Chapter Four

Ukraine woke with a start. She grimaced. She realised at once what had woken her. France had finally seemed to have had his way with Matthew; in fact he was still having his way with Matthew. She gritted her teeth and tried to force herself to block out the noise of their 'acts of love' by her sheer will. She needed a wash and she had forgotten to have one last night. She was still wearing her clothes, and she was lying on the wrong side of the bed. She noticed that Hungary was actually in the bed, and was in her pyjamas. Ukraine cursed under her breath and dragged herself into the bathroom. She decided to have a cold shower to wake herself up- she was used to them anyway as the shower often broke in her house. She always tried to fix it but ended up making in worse. Russia had fixed it for her once. The cold water made her shiver and she could feel the Goosebumps rising up all over her skin. The shower was quite weak and the water dripped slowly down her back. It took her twenty minutes to wash her hair, even though it was so short. It was still early in the morning. The alarm wasn't due to go off for another hour or so. She didn't want to get back to sleep. She wasn't entirely sure what her dreams had been about, but she knew for a fact that she did not want to go back to them.

She had dressed herself and was sitting gently on the edge of the bed. She didn't want to wake up her partner, but she was bored. She couldn't afford to be bored. Memories broke their way into her conscious mind and she felt anger at them. She tried to force them to go away, to think of fonder things. She decided to watch the other sleep. Her hair was a mess and there were red splotches on her cheeks. Her eyes were closed though and her lips slightly, her breathing was quite heavy. Ukraine wanted to brush her hair of off her face, but she didn't dare wake the sweet Hungarian. In that moment she wished she could draw. She wanted to set that face, that position down on paper. She didn't want anything as impersonal as a photograph, she had plenty of those. She wanted to be the one to make that perfect picture, but she didn't dare as she knew that she would do no justice to that face. She watched until the alarm went off, memorised every part of that face, the line of the neck and the way she slept. Part of her didn't want Hungary to wake up, but she needed to wake up. She shook her gently to rouse her which was preferable to the irritating alarm. "Угорщина," she whispered, "Hungary, dear. It is time to get up." All she got for her efforts were grumbles and half-hearted insults she knew that weren't meant.

The air was cold on their skin. "Stupid England," Hungary muttered. "We should be used to the cold." Ukraine reasoned. "I am used the cold. This weather is just so pathetic and half-hearted. It should make up its mind whether it wants to be cold or not." Ukraine smiled to herself and let it slide, as Hungary continued to grumble under her breath. The meeting rooms were in the centre of London and it was another typical grey morning. Business men walked down the street, all wearing the same thing, all having the same expression of British indifference. Ukraine was glad they had a different taxi cab driver; she knew the probability of having the Yorkshire man again was slim but nonetheless she didn't want to have any more conversations with him.

The conference room was already half full by the time they arrived. There were quite red eyes all round, except for a few nations which, like her, bottle up all their emotions. Russia didn't look sad at all. If anything he looked excited, or at the very least determined. She always felt uneasy when he had that look on his face. It was his manic side coming through, the part of him that enjoyed bloodshed and watching other people squirm. She shivered and they took their places at the tables. Today certainly wasn't going to be easy. Ukraine laid her head on the desk. She was tired after being woken up so early by her overactive neighbours. She pinched the bridge of her nose in a slight headache. She wondered whether she should put on a brave smile. A quick glance at her fellow nations told her this wouldn't be a good idea. She watched the scenes unravel over her arms as more nations entered the room. They seemed to be dividing themselves already. America and England would not even glance at Russia. The Baltic States were shivering behind him, in either apprehension or fear. Ukraine did not know whether the fear was brought on by the idea of a war, or whether it was the close proximity of Russia. Belarus sat heavily on Ukraine's other side. Her sister looked beautiful as always and had a sombre look on her face. She was twirling a knife in her hands. Ukraine didn't even bother to ask. Hungary looked uncomfortable. Ukraine followed her line of sight and tensed when it fell upon Austria. He had his legs crossed and a hand resting on his cravat. He was staring straight back at Hungary. She ground her teeth as Austria made a beckoning motion with his finger. Her jaw set into an annoyed line when Hungary complied. Noticing her partner's tension she gave her a swift peck on the cheek. "I won't be long, my dear."

She followed Austria outside, keeping a firm hand on her frying pan. She had used it on him before and would not hesitate to use it again. He spun around suddenly to face her, and pushed his glasses further up his nose. "You don't belong with them." She winced at his blunt tone. "I belong with Ukraine." She replied, she could guess where this was going. "You belong with us." Austria said simply. To him it was a fact. "Us?" she inquired. She knew who 'us' was, but she didn't want to make this easy for him. "Prussia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, France, Italy, Romano and I to name but a few." He took her hands in is. She wished she still had her frying pan in her fist so she could hurt him. "No." she whispered. "No?" "I do not belong with you anymore Austria." His gripped tightened. "You cannot fight for Russia." "I will fight for Ukraine." She raised her chin stubbornly and looked the man in the eyes. "You can't. They do not deserve you." "And you do?" she spat. "Leave them. You know it is the right thing to do." Hungary felt his eyes bore into her. She took a deep breath. "I will not leave her for you. Not for any reason. I know perhaps I stand on the wrong side of the justice in your eyes, but I stand with the right people." She dragged her hands away from him. "Or at least they are the right people for me." She turned on her heels and walked back into the conference room. She knew what she had just said was stupid. She should have consulted her bosses before she took sides, but deep down she knew this is the way it would have ended up like anyway. She tried to resist the urge to lash out at the first person she met with her frying pan. Unfortunately it was France. He had only touched her innocently on the shoulder, which was hardly pervy but she used that as an excuse to damage his far too pretty face. "What was that for?" he asked, hurt. "One; for touching me, two; for keeping Ukraine up all night with your stupid 'passion'." She hit him again in the face for good measure and stormed off. She didn't bother with her own chair and she sat on Ukraine's lap. She leaned into her large chest, allowing her warmth to comfort her.

Ukraine rubbed Hungary's back gently. She had been worried when she had left with Austria, but she had returned alone and all of Ukraine's ridiculous fears had been wiped away when Hungary had unleashed her frying pan on an un-expecting Frenchman. She glanced at said Frenchman, who was having his face worried over by the timid blond man. She narrowed her eyes. 'America?' she thought. 'No, that's stupid…' then she remembered Canada. She felt a pang of guilt. She didn't understand why she kept forgetting his name, especially when he was such a sweet child, much sweeter and generally nicer than America. She felt Hungary shiver in her arms, and Belarus' head shot up. There was no mistaking that gleam in her eyes. "Hello, Russia." Ukraine mumbled without looking up. "Excuse me?" Ukraine jumped at the female voice. It was Belgium, who was looking at her in confusion. Ukraine shook her head, not sure how to explain. She watched Belarus who had reddened slightly. She tilted her head inquiringly at her sister, but her eyes were looking up through thick eyelashes at the country that stood before them. "Belgium," Belarus' muttered. "We need to talk, Belarus." Her voice was thick, but her eyes showed no hint of grief. Belarus nodded the knife ever present in her hands. Ukraine leaned back and watched them go. She hoped Belarus wouldn't stab Belgium; she was a nice country despite being too close to France and the Netherlands. She shook her head and stopped trying to keep track of things, and focused instead on the bundle in her lap. It was still gripping a frying pan. She buried her nose into the fluffy hair of her partner and tried to breathe in as deeply as possible. She wanted to implant that smell into the very skin of her nose; she wanted it to linger forever, so she could never forget it. She wouldn't let the tears in her eyes fall, she was the strong one and she had to remain so. The room fell silent as England cleared his throat. Belarus still had not returned, even though she saw Belgium was sitting in her seat.

Everyone was looking at England, who had obviously not slept that night. His reasons probably had little to do with horny Frenchmen. Alfred was holding onto his hand, watching the floor. He was unnervingly quiet. England didn't say anything but looked at them all. It was obvious that the room had quite clearly divided itself into two. Ukraine noticed with a sense of dread that the other side of the room had many more nations squeezed close together. However, they had Russia and china too. That was some comfort. She glanced at her brother; he was watching Arthur with shining purple eyes. She could tell it was unnerving the heavily browed man. "I-I'm not entirely sure what to say." He mumbled. "I think we should perhaps go home, and talk to our countries' governments." There was a short sniff as he ran a sleeve across his face, blushing furiously. Alfred pulled him down into his lap, and he just collapsed and fell into a deep sleep. With that it was obvious the meeting was over. Ukraine grumbled to herself. She had woken up so early for this pathetic excuse of a meeting. Arthur could at least have tried to make it last more than five minutes.

Everyone got up and began talking quietly to each other. No side dared to walk over to the other. Hungary was obviously out of place. There was one nation who stood at the edge, sticking out like a sore thumb. It was Japan. The other Asian countries had not hesitated to join China to assist Russia. Ukraine knew that they had shelved their pride and had acknowledged that this was the most beneficial alliance they could make. Ukraine knew Japan had probably been in turmoil all of last night. He needed Greece, his softness and rugged smile. The cats he drew towards him and the sweetness of his breath. But his family beckoned him. He couldn't choose. He knew his relations with China were stretched to almost braking point, but he was a kind man who had raised him. Taught him. He had sided with Germany and Italy before, but America had hurt him almost unforgivably. He felt empathy towards England. They were both small solitary islands who hoped for days long past. Russia petrified him. He wasn't sure he could work with such a man, but China was looking at him, delicate eyes pleading silently with him. It took Japan a few moments to realise they were all watching him. Greece stood next to Turkey and slowly outstretched a hand. Japan swallowed. He looked down as a small ball of grey fluff circled his ankles, getting hairs on his kimono. "Japan ~Aru." The nation called him. It was barely more than a whisper. There was no way he could choose. He looked pleadingly at Greece, and extended his own hand. Greece walked forward and took it. The warmth of his fingers caused Japan to feel his entire body tingle. There was a small tug. He knew Greece was going to lead him back to his place next to Turkey. But Japan didn't follow. He tugged Greece's collar and kissed him, in front of everyone. Japan didn't do things like that, and he blushed to the roots of his hair as let their lips part. He whispered in Greece's ear. What he said no one knew, but Ukraine could guess. She watched the docile man look at his small lover as he nodded. Japan let go of Greece's hands and walked towards China. The man beamed and welcomed him with welcome arms. Russia just glared, and fixed his attention on Greece. He looked strangely awake for once in his life. The cats had followed Japan and were mewling at him. He shrugged and turned to face Turkey. "I've always trusted my cats…" he mumbled. "You… you…" Turkey stammered. "Bastardo!" Romano cried as Arthur, who had woken up yelled simultaneously "You utter wanker!" Greece grinned soppily and slinked after Japan. He didn't have any regrets. He knew he wouldn't get involved in this war too much anyway. He was pretty much considered to be as nearly as useless as Italy in matters of fighting, he always managed to fall asleep. "Now now," Russia said in a thick accent. "Let us not argue da?" When everyone looked at him suspiciously he elaborated. "There is a time for fighting and a time for goodbyes, da?" there was a small mutter of assent from the rest of the room, many surprised that Russia had such a compassionate side. China gave him a small hug, before hitting him on the arm playfully when Russia added, "After all it doesn't matter as you will all soon become one with Russia, Da?"


Thank you for reading and please review ^^ all your feedback is welcome. Sorry for the rushed meeting and poor dialogue. :/