

"Hey." a voice whispered. "Wake up Miss Liechtenstein." Denmark shook her shoulder gently. Her eyes opened to see the his shadowy figure. "Ah good, there we are." he smiled widely, his teeth reflected off the little light in the room. It reminded her of the Cheshire cat; however Lily was no Alice.

"What time is it?" she yawned sleepily.

The Dane shrugged his broad shoulders with an air of indifference. "Midnight I assume."

Lily tried to wipe away her sleepiness, but the poor girl had never been awake at such a late hour before. "Where's Jurriaan?" she managed to mumble.

"Down there." he pointed outside her window as he began to search her room, quietly.

Lily approached the window seal, and sure enough she could see the hot, red ember within Netherlands' pipe. "How did you get up here?" she asked after seeing no ladder nor rope. Lily heard the sound of her wooden chest creaking open, drawing her attention from Netherlands to Denmark. "What are you doing?" the girl managed to say in a slightly too high pitched tone.

"Looking for your means of escape." Denmark answered simply as he shifted through Liechtenstein's winter attire. He tossed dresses, stockings, gloves, and too Lily's horror, panties that were made from a thicker cloth, which she noticed his hands and eyes seem to linger slightly too long on before carelessly flinging them aside. Lily's cheeks flushed hotly, but from embarrassment or anger could be debated. All she could do was to pick up her personal belongings and pile them on her vanity desk. Finally, the tall man smirked as he revealed his loot. Sheet after sheet were unfolded on her bed before he began to tie ends together.

"Wait… you don't mean you plan on using those?" her lips trembled realizing how he meant to get her down from her room.

"Well of course, how else are we going to get you down? I don't suppose you have strong enough thighs to climb a drainage pipe?" Lily shook her head no. That seemed even more dangerous. "Okay then, slip on your shoes." Denmark grinned widely. "Make sure they are your dancing shoes, miss."

"I don't think is such a great idea. I sleep on the fourth floor." the girl whimpered but nonetheless slipped on her shoes.

"None sense, you'll be safe. Trust me."

"Have you done this before?" Lily demanded like a princess.

"Heh of course. I once scaled a castle tower to save Norway from Swedish rule." Denmark added frankly as he began to tie knots in a single sheet making two circles before tying two more sheets onto it. "Here put one leg through each hole." he commanded her but soon found herself being more guided towards her horror. In a swift movement, Denmark hoisted her dress up to her upper thighs before she could squeak a protest. His gruff hands grabbed each foot and past the device up her legs. She felt like she was a doll under the Dane's command.

Her dress billowed from the device but revealed nothing immodest. But the girl numbly said, "I want Netherlands."

Denmark quirked an eyebrow, "Don't trust me huh? Well I have you know, if I drop yeah, which I wont, you'll want the most reliable person waiting with open arms to catch ya." he put on the most saddest look the man could muster. "Won't you trust me Lily?"

Her fear and the innate shock from the lack of modesty wiped itself away with that look. "Of course, Mister Denmark."

"Good! Because you would have truly wounded my miss Liechtenstein if you did not." he said in a chipper tone. "Now hop on my back." Lily did as she was told, linking her arms around his neck tightly, her legs too. He adjusted the straps that were linked to Lily's harness. It was like she were some sort of bag secured to his back. Yet she still found herself shaking as the man approached her window.

"What? Still scared? Look." the tall man jumped up and down with Lily. Her body didn't budge for its position. "You're strapped in tightly, okay?"

"Okay."

Denmark slipped through her window, crouched like a cat before he swung out and grabbed ahold of the thin pipe. This motion made the girls heart leap and let out a small scream.

"Don't make her scream, idiot." Lily could hear Jurriaan hiss from below, and Denmark whispered something back, but all Lily could focus on was the back of the Dane's head. As if Denmark were part monkey, the man slide down fast, almost as if they were free falling. Lily let out a scream that she stifled in the back of Denmark's coat. They were going to die, fall and land on Netherlands, killing him as well. All Lily could do was cling to Denmark, keep her eyes clenched shut and think about all the people she would miss. Her thoughts lingered on her brother, how he would be grief stricken when he found that she had ran off to Austria to join the German cause to later die while trying to escape her room to go dancing with conquered nations.

But the fall never came. Instead she felt Denmark step from the pipe onto solid ground. Lily's head snapped up, her eyes wide with fear as Denmark unfastened her from his body. The girl dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. In the darkness, Denmark rolled his shoulders of her burden. Before the girl could even process to stand up, Jurriaan's warm, large hand placed itself on her shoulder before moving down to her elbow. Netherlands guided her up carefully, the girl soon leeched herself to him, in a tight embrace. Her whole core shaking from her experience.

"Mathias you halfwit. Next time we will use my sister to sneak her down. I should have never trusted you. Look at her, she's freaking shaking to death!" Netherlands deep voice ripped into Denmark with a bitter bark.

"A little adventure will be good for this girl." Mathias announced as he slapped Lily's back in a friendly gesture making her flinch. The Dane let out a loud laugh that echoed throughout the grounds. Both Netherlands and Liechtenstein were sure that Hungary had been startled from bed.

"Let's just get out of here." Netherlands remarked grumpily as his hand guided Lily from the mansion, it laid on her lower back and gave her a large amount of comfort.

They moved to the most back of the gardens, where a shack leaned a tad too far to the left and had a distinct patched look about the place. Some of it was formed by logs, some was formed by grey and aged wood, but one end was white and new from Denmarks days labor. The sound of music leaked out, and a warm orange glow escaped out from the cracks in the wood. Lily began to recover from her crazy adventure with Denmark, being fueled by excitement once again.

Denmark swung the door open and Lily entered the tresh hold so see all the beds stacked at the edge of the shack creating a circular dancing room, which had a kinky blonde woman dancing with France, whom Liechtenstein had instantly recognized.

"Lily you must have some drinks!" Denmark called as he went to a pile of crates rolling out a barrel of beer.

"About time, Mathias!" the blonde woman dancing with France called out as the man twirled her into a lavish dip making her giggle. "I am parched over here! Oh is that Miss Liechtenstein!" he voice cooed as she waved awkwardly from her dance. Netherlands, she noticed frowned sourly at her. This was Belgium, the German female deduced.

"Mon chaton!" France called out to her as well. "It is good to see you out of that disgusting mansion! You will be dancing with papa France, will you not, my little flower?"

Lily nodded, smiling widely, "Of course! I will dance with everyone if they ask." her polite voice barely break over the music. "Excuse me? But is this American?" she asked surprised at hearing the banned music.

"She has a good, ear!" Denmark said from his barrel of beer as he poured into multiple glasses of mismatched tea cups. "I happened to had that smuggled in last week. Hey, Norge, want some?" he called out to a tall slim male who sat in the corner next to a table that had been unceremoniously shoved there. His face looked at Denmark icily, his eyes lingering there before looking away. "Oh come on Nor! Don't be that way! Have a pint, man!"

"Leave him be, Mathias," France intervened, taking the flowery tea cup of beer from the man. "He's had a rough day." The Frenchman's voice softly spoke as he took a gulp of beer.

"Well in that case…" Denmark grumped. "He should be more eager to have some beer." the man practically shouted.

Belgium came to Denmark's side, her slim, womanly hands caressing his cheeks, "Don't worry about him, Mathias. Come have some fun with me!" she gave him a peck on the cheek which seem to deter the mans thoughts from Norway.

"Here, Lily." Denmark gave her a cup of beer before disappearing onto the dance floor with the very flirtatious Belgium.

Lily took it gratefully, drinking it all down quickly, for she found it to be very cheap and terrible tasting beer. Nothing like what her brother or Germany brewed. It almost had a sweet taste to it, which made her tastes buds revolt.

"Brother dear," Belgium laughed from Denmark as she tangled around the tall Dane. "Ask that girl to dance." she half ordered. Netherlands frowned down at her. "Oh don't give me that look." the cute girl laughed as she twirled herself around Denmark who was more than thrilled to help here bend her body like seductress. This caused Netherlands to steam.

"Netherlands." Liechtenstein called softly. She knew that look very well. Switzerland had given that look several times before when Prussia had engaged with her in an intimate dance. He even glared haughtily when an innocent boy from a village held her hand. "I would like to dance if you don't mind." to this Belgium gave a laugh as the music picked up.

Netherlands brown eyes locked with hers intensely, rather it was because of her, or because of his sisters actions, Lily would never find out. Instead the Dutch took her hand and lead her out onto the dance floor. Never before had Lily danced to American music, she found the words odd and laid back, but she did not know what they were saying. It sounded German in a way, but at the same time it didn't. The strangest language on the earth, she concluded as Netherlands big hand rested on her waist.

Together they danced wildly to the music, a dance that was more twirling nonsense than anything else. But it made her feel light. Each time Netherlands twirled her out, Lily imaged that she had on a silk dress and a golden crown. That indeed she were some type of princess from a foreign country for away. Netherlands, despite his worn jacket and scarf, looked like a kingly prince with that slight smirk he wore each time she came twirling back to his chest. The sounds of the trumpets and brass band drowned out from their own movements, from their laughter and the laughter of others. Slightly Lily was aware of the beer cup after cup she consumed all of which either Belgium or Denmark served her.

The lights from candles blurred around here. All she could see were those stern brown eyes, that smirk that would once in a while widen so she could see the white teeth behind Netherlands lips. But all the time, Liechtenstein could feel that great big hand on her lower back.

The conquered nations and Lily eventually collapsed, drunk from both badly brewed alcohol and from dancing. Netherlands tall body had collapsed onto the floor, his frame leaning against a couple of empty barrels that had once been full to the brim with alcohol. Lily found herself cradled dreamingly in front of him, her head on his chest, the mans arms around her as the tiny fire barely warmed the room. Belgium had found herself near them, with the young Luxembourg resting his head in her lap. The poor young man of fifteen had been allowed to party that night, the alcohol had taken over his whole system and all the man could manage to do was curl up in the lap of his older sister's lap. Piles of other people were here and there, mostly awake sipping down the last of the alcohol. Denmark, the only other soul she managed to locate was leaning against the leg of the chair Norway was seated in. Every once in awhile, the man would try to caress the Norwegians leg to only be kicked.

"This was fun." Belgium stated as her fingers swept through Luxembourg's locks.

"I agree. But we wont be think that in the morning." France oozed from his spot. "I do not know about you but I have to run errands for Miss Hungary. I don't think my head will be able to take the noise of Berlin."

"Don't worry, I'll ask Italy to give a day off to the servants. I'm sure he will. He is a nice man." Lily murmured from Netherlands chest, snuggling closer as everyone else sat up in shock.

"You would do that, Miss Lily?" Denmark crowed from his spot.

"Of course. I must thank you all for giving me such a good night." Lily answered.

"Norge! Want to go fishing with me?" Denmark asked as he rubbed the man's calf.

"Don't touch me." Norway grumbled, pushing Denmark away.

"Oh come on Norge! We haven't gone fishing since all of us were under the same roof!"

"And whose fault is that." Norway spoke monotonously.

Denmark sighed and collapsed onto his back. He looked up at Norway, but Norway did not look down at him. The man looked forlorn as he draped an arm over his face. "I wonder how they are all doing."

Norway shifted uncomfortably as he felt Denmark's hand cradle the man's ankle like a persistent child for some body contact. "I know, surrendering easily like I did made things worse for them. Or at least that's what they think." Denmark began, his voice cracked. "But they wanted us Norge not them. But still I often wonder, how is Iceland fairing now that he is on his own with no one to govern him? Is England and America taking care of him? Or will he show up on the Nazi's doorstep tomorrow? How about Finland? He's been fighting the Russians, is he now apart of that great giants empire like his good friend Estonia? And is Sweden taking care of my people I sent him like he promised he would? What do you think, Norge?" the man remained silent, however another spoke up.

"I often wonder how Angleterre and Espagne fair." France spoke from his spot. "Especially that little hot head uncouth Englishmen. I left him alone, didn't I? Surely half of his island is under siege. My regret, even now, is not being prepared for Hitler and his armies. We knew, we knew but did nothing."

"I too fear for England as well. In the past he has been a great friend to my countrymen. " Belgium confided. "However, my whole family is here." she smiled sadly. "I guess that is a comfort that we can boast for more than most."

"If you call reuniting a dysfunctional family a good thing." Netherlands added solemnly.

"I guess we should thank the Nazi's, this is the first time we have spoke in around a century." Belgium whispered. "What about you Lily? You who do you think of the most?"

"Ah, that is easy. My big brother. I left him without telling him in person I was ever leaving. He must think I am never coming back." Lily felt a tear slide down her cheek.

"Why did you do it." Norway spoke. "Your nation is neutral. How is it its personification is here?"

Lily tried to form the words. But her drunken mind could not form the eloquence she usually used to hide why. The untruthful answer was because she believed in a greater Germany and therefore left home without her people's will. "I heard Hitler on the radio one day. He was so passionate, he said he was going to fix all of the German states. He was going to bring us gold if we supported him. The man promised many good things, and I believed him. I believed that the treaty of Versailles made all of us poorer. Which is true, many of our countries were struggling, including mine. It seemed like a logical way out."

"That was not a very smart decision." Lily nodded, she knew that was true at least. "I wish I had that choice." Norway said bitterly. "My people, we just want to survive as our own people. But I guess that was a short lived dream. Now we are doomed to be apart of a German empire. With modern technology, who knows if it is ever possible for us to be our own nations again. One day we made fade away and cease to exist."

"No." Netherlands spoke, his deep voice vibrated on Lily's ears. "I think Germany will fail."

"Oh? Why is that?" Belgium asked her brother sincerely.

"I once met a boy, who could lift my Fluyt out of the water. Gave my traders quite the scare. And broke a the stern off that trading ship as well by accident."

"You mean Amerique?"

The Dutch nodded. "That's right." he closed his eyes. "He'll eventually come, you'll see."

France sighed, "He will eventually have to. Or he wont have any allies left!" the man spat as he drunkenly looked his cup of beer.

Lily curled up closer to Netherlands who had spoken of this hope. Her small hands balled taking his worn fabric into her palms. The smell of tobacco and the stench of dirt, that all her mind could focus on. Eventually she heard a deep voice singing, one that wasn't Netherlands. Her ears somehow new it that it was Denmark's singing, soon Norway joined in his own similar language. It almost sounded like a wizards song, and it might as well have been. For the two harmonized perfectly and it cast a drought spell on Lily. She could feel her lids becoming heavier and heavier until they shut.

The last thing that past through her mind was the image of an American carrying his flag across Europe, liberating everyone.

The night of the party past and so did the day off Lily had Italy grant. Under the fun loving Italian, Lily spent her time in the company of Jurriaan. She worked next to him, tiling the earth with shovels. Germany had wanted new rose bushes displayed in the front lawn, however a few plants were left over, which Netherlands and Lily decided to plant together in the back. Though they did not take their planting very seriously, most of the time they used the dirt to make the other filthier or soak the others clothes with the water pale.

Lily had just dumped all her contents down Netherlands back and raced off towards the picket to pour herself more water has Netherlands came rushing at her behind her heels. The man cornered her and empty his pale down her back and she let out several squeals as she tried to get away. Lily used her tiny body to his a key point on Netherlands body, tipping his center of gravity off. The girl almost slipped free, but Netherlands collapsed on her taking her down into the grass with him. The two just laughed blissfully, both soaked to the bone and muddy.

Liechtenstein ran a finger over Netherlands cheeks, leaving a muddy trail from her dirt stained hands. She did the same to the other side, and Jurriaan closed his eyes. "What are you doing?" he muffled.

"Giving you war paint." the girl stated simply.

"Like an Indian?"

"Why of course!" this made the older man laugh and he rolled onto his back and Lily situated her head on his chest. Everything was quiet, just the sounds of chirping birds. So peaceful and yet a war was being waged all across Europe. "I wish, things could stay like this forever." Lily confided after a moment of laying there taking in the quiet and sun rays. Netherlands hummed his approval as he took her hand in his. His thumb lazily traced over hers. "But it can't can it?" Lily concluded sadly.

"'fraid not."

"And you will keep your distance from me?" Lily whispered sadly.

"It's for the best." Netherlands concluded solemnly.

"I want to see you." Lily demanded.

"I know."

"But you still wont?"

Netherlands turned on his side, looking at Lily sleepily. "You'll put yourself at danger you know." Lily frowned, but Jurriaan did not, he just gave her an awkward smile before pulling her closer. Very quietly, he muttered a song in Dutch. They remained there, the sun drying their clothes. Hands and limbs entangled under the warm rays drifting off to a happier place.

"What is this!" a voice shouted in the distance. Lily and Netherlands both snapped awake. "How could you!" the voice shouted, a voice they both knew. "How could you betray them like that! Huh!" the voice moaned loudly.

"Stay here." Netherlands ordered. However Lily did not follow, instead she followed Netherlands around the side of the mansion to the front. Lily gasped loudly at the site. Germany and the others were back. All three German men were standing at the top of the steps. However, another in a soft blue uniform, short and slightly stocky stood at the bottom, his gun out, the butt pointed at the kneeling Denmark. An angry red mark blazed in the setting sun, both his cheeks wet with tears.

"How could you join these Nazi bastards, Finland!" Denmark cried. "Don't you realize, Ice and Sweden are both out there! Iceland for gods sakes is on the other side! Are you going to shoot him huh! When they finally go for Sweden, you going to shoot him as well?"

"I had no choice! How long was I going to hold out against Russia?" Finland said sadly. "I had my people to think of. They come first."

"But we're a family! You don't join the enemy!"

"What was I supposed to do? Join England? Germany would have gobbled up my country in a day. Did you want me to keep going til Russia finally succeeded? No, Denmark! I did what would keep my people free. If that means, that I will one day have to shoot Sweden or Iceland, then so be it. God knows neither did anything to help me with Russia."

"You son of a-" Denmark rushed up to the Fin trying to swing at him, but the short Nordic nation wielded his gun with such skill, Denmark landed on his back in an undignified heap, blood oozing from his nose.

Prussia let out a loud laugh, "Good god West, what an investment! Who would have thought this little guy would be able to man handle the 'King of Scandinavia'." Prussia gave the man a mocked bow. "So tell me you mighty Viking King, where's all your ships, your armies? Oh that's right, you don't have any now! Kesesesesese."

"You fucking prick…" Denmark sputtered blood from his lips.

"That's enough Gilbert. No need to be distasteful." Ludwig intervened. "Come Finland, I will show you to your new rooms."

Finland did not move. He looked down at Denmark, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry." the man choked.

"Finland." Germany said more sternly, a tone he often used on Liechtenstein herself. The man had no choice but to obey. He left Denmark, entering the mansion.

"And so it begins." Netherlands muttered as he began to approach Denmark.

"What begins?" Lily cried.

"You will soon find out." Netherlands said cryptically.

Omg~! I love you guys! I logged on and bam I have seven reviews for this chapter! Thank you oh so very much! I hope this chapter will be as good as its predecessors. If you have any suggestions, please tell me and I'll think about using them! Also if this historically incorrect, sorry! I am going on my memory of World War 2 and I am by no means an expert. However this pace of this fic is about to change and love is about to bloom! Also I have finals these next few weeks so wish my luck guys!