9
They couldn't track down Russia easily and instead decided to search for Wales first in order to get him out of Russia's way. Luckily they found Wales with no scent of damage... He was in the midst of talking to some sheep.
America gave England a look. "Your brother is weird..."
England pushed him away and then went up to Wales. "Gavin...?"
Wales looked up and smiled softly. "Hello, Arthur. What brings you here?"
"Alfred and I... We wanted to check on you..." England watched Wales bend down and pat a sheep on the head. Wales whispered something to the sheep and it walked away.
By the time Wales stood up again, America was already there. Wales smiled and nodded at him in greeting. "You didn't have to leave your party to check on me. I'm quite alright."
America frowned and crossed his arms. "I don't know, dude... Have you seen Russia anywhere tonight?"
"No. I can't say that I have..." Wales tilted his head slightly. "Why do you ask?"
"The Commie was acting weird and talking about you. We were worried that he might try something."
"I can't imagine why." Wales chuckled, though it was lacking humor. "What business would he have with me? Arthur takes care of everything. If he wants something from the United Kingdom, Russia really should go to England."
America shook his head. "Nah, I pretty sure he doesn't want something from the UK. He wants something from you."
Wales frowned a little. "But what...? I never even met him before... Have I?" He looked over at England who shrugged in response. "So what could he possibly want from me...?"
"I'm not sure, Gavin..." England sighed. "But I'm afraid America might be right. I have noticed Russia's odd behavior concerning you."
The Welshman's frown deepened and he started to quiver but then something seemed to come over him and he soon relaxed, smiling at England and America again. "Well, I think I should go home then, hmm? I'm sure I'll be alright there." Before waiting for an answer, Wales started to walk away.
America raised his brow and looked at England. "What was that?"
"The sedation spell Scotland and Ireland put on Wales a few centuries ago..." England sighed and shook his head. "It suppresses his emotions and memories so that he doesn't become hysterical again."
"Oh..." America frowned and watched Wales leave. "So, what do we do now? Russia might still be after him but I wanted to get back to the barbecue..."
England frowned. "You and your insatiable hunger! Go ahead and leave! I'll follow after Wales." He snorted and began to follow after his brother. "I know him better than you anyway."
He was stopped when America caught him on the shoulder. "Wait... Iggy... Let me come with you..."
"A-America..." England blushed lightly. He hoped it wasn't noticeable in the dark.
"You'd be crap in a fight against Russia. Obviously someone strong needs to go with you."
"What? Wanker!" He smacked America's hand away and stormed after Wales. "Hurry up and follow! Before we lose him..."
...
England noticed that Wales seemed to be slowing down his pace. He wondered why but found out when his older brother stopped and turned to wave at him. America was surprised just as much as he was. So much for staying out of sight... They went up to Wales who silently began walking again, leading America and England along.
"So you have no idea why Russia is interested in you?" America asked for the umpteenth time.
"No idea," Wales answered yet again with God-given patience.
"Are you sure?" America frowned. "I don't normally see Russia going after countries no one has ever heard of..."
England had to resist the urge to smack America, but Wales's smile helped dismiss it. "If no one has heard of them..." Wales began to ask, "Then how would you have seen Russia going after them?"
"I guess I couldn't..."
"Then..." England knew where this was going. Wales was going to point out that people HAVE heard of him. "Then I suppose that means you haven't been able to save those countries from Russia, have you?"
The shocked look on America's face was priceless and England almost missed it from his own surprise. Wales couldn't possibly have meant to insult America like that, could he? The lad seemed to be worried about what countries he wasn't able to be the hero for.
Luckily, or perhaps unfortunately, America soon recovered with added zeal and ambition to save those unseen nations. He patted Wales shoulder. "But don't worry Whales! I'll do you the honor of being your hero first!"
"How sweet..." It was hard to tell if Wales was being sincere or sarcastic. "I had a hero once before..."
America was about to say something, but England swiftly clamped a hand over the younger nation's mouth. He wanted to hear what Wales had to say, considering how rare it was that he spoke of the past.
"I don't remember whom..." Wales's voice seemed to have gotten softer. "I wonder what happened to him... Oh well."
England something wet on his hand and quickly pulled it away, choosing to smack America in response. "Wanker!" he hissed, "You licked me!"
"At least I didn't bite you," America muttered.
The Englishman scowled and wiped his hand on his slacks, quickening his pace to catch up with Wales and try to ditch America. The American shoved his hands into his bomber jacket and pouted.
"How much longer do we have to walk?" he whined. "Isn't there a shortcut we can take?"
"Always stay on the path," Wales replied. "Scotland says so. Always stay on the path."
"Why?"
Wales glanced at America and blinked a few times, seeming confused. England held his breath, knowing better than to question such quirks about Wales. Why was America seemingly aiming to remind Wales of the past and break him into a panic attack once more? Luckily, the sedation spell took effect once more and Wales relaxed.
"I don't know," he answered. "I think I did once... Then something bad happened. Hmm." He turned away once more and continued on.
England took that opportunity to smack America again. "Stop that!" he whispered, "You clearly don't know when to say what to Wales, so just stop talking."
America rubbed the side of his arm and furrowed his brows. "But Iggy..."
"No. Stop it. This is MY brother and I don't want to see him hurt." England frowned and looked away. "Not again, at least..."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever..." America sighed and shook his head. "But he better have food when we get to his place. I'm starving."
...
Some hero America was... As soon as he finished eating the food Wales gave him, he fell asleep on the sofa. That left England to watch over Wales. The two were discussing matters over tea at the moment.
"Personally, I'm not too worried," England admitted. "We haven't seen Russia once yet, so perhaps he will not try anything. I believe his flight will be leaving in an hour or two anyway, so we won't have to worry about him for a while."
"Then why are you here?" Wales giggled, "Did you forget that most of the world is at your house right now?"
"Ugh, don't remind me..." England sighed and rolled his eyes. "I honestly don't know what's wrong with that lad, inviting people to MY property without MY permission. I'm only still here because I want to avoid whatever may happen with so many drunk nations." He paused for a moment to sip his tea and then realized what he had just said. "Not that I don't like spending time with you... But you seem a tad tired and I wouldn't want to bother you without reason."
"Hmm." Wales continued to smile blankly. "Have you seen Goch? He doesn't seem to be here and I haven't seen him since I sent you some food earlier today."
"He flew off after he delivered the food... Thank you for that, by the way... But I haven't seen him since." England frowned in concern. "Should we be worried?"
"I wouldn't be. He probably is just out hunting small mammals again."
"You remembered to tell him to go after grey squirrels and not red squirrels, correct?"
"Yes, England." Wales giggled. "Of course, England, just like you told me to over the past few years... But he's a dragon. He'll do what he wants." The Welshman yawned and checked the clock. "Hmm... It's very late. Are you planning on staying the night, little brother?"
"If you don't mind," England answered. "Though I was planning on staying up a tad longer. I'll find my own way to the guest room if you'd like to go ahead and sleep."
"Alright..." Wales leaned over and pulled England into a quick hug. "If you're awake when Goch gets here, please let him in. If not, then he'll just wake one of us up to let him in. Good night, England."
"Good night, Wales." England kept a close eye on his brother as he left the room. What could Russia's possible interest in Wales be...? At least Wales didn't seem too concerned with it. Then again, the sedation spell was strong and had lasted for a few centuries now. That changed Wales's personality for the worse and he couldn't tell why Scotland never bothered to remove it. Damn manipulative wanker... What was he trying to accomplish with that...?
A few minutes later, he was getting ready for bed, thankful that he kept spare things in Wales's house for such an instance where he spent the night. He decided to check on his brother, just in case, and quietly peeked into Wales's bedroom. His older brother was safe and sleeping. He knew he had nothing to worry about. Smiling, he was about to close the door and go to bed. However, he noticed an odd shadow move across the floor while he was pulling the door shut. He faked walking away and then listened at the door.
"...mrade Wales. I came back like I promised, da?"
Eyes suddenly wide, England thought quickly of what to do. Should he get America? Should he burst in and face Russia himself? He knew he would just waste time by trying to wake America up, so he slammed the door open. "Get away from my brother, Russia!"
Russia turned to face him, frown dead set on his face. "Nyet. And England should not be so loud, da? He will wake Comrade Wales."
England scowled and reached for his wand. "I'll show you loud! I have no idea what you want with Wales, but you can't have him!"
"Oh, little England, isn't it clear?" Russia smiled and quickly snatched away England's wand just as soon as he got it out. He threw it away and the wand ended up crashing through the window and landing somewhere outside. The larger nation continued to smile, his usual dark aura engulfing him. "I want my friend back."
"What...?" The Englishman frowned in concern, not understanding why Russia sounded so sincere and desperate. "You can't possibly mean Wales. You have to be confused about this..." He glared at Russia. "Just leave! How did you even get in Wales's room in the first place?"
Russia grinned and stepped closer to Wales. "Does England want to see...?" Before England had a chance to respond, Russia picked up the sleeping Wales and disappeared from the room with a loud crack.
England stared in shock, trying to comprehend what had happened. When he finally realized, he cried out in aggravation. What was he supposed to do now? He groaned and looked to the window where his wand was thrown out. He saw a flash of red and the glowing tip of his wand and suddenly knew what he was supposed to do next.
...
A/N: This will be my last post before Christmas, so Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it! May Santa-Finland bring you lots of good gifts! Thanks to koPieKing and Aurora rose1001 for reviewing! And, thanks to everyone who added this story to their alert!
