Chapter nine
"England," Prussia called out, "behind us!" England turned and felt his blood freeze.
"Oh god," England whispered into his phone. "He's found us-" A bullet whizzed past England's head making him drop the phone. They all stopped and turned to face Russia as he walked towards them. England stood in front of America, with Canada and Prussia on either side of him.
"Ah, my friends," Russia called, "why do you run from me? I only want to take back what is mine, da."
England stepped forward, and felt America's hand on his arm. "Russia, no one here belongs to you, let us go."
Russia smiled widely, "Oh I want us to have some fun first, da."
England shook his head. "Ivan, what do you want? Just tell us."
Russia's smile widened even more as he looked at England. "I want to make America suffer, da." He pulled out his gun and a knife still covered with traces of blood. America pulled England back.
"Look Russia, let them go and you can have me." America said, England turned to him.
"No Alfred, don't." England said, but America put his hand on England's shoulder.
"It's me he wants Arthur," He said, then whispered, "I don't want you to die."
Russia's laughter interrupted them. "Oh, America, being the hero, da. But no, I don't want you, I just want you to suffer." Russia raised his gun and turned it on Canada, "You will be the first to die. You double crossed me so must be punished, da." Prussia made to move forward, but Russia turned the gun on him. "Oh no you don't, dear Prussia. You stay there." He turned the gun back on Canada, who just stared at Russia. Suddenly there was a roar from behind Russia and everyone turned to see a polar bear running towards them. Russia smiled at Canada. "Seems your pet has come to join the party, da." Then Russia turned to face the polar bear. As it reached him, Russia calmly raised his gun and fired.
"NO!" Canada yelled and ran to the polar bear before anyone could stop him. He collapsed in the snow next to the polar bear who turned his head to look at him. "Kumajiro…." Canada whispered stroking the bear's fur.
"Can…ada." Kumajiro said weakly then closed his eyes.
America looked away from the scene. "The one time they remembered each other's names." He whispered almost to himself.
Russia began to laugh again. At the sound of Russia's laugh, Canada stiffened and stood up. He reached into his jacket and pulled a gun out of its holster as he turned to face Russia. His face was contorted in pain and anger. He stared at Russia. "First you trick me into helping you hurt my bro, then you kill my oldest and most loyal friend. Now you will pay." Russia smiled his innocent smile at Canada, as he watched him. Russia's child like features seemed to glow as he watched Canada's rage grow. With a yell, Canada ran towards Russia, gun held out. Russia put his gun away and stood waiting for Canada to reach him. When Canada was in reach, Russia swung the knife handle and hit him around the face, Canada tried to raise his gun but Russia grabbed his wrist, slamming the hilt of the knife into the pressure point forcing Canada to release the gun, which spun away from them. Canada tried to jerk away but it was too late. Russia grabbed him by his hair then smiled in Canada's face as he plunged his knife into Canada's stomach.
"MATTHEW!" America, Prussia and England yelled. Russia let go of Canada's hair letting him fall at his feet. Then he drew his gun and shot Canada just above the knife wound. Prussia made to run to Canada, but Russia levelled the gun at his head. Prussia stared Russia in the eyes. "I know that you have no heart, Ivan, and I know you're going to kill me but please let me go to him." Prussia said evenly. Russia stared at him then lowered his gun.
"Very well, I will let you have this before you die." Russia then cocked his head. "But I never thought I would see you so weak Prussia."
"This isn't weakness Russia, its love." Prussia said, then move passed Russia, who's grin had faltered and eyes had widened slightly at the mention of love, and knelt by Canada. He pulled Canada into his arms and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "It's alright Mattie, I'm here, and I have you."
Canada looked up at Prussia, "It hurts so much, Gil," Canada whispered. America and England went to move towards them, but Russia raised his gun pointing it straight at England.
"If you move again, England dies, da?" He said with a smile, making them freeze where they were.
Prussia hugged Canada closer. "I know it does, I know, but it won't for long."
Canada raised his arm weakly and brushed his hand through Prussia's hair. "I just wish….we had more time together."
Prussia took Canada's hand and kissed it. "We have forever together now." He said softly, then he smiled. "Hey, remember how we promised than when we were free we would never let each other go?" Canada nodded, "Well now you are in my arms, I'm will never let you go for as long as I live." Then he lent down and kissed Canada softly on the mouth, then he kissed every inch of Canada's face he could. Prussia looked up at America. "Alfred," He called. "Mattie wants you to know he is sorry for everything." America looked down at his brother.
"I forgive you Matt." America called to him, his voice strained. "But I don't blame you bro, if it's anyone fault it's mine, so I'm sorry too."
Prussia looked back down at Canada, and smiled down at him. Canada began to take shallower, faster breaths, and fear clouded his eyes. Prussia pulled him closer. "It's going to be alright Mattie, I promise, I have you and I will love you forever."
Canada smiled slightly back at Prussia, "And I…will always…..love you." Canada whispered, then his eyes clouded over and he breathed out one final time. Prussia felt tears falling from his one remaining eye, and held Canada close to him. He heard Russia approach him, but didn't look up, he just carried on staring into Canada's face.
"Just do it," he whispered, "shoot me, now." He heard the rustle of clothes as Russia raised his gun. Prussia closed his eye and whispered, "Wait for me Mattie my love." Russia squeezed the trigger and the gun went off.
