Thanks to stormpix, Mx Akiyata and madders10 for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 88: Lessons

There will always be those that seek to learn, and those that need to teach them.

…

When Marcello became aware of what was going on around him, somewhere between awake and asleep, he noticed that there seemed to be a weight resting on his stomach. And once he became aware of it, he drifted farther away from the land of sleep and closer to wakefulness.

Eventually he opened his eyes, and he was immediately faced with a pair of red eyes. It took him a moment to recognise the person that they belonged to.

"Ciao," Francesco whispered.

Marcello looked at his counterpart for a moment, trying to think of reasons why the other was there, sitting on his stomach and interrupting his sleep. Finally, he couldn't think of a good reason and sighed.

"What are you doing here?" Marcello asked.

"I want your help," Francesco said.

"With what?"

Francesco blushed, his skin matching his hair and his eyes.

"I want to be able to spend time with Luciano again without wanting to run away," Francesco said.

"I don't blame you. Your fratello isn't exactly my favourite person."

"I have no problem with my fratello. My sorella, on the other hand…"

"Oh. You're talking about your shyness when it comes to women."

"Well, I wouldn't exactly call it shyness. More like… a crippling fear."

Marcello looked at him blankly, before he reached out his arm to where Lovino was sleeping close to him. The older Italian grumbled and swatted the other's hand away, but Marcello didn't relent. Eventually Lovino's eyes snapped open and he glared at his younger brother, though his gaze was quickly drawn to the redhead on Marcello's stomach.

"Lovino," Marcello said, "he needs our help getting over his fear of women."

Lovino stared at Francesco with a deadpan expression.

"Are you sure you're Italian?" Lovino asked. "Does that annoying fratello of yours know you're here?"

"Neither of them knew I was coming, but if Flavio is spying then he'll probably know," Francesco said. "But when I left, he was busy making plans for Luciano's wardrobe, now that Luciano's a woman. I actually think that Flavio is happy about that. It means he can be more creative with the types of clothes he makes."

Lovino groaned, pulling the blanket over his head. After a few moments his head emerged again, and he looked pointedly at Francesco.

"Fine," he said. "We'll start after breakfast. Now I'm going back to sleep."

"But…" Francesco said. "It's five in the morning."

Both Marcello and Lovino groaned at that revelation.

"In this world, Italians like their sleep," Marcello said. "We'll see you in a few hours."

Francesco sighed, but he stood up from his place on Marcello's stomach, allowing the other to go back to sleep.

This would be a long day.

…

Vash and Basch witnessed the exchange between the Italians, but they didn't interfere, nor did they have a problem with it. Francesco was harmless, and when they heard exactly what the other wanted, Vash found himself massaging his temples.

"I'm surprised he's had the courage to come and ask something like this," Basch remarked. "Although I'm a little worried about Italy now. It's common knowledge that he doesn't allow Seborga to stray far from him, especially when other Nations are around."

"That bastard just better not come," Vash sighed. "Come on. Our shift is over. Time to get the next group."

…

Michelle's eyes snapped open, her mouth opened in a silent scream. A fiery pain erupted in her stomach, and she curled up in a weak attempt to alleviate the pain. Tears brimmed in her eyes, the pain too much for her to take.

Theresa and Angela had been keeping watch, and when they saw Michelle's distress they immediately went to the island Nation.

"What's wrong?" Theresa asked.

"Anse Boileau," Michelle gasped.

She whimpered, and the other two women exchanged a horrified look.

"This is the second time they've attacked you," Angela whispered.

"Bastards," Theresa whispered.

A few of the surrounding women had woken up and noticed that something was wrong, and they all cleared away to give the ailing Nation room to breathe.

Ludwig was watching this and sighed in frustration.

"Scheisse," she muttered.

…

Lovino and Marcello were a little annoyed with Francesco. Because of his phobia, they had to eat breakfast in the living room. Though considering the fact that they themselves were known for their fears, they didn't exactly call him out on it.

Marcello had explained the situation to Jack and Jimmy, and the other two Micro Nations agreed that they would help, since they also couldn't see the logic behind an Italian that was afraid of women. They were also having breakfast in the living room.

Marcello was a little worried when Hans had come up to speak to Francesco, but the other didn't react. He was then reminded that, technically speaking, Hans and Francesco had already met each other. He was pleased, considering he thought that there was a chance that Francesco would have mistaken Hans for a girl (as many tended to do).

The problems started when Wy came to check on them.

"So, what's this I hear about your counterpart being here?" Sheila asked.

The reaction was instantaneous. Francesco had looked at her with wide eyes, and his hands had started to tremble. He had tried to back out of the room, but Molossia had thrown his arm around his shoulders, preventing him from going anywhere.

"You can't be serious," Lovino said. "She's just a little girl. A bambina."

Sheila glared at Lovino, and Francesco seemed to try to calm himself.

"A woman is a woman, even in miniature," Francesco said.

Lovino and Marcello exchanged a look and sighed simultaneously.

"We've got a lot of work to do," Marcello said.

…

Jett and Anika were whispering together, making the other Nations nervous. Considering the devious smirks on their faces, it couldn't be something good.

Finally, the others couldn't take it anymore.

"What the hell are you two scheming?" Alistair snapped.

The two turned towards the Scotsman with identical smiles that were so sickeningly sweet that nothing good could come from it.

"We were thinking that being cooped up in here, waiting for the Deathplayers is asking for trouble," Jett explained. "So we decided that we could spend some time outside. Maybe play a game of rugby? North versus South?"

Several Northern Nations paled, and a few Southern Nations looked towards the two and nodded their heads in agreement.

"No way!" Alistair said. "There is no way I'm agreeing to a game with you two on the same team."

"You do know that Kiwi isn't here, right?" Jett asked.

"That doesn't matter!" Will said. "We also lost Arthur, Francis, Romania…"

"Uruguay, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji aren't here," Anika pointed out.

"That doesn't matter!" Seamus said. "There is no way we're setting ourselves up for that."

"It might do us good…" Ludwig said.

The Northern Nations turned to the German, horrified.

"Traitor!" Alistair shouted. "No, it's not a good idea."

"We could always play football," Roberto said. "And not that poor excuse that America calls football."

"And keep in mind that it's rugby, not that baby football," Jett said.

Alfred didn't seem like he wanted to listen to them insult him and his sport, but kept quiet.

"Or we could play hockey," Matthew suggested.

"Nyet!" Ivan shouted. "I'm not going to play against two Canadians."

Matt and Mathew exchanged a glance, and Matt had a smirk on his face.

"And if you happen to be on the same side as the two of us, or even one of us?" Matt asked.

Ivan seemed to ponder it, and he gained a smile as terrifying as Jett and Anika's smirks earlier.

"I think we should go with the rugby idea," Eduard said quickly.

"Great," Jett said. "And then afterwards we can play some soccer, and then hockey. Though I think we need to establish whether it's ice or field."

"I'm fine either way," Matthew said, though Ivan seemed discouraged.

"This might be a good idea," Ludwig said. "Fresh air would do you good. Just don't disappear on us."

"We can't disappear if we're playing," Jett pointed out. "And those that aren't playing can be spectators, and we're not feeling as though you're babysitting us."

"I still don't think this is a good idea," Will muttered.

"But they do have a point," Seamus sighed.

…

"Are you alright?" Oliver asked, a smile on his face, though he looked as though he was trying hard not to laugh.

Marius grumbled from his position on the floor before hoisting himself and trying to stand. He tried walking again, but lost his balance and fell on the floor again.

"I hate feeling so weak!" Marius shouted.

"We know how you feel," Sigurd said. "Now could you try getting back in the bed? You don't want to have any of the other Nations seeing you like this, do you?"

Marius huffed, but stood up shakily. He held onto the wall and slowly made his way back to the bed, happy that he didn't fall again.

Oliver sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"None of us are happy about this," he said. "But until they find a way to help us, we'll just have to endure this."

…

Alexandru watched the Micro Nations. He had decided that he would stay inside, and at the very least try to help Francesco get over his fear of women.

Sheila and Camille were still there, and Lovino argued that if Francesco couldn't get over his nervousness around the miniature women, then there was no way he would be able to get over his fear of the older women.

"Okay, this isn't working," Lovino sighed. "What exactly scares you about women? Maybe we can work on that?"

Alexandru didn't pay attention after that. He thought he heard something. It sounded almost like Vlad's voice. But it couldn't be. Because Vlad was gone, and they couldn't get him back.

They couldn't.

Alexandru pondered. What could he do in order to be reunited with his brother? They didn't know how to get a Nation back that had been turned into a Red. And how much damage could the Reds do, anyway?

He just wanted his brother back. He wanted Vlad to tell him a story again. He wanted Vlad to hug him. He wanted…

He wanted Vlad.

He glanced over towards the door, and taking care that no one was watching him, he slipped away.

…

"So explain to me why we're forced to be here?" James asked.

Mahesh sighed, before he turned his attention back to the game.

"I seriously don't know," he said. "I don't even see the point in this game. Why did we have to be here instead of inside?"

"Beats me," Nicolai said, shrugging.

"It's simple," Elizabeta said, startling the three males. "Our New Zealand loves this game, and he, Australia and South Africa have gotten into arguments that have turned violent and bloody because of this. Their rivalry is legendary. And when rugby is involved, it's best to stay out of their way. And we figured that you'd like some fresh air as well."

"Alright," Mahesh said. "Then why aren't the magic trio here?"

"Because we don't like them."

The three cringed when they saw a particularly vicious tackle.

"Couldn't we perhaps have them playing this game?" Nicolai asked.

…

Andrei watched the Micro Nations with a bored expression. He didn't understand why they had to be helping the younger brother of one of the most psychotic Nations in his world. However, thinking about his own brother and how sadistic he was he couldn't exactly voice his objection.

It was when his eyes swept around the room that he noticed that Alexandru was no longer there. His eyes widened in fear, and he knew that he needed to find his counterpart before it was too late.

…

Marius was sitting on the bed, trying to ignore the other two behind him. He wanted to try to leave the room again, or at least make his way to a chair. It was starting to get on his nerves, simply lying in the bed like that.

He was just about to stand when someone entered the room, and he paused in confusion. What was Alexandru doing there?

The Moldovan walked closer, keeping his eyes on the Romanian, and when he was right in front of him, Alexandru suddenly hugged him.

Marius stiffened, and he heard the startled noises coming from his friends. He squirmed in the Moldovan's grip, but he only held on tighter.

"Stop it," Alexandru ordered, his voice muffled. "I miss my brother, and you're the closest I've got. Let me have this."

Marius didn't know what to do. He was never the cuddling kind, and he certainly didn't want the kid holding onto him like that. But…

He had to keep in mind that the boy was also marked as a potential Red, and one wrong move could give their enemy another advantage, something that they couldn't afford. So if hugging him allowed Alexandru to resist the Deathplayers a little longer, then he would need to endure.

But that still brought back the issue of him not knowing what to do.

He turned back to look at his friends, silently asking them for help, but instead the two burst out in laughter, apparently amused by the helpless look on his face. Marius sighed and turned to look at the child holding onto him, and he thought of ways that he could make the younger feel better. Make him feel as though Vlad was still there.

So he started to sing a song from his own country, and when it was finished he turned to his friends.

"Not. One. Word," he said. "Got it?"

…

The players took a break, with the south team winning so far. Jett approached Jana and threw his arm around her shoulders.

"So, how's it feel to be on the winning side?" he asked.

She glared at him, before smacking him in his stomach. Jett laughed, shaking his head as he walked away.

His eyes drifted to the spectators and he felt a pang in his throat. He saw James sitting there, and his thoughts immediately drifted to Fletcher. He should be on the field with them, but instead…

Anika threw her arm around him and hugged him, and he turned to regard the other, an eyebrow raised in curiosity and confusion.

"I miss him too," Anika said. "If he was here, then we really would have given our dear uncles a reason to be scared."

Jett smiled and returned her hug. Things could go either one of two ways. Either they found a way to free Fletcher from the Deathplayers, or they'd be joining him. Either way, a reunion was imminent.

…

Andrei was searching frantically for Alexandru. He knew that the Deathplayers hadn't taken him yet, since he would have felt the pain if that was the case. But where was he?

He cursed the fact that the building was empty, the other Nations having gone outside to either play or watch the game.

He paused. Was it possible that Alexandru had gone outside to watch? But why wouldn't he tell Andrei about it? Why the need for secrecy?

It was his best bet for now. Perhaps he could inform some of the older Nations and they could help him search for his counterpart. He hated being weak like that, but it was the only option available to him at the moment.

So he made his way outside, unknowingly going farther away from the one he was seeking.

…

Alexandru was finally content, and he left Marius alone. The Romanian sighed in relief, before sinking back into the bed, apparently not in the mood to try to go anywhere.

Alexandru was walking down the hallways towards the Micro Nations when he heard someone giggle. He stopped and immediately looked around.

"Hello?" he called.

The giggling sounded again, and his eyes widened. It sounded like his own voice, and he knew for a fact that Andrei didn't giggle like that. Which meant…

Alexandru gasped before he burst into a run. He didn't want the Deathplayers to catch him. He wouldn't let the Deathplayers catch him.

But when he rounded a corner, he was forced to come to a complete stop.

He stared at a boy that looked like him, with shaggy black hair and violet eyes. He wore a black tee-shirt with a cartoon ghost printed on the front. He also had black jeans and black sneakers. He would have looked like a typical bratty kid, with smirk and all, if it weren't for the wings, horns and tail.

The Deathplayer giggled again before he took a step forward.

"I think we both know how this will go," the Deathplayer said. "So why not make it easier and just come with me? I promise that you'll be able to see your brother again, and not just some substitute."

Alexandru stepped back, shaking his head. Even if it meant being with Vlad again, did he want to make the other Nations angry by going with the Deathplayer? And did he want Andrei to suffer that pain if he was turned into a Deathplayer?

Making up his mind, Alexandru turned and ran, hearing an angry shout from the Deathplayer.

"Stop him!" the Deathplayer shouted.

Alexandru saw other beings materialise, but he didn't focus on them. He dodged them, running as fast as he could.

"Alexandru!" Vlad's voice called. "It's alright. It's me."

No, it wasn't.

Alexandru felt tears brimming in his eyes, but he didn't turn to regard the figure that would resemble his brother. He couldn't.

He cried out when he slammed into something, and fear filled him to the core.

"Are you alright?" a voice asked. "What happened?"

Alexandru looked up to see Luis standing there. It wasn't a Deathplayer, but a Nation.

He was safe.

He threw his arms around the Nation's waist, crying into the older male. He trembled, thinking about how afraid he was of the Deathplayers.

Even if he could see his brother again, it wasn't worth it.

Originally, I wanted Alexandru to go with the Deathplayers, but then I thought about drawing this out to add more drama. Of course, the Deathplayers won't be happy, and there would definitely be consequences.

And as for why Luis was there, he was helping Ferdinand out when he decided to catch a breather.

And the whole rugby thing is actually because I wanted them outside for a bit. I originally wanted them to go to a lake or something (cue humour with the former male Nations having to wear female swimsuits) when an idea struck me at a restaurant. As a general rule over here, if it's not a fancy restaurant and there's a TV, then it's going to be on a sport's channel, nine out of ten times it's going to be rugby. And with the World Cup approaching, there's definitely the hype. Jett and Jana's interaction was definitely inspired by seeing the rugby that played. It was only a few highlights, but… 123 to 0 is kind of bad, and that's only what I know from the highlights. I also checked Wikipedia, and the rankings for the nations qualifying is New Zealand at first, second is Australia and third is South Africa. And it's also from a few headcanons online where they say that those three are scary when it's time for rugby season and it's best to stay away, and another which says that England, Scotland and Wales regret teaching them rugby because they're so much better. I also know a guy that received a black eye because he wore an All Blacks shirt a few days after the Springboks lost to them. And the other Nations mentioned are also ranked and are participating in the World Cup. So yeah. I'll just remind you that I'm not really into sports, so…