A/N: Sorry for not uploading chapter 3 very quickly! I hope you guys will enjoy chapter 4. I would like to think that it's more intense than the rest. I translated most of the Russian in the story via Google Translate, so forgive me if it's not exactly correct. I love Russia and Italy~ :D

It was the night that Romano and I were supposed to go hang out. Heehee! A date-ish thing. I was grinning as I hopped around on one leg, trying to get my shoe on. I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror for an inspection. I was going to have Hungary, who was watching over the Baltics, give me her opinion too. With a small smile, I felt good about how I looked- my platinum hair pulled up in a ponytail, dark jeans, black boots, and a long-sleeved black lace and satin top. I thought I looked pretty good. An old habit tugged at the back of my mind. I rubbed my left wrist and flexed my left hand. How often I thought of that night... The night I almost killed Romano. The reason I'd refused orders for the first time in my life. One of the real reasons I disliked Ivan III a little bit. Sure, he was a great leader and tried his hardest to unite the land, but he'd still ordered me to 'dispose' of an Italian family that had been troubling some important officials.

I had been an assassin. One of the greatest, too. Come to find out, Romano's family was part of the Brotherhood. Just a part my 'Great Lord' didn't like. Back then, I was young and stupid. Careless. Romano was a frightened boy who had not been through much training.

Before my mind could replay what had happened, Elizaveta knocked on my door and called, "Anya, Romano's here and I don't think you want to keep him waiting!" She walked away with a giggle, not waiting for me to answer. I knew she was right though. No matter the past, I didn't want to keep him waiting. He drew me in too much. His aura was... intoxicatingly sweet.

~~Romano~~

I waited patiently as Ellizaveta went to tell Anya that I was here. I didn't really mind waiting on her. It was strange to think that I'd see her again in such a different situation. This was our third meeting. Once way in the past, and twice now in the company of that idiot, Spain. He wasn't totally horrible, but he was a little annoying most of the time.

I fidgeted a little, nervously. I hadn't taken someone out for a while, so I was hoping it went well. And Anya was... quite different. She walked out to the hallway, and my jaw nearly dropped. She looked stunning! As if my stomach wasn't doing enough somersaults. Pah! Trying to get my composure back, I smiled a bit and bowed my head slightly.

"You look very pretty."

"Thank you," she said with a sad but kind smile. Something was hurting her. I wanted to squash whatever it was. I didn't like the look behind her eyes. It bugged the hell out of me.

I offered her my arm, which she took much to my delight, and we were out in the sunlight. For a split second, I forgot where we were going.

"Um... Do you mind the fair?" I asked quietly.

"Not at all! It's been a lot of fun the past few times I've been. I'd love to go again."

She was genuinely excited and it was contagious. I was getting excited to go with her, like a child.

We arrived at the fair entrance and joined the long line of chattering people waiting to get their tickets. It wasn't long before we got to the front despite the amount of people. I bought us 2 wristbands so we didn't have to buy a bazillion tickets for the rides. We walked in, looking around at all the rides and games. It was really busy today, and I hoped Anya didn't mind the crowd. I personally felt fine in crowds because I could stay hidden better.

"Anything you'd like to do first?" I asked happily at home in the heat and crowd. She looked around, a little lost... and slightly scared. Without thinking, I took her hand and grinned. This took her by surprise, but she didn't pull away.

"Um... Well, I like throwing the darts at the balloons," she answered.

"Then that's what we'll do!" I announced and lead her to the stall with the balloons. I had to say it was a fun game. I had been pretty good with a gun, so accuracy was a natural thing. I got a blue gorilla for winning and watched Anya take her turn.

She picked up her darts and threw them so fast, it didn't look like she'd even aimed them. That was a deadly quick skill she had. Almost like...

Like when she'd almost killed me.

I'd been getting ready for bed after entertaining some nobles. It had been a clear night with no rain even though it was spring. There'd been nothing unusual about it and I was hopeful that the nobles would be persuaded to start paying taxes soon. I had been reading for a while when I noticed a shadow inside the shadows of my room. I thought it was one of my dogs at first, then it moved again. It was the shape of a person. Instead of being a scared child like my brother, I picked up a knife and glared into the darkness.

"Whoever is there, you'd better show yourself. I'm not fond of people sneaking into my room," I said a little irritated. Not only did they not show their face, but they threw a knife at me. I side-stepped, barely in time. The blade ended up embedded in my wall close to the bed. That spiked my temper even more.

I ran to that side of the room and tackled the person... and then I saw... a girl with beautiful eyes and a cute little face. She couldn't have been much older then me. Her face was twisted in pain, marring her features. I realized I had landed on her so that her arm twisted behind her and probably had broken it. Quickly, I got up and tried to help her. She lashed out at me, scared.

Anya was laughing as she put a funny-looking hotdog hat on my head. "Hey! I'm not Alfred!" I said playfully. Her grin turned devious as she walked backwards away from me.

"I know you're not. You're not nearly as obnoxious or arrogant," she purred. Of course. Anya and Alfred had been 'close' for a while and had a terrible break-up, though they never admitted they had been together. The Cold War had scared everyone. To lighten the mood I added in a jab too, "I'm not nearly as fat as he is!"

We snickered together, enjoying picking on the American. He had too much of a Prussian influence.

~~Anya~~

The day turned into night and we were walking around still when we heard some music from one of the open areas. There were some Spanish looking guys playing a song that I had heard before somewhere. I closed my eyes and swayed a little to the music... It was magic. This night had been amazing so far, and even the small gesture of Romano holding my hand had me on a high. I didn't remember a time I was this happy. I felt his warmth come closer to me as he whispered, "Would you like to dance?" I turned my head, looking into his deep brown eyes, and nodded. He lead me to the dancing area and started swaying. "I will show you the way we dance," he said.

He placed his other hand on my hip and lead me along in a strange dance. It was very Western, but not the new style. My people had not yet learned of this kind of dancing, which meant I had to teach them! We were spinning around and around, smiling, and laughing. I did not notice the men that were watching me as I usually would have. I am usually paranoid enough to notice everything, but Romano had distracted my mind. Not that I was complaining. Everything happened fairly quick, yet I remembered every detail.

Romano's frown set me off at first. He spun me around a little too rough and turned away just in time to catch a blade. He threw it back into the crowd and a man dropped to the ground. A few others scattered right before the rest of the crowd began to cause chaos. Romano looked angry and confused, which confused me more. What had happened? Why had someone tried to kill me?

"Stay here, with him," he said pointing to the man on the ground. He didn't look alive to me, but if he was, I was going to ask some questions. Before I could protest, Romano sprinted away, in the direction of the other men. Needless to say, I was pissed. These assholes had ruined my perfect night. My first date in years! So, I marched over to the suka on the ground and picked him up by the front of his shirt. He was still alive. Unfortunate for him.

"Pochemu vy napadaete na menya, ty gryaznaya sobachonka?" I shouted at him. He didn't understand my Russian. For whatever reason, that pissed me off even more. "WHY DID YOU ATTACK ME, YOU FILTHY MUTT?" I roared. I could see a dark trail going down his leg. What a useless dryanʹ, piece of trash. He managed to stammer out an answer

"Y-Y-YA t-tolʹko- I was only following orders!" he cried, mangling my language.

"Orders from who?" I snarled.

"I can't tell you that!" He had raised his left hand as we were talking and was about to stroke me, but I grabbed his arm as his hidden blade came out and directed it to his throat. He was part of The Brotherhood. This was not good. Not at all.

Romano came bounding up, looking stunned that I was holing this guy and that I had blood on my hands.

"We need to leave. If you want, you can stay at my place, but we need to go. Now," I said. It came out a little colder than I wanted, but I was still mad as hell. He nodded, understanding and we left. Our night was ruined. My feelings for him were as confusing as ever... Maybe that was why I felt the need to keep him close. At least for tonight.

The Baltics were frantic when I got back. They were attuned to my moods. I told Elizaveta she could stay if she wanted, or go home, though I preferred if she didn't go out tonight. No questions asked, she herded a hysterical Latvia, a terrified Lithuania, and a disturbed Estonia upstairs and left me and Romano alone. It was time for the question that had been nagging at me for so long.

"Romano. Do you remember the first time we met?" I asked locking my eyes to his. He answered without batting an eye, "Yes, I do. You killed some nobles of mine, and tried to kill me."

I nodded, remembering. It had been so very long ago, but it haunted me. Now, it really was coming back to bite me in the ass. "They were part of The Brotherhood. You know that. Why did they try to kill me?" I needed answers. They were Italian, and if I was correct, Romano knew exactly who they were. He was still an assassin as much as I was. He lowered his eyes and sighed, "They were. I'm not quite sure why they tried to kill you. Maybe one of the higher-up members thought you were dangerous. If that's the case, I can talk to them. I can explain to them that you are a Grand-Master of one of the Northern branches... I... I don't know." He flopped down on the couch and put his head in his hands. It seemed he was just as in the dark about this as I was. We talked a little after that and eventually, Romano lost his struggle and fell asleep.

Maybe my old friends and Master deserve a visit. I thought wearily. They still respected me, or so I thought. Something wasn't right and I was going to find out. No one attempts to take my life and get away with it. As I walked the halls that night, unable to let sleep claim me, cold fury welled up inside me. War was about to rear its ugly head once more.