Chapter Five
With those words ringing in their ears the countries parted ways. There was anger in some hearts, dread in others. However, there was no hate and in the final moments of the meeting everyone said goodbye. Arthur allowed himself to be hugged by Russia, and Ukraine watched as her sister, who had discreetly re-entered the room hug Belgium. Ukraine did not really have anyone to say good-bye too. The only person she needed was holding her hand and was rocking a sobbing Italian in her arms. She was reassuring him with false words and false hopes but the Italian swallowed them easily as Ludwig watched and did not bother to reveal the truth. With a final hug the Italian let go and returned to clinging to the military German.
It was a sunny afternoon, and Ukraine wanted to go for a walk. She didn't know how long it would be before she would be able to just enjoy the outdoors. Regent's park was the closest park to the hotel and Ukraine pulled Hungary along with her just to walk. There were Londoners sitting under trees, children in groups on school trips. Ukraine wondered if they knew what was going to happen in the future. Did they know that there would be a war? She supposed not. Everyone seemed to be so relaxed and happy. That would have to change soon. Sitting down on one of the wooden benches she looked up at the trees. There were no leaves this time of year and the branches were a dirty wooden colour. At least they weren't grey.
Saying goodbye at the airport had been very difficult. Hungary had clung to her all of last night and all the way through the airport until they had had to go their separate ways. She didn't want to think about as she lay back in her seat. She closed her eyes in tiredness; she doubted any nations had slept that night. She knew for a fact that Francis and Matthew hadn't. She tried to empty her mind and concentrate on the others around her. Children were yelling or giggling loudly, parents were snapping exasperatedly and people without children were tutting at them. The babies were crying and the flight attendant was going around handing out bottles of water. It was all very monotonous and very ordinary. People were reading and listening to music. Nothing interesting happened, which meant that there were no distractions for the Ukrainian. She fluttered her eyes open and looked out of the window. There was a vast table of clouds fogging up everything that would be even mildly entertaining to look at. She mumbled under her breath and wondered whether it was worth trying to sleep. A child gave out a particularly loud squeal and she thought that even had she wanted to sleep it would not have been possible.
There was no one waiting for her at the airport. There was no driver coming to collect her, so she had to walk home, not having enough money on her for a taxi, besides all she had in her purse was British pounds, and she wasn't sure cab drivers would appreciate it. The walk home was a long one, but at least she did not have much luggage to haul around with her. She stopped outside a small house and opened the front door. It was a small house, much smaller that England's large mansion or Denmark's massive brick house. However, that suited Ukraine just fine. She lived alone and Hungary was her only visitor she ever had- and the only one she wanted, so she did not need a large place in which to live. Nothing had changed in her home, she hadn't expected it too. She collapsed onto her double bed after throwing the suitcase at the floor, exhausted.
She was woken the next morning by a lot of angry banging on her front door. She ignored the knocking and changed her clothes and brushed her hair, she needed to at least look presentable. She opened the door to find one of her politicians on her front doorstep thrusting a newspaper into her face. "What is the meaning of this?" The headline read; 'World Pushed to War.' Above a large picture of the nations in the meeting room in England. She hadn't realised that there had been a photographer there.
She wasn't sure what to say but it seemed the politician had plenty to say, so she just let him rant. "If there was something this important happening you should have rung us! You should have consulted us, we may have avoided this! Also you should have come to see us straight away after you returned home." Ukraine tilted her head to one side, he looked vaguely familiar. Then it clicked, yes he was the Prime Minister of Ukraine. She blushed slightly thinking that she should be able to remember the leader of her country. She found she could never really remember men's faces as much as woman's. The last Prime Minister had been a woman. "Well, sir I am afraid the war is really between Russia and America and our opinions or debates would have made no difference." "That is not the point Ukraine." He looked thoroughly put out. "I suppose we should discuss tactics and things." He grumbled. All she could do was nod at the man, and follow him along the road and towards a car parked at the end of the street.
She almost felt like crying as she really did not like being reprimanded by anyone, even if it was just a human. She shook it off, determined to be like Hungary and be strong and bold. Strong and bold, she kept repeating in her head throughout the whole journey. The tactics were discussed and she took none of it in, her leaders and army would deal with the details, she would just follow. She would certainly fight with her people, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to help with the tactics. They would be too personal. The other leaders had never met the other nations and invading or protecting one over the other would be easier for them. She didn't want to be involved that way.
Sorry that this story took so long to update (and that this chapter is so short) but I got kind of stuck with it. Anyway, this is quite a boring chapter but hopefully it will pick up soon, so please review ^^ all your feedback is welcome. :)
