Chapter 20:

Toris was still stunned by the story Ivan had told him. The dump of information was taking time to process. The talk of Mr. Canada and why Mr. America was here to look for him since Canada has gone missing while traveling over Ivan's lands. And the personal warning to watch out for any tricks if Orlov comes by to 'help' Ukraine. Ivan gave the order that if anything suspicious were to happen to notify him immediately. With that, Ivan leaves to get America and heads out from the house.

Now Toris is just standing in the kitchen thinking of what he's going to do now. He and Natalia had been collecting documents and evidence that would undoubtedly condemn Orlov of his cruel actions. However, it was very difficult to find anything. The Russian government was very good at hiding things and Toris of all people knew this. He worked for them over several decades after all. But all the document that contained Orlov were scattered all over the place. As if Orlov was bouncing from one department to the next trying to cover his footprints along the way. Complete confusion and non-consistence. The only line was that Orlov was getting closer and closer to Ivan. What's his motivation in doing all of this?

"Toris." Natalia's voice was cold and bitter, "What did Big Brother tell you?"

Jumping a bit, Toris gives a soft smile, "Oh just about some business…"

"Do not lie to me. It was something serious, big brother was upset. What is wrong?"

A nervous tingle runs down his spine, "I'm not sure you would want to hear..."

Belarus quickly backs Toris against the counter, "I want to know everything."

"All of it?" The faint sound of a knife being unsheathed gave him the answer. Toris quickly spat out a brief summary of what Ivan told him, "So basically, you brother was in a romantic sort of relation with Mr. Canada. Orlov had threaten to forcibly keep them apart and then Ivan ran off and spent a day or two in Ottawa. Ukraine had called him asking him where he was and checking on him, but she used a code phrase to let him know she was in trouble. And he came back after a brief stay in Ireland, leaving Mr. Canada behind, but didn't know that Canada had set off the next day to help with Ukraine and is now missing and Orlov is most likely behind the whole thing. And also, Bogdan is in hospital from being shot and is being set up as an American spy."

The clatter of Natalia's blade hitting the floor was more stunning to Toris instead of being almost stabbed by it. Her eyes dart back and forth in a bit of confusion. Stepping back she covers her mouth slightly, muttering, "Ivan…Ivan…he's…"

"Bela…" Toris reaches out, "I know it's a lot to take in…"

"I can't believe he didn't tell me about any of this! How could he not tell me that he is…is…? MY OWN BROTHER COULDN'T TELL ME!"

"I know it's difficult, but we have bigger issues to work towards and…" Toris was cut off with the sudden impact of Natalia's hug. Toris blinks and gently tries to wrap his arms around her but she squeezes pinning his arms to his sides. The sound of her small weeps started to break his heart. Natalia's world probably just crashed around her. The object of her wild fantasies could never love her like she wished, her sister was paralyzed upstairs, and a friend of ours is being held as a spy and his son was just in the other room; who is too young to understand the situation around him.

"M-mister Lithuania." Aleksei stands awkwardly in the door way to the kitchen, "M-miss Belarus…"

Belarus steps away from Toris and composers herself before turning to the boy, "Yes, Aleksei?"

"Umm…there's a polar bear in the back room. Looks like he managed to open the patio door. He's a very friendly, and he can talk too. I don't understand English very well but I can tell he was asking to see Mr. Russia…but since he's not here I told him I would come and get you two."

"A…polar bear?" Toris raises an eyebrow and starts to make his way to the back room. Yes, there sat a large polar bear with the one of the house phones set to up for a call and was trying to dial for someone with his claws.

"What the fuck?" Natalia said in surprise. Little Aleksei covered his own ears after she said that and blushes a bit.

The bear turns around then sits down looking at us curiously, "Who are you?"

Toris slowly approaches and kneels, "Um, hello. I'm Lithuania…do you belong to Mr. Russia?"

"No. My owner is Canada, America brought me over with him but he was in such a rush to meet with Russia that he dumped me at a hotel. So I decided to go look for Canada myself." The bear started to sniff the hard wood floors and his ears perks up a bit, "I can smell him here. It's faint but it's there."

"Umm, would you like to look around and get a…" Toris couldn't finish his words before the bear took off with his nose pressed on to the ground. The three human followed the bear up the stairs and watch the bear follow the trail of Canada's scent. Reaching the master bedroom, the bear started to claw at the door trying to open it. Aleksei opens the door and the bear bounds towards the bed. Laying down on one side of the bed, the bear lays his head on the pillow.

"It smells the strongly of Canada…" The bear whimpers.

Aleksei walks over and pats the bear's head telling him, "Whatever is wrong, we can help friend."

Natalia pulls Toris back out into the hallway and out of earshot of the boy and bear, "This could help us."

"What? The bear?" Toris asks, "How?"

"If Orlov comes by with the 'cure' for my sister, the bear can sniff him and if Canada's scent is on him we can safely assume he has something to do with Canada disappearing."
"I mean we could safely assume that anyway. But I see your point, it would be helpful."

As a matter of perfect timing, the doorbell rings. The two nations head down stairs and let Aleksei comfort the bear. Opening the door, they are faced with Orlov.

The man held a look of pride on his face as he asks, "Is Mr. Russia here?"

"You just missed him." Toris tells the man, "He had an important meeting with his boss."

"I didn't know of…"

"It was purely private."

"Clearly not because you know of it."

Natalia hisses, "Why are you so nosy in our business."

"It's my job, ma'am." Orlov held his hands up in defense, "I deal in all matters with Mr. Russia."

"Clearly not." Natalia turns from him and acts as if she was to head towards the stairs.

"If you are going to care for your sister, I believe I have the cure for her aliment." Orlov reaches into his jacket and shows a vile with a clear liquid in it.

Belarus smiles deviously, "Come in then."

Orlov steps in and removes his coat, "I'm glad you are understanding, Mr. Belarus. I hope there is…"

Just then the sound of heavy paws hitting the floor and the sound of a somewhat happy laughter of a child heading down the stairs. Coming into view, the polar bear held his nose in the air sniffing for his master and Aleksei was riding on the bear's back holding on for dear life. The bear stops right in front of Orlov and starts sniffing intensely. Aleksei wisely gets off the bear's back and stands off next to Belarus.

"Canada." The bear says with a slight growl.

Orlov chuckles and pats the bear's head, "You must be mistaken…"

The polar bear wasn't going to be fooled and quickly grabs a hold of the man's wrist in his fangs. A large crack filled the room as the bear bit down hard enough to break Orlov's wrist.

"Call him off!" Orlov shouts at Natalia, "I've done nothing wrong!"

Belarus looks at Toris and orders, "Take Aleksei into another room, I would hate for one of my children to see such a horror that I'm about to do."

"Yes, ma'am." Toris says quickly grabbing the boy and pulling him out of the room.

Belarus grabs a hold of Orlov and the bear lets go. Confiscating the vile of 'medicine', Natalia holds it up, "I know what you are up to. You've been hurting big brother and how this is all being used to manipulate him."

Orlov begins to sweat nervously, "What are you talking about? You think me some evil mastermind behind this?"

"Yes, I do. Now tell me your motivations behind what you are doing. Or the bear gets to taste more blood."

"WHERE IS MY MASTER?" The bear cries loudly at the man, "I CAN SMELL HIM ON YOU! I CAN SMELL HIS FEAR ON YOU!"

Orlov takes deep breaths and his eyes turn colder, "You wouldn't understand, Ms. Belarus. It's for Mr. Russia's own good."

"How could it be for his own good?" Natalia asks gritting her teeth.

"I can make him normal with enough effort. He will become compliant and will follow orders properly. He will be controllable."

"Controllable? You think taking away his free will away will be to his benefit? The benefit of his people? Don't try playing those mind games with me. I know why you want him to be controllable. You want power, you want to be able to break one of us to gain a sense of power. Lying to yourself to make yourself feel better doesn't change anything about that."

Her words shook Orlov, knowing that she was exactly right. In her life time, Natalia has met numerous leaders with similar motives.

Orlov was shaking in his snow boots, "Yes…yes! Sure, you've caught me. But don't skew me as evil! I'm only trying to help your brother!"

"Then why do you bring Mr. Canada into this mess?"

"I…"

"Where is he?"

"On a train to England. He will not have any memory of the past month."

"Why…?"

"T-the cure to the neurotoxin. It will wipe memories in the process of getting rid of the toxin."

Belarus lets go of Orlov, "You are no more of use to me."

Orlov lets out a deep sigh, "You will not tell Russia of this will you? I will…"

The polar bear grabs a hold of Orlov's leg and yanks him down to the ground. Belarus smiles madly down at Orlov, "Big Brother will be pleased to come home to find out about you."