"I think I should understand that better, if I had it written down: but I can't quite follow it as you say it."


"He was one of Gilbert's old charges'?" America inquired. The statement didn't clear anything up for him. He did not understand why everyone was still so defensive about this subject. Did something that happened over 100 years ago affect that many people? Surely people change.

"Ja, you see…" Austria began trying to comprehend the best way to explain the situation to the American. Everyone in the room knew how slow and clueless America could be. He sighed and adjusted his classes. "For Gilbert, it might be best not to explain it. It was a slip of tongue, right Elizabeta?"

"Yes, just don't worry about it, Alfred," the Hungarian explained.

"Why not? What's so bad about then? I know people died!"

"Alfred, that is the reason why!" the quiet Canadian snapped back at him, sinking when the spot light was directed at him. "People don't get over deaths like you, alright, especially if they were close to the person."

"So, they should get over them! It's not like it's going to do the dead any good to cry over them and stuff. Look what good it has done Vash!" he snapped back.

Hungary bowered her head and frowned at America's comment. She knew it was true but… She personally knew Elise and even Vash 200 years ago. She didn't want to move on now. There was also him as well. "M-Matthew, do you mind taking Alfred home now? I think it's safe to move him," she asked shyly. Her voice shook halfheartedly. Her voice was quiet as well.

"I still have more questions though!" America cut in.

"Let's go Alfred. Maybe you can ask them later, eh?" Canada suggested, pulling his brother up and leading him out the door. Russia followed the two behind quietly, knowing that the two wanted some peace.

"You can get home, da?" Russia asked when they were out of ear shot of the house.

"Oh, y-yes, we can get back. Thank you for the help Ivan," Canada responded before Russia turned the opposite way to leave the two. America could sense his brother's muscles relax when the Russian departed.

"I don't know why you hang with that guy at all, Matt! You know you can't trust him! The guy use to be a communist for Pete's sake!" America chimed in.

"He's not anymore Alfred. People change."

"Once a communist, always one."

"N-not true! He can actually be helpful if you aren't an idiot, Alfred."

"Helpful? You're not turning to his side are you?"

"No, I'm not. Just listen to me for a second."

"That's good. I would never forgive you if…What's going on?" The American's statement was cut short when his movements stopped. He attempted to move his feet forward but they wouldn't obey him. His arms refused to move as well. "Hey, Matt, something is wrong."

"Löysimme sinut!" a cheerful voice greeted the frozen man from behind. He couldn't make out the language the man spoke but it was not English that was for sure. "Kiitos paljon Kanadassa!"

"Y-you're welcome," the Canadian replied nervously from the back. Alfred tried to turn his head to see who was speaking to his brother but he could only move it a limited distance. He regretted not having the powers of an owl. He would be able to see what was going on then.

"L't's just g'," another voice said. With that comment, the American's legs were tugged backward as if he were on a string. He didn't loose his balance as he was forced to move backward. He was only able to spot the two men, not his brother as he walked. The first man, the one he suspected had spoken first, was smaller than the other. The man had straw-colored, blond hair and violet eyes. The remnants of a white cross hung over the long, red cloak that covered everything but his face. A tattoo covered the left side of his face unlike the other man that stood much taller than anyone here. He was silent for the most part and his voice was deeper and more commanding. His blue eyes glared at America threateningly. The man's blond was shorter and cut more than the others. He too was the one that lifted America up and over his shoulder with only a grunt of distress.

"Will you be able to carry him Berwald? I can help if you need me too!" the smaller one offered as America's kidnapper began to move.

"N', I g't it…"

"Alright, if you say so," he said fretfully, "Just let m-me know."

"Ja…"

At this point, his limbs had gone limp. It wasn't that they wouldn't move, they were dangling lifelessly by now, but they still refused to obey any mental order from him. "Matthew! Something's wrong! Stop them or something! Mattie!" he cried out. He couldn't do anything but speak.

A dreadful, wicked, mad laughter only answered his protests. When he was turned, he spotted the Canadian, tightly wrapped in a red cloak as well, as if trying to hide himself. His brother stayed in the shadows, so his face was hidden in the darkness minus the madden, Cheshire grin that reached one ear to the other. "It's a pity, but the curtains shall fall here, Alfred. It's not the same as the scenario I had written out. What do you think Doldum?"

"Its fine, Doldee." A woman that was tied like a marionette floated above Canada. Her strings reaching a darkened place America could not make out. Her eyes were covered but she fiddled with the string in one of her hands, while the other playfully swept across the fabric, which covered Canada. He held it around his body fearfully, afraid to expose himself or reveal the truth.

"Matthew!" Alfred screeched once more before his kidnapper turned the corner and his brother went out of view.

"So what are we going to do with him now?" the Danish man replied as he swung his axe around idly. The hood of his cloak was done, revealing the spiky blond hair, blue eyes, and tattoo on the left side of his face, similar to the Finnish man's tattoo.

"I'm not sure. It was much easier than I thought. Hey, Alfred, will you answer some questions for us please," Finland asked as he bent down to look at the tied up American. He smiled innocently at him. No matter, it didn't quite work.

"No, you have to answer mine first. What do you want with me? Why am I here?" America snapped back. He was still shocked by his brother. Some many questions flew around in his head.

"You're not quite in the situation to ask us things, Alfred. You should be answering them is more like it," Denmark replied as he stopped in front of America. He bent down and brought his axe to America's next threateningly. He ran it lightly across the others neck that if America flinched, it would draw blood, or if Denmark applied just a bit more pressure.

"You can't hurt him yet…" Norway commented dully. He observed the Dane carefully, making sure the other did not cause further problems. He knew well enough, they all did, that punishment was not light. Any kind of screw up or mistake was taken with a punishment that would make them regret their actions.

"Ja, ja, I know that. It would have been nice if he didn't know though."

"What do you want to know Alfred?" the Icelandic male inquired, leaning over to look at America. The puffin protested at the sudden movement and hopped off the boy and onto the ground. He had short silver hair and violet eyes that resembled his brother's dull expression as well. It appeared as if the two were bored while Finland's was full of curiosity, alive and eager. On the other side, Denmark looked eager for blood. He would not hesitate to kill if ordered.

Unfortunately, America did not understand the look in their eyes.

"Hey! Don't tell him anything Ice!"

"I want to know why I'm here!" America answered quickly.

"You're going to help us bring back our päällikkö, our master," Finland answered.

"Who is that?"

"That's for us to know and you to find out when you're dead Alfred," Denmark growled in response.

"Why do I have to help you guys bring him back? Is he dead or something?"

"Ja," the all responded.

"How am I supposed to bring back a dead guy? That's ridiculous! Even a hero can't do that," America protested.

"It's not Alfred," Finland fought back. "We'll bring him back! We just have to get something from you and some other nations. Then he'll be back with us!"

"What do you want from me?"

"You'll find out in due time," Denmark retorted.

"Then why am I here if you're not going to do anything?"

"We're going to do something, just not now idiot! Why does the key have to be in him? Out of all the nations, we get stuck babysitting the most idiotic one!"

"Stop complaining…" Norway responded, glaring at the Dane who sighed and sat down without further protest.

"Where do you keep it at?" Iceland asked suddenly, poking America's head.

"Keep what? I don't understand you guys."

"The key to master's remains," he replied. "We know you have it somewhere in your country. We tracked down the other four…"

"You're not making any sense, you know that right?"

"We don't have to…"

"Well it would help if you want me to answer questions."

"Just tell us already idiot!" Denmark snapped. They all jumped up upon the sudden sirens that filled the lower room of the Finnish household. The Dane glared at America, warning him if he did anything, then he would sorely regret it. "Great, we have guests. Just what we need."

"I'll st'y," Sweden replied.

"Good, someone needs to make sure this idiot doesn't try anything stupid. I'll go take care of the guests then," Denmark said with a smirk on his face as he left the room. The rest of the group turned their gaze to a window almost immediately after the Dane left.

"W-we found him Raivis! Make sure he knows as well," a nervous voice announced from outside.

"O-okay, Eduard. Be careful pl-please," another voice squeaked before retreating from the window.

"Whose turn is it?" Norway responded as he stood. "There are two of them it sounds like. Ice, you're coming along, ja?"

"I guess…"

"Then I'll go greet the other!" Finland replied as he hopped to his feet. "Su-san, you'll be okay here, won't you?"

Only a nodded answered the question and sent the rest of the group off. America was left with the quite and frightening Swedish man and the noise of a fight above.


Sorry for the delay everyone. I'll try to get back on track and submit some more writing. I just had some further planning for this chapter to do along with the motivation to get up off my arse and write this. Hopefully I'll get into a routine. I apologize for any mistakes as well. I don't really look through it that well, regardless, please leave your comments and review. Thank you for everyone that has favorited and followed the story so far. The next scene will be a fight to the death! Hope you enjoyed this one.

Unfortunately it took much longer to update than expected due to fanfiction not letting me update my stories. I'm sorry guys.