"COUNT OFF!"

"Ve~ uno!"

Israel was pumping up the wheels on his bike and glanced over his shoulder with a slight smile as he watched his father berated the Italian nation. His father and Italy had recently signed an alliance with one another, though they had been friends before they were now officially allies, they were in any future wars together.

But he couldn't help but feel bad for Italy considering the fact that his father had only gotten harsher with the alliance. Israel knew it was just because he cared for him, Germany was only this strict with people he really cared for but Italy was crying and before long was running away from the German. Israel was surprised by how fast Italy could run when he was retreating, normally he was so slow.

"Papa!" cried Israel over to his father. Germany took a break from chasing the Italian nation and panted for a minute before glancing over at his son and giving him a small salute. Israel saluted back and cried, "is it okay if I go out biking for a little?"

Germany's smile faltered and he sighed, he didn't really want his son going out on his own. Attacks against Jews had increased in the recent weeks and even though Herr Hitler had promised to tell his troops to stop he had yet to do that.

However he didn't want to disappoint the boy but he couldn't think of a way to respond. He couldn't leave Italy all by himself or else he would accompany him and Italy still had an hour of training left. Just as he was thinking about what to do there was a cry of, "Doitsu-san!"

Germany turned and Italy ran back to the German's side.

"Ve~! Hi, Japan!" cried the Italian nation happily as a dark haired Asian man approached. The Israel was distracted for a moment as he tilted his head to the side and meekly went to hide behind his father.

"Hello, Japan, I'm glad you could make it," said Germany. Japan politely bowed to the German nation and said, "it's good to meet you, I'm happy to be in an alliance with you and Italia-chan."

"Ve! We're gonna be best buddies!" cried the Italian nation happily, grabbing Japan in a crushing hug. Japan went red in the face and started stuttering, clearly disturbed by the physical contact. Germany rolled his eyes and in his attention fell on Israel shyly cowering behind him.

"Japan, meet my son," said Germany proudly as soon as Italy released Japan and the Japanese man calmed down, "this is Aviel, the nation of Israel. Aviel, mein sohn, this is my old friend Japan, I mentioned him before when we were speaking to the Fuhrer."

"S-shalom," said the Israeli, not stepping out from behind his father, far too afraid of the stranger to do so but instead glancing curiously at the Japanese man and shooting him a small smile to be polite. Japan look down at the boy and smiled, he bowed to the youth.

"It's very good to meet you, Aviel-chan," said Japan, "your father has spoken of you quite often.

"Positives only, I hope?" said the boy with a twinkle and his golden eyes and Germany couldn't help but laugh at that.

"There are no negatives to speak of with you," he assured the boy, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

An idea then struck the German nation as he looked to Japan and then asked, "Japan, my friend, would you do me a big favor and escort Israel down to the market, he wants to make sure his wheels are okay, it won't take long and I need to stay with Italy for obvious reasons."

"Ve...?"

"Of course, Doitsu-san," said Japan politely, "come, Aviel, lets go."

Germany thanked his friend and then after reminding Aviel of all of the rules he had to be sure to obey while out by himself he waved to the boy as he hopped on his bike and pedaled off with Japan at his heels. Aviel didn't speed off as he usually would but made sure to go slowly so that he was biking right next to Japan as he walked, keeping a leisurely pace and glancing from side to side. All of Berlin by now was covered by swastika banners, Israel's bikes down to town had been getting less and less pleasant with the gangs of roving Nazi officers and swastika banners fluttering in the breeze and the German people walking leisurely by as if nothing was wrong.

"How is your bike, Israel?" said Japan curiously.

"It's okay," said the boy, " but I think it could use some polish. Would you mind if we stopped off at a shop please?"

Japan would normally not wish to be schlepped all around Berlin, especially when a lot of the guards and Germans were giving him and Aviel dirty looks as if they had done something wrong by merely walking down the street. But he liked the polite young boy so he said yes.

Israel led the Japanese nation to the shop and hopped off his bike, intending to quickly run inside however he and Japan both stopped at the door as a huge sign in yellow stuck out at them, seeming to block them from entering the shop, its letters sticking out in capital bold fount:

JUDEN VERBOTEN!

Jews forbidden.

Japan knew enough German to be able to know what it meant and he looked at Israel with sympathy and concern. The Jew looked up at the sign, his golden eyes shining with sadness.

"I come here all the time..." he muttered, "I know the owners...how could they?"

Japan walked foreword and putting a hand on the boy's shoulder said, "Israel-chan, let me take you home, we can polish your bike later, I will help if you like..."

Israel nodded and Japan escorted him home, Israel walking his bike beside him, suddenly not feeling like walking. Japan reported what had happened to Germany, whose blue eyes narrowed with distress at this as he muttered, "fourth shop this week. I need to talk to the Fuhrer."