Hey everyone! I managed to crack out chapter ten rather quickly, and it's a little longer than the last chapter.

This particular chapter is in Romano's point of view, so be prepared for curses. I tried my best on him, because I thought it only fitting that I do his POV at this point in the story.

Currently I am debating whether or not to continue in Romano's pov, do Ita-kun, or do Japan again. If I do one of the Italy brothers, then I'll have to be creative with the bathing scene...I like a challenge...But still, I dunno. I'd like your feedback on that :D

Also, I appologize if at the end, Romano is a little out of character. I invisioned him, even though he acts like he hates everyone and everything, I'd think he's actually rather protective of Veneziano...could just be me though. XD

Anyways, Please enjoy!


Chapter Ten: Romano; Lost Memories

As soon as Veneziano disappeared, I let out a scream. How could he be so stupid? It would be one thing if this wasn't a fucking life or death situation, but noooo he had to go and do everything on his own! He was going to get killed! Why couldn't he just listen to me for once in his life?

"Whoa! No Romano!" There were hands holding me back from jumping down the cliff right then and there. Damn-it, fucking bastard. "I'll try going down this ladder firsts, okay? You just wait here." Huh? There were ropes?

I forced myself to look down and sure enough there was a rope ladder. It looked flimsy, and unstable, the rocks the ropes were tied too looked loose. Plus, when I looked down the cliff, I could barely see the bottom...it had only be because my brother was wearing that bright blue uniform of his that I had seen him. It made me frown over at Spain, and I looked at him in disbelief.

"Can you really use this thing?" I asked, frowning even more when he gave me that damned grin of his. "I can't see the bottom very well..." Spain faultered a bit...looking down as well. He swallowed loudly before grinning again.

"I think it's okay..." he started to say. "...though I can't see it very well either..." Spain shook his head. "The Boss will go down first, so just wait just a minute~" With that, the idiot turned and started going down the ladder. He was grinning all the way, and I watched as he got further and further away. He let out a laugh. "It's fine, the ropes aren't even rotten!"

"...I bet you just jinxed yourse-" I didn't even get to finish my sentence, for Spain let out a scream and he almost vanished from view with a thud. "Spain? A-Are you okay?" For a moment, nothing but silence answered me.

"Guh, ow..." Spain finally said, and I barely saw him get up. "no...the ropes are burnt half way down..."

"Damnit!"

"I hadn't noticed...ow...welp...nothing else I can do but go forward..." Wait what?

"H-hey!" I exclaimed, moving to start going down the ladder myself, even though he had just said it was useless.

"Romano." Spain suddenly said, making me stop. The tone of his voice...I had rarely ever heard it. It made me swallow a few times.

"...Yeah?"

"...I'm so glad Ita is all right."

I made a noise in the back of my throat, huffing and turning away. Damnit, of course. Everybody only cared about him. But...the damned bastard had a point. I couldn't help but place a hand over my heart...I could still remember those shocks...I hadn't lied when I said it felt like half of me had disappeared.

"I'll see if I can find something to replace the ladder." Spain said, and I sighed. "Wait a moment."

"All right. Don't take too long, and don't get distracted! If you do, I'll just get down this." I said with a huff, before sighing again. I turned away from him. "...a-and...b-be careful..."

"Oh!" Damnit, I knew he'd take it that way. "Are you worried about me? That makes me so happy! I'll be right back, so just wait right there!"

I heard his footsteps become quieter and quieter, and then the sound of a door closing. I was alone. Great. Fucking great. I didn't know too much about this place, but...god, that thing...I did NOT want to meet it.

"...Veneziano...you better be okay..." I muttered to myself. Despite the fact that everyone liked him more than me...I couldn't help but be worried about him. Sure, Grandfather always loved him more. Sure, he has Grandfather's looks. Sure, everyone liked him more...but he was my brother. It was my job to protect him...and he had to go and do something like this.

"God damned...fucking idiot..." I put my head in my hands, leaning up against the cave wall. When I got my hands on him, I was going to kill him. I was going to murder him. Thinking he could do this on his own...

I looked over the side of the cliff. God damnit, where the hell was Spain? I bet he forgot again. Perhaps he found Veneziano? No...knowing my brother, he wouldn't be found that easily. So where the hell was he? I sighed.

"Damnit Spain, get your ass back here and get me down so we can find that idiot..." I muttered, closing my eyes. I waited. And I waited. Oh, and I waited some more. Did I ever mention how much I hate waiting?

Finally I heard a far off door, but at the same time, I felt a stab of pain right in my chest. Instinctively I grabbed the cloth in my hands. It wasn't as strong as the others, but...

"Romaaaanoo I found everybody else!" Spain called out.

"This is where he is?" I heard Frances voice and I paled.

"Gah! Why'd you bring the fucking pervert?" I exclaimed, crawling over to look over the side. I could see everyone except my brother gathering at the bottom of the cliff. I frowned, trying to push the pain to the back of my mind.

"I'm hurt..." France muttered, before Japan spoke up.

"what ever the case, we must find Italy!" Japan replied, shaking his head. What the hell had the idiot done this time?

"Yes..." someone said, and I had to do a double take to see that it was Canada, America's almost silent brother. "I wasn't expecting him to lock us in that cell..." I growled. He did what?

"That idiot..." I muttered, causing everyone to look at me. "I never thought he'd be that stupid..."

"Wait, you already know what's going on?" France asked, taking a step forward. "All we've told you is that Italy locked us up and left on his own..." I opened my mouth, but Spain beat me too it.

"Yeah, I don't really get it either, but it looks like he shares some memories with Ita."

"What?" Canada asked, turning his head from Spain to me. "Does that mean he understand the situation better than we do?" Gee...talking about me like I'm not even here. I inched closer to the edge, glaring down at Spain.

"Spain! Did you find something to get me down there?" I called out. He better have...

"...Oh...I forgot..."

Oh, you have to be kidding me...he forgot to figure out a way to get me down? God damnit, that was just like him. Now I would have to figure out a way to get down on my own...

"We don't have time for that." Japan suddenly said, confusing me. "First we'll go after Italy, so France can stay here with-" Wait what? They wanted to leave me here? Hell no! The pain in my chest...I wouldn't be able to bear it if it got any worse! Plus, there was no way I was going to be alone with that pervert.

"I can't wait!" I exclaimed, turning and starting down the ladder. "Enough of this, stand back!"

"Er...wait a minute..." Spain muttered, but I only got three rungs down. A jolt of pain rocketed my body, causing me to let go of the rope. The next thing I knew, I was being held by...someone with white hair...oh right. It was that damned potato-bastard's brother, Prussia. He was asking if I was okay...but my vision was blurry...damnit, my chest hurt...what the hell...

"Are you okay, Italy's brother?" he asked and I nodded.

"Y-yeah...I think so..." I muttered, shaking my head a few times in an attempt to push the pain to the back of my mind.

"Nice catch!" America said, and I saw him give a thumbs up to Prussia.

"Let's split up into two groups to look for Italy." Canada said, "We'll start from the basement together, then my group will work on the first floor, while Romano's group will work on the second floor."

I nodded slowly, trying to get my legs to work. What the hell...had happened to Veneziano? It still wasn't as bad...as before...but it made concentrating difficult...and in the dark, I couldn't tell which way to go. Fuck.

"...O-okay." I muttered, silently cursing at my stuttering voice. "We'll go after...Veneziano...too..." I hit a wall. Damnit. What the hell was a wall doing in my way?

"Are you feeling dizzy from your fall?" England was suddenly beside me, pressing a hand to my forehead. "You're going the wrong way..." I moodily pushed his hand away and forced my self forward, and I could hear England huffing.. I followed Japan, who apparently was going to be in my group, out of the cavern, and into the light of the house. I took in everyone at that point. They were weathered, tired...Japan's clothes were ripped...so were Prussia's...America had a large hole in his bomber jacket. I couldn't help but tighten the strap of my machine gun, and I looked over at Spain, who had his Ax strapped to his back. I had known it was going to be dangerous, so I had told him to bring something to fight with. I hadn't realized he would bring an ax though. Whatever. I needed to focus, follow Japan to the first floor.

At the first floor, we split up. Against my will, I was paired with the damned potato bastard, along with his brother and Japan. We went up the stairs slowly, Japan lagging ever so slightly, and checked out the rooms one by one. I hated this...why couldn't we find him already? I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Wait..." Japan suddenly said, as we neared the other side of the stairs. "I hear something from over here..." he slowly moved forward...and sure enough, I heard sounds of scraping. It was coming from one of the rooms...and that damned potato bastard nodded to Japan before kicking open the door.

I knew there were going to be monsters. That much I knew. But...this was a little much. It was huge, towering above even Germany...and it was naked! That wasn't right, made me want to gag, and I couldn't help let out a loud scream right at the same time as Prussia exclaimed something.

"What the HELL?" the albino exclaimed, taking a few steps backwards. Wait...if the monster was here...then...

"...I...Italy?" Japan suddenly said, and I looked past the monster. I could just barely make out the form of my brother against the far wall.

"Italy?" Germany exclaimed, taking a few steps forward, before he stopped. The monster...it let out some sort of sound before it just...well, faded, and I got a good look at the condition my brother was in.

Veneziano was in terrible condition. I could see he was shaking, as though he was having trouble standing. One of his arms was hanging at his side, blood covering the sleeve. It was obviously useless. His other hand was holding some sort of book, I remembered that it was the book that let him go back...but that's all I knew about it. One of his eyes was closed due to a cut on his forehead bleeding down. His uniform was cut up in various places, red showing through as blood seeped from the cuts. And despite his condition...the moment his eye laid on us, he smiled...laughed even.

"hehe...y-you...found me..." he managed to say through the huffing breaths he was taking. I heard him let out a sigh, and he toppled over, book dropping to the ground a few feet away from him. My body moved on it's own, but apparently, Germany was faster. Damned potat-shit, I don't need to be thinking like that right now.

I fell to my knees beside him, watching as Germany carefully lifted my brother into his arms, cradling him. He winced as he was moved, but still, he was smiling. Veneziano stared blankly at the area in front of him, his other eye finally open, so I could tell that both were unfocused.

"...It's...you, Germany...and...and Romano, too...even though I told you not too..." he muttered softly.

"...Wh-why...why didn't you run?" I choked out, gritting my teeth. "You...You're so stupid! You should have waved your white flag like you always do!" He didn't answer me for a moment, closing his eyes and sighing. The smile vanished from his face, and he opened his eyes again, turning his head to me slowly, locking his gaze with mine.

"...waving that..." he started to say, and his voice...was so serious. "...it wouldn't have saved everyone...That's...why I decided to do...all I could..." He let out a sigh, his eyes closing and he turned his head to lean up against the man holding him. He was so pale...It scared me...

"Italy!" Prussia exclaimed. "Can you move? Just...Just take slow breaths..."

"There's still time!" Japan exclaimed. Time? What did he mean by that? "I'll stop the bleeding...Prussia, grab those sheets and cut them into strips!"

"Right!" Prussia exclaimed, and I heard him get up and I heard the ripping of the sheets. I saw that Germany had pressed his hand over the wound on Veneziano's shoulder. His hand was already soaked...but he hadn't said anything...Veneziano opened his eyes again for a moment, that little smile back on his face.

"...everyone's...so worried..." he muttered, and the volume of his voice scared me. Too many things were scaring me...damnit! "...I...wonder why..." I couldn't help but grit my teeth again.

"Just stop it!" I exclaimed, shaking my head a few times. Damnit, why did I have to be crying right now? I glared at him, looking at the way he was blinking at my anger. He didn't understand...why couldn't he understand? "Why do you always have to do everything alone? Take a fucking look around you for once!" His unfocused eyes stared at me...and I realized he didn't comprehend what I was saying. Damnit. "Shit...When you wake up, I am going to fucking kill you!" I exclaimed with a growl, and it took him a good two minutes to understand what I meant. The small smile vanished from his face.

"...Aww..." he muttered, his voice...so soft, so strained. "...no...but...when I...wake up again...I'll be..." His voice was broken, as if he couldn't focus on what to say. He let out a whimper that made me wince mentally as Japan tied some of the sheet around his arm. . He looked...so tired...and I understood why, I was the only one that understood... "Oh...but I'm...so tired. And it really...hurts...What am I going to do?...I haven't...yet..." Veneziano's voice died completely, and I watched his head roll and hit Germany's chest. I felt myself freeze up, panic welling inside me. Oh god, please tell me he was still alive...

"Ita-oh thank god." Prussia said, letting out a sigh. "He's still breathing...I was so scared."

"Let's go back at once. Prussia, please call the others to the safe room. Germany, will you carry him? Romano, please help me take care of Ita-kun's injuries. You take the one on his head." Japan said, for once taking charge. I wanted to take Veneziano myself...but...I knew I wouldn't be strong enough to carry him very far, and I could do nothing but watch as Germany lifted him up.

"Yeah..." I muttered, sighing. "Sorry for the trouble..."

"This is no time for thinking you're being a bother." Japan muttered, pressing a clean piece of cloth to the wound on Veneziano's shoulder.

"Did Italy..." Prussia started to say, and I vaguely saw him put away his cell. "...did he actually kill that huge monster all on his own?"

"He's severely injured, Let's hurry up!" Germany suddenly exclaimed, making me jump a bit. He finally says something, and he's all in drill mode. Fucking great.

"Gah, right sorry!" Prussia nodded as Germany started moving forward, opening the door with the side of his foot. I followed them, I didn't know where they were going...even though it just lead me to another door on the second floor. By the time we got to said door, everyone else was already waiting. I could have laughed at Spain's face.

"Ita!" was what he cried out.

"Italy!" everyone else exclaimed.

"Let's get him into the safe room. He's still very injured." Japan said softly, opening the door to the room so Germany could go inside.

Inside, I couldn't help but scoff.

"This is a safe room?" I asked, frowning. Prussia grinned at me.

"Not this room. It's in there." Prussia said, pointing to a large iron door that Japan was now opening. I could see stairs that lead upward.

"...huh. How'd you find that?"

"...I made it..." That was from Germany...he did what? I could do nothing but give hi an unbelieving look as he walked carefully up those stairs.

For some reason, that damned potato bastard's actions confused me. He was being so...careful, so cautious. I had only seen such actions from him in the wars...and even then, rarely ever say this much care. He was holding Veneziano as though he would break if moved too much.

The safe room was pretty cozy, it reminded me a little bit of home. It had a kitchen, and a table, and what looked like a bathroom too. It impressed me, to say the least, and I watched as Japan motioned for the first aid kit that was on a shelf in the back while Germany set my brother on a bed and slowly undid his coat. With the coat removed, I noticed the extent of the injury on his shoulder. The skin on his shoulder was shredded, and I could do nothing but sit and wait as Japan slowly fixed up Veneziano's shoulder with needles and thread and bandages.

"He's covered in injuries..." Germany said, watching Japan's work. It was a wonder Veneziano was still unconscious even as Japan finished up wrapping the bandages around his chest and head. Germany laid him down on the bed as gently as he could, covering him up to his chin.

"He fought alone." France said, shaking his head. "It's no wonder." Canada came to stand next to the pervert.

"I heard that the monster was much bigger than before from Prussia. But...he wasn't surprised at all, was he?"

"It's as if he already knew, da?" Russia asked, grinning. I shivered.

"We should think..." China started to say, walking over. "...that he's already seen it many times over-aru."

"I agree..." Japan said, wiping his hands off with a spare piece of fabric. "That would explain the strength that he has suddenly gotten...He couldn't have had it from the beginning." America let out a sigh.

"...I think it's something he's accumulated. It's finally taken shape now...but we can't be sure unless we hear it from his own mouth." America muttered, and everyone kind of stared at him. It wasn't every day that the idiot said something insightful.

"What can we do then?" Prussia asked, getting to his feet. "We can't just demand that he tell us everything as soon as he wakes up! Do you really think he'd tell us just like that?"

"Well..." England started, and I turned to look at him. "If we don't ask him, we'll never know, will we?"

It was...interesting, and slightly disheartening to watch this. Granted, Veneziano wasn't on the best of terms with the allied nations, but this was...almost insane. China, Canada, and England wanted to interrogate him...like he was some sort of prisoner that had done something wrong. That wasn't the case, Veneziano had done nothing wrong other than being an idiot. It made me sick to think they were treating this like some sort of war where they had to choose sides.

"...Romano...you know something, don't you?" Being called on, I blinked a few times at the person who had spoken to me. It was America. "Can't you tell us?" Oh. he wanted me to tell what I knew. I...I didn't think I could do that.

"Roma?" came Spain's voice, and I sighed.

"...Yes. I don't know everything," I said, choosing my words carefully for once. "but I know more than you do."

"Then..." Prussia started, but I quickly cut him off.

"But, in knowing the truth...I also understand my brother's decision." I said, not looking at anyone. "I can't just tell you something that he's...so desperate to hide." England slammed his fist against the wall, right beside Veneziano's bed, causing me, and Germany to glare at him.

"Bloody hell, this isn't only about him!" the britian yelled, and Germany got to his feet slowly. "Other people's lives are at stake! What the hell are we supposed to do now?" I faultered a bit.

"Calm down England." Germany said, and I heard the other sigh a bit as I lowered my head.

"...I'm sorry...I...I don't..." Damnit, what was I supposed to say? "Oh sure, I'll spill everything about what I know"? Like that was going to happen...but...

"Go easy on him." I looked up, and for once, that idiot Spain was sticking up for me. "I don't know what to do either, but you're being to harsh on Romano. Give him a break." Surprisingly they backed off, England sat down with a huff and Germany sat back down after fixing a wrinkle in Veneziano's sheets. Huh. I didn't realize that the damned potato bastard had OCD. I let out a sigh. It there was one opinion that I actually wanted, it was his, since he was the only thing my damned brother could talk about half the time.

"Potato Head, What do you think?" I asked, causing the man to blink at me. "What do you think we should do. Do you think we should do as the Brit says and interrogate him, or do you think we should wait?" After a moment, I sighed. "I want your opinion."

The room went silent. Odd, I didn't think I asked such a weird question. It didn't require brain surgery...or at least, I didn't think it did. I watched him flounder a bit at my question, and I could have laughed, but I didn't. I was serious. I wanted to know what he thought. I wanted to know what kind of friend he was.

"...Germany-san?" Japan prodded, when he didn't answer, and finally, the man sighed.

"...I..." he started to say, staring at the bed in front of him, at my brother laying in it. "...I just...want him to wake up first." Well, duh. We all wanted him to wake up. "...More than to interrogate him...or to wait...more...more than anything, I want him to wake up. And then...if he wants to talk? I'll listen. If he doesn't want too? I won't ask." He paused, and I was surprised. I didn't expect his answer to be so...deep. "...I think we should try trusting him."

I accepted that answer. While I had never been very close to Veneziano, and was jealous of his relationship with our grandfather...and hated the fact that he spent all his time with Germany...I respected the fact that he had his own life. I was...as the older brother, protective of him in...a twisted sort of way. I suppose you could call it a Love/Hate relationship. Him the love, me the hate. But what Germany had just said, it showed the man actually cared about my brother, and wasn't using him. For now at least.

"Yeah." Prussia said, nodding. "Even Italy has learnt a thing or two, right? When he wakes up, his opinion is gonna be important."

"Indeed." Japan agreed, settling himself on the bed next to my brother. Prussia sat down next to him. "Let us wait for him to wake up."

"It is a good decision, da?" Russia asked, smiling and standing beside China, who had sat down on the furthest bed, seeming to sulk. What the hell was his problem?

"hahahaah~ I knew it would be a good plan!" America exclaimed, bouncing down to sit across from China. I scoffed.

"shut up you burger eating bastard." I snapped, glaring before sitting down on the bed across from my brother. I crossed my arms, and tried to tune the idle chitchat that had now sprung up as they waited. The air was tense, even with the chitchat going on. Why the hell did I always get dragged into Veneziano's messes...it really pissed me off. But...why did I feel like this was just beginning?

"W-wait!"

I looked up and found that the damned potato head was on his feet, looking at my brother.

"What is it Germany-san?" Japan asked, and I let out a sigh.

"He's waking up." I stated, staring at my brother. Veneziano was stirring...It was slow, he moved only his head at first, but then I could see he was...almost testing his arms and legs. I saw his face twist in pain as he moved, obviously upsetting his injuries. Everyone was on their feet instantly, crowding around as he finally opened his eyes.

The instant Veneziano opened his eyes, I knew there was something wrong. Something terribly wrong. I heard people talking to him, and I watched as he looked around, but he didn't say anything. Veneziano always said something when he woke up, whether it be 'hello' or crying about the latest nightmare, I couldn't take help but take a few steps forward, feeling panic slip onto my face.

"H-Hey...Veneziano?" I asked, and I watched his eyes land on me.

They were completely blank. They held no recognition in them. He didn't know who we were.

"What's wrong?" I heard someone ask, as I felt the color drain from my face as my brother turned his eyes away and looked around, seeming to be completely lost. Someone finally caught the look on his face...

"Italy? What's the matter?" It was Prussia who asked, it, while Germany laid a hand on Veneziano's forehead. I saw Veneziano's eyes flicker over to the albino, then back up to the man above him. I walked the few steps to the end of my brother's bed. He apparently had said something that no one could hear.

"I'm sorry, Italy...I couldn't hear you." Germany said, lowering his head so he could hear the other. "Can you say that again?"

I dreaded what he would say...I did. I knew in my heart what it would be, even though I begged for it to be different. All those times...they had taken their toll on him...Damnit! I felt so useless!

"...w-who..." Veneziano started to say, and his face twisted up in pain as he tried to move again. "...are...you?"

In that moment. I hated myself.

I should have been the one laying there...