Hey there everyone :D Thank you all so much for reviews/favourites/alerts and such, they keep me inspired~ *sparkles* Anywho, On with the story I guess~ ^_^

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Chapter Eleven- Stranded

I want to die.

I want to die, and I do not care if it is the most painful death imaginable.

I simply:

want

to

die.

"Hey England~ I found some stick thingies, we can make a fire with them! Cool huh?"

I tore my eyes away from the beautiful blue sea in order to look at the cocky idiot who I had the great misfortune of getting stuck here with. Stranded is probably a better word to use. He grinned happily as he began setting up the wood he had collected so that we could at least utilise them for fire later on. He hummed a happy tune, while I simply scowled and turned back to watch the hypnotic expanse of water before me, losing myself in the way the waves would move lethargically up and down the soft, sandy beaches. If this was any other time, I would have said that if I was going to get stranded anywhere, it would be great if it was a place like this. There was just this air of peace and tranquillity in the atmosphere.

But then I remember that there is a war going on.

Then I remember that the reason I am stranded is because of a serious complication on the way to an assignment I had been tasked with.

And to top it all off: I remember that I am stranded with the one bloody person on earth who brings out so many emotions within me, I think I may just go insane with over exposure to him.

"Yo dude! Check it out! This fire set up is gonna be totally sweet!"

I sighed and turned around once again to look at the so called 'masterpiece' the stupid git had created. I just nodded, but I got up to inspect it at a closer range.

Seriously, is the universe testing me or something? Of all the people I could have ended up here with, it had to be...

America.

-The Other Day-

"So I think that this plan may just work, what do you all think, aru?" China halted his talk on the latest tactics he had devised and looked at us expectantly. To be fair, it was actually a pretty decent plan: not too risky, we would gain valuable information, and it wasn't expensive at all.

"I actually think that this plan has potential China," I said honestly, looking carefully at all of the details that he had put on the black board. "Who would you send to execute it though? It seems as though it would take at least two of us."

"Well actually I definitely think that you should be one of them, aru."

"What? Why?" I wasn't expecting to be chosen, I usually get pushed back to handle admin or something, not that I'm complaining: after all of the fights I've been involved in, this is a nice change of pace. Besides, suddenly going insane and reverting back to my war-obsessed self wouldn't be the best of things to happen.

"You're the best at reconnaissance, aru," China said simply with a small smile.

Well, I couldn't really deny that. I let the rare compliment go to my head, probably because I was so used to having the French bastard and now America hurling insults at me almost non-stop that I'd actually forgotten what it was like to be praised once in a while. I just sat there with a silly smile on my face- most undignified of a gentleman but screw it, I'm going to bask in the glow a bit more.

"As for the second," the Asian country said, glancing around the room, "It's really up to you guys, aru."

"I wouldn't mind doing it," and eerie voice spoke up. "I think it would be fun, kol kol." Only Russia would think a military plan could be 'fun'. I swear something is not right with him. I grimaced at the thought of having to go through an entire assignment with that psychopath, and I began to worry for my own well being. Luckily (or I guess unluckily), a lazy hand rose up and France drawled, "I'll do it~"

"No you bloody will not!" I shot a glare at the blonde who simply smirked back.

"It could be interesting, non?" France said with a cat like grin. I didn't like the way he said 'interesting', he was clearly thinking something underhanded and perverted.

"Well I think that I should do it, cuz I'm the hero!" America piped up; pointing to himself grandly and shooting an odd look at France for some reason.

I groaned. You have got to be kidding me! I looked at China in exasperation, silently pleading with him to nominate himself as well (because at least he's sane in relation to the three offers I had on the table). He simply coughed and muttered something about having to stay back here because who else would sort out the paperwork? It was a valid point, and I sighed in defeat. I began to weigh up my options:

1.) Go with Russia, a country who is most probably a complete and utter psycho. My health and my very life may be at stake, and not only that but he is just plain creepy. He also appears to have an aversion to my black magic, so how would I defend myself if a critical moment called for it? It has already been proven that weapons and jumping from God knows how many feet in the air from a plane can't kill him, so this could be very dangerous.

2.) Go with France, a total bastard/pervert/rapist/sleazebag that I have never really gotten along with. If I went with the stupid frog, we probably wouldn't get anything done due to our constant bickering- and screaming at each other is hardly subtle so we would probably be found out by the enemy.

3.) Go with America... not an option. My plan to keep distance between us has been failing to say the least, but there's nothing I can do about that. I just have a short temper; despite the fact a gentleman should have infinite patience. At any rate, I refuse to actively choose to go with him.

It was just as I had hatched the brilliant plan of making the others go in place of me, that America spoke up:

"I know how we can settle this dudes!" he said excitedly, leaping up from his chair with three pencils in his hand. "Okay, I coloured one of the ends red and so whoever draws that one totally gets to go on the mission thing!" The other two agreed to the terms of the simple game, while I watched with bated breath to see what my fate would be. France and Russia drew their pencils at the same time while America was left with the only one in his hand.

"Haha! Sweet!" America held the pencil with the red tip up triumphantly and grinned widely. Russia simply shrugged, clearly not fussed about the outcome but I did see France pout a bit- probably because he just wanted to be even more of a dick than he already was. But wait... this outcome...

Damn.

-Back In The Present-

All seemed like it would be fine at first: we were to make a connection overseas via plane, before switching to more sly tactics. Easy enough.

Yet somehow it all went horribly wrong.

At some point, and I can't exactly pinpoint where, we must have completely steered for a completely different course. Granted our bickering in the plane probably wasn't aiding our focus on the issue, but the fact that none of us even thought to actually check our co-ordinates... what the hell is this? Doing something as basic as that is just common sense! This is not good, my judgements are clearly severely depleted if I am remotely near America. So, due to us not checking where we actually were in the bloody world, our fuel gauge was soon registering as critically low. This led us to make an emergency landing, and this is where we are now: stranded on some typical desert island- complete with palm trees (oh I can barely contain my excitement).

The sweltering sun continued to assault the mass of land we were currently taking refuge on; I'm not used to this sort of weather at all. Cold weather I can deal with, rainy weather- even better. But blistering hot? No. I can already feel the heat getting to me, and I swear that I've even had a couple of illusions appear before me already.

I sigh and wipe the sweat from my forehead. That beautiful, crystal clear water is looking mighty tempting at the moment...

Ah, to hell with it!

I hike up my trousers as far as they would go, deciding to risk getting a sunburn because there really is no way I can physically continue with all the layers I have on. I had cast my green jacket to the side quite a while ago, pretty much as soon as we landed on this God forsaken island. I'd tried radioing in to the others, but the circuit is completely shot and so there is nothing we can do but sit here and wait. America came up with the bright idea of writing 'SOS' in the sand, only the idiot drew it too close to the sea and so the letters were soon washed away. As I was on the verge of suffering from sunstroke, and America has the attention span of a gnat, we haven't yet gotten around to writing another help message.

Pulling off the already loosened tie from my neck and chucking it somewhere on the warm sand, I begin to unbutton the blouse that has started to stick to me because of all the sweating I've been doing. It was just as I had managed to undo the last one, and was weighing up the options of removing the blouse entirely (thus running the higher risk of sun burn) or just keeping it on as is (thus getting it completely wet with sea water) that America called out to me.

"Hey Iggy, I was just thinking- UWAH!" He had previously been fiddling around with the radio on the plane, and when he looked up at me he completely froze.

"What the bloody hell is up with you, git?" I asked, showing him the scowl that seemed to be an expression I gave exclusively to him.

"Umm... dude, you know your shirt's open right?" he said carefully, averting his gaze. Oh I get it. I felt anger building up within me and I bit out:

"It's hot so this is a necessary action. So sorry if the sight repulses you." Sarcasm began to soak all of my words, "Just save all of your bloody 'old man' comments for some other time idiot, I can not deal with you when it is so hot."

I turned my back indignantly and began to wade into the cool, refreshing water. I let a pleasant calm feeling wash over me as I proceeded to go deeper and deeper, past caring if I was soaking my day attire as the water came up to my waist. I had a back-up shirt and pants for the night, so I would simply wear those.

I glanced back at America, only to see him still staring at me. What the hell? Okay, I realise that I am not as tall or muscly as that idiot, and my hair is currently stuck up in all manner of weird angles because the heat had gotten to it, but that really is no need to be so blatantly rude! So what if I'm not tanned like him? It's not my bloody fault the weather in my home country does nothing for my complexion, leaving me with a completely pale skin tone. It's not like I'm overweight or anything, unlike how he will be if he keeps up his ridiculously unhealthy diet. Perhaps getting stranded here will be good for him at least, because he won't be able to consume any junk food.

Whatever, what do I care if he looks or doesn't look? As far as I am concerned, I should just make the most of this situation and give my self some well needed 'me time'. I took a deep breath and ducked down under the water, loving the way the water would envelop me and make me clean again. It really had been quite some time since I'd been in the sea like this. Back in my pirate days, I would often relax by going for a swim in the sea- not in England of course, it's bloody freezing there! But in places like India or... America...

I came back up for breath and rubbed my eyes free of the salt water, smiling contentedly because although the amount of tension between me and America is actually ludicrous, the sea always put me in a good mood. I looked back towards the main land, half expecting to see America still gawking like an idiot, but he wasn't there. I quirked an eyebrow and began to scan the expanse of land that I could see, but he was absolutely nowhere.

I sighed and muttered, "If that git has gone and gotten himself lost then I swear-"

"BOO!"

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"BOO!" I yelled, springing up from where I had ever so cleverly concealed myself underwater.

"W-What the-?" Using my super reflexes, I managed to grab England's arm before he completely fell into the water. I grinned, "Did I make ya jump?"

"What the bloody hell do you think you are playing at you idiot?" he exploded, clutching his chest to indicate he was in shock.

I just laughed, "I'm just trying to have some fun dude!"

"Well go and do it elsewhere," he muttered, pulling his arm out of my grasp before looking me up and down properly. "What on earth happened to your shirt?" he observed.

"Oh I ditched it back there," I said, jerking my thumb back towards the island, "It really is too hot to wear one today."

"Exactly," he huffed, pouting at me, "So then why were you staring at me like a bloody idiot when I drew that very logical conclusion?"

"Oh, no reason dude! Hahaha!" I scratched the back of my head and turned away slightly.
Damn, it was that obvious I was staring? Well in my defence, I was totally caught off guard! I mean, I was trying to fix the radio when all of a sudden England started stripping! W-Well... I'm not complaining of course, but still! How could I not stare? His fair skin looked even more radiant in the sunlight, and he appeared to have a sort of glowing complexion to him because of the sweat glistening whenever the sun hit him in just the right way. His skin was completely flawless as well, just like a blank canvas...

Urgh, I should be shot for thinking like this.

I glanced at England, who was currently looking at me with a perplexed expression.
His blonde hair was dripping with water, and the sun's rays reflecting off of the sea's surface illuminated his beautiful emerald eyes. I quickly turned around for fear of being caught staring again, making it look as though I was surveying the area on which we had been marooned.

"Oi! What's wrong with you?" he asked in something that actually sounded like concern. He grabbed my shoulder and spun me around so that we were facing each other. "Your face is completely red," he observed, keeping his voice even but his soft, rosy lips pursed in worry.

"Nothing at all, you're totally imagining things man!" I said, trying to look away. He wouldn't let me, and held me in place. "Look, it would be a pain in the arse if you suddenly died while we are here. If you want to die, do it when you can afford to." He looked at me more closely before saying to himself more than me, "I wonder if the sun is getting to you..." He reached up and felt my forehead, while I just stood completely still. God, just his touch on my forehead is sending small vibrations rushing through my body. I quickly grabbed his hand and moved it away.

"America?" he asked, before saying, "I need to see if your temperature is too high you idiot! Don't expect me to drag you back to the shore if you faint out here!"

I wasn't listening to what he was saying and tried to divert my vision, not meaning to look down and- holy crap his shirt is see through! His shirt is see through! The water was causing it to cling to his lithe frame, outlining every curve to England...

If I was red before, then I must be scarlet now.

"Hey, America! Are you listening?" He moved in closer, closer. He was moving in closer while his top was completely see through and he was obviously completely oblivious to just how damn sexy he looked which just made him vulnerable and there's only us on the island oh my God what the hell should I do? In all honesty I just want to grab him, to kiss him, to run my hands along his slender body... but no! C'mon, I need to be the hero and show self control! Self control!

"America?" he spoke again, and just the sound of my name falling from his lips was making me crazy. This has totally got to be the heat getting to me, usually I am much better than this! I totally am! At this rate I'm going to-

"Catch me England!" I said a bit too enthusiastically in my frantic panic to figure out a way to distract myself. I immediately ducked under the water and began to swim for all I was worth, trying to just calm down. Okay, so my idea of a 'friendly swim' kinda backfired, but as the hero I claim no responsibility whatsoever and blame it on the delusional state of mind I have entered due to being lost on some island somewhere.

I made it back onto the island and gasped for breath, laughing slightly as I realised that what was initially meant to cool me down just ended up having the opposite effect.

"Aw man," I sighed, going back over to the useless jet to see if I could get the radio working again, "I gotta watch it. England will get suspicious if I keep acting weird. All I need to do is focus on annoying him for now..."
I frowned, partly because the radio refused to cooperate but mostly because it sucks having to act like an ass... okay, granted I have the tendency to annoy people sometimes, but I'm the hero so I'm always forgiven! However, treating England this way is the only thing I can think of. If I don't do this, then he completely ignores me, and I'm smart enough to know that if I randomly came out and said, "I love you" then it would backfire painfully.

Hey universe, mind giving me some help here?

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I stared into the fire, watching the mesmerising reds and oranges and yellows mingle with each other in their fiery dance. I rested my cheek in my hand, slightly depressed that we didn't have any marshmallows with us because this was the absolute perfect fire for roasting them. I glanced over to England, who was busy checking to see if his clothes had dried out from earlier. He at least had the sense to bring some extra clothes, so he was in a more casual blouse that looked quite worn. His pants had managed to dry in time, and as he made his way over he grabbed his previously discarded jacket from the beach and put it on. He had a neutral expression on his face, but I could sense that he was unimpressed to say the least. He sat opposite from me, and also began to let himself get hypnotised by the flames.

Conversation between us had sort of died after the sea incident, because I went off in search of food from trees while England hung back to see if he could catch any fish. In all honesty, I didn't think he would succeed, but when I came back he had actually managed to catch five! He snorted when he saw my shocked face and said, "I used to be a pirate you git, something like this is elementary for me." Apart from that, hardly any words have been exchanged between us. I would try and come up with a topic of conversation, but I've been sat here for well in excess of ten minutes and come up with absolutely nothing so far. It dawned on me that I don't really have any idea of what England likes, his hobbies, any common interests we may share... I thought I knew him well, but it appears as though I know next to nothing.

I wonder if there will come the day when I'll find out the personal, trivial stuff. Just the little things like what toothpaste he prefers or his favourite flower, just junk like that. It may seem kinda stupid, but I really want to know.

I retrieved my bomber jacket from where it lay next to me and put it on, the island's temperature completely dropped when the sun left.

"This is a bloody nightmare," England muttered, probably just thinking out loud.

"It ain't so bad," I said, trying to put a positive slant on things.

"Oh of course not," he said sarcastically, looking up from where he had been engrossed in observing the fire. "We are stranded on an island that probably isn't even on the bloody map with little hope of rescue, but it 'ain't so bad'? Yeah right." He rolled his eyes and resumed gazing into the fire. "Then I just had to get stranded here with you."

Ouch.

"Yeah? Well being stuck with you is the worst fate imaginable," I retorted, noting how he barely showed a reaction to my words.
I didn't mean them of course (although I don't think he knew that), after all the fact that I even got to come on this assignment with England had nothing to do with 'fate' at all. It was all because I rigged that pencil draw the other day. I was pretty proud of myself actually; before I joined up with the Allies I had read a few books (most of them hero stories). There was this one where the main character had totally sweet mind control, and so for a while I became totally obsessed with the idea and (attempted) to read loads of complicated books on the issue so that I could figure out how to get the same power. I ended up giving up after about half a day because I figured that heroes don't become heroes by reading- they become heroes by charging in and saving the day! However, I did read a chapter about something called 'guiding and influence', which is a cool way of making people choose what you want them to choose. I actually didn't think it would work, especially on Russia cuz that dude is way freaky and I swear he is immune to anything and everything, but somehow they picked the pencils I wanted them to, leaving me with the red tipped one.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts as England got up in order to button his jacket up. "It's bloody freezing," he muttered.

"Well don't look at me to warm you up," I said tersely. I didn't really think about it, I just seemed to be on auto-pilot. Of course I felt harsh about it, but at least it was safer this way. I'd never forgive myself if I went and did something stupid.

"I wasn't implying such a thing!" England huffed, doing up the final button and sitting down with an indignant "Hmph!"

Silence.

Man, is there seriously nothing we can talk about? It was after about ten minutes of silence that it was getting ridiculous. I was about to break it, but England suddenly got up and walked about fifteen metres away to where we had set up an assortment of leaves as a sort of mattress thing. We hadn't thought putting a shelter above us was necessary because the chance of it raining seemed next to impossible.

"I'm calling it a day," he called, lying down and staring up at the stars for a bit before he closed his eyes.

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I can't sleep at all: It's bloody sub zero temperatures now! This is simply ludicrous, it was so hot earlier that it was unbearable, but now I think I am actually going to freeze to death.

I've been lying here for what I'm sure is a few hours now, and I'm shivering terribly. My jacket is proving to be utterly useless, and the blouse I have on underneath is quite thin and so that offers no protection from the cold whatsoever. America came over ages ago, and I'm pretty sure that he is already asleep. Well of course he is, he has that damn jacket that I'm sure keeps him nice and warm, while I'm busy suffering and running the risk of catching pneumonia.

I moved onto my back, glancing over to look at the sleeping nation next to me. Why we hadn't thought to build separate makeshift mattresses is a mystery to me, but I guess we can't argue if we are both asleep, or at least if one of us is asleep. I took a moment to just look at him while he slept; he seemed peaceful. It was actually hard to believe that this was the same cocky git I had just about grown accustomed to now. I let out a sigh and tried to rapidly steer my thoughts away from thinking about how similar this was to the time America wanted to sleep under the stars back when he was a child.

He had begged and begged to try it at least once, because he was intent on being a 'brave explorer' or something along those lines. He insisted on not needing any shelter, claiming that he wanted to look up at all of the stars. I spent ages telling him stories and his eyes would light up, and then he would listen intently as I pointed out all of the visible constellations. He would always repeat them after I had said them, as if trying to commit them to memory.
I guess I'll admit it: I miss that America, the one that used to love me. All I am stuck with now is an idiot who I refuse to believe I raised (I mean, how on earth could he be like this after all of the bloody time I spent on teaching him manners and etiquette?) who has taken to insulting me every damn second. Okay, I do the same, but that's only because he started it!

Wow, that sounds so childish.

But it's true. I just wanted to stay out of his affairs, but he just gets me so annoyed to the point that I feel as if I am going to explode if I don't retort.
A particularly icy breeze summoned itself up then, and my sentimental reminiscing was cut off as I shivered violently. I turned back onto my side, facing away from America because the more I look at him the more painful memories resurface. I carried on shivering of course, it really was unbelievably cold- and that certainly is saying something considering my country isn't exactly warm. I thought I was used to weather like this, but clearly I was wrong.

I sighed and closed my eyes, knowing that sleep for me tonight was nigh on impossible but deciding to at least try it anyway.

All of a sudden: warmth.

I opened my eyes slightly, wondering why I suddenly felt warmth around my waist, before I realised with horror that America had shifted right up close to me and had casually draped his arm over me.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" I half whispered half yelled, my eyes now wide open.

"You're shivering," he said simply.

"I thought you were asleep!"

"Nope, the hero can't sleep when there is someone in distress." He edged closer, snaking his other arm under me so that I was in what I could only describe as some sort of vice grip.

"Unhand me at once you git!" I said, trying to struggle and get free.

"Why? You're warmer this way right?"

Damn. I couldn't really deny that, America seemed to be radiating heat like the bloody sun. I noticed how I had completely stopped shivering now, and he wasn't exactly holding me in an uncomfortable way either. In fact... it almost seems kind of nice...

NO!

What the bloody hell am I thinking? I have to get free! I don't want to have anything to do with America!
I resumed my earlier struggling, but he refused to let go.

"Just go to sleep dude," he yawned. Is he doing this on purpose, just to piss me off or something? Does he not find this weird? Although, he must be half asleep so I guess he can't be thinking clearly.

I struggled for a few more minutes, but gave up when it got the point when I was literally gasping for breath because, try as I might, there was no escaping America's arms.
And so, I tensed. What else could I do? This feels so surreal, and so I lay there like a statue and seethed silently to myself. God this is so embarrassing: trapped here because of a sleepy America who has no self awareness at the moment. But there is no arguing with the fact that I really am much warmer now.

He leaned over me, and I stopped breathing. Just what was he planning? I stayed still in statue form, not moving a single muscle.

"You can relax ya know," he whispered right into my ear. I shivered for the millionth time that night, although this time it wasn't because I was cold. His hot breath tickled my neck, and the way he lingered over me was beginning to make me feel slightly nervous.

"How can I relax when you're clinging to me, git?" I asked as forcefully as I could.

He chuckled lightly and yawned once more, settling back down and pressing our bodies flush against each other, nuzzling my neck with his nose.

"I-Idiot!" I said, seeing if I could get free once more, but it was useless. The positive of this situation: I am now extremely warmed up. The negatives of this situation: Everything else!

"Jus' go t' sleep En'land," he said sleepily, wrapping his arms slightly tighter around me.

This feels weird, just what the hell should I do? I've done everything I can to get away, but somehow he still has idiot strength even when he is half asleep. After a brief moment I could hear his breathing become even, indicating that he had finally fallen asleep. I tried in vain one last time to free myself, but there was still no way I could escape, and so slowly, cautiously, I let myself gradually relax. This whole thing is completely bizarre, but I eventually settled down and let my eyes fall closed.

He is going to feel like a complete idiot in the morning when he realises what he had done in a semi-conscience state. It has nothing to do with me at all, I should just be grateful for the heat source.

Ba-thump.

Even so, I could feel my heart beating slightly faster. I chalk this up to lack of sleep however, and the initial shock of being here like this. I'm sure it shall return to normal in a few minutes.

"Mmm, night England..." America whispered against me while fast asleep, his arms still protectively around me.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

What the hell? God, I am going to kill him tomorrow morning!
"Stupid git," I mumbled, but I closed my eyes and tried to catch some sleep for the night even so.

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Haha, awesome half asleep America FTW :P
I read somewhere that in the manga, Iggy and America got stranded on an island, hence where I got this idea from. I hope you liked it~ I'm actually planning more drama for the next chappy, so please look out for the next update ^_^
Well, thank you so much for reading my fic and I really do appreciate those who take the time to review and stuff because they make me ultra happy :D

Until next time~

xx-animeXalchemist-xx