Gosh, this is so late. Sorry guys, and was just busy/lazy this week and I got this chapter finished late. But, it's a longer one, that kinda makes up for it. I'm pretty sure this is the third or fourth from the end...I am wrapping up though. I'd like to thank you all for reading this and sticking with me throughout it. You guys are my inspiration. I hope you enjoy :)

Another really good song: Home by Vanessa Carlton. Very very awesome.

I od nto nwo Hietala.

Russia slowly became aware of reality. He was lying on something soft, though his legs weren't on it. He felt something on top of him that was also soft. He brushed it with his fingers and smiled at the pleasant feeling. He heard something crackle and suspected there was a fire near him, he could see the glow behind his closed eyelids. Finally he blinked them open, and found himself in a place he'd never been before.

He looked around. It was a very large place, with friendly wooden walls and nice colors. As he had guessed, there was a fire in the fireplace. He realized he was on a couch, with his feet hanging off the edge. Slowly he sat up, as if he had just woken up from a very deep and long sleep. Which he had, in more ways than one. He saw a table, and on that table were four mugs. He picked up the one nearest to him and peered inside. He smiled at what he saw and took a sip. It was sweet and warmed up his whole body. He continued drinking.

It was odd. He felt...different. Lighter, fuller. Happier. He didn't know why he felt this, but he liked it. The smile stayed on his lips. He stood and started walking around the room, looking at all the different art pieces that decorated it. The thought came to him that he had no idea where he was, but he felt calm. He didn't feel that he needed to be worried.

Belarus was amazed by Nick's picture, but that didn't come close to what she felt when she walked back into the main room. Russia was standing there across the room. Right there! Disbelief and amazement filled her, making her unable to move. She just stared at the back of his head, anticipating the moment he would turn around. He did so a moment later, his eyes widening when they saw her. They stood there for a moment, frozen in place, then he ran to her. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face into her hair. She squeezed back, breathing in his scent.

"Belarus," he said softly, squeezing her even more tightly, "Sister."

So much was put into those words. She could sense how he felt and she teared up. For once she didn't fight the tears, she let them come freely. She felt Russia catch his breath and knew Ukraine had stepped out of the room behind her. Russia pulled her into the embrace. The sisters could not believe this was happening. After all these years, it felt so good to be in Russia's arms again. He was the first to pull away, but he only did it enough so he could look at them. He clutched their faces in his gloved hands.

"How I've missed you," he said, tears marking his cheeks, "I love you so much." That's when he caught sight of Nick standing in the doorway and backed up a little. "Ah, I see you have a friend."

Ukraine pulled Russia closer to Nick. "Ivan, this is our friend, Nick. This is his uncle's cabin. Nick, this is our brother, Ivan."

Nick smiled at Russia and stuck out his free hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Russia smiled shyly and timidly gripped Nick's hand. "Same to you, comrade."

When they let go Russia clasped his hands behind his back and hid half of his fave in his scarf. His sisters stared at him in wonder, but he didn't seem to notice. He looked curiously at the thing in Nick's hand.

"What is that?" he asked softly, pointing at it.

Nick shared a glance with the girls. "It's a painting I'm working on."

"I bet it's very nice, da?" Russia smiled, "Did you do these ones?" He gestures to the ones surrounding the room.

"Some of them," Nick answered, "My uncle did the rest."

"You both are very good," Russia complemented. He seemed timid about his next question. "May I see that one?"

Nick hesitated. "Uh...sure."

They walked over to the couches and chairs and sat. Russia still had his hot chocolate, which he drinked out of. He was smiling big, as if was excited to see this. His eyes had a bright curiosity. Ukraine couldn't stop staring at him, her own smile on her face. Belarus was smiling too, but it was at that moment when she realized. He didn't remember. Russia had no idea what had happened to him. She didn't have any idea of what he was thinking right now. His hands were grabbing the cup with energy, as if he was very excited to see the painting.

Nick didn't say anything, he just flipped it over for them to see. The portrait was amazing, it was almost like looking into a still, colorless mirror. The sunflower was the perfect touch. Russia's smile faltered a little as confusion clouded his features. He looked a little weirded out.

"It is quite amazing," he said, "But why did you paint a picture of me?"

"Well, you see..." Nick rubbed his neck, obviously feeling very awkward. Russia stared at him with a questioning look. "I met your sisters on the train ride here. Natalia challenged me to paint a portrait of you."

Russia's eyebrows were still drawn in with bafflement. "We have not met before, da?" Nick nodded. "Then how...?"

Nick looked just as bewildered. "She gave me a few of your characteristics, but I honestly have no idea. I just sat down to start and a face just popped into my head. Your face."

Russia raised a hand towards the portrait, as if half expecting the painting to follow his movements. His fingers trailed over the sunflower gently. "The sunflower is so pretty. I wish I could have one."

"You do have one," Ukraine said, "Don't you remember?" Russia looked at her in confusion. "Natalia has been getting you some for many years now."

Both Russia and Nick furrowed their brows at that.

"She has?" Russia asked, "I don't remember her-"

His eyes widened and he stopped talking in mid-sentence. His eyes continued to widen and his mouth opened. Ukraine and Nick looked at him with worry, but Belarus knew what was happening. Russia's eyes were far away, watching something that wasn't happening in this room. After a moment he closed his mouth and blinked. His eyes became focused again as he looked at them. New knowledge was in his eyes as he shifted his scarf, covering more of his face. He would not look his sisters in the eye. Ukraine sent a bewildered glance at Belarus, but she continued looking at Russia. After a few more minutes of Russia fiddling with the couch he gained the courage to look at them.

"I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused you," he said, "And everyone else." He looked back down and said in a soft, devastated voice, "I did a lot of terrible things."

So he did remember, Belarus thought.

Ukraine got off her chair and sat down next to him. "It wasn't you, it was General Winter. He controlled you."

Russia shook his head. "But it was me. At least, I was conscious of what was going on. I knew what I was doing." He shied away from Ukraine. "And I did nothing to stop it."

Ukraine put her hand on his arm, but he pulled away. "Brother, it's not your fault. Your heart was taken away."

Nick cocked his head and his eyebrows drew in. He looked at Belarus with utter confusion, but she wasn't looking at him. Russia didn't say anything, he just moved his scarf higher.

"Brother," Belarus said, stern but gentle, "Not everything you did was bad." Russia looked at her, wary hope in his eyes. "You fought General Winter. You had moments where you broke through him and were yourself."

He sat up a little straighter. "Was I nicer to people? Did I...not hurt them?"

"Yes," Belarus smiled, "You were one of the nicest people I knew."

He smile was hesitant and disappeared quickly. "I still hurt people though."

Belarus moved next to him and they both hugged him. Nick just looked puzzled.

"We all make mistakes," Ukraine said.

"But that's in the past now," Belarus continued.

After a second Russia smiled and hugged them back. "So let's go home and have some Tea Cakes,* da?"

*Tea Cakes are a Russian treat usually eaten at Christmas time. I have made some and they are very good. I found a recipe online: /recipe/russian-tea-cakes-i/

Alright, so yay! Russia is himself and is so sweet now! I love this Russia. He's so cute :) And family bonds are my absolute favorite thing to right about.

Please, pretty please, continue reviewing, following and favoriting. You guys are so awesome. You've kept this story alive.

Have a nice day :)