Waving his white flag valiantly in the dark, Feliciano tried to focus on the plan, tried to trust in Matthew's words. Taking in a deep breath, watching the assembled Clanless start to mobilize, watching blinding lights turned his way, Feliciano prepared to shout again. He was all but in a spotlight it seemed, a nerve wracking place to be when your audience was heavily armed. It was a wonder he had his voice when one considered how very terrified he was to be doing this… but Feliciano had always been rather vocal through his fear.

Besides… this was strikingly similar to something Ludwig had told him to do before, wasn't it? A false surrender was apparently wonderful bait. 'So long as Matthew is able to get to Ludwig and Kiku…'

"H-Hey! L-Listen to me all of you! I'm right out here! Please don't shoot meee~" The sound of his flag waving punctuated each and every nonsensical word that flew from his lips with sharp crisp snaps. His one good arm began to ache and strain from the waving of the flag but Feliciano didn't let up. He waved that flag like his life depended on it, because as far as he knew lives just might depend on it. He had to save Ludwig and Kiku! And Lovino! All four of them would get away together! 'But why are you out here Lovi? Why aren't you back at the Clan Sanctuary?'

Terrible doomsday thoughts raced through his mind, each more horrific than the next. Visions of what had happened to Clan Lichtenstein and Switzerland haunted his thoughts. At the very least he could see Lovino was alive and well… but oh the rest of his Clan! It was too much. He waved the white flag with even more vigor, as if that could wash away the horrible ideas attacking his head. He should just focus on this anyway… hopefully Matthew was doing ok. He tuned his head back into the words tumbling from his lips, wondering if he'd been making any sense at all. He hadn't been paying attention during his temporarily tormented inner monologue.

"…and then you boil it and wait, so you can go ahead and check on the sauce and… oh I'm talking about pasta~ I finally got to have it once, before I left the Sanctuary. If you don't kill me I'll make some for all of you I promise~" The enemies kept on watching him, activity going on behind their lines yet nothing aggressive at him yet. Shadows passed in front of the lights here and there, creating terrifying dark blobs that looked even more monstrous than the mutated men watching him.

"Feliciano!" His brother's irate voice pierced through his thoughts so intensely he actually winced back for a moment, flinching as if he'd just been hit physically. The flag drooped in his grasp a bit as he watched his brother start to storm forward, angrily stomping his feet and all but exuding smoke in his anger. His backlit shadow made Lovino seem larger than life as he advanced, a fuming monster ready to throttle Feliciano into the dirt.

The brown haired man with a harassed smile from before was right on Lovino's heels, saying things too soft for Feliciano to hear. They seemed to be completely ignored by his brother though, for Lovino wasn't slowing at all. The easy movements from the other man, translated into his massive shadow, made it seem like it was all so commonplace. Feliciano took a hesitant step backwards, eyes flicking to the Clanless who still watched, though they were now noticeably restless.

"B-brother… what are you doing out here~?" His voice came out far too frivolously, he knew that… but he couldn't help it. Sometimes he just couldn't stop that silly little lilt from entering his words. Usually at the worst of times, which only led people into believing he was such a simpleton and a fool. Sadly, this happy vocal quirk of his always seemed to get on Lovino's nerves, whose face turned a shade redder in his anger Feliciano could finally see. It didn't seem that should be possible.

"Shut up stupid little brother! Get over here right now! What the hell do you think you're doing! Huh?" The speed at which Lovino could spit out such angry words was, all in all, rather impressive. Feliciano felt a soft laugh escape his lips, a nervous tick of his that, unfortunately, also seemed to annoy his brother. He couldn't help it; it wasn't as though he annoyed Lovino on purpose! Besides… his brother was far too easy to agitate sometimes. Well, ok, all times.

"But but… Lovino… I can't…" Feliciano tried to put his thoughts in order so he could explain things, but his brother was getting closer and closer. The plan would be ruined if Lovino dragged him back to the Clanless. He wasn't actually supposed to get caught! The Clanless were dangerous and bad, so why did Lovino want to stick with them? They were murderers! Right? He'd seen what they could do! But no one else seemed like they were going to come after him, it was strange.

The man with his brother reached out a hand, grabbing Lovino's upper arm and pulling back with just enough force to stop him. A momentary flash of protectiveness surged through the younger Italian, yet his brother reacted much faster than he did. Feliciano watched his brother spin about, eyes flashing dangerously in anger. "The hell you tomato bastard—"

"Now now Lovi… I can't let you just go walking up to him. He's really cute and adorable too, but this could be a trap!" The man flashed a sunny smile at Feliciano, which the Italian returned somewhat hesitantly. It was marginally awkward to have another guy so openly declare him as cute and adorable. "My name is Antonio, I've heard so much about you from Lovino~ He's been really worried about you, you know. He found his way all the way to Clan Spain just to get help~ Isn't that so sweet?"

A sudden vicious head butt to the face stopped the man's words, Antonio doubling over in pain for a moment though still keeping his grip on Lovino's arm. The elder Italian was all but spitting in rage and utter mortification.

"Sh-Shut up! No one asked you to speak up!" Feliciano let out a tiny little sigh, a smile on his face and a small bloom of warmth in his chest. He didn't think this Antonio was lying, especially not when Lovino's reaction confirmed it. 'So Lovi really is safe for now… what a relief! And he was worried about me!' His big brother might have been a bit awkward about showing how he felt, but it if you understood him his feelings got through loud and clear.

"Ve~… I'm happy to hear this big brother… but you didn't have to come out here to help me… Ludwig and Kiku are lots of help! And really strong, too! Especially Ludwig!" Lovino scowled fiercely at him as his attention switched from the Spaniard back to kin, and Feliciano stopped speaking.

"Don't talk about that potato bastard! If he was so strong then you wouldn't be hurt like you are, and he wouldn't have gotten caught! Now come here, we're going! You're not doing this stupid Journey anymore!" Lovino tried to step forward again before Feliciano could question him at all, but once again Antonio stopped him. The Spaniard's grip on the Italian's arm grew a bit tighter, his lost its smile.

"Lovino, I'm serious. This could be a trap. Stay next to the boss, ok?" Lovino locked eyes with Antonio for a moment as he tried to tug away before turning to look about them, gesturing wide.

"Do you see anyone else? How the fuck could this be a trap? I know my brother, it's not like he dug a bunch of ditches for us to fall into out here or anything!" Antonio let a quiet hum out, tilting his head to the side and scrutinizing both Italian Clansmen.

"Just because we can't see doesn't mean he doesn't have help… it is quite late and quite dark. We should wait for Gilbert…"

"Did someone mention the awesome me?" On cue, not that'd he'd been listening to the conversation and waiting for the most impressive point in the conversation to make his totally awesome entrance or anything, Gilbert strode forward, coming to the front of the gathered Clanless. He offered both Italians and the Spaniard a cocky grin, red eyes peering out at the little scene playing out. "Hmm… so you're Lovino's lil bro huh? West got the cute one."

Lovino bristled but didn't say anything, glaring daggers at Gilbert as the man strode forward, out towards Feliciano. With the wave of his hand he had a few of the mutants with him. It was intimidating, probably intended to be so, and the youngest Italian swallowed hard and fought to stand his ground. 'Matthew didn't say the leader would come after me himself!' Taking a step back, a strange shiver raced over Feliciano. It was something in the way Gilbert was looking at him.

It was hard to see in the dark of course, even if Gilbert had some of his Clanless carry lights on them. If you could imagine it, Gilbert just seemed to radiate his expression, his stare, his calculating gaze. Feliciano's grip on his white flag tightened, even if he wasn't waving it about anymore. He felt like he was being judged somehow… he didn't understand it… but he felt it. Weighed… measured… why? Gilbert stopped walking, crossing his arms over his chest once he'd advanced as close to Feliciano as Lovino had.

"You look fucking terrified to be out here," Gilbert said. Lovino swore and cursed at the man, but the silver haired one just ignored him. He kept his red gaze on Feliciano… expectant. The youngest Italian wasn't certain just what he was supposed to say to that… but… but… it couldn't hurt to be honest here… could it? He was pretty sure his lie would be seen through anyway… he didn't think he could get anyone to think he was brave. But maybe talking would keep buying Matthew time… would be a good enough distraction.

"I… I am…" He took a deep breath though, and tried to stand just a little taller. "But… but I… I won't leave my allies behind! O-or my brother!"

Gilbert arched his eyebrows, his lips sliding into a wide smirk. "So you what, come here and surrender? I think you've got a lot to learn about 'rescue missions'." There was a bit of laughter at those words, and Feliciano trembled. The albino shook his head before motioning with his hand for the youngest Italian to come forward. "Well kid with the white flag? You coming or not?"

When Feliciano hesitated, Gilbert's eyes took on a dangerous and very knowing edge. "You are surrendering, right? You're not… oh… just causing a distraction now, are you?" Feliciano's jaw dropped, his mouth forming a guilty little o. Gilbert scowled, turning to his followers.

"Grab him now, and go make sure the 'prisoner' hasn't gotten away!" Red eyes focused on Feliciano as mutants sprang into action. Some of them charged at the Italian, others turned on their heels and raced for the area of the camp where Ludwig was. Gilbert however moved and grabbed onto Lovino. It wasn't a rough grab, but it was tight and unyielding no matter how much the older Italian started to struggle. "Just come here quietly now," he yelled to Feliciano, ignoring the angry looks Antonio was shooting him.

Feliciano took a step back. He only had seconds to make a choice here. He looked to Lovino for a moment, his distress painted clearly for his brother to see. Wordless, the twins knew too well what the other was thinking. With a snarling curl of his lip, Lovino began to swear in their clan's native tongue. Without warning he wrapped his arms around Gilbert, surprising the man. "Get the fuck out of here stupid little brother! I'll yell at you later!"

Grateful beyond words, though worried to his core, Feliciano nodded, turning to sprint away just before the putrid grip of a Clanless mutant hand could close upon him. As he ran away from the danger as well as his brother and the light of the camp, the young Italian could only pray. Pray that Lovino would be alright, that he really would get to see him to be yelled at again. Pray that he'd bought enough time for Matthew to free Ludwig or Kiku. He also prayed that as he rushed off into the dark and over the ruined and treacherous landscape that he wouldn't trip over anything. Or run into any mutated animals.

xoxoxoxoxox

The minute he was free of his restraints, Ludwig struggled to his feet. It wasn't the swift sure rise he would have wished for, but it was the best he could do after being bound for hours. His muscles were stiff, sluggish and sore. His joints felt uncoordinated and almost rusty, as if the bones were scraping upon each other rather than buffered by cartilage. Of course, the German didn't wallow in his body's ache, forcing it to move to face his apparent rescuer.

He nearly froze when he saw who it was, gazing at that blond hair… those cracked glasses. He swallowed and moved his body into a defensive stance, prepared to engage in unarmed combat if need be. His cold blue eyes held grim determination, knowing full well he needed to seek out an escape route and fast. There was no way he could grapple unarmed with a man with 'super strength'.

To his surprise and suspicious consternation, the American clansman merely held up a hand in a placating gesture, a bear doll held defensively in his other arm. The German frowned, feeling that something was definitely wrong about the situation but unable to pinpoint what it was.

"Please relax," came a voice that was soft and so very unlike that boisterous one the rambunctious American used. "I'm not who you think I am… I'm here to get you out of here. I… I came with Feliciano."

Ludwig cast his eyes about the camp, noting the way they moved about, intent on verifying the commotion, leaving him mostly ignored for now. He scanned, trying to find his gear so that he could grab it and run. He kept his rescuer in his peripheral vision at all times though, cautious and wary.

"Who are you then?" His voice was low and harsh, but even at a whisper Ludwig sounded like he was barking orders. His feet made soft crunching sounds as he crouched low and made his way to reclaim his supplies. The blond followed him, a careful shadow.

"My name is Matthew Williams… Representative of Clan Canada. We… we should really hurry…" Ludwig nodded, kneeling down when he found his travel backpack. He began to sort through it swiftly, checking to make sure the essential items for The Journey were still there. Finding that Gilbert hadn't removed them, he hitched the pack onto his shoulders. Unfortunately, he couldn't find his weaponry.

"Yes, I know we should hurry…" It wasn't that he trusted this Matthew character, but Ludwig knew that Gilbert wasn't the sort to fall for a diversion for long. The fact that he'd fallen for it at all was amazing and a little suspicious to Ludwig's mind if he was being truthful on the matter. He tensed when he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning swiftly and ready to catch Matthew if he pulled anything.

The Canadian backed off, but something in the way he seemed to bury his face behind his doll set off warning alarms in Ludwig's head. The other was shielding his expression, casting up barriers. "You… you didn't let me finish what I was saying…" The voice sounded timid, but something in the tone burned the German's ears, waved bright red flags about this seemingly unassuming and unthreatening man.

"What?" He carefully modulated his voice, keeping it as neutral as possible, mind as ever racing over possible escape strategies, working to factor Matthew into the most current ones.

"I have a question for you… before you escape. Do you… do you think it's alright for brothers to oppose each other? To… be on opposite sides of a conflict?" The Canadian seemed to nuzzle his bear doll, though Ludwig could feel the very careful gaze he was locked in.

Reflecting, having the sense that a careful answer was necessary to keep this man potentially on his side, the German took his time before answering. "Yes, I do." His voice didn't waver, and he didn't doubt his answer either. The question struck him pretty deeply on a personal level he realized, and he wondered if this man knew he was Gilbert's brother.

"You do…?" Matthew's voice drifted to him like that of a ghost, approval or disapproval masked away completely.

Ludwig nodded his head. "Sometimes… situations demand it. There are some things that are simply… greater." Standing tall, Ludwig's eyes filled with conviction, remembering his too recent conversation with the brother he'd lived so long thinking was gone. "I know my brother would expect nothing less of me… he'd be ashamed of the brother who threw away what he felt was right simply to follow his opinions."

The Canadian looked down, breaking his stare with the German man. He seemed to be considering Ludwig's statement, toe poking at the ground in a rather childish gesture that again reminded the German of the American. The commotion continued on the other side of the camp, low lighting and vehicles blocking the view. The German was anxious to escape, to get away and hopefully reunite with Feliciano. If the Italian got himself captured now it'd be a horrible mess.

Matthew seemed to rouse himself from his contemplations, waving for Ludwig to come. "There's no time to find your weapons, hurry… we should go." He gave a small laugh, and under his breath he whispered something. Ludwig wasn't certain, but it sounded as though he'd said 'maybe we didn't need to come rescue you after all'. The German would inquire later perhaps, for now it was time to run. Run they did, off into the dark of the night.

xoxoxoxoxox

He could hear the sounds of that bratty Italian struggling behind him, could hear Antonio trying to get him to settle down. Yes… he'd have a massive headache to deal with later for this. Lovino would be bad enough, but he knew he'd gone and made Antonio pretty furious with him as well. Despite the carefree and oblivious nature the Spaniard seemed happy to give off, he was anything but a tame little lamb. It wasn't that the Prussian was going back on his promise… no way. But… there were simply certain factors coming to light that were editing the timeline.

So Gilbert mostly ignored his very unhappy guests and allies for now, more interested in the discarded bindings he held in his hands. 'Well… there he goes…' He shook his head, smiling wryly at the thought of his little brother racing away into the night. "He shouldn't have been able to escape so easily…" He muttered it to himself of course, well… himself and Gilbird. The large bird made a gruff noise beside him, poking the restraints with his beak.

"So he had help then?" Gilbert frowned, his eyes scanning the area. The diversion hadn't lasted terribly long… so whoever had 'rescued' his brother had moved quickly. Had probably crept close to Ludwig's position before the diversion had started. Like a sudden light, Gilbert realized who it must have been. Who could have snuck virtually into the camp without being detected. Who would know exactly where the camp was. He began to laugh, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. "Huh… what a ballsy guy. Tagged along with me until he found a better way to get what he wanted. Well… if he thinks this was the best way to do it…"

He wasn't mad. Not at Ludwig's rescuer, nor at Ludwig himself. He really wasn't going to force Ludwig to stop the Journey, not matter his opinion on it. Later they might come into conflict over it… but in a way Gilbert looked forward to the possibility. Still… it would have been nice to have gotten to chat a bit more. So many years apart… it wasn't like he'd missed his little brother… no way! He was way too awesome and manly to do something so emotional.

There was a high chance he'd be running into West again anyway… since that Italian's brother was still with him. He had agreed to reunite the brothers, after all. So… it looked like he'd be following Ludwig a bit. Not yet though… because first… well… first he wanted to track down those other clanless. Now that he knew they were possibly giving his new Clan Prussia a bad name with their violent and murderous raids… well… Gilbert would put a stop to it.

No one messed with Clan Prussia, not even indirectly.


A/N:

So… I finally scratch together some time to work on this, and I go to reread the story (because hell, it's been so long even I have forgotten what I wrote). All I have to say is… man… you've all been so wonderful in not pointing out the inconsistencies I've blundered here and there! You're all very kind!

My customary thousand apologies for lateness aside, the good news is that the next chapter of this fic is already done! Which means in just one week you'll get another chapter! Well… unless my laptop explodes, my power goes out, my internet dies, or I fall off the edge of the world.

I've revised my profile a bit, so in the future you can sort of keep track of the progress I'm making on my fics.

Love love love to my reviewers, any of you still left, and all new ones.