This chapter is considered "Safe For Work."

***Warnings: Blood and violence mention.***

***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia nor the characters in this chapter. The plot is mine.***

In Minsk, the daylight had just begun flooding into the land. One man sat in the living room, his hand ruffling through his hair in a frustrated manner. His tall stature was stooped over, his red eyes heavy from lack of sleep. He rose once more, going down a corridor. He stopped in front of a closed door, reaching his gloved hand forward but retracting after a moment.

"I... Really shouldn't. But..." His eyes widened as he heard a tortured moan from inside. He threw open the door, looking towards the bed and the two figures laying on it: one completely engulfed by the blanket and the other fast asleep. Brow furrowed, he stalked over to the bed and pulled the second woman upwards.

"Wake up!" The woman shook awake, her eyes flew open and she looked around to settle her gaze on her brother. She blinked a couple times, letting the haze of sleep drop off.

"Ivan, you are not to talk to me in that tone, do you understand?" She cuffed him on the side of the head and he dropped her, rubbing his struck ear. "Speaking to your Big Sister in such a way. It's insulting!" The woman crossed her arms, sneering at him. Her violet eyes glimmered intensely. "Now, speak to me in a polite manner!"

The man, the representation of Russia, grimaced a bit but used to this type of battery. "I apologize, Yekaterina... It's just, you didn't report to me for the last two hours I began to get worried..." He then turned angrily toward her, his red eyes flaring. "What do you think you're doing? We're here for a reason and-"

Another groan came from the bundle and both tore their gazes from each other. Ukraine crawled over to her, pulling the blanket from her face. "Natalya, how are you feeling?"

Inside the blanket, a girl let her eyes open to slight slit, the fuchsia of her irises barely showing. Her eyes crashed closed once more and she let out another groan. "I... This shouldn't be..." She groaned once more and Ukraine rubbed her arm. Belarus looked over at Russia, her face twisting in distaste. "You're... Here? I thought... I told you not to come."

Russia frowned sadly. "I was worried about you. I had been waiting in the living room, waiting for Yekaterina to tell me what's happening."

Belarus growled at him before turning over. "If I wasn't like this, I would throw you out..."

Ukraine shook her head, rubbing her sister's arm and glaring at Russia. "You should have stayed in the living room." She turned back to Belarus. "I don't know what's wrong with you. It may be stomach cramps but you're not clutching your stomach. I don't know what's happening."

"I'm... Not in pain..."

Ukraine and Russia raised their eyebrows. Russia leaned forward. "Why didn't you tell us that?!"

Belarus looked over at the wall, her eyes spacing out. "It's like... I'm wrestling for existence..." She let out another groan before turning her attention to her brother. "Now... If you don't mind, I want you to leave."

His eyes widened in distress before he frowned in turn and spun on his heel. "Fine. I had to leave for a trip to Japan anyway. Something's amiss there, not that you care. You know, Security Council business." He stomped to the doorway, stopping a moment. "I hope you get better."

"Wait."

At the sound of her voice, Russia turned around, his eyes widened in expectancy. "Natalya, what is it?" Belarus slowly sat up in her bed. Her eyes seemed glazed over, cloudy, as if something else had taken over her. The air around her seemed distant, otherworldly.

"I... Need to go with you."

Ukraine held up her hand. "Natalya, you aren't well-"

"I need to go!" She wrestled to her feet, throwing the blanket off her. Belarus stumbled forward a bit, but regained her balance. Shakily, she forced herself to make her way to Russia and looked up at him with her cloudy, determined eyes. "Take me with you, Big Brother."

Russia looked down at her in surprise. His frown stood firm for but a moment before quivering. A sniffle came from him and the corners of his eyes started welling up with tears. He stepped forward, pulling Belarus into a hug. "You called me Big Brotherrrrrrrr!" She grimaced as he wailed in her ear, only. "I'm so happy! Of course I'll bring you to Japan with me!"

Ukraine crawled across the bed. "Hey, she shouldn't go-"

Russia glared at her, teeth bared. "Stay out of this! You just want to ruin our brother-sister bonding!" He nuzzled the side of Belarus's head. "You get your luggage and we'll go right away!" Russia let her go, starting for the door. "I already finished packing! My luggage is in the car so we'll go as soon as you're ready!"

The door slammed shut, leaving the two sisters together. Ukraine frowned looking at Belarus's back. Her eyebrows were furrowed and mouth in a slight frown. "Are you sure you want to go, Natalya? You aren't well."

"I will go," she stated plainly. Her voice seemed other worldly, completely void of her usually cherry disposition. Ukraine swung her legs off the bed, reaching out for her sister with fingers outstretched. As if sensing the action, the Belarusian turned at that moment to her closet, coming out of reach. "Thank you for coming," she continued. "But I must get ready."

The older sister sat on that bed, watching her little one bring out a large duffel bag and pull clothes from her dressers. They were silent as she finished her packing, dumping the bag on the floor. Eyes looked up and Ukraine climbed off the bed as Belarus fixed it. "I'll need to change," Belarus commented as she finished the bed and made for the closet once more.

Taking a hint, Ukraine walked cooly to the door, pulling it ajar before halting. "I don't want you to go." Her soft voice was barely audible but in the dead silent room it resonated clearly.

Belarus paused from her tasks, looking to her sister with a chilling light. This low light alone escaped the cloudiness that drowned her eyes. "We haven't done anything you wanted us to in a long time. Why start now?" Ukraine gripped the doorknob strongly, throwing it open and slamming it shut with passion. Somewhat satisfied, Belarus smiled. It had been a long time since she had been rude, said something without caring how the other would feel, said something that made her feel good inside. She felt refreshed, rejuvenated. Did the other her feel this way then? Free?

She blinked, looking down at the sweater in her hand. Other... her? Wherever did she get an idea like that? The pains came once more and she gasped in surprise, leaning on the closet's doorframe to keep from falling to her knees. Closing her eyes, she felt as if something was gently suffocating her, clasping their hands around her neck and wringing it softly.

You are the only Belarus, the voice echoed, no one else can take that away from you.

No. No one could take that away from her. Bringing herself to her feet and pulling on her change of clothes, Belarus looked to a small mirror that barely fit her whole face. She smiled to her reflection, the clouded veil over her eyes growing stronger.

"I am the only Republic of Belarus. And I will eliminate all impostors."

At the edge of the rural town, an old farm stood, as it had for centuries. The farm, simple in every way shape or form, currently had several crops freshly planted. The only way one could differentiate the farm area and the surrounding forest was the rickety gate that encircled the small plot of land. Despite its humble appearance, the farm seemed to be very popular with tourists.

The sun had yet an hour to touch the horizon when a large van, dark blue in color, pulled up to the gate. The windows had been rolled up and the only things made out from the black tinted glass were four silhouettes. The driver rolled down the window, looking out at the small farm house. He pressed the horn gently twice, leaning on the sill and letting the sunlight splinter against his sunglasses.

The door to the small farmhouse creaked ajar, a small child peeking it. His bangs fell over his eyes and he took a moment to brush them away. The door escaped his grasps and the child would have tumbled if his father had not caught him. From any view point, the man and his child were an exact replica of one another. The only difference being age. The child was placed on the ground and the man looked over to the gate, making his way to the awaiting car.

Without a word, he opened the gate, sliding it open and stepping aside. The van inched forward, going in as much as it needed to so the gate could be closed once more. As it came to a close, the driver's window came down and the man approached, glancing back at his home to see his wife, a woman of average beauty, standing with their child in her arms. The man with brown hair and dark sunglasses pulled his head out, looking at the one who let them in.

"It's been a while, NN," the driver greeted.

A voice rang out from behind him. "Oh, Alfred, it's not been that long. Only a month has passed!" A man with bright blonde hair pushed America aside, peeking over his shoulder with a smile. "Hello, Niko Niko!" Niko Niko visually tensed. "Ah! Sorry, chap! It's Hajime now, right? Hajime Wakahisa?"

The former country made no sign to confirm it and instead acted as if he had heard nothing from the Englishman. "Arthur. Alfred. Who else came with you?"

"Francis and Wang Yao." Niko Niko tensed, realizing that the top Security Council members were present. Not noticing or deciding not to, England looked through the front windshield onto the ground. Tire tracks covered the ground, going through the farm and behind the household. "I'll assume they got here before us?"

Another nod. "Yes. You know where to go." The Japanese man turned, returning to his family without another word.

America watched the man go before looking back at the passenger's seat's occupant. "You know we don't call him by his country name. What were you thinking." England shrugged at that rhetorical question, a mischievous grin playing on his features. Sighing at the older nation's mocking silence, America rolled up the window only to catch a glimpse of Niko Niko returning inside with his family. His wife's gaze looked curiously at the car as she always did before turning her eyes to her silent husband. He coaxed them inside wordlessly, refusing to turn once more. As the door closed, America hmphed, switching the gears and driving through the farm.

The trip continued in silence, seeing as Francis and Wang Yao had fallen asleep about an hour before, with small bumps here and there. As they reached the end of the farm, a dirt path revealed itself betwixt the trees. Taking that road, the van jerked slightly as it began its path through the wilder route. Trees surrounded them like infantry and America frowned before taking his hand of the wheel to wave to England.

"Hey, wake up the other two, will ya. We'll be there soon and groggy grandpas ain't going to do much for the Security Council motif." England chuckled, procuring an angry frown the other. "What the hell is that for?"

England looked to his former colony, a kinder light in his eyes. "You always act that way when you think no one but me is paying attention." He received a growl in response. "Oh, pish posh, I won't say anything to anyone else. That'd only make you stop."

"Just wake them up."

With a smile, England turned around in his seat, prodding the knee of the Asian nation. "Wang Yao~" China replied with a moan, turning over to France. The Brit prodded his knee once more. "If you don't wake up, I'll cut your hair~"

"I'm up!" China exclaimed, sitting up right and glaring at England. "You will not touch my ponytail, do you understand? You and your assimilation..."

"Aw, but it'd look so good on you," England retorted with a pout. "It wouldn't hurt for a little snip snap?" He paused, looking over at America. "Now that I think about it, your hair is-"

"Boston. Tea Party." America's voice carried an edge to it. "That was the last time you told me what to do."

"Well, actually-"

"The LAST. TIME." His volume rose steadily throughout the statement, enforcing the finality of the subject. America jerked the wheel, causing all the surprised riders to jump in their seats. Even the slumbering France was shaken awake, his eyes blinking away the dreams. He looked around him, frowning slightly.

"Woah there. What happened?"

"On our way to the meeting house," England replied cheerily, having recovered from the sudden turn. "Kiku will meet us, as well as Feliciano and Ludwig." The blonde put a finger against his lips. "They'll be telling us what happened last night~"

"There's also that weird voice." China looked worriedly out the window at the passing trees. His brow furrowed and thoughts strayed to his younger brother.

France crossed his arms in confusion. "Weird voice?"

"We called them and they said to meet us here," America reported. "They hung up the phone when someone else butted in. They're definitely hiding something."

The car grew silent once more and they finally came into an enormous paved parking lot. Only two other cars had been parked in the area. America pulled up to the right of the red vehicle, turning off the engine and stuffing the keys into his pocket. In silence, the group exited the car. America lead the way with China close behind as they tread up a dirt path framed by stones. France started to follow but stopped as he found England examining the car, a knowing grin on his face. Despite the urgency they felt at getting to the meeting, France walked back, looking through the window himself.

"What are you looking for, Angleterre?" The Brit let out a small chuckle, not removing his eyes from the car's interior.

"Since your eyesight is failing you, try giving it a whiff." France felt his frown deepen. "I'm telling you to use the senses you do have. You have a better sense of smell than most. Use it." Hesitating for a moment, France put his nose closer to the barely cracked car window and sniffed. He immediately recoiled, covering his nose. England smiled. "So you did smell it."

"That's..."

"Blood. Yes." He rose from his position, turning to France. "I wasn't so sure at first but you confirmed it." He clasped his hands together, pulling France out of his stupor. "Now! Let's go interrogate the suspects shall we? We shouldn't let questions fester too long."

Translations:

Angleterre- England

Author's Note:

Finally posted! We now introduce new characters! There will probably be a couple more but here we are! Such suspense~ Next chapter we'll show the meeting. Again, sorry I've been holding up so long. I've been caught up with school, especially now that I'm a club president and I have plan a little too big for my short self. Plotting is still killing me for "An End Is A Beginning" yet ideas are absolutely abundant. Words can be so hard. Yippee. Now, thanks to my beta reader as well as my friend who helped with choosing Niko Niko's name! Until the next posting, feel free to review!

Edit: I found some errors so I came back to fix them.