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I also want to thank Bloozai (who, being an anonymous reviewer, I was unable to thank via PM) for leaving such a wonderful and generous review! It's when people say things like you did that make authors burst with happiness because we did our jobs right! Thank you for taking the time to read my story up to now and writing such a long review! You're awesome!

I do not own Hetalia. Hetalia belongs to Himaruya Hidakaz.

Dylan had a sort of chip on his shoulder. It wasn't a big chip, but it was still a chip. He didn't mind traveling. He didn't mind seeing his family members. And he was the one that minded the least of Arthur's cold attitude. All in all he wouldn't have minded being the messenger if his family had just told him the message then sent him on his way.

However, his family, of course, had been rather rude about it. They bossed him around and ordered him to go like he was their personal servant. If they had just asked him to, he would not have this small but bitter chip on his shoulder.

Dylan went anyway because if he were to argue with his famously quarrelsome family, it would have to be about something of a little more import than their attitudes –else run the risk of overreacting like they do.

Arthur's territory was on the east side of his. When he crossed over the border, he was relieved to find that his paranoid brother hadn't renewed the scent boundary. In reality, Dylan was the least confrontational to Arthur. He promised that he would hold true to and respect the borders, but, for the longest time, he found Arthur had kept the boundary renewed regularly.

Honestly, he wished he were better friends with Arthur. Dylan, as laid back as he was, would just get a craving to talk to someone –just a friendly chat. However, no one would indulge him. Arthur should have been the one that made the most sense to talk to, but their older brothers had long since stepped on all of Arthur's internal social butterflies. It was a shame, but that was just the way it was so he moved on.

He knew his way to Arthur's den by heart even if a layer of snow covered the landscape. Granted Dylan did have an excellent memory, but he was the only one Arthur had actually let stay long enough in his territory to even show him where his den was. If he was entrusted to such rare and privileged knowledge, you could bet he was going to remember it.

As he entered deep into Arthur's territory, he heard voices. Instinct took over so he crouched down, letting his triangular ears flick up to listen. The voices sounded young. He crept closer for a better look.

To his surprise, he smelled Centaur when he got closer. However, he did not hear or smell a Herd. What was this stroke of luck he stumbled upon? He got closer. His paws shifted tenderly, and he kept his tail low but carefully away from any bush that might want to betray him.

He was sure now. It was a young Centaur. Grazing is what it sounded like. He could hear it tearing off of leaves from low branches and whatever else was still left on the trees. His stomach growled.

He knew one of the rules of traveling in other family members' territories was no hunting. Though, he was probably the only one who would follow that rule. Most of their family viewed it as a justified excuse to provoke fights between each other or to validate driving kin off their land. Still, as he searched his memory, he had never ever poached in another family member's territory before. However, he'd never ever found a Centaur calf alone in another family member's territory before either.

Maybe he could catch this Calf and then bring it back to Arthur to share? After all, it wouldn't be completely stealing if he were catching the prey for the one whose territory he was on, right? Besides, a kill this easy and in the winter would be almost a crime to the Werecat world to pass up.

He neared, completely soundless, until he could see through the branches of a bush and look at his prey with his own green eyes. Sure enough, there it was, the Centaur Calf grazing away, bundles of shriveled foliage in his arms to take back to wherever his Herd was most likely.

His heart beat faster as he crouched. Still, he waited. He had to make sure the mother and the Herd wasn't around. If he attacked a Calf with its Herd even within earshot, he was in for a world of pain. He could spare a few seconds to make sure it truly was all clear.

Then, he noticed another scent. It was a Bird. Of course! Killing this Centaur Calf was too easy for the universe to let him just have it without difficulty. There had to be Birds around.

He snapped his head up to the trees. If it hadn't migrated yet, that meant it was likely a carnivorous bird that would attempt to scavenge from anything Dylan hunted. He couldn't even count how many times Birds had stolen nearly entire meals right out of his own jaws. Birds were not his favorite animals.

However, he didn't see any. Instead he was surprised to see when he lowered his head that, in front of him, was a young Bird -also, without its parents. He sniffed the air a few more times to double check, but that little Fledgling was the one and only source of the Bird scent.

Questions flooded Dylan's mind. Why was a Centaur calf without its Herd? Why was there a Bird Fledgling on the ground and out of its nest? Why were the two even in close proximity to each other?

His train of thought was interrupted when the Bird, previously sitting on the ground and playing with the snow, looked up to spot him through the bushes. Dylan's blood ran cold. Baby Birds could be loud if they wanted to, and he could very well alert his parents, wherever they were, that he was in danger. Birds would normally lean toward flight rather than fight, but he'd once heard of a Minotaur being ripped to shreds by a flock of Birds for no reason at all. He'd rather not become another legend like that.

He remained still. Hoping the Bird maybe just happened to look in his direction and really didn't see him. That was until the Bird wobbled to his feet and started to walk right toward him. His eyes widened as the Bird got closer. The Centaur calf didn't seem to notice as he continued ripping bark off of tree branches.

The Bird inched closer. Maybe Dylan could just settle for the little Fledgling, but the Calf would be much more meat –much more reasonable to bring back to share with his brother. He wished the Bird away, but he kept coming ever closer.

He began to back up but that only made the Bird that much eager to catch to him for reasons that were completely unknown to the Werecat. The Bird had caught up to him and he crouched down to mimic him. Dylan was very confused.

"Rawr!" the Bird said, as he smiled and looked at him with big, blue eyes.

Dylan had no idea how to respond.

"Alfred?" the Calf started to speak. "What are you doing? You shouldn't be getting the snow all over you like that."

Dylan decided he must have been dreaming. Was a Centaur calf talking to the fledgling? Was the Bird really playing with him, copying him rather humorously?

The Calf started to walk toward the Bird when he stopped, his eyes growing wide as the figure it could just make out past the brown bush. The roles of nature were reversed when the Calf suddenly charged forward, scooped up the Bird that was apparently named Alfred, and yelled.

"Leave him alone!"

Dylan found himself backing away, in pure shock and paralyzing confusion. The Calf stared him down, his heart beating hard and quick, as Dylan stared back at him. After an awkward moment, the Werecat shook his head. This madness needed to end. He leaned back on his heels and charged forward.

The Calf let out a warning cry that nigh well deafened the Werecat as he took the Calf to the ground, the Bird thrown from his arms upon impact. The Calf struggled and Dylan was forced to back off after only getting in a few swipes as he found four hooves and two hands swinging toward him with deadly force.

He began to quickly circle him so he could get his unguarded side when he was tackled to the ground. He knew from the scent immediately who it was so he let his body go limp and stopped struggling so his attacker would also stop his assault. The trick worked like a charm, as the other Werecat must have caught the scent of his littermate also.

"Dylan?"

Arthur backed away from him, now in his human form for some reason. Dylan figured he may as well follow suit and shifted as well. Arthur looked very much like Dylan except his hair was slightly more blond, but, body-structure and eye color considered, they looked almost identical.

Arthur suddenly turned around when he heard the wailing of the Bird Fledgling and the crying of the frightened and injured Calf, both on the ground with tears running rivers down their faces.

Arthur went to attend to the screeching Bird first. He picked him up and embraced him, hugging him to his chest. The Bird gripped him tightly and babbled weeping-warped nonsense words into his neck and shivered as Arthur shushed him and rocked him.

Then he went, Bird Chick still in his arms, to kneel beside the bleeding Centaur. He quickly looked him over as if to check the extent of the damage then said consolingly, "It will hurt, but none of wounds look deep. When we get back, I'll wrap them. You'll be fine, love."

The Calf held his bleeding middle and nodded with tear-blurred eyes.

Dylan observed all of this with his jaw on the ground.

"Arthur?"

"Shut up!" Arthur bellowed over the Chick's head, and Dylan shrunk back.

Why was his brother doing this? What happened since the last time he saw him? …When was the last time he saw him? In fact, that was the main reason he had been sent to deliver this stupid message to him.

Dylan slowly got to his feet, choosing to mimic his brother and stay in his less threatening form for the time being. Not even sure why, Dylan went up to the crying Calf and offered his hand to him to help him up, the but Calf kicked at him and tried to scoot away.

Arthur looked over to him and ran to stand in front of the Calf protectively.

"Get away from him!"

Dylan backed off again but became exasperated.

"What the heck is going on, Arthur?!" he shouted, desperate.

He pleaded mentally that Arthur would remember. He was Dylan. The one that stood up for him. The one that didn't hurt him and never would. The only kin he could trust.

"It's…nothing you need concern yourself with."

While it was much more subdued, Arthur's warning was still there –to stay away.

"I can help you. Just tell me what I need to do, brother."

Arthur looked him over then looked toward the Calf that was still lying in pain.

"Help him to my den."

Dylan nodded and approached the Calf again, this time with extreme caution. He reached out his hand to which the Calf shrunk back at, casting his eyes toward Arthur for reassurance.

"I won't hurt you. I promise," Dylan said, with as much sincerity he could muster.

Arthur nodded to Calf, and Matthew reluctantly took the hand.

It required a little more than just that to get the calf to his feet. Dylan eventually had to get by his side and help push him up that way, the front left hoof being the one that was hurt and weak. The Calf leaned on him heavily and limped into the cave that Dylan's brother called his den.

Helping the Centaur down gently, Dylan was quickly instructed to tend to his wounds. Arthur knew that his littermate was well versed in the ways of healing, but Arthur's brother never thought he would be implementing those skills to help heal a Centaur whose wounds he even caused.

As he was applying homemade bandages, the Calf eyed him suspiciously.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Arthur's brother."

The Calf retained a level glare toward him.

"Thought so. You look like him. Do you have the same mom and dad?"

"Well," Dylan smiled briefly, "we're littermates. That means we are technically twins, and Werecats, at least my species, are monogamous. They only have one mate and mate for life."

The Calf looked deep in thought.

"You're lucky you have a blood-brother."

He nodded, trying to pry himself out of the huge, purple eyes of the Calf. He felt like a gawking Cub because, honestly, never seen a Centaur Calf so close before. Well, one that was alive. He was morbidly curious. Dylan remained silent until he sensed his brother standing behind him.

"Excuse me, Dylan. Alfred wants to see him."

The new Werecat moved out of the way, sure to give him as much space as he needed.

Arthur sat the kid down who was still hesitant in letting go of Arthur but eventually did so as he slowly walked toward the Centaur. He bent over and kissed the bleeding wounds, making sure to get each one, before snuggling up to his torso. Matthew smiled and wrapped his arms around the Bird.

"Thank you, Alfred. I feel much better now."

Alfred let out a happy chirp and nuzzled into the warmth of the Calf, his shivering reducing in severity.

Dylan felt a tap on his shoulder as he saw Arthur turning away, summoning him back farther into the cave. Finally, he could get the answers he wanted.

"So," Dylan began, once they were far enough out of earshot, "…I don't even know what to ask. Just explain to me what I'm supposed to understand from all of …that."

Arthur looked tired and ran a hand through his hair.

"I guess I sort of…adopted them."

"A Centaur and a Bird? You 'adopted' prey?"

"It's a long story."

"I'm listening."

He sighed before continuing. "Both were orphaned. I found them, and they followed me after I had… issues turning."

"You're still having trouble with that?"

"Just, sometimes…it's always been harder for me, okay?! It's not as bad as when we were Cubs."

"I don't see how it could have possibly been any worse."

"Shut up," Arthur huffed. "So because they were so intent on staying, I decided that I would keep them until winter. Then I would eat them when prey got scarce."

Dylan looked back toward the two and said, "I see that plan worked out well."

"I don't know, Dylan. I guess I wasn't thinking straight. I thought it was a good idea at the time."

"So, you got attached to them so now you're raising them like you're their father?"

"That just about sums it up."

"Arthur," Dylan pleaded, "if you wanted to have kids, go find a mate and make your own! This is not the way to go about it!"

"Well, too late. They need me."

Dylan ran a hand through his hair. "I honestly, truly do not understand you at all, brother. Do you even know what the rest of the family would do it they found out about this?"

Arthur turned away with a dark look as Dylan continued.

"Alistair would rip them apart just because he could!"

"Alistair? Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying, you runt. Get away from me!"

Arthur found himself being shoved harshly and his rump colliding roughly against the floor of their family's den. He began to cry, shifting into his human form upon impact.

Dylan came immediately upon hearing his littermate's distress. He approached wary of their older brother's temper. Arthur latched on to his twin instantly, burying his face in his fur as Dylan leaned against him and purred softly.

Truth be told, he wasn't the odd one out when it came to being a huggy/touchy person like they tried to say. It was just the rest of his family refused to be vulnerable enough to act upon it. They saw hugging and comforting touch as a sign of weakness. Thus why Arthur was pushed away for trying to comfort Alistair. Maybe that's why they picked on Arthur so much –who desperately clung to Dylan or their mother whenever he was upset. They were the only two who would allow such intimacy.

"He's crying because he knows it was his fault!" The accusation came from their fourth brother, his dark pelt matching the look in his eyes.

"No, it wasn't!" Alistair jumped to a fighting stance, his tail swished angrily and his teeth were bared.

Conor unsheathed his claws but continued to sit and glare –like an unmoving island.

"Guys, s-stop arguing," Dylan squeaked. "It was no one's fault."

Conor snorted. "Yeah, Dylan. It was no one's fault that Mum nearly got trampled to death in a Centaur stampede!"

"Shut up!"

"You're the one that needs to learn to shut up!" Conor snapped, jumping up to his feet and flattening his ears. "If you just could have kept your mouth closed, you wouldn't have scared them into stampeding in the first place!"

With a strangled cry Alistair flung himself at his littermate, tackling him down roughly. The two Cubs rumbled fiercely, clawing and biting with no reserve. Dylan made sure to keep himself and Arthur back far enough to not catch any stray hits.

"Boys!"

It was as if the voice had stopped time. No one moved a muscle as they watched the figures approach. They could tell from the scent they were not Werecats like them, but they were still some kind of Shifters.

The one who looked down on them was in his human form, built thick with broad shoulders that were rigid even as he walked toward them, and his brown eyes froze the cubs where they lay. Now that he was closer, the scent was stronger. Aside from his own scent, the creature smelled of humans and others of his own kind. There was only one explanation. He was a Werewolf.

Alistair jumped in front of Dylan and Arthur, his fight with his twin forgotten, as he bared his fangs and arched his back. The small twin Cubs cowered behind their older brother who was only a Cub himself and pleaded with their big, green eyes that the Werewolf not kill them.

The intruder's face lightened as if reminded of someone before he spoke again.

"We mended your mother's wounds as well as we could at the town. If you come with me, I will take you to her."

Immediately it became clear exactly with whom they were standing. The power he wielded radiated off him in invisible waves. They were standing in the shadow of possibly the strongest creature in the forest –the Werewolf Alpha, Romulus.

"Well, the family is not going to find out," Arthur commanded. "And if you tell them, so help me, brother or not I will rip your throat out!"

Dylan frowned. "I won't tell them but that won't stop them from coming to you if you don't start attending family gatherings again."

Arthur groaned.

"It's true, Arthur. That's why I'm here. That's why they sent me in the first place. You haven't gone to a gathering in years."

Arthur snorted. "I find it hard to believe that they missed me."

"Well, they don't, honestly. They're just upset that they have to go to the gatherings while you, apparently, think you're so special that you don't have to."

"Well, maybe I just don't want to be insulted and yelled at by my own kin?"

"Maybe it would be best if you kept up appearances so they won't send someone who isn't as nice as I am to come looking for you and discover two, very interesting and very vulnerable secrets."

Arthur glared at him. "Fine. I'll start coming again, but you better keep your word."

"Arthur, you know I will. When have I ever done you wrong?"

"When you started hunting on my territory!"

Dylan scratched the back of his neck self-consciously. "Okay, that was a one-time thing. I was actually going to share with you if that makes any difference."

"It doesn't."

"Okay then," he threw his arms up in surrender. "I'll be going."

Dylan started for the cave exit, frustrated and confused, but Arthur caught him on the shoulder.

"Why don't you stay -just for a little while? Meet them and you'll understand."

Dylan's green eyes brightened, and he smiled. "You mean it?"

Arthur's eyes dodged around, avoiding contact with the twin's identical green. "…I have missed you."

Dylan about passed out. He knew how hard it was for his brother to admit such a heartfelt statement. He crushed his twin into a hug, purring happily. He'd always been more openly expressive than his littermate, but he just couldn't help himself. Arthur chuckled and shoved him away playfully, returning to his "Cubs" to give everyone a proper introduction.

So this is the introduction of the next sort of story arc: Arthur's past. We met Dylan (Wales) in the present and met the rest of Arthur's siblings briefly in a flashback: Alistair (Scotland) and Conor (Republic of Ireland). Patrick (Northern Ireland) hasn't been born yet in the flashback but he will be there when we meet them in present day. There will be continuations of the flashback in future chapters so get excited.

FYI: I'm not going to write their dialogue with accents because I don't know how to write it accurately. All it would end up doing is distract from the flow of the dialogue. And, I will admit now, that I am not very experienced nor very good at writing for the UK bros so I apologize if you are a super big fan of them. I need a little bit of grace in that respect, but I'll try my best.

Just so everyone knows, Francis will return, but in a few more chapters. All you need to know is that he's not gone. He shall return. Don't worry.

Also, Matthew will not have antlers until he is fully mature so he won't have any antlers in this part.

About the flashback part, I've had this flashback written for some time (like, before I even posted the first chapter) and originally decided that it be one chapter. But I decided against it because I didn't know where it would be most appropriate to place that chapter. So, I just decided to break it up and add parts of it into the next couple chapters. I hope it doesn't detract from the current story. I wish I had decided to do this earlier so I could have put part of it in the previous chapter but oh well.

Thank you so much for all the encouragement! You guys make me so happy!

Review and fav as you so desire!

Looking forward to it!