PART FOUR

(Boring as frick 'cause I have been busy to do a good chapter. I'm sorry!)

Ireland awoke in a tent and could hear someone fast asleep. She looks to the side to see Mexico fast asleep on the ground while she was on a hammock. She slowly got off the hammock and looked out the camp. The moon still illuminated the sky and the stars still twinkled as well. Ireland sighed as she reentered the tent.

"Why are you up?" Mexico asked as he lifted his body up. Ireland shook his head. Mexico groaned and laid back on the ground. Ireland sighed as she went outside and walked a bit away from camp. She laid on the ground and stared at the starry sky. The sky was just as beautiful as if she was back home. She started to miss her younger brother. She felt her eyes tearing up with the memories of home.

"Ireland? Que estas haciendo aqui?"

Ireland rose up quickly and turned to see Mexico. She shook her head.

"I'm just watching the stars," Ireland said. Mexico sat beside her and stared at the stars. They stayed silent as the wind blew lightly. A question then arose in Mexico's mind.

"Ireland. I have a question to ask."

"Yes? What is it?"

"Are you part of the United Kingdom and are you actually willing to be here or are you helping America?"

"One that is two questions. Two, yes I am under his rule but I am not going to feed America information about what your army is doing. I have no reason to do that."

"Ok, I had to make sure."

"Nothing is wrong with that."

The two remained silent after that. The cold desert night was just that. A night filled with relief.

The morning sun rose and Ireland opened her eyes. She tried to get up but something was holding her down. She looked around and saw that Mexico was hugging her. Ireland put her index finger into her mouth, covering it with her slimy saliva. She inserted her finger into Mexico's ear. Mexico quickly pushed her arm and got up.

"¡¿Por qué hiciste eso?!" Mexico shouted covering his ear.

"I was trying to get up but you were hugging me."

Mexico blushed and apologized. Ireland started to laugh.

"No need to apologize!" Ireland's laughter was becoming louder.

"Mexico! Get over here! Who the hell is she?" The roaring of the man was heard loud and clear.

Mexico and Ireland quickly stood up and ran to the camp. A man stood there boldly. He stared at Ireland and Mexico.

"Buenos días, I forgot to introduce that this is Irlanda, the lady from yesterday."

"Oh! Hola senorita!" The captain smiled.

Ireland smiled as well while Mexico was keeping a straight face.

"Do you want to continue wearing that dress or will you change into one of the uniforms, of course you won't fight," the captain said.

Ireland looked down to see that her best dress was now in ruins. The dress was ripped and dirt covered the majority of the cloth. If it ripped a little more, it might reveal more than she wants. Ireland nodded at the request. The Captain nodded as he walked away.

"Irlanda, want to meet your people? They're in the next camp over," Mexico asked," of course if you want to change first."

"I'll change first and then we can go meet my people."

Ireland and Mexico proceeded to speak until the Captain returned with a uniform. Ireland took the uniform and changed into the uniform. She put the two belts across her chest. Ireland set her ruined dress aside. Ireland grabbed to small bands and tied her hair up into a single bun. She walked out of the tent. The Captain smiled and Mexico nodded.

"I look stupid."

"No, you look like an actual solider just a girl."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Mexico nodded. Ireland smiled. They began to walk to the other side of the campsite. The many soldiers around gawked at Ireland. The many stares made Ireland's cheeks turn red. She wasn't used to all the attention. She began to walk faster. Mexico walked faster as well. That's when Ireland noticed a green flag flying. The flag consist of a gold harp with the words of "Erin Go Bragh" along with some other things Ireland did not understand.

"This is the campsite of the St. Patrick's Battalion."

Ireland stared at awe. There was so many people here. She then saw Seán. She smiled and Seán turned to see her.

"Ireland? Why are you wearing a uniform?"

"My dress was in ruins so they offered this to me."

"I can't believe I deserted the American army," Seán said deflating.

Ireland smiled and patted his back. She knew he was going to begin to worry. Seán sighed and looked at Mexico.

"Who is he anyways?"

"That's Mexico," an unknown voice responded.

Ireland, Mexico, and Seán all turn to see an older man. Mexico nodded.

"That's Bevert Major John Patrick Riley," Mexico introduced the man and then pointed at Ireland, "Bevert Major, this is Ireland."

"Nice to meet you, Bevert Major," Ireland held her hand out. Bevert Major Riley shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet the representation of my beloved homeland."

Ireland nodded. Bevert Major Riley smiled and proceeded to lead Ireland to the center of camp.

"Most people are Irish but some are from other nations as well. It's interesting how well we get along."

"That is nice to hear."

Ireland watched as people began to eat.

"You hungry? The Mexican people has good food. Especially the tortillas."

"Tortillas?" Ireland asked.

"Tortillas are flatbread made from maiz," Mexico responded.

Ireland nodded. The four of them sat by the fire. Ireland got a plate filled of tortillas, meat, and a yellow thing which she presumed to be corn. Though there was no utensils. Ireland watched how Mexico ate the food. He used the tortillas to pick up the chicken and used his hands to eat the corn. She mimicked him. The food was fantastic! It is just as good as a potato! Ireland proceeded to eat the corn which was just as good as the tortilla and chicken. Seán began to laugh about how hastily she ate the meal in which Ireland laughed as well. They began to share stories of what they done back at Ireland in which several other soldiers began to join. That is when Bevert Major Riley came in.

"Alright start packing up, we're heading to Xalapa, Veracruz."

The soldiers than began to pack up and Bevert Major Riley turned to Ireland.

"Are you sure you want to come along? You can just head back to Ireland."

"Nope, I'm coming."

"Why? Why are you coming when you can go home without being a traitor?"

"I want to come along because I want to support my people for they decided to fight for Mexico for their own reason. I want them to know their decision is one not from another person but from themselves."

Bevert Major Riley nodded and walked away. Seán walked up to Ireland.

"That's a nice reason but are you sure? America might see you and take it out on you for our desertion."

"I don't care. I didn't come to America to support him. I wanted to see how my people are."

Seán nodded. Ireland helped him back his only belongings. Mexico kept watch on Ireland. He was now worried what will happen if America realized she was here. Will it compromise the whole war? Mexico sighed as he continue to watch. Hopefully, if America does know she is with him that he will let her go easily. Mexico knew she just wanted to see her people so she wasn't supporting anyone. She must've just wanted to know how her people are across the ocean.

The sun was at its peak upon the sky. Ireland and Seán walked along each other having small talks. Mexico was riding a horse beside Bevert Major Riley. All seem good if only they all knew what was coming up.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is a shorter chapter. I have been busy with state exams and upcoming AP exams. I will post a longer chapter in June. I hope you are enjoying my story and leave some review (of course only if you want!) By the way it's April in the story right now so if you want to guess the upcoming battle go ahead.