A/N: As always, please review if you enjoy!

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Raivis woke before the sun rose the next morning to pounding on his bedroom door and Ivan's cheery voice saying, "It is time to wake up, young Latvian boy! Adventure awaits!" It made Raivis want to crawl under his covers and sleep for the next hundred years or so. Nothing made him want to curl up more than the sound of Ivan's voice in the mornings. He was quickly out of bed when Ivan mentioned coming into the bedroom to wake him.

"No need, Ivan!" he called through the door. "I'm awake!" Raivis made noise in the room loud enough for Ivan to hear through the door. He began to dress himself and ready himself for the day.

When Raivis emerged from his room with his suitcase, he found everyone else gathering in the living room. Vash was ruffling Lilli's hair and lecturing her on safety while Ivan was checking his bag to make sure he had everything. This was it. They were really leaving for Russia. They were really going to go to a wedding in Russia in the midst of a war, as crazy as that sounded. And it did indeed sound crazy.

As they were packing up the cart, Ivan turned to Raivis. "So who is getting married?" he asked.

"My cousin from Lithuania," Raivis answered. "It's a long story how we ended up in Russia."

Ivan gestured to the cart with a wide smile on his face. "No worries, Raivis," he assured. "We have plenty of time to hear the story!" He smiled. "Who is the bride to be? I'm actually from the town we are going to, so I probably know her!"

"Y-You're from there?" Raivis asked. He gulped when he saw Ivan nod. Then he probably did know Natalia and Irunya. "He's marrying a woman by the name of Natalia Arlovskaya."

The Russian man's face paled. "Natalia?" he asked after a moment. "Your cousin is marrying Natalia?" He stood there for a moment, taking it all in. "Well, I most certainly wish him the best." Ivan smiled at Raivis. "I apologize in advance about her."

"Oh, trust me, I've met her," Raivis sighed. "I know exactly what you mean."

Ivan chuckled, causing the Latvian boy to think that maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all.

.

"So Ivan, you know Natalia as well?" Lilli asked once they had been on the road for about an hour. "How do you know her?"

"When you grow up in a town as small as the one we grew up in, it's nearly impossible not to know each other," Ivan answered with a laugh. "But her father owned a store that everyone shopped at when I lived there. We also took dance classes together."

"You dance?" Lilli asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

The tips of Ivan's ears went pink. "My mother made me do it." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, Natalia realized she liked me when we were about fifteen or so. So we started dating. She was crazy, let me tell you. She always wanted to know where I was and what I was doing. If I didn't tell her, she would threaten me with the dagger she kept in her boot."

"So the dagger is real," Lilli softly said. "I thought Raivis was just making that up."

"Oh, it's real," Raivis and Ivan sighed in unison.

"I was young and stupid for ever wanting to be with her," Ivan continued. "And when my parents divorced, we broke up, and my mother and I moved to Switzerland, which is where she still resides today. I still go back to Russia every now and then to check on my big sister, though. She just doesn't know that I do. Last I knew, she was pregnant and living with Natalia. I keep up with the gossip pretty well."

"Who is your sister?" the Latvian asked, though he already had a pretty good idea of who she would be. Natalia only had one friend. Then again, he didn't want to believe that she would be Ivan's sister.

"Her name is Irunya Chernenko," Ivan answered with a smile. "She's a really sweet woman, but she's so naive. I believe that a man got her into bed with him after promising her the world, and then he left her. I swear that if I ever catch up to that man, I'll kill him. My sister is not one to be messed with in such a way. She is too sweet and pure for that."

Raivis gulped. He knew exactly who that man was. Captain Matthew Williams of the United States Military. All he could hope was that Matt wouldn't come back until they were gone. After all, if he did, it would be curtains for him. And Raivis enjoyed his company. Then again, Matt was the only reason he and Toris were still alive.

"I met her when I was in Russia," Raivis told him. "She is very kind. Irunya acted like a big sister toward me. She cared about me when it felt like no one else did." He thought back to some of the pep talks Irunya had given him at the restaurant when he had gone in alone. She was always so kind and caring toward him, toward everyone. "I always enjoyed being around her."

Ivan smiled to himself and hummed happily. "That's my sister for you. She's the kind of person you just love to be around. She's very kind and caring. Irunya is wonderful, and I think she just wants to spread the love to as many people as she can. My sister has always had a good heart, just like you, Lilli."

Lilli looked into her lap and blushed. "Thank you, Ivan."

That was when the Russian took the time to glance at the two teenagers he was with and examine the way they were sitting close, but not too close. He saw the way they would glance toward each other and express things without using words before smiling to himself.

"You two are in love, aren't you?" Ivan asked after a moment or two.

The two looked up and gasped. "What gives you that idea?" Lilli asked, looking up at him, wide-eyed. "We're just…." Unable to find an excuse, she looked back down into her lap and sighed. "Yes. We are."

"There is no need to be ashamed of being in love," Ivan told her, placing a hand on top of hers for a moment, using his other hand to hold the reins of the horses he was guiding. "It happens to the best of us, you know. I remember when I was in love at your age. Of course, mine didn't last, but you two actually might as long as Vash doesn't intervene."

"What do you mean by intervene?" Raivis asked, stomach sinking.

"What kind of business do you think he's doing, Raivis?" Ivan asked, raising an eyebrow to the other male. "He's looking for a mae suitable for his younger sister. Of course, he's keeping you in mind, but he's out looking for other suitors as well. He doesn't deem any of the village boys suitable, especially that Michael that keeps lurking around."

Raivis frowned at the mention of Michael, yet his stomach dropped. How could Vash do that to Lilli? Didn't he realize that Lilli's feelings were important as well? She should marry for love. He felt as if he couldn't breathe.

"You know, Vash respects my word just as much as his own," Ivan continued. "So if you can prove to me that you are capable of taking care of and loving Lilli while we're out on this adventure, I'll be sure to report it to Vash. That's one reason why he had me tag along, anyway. He wanted to test you, Raivis."

"He did?" Raivis asked.

"Don't you know anything about him? He wants to see if you can really take care of his sister." The Russian smiled. "Just prove yourself, and Lilli will be yours."

Lilli looked to Raivis with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Please don't let me down, Raivis. I'm begging you. Don't let me marry a stranger." She leaned over and kissed his cheek to encourage him, but all it really did was add more pressure.

.

As they stopped on their first break, Raivis helped Lilli down from the cart as Ivan just jumped down and went to feed and water the horses. The two teenagers stood in the back, making small talk before Lilli stepped up to Ivan and pulled him aside.

"Ivan, you love me like a little sister, right?" she softly asked him, looking up at him with wide, green eyes.

"Of course I do," Ivan answered. "That's why I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe. I want to see you happy. Are you enjoying this so far?"

"I am," she said with a curt nod. "But can you see how happy I am with Raivis?"

He was quiet for a moment. "That's what this is all about, isn't it?" He smiled at her and ruffled her hair. "Yes, I see how happy he makes you, but you know that it isn't ultimately my decision. It's all really up to Vash."

"Why can't it be up to me who I marry?" Lilli asked with a frown.

Ivan sighed. "Don't do such a horrible thing like that with your mouth," he told her. "It doesn't suit a pretty girl like you." He smiled as Lilli blushed and smiled at him. "I'm going to do everything in my power to convince Vash that Raivis is the one for you, I promise. You just have to believe me and trust me on that."

"I do," Lilli answered. "Just please don't go back on your word."

"I won't, Lil," he said.

She smiled up at him for a few moments longer before saying, "So dancing, huh?"

"Go back to the cart," he laughed. "I'm not going to dance for you and the Latvian." As he watched her walk back over to Raivis and strike up a conversation with him, he couldn't help but feel bad for them, knowing that Vash was off trying to marry her off to another when she was perfectly happy with the boy right before her eyes.

.

That evening, as the sun was beginning to set, Raivis moved up to the front of the cart by Ivan. Lilli was napping in the back, and he made special care not to wake her. It was just that he had some questions for the Russian and needed some answers.

"Hey, do you mind if I ask you a few questions, Ivan?" Raivis asked him. He needed to know why Vash was trying to marry Lilli off to another.

"Sure thing, Raivis," Ivan answered. "Is it about Vash's intentions, by any chance?"

Raivis blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"

"You are very easy to read." The Russian smiled to himself. "Vash only wants what's best for his sister. He wants to see her happy and well off. But sometimes, both can't be done. He at least wants to see her well off then." His smile turned to a frown. "Vash believes that his sister can learn to love the man who will make sure she's well off if he's not you. Yes, Vash is aware of the fact that his sister is in love with you."

"He is?" Raivis asked.

"He's known since the day he saw you two kissing," Ivan answered with a nod. "As much as he desires to see his sister happy, he can't do that if he doesn't know if she'll be well off in the future. That's why you need to get your act together, Raivis. You need to show Vash that you can take care of Lilli better than any other man can." He smiled over at the Latvian boy. "And that is something that I know you can do."

"How can I do that?"

"Now that is something I can't tell you," Ivan answered. "It's something you'll have to figure out for yourself. But once you figure it out, you'll be a true man."

Raivis sat back and let that sink in. Ivan really thought that he had it in him to become a man. It made him feel good, but also terrified. If only he knew what to do to prove to Vash that he was worthy of Lilli, worthy to marry Lilli. But what did he have to do to prove it? At least he'd have a lot of time to think about it. After all, he was going to be with Ivan and Lilli for the next two months. Surely, something was going to come up.

.

A week into the journey, Lilli was beginning to feel restless. Her heart was starting to pound constantly, and her nerves felt shot. Everything inside of her felt as if it were building up. The world felt as if it were crashing down on her. She felt her heart racing at such a rapid rate that she felt it was going to burst at any given moment.

"Are you doing all right?" Raivis asked her. "You're looking pretty pale." He gently placed a hand on her forehead. "Is everything okay?"

"My heart is just doing strange things," she softly answered. Her hand subconsciously went to her chest as if she could stop her rapid heart rate by placing her hand over it. It didn't work.

"What's it doing?" Raivis asked, concerned. "Is it anything I can help with?"

Lilli slipped her hand into his in hopes that it would calm her heart rate. It slowly started working. "My heart is beating at a rapid rate, and it almost feels as if it will jump out of my chest. Having you hold my hand like this is calming to me." She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Please hold my hand a little longer. I'm sure Ivan won't mind."

Raivis stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. He smiled to himself, glad that Lilli wanted him and no one else at that moment when she was feeling so desperate for help. His heart sped up, but in a good way, in a prideful way. Things were finally going well for him.

"Being around you calms me," Lilli softly told him. "I enjoy your presence. It makes me feel safe and wanted. It makes me feel home on this journey. I'm glad I cam with you, Raivis. You're wonderful, and you are so good to me. I could never thank you enough." She laced their fingers together, staring at their hands fondly. "I really do love you, you know," she said just loudly enough for only him to hear. "I hope my brother lets me marry you one day."

"Yeah?" Raivis asked her. "I hope the same." He kissed the top of her head, smiling to himself. He had never been more in love than he was with Lilli. In fact, he had never been in love with anyone before Lilli, but he hoped he would never have to fall in love again, because he knew deep down that Lilli wasn't just some girl he would ever get over. "I have a question," he quietly said.

"What is it?" Lilli asked him, looking up at him with her beautiful green eyes.

"Have you ever been in love before?" Raivis asked her. "I mean, before me, were you ever in love with someone? I want you to answer honestly. Even if you had been in love, I wouldn't mind, because that's in the past now."

Lilli thought for a moment before answering. "I will admit that there were a few boys that I liked, but I have never loved any boy the way I love you, Raivis," she answered. "I never have come across a man that I wanted to spend the rest of my days with until I met you." She blushed. "I hope I didn't come across as too forward."

She took her hand back from Raivis, folding her hands tightly in her lap and staring down at them. Had she really just admitted that to him? What was with all of the honesty between them lately? Lilli had never been this honest about her feelings with anyone before! Was she really ready to be in love like this? Granted, it felt amazing to be in love, but was she ready to commit to Raivis and be only his forever? Of course she was! But was Vash ready to give her away to a man who only had love to offer at the time?

"You didn't," Raivis answered, smiling. "And when we get back, I'm going to prove my worth to Vash, just you see. I'm going to get a job, and I'll get a house. We will be happy together, Lilli, you'll see."

"I can't wait," she softly said.

Up in the front of the cart, Ivan smiled to himself. He remembered being young and in love like that. He also remembered when his heart and dreams of love were shattered as well. By none other than the woman who was marrying Raivis's cousin. He just hoped that what happened between him and Natalia wouldn't happen to Raivis and Lilli.

.

Three Years Previous, Ukrainian Border

Natalia slammed her hand down on the counter and peered up at Ivan. "I know you're not loyal to me, Ivan! Now who is she?" she demanded. Her blue eyes were like ice piercing into Ivan's inner being. She was infuriated. "I want to know who your other woman is!"

"There isn't one," Ivan calmly stated. "I don't know where you're getting the idea of that. I've already told you, my parents divorced and I'm moving to Switzerland in two weeks. There is no other woman, unless if you're referring to my mother."

"So your mother is more important than I am?" Natalia asked. "You're willing to leave me behind to move to Switzerland with your mother?"

"Yes, because family is what is most important to me, Natalia," Ivan answered. "I hope that one day you can understand that. But I guess today is just not that day." He looked down at his boots. "I am sorry that we can't last as a couple."

"I know there is someone else," she snarled at him. "Why else would you just do this to me, after all we've been through?" Her hands grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "Don't I mean anything to you, Ivan?"

His heart ached to see his now-ex-girlfriend in so much pain. "I am sorry, Natalia, but this is the way it has to be," he answered. "The distance would never work. Maybe one day we can be together again, but just not now."

"No, fuck you!" she shouted at him. "Leave me! I never want to see you again!" Her eyes filled with tears of hatred and hurt. "Don't ever come around me again! I don't even want you to come say goodbye!"

"If that is what you wish," he answered before quietly walking out the door, never to be heard from by her again.

.

Late February, 1943, Ukraine

Raivis woke with a start one morning as the cart lurched forward. He didn't expect Ivan to be up so early. The sun hadn't even risen. Was something wrong? He crawled up to the front to see what was going on and saw that the Russian had a troubled look on his face.

"Good morning, Ivan," Raivis greeted, seating himself next to him. "Is something wrong?"

Ivan blinked in surprise at Raivis sitting next to him. "Oh! Raivis! Good morning!" He had a cheerful smile plastered to his face. "I just had a bad dream is all, so instead of going back to sleep, I just decided to get an early start this morning. You know, we only have about two more weeks left until we get there." He smiled widely. "I know we're taking scenic detours, but it's the only way to avoid the soldiers. We just crossed into Ukraine last night, by the way, so we're getting close. We just have to stay on the border."

The other male nodded, still a little tired. "Part of me is excited to get to Russia, but the other part isn't. I want to see Toris, because he will be so happy, but I'm not happy about seeing Natalia."

"You don't want to see Natalia?" Ivan asked, confused. "Why is that? She is a nice girl."

"Maybe she's nice to most guys, but just not me," Raivis answered with a sigh.

"Maybe it's just a part of her you haven't seen yet," Ivan answered with a shrug. "Deep down, I know she's a good person. Let her show you that one day."

"Well until that day comes….."

"I know, I know," Ivan chuckled. "Just give her time."