Welcome everyone! Since it's Summer, I wrote another chapter for you all. Thank you to every one for reviewing, subscribing, favoriting, or just reading the story up to this point! Enjoy the chapter!

DISCLAIMER: Nope, still don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 9: Cold As Ice

'This can't be happening...how could he be here of all places?' Yao inwardly panicked as he and the rest of his comrades were led down a long hallway. The Italian unit known as Feliciano Vargas was showing the group around the base, unknowing of the fact the "new recruits" were actually planning to annihilate the whole branch.

'What if he recognizes me?' Yao thought, biting his lip. If Feliciano knew Yao was here, then the mission would be over. They could be captured and Yao would lose another opportunity to find Kiku.

Suddenly, Yao felt a light tab on his shoulder. The Chinese unit turned to face Mei, concern written all over her face.

Are you alright? she mouthed, Yao only replying with a faux smile and a nod. He couldn't push his burden on others. Mei looked like she didn't believe Yao but she accepted his answer anyway, turning her attention forward.

"And this door leads to the lab." Feliciano said in a happy tone, snapping Yao out of his thoughts. "Here, we upgrade our battle droids with new weapons."

"Isn't that...illegal?" Viet asked.

"Yeah, but with all of the leaders dying, we need to boost our defenses." Feliciano replied, his chipper tone vanishing. "Believe me, I've seen what happens when a branch isn't prepared for an incoming attack. Anyway, why don't you all follow me and I'll show you the room?" he added, stepping through the door.

As he stepped through the door, Yao gasped at all of the mechanical contraptions in the room. This lab was about twice the size of Viet's lab, also having similar white walls and a marble floor. Silvery wires of all shapes and sizes were scattered about the floor, while bright lights covered the ceiling. About six computer monitors lined the left wall, while the opposite wall had a couple of desks, both covered in various papers. Several scientists were scattered about the room. Some of them were working on the computers, a couple more were examining diagrams, and the remaining ones were surrounding a table working on...something. Because of the scientists, Yao couldn't exactly see what they were working on.

"Anyway, in the lab, we also fix our fallen androids. I'll show you all one that we've been working on." Feliciano stated, leading the group to the work table where the scientists were working. "Excuse me, may I see him?" Feliciano asked one of the scientists, referring to the android on the table. One of the scientists stopped her work, turning around and beginning to speak.

"We were wondering when you would show up. He never interacts with anyone unless you're here." she said.

"Oh...I see. Is he doing better?" Feliciano asked.

"We're doing all we can, and we did manage to stabilize his structure. He won't go falling apart again." the scientist replied.

"Excuse me, but...who are you both talking about?" Kaoru asked, butting into the conversation.

"Oh! Don't worry Mr..." Feliciano's voice trailed off.

"Keating. Mason Keating." Kaoru corrected. "These are my associates, Bridgett Tucker, Nancy Johnson, William Jenkins, and my brother, Matthew Keating." he introduced the group, pointing to each of them as he said their name.

"Oh...okay! Thank you!" Feliciano said, showing a small smile. "We're talking about the unit who's being worked on. He's a close friend of mine."

Yao looked over to the scientists, who were whispering among themselves. Slowly, the workers began to file out the door, leaving the group alone in the room. Yao quirked an eyebrow.

'Why did they leave us here alone? Don't they have any concern about their files being duplicated by spies or something?' he thought, puzzled.

"And the- oh...they left! Now I can introduce you all to my friend!" Feliciano beamed, turning to the android on the table. Yao's breath hitched in his throat as he saw the face of the android.

"This is my friend, Ludwig! He's a German unit. We worked together a lot at our old branches." Feliciano said, introducing the other unit beside him.

'How can he be here? I thought I killed him!' Yao thought, looking at the German unit before him. Ludwig was very different from the last time Yao saw him. Physically, the German unit looked disheveled. A line of metal stitches ran down the middle of his face, contrasting his pale skin. His blue eyes were now dull, losing most of their spark. The blonde also looked skinnier, as if the scientists working on him had built him wrong. Upon closer inspection, Yao even noticed that some of the artificial bones in Ludwig's body stuck out in un-natural ways, albeit just barely. An untrained eye wouldn't be able to notice that amount of detail.

He looked broken.

"Is he an older unit?" Yong Soo asked, observing the blonde before him.

"No, he's actually one of the newer German models. He actually protected the German branch leader. However, he was...severely injured, to say the least. When we found him, he was cut in half, straight down the middle." Feliciano swallowed as he continued. "Since the technology within this branch is so advanced, the scientists here did manage to mostly repair him, but he can't speak anymore and his motor skills are...unsatisfactory. He'll probably never fight again. The English branch agreed to repair him because they thought he might know something about the group who destroyed the Italian and German branches. However, because of the damage to his system, Ludwig hasn't been able to recall anything."

"I'm sorry to hear about your friend." Viet whispered, genuine concern lacing her voice.

"It's okay, it's not your fault." Feliciano replied, taking Ludwig's hand in his own and rubbing small circles in the artificial limb with his thumbs. "Ludwig, it's me, Feliciano. Are you awake?"

Slowly, Ludwig began lift his head and turn his attention toward his friend, his eyes displaying a small blue spark, a sign of life.

"Oh good, you're awake! I wanted you to meet our new recruits! These people are going to help us find the criminals who destroyed our branches." Feliciano said, gesturing toward the group.

The blonde unit slowly turned his head toward the group, scanning everyone. When he saw Yao, he tilted his head, staring.

'Oh God, what if he remembers me?' Yao thought, his mind in a panic.

"Hm? What's wrong, Ludwig? Why are you staring at Mr. Jenkins like that?" Feliciano asked, looking back and forth between the two men.

Slowly, Ludwig's stare became a cold glare as he lifted his arm up, pointing at Yao. He turned to Feliciano, jabbing his finger in Yao's direction, trying to tell his friend something.

"Ludwig, I don't get what you're trying to say." Feliciano said, puzzled.

Ludwig turned away, pointing toward a nearby notebook and pen.

"You...want me to get the notebook for you?" Feliciano asked, only receiving a nod in return from the German. The Italian unit walked over to a nearby desk, snatching the notebook and pen, bringing them over to Ludwig. The German unit took the notepad and pen from his friend, scribbling something down on it before handing it back to Feliciano. Once again, Ludwig gestured toward Yao, glaring.

"Oh, you want them to see your handwriting?" Feliciano asked. However, before he could see Ludwig frantically shaking his head, he showed the notepad to the group.

Yao tilted his head slightly, trying to make out the chicken scratch on the paper. Fortunately, the handwriting was illegible, so whatever Ludwig tried to write couldn't be deciphered.

Suddenly, the door opened as a female scientist stepped inside, speaking to the group.

"I'm sorry, but you will all have to leave now. We need to do more work on him." she informed them, referring to Ludwig.

"Oh...okay then." Feliciano said, handing the notepad back to his friend. However, before he could leave, Ludwig grabbed his arm, startling the Italian unit.

"Ludwig, what are you doing? I have to go." Feliciano said, trying to pull his arm out of the German's grip. "I'll be back tomorrow, okay?"

The blonde didn't reply, only continuing to hold on until Feliciano pulled his hand away. With a bright smile, the Italian unit gave his friend a hug before turning to Yao and the others.

"I guess we should all get going, huh?" he said.

Quickly, everyone filed out of the room, Yao turning back to see one last, icy glare from Ludwig before exiting.

Once they were all outside, Feliciano began to speak again.

"Sorry we took so long in there." he apologized, a sheepish smile on his face. "Why don't we continue our tour?"

As they walked down the hall, Yao saw something out of the corner of his eye. It looked like a short man in a suit...with dark hair cut into a bowl haircut. He looked just like...

'Kiku?'

Ooh, a cliffhanger and drama! I'm just putting Yao through emotional turmoil, aren't I? Oh well!

I'll try to get out the next chapter as soon as possible and remember, any support is appreciated!

Now if you'll all excuse me, I must go edit some Chinese phrases in past chapters because one of my lovely reviewers was kind enough to correct them for me. Thanks a bunch, Tudou!