A/N: Chapter Ten, enjoy! Another AN at the bottom!

The fighting ceased after only a few moments, the echoing of gunshots filling the air. No human yells or cries were heard, and Germany risked a quick look around, moving only a little, and saw that all the nations were either stood, panting heavily and out of breath, or on the ground like Germany; wounded. He still found relief that none were dead, although many looked like they could fight no more.

Through the cloud, the man who had instigated everything, who Germany finally recognized as the Austrian man who made the drug, marched forward. He picked a gun from the hands of a dead man, not fazed by his death, and pointed it towards Rosa.

Germany felt his knees buckle as he collapsed to the ground after trying to get up and help her, watching helplessly as Rosa struggled against the wall, willing it to swallow her up and away from the dreadful fate she was about to encounter.

"You little brat," the man hissed, his gun making a clicking sound. "This is your entire damn fault…

…now die."

Germany saw many nations try to move to stop the attack, but most were either injured or trapped. Germany found himself already wrapped in grief as he saw the man's finger press the trigger.

But not before there was a flash of white and blue as the bullets rang out, loud and clear.

One, Two, Three.

Romano stood finally, his own gun jolting from the shot he had just commanded it to do. It buried itself in the un-aware man's chest as he gasped, dropping to his knees; his subordinates either in panic or rage.

Chaos ensued as fallen down nations struggled to their feet and began to fight back. Among the haze of people, Germany struggled to make out what had happened to Rosa, and what those flashing colours were. An angel? No. Germany did not believe an angel would intervene at such a time. Not when many cases similar to this had happened many times previously.

Gun shots. Blade against flesh. The sickening sounds grew louder in Germany's mind and he felt sick.

And then the haze cleared after only fifteen minutes. He quickly glanced around; no more nations had fallen.

The loss of their leader had weakened the human's morale, and therefore their focus and strength.

All nation's eyes darted to where Rosa was, and Germany saw their eyes widen in fear and shock. Of course, Germany conceded from this that the girl was dead; murdered by a man of pure hatred and vile evil.

But when he turned, his thoughts were dashed aside, and replaced with sights much less comprehendible.

Hunched over the girl was the Italian with amber eyes. He was smiling, clutching a white flag in his left hand as it tightened around it, balled up in a fist pressed against the wall.

Three holes, stained crimson, bore into his shirt. And into his back.

Germany rushed forward, unknowingly yelling Italy's name.

He finally reached him, pulling his ally and friend down into his arms as he looked at him. Italy gave a weak smile.

"Ve, I told you I wouldn't run away, Germany…"

"Italy, how can you say that?" Germany whispered. "How can you still smile like that?!"

Rosa was still sat against the wall, her eyes wide in shock and horror as Italy's blood was splashed onto her own clothes.

Italy smiled. "I was finally of some use, wasn't I?" Italy murmured back, smiling. "I'm not such a burden anymore…"

"Just shut up!" Germany roared, scooping up the Italian. "You were never a burden!"

Germany felt the pressure in his knees as they tore with each step he took. He was in pain, but Italy's life was so much more important. Germany saw Romano approach, his face that of pure devastation.

"Fratello…" Romano whispered, stepping back. "Oh no, please God no! If only I'd have shot that bastard earlier!"

"Ro…Ma…No…" Italy whispered. "Will you help… the bambina? She looks frightened."

Romano did as instructed, lifting the semi-conscious girl into his arms.

Germany carried on walking, the pain starting to become unbearable as one of his knees suddenly gave way beneath him, and he stumbled. He saw two figures dart beside him to assist; a serious faced Japan and a worried-looking Prussia. Prussia took Italy in his own arms, hurrying towards the conference centre as Japan assisted a distraught and yelling German. Romano quickly followed behind Prussia, before Germany turned to Japan, a dull look in his eyes.

"He's going to be fine, right?" Germany asked weakly.

Now, Japan wasn't one to lie. He thought it was undignified and dishonest. So he stayed silent.

Three bullets to the back. A mortal body. He was lucky to have lived for so long.

They arrived minutes after the others had, and Germany watched as the Italian was on the table in the centre, Switzerland having assistance from every available nation. China was passing bandages and remedies; and America was holding the Italian down. Meanwhile, Russia was often checking his pulse while Romano held his brother's hand tightly. Germany ripped free from Japan's hold and darted to beside Italy's other hand and grabbed it.

"Mein Gott Italy, why?" He asked quietly. "You aren't supposed to be like this. You're supposed to be running around and waving your flag. Not…here….like this…" He choked on the last part while Romano looked at him. There was a mutual agreement there. Until Italy was alright, they'd be civil with each other.

If Italy was going to be alright…

"Ger…Ma…Ny…" Came Italy's voice, and Germany looked at him desperately.

"What is it, Italy?!"

"Thank you… for training me and being my friend…" Italy beamed, a tear rolling down his face. "And… Fratello…"

"Veneziano…"

"Will you look after R-Rosa for me?" He whispered. "I promised I'd look after her…"

"And you will!" Germany insisted, gripping Italy's hand tighter. "You'll make her pasta, and teach her everything you shouldn't do on a battlefield…"

Suddenly, Germany felt movements around him. He watched as everyone exited the room.

Why…?

It dawned on Germany as only he, Romano, Japan and Hungary were left in the room.

"Nein! They might have given up but I'm not!" Germany yelled.

"Si! For once I agree with the potato bastard!"

"Japan, will you fetch us some bandages?!" Germany asked desperately.

The Japanese man stayed still, his head bowed down so his hair covered his eyes.

"Japan?!"

"Doitsu…" Japan said sadly. "We are running low on bandages and—"

"Give us the bandages!" Romano roared.

"All of you calm down! You're scaring Italy!" Hungary cried as she glanced anxiously at the shaking Italian.

"I'm sorry, Italy!" Germany apologized, looking at his Italian friend with tears in his eyes. "We're just figuring out how we'll fix you up the best, that's all."

"Ve," Italy sang, grinning. "You don't need to do that. All I want to do now is take a small siesta."

"Wh-What?!" Romano demanded. "What are you saying fratello?!"

"I'm very sleepy and I've worked very hard today," Italy chirped, smiling at them both. "Can I take a siesta, pretty please?"

Germany felt his throat tighten. Was this the end? Was he going to watch his friend die?

"Nein…" Germany trailed. "Nein, Italy, you need to do some more training."

"Aww…. But I'm so tired…" Italy's eyelids began to droop.

"Veneziano! No! Don't you fucking dare close your eyes!"

"Maybe…"

"Don't, fratello!"

"…up there…"

"Italy-San!"

"…I will reunite…"

"Italy!" Hungary's fearful cry.

"…with Holy Roman Empire."

"NEIN!"

The Italian's eyes closed and his hand slackened from both of the other country's grips. A silence followed.

It was disrupted moments later by a quiet sob coming from the door.

There stood Rosa, her dress charred and torn, her face streaked with tears and blood, Italy's blood, and her scared eyes were watching the scene before her.

She ran forward, sobbing, dropping to her knees close to the Italian.

"Italy, wake up… Mister Italy…" She sobbed.

Hungary walked cautiously over to her, before dropping to her knees too and holding the girl close, sobbing along with her.

Japan walked a little backwards, shaking his head as tears ran down his cheeks.

Romano was shaking his brother desperately, even smacking him, screaming that he stops fooling around and wakes up already.

But Germany just stayed still and quiet. His body was numb. His throat was burning, and his eyes felt sore. His stomach clenched together painfully as the adrenaline that previously coursed through his blood now stopped abruptly.

He stood up, scooping up the Italian man as said man's brother stood up, demanding to know what he was doing.

"Is it okay if I take his body to go with the rest?" He finally managed to choke out.

"What are you talking about?! He isn't dead!" Romano screamed. Japan rushed forward, pulling the raging Italian backwards as he lunged for Germany.

Ignoring him, Germany strolled off with Italy in his arms, giving a small glance to Rosa. He didn't look at her any longer. He didn't blame her for any of this, but he did not wish for her to see him cry.

Walking into the living room, Germany felt his shoulders start to shake and sobs escape him. Placing him down on an already laid out table (Presumably by the others after they left), he pulled up a chair and sat beside him.

"I'm sorry, Italy," he whispered. "I'm sorry I always yelled at you. I'm sorry I made you think you had to make me proud. I was always proud. You were very brave, even taking your brothers place in case one of you died was extremely brave. And jumping in front of the bullet too, that was bravery," Germany found himself choking on his words as the hot tears clogged up his throat. "But the bravest thing of all is that you smiled, even at the end…"

Germany sobbed, losing track of time as he stayed with Italy. Before he left, he stood up, kissing Italy's forehead gently. He glanced around the room. Seeing South Korea lying peacefully. He gave a small salute to him; his eyes resting at the other side of the room.

There lay an empty table, covered in disturbed flowers as petals littered the ground.

And there was no Brit to be found.

A/N: Please don't kill me! Expect another update in around 2weeks. Hope you didnt cry! :) See you at the next update! Reviews, Follows and Faves are all appreciated!