Disclaimer: I OWN HETAONI AND HETALIA! Lol jk.

The room was ice for about a heartbeat before everyone reacted. The nations in the back tried to move forward, their shouts scattered around the room. They shouted things at my brother like 'what do you mean?' and 'do you recognize me?' . Some people were still frozen, like me, Spain, and the other 3 surrounding Veneziano's confused and scared figure. Finally, their yelling got on my nerves. I turned to face them. "All of you get the fuck away from here!" I ordered. They stopped yelling, but no one moved. I glared at them. "Did you all go deaf? All you're doing is freaking him out more, so just GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HERE!" My raising tone got them moving. They swiftly filed out away from the bed area and went in different directions. Some went down the stairs, some retreated into the kitchen, and some just fled and stood/sat at the tables. The only nations remaining were Japan, the potato bastards, and the tomato bastard. I hesitated before looking at Germany (much to my distaste).

"Th—the less people, the better. You and you—" I nodded to Prussia. "—should go join the others." Germany nodded silently, but Prussia looked at me in outrage.

"What? Like hell I'm leaving little Italy—!"

"Bruder, he's right." The macho potato interrupted him. "This would go faster if there are less people hovering. Come, we'll get some beer from the kitchen." He walked around me as he spoke and put his hand on Prussia's shoulder. Prussia scowled and made sounds of protest, but followed Germany out. I sighed before finally looking at Spain. He was looking at me sadly. I didn't have to say anything; he already knew. He turned and followed the potato eaters to the kitchen.

"Should I leave as well?" I looked at Japan, who was smiling a little. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

"No, you stay. Believe it or not, you're one of the only people trapped here that I can trust to help me with this." I admitted.

"I am honored." I opened an eye to see Japan bow as low as he could before straightening up and facing Veneziano. I looked at him as well. He looked almost stupidly confused, but also very thoughtful.

"Veneziano, do you remember who I am?" I asked straight out, dreading the worst. There was a pause before he answered, very slowly and carefully.

"Fratello. My big brother, Romano." He gave a small but familiar smile. I couldn't contain my sigh of relief.

"Italy, do you remember me?" Japan asked gently. Veneziano turned to look at him and opened his mouth to answer immediately but, like before, carefully.

"M-Mr. Japan." Japan and I both blinked. Mister? Since when has my brother ever addressed someone like that?

"Err, yes, but you may just call me Japan." The Asian nation answered, a little flustered. "Um, how are you feeling?"

"Hm? Oh, I feel fine, sir. A little sore, but there's no need to worry." He smiled kindly. My brow furrowed. Sir? What the hell?

"Th-that's good to hear." Japan smiled back at him, but I could see the worry in his eyes. He held up a finger to Veneziano and gestured me off to the side. "Romano, even if I have not known your brother longer than you have, there is no doubt on my mind that he does not normally act like that." He assumed. I nodded.

"Not as far as I can remember. He can be polite, but only when he thinks someone is going to hit him." I glanced over to see Veneziano try to sit up and wince. "Hey!" I ran over and helped him gently. "You shouldn't push yourself, dammit. You've just been attacked."

"R-really? By the Thing? How did I survive?" He looked at me with wide eyes. I frowned and looked at Japan for help. He looked thoughtfully at Veneziano before he turned to me.

"You should go clean him up. In the meantime, try to jog his memories. I'll call the others together and try to start up another meeting while we wait." He ordered. I nodded and offered my brother my hands. He took them and I gently helped him stand. I slung his arm around my shoulders so I could support him and we slowly walked past a few curious and worried nations into the bathroom.

X-X-X

The set-up was quick and painless. I picked one of 4 bathtubs in the huge bathroom, started the hot water, stripped my brother down, took off his bandages, and helped him into the tub. I would normally be embarrassed over seeing someone nude. I remember freaking out as a child because I had to do this for the tomato bastard when Turkey had beat him up particularly bad (god, I still had dre—…nightmares about that.), and don't even get me started on France, but this was my brother, after all. The fucker sleeps naked all the time and he often would crawl into my bed at night. This wasn't anything new to me. So, before I knew it, Veneziano was soaking in the tub and I was sitting on the floor, leaning back against the tub.

"Is the water okay for you?" I asked him. He smiled and nodded.

"Mmhm! Thank you, fratello!" He chirped and hesitantly stretched himself out, wincing a little.

"Good. So, I have a few questions to ask you." I began. He nodded, urging me to go ahead. "Do you remember anything about this house?" He frowned and looked down at his hands.

"Um, a few things. Bits and pieces. A lot of things are coming back to me now." He admitted. I nodded slowly.

"Alright. Do you remember the huge buff blonde guy that was standing next to you when you woke up?" I asked. He nodded brightly.

"Of course! Holy Roman Empire!" He said. I blinked. I haven't heard THAT name in a long time. Centuries, almost.

"Um, no, that's… not him. Holy Roman Empire is…" I couldn't bring myself to finish. His face fell and he nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I suspected so. He's, um, Mr. Germany, right?" I nodded.

"Right. And you remember Japan. How about the other guy, white hair, red eyes?" He had to think about that one.

"Mr. Prussia?" He checked.

"Yeah." I nodded. For what seemed like hours, I checked to see if he recognized any nation names. He remembered 'big brother France' and 'big brother Spain', he eventually remembered who England and America were after I described them. Russia, Canada, and China took a long while. After asking him about that, I grabbed a washcloth to start washing him and asked him about the memories he had of this house.

"I remember everyone dying around me." He murmured, looking down at his lap as I soaped up his shoulders. "Everything was stained in blood. I remember fighting with them only to see them get hurt trying to save me. I remember the monster that came after us." He shook his head and his hands balled into fists as I lifted them to carefully wash off the dirt on his arms.

"Do you remember turning back time?" I asked him carefully. He nodded.

"Yes, I remember doing that a few times."

"Any specific deaths?"

"I remember seeing everyone die, in various rooms and patterns." He started crying a little. I frowned and rubbed his arms, not wanting to get too close to him and get my clothes wet.

"Dammit, don't start crying. It's over now, they're all going to survive, we're all going to escape together." I tried to soothe him. After a while, he gave one final sniffle before he stopped crying.

"Thank you, fratello, for being here for me." He smiled at me. I rolled my eyes but let a tiny smile peek through the corner of my mouth.

"Not like you wanted me here in the first place, so don't thank me. Now, hold still, I have to rinse you off." I ordered, cupping some water in my hands. He nodded and sat still while I dumped water on him.

X-X-X

The whole situation worried me to no end. No matter what France said, I couldn't stop pacing and running my hand through my hair. Japan told me that Ita was alright, that he was just confused and Romano was going to straighten him out while he's giving him a bath. Still, I would rather see for myself. I couldn't get Ita's scared look or Roma's worried expression out of my head. I wish I could be in there to help him.

"Spain, cut it out already." Prussia barked at me. "Mein gott, your pacing is irritating. Just sit down already!"

"Yes, please sit down, Spain. Nothing good will come out of all this worrying. They'll be fine." France tried, once again, to calm me. I sighed, giving in, and finally sat down.

"Lo siento, my friends. I just wish I could help them in there, you know?"

"Don't you think I want to be in there, too?" Prussia grumbled. "God, the suspense is killing me." I frowned, feeling guilty now. Of course, I wasn't the only one worrying. Prussia and Germany were the ones who have gotten closest to Ita. He must be just as worried about him as I am. I was about to apologize again when the hatch of the hideout opened. Up the stairs came England and America, followed by Russia and China. I recalled that Russia and China were the ones who ran out when Romano ordered everyone away.

"How is he?" China asked immediately. France, Prussia, and I stood up from out seats while Japan and Germany broke out of their private conversation by the kitchen. Canada was in the corner, invisible as usual.

"He's in the bath right now. Romano is looking after him." Japan answered China as the 4 came closer. There was a short silence between us as we watched the door to the bathroom. I could faintly hear something moving in water.

"Um…" Canada began in his soft voice. "Maybe he has… amnesia?" A few of the nations exchanged looks.

"No, it looked like something a little different." England answered, pondering.

"It's similar to what I was like when we had just broken a clock." Japan elaborated. Prussia frowned in confusion.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"When we break a clock, he gets lots of strange memories and they get all mixed up." France explained to him.

"That's right." Japan nodded at France's explanation. "Italy also got so many memories that they pushed him to the limit, both physically and mentally." He shook his head sadly. "He got saturated with them. If any more memories pour in, he will only reject them."

"Reject? Reject what?" China wondered.

"The memories themselves." America answered before Japan could. "That's how it usually is. But Italy still tried somehow and… the line probably turned into dots." He shrugged.

"You mean his memories are all scattered about?" Germany looked hopeful. "So, if he tries thinking about them, they'll return in time?" Japan smiled at his friend reassuringly.

"Yes. The proof of that is that he immediately… if tentatively… called my name."

"Tentatively?" I frowned. "What do you mean by that?" Japan rocked back on his heels.

"Well… er…" Before he could answer, the door to the bathroom opened. Slowly, Romano stepped out, his clothes a little wet, and Ita, with his hand on Roma's shoulder for support. He was cleaner, there was no trace of blood on him aside from the dried blood on his clothes, but he still looked worn. His eyes had bags under them and he moved sluggishly. He was probably still in pain, poor Ita.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Roma said, breaking the silence. America half smiled at him.

"Uh, no, that was pretty quick." He looked at Ita with a wary smile. "Are you feeling a little better now, Italy?" Ita hesitated, looking at Romano out of the corner of his eye. Roma nodded once and Ita smiled at America sheepishly.

"Yes, sir, I'm sorry about all that. My head feels a lot better and I am fine now." I blinked. Italy's way of speaking wasn't normal, yet I have heard him speak like that before. Roma shot me a look, as if to say that this was freaking him as much as anyone.

"'Sir?' Er, Italy?" Prussia stepped closer, trying to smile hopefully. "You DO know who I am… don't you?" Ita smiled brightly and nodded.

"I do. He is Mr. Japan, "He pointed to Japan. "You are Mr. Prussia." He pointed to Prussia. "And he is…" He pointed to Germany, then stopped suddenly. He frowned and his brow furrowed. Germany looked at him expectantly. "Hol—" Ita began, then stopped himself. Germany looked at him in confusion. Ita looked at Roma's serious face for a moment. "Oh, er… Mr.…Germany…" He mumbled out. A few of the nations looked at each other in confusion and shock. I myself felt genuinely scared now. Forgetting any of us was one thing, but forgetting Germany...

"Italy? What's wrong with you?" Germany asked, worried.

"Doesn't it kinda feel… as if he's talking like when he was a kid?" I frowned, recalling how incredibly polite Ita was at a young age before getting to know me. "What happened?" I looked at Roma. He frowned at me.

"Well, his memories are kind of jumbled and he's a little confused." He told us defensively. "He still needs some time, okay?"

"Of course. Take your time." Russia smiled at the brothers. I could see Romano shudder a little, though he tried to hide it.

"Y-yes, sir. I'm sorry." Ita bowed his head slightly.

"And you stay with him, Romano." Japan said seriously. The nations around us began to slowly disband.

"Uh, w-wait!" Roma called. The nations paused to look at him. "I've been thinking all this time… and I think maybe I should tell you, after all…" He trailed off as England lifted a hand to stop him from continuing.

"Er, wait, wait. I appreciate the sentiment, but we really shouldn't have told you to talk without considering Italy's feelings." He admitted.

"It's still all right." France smiled kindly. "You just take care of your brother. If there's really no other way, we'll ask you again."

"That's right. There are many other things we have to solve. Maybe he will remember something while we're having a meeting." Canada shrugged and smiled reassuringly. "We can wait." Romano looked around at everyone to check if there was mutual agreement. There were a few mumbles of agreement, but most people just gave him a nod. When his eyes landed on me, I smiled at him and mouthed it's okay. He pursed his lips slightly.

"I see… All right." He nodded and turned to Ita, going back to Big Brother mode. "Veneziano, go to sleep! You're tired." He reached down to grab Ita's arm and began to lead him to the beds. "Come here."

"B-but…" Ita hesitated, looking between Roma and Germany, conflicted.

"It's all right. If there's no other way, we'll ask you. Until then, be at ease." Germany assured the younger Italian. He nodded slowly.

"Okay…" He let Romano lead him to the beds. We all watched as they disappeared from earshot.

"He's so… worn out." France sighed. As if by some cue, we returned to the meeting. We began to discuss some metal piece that Ita had taken from Germany before he locked the nations up in the cell. Germany pulled it out of his pocket, having acquired it again when Ita was beaten by the monster. We all examined it. It was very weirdly-shaped.

"Maybe it's some sort of key?" I suggested. The nations' eyebrows rose.

"Key? But keys aren't usually shaped like this." France said, turning the piece over and over in his hands.

"Yeah, that's the point!" I reached out and grabbed the key from France, examining it myself. "In other words, the keyhole is also hidden."

"But there was no keyhole where this metal pieces could fit." Prussia snatched it from me and gave it back to Germany, who stashed it in his pocket.

"We must have missed it. Weren't there any places that made you feel uneasy?' China looked around at everyone. I thought for a moment back to all the areas I have seen. The Japanese-style room looked suspicious and the basement still gave me chills, but other than that, nothing made me feel particularly uneasy. I shrugged. France and Prussia also shrugged. England was the first to speak.

"Yes… and no…" He began. "I mean, there were so many places that made me uneasy that I've forgotten about some of them."

"In that case, we'll have to search the mansion once again." America said decidedly.

"Understood. Let's split up into two groups; one to stand by, and the other to search around." Japan stated. Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I'm fine with either, but…" England frowned and looked back towards the bed area. "Italy must be hungry, so… maybe I should cook something for him?" Everyone looked at the Brit in horror. Oh crap, he's going to try to cook?

"England!" Japan rushed over to England and grabbed him by the arm. "Let's search together! By all means!"

"What? But the food—" England frowned in uncertainty.

"I'll stay!" China volunteered hurriedly, then pointed to France. "France, you can stay, too!"

"Oh! Of course!" France accepted and forced a smile. "So, the kitchen is full now! You can search around with the others!" He urged the Englishman. England looked very confused, but nodded anyway.

"I'll stay, too. I'm not feeling very well…" Prussia rubbed his head.

"There's aspirin in the first aid kit. It should still be in the kitchen." I suggested. Prussia nodded and headed toward the kitchen.

"Does anyone else have a preference?" America asked. No one spoke up. "Then Russia, Canada, Japan, and England will do the search with me. The others will stand by."

"All right." Canada agreed. "Let's do a thorough investigation." No one else complained, so the search team got their stuff ready and headed down the stairs, securely shutting the door to the safe room. I sighed and sat down in my seat from earlier, feeling a tad more relaxed. I glanced around. Prussia was headed to the bathroom. France and China were already getting to work on the food. In the far corner of the bed area, I could see Roma leaning against the foot of one of the beds. I slowly stood and walked over. As I came closer, I saw Ita was curled up under the covers of the bed. Romano was looking at him, his back to me, looking lost in thought. I snuck up behind him and gently poked his side.

"How is he?" I asked. He let out a soft snort as he turned a little to face me better, not taking his eyes off his brother.

"Pretty damn confused and tired. He's starting to remember more, though. Should be a matter of time before he's back to normal… I hope…" His voice trailed off and he looked down. I looked at Ita. Despite his comfortable position and peaceful sleeping face, he still looked beaten. I remembered what Russia said earlier. He must've told himself to keep trying to protect everyone, forcing himself to keep going and push himself to the limit. It amazed me just how much pain is held in one person. I looked back at Roma, the only person who shares in Ita's pain directly.

I reached over and patted him on the back, wanting badly to hug him but noticing how stiff he got when I touched him. It's best to keep a distance just in case. "Don't worry, Roma. Ita will be okay. You both have proven how strong you are when push comes to shove. I know it's scary to see him this way. It scares me too, but he'll heal. His injuries will heal and his memories will come back." I rubbed his back, trying to be soothing. He squeezed his eyes shut and he slowly relaxed. Without warning, he suddenly leaned forwards, his shoulder pressed to mine, and his head slumped into the crook of my neck. His arms lay limp at his sides. I felt something wet against my skin.

"D-d-dammit, h-he's such an i-idiot!" Roma softly croaked out. "H-he almost g-got himself k-killed. N-now this happened a-and h-he can't r-remember anything a-and… and… I-I want to t-tell everyo-one what is g-g-going on, but I don't even… I c-can't…" I wrapped my arms around him and held him close as he cried, murmuring for him to calm down and that everything will be fine. He didn't say anything more, just cried. I could tell he was trying to stifle himself so he wouldn't wake his brother up or alarm anyone nearby.

"Shh, it's okay, Roma. You don't have to tell them anything. They said Ita should tell them when he is ready and he will. You don't owe them any explanations and I won't let them demand any from you." I murmured over and over, wondering if he was listening. He must've begun listening at some point, because after a few more sniffles, he calmed down.

"Thanks." He mumbled under his breath, almost soft enough for me to miss. I smiled and gave him a soft squeeze.

"Anytime, anything, querido." I smiled. He grumbled.

"Bastard. Ugh, I feel so stupid." He reached up to rub at an eye.

"Oh, I haven't interrupted, have I~? Ohonhonhon~." I glanced over my shoulder to see France standing a few feet away, smirking innocently. To my dismay, Roma used the hand he used to rub his eye to push me away, wiping away the rest of his tears before glaring at France.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about. There was nothing to interrupt, fuckface. Why are you here?" He demanded.

"Ah, oui, I was about to ask my Spanish friend here if he wanted to help me and China cook!" My friend slung an arm over my shoulders. "But if you want to join us, we can make room for a little Italian masterpiece~" He purred, winking. Romano flipped him off and stepped over to sit at Ita's feet.

"I have to stay here and watch my brother, dammit. You two can go throw yourselves down the stairs for all I care." He grumbled. France shrugged.

"Alright, if you say so. Come, mon ami!" He walked back towards the kitchen. I nodded and, before I could think twice, gave Roma a peck on the head and a rushed 'be back soon'. I just about ran to catch up with France, just in case Roma was quick about swinging his fist in my direction.

Translations-

Fratello: Brother

Mein Gott: My God

Lo siento: I'm sorry

Querido: dear/darling

Mon ami: my friend

I fail at fluff... Rate and Review anyway?