Albion sat on a hill covered in tickly, sun-warmed grass watching Italy and Rome painting down by the lake. The sparkling water reminded him of the one back home; it just lacked the laughter of dancing faeries gliding over the surface. It was the day after he had arrived in Rome and Albion was still getting used to the climate difference. He had a little difficulty sleeping at night, shifting and turning in bed trying to find a cool, comfortable spot. As soon as he drifted off, the sun shine in his eyes and Italy bounded into his room, pulling him up for breakfast.

From his vantage point he could see how well Italy could draw, even for his age. He must have got it from Rome, Albion thought as he saw Rome's artistic skill. He enjoyed drawing too but he was nowhere near as good as them.

He played with the soft, white fabric of the strange robe he had to wear while his old cloak was being washed and repaired. He had to admit it was a lot cooler his cloak. Bunny flew over with a couple of branches of grapes in his mouth, Albion greeted him happily. The creature settled down next to his friend, gesturing to him to take some of the fruit.

"That's stealing, you know." Albion scolded lightly, giggling at Bunny's mock shocked face.

"They won't notice; they have a lot of food here. I'm glad I came here with you." The last part became muffled as the creature put a grape in his mouth, looking more like a hamster than a rabbit.

Albion frowned, "did you not get a lot of food back home?" He picked up his own piece of juicy fruit.

"Yes, I did, but it didn't taste as good as this." Bunny said with a happy grin on his face.

Albion smiled back and they both sat in silence until he realised he hardly knows anything about the creature, he wondered if he had anyone else to talk to before meeting Albion.

"Bunny? You lived in the fowest, wight?" The blonde asked as he watched the rest of the family walk down from the house to meet Rome and Italy.

"Yeah, well not just the forest, mostly everywhere."

"Oh… did you see any faeries?"

"Faeries? Yeah, and lots of others too. When we get back I can introduce you to a friend of mine. I'm sure you'll see her." Bunny exclaimed happily, looking out at the distance, feeling for another grape and frowning when only the bare branches were left. Albion gave the rabbit the last one in his hand, smiling to encourage the flying bunny to take it.

"I woul' love to meet her."

"Thanks England. Are the faeries the only magical creatures you met?" Bunny said, while examining the fruit by rolling it around in his paws before putting it in his mouth whole.

"Well, sometimes the lake woul' speak to me…"

Bunny stared at the boy, his unblinking eyes unnerved him but before Albion could tell him to stop, he spotted Prussia wandering away from the rest of the group. Albion got up and dusted himself off then carefully walked down the hill, following the albino into the adjoining woods. Bunny's eyes followed him until he got over the shock, and he set off after the island nation.

"England, where are we going?" Bunny asked, being wary of any low branches in the thick wood they walk into.

"I wanna see where Pwussia is going." Albion whispered, he couldn't see the other nation anymore but he could hear the footsteps up ahead. Albion allowed a small smile as he remembered doing a similar thing back home, he and the faeries would sneak up on herds of deer and watch them. He froze when he heard another pair of footsteps join Prussia's and a high pitched voice talking or… bragging loudly.

"Bunny… does tha' soun' like a girl?" Albion giggled, covering his mouth to muffle the noise. Bunny couldn't help a chuckle escaping. The blond shuffled closer and poked his head through the bushes. He saw Prussia and a girl (if she was a nation, he couldn't tell) trying to hit each other with wooden swords. Albion tilted his head to the side wondering what they were doing, until he remembered seeing Germania doing the same thing at his home.

"Bunny, why are they fighting? Is Pwussia in trouble?"

Flying Mint Bunny, from his position on Albion's head peered closer to the fighting duo in the clearing, "…Hmm, I don't think so. They seem to be enjoying themselves, maybe it's a game. I have seen some of the children in the villages at home doing the same thing."

"Oh…" Albion said with a sad, disappointed tone, "I don't like fighting." He frowned at the memory of first seeing Germania covered in blood, fighting against the other people at home. The last day he saw his Mama. He pondered on his she and his brothers were doing, he hoped they were looking for him.

"England!?"

Albion was jolted out of his thoughts by Prussia's voice; he stared up at the blood red eyes. "U-uh yeah?" He lowered his eyes at the older boy's slightly annoyed look; he got that look a lot from his brothers when he was at home, "I'm sowwy! I didn' know you saw me! Nobody has ever saw me before. I jus' wanted to know where you were going! I swear!" Albion apologised in one breath.

After a long pause, Prussia burst out laughing and tugged the pure white robe he was wearing, "You're hard to miss, England. You shouldn't be out here, you could have gotten lost."

"You're out here." He pointed out, "I used to do this all the time at home, I coul' easily find my way back." He added proudly.

"So you do know this kid." The stranger stood next to Prussia, "Hello my names Hungary." She extended her hand to the boy.

"H-hi! I'm Al-England." He shook her hand with his own shaking one. "Um, can I ask… Why were you fighting?"

"Vell, don't tell Germania und Rome but we were practicing." Prussia said.

"Why?"

"For battle." Hungary beamed with excitement, "to protect our country, if needed, which is most likely as it what we nations do. I'm surprised you don't know considering you're here and not at your 'home'."

It took a while for it to connect in Albion's head but by the look of Prussia's pale face, he wasn't meant to know, "I-is tha' w-why M-M-Mama didn' come to find me? Wome and Germania… w-were fighting…" He couldn't finish, tears welled up in his eyes.

Prussia hit Hungary with the sword, scowling at her. He looked at Albion, watched him fight back the tears.

"How could he not know? Did he not feel it?" Hungary whispered.

"Germania said it's 'cause it vasn't his country at the time." He gave her an intense look, hoping she'll get the hint.

"Britannia?!" Prussia hushed her quickly, "She's gone?"

"It's vhat empires do. Zhey said zhey found him, zhat his brothers left him… I zhink."

Hungary frowned, "how could they? Maybe you should take him home." She suggested at the sight of the little nation.

"No! I don' wanna go back!" The outburst shocked everyone; Albion paled and stuttered out his explanation, "I wanna stay 'ere an' watch… please? I won' bother no one."

"Uh sure, if you're okay." Prussia was hesitant, Rome and Germania would probably find out he's missing but he didn't want to leave yet. He decided to let England stay and he'll think of a good excuse later.

Albion sat underneath a tree only half watching the two nations practising. He was worried; he didn't understand why he was getting so irritable lately, or why his head was pounding. He never got these at home, not even with brothers. He thought of going to tell one of the older nations but the numb pain behind his eyes hurt a lot more. Running away also crossed his mind but he wanted to know why Rome and Germania did it. He wanted to know if the weird feeling he hand was true… That his Mama was gone. He was to stay here, it was nice and bright and warm, but was it just felt wrong somehow. Albion didn't understand why people wanted to fight but Hungary was right, he needed to learn so he can protect his home.

"Come on England, zhe awesome me will take you home." Prussia grabbed his hand and pulled him into a standing position.

'Your home, not mine.' He thought somewhat bitterly.

Bunny was also worried and shocked; England hadn't spoken since Hungary explained fighting to him. He had an unnatural scowl on his face, it didn't suit him. Bunny didn't want to believe that Rome and Germania would hurt Britannia or her people, but from what he could remember, they were fighting in defence from the Romans.

As they left the woods, Albion could see the sun setting over the lake, he hadn't known it had gotten so late, and by the look of Prussia's face neither did he.

"England, let me do the talking okay?" Prussia said with a sly grin.

How could he be so calm? Albion was jealous of how relaxed and carefree Prussia was, he had a family here and didn't have to worry about his home or the people, they were in the safe hands of Germania. The blonde didn't know what was happening at his home, whether his brothers or his Ma… his people were okay. He felt like an idiot for trusting someone other than his family.

"Hey! You listening England?" Albion nodded absentmindedly, not concentrating on the albino. He was England now, not Albion and that means he has to be stronger than he was before. But he couldn't focus with the constant pounding in his head; it got worse the more he thought about the situation he found himself in.

"Pwussia, my head hurts." Albion said while rubbing his forehead.

Prussia frowned, not liking how the small nation was swaying on his feet. "You should sit down; I'll get Gilbird to fetch Germania."

While Prussia told a small, yellow bird to get help, Albion couldn't stop himself from pulling at his hair a bit. The nervousness and fear flooded his thoughts, and the pain in his head added to the worry. Right now, all he wanted was to be at home with his Mama, but he knew she wasn't here anymore. Tears sprang in his eyes; he had no one now.

Albion jumped when a cool hand was placed on his burning forehead. Prussia gave a reassuring smile but Albion saw right through it and noticed how it was strained.

"How you holding up?"

The island nation shook his head, "You're my fwiend, right Pwussia?"

"Yeah, sure." Prussia said, eyebrows furrowing.

"Okay. Thank you." Albion felt relief fill him, calming him down. He wasn't completely alone then.

"Oh, hey, vhy don't ve vork on your speech until Germania gets here."

Albion nodded, thankful for the distraction.

It was dark when Germania found them talking in the grass, following Prussia's pet bird. Gilbird sat himself on top of Prussia's head while the older blonde picked up and Albion and checked him over for injuries. Once satisfied Germania turned to the albino, anger showing in stony, blue eyes, "Vhat vere you zhinking?!"

"Vhat? I didn't do anyzhing!" Prussia defended himself.

"U-um, I followed Pwussia. P-Prussia. " Albion said in a small voice.

"Ve'll talk about zhis later."

Albion looked over Germania's shoulder, mouthing an apology to his only other friend (besides from Flying Mint Bunny). Prussia only grinned back at him.

It was after dinner when Germania spoke to the both of them. Albion defended Prussia, wanting to take the blame for himself, after all it was him who followed Prussia into the woods and him who didn't want to leave. Prussia only laughed it off anyway. In the end, Germania only gave them a warning, but Albion had to let either Rome or himself know where he was going.

Both the elders still didn't know that Prussia had gone to meet Hungary; they only thought that he took Albion into the woods to practice his pronunciation. Albion noticed the lie and went along with it. Prussia mussed up his hair afterwards and left to find France or Holy Rome.

Instead of following he crawled into his bed and looked out of the window. He felt sick and tired. He wondered if going home would stop the feeling.