Meanwhile, Russia's hands swept gracefully across paper as he titled the list of things he needed to do. He always kept this list in his pocket, even if he never did anything on it. Especially now, with his new friend at his home, he knew that a list to remember was crucial.

The shrill wringing of the phone made him look up curiously, and his head tilted slightly. Picking up the phone he spoke with his usual voice, "You have reached Mother Russia, da?"

America yelped into the phone so loudly that Russia cringed. "Yo, Commy! There's a world meeting tomorrow, okay man? Good, I'm glad you're in! It's really important!" Then, without even letting Russia say a word, he hung up.

Russia sat staring at the receiver for a moment, before giggled loudly. "He is really calling a world meeting over her? Humph, then I will be there, da? And he will not know a thing."

Turning to his list, he picked up the pen once more and scrawled on the paper, 'Go to meeting tomorrow.'

Then, Russia took to looking out of the window to waste time. Maybe the Baltics had already cleaned the wine; maybe he should check…

A thin layer of ice had formed on his glass window, and he could hear howling wind from outside beating on it. Beyond the ice was an endless blanket of snow that covered everything.

It was so cold here…

He immediately thought of her, whom was so warm and opinionative. Of course, she bickered too much. He should fix that. He absently added to his list, 'Break friends will'.

The shrill ringing of the phone once again made him look up, thought process disturbed. Sighing, he picked it up and began his greeting. "You have reached Mother Russia, d-"

A blubbery voice cut him off, and he immediately recognized the caller through her sobs. "Oh, it's AWFUL."

Russia, alarmed, straightened slightly in his chair. "Big Sister Ukraine? Something is wrong?"

She was wailing, "Oh, she's gone, Russia! GONE! I m-missed her birthday! It Is because of me she was captured! I know it!"

Confused, he tried to calm down his big sister. "Who, Ukraine?"

"America-san's assistant! She was gone a few days ago when they checked her house! E-Everyone is so w-w-worried." The worlds spluttered from the receiver in a jumbled mess.

"I am sure she is fine, Ukraine-"Russia began to assure, but she interrupted again.

"I am going to stay at your house, okay? I'm very scared; if her capturer is near, I want to be with Russia-kun." She blubbered again, but Russia's eyes widened in alarm.
"W-Well, Sister, we are about to wax all of the floors and-"

Ukraine suddenly seemed very happy. "I can help! It could be just like the old days, when we all lived together!"

Scratching his head, he knew he could not let anyone into the house or they might see his new friend. "Sister-"

"I'll be over tomorrow! I'm not very important at meetings, so I can go then, okay?"

"Sister!" Russia yelped, but she had already hung up.

That left Ivan staring at the phone with wide eyes, and thinking heavily on how this was going to work.

He had to make sure that the two girls where separate; but that would not be fair to his new friend to keep her locked up all day… What choice did he have?

Turning, he slowly added to his list 'Keep her away from Ukraine. Keep her safe.'

"Ah! I can just keep her occupied, then she won't mind, da? Maybe I can even ask Ukraine to do errands for me." Pleased with himself, Russia tore his list out of the note pad and then folded it neatly with his gloved fingers. After that, he put it in his pocket.

Now, off to find the Baltics. As he stepped into the hallway and went down the stairs, he noticed Latvia and Estonia pouring over a puddle of red in the dining room. "Ah, you almost done?"

They looked up, eyes huge just as a brown haired Lithuania came barreling down the stairs. "Guys, she's ali-"He broke off, frozen in place to see that Russia stood there with the others. "She… she's alive with hunger!" He covered for himself, and Russia smiled, accepting this.

"You are getting her food, da?"

Lithuania nodded hastily, "Yes, she said she was starving." and then scrambled off into the kitchen, relieved.

Then, Russia turned to the other two Baltics, who looked extremely confused. "Estonia, does wine come out of clothes easily?"

Latvia gasped, "Wine?"

Nodding, Russia raised his brows. "Yes, wine. What else would it be? Blood?" He giggled at the thought of this, as if it were crazy.

Estonia smiled, relaxed now to the point of speaking. "O-Oh, yes, if treated quickly enough, w-wine does come out of clothing."

"Then you will wash my coat, da?" He shrugged off the heavy coat, setting it on the chair. Beneath the coat he wore a black sweater that fit him just right. "Do get it done quickly, Ukraine is coming tomorrow."

The two Baltics jumped, and Latvia squeaked, "U-Ukraine? B-But the girl-"

Estonia interjected, shivering. "If Ukraine finds out there is no way she can keep her mouth shut from America-"

"Are you saying that my Sister, your past Ally, is a traitor?" Russia's eyes where wide, and full of sudden anger.

At the same time, the other two exploded into "N-N-No s-sir!"

Russia was eerily calm as he smiled. "Good, then find her a room as far away from our 'guests'. If Ukraine sees' her, I will hold you all accountable."

Lithuania had walked in with a huge plate just in time to hear about Ukraine. "Y-Yes Sir, or course M-Mister Russia, Sir!"

"Good. Also, Estonia. Take the car, and Lithuania and Latvia to the market. I want a canvas and an easel with paint, da? Also, some new sunflowers. I believe the ones in her room are wilting. Maybe even a puzzle if you find one; or a good book she may like. I do not want her to be bored while Ukraine is here." Russia was already heading back up to his office. "Tomorrow is a busy day~"

The Baltics where exchanging 'This is bad!' glances, when Russia added something that made them all shrink a little.

"Do not ruin it."