This author is so sorry for disappearing like this, and in such a bad cliffhanger. I swear it wasn't my intent: my beta reader disappeared and as I don't like the idea of changing beta reader in the middle of the story, I waited for her. She didn't return. But now I have a new beta and I'm planning on finishing this story this time. Please still read me.
10. The Waiting Chapter
…in which concerned thoughts spread
The first one coming back wasn't Turkey, but surprisingly Denmark. They could hear him well before he was sighted running out of the forest. Just a few steps behind him came Turkey, who was carrying a stretcher on his shoulder, and then a moment later came Liechtenstein and Canada. By the time the two latter came, Denmark and Turkey had already reached the waiting expedition and the still dangerously bleeding Brit.
"Oh my fucking God," Denmark stated slowly and clearly, as he thought he should say at least something, although being almost speechless, and stared at the Englishman upon coming closer.
"Could you save that for later?" Germany said angrily while making way for Liechtenstein, yet still not letting go of his tight clamp over England's thigh. Their first aid supplies hadn't been nearly enough to cover the damage. "Or just be quiet?"
"Let's hurry back immediately when I'm done," Liechtenstein said, with a slightly tensed voice as she started taking out the right supplies.
Canada came closer as well and Germany ordered France to make way and America to stop hugging England so that Liechtenstein could do her job probably.
"What happened?" Canada asked worriedly while handing Liechtenstein some water. Though he had asked the same from Turkey earlier, he still hadn't got a satisfying answer.
France shook his head apologetically. "We wish we knew."
.*** *** ***
When England was brought to the headquarters, people were already waiting for their arrival. To their surprise the one to take charge of the injured when they arrived was Finland.
"Carry him in," Finland instructed, turning around to return inside and show the place to put the Brit down. "I've emptied the hut as much as possible and no one is to come inside unless I give permission."
"Are you okay? Wouldn't someone with no injury be more sufficient for this?" Turkey asked, hesitating and glancing at the bandages circling amongst Finland's hair. "Your head–"
"Shut up and bring him in," Finland said with a wan voice and disappeared inside, expecting them to do what they were told.
"Obey," Germany ordered quietly. "We have no time to argue about that. If England was human he'd probably be already dead." He nudged Turkey to move. "Hurry it up."
Denmark and Turkey carried England inside. When the stretcher had been securely laid down on the table that acted as the operation table, and everyone including additional personnel had been driven out, Liechtenstein closed the door repeating the order of no one coming in. Inside were now only the two unconscious nations, Norway and Estonia, and the all medics, including Hungary.
Germany sat down on a bench by their fire. It was currently about to die down, so he added a piece of wood to it and heaved a heavy sigh, letting his head drop down. "And now we wait," he said to no one special.
America slumped down behind him and leaned to Germany's back, closing his eyes and clutching his shoulder. "Fuck all this," he said and inhaled, shaking. "Why can't we just go home already? This isn't a proper war…"
"Then what is it?" Denmark asked, walking in circles in the other side of the fire, kicking a dead branch ahead of him.
"This is just stupid," Lithuania mumbled from a log, taking support from Ukraine to keep sitting without hurting his side.
"Then how does it differ from a war?" Germany asked.
"This is even stupider."
"Is fighting to keep your life and return home stupid?" Canada wondered.
"At least normally," Lithuania specified. "One knows why they have to defend themselves. This time, we just have to."
"True," Russia admitted, smiling. "Even if they say we just have to think about getting back, it's really annoying not to know anything, right?"
Turkey opened his mouth to say something but decided not to. No one commented anymore. The nations sat or stood silent on the yard, if one could really call it a yard. It was just a normal clearing in the forest, only a bit bigger; and if there had once been a garden, there was no real evidence of that. Only their own footsteps and the fire had made it look like someone lived there. Had they had the time, and no fighting had been upon them, a couple of the girls at least would have probably tried some gardening to kill time, but currently no one thought about such things.
The benches and logs carried outside were now reserved for the injured, the healthy making themselves as comfortable as possible on the ground. Denmark had gotten bored walking and leaned against the wall of their hut. Turkey came to sit down beside his legs, massaging his arms gently after carrying England through the forest. No one said a word. Some attempted to say something, but just sighed or coughed instead so no one would notice. No one wanted to say something, fearing it would end up somehow mentioning the fact that they were now again in danger of losing one of their comrades. First America, then Iceland, Lithuania, Spain, Korea (who had been saved from dying from blood loss only by Turkey's fast reaction), and now England. Their break had back fired them.
"So," Russia finally said and gathered everyone's attention to himself. "What happened?"
"We don't know," America said from the ground voice full of concern and shook his head. "We just explored that old hut and it just… boomed." He stopped and let his head fall between his knees.
Japan sighed and took a deep breath. "The one who knows best is England himself for he was only one inside that old building by the time. We just saw the explosion."
"The whole thing just collapsed on him," Turkey explained, hitting the back of his head against the wall behind him. "Like someone had sneezed onto a card house."
"That explosion," Germany started, took a short break and then continued, "was clearly from a minor bomb. Not big enough to normally collapse buildings; that pile of wood was just too old to withhold it. The questions are, however: how did it end up there, or rather who put in there? Was it there before we arrived to this world?" He glanced around him. "Or did someone put it there just for us?"
"Just think," France said, sounding surprisingly calm. "What would have happened if we all had been in there? Or maybe just a few more? Two? Three of us?"
"Let's not think about that," Germany decided strictly, not wanting to make the situation any darker than it was already.
The silence returned for a while, before it was broken by Germany again, who sighed and, warning America he was going to leave, stood up. "Have the ones in the front been informed of this?"
Italy shook his head. "Sealand has been there all the time and I waited for someone to tell me what to say."
Germany nodded. "You stay here. One messenger at each end is the best. I'm going back to the front now. Someone coming back later tell me England's condition." He picked up his gun, ignoring some questioning glances concerning his sudden leave.
"I'll come with you," Russia said, smiling again, being the only one who could.
Germany nodded and they were about to leave, when Japan suddenly spoke up. "Um, Germany?" When he had the commander's attention, his gaze averted away. "This is probably a bad time to ask, but…I feel in this case it is important."
Germany turned more around to look at the man properly. "What is it?"
Japan hesitated.
.*** *** ***
Germany thought in silence while he and Russia walked back to the tenth line where the rest of their troops were waiting and keeping guard. They had just passed the fourth line, jumping over the quick excuse of a trench: one of their worst, only the eighth one was even more pathetic. Germany sidestepped to avoid a stone and jumped over another. He could hear Russia breaking a branch behind him while following.
He thought about Japan's question.
"Who's going to replace England as your second-in-command?"
Neither China nor Japan would do, as they were leaders of the wings. Russia had already announced he wasn't willing and so had many others, though excluding Russia none of the others had been among the list of choices he had immediately formed in his mind after hearing the question. America had glared at Japan for the question and opened his mouth to complain, but Netherlands had stopped him by setting a hand to his shoulder.
"Face it."
Turkey had told him he was more than willing to take the role. But he was an important member to the left wing and China wouldn't probably agree to that so easily. Switzerland would come in handy for his talents, but considering his position as a sniper, not to mention his individuality and a habit of asking no one for help. Switzerland would have to come down to the trenches and they'd have to either choose another sniper or resign the position altogether.
"Don't be stupid."
Thinking about his remaining options, Germany hurried his steps. Denmark came to mind. He hadn't said anything back then. Thinking that he was now the only Nordic remaining in the front, he could have potential to do the job. Sweden could possible still return though and Germany had already decided that before this all was over, Finland would come in to the fight. However, those two wouldn't be coming soon enough, so Denmark would be the more sufficient choice. Now that he thought about it, the axe wielder would be an obvious choice. He was a center, positioned beside him and had both experience and will to fight and lead. And yet…
"Give me time."
Germany stopped beside an old tree, pressing his hand against for support, but stood straight and looked up at the faint light of the slowly descending sun through the branches above him. How stupid could he be? They had no time. No opportunity to gather up and hold a useless conference like usual when something came up. This time they needed to get something done. Lowering his gaze to the ground before him Germany frowned, narrowing his eyes. He had a feeling they had forgotten something important.
"Give me time."
Germany raised his hand to his forehead and grimaced. Something was off, terribly off in his mind. He had forgotten something. England's case had triggered something in his memory. They all had been forgetting something. That they would need something, he knew it. And now…
"Don't be stupid."
Why bombs? There hadn't been anything like that. No heavy artillery, but…grenades…a mortar…landmines…the old trenches…magic…
"You don't have to worry about that."
But…
"Don't be stupid."
"Are you okay?" Russia asked from the other side of the tree, sounding interested.
"I'm not!" Germany found himself shouting, before he snapped back to his senses from his deep thoughts. Russia raised his eyebrows, surprised for the outburst. Germany stared at the ground, recalling all his thoughts, all which had happened. He suddenly felt oddly relaxed. "No, I am. Let's go."
He let go of the tree his fingers had been clutching and started towards the next line again. He was stopped by Russia's next words.
"Hey. We have forgotten something. Haven't we?"
.*** *** ***
The night was already starting to fall when the door of the hut opened and Finland stepped out. Everyone started as the door opened, but relaxed when they saw that it was Finland coming out. Everyone who could stood up and opened their mouths to ask the same question, but in the end, no one said anything. Finland looked so tired, he was ready to collapse. He closed the door behind him and remained standing there not saying a word, just looking at the ground before him. Many nations fidgeted restlessly, waiting for the medic to say something.
This can't be good, America thought and covered his face. He's taking too long to say something. It must be unpleasant. Oh God…don't tell me, please don't tell me England died.
Without America knowing it, many of the others had thought the same. Finland didn't look encouraging and the silence made things worse. Turkey was just about to shout and tell the Finn to say something, but he knew it would be a bad idea.
Finally, Finland took a deep breath and spoke out. "Okay," he said slowly. Too slowly for most, but they didn't say anything. Everyone held their breaths waiting to hear what the medic would say next. "He's alive."
A breath they had all been suppressing came out as a united, relieved sigh. But Finland hadn't stopped yet. "But only just," he continued, making many faces fall.
"What do you mean, only just?" America asked, tensed.
"It means," Finland said clearly, looking back at America, "that I wouldn't be surprised if he died."
"Isn't it your job to prevent that?" Romano huffed, and receiving glares from various directions.
"You think I have not done everything I possibly can?" Finland asked back, too tired to get offended. "Regardless of what I do next, he could still die." When everyone seemed stressed and defeated again, Finland decided he had to say something more. "But we'll do everything we can."
"Of course you will," Japan said and patted his shoulder. "Germany ordered us to tell him when we know something about England. I'll go tell him when I return to the front."
But Finland shook his head. "I'm not done yet."
"That doesn't sound too good," Netherlands noted.
Finland nodded, looking down. "There was one thing I couldn't do anything about."
Netherlands sighed. "This really doesn't sound good…"
Finland raised his hand he had kept on his side until now and opened his fist, revealing a bloodied little stick, a little over a half a size of his palm. Now when he showed them his hands, they noticed there still was some blood in them as well. "This," Finland explained when many people came closer to see what he had, "was in his right eye."
"Oh Jesus," Canada sighed and hid his face behind his hands, knowing what Finland was saying.
"He's eyeball has been completely destroyed", Finland said, shaking his head slowly. "There is no way I can revive it."
.*** *** ***
"Evening. Anything new?" Germany asked as he jumped down to the tenth trench.
"Njah," Poland answered. "They disappeared completely. This is kinda boring, you know."
"I see," Germany said, gazing towards the forest, where the eleventh line they could have won back but had decided to abandon was located. "Poland. Go gather everyone here. Who's the front scout right now?"
"Australia. Shall I call him?" Poland got up. "You have something new for us or what?"
"It's important, you'd better hurry," Russia answered. "I'll go in the other direction."
"And please call Australia," Germany said.
The next moment they were all startled as they heard a thud behind them; Switzerland appeared in the trench. The sound had obviously been him jumping down from his tree.
"Oh, has a monkey fallen from his tree?" Russia asked playfully. Then he quickly slipped away to tell the present right wing members about the meeting, while Germany held Switzerland's rifle so the other couldn't use it and tried to remind him (and Russia, who didn't listen, however) about the basics of teamwork.
When Russia was gone Switzerland huffed, irritated, and snatched his rifle and hand free, sitting down. "It's too dark to snipe anyone anymore anyway," he explained and then went on. "New orders or something?"
Germany thought about it for a while, then shook his head. "Just some updated information. But it's very important."
One by one the nine remaining nations in the front aside from them, started to gather up to the center. The last one to arrive was Australia, who had been spying for their enemy near the eleventh line. Germany took a bit of a risk when keeping no guards in the grounds, but he trusted what their ally had told them: they would be safe for today. And Germany wouldn't be taking long anyway.
.*** *** ***
When Japan arrived to the line, it was already well in the night. Turkey had apparently come back with him but gone straight to his own post in the left wing without bothering to come to the center. He'd tell the news there, while Japan came first to the commander before going to tell his own wing.
"Germany," Japan called, coming to the fire the center wing had made to warm up. "England's treating is finished. He is alive."
"Glad to hear that," Germany said and actually smiled first time in a while. He had almost fallen asleep before Japan arrived. "Remind me I'll give Finland some extra credit for that."
Japan smiled slightly and sat down between Switzerland and Poland. "I doubt he wants any. England is still in an uncertain condition and he lost his right eye completely."
Russia raised his eyebrows and spoke before no one else could comment. "Poor little one. That had to hurt."
Germany sighed, sending Russia a half-hearted glare. "Forget I smiled just now," he mumbled and closed his eyes, the sleepless nights and fighting starting to get the better of him.
"Finland collapsed soon after he told us the news," Japan continued, glancing apologetically at Germany for telling bad news like there already wasn't enough. "He was exhausted, but all he needs is just a good rest."
Switzerland huffed and poked up the fire with a branch. "Now tell me where we could enjoy that. I could use some of that as well."
"No kidding," Poland said and yawned, stretching. "Sitting in forests and fighting is just totally not my style."
For a long while they didn't say anything. Very soon Germany and Poland fell asleep. Germany was leaning his back against the dirt of the trench wall. His eyes were closed and shoulders relaxed, hands resting on his knee and lap, but Japan guessed he would have woken up to the lightest sound that didn't belong to in the picture. Poland had cuddled on the ground on his side, using a piece of fire wood and a jacket as his pillow and cover. Japan smiled a little when he mumbled something in his sleep and cuddled up more, pushing his rifle further away.
Switzerland kept staring at the fire, having taken it upon himself to make sure it wouldn't die out. There hadn't been too much good firewood around, or at least they hadn't found so much in the darkening evening earlier. If Denmark had been around with his axe it would have been a lot easier though. But there he was, insisting to take care of Finland until he was better, since he had deemed Sweden 'currently useless.' The hut was back in use now that England's surgery was over and England himself was now lying on America's old bed in the same room as Spain and Iceland were, and Seychelles was beside him. Or she had been when Japan and Turkey had left.
Suddenly Russia stood up. "I'll be back in a moment," he said quietly to the others who were yet conscious and climbed up from the trench and over the protection mounds, disappearing from sight. Japan raised his eyebrows, but Switzerland didn't seem to care and they both stayed quiet because miraculously neither of the ones who were sleeping had woken up. The sound of Russia's steps soon faded towards the right wing. Japan thought inwardly whether he should go back to the hut already, like he had planned. While thinking that, he fell asleep as well.
Switzerland stayed awake. He wasn't going to tell anyone, but he had actually fallen asleep earlier in his tree, which had been absolutely uncomfortable and could be used to describe how tired he actually was. But that nap had taken away the worst of his fatigue. A few times times he added wood to the fire, most of the time he just sat staring at the flames. Deep in thought, he didn't know how much time exactly passed until he heard Germany grunt, waking up and straightening slowly, massaging his shoulder.
Germany looked around him to catch the situation and frowned. "Where's Russia?"
.*** *** ***
Russia didn't know how long of a distance he had walked and it didn't really matter, because he would go as far as he needed to. He didn't actually know why, whether it was his instinct or had he unconsciously heard or seen something, but whatever the reason, he went on. While he had been delivering the meet-up call to the right wing, Cuba had said something that had sent a small shock down his spine and stopped him to think.
"I can't believe some people actually like war."
That had been enough for Russia to get wrapped up in thinking. Enough for him to partially skip everything Germany was talking about with the others, not that it mattered for he already knew. He remembered saying something to his sisters and had a minor vague memory of hysteric Sealand, but that didn't matter either. Russia too was tired, but not enough to fall asleep by the fire. The speechless company was very welcome for him so he could rethink everything they had done, what their enemy had done, and what their 'supposed' allies had said. The fire and Poland's rifle he saw on the other side of it had kept his thoughts on the right trails.
He had earlier rejected the thought that he would replace England as the second-in-command for a reason he didn't want to admit but had to nevertheless. He was more accustomed to winning battles and wars with sheer man power and he knew it. This kind of war wasn't his trade. But when he gave it a thought, even he could recognize something that didn't fit in. And with Germany as tired as he was, it was his turn to try to reduce their problems.
He thought he knew exactly what they had forgotten.
Reaching a little clearing, Russia stopped and let his eyes move from tree to bush to other indistinct shapes in the dark forest only the night sky illuminated. Glancing around his feet he spotted a fallen branch and picked it up. With that in his hand he started tracing the edge of the clearing, carefully pushing the bushes and underbrush out of his way to see what he could on the bottom of the forest. For a couple of times he stopped, staying in one spot longer than others, and once he crouched down and used his hand to see better between long hay. After a while he returned to the center of the clearing, his back to the direction he had been traveling.
Without looking, Russia threw the branch over his shoulder. It fell through the underbrush at the edge of the clearing. A second after it fell, an explosion behind him made Russia's jacket flap violently around him and flashed unnatural light in the vicinity around him. And in the light of the explosion, one could easily spot the nation who stood still at the clearing and see his face.
Russia smiled.
A/N: Again, sorry for disappearing like that. *bow* I ask for your forgiveness.
Answers to reviews (I hope these lovely people still bother reading):
cat'akai: Yes. ^^ I love Finland like that as well.
Howl's Owls: Thank you, that scene was hard to write. It looked too much of a movie scene in my head. P.S. I have the tendency to think the same :/
Ophelion: Your reaction was priceless. Thank you. It really made me feel I had succeeded at doing this. I'm sorry for not updating soon. *sad smile*
Nighttimefirefly: Your review, for some reason, makes me immensively happy. A simple review says everything I wanted to hear.
Loud Mucker Complex: Hello Sacchan-desuu =D Prussia is in our world. He wasn't in the conference and therefore never got transported. Germany was earlier worried about him conquering the world while they weren't there to stop him. And triangle love is acceptable in Hetalia fandom anytime =)
And to my dear new beta reader, Wings of Avalon: Thank you for saving my story. I'll try to improve my writing.