Chapter Eight: Warning

"Having fun?"

Holy Rome jumped. "Mr. Austria!" Austria casually swallowed the last of his drink as the human gave an aura not unlike a deer in headlights. "Go to my study. You know the way." Austria ordered.

His boots shuffled heavily down the halls that became rooms and rooms lead back to more halls. The party music faded and piano music overruled it. The origin of which was a small dark room with large windows and a desk. Papers were scattered on the wooden floor. On top of some of the papers was soil from a plant knocked over. Austria grumbled to himself turned on a light. "Before you ask, I had a scuffle with someone like you." He picked up the papers closest to him and stuffed them into a file cabinet. "Three other countries have tried to make a deal with that man. In each instance a person close to the country is put in danger of dying around the first few months of the deal. If they save them, he grants the person their wish. If they fail, like in France's case, the person dies and they never see the man again."

"France?" Holy Rome was shocked. "What could he want?" Austria played with the idea of disclosing that part of information. Ironically, the part he asked for was the only story he knew fully. "To be human with the human he loved. She got burned at the stake during the deal." He rested on his desk rubbing the side of his mouth where he had the missing tooth. This would be the last time he argued with Italy's grandpa… Oh yes Italy… "So what did Romano say to you?"

Holy Rome's eyes widened his blue eyes revealing a sea of fear. "How do you know he said anything to me?" Shedding his jacket, Austria smirked. He's going to be coy with me? Fine. "A crying Italian. But never you mind, I was just curious." He turned his back on him and grasped a spare jacket he kept in the drawer of his desk.

"Where's Italy? What happened? Is he alright?" Holy Rome had gotten really close to him really fast. "I don't know. He said Romano offended you and he was going to apologize for him but Romano stopped him from talking to you and said you hate him, and then he started crying."

Holy Rome clenched his fists. "I'd never hate him. Never." Romano said that to Italy. Anger began to seize him. But then he made a quick conclusion. He thinks I hate him. His fear mixed with his sadness and he spoke in a defeated tone. "Is he still here?"

Austria shrugged. "He was at the bar with Germany last I checked. I'll go with you." Neither he nor Italy answered that question. Austria thoughts centered around this as he cleaned the room and turned off the light.

He and Holy Rome traveled the halls once more. Right before they reached the hall that lead to the party that was still going, they encountered a blonde man with thick eyebrows who was half-dragging, half-carrying a protesting boy in a blue and white sailor outfit. The boy's speech was extremely slurred and his face was a shade of green.

"England… what…" Austria could not find the ability to describe what he wanted to ask or aptly form words.

England shifted the boy's weight on his left arm. "Sealand snuck into the party, and Scotland was kind enough to give him his first taste of wine. Sorry to run out on the party like this but I am going to take him home, I'll be back later." He gave a polite nod to Holy Rome and continued to drag Sealand down the hall.

Sealand got out from his hold on him. "I said I'm staying here, you can't make me go!" He hiccupped, jabbing a finger in England's face. "Not 'til I'm a country!" He approached Holy Rome staggering. His ability to walk straight had obviously diminished. "You, Empire Roman guy. I'll take you over in my sleep!" He attempted to punch him but missed. The force of which made him fall to Holy Rome's feet. Sealand exploded in laughter.

"Get up!" England picked him up feeling embarrassed. How he wished he could have created one gentleman.

While all these events occurred, Germany sat with Italy trying to get him back to his cheerful self. Japan hearing about the state Italy was in from Prussia, who was still trying to find Romano, met the two at the bar.

Normally Italy would be greeting his friend with a big hug. Upon this night however he didn't even bother to raise his head when he heard Japan address Germany.

"Hello, Germany-san" Japan bowed. "Prussia said to help." Japan had no knowledge of what caused Italy to be like this. "Ja, danke Japan." Germany locked eyes with the formal country. Italy had stopped crying by this point but he was dead to the world.

He stared aimlessly at a water spot on the counter. The fact was definite, Holy Rome left right after Romano said that. He dwelled on this and what Romano told him. "If he wanted you equally he wouldn't have ran. I doubt he even wants to be friends anymore after I enlightened him to what you've been feeling since he's been gone. In fact he probably hates you! Save yourself before he gets you killed in some war. I'm not speaking for myself; I'm speaking for Grandpa Rome. Listen to me or betray his memory." He remembered his brother storming off after that.

He couldn't do that to his grandfather but Holy Rome just came back. Romano was wrong about one thing. He hadn't been heartbroken, he was heartsick. Each year that passed him since Holy Rome left Italy never stopped loving him. Sure he flirted with girls all the time but nothing matched the emotions that ran through him when they were together.

In the background he heard Germany talk about him to Japan. He didn't care. What if he'd left the party all together by now? He's a human. If he has it's certain I won't see him again. Humans are too hard to track. It's my one chance and I can't use it. Fresh tears rolled down his face.

Prussia returned interrupting Germany and Japan's conversation. His words refused to register in Italy's mind. They were too fast. Germany's sounded angry at whatever Prussia said or did next.

Germany shook Italy's shoulder, gentler than he usually would when dealing with the county. "Italy, Prussia wants to talk to you." Italy's mind regarded the words. Why should he listen to Prussia? Slowly, he raised his head. His face was red his tie, was drenched, and his eyes were swollen. The three were staring at him.

"Being with him doesn't mean you're going to be conquered by him. Romano only said what he said because he doesn't like Holy Rome." Prussia's red eyes squinted. "Do you believe that your grandfather would be against going following your heart?"

Italy broke eye contact with Prussia, and then spoke. His voice was a rasp which was a big stretch from his common smooth tone. "What of him hating me? Romano-

"I don't care what Romano says. Listen! Ever since I met Holy Rome when he was at war he talked about some kid that he promised to return to. He always tried to write letters but he never sent any one of them. I've read countless of those things! All of them had your name!" Prussia poked him in the chest. "IF he hates you then I'm not a nation!"

Germany snorted in laughter. "West, shut it!" Prussia looked at Italy, willing him to hear the truth despites his brother's humor. "He's right over there," He pointed where a tall hat was bobbing through the sea of people. The corner of Italy's mouth twitched upwards. "Ask him to dance if you want proof." Prussia lifted him out of his seat and pushed him in the direction of where he pointed. Italy stumbled for a bit and walked of his own accord.

"No need to thank me or anything. My awesomeness saved the day once again. It's a gift I know." Prussia bowed to Germany and Japan dramatically. Germany rolled his eyes and ordered another beer. Japan took the seat Italy had been in. This was a wild night.