I got this finished sooner than I had thought. I almost thought this might be done next month.

I do not own Hetalia

Chapter 12

For the next couple of days leading up to the scheduled tour day, Alfred and Matthew were on high alert. After the ambush, the twins had been constantly watching over their shoulders. Fortunately, since Alfred was still on suspension, he would visit Matthew's workplace every day.

The older twin was paranoid that the attacker would come back and come for Matthew next. Since none of them knew the attacker's intention, they didn't know what to expect. Alfred would sit at a table with a suspicious look as he stared at every customer that walked in. Matthew tried to get his older brother to calm down to not make the other customers uncomfortable, but even the Canadian would look at the door every time the door chime rang.

Kristy started to notice this strange behavior between the twins after the first half of the day. At first, she thought that Alfred was with his brother because he wanted to be with him at all times. It was not influenced by her weird fantasy at all. Nope. Not at all.

Kristy became suspicious when Alfred glared at customers that walked in as if he was a guard dog and Matthew checked the door every so often with a cautious look. But when she tried to demand answers from the twins, Alfred kept his mouth shut when Matthew threw him a hard eyed look. They didn't want to come up with another cover story about how Alfred healed from being hit with a wooden plank to the head. There was no bruise or scar to prove his injuries, so it was better kept a secret. Matthew told Kristy that they just encountered some bad people yesterday and became paranoid. Of course, nothing happened because Alfred drove them away.

It was a lie, but it was better than the truth.

When the day Alfred returned to work, the American could no longer hang out at the cafe anymore. He also had a tour to prepare, so he got up early to get to the museum.

"Morning, ya'll! Miss me?" Alfred came bursting into the office loudly.

"Look who's back after taking a break," Fred nodded at him with a smirk.

"Hola, Al," Paul waved. "You have a good break?"

"Hey, Alfred!" Dana greeted with a bright smile. "You look livelier as ever. Not having you around made the museum unusually quiet and lonely. It was almost dull without you."

"Man! It's so good to see you guys again!" grinned Alfred. "I have a tour today for Arthur and his colleagues, so I gotta prepare myself. Dana, do we have any American Revolution uniforms I can borrow?"

"We might have the costume ones for when we have special events," thought Dana. "Should be somewhere in the storage room."

"Sweet!" he cheered before dashing off.

"Oh no you don't! I'm coming with you!" shouted Fred, following behind him. "Like hell I'm going to let you in the storage room alone! What if you break something or hit your head again!"

Both Paul and Dana looked at each other for a second before they laughed at the two men that just left.

"I think I should follow them," told Paul, as he turned to walk after the two.

"Yeah, you go do that," agreed Dana. "Make sure Alfred doesn't cause anything and Fred doesn't try to kill him for it."

By the time England parked his car in the museum parking lot, Italy, Germany, and Japan were already there and were waiting in front of the entrance.

"Good morning, gentlemen," England greeted them as he walked up.

"Ciao, England," Italy waved at him with enthusiasm.

"Guten Morgen," Germany nodded.

"Ohayo, England-san," Japan did a slight bow.

"So who's missing? France?" England looked around for the cheese-eating nation.

"Russia is not 'ere yet," informed Italy.

"Did someone call?" Out of nowhere, Russia appeared behind them.

"AH!" They all jumped.

"Russia-san, ohayo," Japan greeted him out of politeness.

"Honestly, Russia, you could at least appear like a normal decent nation," England gave the Russian a cold stare.

"I apologize, but it vas so tempting," Russia had an innocent smile on his face, but a soft 'koi koi koi koi…' could be heard and poor Italy was shivering behind Germany for protection.

"Now that Russia is here, that leaves that Frog face," England scoffed.

As he said that, he felt something rubbed his behind and he yelped in shock. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!"

"Ohonhonhonhonhon," a chuckle sounded behind the English man. "Your cry is adorable as ever."

"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN PUBLIC?!" England shouted with a red face.

"So you don't mind it if done privately, yes?" France winked at England.

"NO AND YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANT!" England retorted back. "GET YOUR PERVERTED HANDS AWAY FROM ME!"

"Uh… can we go inside now?" Italy said from behind Germany. "Everybody is 'ere now, ve?"

"Italy is right," Germany looked at his watch. "Mr. Jones is probably vaiting for us."

The nations filed into the building and went up to the front desk. England made sure he was five feet away from France and his grubby hands as they walked. There was a bounce to his feet when Italy chatted to Germany and Japan like a child on a field trip. For Russia, he kept an innocent smile on his face while looking around, as if he was looking for something.

"Excuse me," England spoke to the lady at the front desk. "We're here for a tour appointment with Alfred F. Jones."

"Ah yes, I heard from Alfred about your tour," replied the lady. "You must be Arthur Kirkland and the rest of you must be... his… group..." Her eyes grew wide when she saw Russia among them and went pale.

Everyone except Russia looked confused and turned to stare at the man.

"Have you two met?" England asked.

"Uh... once...," she replied nervously. "I'll contact Alfred right away that you're all here."

"Thank you, miss," he thanked her with a polite smile.

"Vhat did you do?" Germany questioned the Russian in a whisper.

"I asked to be part of the tour group, da," replied Russia, innocently.

"Are you sure you didn't zhreaten her?" Germany glared at him suspiciously.

"Believe vhat you vant," Russia shrugged. It didn't matter what he did at this point since he got what he wanted.

The lady picked up a walkie talkie and spoke into the device, "Alfred, your tour group is here."

Pzzt!

[Copy that! I'm on my way.]

Pzzt!

"He should be here in a couple of minutes, Mr. Kirkland," the lady told him with a friendly smile.

"Thank you," England thanked her again before turning to his fellow nations. "I guess we can just relax until he arrives."

The nation talked among themselves and looked around the lobby. Even though it was just the front entrance, there were already many things to look at. From paintings to old photographs and statues to mannequins. There was also a three-dimensional model of the museum and its land, in which Italy, Japan, and Germany were looking at. Italy found it adorable at how tiny it was while Japan took out his phone and began snapping shots after shots.

France gave the statue of a Colonial General a harsh glare when he noticed Russia standing by the counter by himself. The man didn't seem interested in the historical items around him whatsoever. It was as if he was waiting for something. France found the Russian's behavior to be odd.

"Arthur," France called to England. "Is it just me or is Ivan acting peculiar?"

England stared at him, not sure what he meant, so he turned to look at the Russian man himself. "He's always been odd, so what's the difference now?"

"I'm not very sure, but it feels like 'e is not really interested in the 'istory 'ere, but at something else," France tried his best to explain his thoughts.

"Something else? Like what?" questioned England.

"I'm not sure," admitted France.

"Good morning, guys! I see you're all here and ready to get a grand tour by yours truly!" a familiar loud voice boomed through the lobby. "Now who's excited about learning some American history?"

All eyes turned to the source of the voice and standing at the front desk was none other than the young American, Alfred F. Jones. He stood his navy blue Revolutionary uniform with a puffed chest and a model rifle gun in hand. He didn't wear his glasses, so his sky blue eyes stood out more than usual. Even France found him more attractive than before. Not that his glasses made him unattractive, but his charm went up by a few points with his glasses off. Not to mention, that uniform! The French was starting to get some kinky erotic ideas now.

"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed France. "Such a fine looking young man. Don't you agree, Arthur?... Arthur?"

When France didn't receive a response from the British man, he turned to check on him. What he saw made him stumped.

England had a look of pure shock and confusion on his face. His face was pale and his eyes were wide in disbelief as he stared at the American.

"Arthur? Are you alright, Angleterre?" France asked with concern. He hadn't seen England acting like this since… a long time ago.

"H-he... He's..." England stuttered through his words. "The c-colonist... W-why... He looks like... him..."

Sounds of gunshots and cannons erupted throughout the forest and the air was thick with a mist of gunpowder that came from rifles that soldiers fired. Men in red and blue uniforms were scattered around the forest, dashing around and finding cover while aiming at their enemies. Screams and shouts echoed with the sound of weapons as the men fell one after another.

"Stand your ground!"

"Fire! Show those lobsters what we are made of!"

"Aim your cannons!… Fire!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

This was nothing new to an old nation like England, but it was never easy to go through. He had history of war and battles carved into his body, but never was it mentally taxing as this one. This colony he built and cared for as his own was now his enemy. He gave them food, supplies, and new land, yet they fought him.

For what?

To be free of him? To be independent?

Why? Why did they want to separate from him? What did he do wrong? When did everything go wrong?

Maybe… If there was the embodiment of the colonies, their representative… maybe… things would've turned out differently.

Why wasn't there one? Why did one not appear? He had many colonies and had representatives formed from them. Yet, why didn't this one too.

Bang!

Another gunshot shattered the air and England felt sudden pain in his leg.

"Argh! Bloody hell!" England cried out as he fell onto his knees, using his rifle to support him. He looked at his leg and found a bloody wound on his thigh. "Those damn ungrateful bastards!"

This wound was nothing. He had many wounds in his past and such an injury would only take a short time to heal. But as long as his people were at war, his body would become weaker and exhausted as his people became more strained from their battles. England wanted to be done with this war and prevent the colonies from leaving him, but it was taking much longer than he expected.

He was Great Britain, damn it! He was the strongest nation in the world! How could a bunch of young colonies put up such a difficult fight?

As he was trying to endure the pain of his wound, England suddenly heard footsteps nearby. England looked up in panic. Was the person his soldier or the colonies'?

Through the thick white mist of smoke, the nation could make out a figure in a blue garment. It was one of those ungrateful colonists. England quickly aimed his rifle towards the oncoming figure, but it was proving to be difficult when his hands were shaking and his vision was getting clouded by either the smoke or his exhaustion.

"Damn it all!" he cursed, readying to pull the trigger.

As the figure got closer, a strange, yet, familiar feeling overcame him. It was enough for him to freeze up in confusion.

The figure also seemed to have stopped in his place and stared at England as well.

"Artie?"

That name… That familiar sounding name that was once used by only one person…

England felt his heart dropped. He could feel the blood draining from his face and his eyes grew wide.

How… How could it be? It couldn't be… he was dead… he was supposed to be dead! He saw him getting shot before his eyes!

Did he somehow survived that gunshot all those years ago?

The figure before him started to become clearer as the mist started to thin out. Those familiar golden blonde hair and sky blue eyes…

"A-Alfred…?" Arthur muttered with shock and confusion. "How…?"

The boy that he once cared for like his own was now a man… a man fighting in this war… a war to get away from him.

"Arthur? It's really you?" The now older Alfred took a step forward to him. His eyes shown dismay and uncertainty.

"How are you here?" Arthur demanded, still holding his aim at the colonist. "Why…? Why do you have to fight me?!"

"Arthur, wait!" Alfred held up his hands, as if to show he was no threat. "I… I don't want to fight you! Not you!"

"Then why are you wearing that blasted blue coat!" accused Arthur. "You're wearing the same damn coat as those ungrateful colonists! You're just like them! I gave you food! I gave you kindness and compassion! And this is how you pay me back?!"

"No! That's not it!" Alfred shouted. "We're just tired of being controlled by the monarchy! We just wanted to be free and independent!"

"WHY DO YOU NEED TO BE FREE?! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ME!?" Arthur screamed in anguish.

"Arthur, calm down," begged the boy. "Please… Artie."

"NO! YOU LISTEN TO ME!" shouted Arthur. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL ME THAT ANYMORE!"

A pained and heartbroken expression appeared on the boy's face and it somehow made Arthur feel amazingly gratified.

"I TREATED YOU LIKE MY OWN FAMILY!" Arthur continued. "Yet, you stab in me in the back like it was nothing."

"Arthur…" Alfred now looked horrified at his statement. "That's not—you got it all wrong!"

"WHAT DID I GET WRONG, YOU BACKSTABBING…"

"ARTHUR! LOOK OUT!"

Suddenly, Alfred ran towards Arthur and dived towards him. Arthur didn't have time to process what just happened when there was a loud explosion that blasted his eardrums.

BOOM!

"...thur..."

...

"... Ar... ur...?"

...

"Arthur!"

"Wha...!?" Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and found Alfred looking at him with worry.

"Arthur?" Francis gave him the same concern look.

The other nations were also looking at him. Feliciano looked confused while Ludwig had a raised eyebrow. Kiku, on the other hand, was harder to read with his blank look. Ivan seemed to be curious since he turned to look in England's direction.

"You okay?" Alfred asked. "You look really out of it."

"I'm-I'm fine," Arthur quickly replied. "Are we going to have the tour or not?"

"Uh yeah... sure...," Alfred gave him one last uncertain look before turning to everybody else with a bright smile. "Alright, everyone! No worries. We're all good to go so who's excited for a tour!"

"Me! Me!" Feliciano shouted and waved with enthusiasm.

"Alrighty! Everyone, follow me!" Alfred announced as he turned around. "Our special museum tour can now commence and I, Alfred F. Jones, am your amazing tour guide who will be guiding you through our long American history!"

As Alfred headed down a hallway, Feliciano, Ludwig, and Kiku followed right behind him. Ivan gave one last look at Arthur before following the group as well.

"Arthur, vhat 'appened?" Francis hissed.

"It was nothing," Arthur replied with a soft tone as he started walking. Though, he kept a certain distance from the group.

"That vas not nothing. Who do you take me for?" Francis gave him a serious look as he walked beside the British man.

"I... I just recalled... what that boy, from the colonies, looked like," Arthur admitted. "I thought I forgotten his face a long time ago, but once I saw Alfred in that uniform, it all came back to me. Alfred... he looked just like that boy!"

He was confused at why Alfred looked like that boy from all those years ago. It had been so long ago that his memory of the boy had been fading away. His face and voice had been vanishing from his memory. He can't recall his facial features, but he remembered that he had sky blues and golden blonde hair. The sound of his laughter reminded him of bells and his smile was innocent and pure.

He lost him once at the Incident on King Street, but years later, he appeared to him again, alive and well. But unfortunately, it had to be on the battlefield during the American Revolution and they were on opposing sides.

To think, centuries later, he would see that same face in this present time again.

Was this some kind of reincarnation like in the stories? Was that boy reborn in this timeline again?

"That boy?" Francis gave him a weird look, trying to figure out what he meant. Then a look of realization formed on his face before it turned into bafflement. "You mean the boy from the colonies you used to boast about before..."

"Yes, that's what I'm saying!" Arthur whispered in an annoyed tone, trying to not let the others hear their discussion.

"My Matthieu also looked like the boy from my former colony," the French man pondered out loud. "If Alfred, who is Matthieu's twin brother, also resembled your colonist boy..."

"Not just resemble. He looks just like him!" corrected Arthur.

"... This must be the most outrageous coincident. Vhat are the chances that these boys vould look like our boys from the colony days. Not to mention, are brothers?" questioned Francis.

"Outrageous indeed," agreed Arthur.

To think that Alfred and Matthew had the same appearance of the boys from England's and France's past. It had been so many years. A few centuries even. To see their faces again in this time was as if the past was coming back to him.

What could this all mean?

Thank you for reading and please leave a feedback or comment.

Thanks to rainsonata for proofreading

Remember when I said we're not done with England and America past yet? Yep, time for the American Revolution. Not like it's been overused, am I right?

Reading Rainbow: Not sure how this relates to Shrek, but first movie was good, second movie was okay, after that was just plain milking the series.

Zaaze: I mentioned this on another fanfic that I do reply to comments, but only to ones that I feel I want to reply or if they have a legit question I can answer without spoiling. For fanfic account users, I just reply to them with PMs, but for non-fanfic account users, I reply in my fanfic since I don't know how else to reply to you. I have a tumblr that I use to notify new updates on my fanfics, but apparently, nobody checks that so I gave up trying to reply to anons there.

Guest: I guess for some people, Arthur would be Canada's father. I see France as Canada's father than England (even though he gave him up to England). For this fanfic, I planned to emphasize more on England with America and France with Canada kind of relationship. Though, I did consider having a flash back of England and Canada together, but I never got the right moment to add it in and I'm honestly way too far into the plot to add it in now. It was supposed to be when Matthew joined the British army before the burning of the White House. I can try to add it in later, but it might feel out of place. I'll try to make it flow naturally if I can. I just felt that if England did meet Matthew in the past, he would have a different kind of interaction with the Canadian brother. This would also cause the plot to extend more from what I had planned. I honestly want to finish this story soon so I can pay attention to my other fanfics I'm working on.

So for the rest of you readers, yes or no for a flashback of England and Matthew?