I've been gone for like three years so I'll just shut up...

19. The Struggling Chapter

...in which everyone but Norway is running

Russia hummed cheerfully to himself while arranging the wires running in front of him among the underbrush. He seemed relaxed and carefree but he was actually working quite fast and without telling it to anyone, he was a bit worried. Despair and the like wasn't new to him, but their situation was starting to taste bad to him. He had received a word earlier that the enemy had attacked their Home which was poor sportsmanship in his mind. Russia was really starting to get bored of this whole fight and hoped it'd just end already. At least her sisters were still both alright.

"Brother."

"Oh Belarus! I was just thinking about you," Russia said and dusted his trousers as he stood up to meet his sister. "Are you done at your end?"

"Yes," Belarus replied with a little nod. For a while she listened quietly as Russia chatted about her being faster than him this time and how he still needed to sort out a few bombs. Then she interrupted. "Brother."

"Yes?" Russia asked and looked at her over his shoulder.

"Why were you thinking about me?"

"Hm?" Russia shivered slightly at her sister's eager expression. Eager in a Belarus way. "Just happy you and Ukraine are still here to fight with me."

"I'll always be with you."

"Ah… yes. Thanks. Well, can you go tell China that we're ready soon with this?"

Belarus nodded and turned to run away towards the frontline. Russia sighed and turned back to his bombs. Just a few more wires and bombs needed their place and their second trap round of wired field bombs would be set. He hoped the enemy would fall for it again, he had enjoyed the first time when he had done it with Sweden. They had a little less time and materials this time but he had done it once now so it had been a bit faster despite Belarus being a newbie.

I can't believe she was actually faster than me, Russia thought in a little spur of competitiveness. I need to up my game.

.*** *** ***

"You are almost done?" China was genuinely relieved after Belarus had explained their progress. "Excellent. We can hold this line a while longer. The next line is poor defence-wise though… Should we retreat two? …No, no we can't, that would bring us too close to Home considering… But if we open up the pairs −"

"China!" Poland snapped at his commander and, with the help of Lithuania, felled the enemy soldiers that were trying to charge them. "Think all you'd like but for the love of ponies please concentrate! We're kinda in tough spot here!"

"I'll hold them off for you," Belarus offered and threw a hand grenade towards their enemy lines, sniping it down before it fell to the ground. The screams echoing from the forest made her smile, satisfied. She took up position against the wall of the trench, ready to gun down any one who dared too close.

China was thankful for the chance to think without worrying about holding the line for a moment and crouched down beside Belarus' feet. Drawing lines to the dirt, he tried to better think of the terrain that was between them and Home, before giving up and digging up their map instead. The hut would be only five lines away from them after they retreated, one of those being a borderline unusable ditch if you asked him. A couple more drawn lines and excessive mumbling later, China hit his forehead to the trench wall and just grunted long and loud, frustrated.

Belarus kicked him to the back of the head (softly at least by her standards). "Despairing is prohibited. Me and brother will buy you time."

Chine straightened up. "We are retreating one line back while keeping the enemy at bay. Retreat will happen as a group, make sure there are no gaps for the enemy to pass us by and that no one strays off alone. Once we are in position again, Belarus and Russia will work their magic. Let's hope it'll be enough to stop the enemy advance for a moment. Poland and Lithuania." Chine looked at both nations making sure they heard him despite the gunfire. "I want an estimate of the state of traps in our flanks. How many are still in place and how well they still work. The right and left most pairs will be assigned to that."

"There's so few of us left that not many will be there to hold of the enemy if six people are off doing their own thing," Lithuania reminded him.

"Who are left and right most pairs?" Belarus asked.

"Greece and Hungary on my side," Poland said while shaking an annoying tuft of hay of his sleeve.

"Egypt and Cuba on the right," Lithuania replied.

China counted. If Belarus and Russia doing their own thing and the pairs at the ends were checking the traps, their remaining numbers including himself would be… ten. No wait eleven. He had eleven fighters to hold of an assault while retreating. Yes. This was going well…

"Alright, change of plans, everyone retreats together first and then the pairs on the edge will go check the traps once everyone else is in position and Russia starts the wire mine operation. Everybody cool? Okay go!" It was depressing to think that keeping four people on the line longer meant almost forty percent more man power. China shook negative thoughts off and concentrated on keeping the enemy away from their trench again with Belarus by his side until Poland and Lithuania returned, having passed on the message along the line. Belarus retreated ahead of them, passing the message on to Russia and taking position for her own role.

After waiting a moment longer for the message to reach both ends, China threw a flash grenade to the forest. On his left and right two more bright flares distracted their enemy and every nation climbed up from the trench, starting their retreat.

Afterwards, when remembering back to this part of the battle, everyone admitted that it had been quite chaotic and not their most graceful show of military tactics. Due to some enemy movements and battle taking place, China had thrown his flash a tad too early and the message hadn't reached the right side. Luckily Egypt and Cuba had at least understood what was going on when the flash grenades blew up, but Cuba's eyes were still aching and wet while he struggled to regain his eyesight enough to stumble after his partner as they left the line. Ukraine and Japan were constantly going too fast and had to wait for others, and somewhere in the midst of all the running, Poland and Korea got the bright idea to see who could retreat more fabulously. Australia almost blew himself and Taiwan up by tripping on Russia's wires and then further delayed the movement of the line trying to hide the contraption again from their enemies. And then Romano got stuck in a branch in away China hadn't even known was possible and they had been lucky an enemy who had happened to see that was so dumbfounded that Lithuania had managed to take care of him before anything worse happened…

It was honestly a miracle that everyone made it. When the first explosions and enemy shouts following Russia's operation were sounding through the forest, most nations gathered momentarily closer to the centre to plan their next move, with a few people still keeping guard in the case the enemy made it through. China had thought he'd get a moment to breathe and rethink their plans together. He wanted everyone's input for the last few hours. But of course, that was too much to ask…

"You were bitten by a snake?!" China wanted to bury himself to the moss and just pretend the world didn't exist.

"Or something like that, I don't know! I couldn't see properly because of the flash bombs, stepped into a hole and whatever was in there didn't like me!" Cuba defended himself and showed China some sort of cloth strapped tightly around his right knee. "We tied it in the case the thing was poisonous."

"If it's a bite, it's venom not poison," Lithuania noted.

"Aha, great, because that helps right now," China dismissed the comment and flailed around a moment trying to collect his thought before talking to Cuba. "So, a snake. Awesome. How are you feeling?"

"My foot feels a bit numb but I'm not sure is it because of something toxic or just blood circulation."

"Well we can't let it just be," Lithuania said and rolled up Cuba's trousers to see the bite mark itself. At least it wasn't displaying or spreading any weird colours… "We don't know anything about snakes in this place and whether they're dangerous or not."

"Is a snake bite really a huge problem for a constitution of a nation?" Romano asked and then swore a little as his make shift belt failed to keep his trousers in place. "Does someone have a needle and thread. I need to do something to my trousers to keep them up."

"Why are you assuming we have anything like that here?"

"No, we do actually," Hungary said. "The medical supplies do include a needle and thread for emergencies. But they are for tying up wounds, not cloth. We can't re-sterilize the needles if we take them out."

"So, I am to fight while holding my pants up with one hand, is that it?!" Romano snapped.

"What have we walked in to?" Belgium asked, half crawling, half jogging to the trench from behind their line.

"Belgium?!" China perked up and then looked like ready to cry as more people came in sight. "Wha… am I seeing here? Is this a dream?"

"What are you talking about?" Netherlands asked. "But hey China, reporting in from Home. "America and Latvia managed to route the enemy attacking us, Norway is doing his best to make everyone else run around for him and anyone remaining was sent running back here to lend you a hand," he reported dutifully, before pointing at the explosion they could barely see behind the trees. "Is that Russia again?"

"Yes," China said and regained his composure. "So who all is here and in what state?"

Belgium raised her hand. "Belgium! I'm still scratched up but good to go commander!"

"Yeah Netherlands here, still not the most agile at running or climbing around but I'll do my best."

"Um, Latvia, hi. America said he had things under control so… I'm here now."

"Ve, China, England told me that I need to start fighting with you. We need fighters more than runners now or something."

"I apparently slept a long while, but well, Spain is finally back in action I guess."

"Same here. 'You don't need to push yourself, Iceland' Liechtenstein told me but I've slept and done nothing for quite long enough."

"Sealand reporting! I'm still a messenger. With Italy gone I'll work extra hard going in between!"

"Sweden. 'm good."

Lithuania was laughed a little. "Wow, I suddenly feel like we are an army again. Even with some injured, this is still quite the boost to our forces, China."

"Tell me about it," China said, still not believing that he suddenly had seven more fighters to work with and a full-time messenger. He took a deep breath, launching his brain into full thinking mode. They needed new positions for everyone.

Remaining time to departure: 7 hours, 16 minutes, 11 seconds

"How is Norway?" Finland asked his neighbour and Sweden grunted something under his breath. Finland looked concerned. "Really?"

"I have no idea how you do that…" Iceland rolled his eyes. "I guess when you live with someone for a few hundred years you can follow anything they want to say."

"What did he say?" Poland asked. "We would, like, like a better report too."

"Norway is in no shape to work, but he can't sleep either so he's giving the rest of the hut orders from the floor," Belgium said and looked a thoughtful. "That pretty much sums it up, I think. I wonder what they'll do when he really needs to go outside again, but I guess they'll figure it out."

"That's an awfully bright and carefree way to think about the situation," Spain noted.

"What else can we do? Brooding about it won't solve anything."

"Was it really okay to leave Home with so few people guarding it just after Norway got shot too?" Finland asked, while moving to help Japan share everyone new grenades from their reserves.

"America and Turkey are patrolling the perimeter and told everyone they'd be fine," Iceland replied and nodded at Finland's shock. "Yes, the Turkey, hole next the throat and all. I'm envious of his constitution, honestly. I have no idea how he's still standing, let alone on guard duty."

Belgium chuckled. "Seychelles barely managed to keep him from coming back to front lines."

Finland laughed. "Why did I expect nothing less from Turkey?"

Unexpectedly, China joined his laughter. The tension among the group was lifted. More light-hearted comments were made and soon most of the nations found themselves smiling or laughing. It was such an odd, light feeling. A genuine laughter that spread across the trench, that felt so out of place yet more real than anything in a while. It wasn't even as if anything exceptionally funny had been said, but somehow a contagious smile found itself on everyone's face. How long had it been since the atmosphere had felt so free? It wasn't really even their place to be laughing at that moment. They were still in a dire situation and long strenuous hours away from getting home. But right now, that pressure was momentarily lifted, as if the stress melted away and only laughter remained. They had been through so much these past few days and it had felt like forever, but at that moment, for just one moment, all those hardships were looked back upon with a smile.

Then China shook the smile of his face, trying to stay on topic. "Here is what I think we should do," he said and everyone turned their attention to him, the light chatter quieting down. "We are going to get rid of the back-guard formation and keep everyone in one line. That said I am going to bring back the medic system we had at first: a couple of people just on medic duty behind the line and ready to help. Let us have those people be the more injured ones."

"So basically, me and Sweden," Netherlands volunteered. "I don't know about old Swe here but I was not looking forward to climbing in and out of trenches."

Sweden nodded. His foot and Netherlands' buttock were problematic injuries regarding mobility.

China agreed. "That will do. Cuba, can you get home on your own?"

"Sure," Cuba replied and scratched his leg around the bite mark. "I'm not even sure if it's a thing we need to worry about. But better check, I guess. I'll come back as soon as possible."

"Please do," Lithuania said and Cuba excused himself immediately, starting his way back Home in hopes of getting back soon in good condition.

China thought for a moment longer and then looked up with a little frown on his face. "Spain?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you climb a tree?"

"…What?" Spain was confused.

"Are you well enough to climb a tree?" China repeated but that only got rid of a part of the confusion in the eyes around him.

"Er… well sure. I guess?" Spain was trying to figure out where this conversation was going.

Switzerland caught on quicker than him. "I'm not sure there is enough ammo for two snipers, China. Or am I coming down instead?"

"No, no," China said and pointed at the bag Sealand was carrying on his shoulder. "That, if I am not mistaken, is an ammo supply bag that has been lying around Home."

"Oh!" Sealand's face lit up and he took the heavy looking back effortlessly of his back and handed it towards China. "Yeah there's stuff in here for you! 'They need every reserve' Liechtenstein said."

Switzerland smiled. "Excellent then. Spain, here's your gun, now let's form a strategy. Excuse us, commander?"

"Yes, go do your thing." China nodded. "The sniper position will not change in the plans, I promise."

Switzerland and still relatively confused Spain left, leaving the rest to plan their attack formation for the front line. Sweden and Netherlands gathered the main medical supplies and planned their actions. Egypt, Hungary, Greece and Belgium went away for a while to check on the traps on their sides between their current line and the next to make sure encircling them from behind at least wouldn't be easy. Elsewhere in the forest, Russia and Belarus continued their bombing and although a few stragglers or brave souls got through, their current line remained relatively peaceful while it went on. The newcomers were divided into pairs and the line was spread out further, yet still leaving less space between units than previously. Everyone was tired and some were injured, but it was just a few hours more.

They would do this.

They had to do this.

Everyone would get to go home.

Everyone had to get home.

It wouldn't be long now.

The enemy started getting through again. Their moment of respite was over. And when Russia returned to them, carrying unconscious Belarus on his arms, the smile that had momentarily graced everyone with its presence, was gone. The blood that dripped down Belarus' long hair from her face as Russia held her against his chest and the disfigured holes that had once hosted his sister's eyes, now taken by a hand grenade, reminded everyone once again of the long hopeless hours still ahead.

Not soon after they were pushed to retreat to their previous line and they were now four lines away from Home.

Remaining time to departure: 6 hours, 14 minutes, 3 seconds

.*** *** ***

"Where does this go?" Austria asked, holding up a rune drawn on a paper for Norway to see, keeping a pen ready over his memo sheet to make notes.

Norway squinted at the design, trying to focus. He looked at the sheet of paper Hong Kong had attached to bench beside him into a position he could see without getting up. On that paper was a diagram they had hastily drawn to help Norway explain things to others. Austria followed Norway's finger to make sure he marked the right spot on his own version of the same diagram.

Norway pointed at the third circle around the hut on the centre and a dot on it that could be directly seen from the second bedroom window. "Here. It needs to be… upside down. I mean as in… the rune facin' down. And… this side." he touched edge of the paper in Austria's hands. "Towards North."

"Bloody hell, is your magic always this complicated?" England huffed, sending a glare into Norway's direction with his remaining eye while shuffling the stack of runes in his hands. He was trying to find the one rune that Hong Kong had described as an upside-down A with a moustache and a tail. "Sure, I need to draw some circles and say some spells with mine too, but geez."

"I've never done anything this complicated," Norway admitted and nodded to Austria, who was re-citing the instructions, to let him know that he had got everything right. Getting ready to leave, Austria offered the rune paper to Norway. Norway set his hand on the symbol, letting it glow blue with his magic to charge it up.

"Alright," Austria said and stood up. "I'll be right back." Leaning on a walking cane, he scuffled off as fast as he could out of the door. The wound on his thigh had healed up well, but the muscle on the front was too damaged for him to walk well enough to join the frontlines.

On the other hand, Liechtenstein had forbidden England from walking around too much yet, so he was stuck going through Norway's notes and papers, trying to find the one thing anyone happened to need. America and Turkey were patrolling the edge of the forest around Home and Seychelles and Liechtenstein were helping where they could while trying to check on the wounded once in a while. Germany, Denmark, Estonia and France were the only nations still completely out and anyone else able had been shooed off to join the action group. It was more spacy and quieter in the hut than it had been for days.

Hong Kong barged in and broke the illusion. "Norway. Are we supposed to uproot the bushes that are on the way?"

Norway shook his head. "No, unless they've roots right where the paper needs to be."

"Gotcha!" Hong Kong replied and ran back outside. He was doing a marvellous job running or more like jumping around the yard with a shattered knee much quicker than anyone had expected. "Hey Liechten! Help me get rid of this bush and stuff!"

Shortly after Hong Kong left, Seychelles appeared on the door way and ran straight to their medical supplies and started gathering stuff together in a hurry.

"What's up?" England asked, raising his gaze from the stack of runes.

"Sealand just came to deliver a message," Seychelles replied while stuffing everything she thought she'd need in to a little pouch. "Belarus has been hurt bad and she needs help. I'm going to meet with whoever is bringing her here."

"Need any help?" England offered, but Seychelles was already running outside.

"Not unless you can run!" she shouted behind her and they heard her saying something to Liechtenstein outside before the sound of her feet quickly dimmed and faded away towards the frontlines.

Liechtenstein came inside and quickly started cleaning the table in the middle. Germany had been lying on it until recently but he had been moved to Spain's bed once the latter had woken up, so the table was again in use. Sadly, it seemed it had only seen normal use momentarily. "Sorry," Liechtenstein apologised, handing England some papers that had been on the table. "We'll need to this for medical use again."

"Can't be helped. Tell us if we're on the way," England replied, arranging the new papers to the bench beside him.

In the forest, Seychelles was already a good distance away from Home and covering more with each hop. The underbrush rustled under her feet as she glided closer to the red danger zone. Each ticking minute and passing hour made her more nervous but she bullheadedly converted all of it into determination. She was tired as well as the sleepless nights were starting to get to her, but she made sure to always have something to do either way. If she had enough time to stop and think, she feared the pressure would get to her more violently than she could handle. Her and Liechtenstein were now more accustomed to the coming and goings of the Home hut as well more on top of their own duties now, having (regrettably) a lot of daily experience. They were fine. It wouldn't be long now.

"Hi Seychelles!" Netherlands greeted as soon as they saw each other, then glancing over his shoulder to the girl she was carrying. "This… this is a nasty one. I hope she'll be okay."

Seychelles was horrified at the sight of Belarus. Her long pale hair was sticky with slowly drying blood. The already dripping bandage around her head had round darker red stains on the top of her eyes. Belarus' hands had been tied together around Netherlands' neck with a rag so she wouldn't fall off his back.

"Set her down, I'll give some more emergency treatment," Seychelles instructed and started examining the injury better as Netherlands knelt down, trying to get Belarus off his back as gently and carefully as possible. "You came alone?" Seychelles asked as soon as Belarus was down on the moss.

"We decided that it'd be better to have one of us stay as a field medic," Netherlands replied, helping Seychelles the best he could. "I'll help you carry Belarus all the way home and then go back."

"Okay," Seychelles mumbled as a reply, already more focused on the injury in front of her. The skin on Belarus' face had mostly burned or peeled off from hair line down to the upper lip. Her right ear had also been torn and nothing remained of the eyes. Seychelles fought back tears as she was cleaning the wounds and keeping the bleeding at bay. This was once again an injury they couldn't heal or reverse. Depending on how regeneration would kick in once they were back in their own world, Belarus could remain blind for the rest of her long nation life.

Together, Netherlands and Seychelles managed to clean and dress the wounds, wrapping a new layer of clean fresh bandages over the eyeholes. When they hoisted Belarus back up to Netherlands' back and started their trip Home, he broke the silence they had had with a question.

"So, how's Cuba? How bad was it? Can he still come back?"

Seychelles stopped and her puzzled expression made Netherlands worry. Seychelles felt chills run down her spine. "Cuba?"

A/N: Thank you anyone who returns to this story. We're a few chapters away from the conclusion.