안녕하세요... Maybe I shouldn't listen to Gangnam Style when writing the author notes...

Sorry about the delay guys but the chapter is out now so let's put that long wait behind us! I wanted to up today because one year ago (9th December 2011) I watched Hetalia for the first time! So let's have a toast with our boots and...

Tanoshimi!

Chapter 12: The Ghost and the Letters

'Keep heading north'...

Damn Ludwig... Where on Earth could he be keeping Francis?

Arthur had been running for quite a while now, his breathing beginning to become uneven and heavy. He kept the noise to a minimum though, just to remain undetected by members of the rival crew. His hurried footsteps were like the pitter-patter of mice feet, his eyes constantly darting about like some kind of nervous animal. He was determined to remain hidden, but just as determined to find Francis.

It felt like he had passed a billion rooms, none of them concealing his bearded companion. Most would have given up by now, but not Arthur Kirkland. No-one else knew this (except for Matthew) but when Arthur and Francis had first met, it had been when Francis had saved Arthur's life. He had saved him from imprisonment and ultimately from the gallows.

And today was the day that Arthur was going to return the favour.

Meanwhile...

"Dude, what the hell?"

Alfred's puzzled statement was a natural reaction. After all, Matthew had never mentioned his personal life and he never spoke of anything outside of the crew, even when asked. Now all of a sudden, Alfred had found a treasure chest filled with letters that he presumed to be from Matthew's mysterious brother.

Why had they been hidden? Why did Matthew never mention him?

But not dwelling for too long on this, Alfred picked up a letter and began reading.

Dearest brother Mattie,

Surprise it's me! You surprised? I know you are. I can see it in your eyes. Well... I can't actually see it, but I'm picturing you as I write this and I can see it in the eyes of the you I'm imagining!
So believe me, I know you're surprised.
Anyway, I'm far away from home now. And I'll be even further by the time you get this letter! Scary thought, huh? I hope Mom wasn't too upset about me leaving. You understand don't you?
I know you do Mattie. I don't need to hear your response. I just know.

No name was left at the bottom. Perhaps it was because they knew each other so well. They were supposedly brothers after all. So from what Alfred could gather, Matthew's brother had left home- something that their mother was probably not too happy with.

But why had he left? Was it a family issue? Some kind of crazy ambition?

...With no regard for Mattie's privacy, Alfred continued on to what looked like the next letter.

Dearest brother Mattie,

Me again! I feel a little bad Matt. After all, I can send you letters but you can't send me any. Believe me, if I had a home where they could be dropped off, I would.
Oh don't get the wrong idea! I'm not homeless or anything! It's just... I move about a lot, so I'm never in one place for too long. But there's nothing wrong with that! It's a pretty cool life actually- the one I always wanted.

I love it Matt. I never want this to change.

The second letter revealed a little more. It showed that this brother was pretty adventurous. This was probably why he left home: to have an adventure or to live out some wild dream.

Now Alfred was really intrigued, so he continued onto the next one with eager eyes.

Dearest brother Mattie,

How's everything at home? I've got good news! I've finally found somewhere to come back to- that's right. I've found a new home! I don't stay there often, but the owner says I can come back whenever! Plus the guy's got nice neighbours. I made a new friend- he's called Feliks, seems to like saying 'like' and 'totally' a lot.
I left the details in the envelope, so go ahead! Now it's your turn to write ME a letter!

P.S Don't tell mom, 'kay? Love ya Mattie!

Alfred didn't bother trying to look for the address details. Instead he just carried on. However, he felt like skipping forward a few letters, because at first glance they didn't look too interesting.

Ahoy thar Mattie!

Strange greeting huh? Well I've got to get used to it, because that's what most people are saying here on this ship. That's right. I'm on a ship!
I just figured that joining a crew would be the best way to go adventuring! Plus everyone here is real nice too. Nice bunch of people!
I'd say the captain's best though! Okay so he never seems happy to see me but I'll work on him! And when I do, he'll be happy I snuck on board!

Haha... Yeah. I'm not making up the last part. I really did sneak in.

Alfred laughed quietly to himself. It seemed that Matthew's brother had guts... And a passion for adventure. So, wanting to read more of his life, Alfred hungrily continued to the next letter.

Dearest brother Mattie,

You'll never guess what happened the other day. Seriously it's one heck of a story and I bet you can't wait to hear it.

So I was there, sweeping up the deck, when suddenly some of my fellow crew members came up to me and they start looking all tough and stuff. And you know what they did? They pushed me and I fell into the water! Crazy right? Guess the guys on board really don't like me after all.
But that's when it happened. As I felt myself slowly sinking, the captain himself jumped overboard- clothes on and all- and he dived right in and saved me!

Then afterwards, he went up to the guys who pushed me in and said "if yer gonna pick on someone, pick on someone yer own own size- like me" and then they totally ran off! Captain made me first mate, and now everyone respects me!
But the best part is, the captain told me I'm not half bad- which is his way of telling me he likes me. He's never too forward about his feelings but I can tell.

The story had Alfred at a bit of a loss for words. His crew mates had pushed him in? That sounded rough. In fact, if Alfred didn't know any better, he would have guessed that Matthew's brother had joined a pirate crew.

Alfred had a few more suspicions about Matthew's mysterious brother and his heroic captain, but he didn't think too much of it and continued onto the next letter.

And, judging by what was written, Matthew's response to the last letter had not been positive.

Mattie,

Look Matt. I know you're a little scared about what happened to me but believe me- I'm fine. The captain saved me, remember?
And as for your other questions... I guess there's no hiding it from you. Mattie, I'm a pirate- there's no easier way of putting it. I know that sounds really bad- but trust me, it isn't. Okay so I'm in a pirate crew, but that doesn't mean that I've changed. I'm still a good person. I'm still your brother.

The last letter had ended a little darkly and Alfred assumed that Matthew would not be too pleased to find out that his 'dearest brother' was actually a pirate. Alfred really wished he could see Matthew's response, but he would probably just have to assume what it said from his brother's reply.

Mattie,

I'm really sorry Matt. I can tell you aren't too keen on me being a pirate, but I told you: I'm a good pirate. Can you really see me being evil? I'm a good guy Matt! You should know that!
And pirates aren't that bad Matt. Okay some of the ones in my crew are but the captain definitely isn't. In fact, he's misunderstood. People say he's done bad things, but he's been blamed for what members of his crew have done- he isn't a bad guy.
I know deep down that he isn't. And if you knew the guy, I'm sure you'd agree.

Now Alfred was starting to get a little more curious about this captain. He'd been falsely accused and on top of that, he had saved Mattie's brother and had kindly promoted him to the place of first mate- supposedly to stop the rest of the crew bullying him. Was he really a good guy then?

In a way, it reminded Alfred of Arthur. Sure the guy was a little rough around the edges, but Arthur had given him clothes, food and the closest thing that Alfred had to a home and family. Of course at first Alfred had been stubborn and sceptical like Matthew had apparently been, but Arthur had been amazingly patient and kind. Now they really trusted one another. It was kind of funny really.

With a fond smile while thinking about this, Alfred continued on to the next letter...

Meanwhile...

"'Ow did I wind up in zis mess...?"

Yet another sigh escaped the Frenchman's mouth- a bored, melancholy sigh. All Francis had for company were the faint sounds of the rolling waves outside and the occasional creaking whine of the tired ship. The room was dimly lit, with not a window or a crack to see outside. The room was without proper furnishings- the only main features being the rags piled into the corner for a makeshift bed and the iron bars dividing the room in half to block Francis's freedom.

Where had Francis seen something like this before? The answer to that was simple: a similar room had been set up for Arthur when the two had first met.

"Arthur..." Francis whispered. "I wish I could 'ave seen your face one last time... To see your gorgeous green eyes, to glimpse your beautiful blond 'air... I am sure zey will kill me soon... If only my words could reach you..."

Francis let out another sigh and closed his eyes. His eyes looked moist and pooled in the corners were some very distinct and depressing tears. His neck was beginning to ache with exhaustion because of having to hold his head back against the wall but Francis didn't care one bit. If he was to die soon anyway, then there was absolutely no point in trying to take care of him anyway. Francis figured he probably looked in a pretty sorry state anyway and who was there left to see him?

"Mon dieu... Look at you..."

Francis flinched and bolted upright. It sounded crazy but Francis could have sworn he heard a voice. And, although this sounded crazier, it almost sounded like a woman. Perhaps it was just some weird hope in the depths of his heart- perhaps it was just wistful thinking... But even Francis seriously doubted that even his deepest desires would want some strange woman to be talking to him. If he could choose, then it'd be Arthur any day.

"P-pardon moi?" Francis stuttered.

"After all I did for you, still you end like zis..." The voice sighed.

"I zink you may 'ave me confused for someone else." Francis chuckled before stopping altogether in realisation. "And also, who are you? I cannot see your face..."

But just as Francis was finishing his sentence, a pretty young woman was beginning to materialise in front of him. She was dressed like a peasant in mere rag-like clothing, yet she still gave off a bold and striking aura at the same time. Her hair was short blonde and boyish hair and her eyes were deep blue and focused. The icy stare she gave him seemed so passionate and fiery, yet beautiful and fascinating at the same time.

Seeing his face still confused, it was safe to assume that Francis still had no clue who this woman was.

"You... You don't know who I am...?" She whispered softly.

Francis slowly shook his head. He felt a little bad for just shaking his head though. After all, he didn't want to let down such a pretty young lady. She tried not to seem disheartened though, although her face showed traces of shock and despair.

"Zat does not matter." She shook her head, making her short golden locks wave slightly. "All zat does matter is zat you need my 'elp- so listen closely."

He did as instructed and sat forward in preparation for what she had to say. He didn't even seem to care that he was talking to a strange new woman who had simply appeared to him in his prison cell. There was something about her though- something familiar, something that made him want to trust her. Even if she was a mirage or a hallucination, he still wanted to listen to what she had to say.

"Keep 'eading north. Got it? I am doing zis for your sake, so you should pay attention. Understand?"

"O-oui..." Francis muttered. "But 'ang on, who are you really?"

The sight of the slim young woman was slowly beginning to fade. Francis leaned in and reached out his hand to try and grab her hand, her clothes- anything he could to stop her from leaving. But his hands simply passed through her as if she were some smoke effect or a type of misty fog.

"Wait! Who are you?" He repeated with a desperate pleading tone evident in his voice.

She simply placed her hands together, interlocking her fingers. Her eyelids drooped to a close and a peaceful sigh was heard escaping her lips.

"If you do not remember, zen per'aps it is better if you just forget." She whispered.

Then she vanished, leaving no trace behind. Francis was alone again. Who was that woman? Why could he not see her face? And why did Francis have to head north?

"Francis!"

The door at the back of the room slammed open. Daylight shone in, blinding Francis temporarily with its beauty. But as he rubbed his eyes comfortingly, they were able to adjust to the blinding light. Once more he could see, and his sight was directed straight at the open doorway before him.

Yet what he saw made him want to rub his eyes again. Was he going crazy? Was he having another vision? Surely this handsome man standing before him, wearing a familiar red coat and flamboyant red hat, surely he was not here to save him? Of course he was going mad. There was no way that Captain Arthur Kirkland was standing there- staring blankly, panting heavily- and had come to save him. There was no way. Not a chance. Absolutely impossible.

But of course... There obviously was a way because he was standing in the doorway, and he had come to save a member of his crew.

No, that wasn't it. Arthur had come to save his friend.

Hope you enjoyed that chapter! No real cliffhangers- that's good right? Expect to see a little more excitement in the next chapter! So stay tuned (or subscribed) to Forgotten, but not gone for fighting, confessions and the loss of something precious. What could it be?

Sayounara minna-san!

~Neko