Argh! I swear I'm getting back on track with updating, everyone! Things have been so crazy with my little sister moving out of the house (so sad!), me getting a new car (amazing!), and getting ready for school.

Southerners Rulez: America probably just got distracted… :)

Sakura02: Everything will turn out okay in the end! Just think of the Talking Stick XD

Anonymous: I'm glad you like all my stories! It's hard to keep up with all of them, but having such awesome reviewers keeps me motivated.

Thank you: Liberty Girl in the Sky, kawaiipandaz, Yami Mizuna, and Wolfsbane-Nin for reviewing!


"Okay, Arktos, are you ready?" America fixed Arktos's jacket one more time, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Arktos nodded his head rapidly. His little hand clung tightly to America's much larger hand. America had agreed to take him to one of the world meetings! Arktos had been so excited, though he wasn't really sure what a world meeting was. He knew America had taken him to a world meeting when he'd first found him, but nothing had really been accomplished at that meeting. After that, America would always just leave Arktos at home whenever there was a meeting. This time, though, he'd taken Arktos with him. "Save the world!"

America laughed heartily, leading Arktos down the hallway towards the meeting room. "That's right! As the heroes of the world, it's our job to save everyone!" He slammed open the door to the meeting room, a broad grin on his face. "Never fear, the hero is here!"

England rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Just sit down and shut up, you git."

"Hooray! You brought Arktos!" Italy cheered, skipping over and snuggling the little boy. "I missed you, Arktos!"

Arktos smiled and waved at all the countries that greeted him. He sat in America's lap and looked around the large table. Already, some of the countries were arguing, which made the little country very sad. He liked all of them (some to a lesser extent than others) and he didn't understand why they all fought so much. "Russia, no." Arktos scolded when he saw Russia picking on poor Lithuania.

Russia smiled over at Arktos. "Arktos, do you want to come live with me?"

"No!" Arktos quickly shook his head and pulled America's jacket tightly around him so that Russia could no longer see him.

Germany sighed in annoyance. "Would you all just shut up so we can get this meeting over with?" Everyone fell silent for a bit, but then quickly went back to arguing and picking on each other.

Arktos felt bad for poor Germany. He wished there was some way he could help him, but he was so little. No one would really listen to him. The meeting was finally called to an end when Romano stood up and threw a tomato at Germany. Germany had avoided the tomato, but Hungary had been smacked right in the face with it. After Hungary had thoroughly beaten Romano with her frying pan, Germany called the meeting adjourned.

America laughed heartily and walked out of the room with Arktos holding his hand. "Wasn't that fun, Arktos?"

"No." Arktos said sadly. "I don't like fighting, Big Brother. Why they fight?"

America smiled sadly down at the little country. He picked Arktos up and cradled him in his arms. "It's just the way things are, Arktos. You know, England was the one that found me. He was my big brother for a long time, but then we got in a big fight."

Arktos's eyes widened in surprise. He'd never heard this story before. "Why?"

"Well…it's complicated." America said slowly. "England did things I didn't like, and I did things he didn't like. Now, he can barely stand the sight of me. I want to be a better big brother to you. I don't want us to fight like England and I did."

Arktos hugged America tightly. "We won't! I love Big Brother!"

America squealed and hugged Arktos tightly. "I love you too! You're the best baby brother in the whole world! Come on, let's go home!"


Arktos looked nervously at the television as the opening credits began to roll. He looked pleadingly up at America who was sitting beside him on the couch. "I don't like it, Big Brother. Watch something else."

America laughed nervously. "Don't be scared, Arktos. It's just a stupid horror movie. It can't hurt us." He was trying to put on a brave face for his baby brother, but he was just as terrified as Arktos, if not more so.

Arktos took a deep breath and tried to be just as brave as his big brother. He was a hero, just like his big brother. Heroes didn't get scared. Not by monsters under the bed, not by other countries, and not by scary dead people crawling backwards down the stairs. Arktos screamed and covered his eyes. "I don't like it! I don't like it! Make it go away, Big Brother!"

America screamed as well and quickly turned the television off. He laughed nervously and shakily patted Arktos on the head. "That wasn't so bad, was it? It's time for you to go to bed, Arktos."

"I don't wanna." Arktos whimpered out. He held his arms up to his big brother and waited for America to pick him up. He sniffled and buried his face in America's neck. "I'm scared."

America grinned and patted Arktos's back. "There's nothing to be scared of, Arktos." He walked up to Arktos's room and helped the little country into his pajamas. "Want me to check for monsters?"

Arktos nodded rapidly, clinging to his teddy bear that America had gotten just for him. He watched his brother look under his bed, behind his dresser, and in his closet. "No monsters?"

"No monsters." America confirmed. He smoothed Arktos's hair down and tucked him into bed. "Go to sleep, okay? I've got a big surprise for you in the morning."

"Okay." Arktos whispered. "Good night, Big Brother. I love you, Big Brother."

America smiled and stood up from the bed. He walked over to the door and turned off Arktos's light. "I love you too, Arktos." He shut the door behind him quietly, leaving Arktos in the darkness.

Arktos lay in his bed with his teddy bear. He tried his best to go to sleep just like his big brother had told him to. Every time he closed his eyes, though, all he saw was dead faces and machete wielding maniacs. One time, he swore he felt something crawling beneath his covers.

Not able to stand it any longer, Arktos hopped from his bed and ran to the door. He ran down the hallway and towards America's room, crying the whole time. He opened the door to America's room and went to his bedside. "Wake up, Big Brother." Arktos cried, shaking America's shoulder. "Wake up. I'm scared."

America groaned and slowly woke up. He bit back a scream when he realized it was just Arktos standing beside his bed. "What's wrong, Arktos? Did you have a bad dream?"

Arktos nodded his head rapidly. "I'm scared, Big Brother. I wanna sleep with you."

America sighed, but scooted over for the little boy. He smiled and smoothed the distraught child's hair down. "Better?"

Arktos snuggled against America's side and smiled happily. He knew the monsters couldn't get him now. His big brother would protect him. His big brother wouldn't let anything happen to him. "Night-night, Big Brother."

"Good night, Arktos." America said. Both he and Arktos fell back asleep at the same time.