Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Through the misty woods that a young man use to claim as his residence and protect along with his wolf friends, paws patter against the ground, storming around the trees. The fast runner sprints through and around his home, lunging to his destination. Others behind him race to catch up, sniffing the air as a new aroma is smelt. Stopping abruptly, their leader snorts as he peers through some branches of a bush he's hiding behind.

Striker lays down, the others mimicking him, and tries to keep quite. On the other side of the bushes he sees a small yet large camp. His eyes skimmed through the faces he saw, many he didn't know, others he recognized; the one that made a small growl form in the wolf's throat, though, was a man that he's heard quite enough about.

Ivan sat in front of the fire he made for his comrades, fully aware that he was being watched by the archers mutts. He hummed as his known smile took control of his face. "I have a feeling someone's talking about me." He giggled as his eyes landed on the bush Striker was behind. "Da, I feel like Arthur's about to come to my side." The wolf growled louder as he shot out of the bush to attack the Russian, but the platinum blonde was prepared; he grabbed the pack's leader by the neck and pinned him down. "Now now," he said to Striker, gaining his full attention, "let's not get too hasty just yet, da?" Leaning down near the wolf's ear, he smirked. "I don't want the special mutt that belongs to the precious archer to suffer." Just as he said this, he twisted the fur of Striker's back, making the dog howl. At this little act, the others ambushed the camp.

-|)-x-(|-

Ripping out of the bed, I sit straight up, panting. My head was pounding and I didn't know entirely why; I didn't drink anything alcoholic, so I couldn't have a hangover. I laid back down in the bed, trying to rub the throbs I felt away. Sighing, I stare at the ceiling. Just what the bloody hell was that all about? I rolled over to the side, closing my eyes. I felt like someone was calling for my help; a howl of sorts. I slowly opened my eyes again, and frown. Striker... He could only be the one possible reason I could think of a howl right now. Please let the pack be well. I don't want anything bad to happen to them.

Through my stare, a formation was taking place. I blinked a couple of times until I saw someone's face in front of mine. My face went red instantly as I sat up again. "Git! Don't get so close!"

Alfred merely chuckled as he sat next to me. "Why? It's not like you're afraid of me kissing you again, right?" He gave me a look as he wiggled his brows. I was blushing tremendously, and turned in the bed, trying to fall back asleep. "Aw, come on Artie, I was just teasing you." He nudged me as I swatted his hand away. He chuckled again. "I just can't help but think about kissing you." I tensed up at his confession and felt my body heat up even more as he laid next to me, hugging me from behind. "I don't want you to go undercover." He snuggled up to my back, tickling my neck with his nose. I chuckled, but then sighed.

-|)-x-(|-

It was just last night that I got the news of my first and only mission for the king. Antonio and the Vargas boys came here, visiting us, and told us what I'd be doing. "We need you to go into his camp, acting like the curse has finally taken over your mind and senses; only then will we be able to try and get information out of him." The Spaniard was so sympathetic as he shared the details, but he had to.

"Are you insane?" Alfred stepped in front of me, between the others, and shook his head. "Aren't you even thinking of Arthur? How can he go with this, pretending to be the curse and stay by that Russian's side when Ivan's mostly made his life a living hell." He was trying to protect me. I was a bit shocked, but smiled; not many try to protect me now, but ever since I met him...

Antonio scowled at the American's remark. "Of course I do think about him; he's a friend of mine." I glanced at the swordsman. "And I know all about it; he told me and these two about it." Alfred looked shocked as he looked between the three then stared at me. "The twins were the first ones he told." His stare kept piercing through me as I felt some guilt weld up. I looked away from him. "Then he told me since I came in after he had a horrible dream. We all know about his dreams, the curse, and his past."

"But you don't know about his brothers." Alfred was trying to fight him, challenging the Spaniard about how much they knew about me. I checked to see what Antonio's reaction was to them being mentioned; he was a bit pale, but still held fierceness. "Did you know that he was neglected by them because of his mother?" The three had looked at me then, wide eyes and all. Alfred smiled. "His mother told them that they needed to make him hate everything about them, and also drove them out of the village."

"They did it to protect me." He looked at me, and the others blinked. I could see their puzzlement to that statement and sighed. Turning around as I held my arms, I shook my head. "Yes they were asked by my mom to hate me, but they loved me to no end. They only did as mother asked to protect me from what the future could've brought." I scanned Alfred's living room, eying anything that was of interest to stare at. "If I had stayed in the village any longer..."

"You're dreams would've been reality." I nodded, and turn to see their faces. They, once again, felt pity for me. I shook my head as Feli spoke again. "Ve, that's horrible to know...and sad, too." I chuckled at his statement, knowing all to well that he didn't know everything just yet. "Arthur..."

"I'll do the mission." I had changed the subject too quickly for them, and they all stared at me. "I'll do it if his highness needs me to."

"What?" I glared at the gunman who took care of me since I came here, but it didn't faze him. "Are you crazy as well?" I gave him the one look, and he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." I shook my head. "But still, I just can't let you do this."

"Alfred," I know that he cares for me, but he doesn't need to shield me from everything, "I'm not doing this for the king." He became confused and I sighed. "I'm doing this for myself." Before anyone could say anything else, I turned around. "I'm awfully tired, so I'll go rest." Smiling back at my friends, I wished them a good day. "Thanks for coming."

-|)-x-(|-

Another wolf went after the Russian, easily being tossed to the side as Ivan hit it with his pipe; not to hard, but hard enough. The pack gathered into a little group as the men started a circle around them. "Tsk tsk tsk." Ivan picked Striker up by the back of his neck, keeping him at arms length so the snout wouldn't snap onto his skin. "You never learn, do you?" He tossed the wolf at the pack, sending them all a glare. "Never try that again or I won't hesitate to kill you. The only reason why you all are still here is because you're all very precious to Arthur."

Striker stood back up, with the help of Star, and growled at the man. He snorted, thinking of doing another attempt for attack, but thought otherwise; his pack was already harmed enough, and he doesn't want them to die just yet. He looked on both his left and right, barking at the others, then soon howling. Just as he glared at the Russian for a last time, he turned on his paws, running back into the woods, his pack right on his tail.

Ivan smirked as he saw the mutts run away. "He's so keen on helping his owner, da?" He looked around the camp, scowling as he saw some of the stuff in shambles. "Pick this all up at once!" He commanded. "We're leaving!" He glanced at his campfire, kicking some dirt onto it, relinquishing the flames freedom. He smiled. "A flame kept under containment," as he turned to his horse, he chuckled, "as if anything could keep me contained." Not even the curse can be contained. He thought as he hoisted himself up.

He turned around with his horse as he glared at everyone. "Hurry up!" He said even fiercer. "We need to get going." Before he waited for them any longer, he smirked. "Someone very important we be coming to see me, giving himself to me entirely."

-|)-x-(|-

Sighing, I felt Alfred's embrace tighten. "Arthur, please don't go to that evil Russian. I don't want anything bad to happen to you; I don't want the curse to instantly take control just because you're with him." Against my neck, I felt warm tears slipping past my skin. "I don't want to lose you."

A small smile appeared on my face as he tightened his grip again. "Don't worry, love, I won't go that far." But I might have to do something even more crazy then what you have in mind.

He didn't reply instantly and I suddenly thought that he'd finally be quiet, but I was wrong. He moved behind me, placing his chin on my arm as I gave him a side glance. He was looking at me, so I blushed like I've been doing ever since I met him. "You never called me 'love' before." Comprehending what he just said, I blushed even more. "Is that something British? Do the Englishman usually call the people they love 'love's?"

"N-no." I said glancing away from his gaze. He hummed and I knew that he didn't believe me. "I-it just slipped out, okay? It doesn't mean that I actually love you or anything."

He chuckled, making me look at him again. I saw his smile and instantly moved to rest on my back, having his head fall off of my arm. He groaned as he pouted. "Why'd you do that? I was comfortable."

"And who says I care about you comfort?" He glared at me, a playful glare, and moaned. He then fell on top of me. I blinked. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" He mumbled something, but didn't quite hear him. "What?" He didn't repeat what he said, and I rolled my eyes. "Well, at least get off of me." I tried to push him off, but couldn't; he flopped back onto me as I gave up. "You're bloody heavy."

"Are you saying I'm fat?" He picked himself up, putting both of his arms on either side of me as he stared at me. "'Cause I'm not fat."

"I'm not saying you're fat; I'm saying you're bloody heavy." He pouted again and I couldn't help but chuckled. "Bloody twit. Why are you getting sensitive about this?" He shrugged as he was about to fall on top of me again. "Oh no you don't." I tired to keep him off of me, and he smiled. "Stop this, git, you're bloody heavy; I can't...hold you up...forever." Before my arms collapsed on me, something went through my head. My eyes widened as pain overwhelmed my mind. "Bloody hell!" He fell on me again, but I didn't care right now; I was trying to think of the reason why this pain came from nowhere. "Damn Alfred, get off of me. Please."

"Why? I'm tired and I don't want to move." He was complaining just like before, but as he looked at me, he got up. "Sorry. Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to." He sat next to me and helped me lean onto him. I was blushing, but paid no mind to his actions.

"I'm fine. You didn't hurt me, I just got a headache." Bloody painful one, too. I felt him relax as he heard that he didn't do anything wrong, and smirked. "Git, you don't need to worry that much."

He sighed as his fingers went through my hair. "It's hard not to when the man I like is going through things that I don't understand." I blushed and glanced at him; he was blushing as well. "A-and also through things that I don't know of yet." My eyes widened as he said that. How does he know that there are still things for him to figure out about me? I blinked and looked away. I-it's not like there is anymore things that I want him to find out. He sighed. "But I can deal with it." My gaze landed on him again. "I've dealt with you all this time, haven't I?"

I chuckled. "Yes you have, twit." He chuckled along with me, ruffling my hair. "Hey!" Just as I was going to say something else, I felt his lips against mine. As my eyes adjusted to the sudden closeness of his face, I closed them, kissing him back.

It felt like a firework festival was going on as I kissed him. I mentally chuckled. It's almost like that saying I've heard. "You'll know if someone is your soul-mate if you hear fireworks in the distance." Wait a minute, what the hell are fireworks? I broke our kiss as I was confusing myself. "Alfred," he pouted since our kiss was broken, but listened, "what are fireworks?"

He blinked then chuckled. "Fireworks?" He shook his head as he kissed me again, but only for a shot second. "They're almost like bombs, but they blow up in the air, making beautiful, colorful creations. They were created by the King's inventor, who's an Australian." I hummed in understanding, though I was still a bit confused. "They sound like things that would be made in the future right? With technology spring up anew?" I nodded. "Yeah, well, you can say that Logan has a futuristic mind, and doesn't mind getting down and dirty." He blinked. "Why are we talking about him again?" I hit his chest, gaining another chuckle out of him. "Can we just kiss now?"

"I suppose." He smiled, and I along with him. We kissed again, and this time nothing broke our concentration on each other. He pushed me down onto the bed, deepening the kiss as he put his full weight on me. I moaned as his knee went between my legs. "Alfred..." I broke our kiss again, about to push him away, but before I could say anything else, his mouth came back; his tongue intruded the inside of my mouth, feeling around as if he wanted to know everything about it. I moaned again, but didn't fight him.

My own tongue pushed his back as I tried to do the same to him. He chuckled and I opened my eyes; he was staring right back at me. My eyes held interest as I challenged him; his was full of intrigue as he fought against me. He pushed himself further into me, moving his tongue around mine, then touching the inside of my cheek. If I could grin, I'd be doing that right now. I pushed his back again, but right as I started fighting back, his leg grazed up against my groin.

I moaned and let my guard down as he won the battle for dominance. I sealed my lips, catching his tongue as he pulled it out of my mouth. "That's not fair." He chuckled, shaking his head, kissing me again. I pushed him off of me. "No, Alfred."

"Aw come on," he complained, "you were fine with it just seconds ago."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I know, but I've still got a splitting headache." And just as I said that, a zing of pain went through my head down my spine. "Damn it! Aw God that hurts." I put my hand on my head, trying to rub my temples again. Between my fingers, I saw Alfred pout, trying not to believe me, thinking I was faking just to get around...it. Another spike hit my head like a nail was trying to be hammered in my skull. Hissing in pain, I rolled over to my side.

"Hey," I felt his hand on my side, "are you okay?" With the tone of voice he has, I could tell that he believed my obvious pain and started to worry. "Should I call for someone?" I shook my head as he made a move to do so.

I grabbed his arm, stopping him from leaving me. "I don't need a bloody doctor to look at me." He nodded, but I could tell that was considering the thought of going to get one anyway. I smile, shaking my head. "They only doctor I need here to care for me is you." His eyes widened as a blush formed on his face. I flushed along with him, but didn't look away. "It's just a thing that will pass shortly, no need to worry about me."

"But..." I shook my head, and he smiled. Leaning down closer to me again, he kissed my head. "As you wish, Artie."

My blush deepened in color. "H-how many times have I told you to stop calling me those bloody nicknames?" He gave me a look asking 'why?' and I looked away. "T-they're bloody annoying to hear when my name's Arthur. Get it, git? Arthur. Not Artie, Iggy, or any other name you can concoct in that little brain of yours. Where the hell did you even get the bloody nickname 'Iggy' anyway. It doesn't even suit me!"

He sighed, trying to get me to stop ranting on about this subject as he answered my questions. "I don't ever remember you asking me to stop calling you those names. I know you're name is Arthur, it's just sometimes I don't want to say that, so I call you by those nicknames; they're fun to say as well, you know. As for Iggy; I don't know, I just seem to like calling you that even though it's a nickname for Ignatius, Ignacio, Ozzy... What weird names, and I just said them, too." I slapped him on his chest; he just giggled. "Why is this so important to you know when it wasn't before?"

I blinked, looking away from him again. "I... It's just... I don't like being called something other than my name, point, blank, and simple."

He shook his head, obviously amused by this conversation. "I am basically calling by you're name, just in a short version."

"I know that!" I was flushing horribly as he tried to keep defending himself calling me those bloody nicknames. "But still! Just call me Arthur!"

"No." He laid down beside me again as he nuzzled my neck again. "I don't want to."

"Fine then." I say trying to get out of his embrace. "Be the bloody twit you are." He chuckled as he wouldn't let me go though I wanted him to. "Release me this instant git!" He shook his head again. "Damn it all! This is not what I came here for!" He chuckled as he turned me around, giving me a kiss as my face went redder. "Git!"

A knock came at the door so suddenly that it made the two of us jump out of our little world we created in just the little time we were together. Alfred pouted as he got up to get the door. Standing in front of him was my brother, to our surprise. "Alister," he said perplexed by the sudden appearance of the Scotsman, "what are you doing here?"

He peered into the room, eying me, then locked eyes with Al. "I was here to merely wish my brother luck, but it looks as if I've interrupted something."

"Yes, you most cer-"

"No you didn't!" Interrupting the American as I climbed out of bed, he gave me a glare. I went over to his side and smiled at my brother. "It's so nice of you to wish me luck on my first and only mission, but what I want to know is," he sighed as I looked wonderingly at him, "how did you find out so quickly."

"You're my brother." He stated that as if it was the answer to everything, but I rolled my eyes, knowing that it wasn't. He smiled sheepishly as he scratched his cheek. "I'm captain of the King's Archers," that made perfect sense...sort of, "and that air-headed swordsman told me."

I blinked and groaned. "That damn Spaniard has an open mouth, doesn't he?"

"That's why he's such a great messenger for the King, though he's used as a swordsman." I glanced at Alfred as I slight chuckle came from my throat. "It's true! He's always giving me the news of a new mission or if the King needs to see me."

"True, true." I looked back at my brother, patting his shoulder. "Thanks for coming over to wish me luck, Alec." He smiled at me as he embraced me. I was quite shocked by the affection he was showing so openly, but let it pass as I hugged him back.

"Be careful out there," he said into my ear, "and I mean it." He released me and stared intensely into my eyes. "Since you're going to be spying on Ivan, you need to keep you head up to anything and everything. You never know what will happen when with the mad man."

I smiled, nodding at the care and concern Alec was sharing. "I will, brother, no need to worry." But I'm starting to worry about my fate myself. As I thought this, an evil chuckle echoed in the back of my head, causing another headache, but not one as prone as the others.

-|)-x-(|-

The day for my departure was here, since it was yesterday's tomorrow, and I couldn't hold in my worry. I wasn't that strong, though I try to lead myself to believing I am, and knew I'd break under that Russian's control the very first moment he'd look at me. This fact is the reason why I'm resorting to a plan I never thought I'd do.

Sighing for the millionth time, I gripped my bag, ready to leave on the mission set out for me. "Well," I said looking at my friends, eying Alfred's frown, "I'll be heading out now."

Feli sniffed as he teared up, hugging me. "I'll miss you." I chuckled and told him that I'm leaving for good; it's just a mission. He shook his head as he looked back up at me. "Ve, still, you won't be around. Who else will I tell the good things concerning me and Ludwig about?" The said German blushed as he shouted Feli's name, pulling him from me. "Good luck, Arthur!"

Romano also wished me well, along with Antonio, and now it was Alfred's turn. Everyone just stared at us as he fidgeted in front of me. I couldn't bring myself to look at him in the eye since I knew that if I did, I wouldn't want to leave. Heaving a sigh I look up at him only to be surprised with a kiss. The kiss was so passionate and held everything that he wanted to tell me, share with me right then. As he separated our lips, he hugged me. "Be careful, Arthur."

I was blushing madly because of his action, doing that in front of our friends!, but let it go as I hugged him back. "I will, git." Our hug lingered for a few more minutes, but I reluctantly pulled away. "Don't go and do something stupid as I'm gone, all right twit?"

He chuckled and ruffled my hair, placing another kiss on my forehead. "I won't."

Now leaving, I turn to them and wave. This is it. I say in my mind, hoping that he would speak. We'll be alone from here on out until my mission is over. I heard a scoff in the back of my head as I ventured further into the woods. I know you're listening to me.

"So?" He asked with no amusement whatsoever in his tone. He faking it; I could tell he was thoroughly interested in my plan. "You do know that you can't trust me, right master?"

"I don't care about that right now; I have a mission to do, and I know I'm to weak to do it." I started running through the branches to a forest that I knew all to well. "That's why I'm coming to you."

"It's a bad idea." He goes again. "I could take advantage of this opportunity and hold your body as my vessel for life, killing like I've been warning you in you're dreams."

"I don't care." He was silent then. I thought about what he said and recalled he mentioned that he was 'warning' me about the future. "Why are you warning me?"

He was silent still, an unwitting answer coming from his devilish mind. "So you can know what you're getting yourself into, master." I blinked, stopping as I gazed at the ground. To me, it sounded like cared about me...for some odd reason. "You have a right to know the possible future, do you not?" I nodded shortly, and started running again. "And I don't care about you, master." He fell silent as he called me 'master'. "I'm only waiting to take over you're body so I can quench this thirst for blood that I have."

I shook my head, coming into a clearing, meeting with the man I've been looking for. I don't care if you take over my body with this chance, but I need you to do this for me. He didn't say anything again. I stared up at the Russian on his horse and smiled a smile that my curse would muster up. Do what you like, but this mission is important to me; I need to do this so I can finally get rid of what's been holding me back.

"Ah, if it isn't Arthur." Ivan smiled his evil, ordinary smile that I've seen on him as he jumped off his horse. "What splendid meeting this is. Have you come to help me?"

I chuckled like the curse. I could use you right now. You may be a curse, but you're part of myself, and I have this aching feeling that you aren't just a menacing thing as you claim yourself to be. In that moment, I felt a hand grasping my spirit and sending me in the back of my ownself as someone else took my place. "Let me take this show over, master."

I smiled and so did he. Looking up at the Russian with more fierceness, my cursed self chuckled again. "Of course I have. Isn't that what I was made to live for?" He was talking with my voice and body, and I had no ounce of fear; not one thought of losing my entire self came to mind as I felt myself only having little control now, almost as if I'm holding onto a thread. Yes a thread. A thread of trust that is bound between myself and the curse; something I should never let go unless I want to lose my soul to that...misguided spirit that dwells within me.

Note: Phew. I whipped this entire thing up just today, man when i'm determined to do something i can do it. So yeah, it's been a long while since i've updated this one as well, and the same story goes for this one; i have ideas, just need to get to typing them. I hope there are people still read this story because it's a story that i like writing. I like writing all of my stories, but there's something about each an every one of them that makes them special.

I hope you all enjoyed this update. Thanks for reading, loves! R&R.