Author's Note

Hi, this is my first time posting. I hope that the story is to your liking. I have decided to use French and German in the story so translations will be at the bottom of each chapter. My french is accurate because I'm native from Paris and if my German isn't it's because it came from Google Translate :) Let me know what you think, I love reviews and suggestions for this or future fics. Also tell me if you want me to include other pairings !

Enjoy,

The PirateChick020497 :)

Chapter 20 - The Buffalo

Maya was now a thriving six year old. She ran around on the beach chasing Gilbert, they were playing a game of tag. Maya's long,wavy white blonde hair bounced in their pigtails behind her as she ran down the beach giggling.

"Vati I'm going to get you !" her voice tinkled musically. Gilbert decided to give his daughter a challenge and he ran even faster, almost sprinting. Maya picked up her feet and moved them faster and faster, soon she wasn't too far behind her father. As the daughter of nations she had inherited many skills, the agility and speed she had gotten from Matthew who himself was known as one of the fastest nations around and held many records in various events. However, this was not the only thing she was skilled in. Many of the nations had taken a great liking to Maya and the little girl was being taught many thing by many different people. Gilbert slowed down a little and Maya caught him.

"Yes ! I win !" she danced about on the beach. "Papa did you see that ?!" she said racing towards Matthew who was sitting on a towel, a sun umbrella over his head. He smiled pulling Maya in for a hug.

"Yes I did. You can really run very fast you know." Matthew patted her on the head.

"Say Papa can I go visit uncle Alfred ?"

"Mmm, I don't know. Al might get you into trouble again." Matthew said hesitantly.

"But Papa, I promise I'll be careful. I won't let him do anything stupid I promise. Please, please, please can I stay with uncle for a bit ?" she said her dark green eyes peering into Matthew's.

"Oh alright, but go check with Daddy first." Matthew smiled. She ran towards Gilbert who was heading towards them.

"Daddy, Papa said I could go see uncle Al. Can I ?"

"Sure, just don't eat too much while you're there. You know how much ol' Alfred feeds you. You'll get fat like him." Gilbert chuckled. Maya nodded her head seriously saying she would be careful.

Alfred was very happy that his niece was visiting. He had many things he wanted to show her and teach her. On today's agenda was going onto the prairies. Alfred wanted her to know about what strategies were important in battle on such a flat barren terrain. They sat on a patch of grass and Alfred started talking.

"On flat terrain like this, the best way to fight is with the use of artillery. It can usually stop attacks, then if you add a cavalry your chances are better. The cavalry acts as a way to scare the enemy and is the eyes and ears of the army. Napoleon often used these techniques to win battles." Alfred said. He really wasn't as stupid as most made him out to be. Maya sat next to her uncle thinking. Then she suddenly perked up and pointed out something moving in the distance.

"Is it like those animals over there ?" she asked. Alfred took a look at what she had pointed out.

"Yes, good observation-" he cut himself short to take another look at the mass moving quickly towards them, squinting he realized it was an angry heard of Buffalo.

"Shit ! Maya, those are Buffalo, we have to run." Alfred said pulling the little girl to her feet. They started to run, Alfred ran behind Maya. He was surprised at how fast she could run in fact. Alfred glanced behind him. The enormous herd was gaining on them, but if they were careful they could get out of the way and jump over a nearby fence that was behind a stream. They kept running and soon they made it to the stream, however, before they crossed they heard huffing coming from behind them. It was too late, the angry stray buffalo horn went straight into Alfred's leg, almost going all the way through. He fell, struggling to get up but he couldn't.

"Maya, get back ! Go over the fence."

"But-" Maya protested.

"Now !" Alfred commanded and turned around to face the animal. He tried again to get up, wobbling on his feet. Looking at the ground in front of him trying to steady himself, he saw a small pair of sandal clad feet.

"Maya, no !" he said. The six year old turned and looked at her favorite uncle and said,

"Don't worry, I'll just do what you did."

She did exactly that. Grabbing the buffalo by the horns she started to swing it, faster and faster and faster ! Soon the buffalo was spinning at a great speed over the tiny blonde girl's head. Then she let go and the beast went flying. The entire time Alfred had just watched awestruck.

"See, I did it ! Or I hope so, the way Papa told me was a little different."

The American for once was speechless. Maya just took his hand and they walked across the plain towards Alfred's car, which was in the opposite direction they had run.

Alfred, still in a state of shock drove home in silence, not even glancing when they passed a McDonald's. The little girl gave him a confused look,

"Uncle Al, what's the matter ?" she asked from the back seat of the red convertible.

"Umm, well no one's ever done that before. Except me when I was little. It was cool to watch someone else do it." Alfred complemented.

"Thanks. Oh by the way I really liked the lesson on the Napoleonic Wars strategies." she smiled.

"Oh good. Glad you liked it. Now how about a burger." Alfred had made a full recovery. Maya grimaced,

"Vati says if I eat too much I will get fat like-"

"Like who ?" Alfred asked. He didn't know anyone fat and he didn't think Gilbert did either.

"Well, you Uncle Alfred." Maya whispered squirming in her seat. Alfred had a short cry and then got angry at Gilbert for 'influencing a child at such a young age'. It short, things were back to normal.

Matthew and Gilbert had come to pick up Maya, and, as they reached the front door, Matthew prayed that nothing had happened to her. They rung the doorbell and it opened. Maya came rushing out and was swept up into a tight hug from both Matthew and Gilbert.

"Papa, Vati, I can't breathe." she said trying to free herself from her fathers strong grips. They released her.

"So what did you do ?" Matthew asked.

"Oh Papa, I swung a buffalo around my head just like Uncle Al did !" she explained excitedly. Matthew and Gilbert looked at the American standing in the doorway.

"What happened !" they yelled in unison. Alfred winced, gone was his brother and his cool friend Gilbert, instead he faced the parental wrath that was two angry nations staring daggers into his eyes. Alfred gulped.

"It wasn't on purpose ! I took her out to the prairie fields to talk to her about Napoleon and his strategies and an angry herd was nearby. It was not intentional I swear !" Alfred tried to defend himself.

"It's true, plus he protected me." Maya said pointing out Alfred's bandaged leg. They stood silent for a while.

"Oh alright. I believe you. Are you okay Alfred ?" Matthew asked softly as he observed his brother's wound.

"Yah, yah, I'm fine."

They said their goodbyes and hit the road. Matthew then informed the little girl of another trip, this time to in Europe. Russia had invited Maya over to visit.

Translations: Vati - Daddy