CHAPTER 9!

As the battle progressed, the last two girls, Seychelles and Monaco, transformed as well.

Her dress resembling her flag, Seychelles wielded two curved swords and spun around so fast she resembled a destructive tornado as she destroyed a great number of Daemons in a short amount of time.

Monaco's dress turned black and her glasses disappeared, as well as her hair let out of its usual braid. With a red-brown book in her hands, she commanded dozens and dozens of other books that resembled that one, and had them emit different forms of sonic waves and lasers to destroy the Daemons approaching.

Things seemed to be going well, but the Daemons still had an advantage since they could multiply and continue to attack. The nations needed more help, but with all the girls already transformed, what could they do?

With Finland and Sweden still a ways away, they could do nothing.

As the battle progressed steadily, the Asian nations making their way closer to Dark Japan's fortress and the others doing what they could on their end, Canada noticed that something was wrong with Yutarou. Sure, he had gotten used to the young Daemon clinging to him, but this was different. This time, Yutarou was shaking, and it wasn't the small tremble that came from fear. Not knowing the consequences, Canada held Yutarou's shoulders.

"Is something wrong Yutarou?" he asked. In the next instant, Yutarou's eyes changed from gold to red, his arm morphed into that of a dagger, and his arm was quickly through Canada chest; a light blue crystal falling to the ground.

Time seemed to slow down and everyone and everything around them was muted. Canada was still conscious, as well as in immense pain. Yutarou struggled to keep the darkness from controlling him, as it had just forced him to do this to Canada; but with so much of it around him, it was extremely difficult to keep his sanity.

Knowing what he had done, Yutarou refused to have himself look at Canada pain-stricken face. But even in the pain he was in, Canada kept his voice calm and gentle. Placing a hand on Yutarou's dagger-shaped arm, he got the young Daemon's attention.

"It's okay..." he said softly. "I'm okay Yutarou."

"Mama…" Yutarou mumbled, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm so sorry…"

"Don't cry." Canada said. "It's okay."

But Yutarou knew it wasn't okay. He had done something completely unforgiveable. He had to do something in order to atone for his sin. And he knew just what to do. It was crazy, granted, but that way Yutarou could know how much pain Canada was in.

Morphing his free arm into a dagger, he jabbed his own arm into himself.

As they approached the site of the war, Finland sighed as he sat in the passenger seat of the car. Sweden, driving, glanced over at him.

"Wh't's wr'ng?" he asked, knowing he wasn't talking to Finland himself.

"He should know better." Finland said, though more to himself then to Sweden. "The big sacrifices usually wait until the climax of the battle. But I guess I can make an exception just this once; for you Ren."

Finland placed his hands out in front of him and a red symbol appeared. After saying a few words in a non-human language, the symbols disappeared. And he smiled.

"There's no need to rush, Sweden." He said. "Things are going well with them."

Sweden nodded, but continued at the same speed. He needed to see just what he was missing.

"Yutarou!" Canada was shocked at what Yutarou had done. "What are you-?"

"To atone… what I did to you…" Yutarou gasped, struggling to breathe. "This was the only way…"

As Yutarou weakened, his arms changed back to normal and fell to his sides, and he collapsed onto Canada.

"Yutarou! You can't!" Canada cried. "Please! You can't!"

Unable to protect themselves, Canada and Yutarou were immediately surrounded by Daemons. As they lunged at them, Canada, wanting nothing else but to keep Yutarou safe, raised his hand and shouted.

"STOP!"

And the Daemons complied on his command. Canada was surprised at this, but thought quickly. Since not all the Daemons had obeyed, he pointed to them and gave command, hoping it'd work.

"Attack!"

Instantly, the Daemon did a complete 180° and began to attack their own. Canada didn't know how that happened, and he didn't really care. The only thing important at that point was the unconscious Daemon in his arms.

"He should know better." A soft voice came seemingly from nowhere. "The big sacrifices usually wait until the climax of the battle. But I guess I can make an exception just this once; for you Ren."

With that, Yutarou began to glow a dark red. The young Daemon was adjusted so he was cradled comfortably in Canada's arms.

"Thank you Mother…" he whispered. "For understanding."

With a flash of light, Yutarou left Canada's arms. Once he could see again, Canada was surprised to find a young man, about his age, standing in front of him with his back to him. He wore a simple red shirt and black jeans; his jet black hair tied back with a red ribbon and a sword on his hip.

"Now it's my turn to fight." He said, drawing the blade and turning to the surprised nation. "Will you be okay, Mama?"

Canada's eyes widened.

"Yutarou?"

Up in Dark Japan's fortress, Japan watched silently as Dark Japan became more and more infuriated with each passing second. Sure he had the upper hand with his massive Daemon count, but just knowing that the nations could fight back upset him. And all for one person?

Remembering his captive, Dark Japan sauntered over to Japan's prison cell, fighting the urge to just beat him to death right there. Opening the cell door, he leaned on the metal doorframe.

"Have anything to say?" he asked. "You've been quiet for awhile now."

"I have nothing to say that you will find to your liking." Japan whispered.

"No need to be so wary." Dark Japan said, stepping to where Japan was chained to the wall, taking Japan's chin in his hand. "What is it you like to say? Don't hold back. Or do you want another beating for disobeying a direct order?"

Japan mentally sighed; he was going to get beaten either way, so might as well take that opportunity to say what was on his mind. Not one to say much, he got straight to the point.

"You're beaten." He said. "Give up and let me go."

That earned him a slap on the face and a kick to the stomach, causing the island nation to choke up a bit of blood.

"You're not in a position to be giving me orders." Dark Japan growled, stomping out of the cell and slamming the door shut. Now he was really fighting the urge to beat the island nation to death, but he needed him alive for his energy.

…Or did he? Looking back at the bruised nation, a smirk appeared on Dark Japan's face. This could make this war completely his.

At the base of the fortress, the Asian nations managed to bust their way inside. Taiwan and Vietnam kept the Daemons from entering and following the other three, while China, Hong Kong and Korea headed upwards to rescue Japan before it was too late.

"Yutarou?" Canada asked. "You… grew."

The older Yutarou nodded. But there wasn't time for idle chit chat.

"Take mount and command the Daemons that fell under your control." He said.

"Take mount?" Canada asked. "Mount what?"

"He means me." Kumajiro padded up to the two.

"Kumajiro?" Canada got up from the ground, only getting more confused. "What do you mean?"

After stretching a bit that almost resembled a cat, Kumajiro grew about three times his size and stood in front of Canada.

"This is what I mean." He said. "Now get on."

Canada, though dumbstruck, climbed on Kumajiro's back, holding onto the black and electric blue collar that was around the bear's neck. Once he was settled, the Daemons that had obeyed Canada before came forward, similar collars on their necks. They stood there in a mindless silence.

"What do they want?" Canada asked.

"You have to command them." Yutarou said. "Here."

Yutarou tossed a stick up to Canada. Once the nation touched it, it turned into a light blue spear, with a strange dark blue design on it. After simply staring at it for a moment, he raised it in the air and pointed towards the rest of the Daemon army.

"Attack!" he shouted, and the Daemons did what they had done before: a complete 180° and began to attack their own kind. Canada and Yutarou followed suit to finish off any others the Daemons missed.

Sweden stopped the car at the edge of the battlefield, staring out at what he was missing out on. Finland stepped out of the car and stared out at the carnage.

"They've done well so far." He said. "But let's get 'Dark Japan' more riled up, shall we? Girls?"

Behind Finland appeared three young girls. They kneeled to him, but he waved it off.

"Formalities aren't important." He said. "Just go give the others a little boost, okay?"

"Yes ma'am." They said, and vanished, heading into the battlefield to help. Sweden left the car and stood next to Finland.

"S' y'u're a w'm'n." he muttered. Finland nodded.

"Always have been, and always will be." He said. "Though I don't look much like a woman right now, do I?"

"…Th'n wh''re y'u 'n F'n's b'dy?" Sweden asked.

"Ah, ah, ah." Finland wagged his finger at him. "No answers yet, Su. I think waiting and telling the others when I tell you would be better."

Sweden nodded and didn't argue, he just gazed out at the battlefield, wondering when this would be over (and he could have his Finland back).

Comments are loved x3

Chapter 10 coming up!