A/N: I'm finally done writing this chapter ^^ It took three days like I predicted, but the reason I didn't post in three days is because I had other things that took up my writing time -_-

First off, happy late birthday to Mattie and Alfred ^^

Actually, Mattie's birthday is one reason why I couldn't have this up sooner :P on Canada Day, my family and I went to a Canada Day event, which took up A LOT of my time. Like, 6 hours. So I didn't have time to write then.

Later, on the 3rd, I was dragged out by my parents, so I couldn't write then, either. Oh well. At least the chapter's up now :)

Also, Belgium lossstttttttttttt :c I wanted as many hetalia nations to progress as far as possible in FIFA... but what can you do. Argentina's too good. At least Germany and Netherlands are still in...

And happy Pokemon VGC 2014 Nationals XD I've been watching it today and actually it's still playing while i type this :P tomorrow's the finals! will be watching for sure :P I will be writing too though so don't worry!

Anyways, guest reviews~

SayMrrp: i'm combining your two reviews into one, that okay? Anyways, yeah, I figured I should reply to your review. I don't wanna become one of those writers that take their reviewers/readers/followers for granted, so I think one way I can show appreciation is by replying to their reviews. (unless they're like one word. I don't actually know how to reply to those). Since i can't PM guests I just put the reply in the story (like now). China be next chapter ^^ And yes, White Flame is actually 17 minutes long. 17:04 to be specific. It's mostly instrumentals and talking though. But ITS REALLY FEELS-Y. Proof is how long it took to write this. I did pronunciations so it looks less epic but it's easier to read~ Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter too!

That's it, actually. There was another guest reviewer but they have a ff account so I'll just PM them.

By the way, I did pronunciations so the Russian now is easier to read.

Okay~ to White Flame ^^


Russia wandered through the streets in the dead of the night. After the events at the studio, Russia had simply returned to the hotel. Even when Ukraine and Belarus had tried to find him, he'd pretended he wasn't there.

Russia just didn't want to talk to anyone.

He wasn't sure how all the time had passed, but when he looked at the clock, it was late. The sun had already set, and the city was bathed in darkness. But he didn't want to go to sleep just yet.

And that's how he found himself, walking through the streets in Japan's house.

"I thought I had friends… but…" Russia sighed. "I guess I scared them away with my glupyy self…"

Suddenly, Russia was hit with the urge to tell someone about everything; about how he felt, about what he was hiding. But with no friends, who could he tell?

It must have been fate that he found himself in front of the recording studio, staring at its welcoming doors. They practically commanded him to enter.

"Well… I never did get that second… well, fourth… song," Russia murmured. Then he smiled, pushed open the doors that were, for some reason, not locked, and walked into the booth.


Meanwhile, Lithuania was being dragged around frantically by Poland.

"Liet!" Lithuania whipped around at the sound of his 'best friend's' voice. "How does this look?"

Poland was wearing a dress. It was an extremely girly dress, covered in frills and ruffles. The top was white with a huge pink bow on it, and the bottom was pink, with a blue layer under the skirt. Poland had also found a blue (half) vest that went along with the dress perfectly. And to top it off, Poland also had a bow in his hair.

"Uh… you look… uh…" Lithuania stuttered, not knowing what to say.

"Well?" Poland asked, leaning in closer to Lithuania's face, who blushed and backed away.

"You look… cute, I guess…" Lithuania managed to say. Poland's face immediately lit up.

"Yay!" Poland cheered. "Liet, like, buy this for me!"

"Um…" Lithuania thought about it for a moment.

"Pleeeeaase, Liet! Like, just this one thing! Pretty please with a cherry on top!~" Poland begged.

Lithuania gave in. He knew better than to argue with Poland. "Okay." He reached into his pocket for his wallet, and… it wasn't there?

"Like, what's wrong, Liet?" Poland asked, noticing Lithuania's frantic expression.

"My wallet's not in my pocket…" Lithuania said. "This is bad! Did I drop it somewhere?!"

Poland sighed. "Liet, like, calm down. Where did you see it last? Oh, and by the way, you totally don't have your jacket either."

"Huh?" Lithuania asked, looking down. Sure enough, his jacket wasn't there. "Didn't I have it when we were recording earlier today…?" Lithuania thought about it for a moment, and then realized where both things were. "Oh! I left it in the recording studio! And my wallet's in my jacket pocket…"

"Aww…" Poland whined. "So I, like, don't get the dress?"

"Sorry, Poland…" Lithuania smiled apologetically. "I'll buy it for you tomorrow, if we're still here. You head back to the hotel. I'll go get my jacket."

"Okay…" Poland said dejectedly. "Like, see you later then, Liet."

"sudie!" Lithuania waved, and then he was gone.

Lithuania walked outside, and was surprised to see that it was dark. "How long did we spend in that mall…?" he asked himself, sighing. "I better get to that studio quickly…" And thus, he began sprinting towards the studio.

As Lithuania got closer to the studio, he was hit with a sudden realization: what if the studio was locked? "I shouldn't have left my jacket in there… I hope it's not locked." 'Think positive thoughts', Lithuania reminded himself.

Finally, he reached the studio. Lithuania tentatively pushed on the doors, and was surprised - and relieved - that they weren't locked. For some reason. Sighing with relief, he pushed open the door and walked into the studio.


Russia walked through the studio, not bothering to turn the lights on. After all, he felt more comfortable in the darkness. And so, the studio was nearly pitch-black, thought certain things could be seen relatively clearly. Russia walked straight to the booth, shutting and locking the door behind him. He stopped, taking a look around the studio, before putting on the headphones.

"I can't just sing by myself, though…" Russia mused. "I need some muzyka…" Looking around, Russia saw the sound board and walked over to it. He pushed some buttons and flicked some switches, and once he was satisfied with the music that was playing, stood up in front of the mic and got ready to start singing.


'Russia-san?' Lithuania asked, surprised that the tall nation was in the studio. 'What's he doing in here?' Lithuania shook his head. It seemed like Russia hadn't noticed him. The sooner he could grab his jacket and leave, the better. After all, he didn't want to get in trouble.

Lithuania reached his jacket without being noticed, and was about to turn around and leave when the sound of a guitar and drums froze him to the spot.

'Russia-san is singing?' Lithuania asked, shocked. Japan wasn't there, and Russia wasn't holding anything. Curious, he decided to stick around a bit longer to find out what Russia was going to sing about.

He didn't have to wait long, as Russia soon began to sing.

My first cry was in a deep forest that no one knows.

Lithuania tilted his head, curious. What was Russia singing about? He wanted to stay and listen… but he had a really bad feeling about something. It was something about the lyrics and the tune of the song. Lithuania debated it for a while, and in the end, his curiosity won over. He sat down in a corner of the studio to listen.

It was like thunder resembling anger, only purer.

And so this sud'ba began…

Russia looked up at the ceiling, as if he was trying to see through it, out to the stars.

'Destiny?' Lithuania thought. He understood the Russian, of course, due having lived with the tall nation for so long. 'Russia-san… your destiny is…'

Lithuania thought about it. Russia really had gotten the short end of the stick. He'd been taken over by the Yolk of Tatar way back, then had been extremely unlucky with his leaders and people throughout a lot of his history. And eventually he snapped.

"So… this song… it's about you, huh…" Lithuania knew he should probably leave; this wasn't for him to hear. But he couldn't make himself leave.

The wind might ask where I'm headed, with resounding sarcasm.

In my youth, I'd still choose the unknown on those vibrant days.

Russia reached out his hand in front of him, as if he was trying to lead the way with it.

While waiting for something,

to the point of nearly drowning,

my awakening self

disconnects from tranquility.

A crazy look took over Russia's face, and his eyes burst into angry flames. Lithuania almost cried out in fear, squeezing his eyes shut and burying his face into his arms.

'No!' A sharp thought cut through Russia's mind. 'I… have to stay in control…' Russia shook his head, and then the mad look was gone.

Solntse, I pray to solntse.

Russia clasped his hands together and closed his eyes,

Beloye plamya approaches like footsteps even in the short summer.

"A… white flame…?" Lithuania asked himself. He didn't get it. Lithuania closed his eyes, trying to figure out what the metaphor was about… but he couldn't figure it out. "I guess I don't know Russia-san that well, huh…"

Through the rustling trees, why can't I find the cause of odinochestvo?

Upon, hearing this, Lithuania immediately looked at Russia. He was shocked at what he saw.

The northern nation looked… lonely. And sad.

Looks that Lithuania hadn't seen in ages. Not since people had started leaving his house, back in the Soviet days.

"Russia...san…" Lithuania whispered. He suddenly felt extremely bad for the nation.

Russia was silent, and the background music took over. The guitar and drums from before were now joined by a piano, and the three of them created a piece of music that now felt… lonely.

Lithuania closed his eyes. He was learning things about Russia that the northern nation kept hidden from everyone. Was it really okay for him to know this? But before Lithuania could debate it any more, Russia began to talk.

"When I didn't have anything yet,

when I hadn't accomplished anything yet.

A pure desire is fitting to be called a dream,

The innocence of childish delight.

Russia closed his eyes, sighing. Remembering.

Remembering that one time he wanted something so desperately…

and something yet so impossible.

Surely, that time, I knew it.

Russia paused for a second, and then shook his head. He looked up at the ceiling, thoughts flowing through his mind.

...Knew it?

I still blush remembering that time,

'That time?' Lithuania asked himself. Suddenly, the memory of that day came up in his mind.

That day… where he had met Russia.

They'd been in a vast snowfield, with only snow and trees as far as the eye could see.

Lithuania had offered to be friends with the little, then-unknown nation. Lithuania smiled, remembering. If only he'd known…

Then, suddenly, Lithuania remembered where he was. 'Why did I think of this?' he asked himself. 'Russia-san surely can't be thinking the same thing… right?'

Lithuania looked at Russia. Russia's eyes were glimmering with remembrance, piercing through the night. Lithuania immediately believed that Russia was also talking about that time.

Lithuania decided to just let his mind wander and think whatever it wanted to.

and even when shouting to deny it,

the bitterness of regret still spreads.

Russia looked down and closed his eyes, and a sad expression washed over his face. 'I should have chosen differently...' he told himself. 'I should have...'

But then new memories flooded through his mind, and he looked up and smiled.

That's because I still haven't lost it completely.

I've kept that wondrous radiance.

Russia clasped his hands together, and he looked… happy. But then the happy expression dropped off his face, and a bitter look took over.

While feeling disgust similar to hatred,

I look for salvation where there is amusement.

Foolishness always follows.

"YA znayu," Russia thought to himself. "I've experienced it a million times…" He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "I can't do anything about it, though… that's who I became."

As proof of my immaturity,

I'll devise another trap today.

Russia's usual childish expression crossed his face for a brief second. Then, he shook his head and sighed.

'No… that won't do…' Russia thought to himself. 'Hiding like that… nikuda ne goditsya."

If I could blame it all on my youth and hide it away,

I wonder if my heart would regain a slight sense of peace?

Russia clutched at the area over his heart, a pained look on his face. Lithuania's eyes widened, and he almost cried out. He knew how much that heart had hurt Russia.

"No..!" Lithuania shouted quietly. "Russia-san! Don't…" Don't what? Lithuania didn't know. But he just wanted to comfort Russia, even if just a little bit. His eyes watered, but he didn't notice.

Russia smiled grimly, and let his hand drop.

"Russia… san…" Lithuania said. He just looked so, so alone and sad...

If I can affirm maturity along the path I've followed,

I wonder if it will visit this body someday?

Russia folded his arms over himself and sighed. He shook his head.

Even now, I don't understand anything…"

Everything went silent for a moment, and then a chorus of violins sang out. Lithuania tilted his head, listening to them play. They felt like… a small light that brightened and dimmed. At times, the light glowed brightly and danced around, and at others, the light shrank and plunged everything into darkness. Sometimes, the light would even spread, but the in the other areas were never as strong. And they'd fade eventually.

"...Did Russia-san really make this?" Lithuania whispered to himself. "It's so deep… it sounds like something Austria would make." Lithuania shook his head. "Well… Russia-san has been though a lot… He must understand what it feels like to have liepsna glow and then fade…"

The music then changed, and the violins started playing in a happy way. It was a happy tune, but now it felt like the light was dancing around, teasing everyone. It was so close… and yet just out of reach. It was actually frustrating.

The violins abruptly halted and the music changed back to the music that had been playing at the beginning of the song. Lithuania vaguely noted that it reminded him of Russia. How, he didn't know, but… it just did.

Just as Lithuania smiled to himself, Russia began singing again.

If there's an end to any matter, as if it's only natural,

like the gray sky sinking into the scenery, I put my back to it.

If I get tired of searching, there's no reason to blame tomorrow.

Russia sighed. 'I have to keep searching, I know… But it's just so tiring…' he told himself.

'What are you searching for, Russia-san?' Lithuania thought, trying to ask Russia through the power of his mind. Of course, it didn't work - he wasn't England. But Lithuania just wanted - no, needed - to know. So that maybe he could help Russia find it.

Time marches on,

and before long,

the harvest will overflow from this hand.

Russia smiled gently in remembrance, and Lithuania did as well. He remembered, back in Soviet days, when he and the others had gone out to the fields and harvested all kinds of crops. Cotton, sugar beets, potatoes, flax… everything. Despite the harsh winter and the general coolness due to being so far north, Russia's house was very productive. And they'd had a lot of fun as well, running around the fields bathed in the light of the setting sun. The memory seemed to warm up the whole room.

Abruptly, the flashback ended and the room became chilly again.

Solntse, I pray to solntse.

Russia put his hands together as if he was genuinely praying to a higher being. Lithuania suddenly felt a strong urge to do so as well, so he pushed his hands together as well and murmured a quiet player.

"Please, Dievas…" Lithuania whispered. "Help Russia-san somehow…"

Beloye plamya consumes everything in the frozen snowfield.

Russia held his arms out, and a blast of snow and wind seemed to shoot through the air, chilling Lithuania to the bone. He shivered, squeezing his eyes shut.

"That white flame again…" Lithuania mused. "Is that what's chilling the room…? Flames are supposed to be warm... so why…?" It had to be a metaphor for one of the many 'curses' on Russia. It had to.

Like the silvery snow closing in, odinochestvo piles up in my heart…

Russia placed his hands to his chest, and closed his eyes. Lithuania's eyes felt like they were on fire; they were burning so badly with unshed tears. Loneliness was like a dark wave, threatening to crash over you and take away your reason if you didn't have defense against it. Lithuania had learned that during the time he'd been separated from Poland. Russia had already began his descent into madness, and this song was simply one tiny flicker of sanity. Lithuania didn't want Russia to fall even deeper into the abyss, where these small lights would be gone.

At this point, the guitars and drums faded into the shadows, and there was silence for a few seconds. Then, like a candle that'd just been lit, chimes began to ring, lighting up the night. They felt like snowflakes, falling gently. They were beautiful. Lithuania swore he saw real snowflakes falling around Russia. And he swore he saw Russia smile a small, gentle smile.

Then, Russia began to talk quietly, blowing the snowflakes around and making them dance gracefully.

"During the season when life slumbers,

we endure a long, long silence.

The phrase was familiar; Russia had said this to the others many, many times. Winter for Russia was frigid, lonely, and quiet. It was enough to silence some people. The light at the end of the tunnel, of course, was the glorious spring that followed… but sometimes, the tunnel just seemed so long...

If I listen close enough to the frozen presence beneath the snow,

I'd imagine there would be some signs of life somewhere.

The winter was simply too lonely and quiet; people would become desperate for another voice, another sign of life. Russia knew it all too well. After all, that was what almost pushed him off the edge once…

Russia laughed bitterly, and looked up at the ceiling, a wondering look on his face. He had so many questions that couldn't be answered…

He decided to voice them out loud. Maybe that would help him find an answer.

Is it a way to overcome the scars of idleness received through the years?

Is there any meaning in playing alone?

Russia was about to ask a third, and more, when he realized the pointlessness of it all. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

It's not particularly a problem.

We are confronted by the destiny we've accepted a long time ago.

Russia blew a breath out closed his eyes. He'd accepted that he was cursed, unlucky, someone who'd never able to shine as bright as the others.

'I chose it… and I can't change it. I know that. It just hurts sometimes...' Russia thought.

As though I was conspiring, I just wear a clueless expression.

Russia put his usual expression on for a second, before dropping it. A look of disgust crossed his face, and he narrowed his eyes.

My true self is disguised.

My grief is confined.

Someday, that will become the truth.

Russia smiled bitterly, and panic rose in Lithuania's mind. 'No!' he shouted in his mind. 'That… that can't happen! You can't lose yourself like that… you just can't!'

Even if I held no interest in the abyss of life,

my heart keeps a dim despair.

'So those are the shadows trying to pull Russia-san into the darkness...' Lithuania thought to himself. 'Russia-san… nepasiduokite… You still have žibintai trying to light your heart up!' Once again, Lithuania tried to project his thoughts to Russia. He hoped it had worked…

That's because I cannot find the answers by myself.

The gentle chimes continued. The image of the silvery snow conjured by the music continued to fall silently, shining against a pitch-black night-sky. The snowflakes twinked and shone, dancing as if they were ballerinas.

Lithuania's eyes shone as well. He could almost reach out and touch the snowflakes. But he didn't dare, scared they would fall to pieces if he came in contact with them.

However, soon, a piano joined the music, nearly drowning the chimes out. Now, the snowflakes were no longer shining as brightly, but they were still dancing, struggling against the darkness and despair.

It was at this point that Russia spoke up again.

Ah…

It's cold…

Despite saying that, Russia had no reaction to being cold at all. He just stood there, with the same sad expression. He waited a few beats, closing his eyes, before continuing to talk.

The waning sun burns against my eyelids.

But there is no sun at all… Lithuania thought. He shook his head gently. It had to be a metaphor for something.

It seems that twilight will be approaching quickly."

Russia opened his eyes and smiled a small, pained smile, and his face lost the sad expression for half a second. Then it was back.

The background music stayed the same for a little bit, but then suddenly changed from a piano to an intense tune played by a synth and guitar. The music created a harsh wind that scattered the snowflakes and blew them around. The gentle snowfall was turning into a harsh storm. Lithuania shivered. Was this the kind of chill Russia had to face every day?

There was the sound of a woman's voice singing as well. At first, she was just another embodiment of the storm, but eventually, she turned into a lone person, walking through the storm, struggling to let her voice be heard over the wind and snow. It almost felt… hopeful?

However, the music - and the storm with it - intensified, and the woman's voice was lost to the violin, organ, and guitar that had taken over. The music felt like a shadow now, trying to take over people's minds.

Lithuania closed his eyes out of fear, waiting to disappear. But then the music changed once more, and the woman's voice was heard more clearly than before. She seemed to be radiating with light, piercing the darkness of the storm. Lithuania wasn't sure who this woman was, but she seemed happy, smiling and dancing amongst the snow and wind. Even when the music and storm intensified again, trying to drown out her voice, she still sang. Lithuania opened his eyes and smiled, encouraged by this voice. He hoped Russia could hear it too.

Suddenly, the music ceased. With it, the woman disappeared as well, and the hopeful light vanished. Lithuania's face fell, but this… it felt familiar. Like when they were in a war; hope would come and leave, with no particular schedule.

Still, this silence felt calming, as Lithuania closed his eyes once more, taking it in. Before Lithuania could get used to it, though, it vanished, replaced by the sound of a piano. Lithuania opened his eyes and frowned. As nice as the music sounded… it also sounded hollow. Empty, maybe. Lithuania sighed. He almost wanted the storm back…

Russia suddenly began to sing once again, though, and all thoughts of the background music vanished.

Until I become dyed in darkness,

not forever, but some far-off day,

Russia smiled painfully to himself. 'I know…' he thought. 'I can't stay like this forever. One day I'll be lost in the darkness. There's no changing that. I've accepted it.'

as the wind begins to rage,

As he sang the next lines, Russia held out his hands in front of him and looked at them. Seeing the darkness in them.

I count down the solitary days on my fingers

without fear of ruin.

Lithuania's eyes widened, and it was all he could do to stop from yelling. "No…" he whispered. "No one deserves to be alone…"

There was an instrumental. This time, the music felt almost accepting.

Lithuania hated it.

The light of my lyubov' and mechta overflow as I leave the forest of reminiscence.

The offering adorning my departure is a flower of hope.

Lithuania suddenly realized that Russia was holding a sunflower. He decided not to question it, though.

The vision of my lyubov' and mechta is fleeting,

Russia cradled the sunflower carefully in his arms and stroked its petals gently. It was rather cute. And the sunflowers seemed to be giving off light and warming up the room. Lithuania could see why Russia liked sunflowers.

and while hearing my familiar lamentation,

Suddenly, Russia's grip tightened on the petals and he tugged on them slightly. Lithuania gasped. 'Don't hurt the sunflower!' he thought.

To both his and Russia's surprise, though, the petals stayed strong and didn't break off from the flower.

is there some small resistance in the petals I grasped?

Russia smiled a small smile. It, unlike several other smiles he'd given off while singing, was a happy smile. Lithuania was overcome with a sense of relief upon seeing Russia smile. However, Russia's smile soon dropped off his face, and the sad look took over. Russia sighed. He carefully set the sunflower down on the ground, and then clasped his hands together, looking up at the sky.

Solntse, I pray to solntse.

Beloye plamya sorrowfully wanders through the frozen snowfield.

Lithuania's eyes widened. He suddenly understood: this "white flame" was Russia himself. He approached suddenly, swallowed up everything around him, and then wandered around, lost and sad…

"No…" Lithuania whispered. "That isn't right… You aren't like that at all…"

Like the silvery snow closing in, odinochestvo conceals my heart.

This sud'ba is a beautiful, quiet sanctuary.

Russia's held his hands out, and a wind seemed to blow through the room, whipping around Russia's scarf and tousling his hair. But it was a cold wind, and there was nothing friendly or happy about it.

Russia's eyes seemed to be sparkling with unshed tears. But in the next instant, Russia closed his eyes, once more concealing his loneliness from the world...

This sud'ba truly is

a white flame that envelops all…

And then, the song ended.

Lithuania was frozen, unable to move or think. Russia also appeared to be frozen. He just stood there in the booth, his mind probably being flooded with thoughts Lithuania couldn't understand.

"...Why?" Lithuania whispered. "Russia-san… why didn't you tell anyone about this…?" His cheeks felt damp, and Lithuania finally realized that he'd been crying. He couldn't wipe his eyes, though; Lithuania couldn't do anything at all.

Suddenly, Lithuania was pulled out of his trance by the sound of a violin. 'Huh?' he thought. Wasn't the song over? Then, he realized it was because Russia hadn't bothered to turn off the music yet.

Lithuania closed his eyes, listening to the violin. It was awkward and out of place, but somehow, it had a beauty to it. It fit in with the song rather well.

Just as Lithuania reopened his eyes, Russia also snapped out of his trance. He sighed, before walking over to the sound board and turning off the music. He looked around the studio with those sad eyes.

"I wish… someone would listen to this…" Russia said, closing his eyes. Then, he shook his head, put on his usual happy expression, and walked out of the booth, leaving the sunflower behind. Russia was about to leave the studio, when he stopped. "But that's the price I pay for putting on this disguise…" he laughed, and then walked out the door.

Lithuania's eyes followed Russia as he left. Then, he stood up, put on his jacket, and stretched. Lithuania sighed. "Russia-san… Don't be sad…" he mused. "I'll be your friend. Just like I offered way back when…" he smiled, remembering.

Then, he too, left the studio.


A/N: translations:

glupyy - Russian: stupid

sudie - Lithuanian: goodbye

muzyka - Russian: music

YA znayu - Russian: I know

nikuda ne goditsya - Russian: is no good

nepasiduokite - Lithuanian: don't give up

žibintai - Lithuanian: lights

Google translate -_- don't learn Russian or Lithuanian from me

People are OOC... but it's kinda necessary. We're seeing different sides of people in this... so...

This is written in a different way (i think), as to make it more dramatic. I hope it's okay.

I was gonna say something else but I don't remember... so that's it for this (really long) chapter.

See you next chapter