Author's Note- Hey everyone, sorry for posting a little bit late. Some stuff came up in my life which distracted me from writing for a bit. But I am back. This chapter is a bit slow but lays the foundation need for future chapters. Also I attempt to give a plausible explication for one of the biggest historical mistakes in Hetalia. Well before I get on to the story I wanted to give a shout out to my wonderful reviewers. Thank you UsuiXMisakilover, Bookwormally, and WeAllFlyHigh. It is reviews like you that keep me excited about writing.

Disclaimer-Don't own Hetalia, but I now own a Hetalia shirt…it has England on it…

Chapter 3- The Build Up

January 9th 1942-Elison Airbase, Fairbanks, Alaskan Territory

Japan attack Pearl Harbor just over a month ago…In that month he had lost Guam, Wake, and a fair number of outer Philippians islands. Great Britain and Canada both lost hundreds of troops when Hong Kong fell. It was pretty clear that every territory in the Pacific was venerable to attack. This is what brought Alfred had brought to what seemed like the edge of the world, to only territory in the North Pacific untouched by War.

"Why did Japanese choice to attack practically all my territories, but Alaska?" America said to himself.

"Because they are not stupid."

America turned to see the personification of this northern outpost of humanity. Alaska, Seward's ice box, Russian-America, barren waste; she had been know by many names. She was America's first territory, his first acquisition in his now decent sized empire. Now America felt slightly uncomfortable under the ice like gaze of Alaska.

"Why do you say that?" America cocked his head to one side.

"Because the Japanese know the waters of the Aleutians nearly as well as the Russians. In fact, they probably know more about some of my islands than my own people." Alaska spoke so softly that America had to get closer to hear her. As he approached Alaska seemed to shrink before him. "They know that the Aleutians teem with fish, but it is also a graveyard for ships. This is especially true during the dark days of winter. To attack now would be suicide."

"It is difficult fight anywhere in the winter; it isn't that difficult to change your equipment to meet the challenge."

"I do not expect you to understand." For a moment Alaska impossibly black eyes flickered up to America's face before setting back on her shoes. "You can only be a visitor here."

The last comment caused America's anger to rise. It wasn't like the Alfred knew nothing about working this close to the Arctic Circle, last year had began to occupy Greenland. The earlier this year England had asked him nicely take over the occupation of Iceland for him. It was true that Iceland wasn't too thrilled about being occupied, but America had to be the hero even if they had been technically neutral in the war.

"You know that statement sounds a lot like treason." America didn't try to hide the ice tone in his voice. He had already lost so much of his empire to Japan, he was not about to allow one of his territories to walk away.

"I simply mean that you are a nation while Alaska is simply a territory. While I technically belong to you, I am not part of you." Alaska almost whispered. Her posture seemed to indicate that she wanted to melt into the snow covered ground, but somehow she managed to finish her statement. "As a result, you are not fully informed about all of the local politics or weather conditions or…."

Alaska hiccupped, and America noticed that there were small tear tracks flowing down the young territories face. America suddenly felt pretty guilty for calling Alaska out. After all, she was just a territory. She didn't have a large enough population to be independent. Also Alaska had grown up in such isolated, that she had never experience war. Having fighting so close must have been terrifying.

"Don't worry…" America said softly, as he placed a hand on her shoulder. At his touch she looked up at him with her inhumanly black eyes. For a moment America caught his breath catch, and then he swallowed the lump that had formed. "Don't worry. I am going to protect you. After all I am a hero."

For some reason Alaska didn't seem relieved.

Alaska could tell that America was having a hard time adjusting to the cold dry, climate of Fairbanks. For one thing the nation was shivering violently, even though the thick cloud cover kept the air temperature from dropping below -15 degrees Celsius. For one of the coldest places on the continent a winter temperature above -20 was almost balmy.

America sneezed and Alaska really hoped that he wasn't getting sick. America was hard enough to maintain when he was in perfect health. He must have been an absolute nightmare to deal with when he was sick. Luckily, Alaska didn't get visited by America often, primarily because the nation often forgot that Alaska existed. She had to admit that she kind of like it that way. When America didn't remember her, she got to do whatever she wanted. America sneezed again.

"Mr. Jones, are you alright?"

"Of course I am not alright!" America muttered. "I am practically freezing to death."

Alaska had seen several people freeze to death, it was pretty clear America was not suffering from that particular issue. After all, they had only left the shelter of depot five minutes ago, he was having no trouble walking, and his lips where far from blue. Then again, maybe southerly nations had different hypothermia symptoms. Perhaps she should get her charge inside just in case.

"Maybe we should head to the cabin. You must have had a rough trip to Fairbanks, and I am sure you would enjoy a nice seat by the hearth and a bowl of hot soup." At her suggestion America seemed to perk up.

"If you are sure, I mean I could probably last out here long enough to finish the tour." America's comment was undermined by his chattering teeth.

"It is not a bother."

Alaska considered herself to be a fast walker, but she had a hard time keeping up with America on the trip to the cabin. In fact, as they reached the steps America almost ran up them to get inside. Once indoors he immediate gravitated to her fireplace and its banked coals. Luckily Alaska was able to take over fire building before America smothered it is haste to get a blaze going. So America does have a weakness, Alaska mused, apparently he doesn't like the cold. Still it wouldn't do for a guest to suffer. She was going to have find a way to keep him warmer.

"Mr. Jones, do you mind if I run an errand before making dinner?" She was annoyed that America failed to respond to her question. She dropped a log on the floor and that seemed to get his attention. "Mr. Jones, I need to go out for a few moments?"

"You are going back out in that cold?" America's look of complete and utter horror at the idea almost made Alaska want to laugh.

"But it is warm out." Alaska replied with her sweetest tone as she ducked out of the door.

Once outside the territory breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't that she didn't like people. She liked Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Siberia a lot. She also didn't mind the company of Canada and Russia. America was different…She liked him, but his energy and speed of life was overwhelming. Still he was her 'parent' country, and if she was going to find her place in his empire she was going to have to behave more like him. She was trying, really trying. Unfortunately America only seemed to see her when he wanted something.

"Stop thinking those types of thoughts" Alaska said, her breaths turning it puffs of white in the dying light of day. "You know they will only make you depressed, and depression brings out the Russian in you…and America wants an American territory not a Russian one."

Alaska took a deep breath and tried to focus on her surroundings. It really was spectacular. She was walking through a forest of spindly black pines each covered by a shroud of snow. The snow caught the last rays of the dying sun, capturing flickers of blue, purple, gold, and orange. As her eyes focused on the snowpack she saw the tracks of birds, mostly from ravens, playing across the ground. It made her smile, even in winter her intelligent friends always found time to explore. Engrossed in her observations, she almost missed the squat military depot.

"Hey, Samantha." The quartermaster looked up from his book as she pushed open the heavy wooden door. "Is there anything you need help with?"

"I need to pick some cold weather gear for our VIP."

"They didn't send him up with anything?" The quartermaster grimaced. It wasn't uncommon for the US government to send up knew employees without the proper winter gear to function in the environment. If they were sent to Juneau or even Anchorage it wouldn't be such a problem, but Fairbanks routinely had winter temperature 20 to 40 degrees lower then Alaska's other major cities.

"Not enough." The edges of Alaska's lips twisted upwards as she spoke. "Currently he is convinced that he is going to freeze to death…this morning I could swear he was convinced he was going to starve as well."

"Bureaucrats." The quartermaster shook his head in amusement. "So do we need to find him full arctic survival gear, or will proper coat do?"

"I think that we probably should go with a coat. That way he will be able to use it stateside."

"Okay, I can do that." The quartermaster pulled out the inventory and started to flip through it. "Anything else I should know about him?"

"His measurements should be on file with the military." Alaska thought that was it, then remembered another important detail. "Also, he fancies himself an aviator."

"Ah, one of those types." The quartermaster smiled knowingly. "I think I may have some of the Coast Guard aviator jackets in the back. We really don't have many Coast Guard people station here, so they are considered to be surplus. I can probably find one in the back but…"

"You can pull the money from my buy out." Alaska said seamlessly. "I am sure that he will be able to pay me back the cost of a military issued jacket from his per denim."

"Great...then there is only one issue left. You are going to have to find a way to modify the jacket so he doesn't get confused for a coast guard aviator half in uniform. A challenge I know you are more than suited for."

Alaska blushed at the man's comment, but luckily he had already left the room to fetch to coat for the store room. In other five minutes Alaska was once again out in the winter night. Even in the darkness she didn't need a light. She had walked this path too many times, and it didn't take her feet long to find the familiar path.

"What is that?" America asked, as Alaska came in through the hall. His curiosity clearly peaked by the package.

"Nothing." Alaska stated a bit more stiffly that she had intended. "Just something that I ordered."

America didn't push it. Instead he retreated back into the living room and claimed one of the overstuffed armchairs. Alaska shook her head, America seemed to have an ability to take up space, a fact exasperated by the nation's insistence of being the center of attention. Alaska wasn't sure if these behaviors were conscious or unconscious, but she was glad to escape to the relative quiet of the kitchen.

Once the door was closed behind her she finally unwrapped the butcher paper and twine holding the box hold closed. Inside was a M-422 pilots jacket. The leather still a little stiff and smelled of newness. She couldn't keep her lips from curving upwards, this would be perfect. Now all she had to do was make a few modifications. Know America it would need to be showy. Then the idea clicked into place. She opened a few cans of soup and started heating them on the stove top. As dinner cooked, Alaska set to work.

January 8th 1942-Alaska's Cabin, Fairbanks, Alaskan Territory

America woke to the first rays of the sun creeping across the thick quilt. For a moment he felt like turning back over in bed and going back to sleep, but then he looked at the clock. It stated that the time was 10:46 am, which couldn't possibly be right.

"You are finally awake." Alaska stated shyly, but she was clearly amused at America's panic.

"Why didn't you wake up earlier?" America groaned.

"I you were not up by 11:00 was going to drop one of the big pans to wake you." Alaska was clearly trying to not giggle. "But now that are up I can pass on an important message, breakfast is ready."

The statement made America's mouth water and his stomach remind him he hadn't eaten since the previous night. He was dressed and downstairs in the kitchen in under five minutes. The heavy wooden table was laden by a number of dishes. There was a thick stack of warm pancakes and a loaf of sourdough. There was also a plate with several links of sausage with a few scrambled eggs on the side.

"There is birch syrup and fireweed jelly for the bread and pancakes. Also the sausage is made from a reindeer so it will taste a little different than you are use to…" Alaska looked thoughtful, but America was already digging in.

Once the plates were cleaned Alaska pulled out a package and handed it to America, explaining that it was there to keep him warm. It only took a few moments to tear open the butcher paper, but the contents made him pause. It was a coat. It mostly looked like the ones used by coast guard aviators, but it had some distinct patches. For one thing it had a star on the left breast pocket and a plane of the shoulder. He picked it up, his fingers caressing the leather and found a number embroidered on the back on the coat. He took a good look, but found the number to be a bit odd.

"Why did you put 50 on the back?"

"…" Alaska stared at the table.

"You do know I only have 48 states right?"

"Yes…" Alaska continued to examine the table.

"Then why?" America pushed.

"I…I based it off of your defense rankings…That you would never allow the Germans or Japanese to take any of the states and your major naval bases in Puerto Rico and Hawaii."

"I guess that make sense." America said absent mindedly, as he shrugged into the coat. It fit like a glove. "So what is the plan for today?"

"We will be visiting the facilities being built to turn this station in to a full military base."

America nodded his approval as he munched on the final slice of bread. According to the Five-Powers Treaty he wasn't suppose to build any major military in any of his many territories. Things had drastically change December 7, 1941. Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor without even bothering to declare war first. Treaty or no treaty America was obligated to take actions to protect his remaining territories. He was doing this by changing his small military outposts scattered across the empire into fully functioning military bases.

When America finally left, Alaska stared after the plane that carried him until it had long disappeared beyond the horizon. Once it was clear he was not going to return anytime soon Alaska slowly walked home to the cabin that she had built with Yukon's help during the gold rush.

Quietly she opened the door. She had known that America would be her final guest here for two weeks. As Elison, grew it needed space for additional runways. Alaska's home was situated in a flat expanse of land directly adjacent to the military base. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the military bought her property.

She could have fought it, but war meant sacrifice…If Territory of Alaska was going to survive this war, she would survive because everyone of her citizens were willing to give up a lot. If she was going to ask her people to give up their comfort, their livelihood, and even lay down their lives for her protection, the least she could do is give up her own home and comfort. Still, it was hard to give up something that held so many emotions, so many memories.

That night Alaska did not sleep. Instead she walked from room to room in her small home. She soaked in every sight, every smell, every texture, until her tears fell so hard she could no longer see through them. The next morning, before the dawn broke, Alaska caught the train south to Anchorage. As the engine pulled out of the station, Alaska felt the deep knot of grief tighten in her stomach. Still she never looked back.

January 9th 1941- Japan's House, Kyoto, Japan

An ocean away, tone was significantly different as Japan celebrating the victory of his army and navy against the western powers. It had only been a month since his attack on Pearl Harbor and he already had the rest of the world on the defensive. His soldiers were in good spirits and his nation was now building POW camps to hold the hundreds of America, English, Canadian, and Australian citizens he had taken captive.

His only regret was the fact that he hadn't been able to wipe out America's Pacific more completely in the initial attack. Japan would have been happier if he had been able to take out America's air carriers, but still those lightly armored ships would quickly fall to Japan's superior battleships. It was only a matter of time before America would be forced to surrender. With him out of the picture Canada and America's Pacific territories would automatically to Japan.

Japan was sure that there would be initial bloodshed. America had his patriots, who would be willing to sacrifice their lives in the fight to remove the occupying force. The strategists predicted that this would happen when America's western states were dissolved, and Japan was stock piling supplies to meet that attack head on. Regardless of what would happen in America's former states, Japan was sure that some of the weaker American Territories would in fact welcome him with open arms. After all, America had never been particularly responsible with his empire.

That would be a mistake that Japan would not make once the war had ended. Sure they would be rule with a heavy hand, just like he did in the Korean, but his new children would need that to learn their place in the world. Once they learned obedience, these territories would have the opportunity to become productive and members of his empire. They would no longer have to fear attack nor hunger. Japan would provide them with an orderly utopia.

Historical Note- The United States did come up with a ranking system that determined how much effort would be put in the defense of its territories. Under this ranking system only Puerto Rico and Hawaii were determined too important for US defense to ever fall into enemy hands. On the other end of the spectrum, most of the small isolate island like Guam where slated for abandonment when the war began. Alaska and the Philippines where fell in the middle of the rating scale. These were the places that America planed to make its stand against the Japanese.

End Note- Questions? Comments? Smart aleck remarks? I would love to hear them. Please leave a review or PM me. I promise that treats will be involved.

Next Week's Chapter- Chapter 4: Miscalculations- America decides that Alaska isn't going to attacked by the Japanese, and thus he does not provide significant funds for building new military bases to protect it. That changes when he discovered Russia built a new base only 2 miles from an Alaskan island and 25 miles from the mainland. Suddenly America is convinced that Alaska will be invaded by the Russians, but Alaska knows more than she will say. Canada is in this chapter.