DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HETALIA:AXIS POWERS. THE CHARACTERS USED BELONG TO THEIR OWNER.

[A small side note - From next chapter onwards, I'll be skipping around the characters a lot until something brings them all together - since this chapter is about Arthur, the next chapter will have Arthur and a few other characters~]

Ahhh...this chapter was kind of boring, but I needed to explain how the New Society works... The action will start around the next chapter or so~

Reviews are highly appreciated! w A huge thank you to the three of you who reviewed the first chapter!

[Rupert looks like Scotland, Philip looks like Wales, Eva looks like fem!Northern Ireland]

[Roma looks like Ancient Rome[The Roman Empire]]


"W-Who are you? Where am I?" He looked around frantically, his violet eyes wide and scared.

"I won't hurt you. You, who has a kind heart. This is what you wanted, yes?"

"Y-Yeah, but...b-but where is my brother? Where is...where is he? Why is everyone-"

"This is what you wanted, isn't it?"

"But everyone should be...oh! Hey, Cuba!" he called out weakly, staring at the man who was poking wood by the fire.

"They cannot see you, dear."

"W-What's going on? What did you do!?"

"This is what you wished for. This is what they deserve. Red stains white incredibly easily, don't you think?"


"Sir, are you sure that we should only speak English?"

"It's much easier for communication. Too many languages can be a hassle for our New Society."

"Sir, but-"

"No. I don't care. English is what we will use."


"Arthur! Wake up!" a voice called, and Arthur groggily rubbed his eyes.

"Bloody hell, Rupert! At this hour?"

Arthur found Rupert, his annoying "older brother," staring down at him, frowning. "Hey, you said it again. Why do you keep doing that? It's weird."

"Doing what?"

"...Nothing."

Arthur blinked, then sighed. "What are you going on about so early? Anyway, what did you want to tell me?"

Rupert grinned. "You know…it's your birthday, Arthur! Happy birthday! You're getting your job today!"

"Great," Arthur grunted, sitting up and stretching. Yes. At age 22, everyone received their permanent job they were supposed to do until they were 64, according to the rules established by the Court. After that, they went into a Retirement Home, and were taken care of by others until their death. It sounded quite boring to Arthur.

His brother, age 24, Rupert, was a Builder – he helped build homes for people and new families, and sometimes new buildings for the public. Builders also repaired broken or dilapidated buildings, and sometimes painted over them if the paint was chipped. His other brother, age 23, Philip, was also a Builder. And Arthur, too, was likely to be a Builder. That's how it was. Everyone, at birth, was separated from their parents into groups with other newborns, and put in a house to grow up together, with one nurse as their 'mother.' Some of the ones with more than 3-4 children had a 'father' as well, depending on the availability. They were known as a unit, or family. Some had up to seven children, while some had only one or two. Sometimes, newborns were added to units year by year, which would explain why there was a year difference between him, Rupert, and Philip, and a four year difference between Arthur and his younger sister Eva. And all members of a unit had the same job. That was the way life was in the New Society.

Eva was currently 18, and was almost done studying what was known as the 'Basics' – basic human knowledge needed to be in the New Society. Children, for the first ten years, were nursed, taught basic manners, and assisted in chores. They occasionally played with other children. Groups of two or three units were known as clusters, and children could only interact with others from their cluster. Eventually, when they reached the age of ten, they were allowed to name themselves - before then, there were referred to by numbers, but after 10 years of life they were allowed to give themselves a last, first, and sometimes middle name. All children in a unit usually picked a common last name. They also started schooling at age ten for eight years – not advanced, not challenging, but very basic material. Tutors would tutor the children from clusters for five days in a week, and obviously, children could interact with their tutors as well. The only history they studied was when the first men had simply appeared on read about the great deeds people of the Court did for the New Society and its people. Lies, Arthur thought. He never believed it. He always had a strong feeling that…it was something else. It wasn't just that men had simply come to be on Earth from somewhere else. There was something else…something before it…

From ages 18 to 21, people experimented with different jobs, helped around a lot, worked very hard, but were still only allowed to interact with those in their cluster, and also the Court – those selected few who ruled over the clusters, decided jobs, and managed the society. In special cases, those who could not complete the curriculum in eight years had to continue their studies until age 22.

And finally, at age 22, they settled down, were given a permanent job by the Court, and were only allowed to interact within their cluster, the Court, and people from their workplace. Eventually, the Court chose for them a partner from their cluster[or sometimes from another cluster, but that was rare], and they had to move into a new home, outside of all the clusters, have children, and send them into units. Meanwhile, those that moved into a new home could not ever interact with those within clusters outside of work, and could only interact with those in homes outside of clusters, the Court, and their workplace.

Arthur had heard these words taught over and over, and frankly, it bored him to no end. Was that all their was to life? It was what people's lives were supposed to be like according to the Court, and he knew he must abide by the rules, but...he felt a bit of longing in his heart. Longing for something...different.

Philip and Rupert still hadn't heard from the Court about their partners– and Arthur was thankful, because as much as they fought, he still wanted them to be with him. They actually felt like...well, family. Even though there was no way they were related...well, they were supposed to 'believe' that they were related. But at 18, the Basics taught him all about how the society worked. And he knew that Rupert, Philip, and Eva weren't related to him at all. There was a small chance that they were, that maybe his birth mother had actually given birth to four children, but the chance that they had sent all her children to the same unit was practically unheard of.

But he was truly unhappy that day, because he didn't want to be a Builder. He wanted to be a Writer, those people who wrote things down about the topics they learned about in school. But he wanted to create, more than just retell. His mind was brimming with things to write about. Faraway lands, lands that were different from the New Society...But he knew these thoughts were forbidden.

Grudgingly, he dressed himself accordingly, ate breakfast with his 'family', and exited the house. They had all wished him a happy birthday the moment they saw him. Eva, Philip, and Rupert all insisted on coming to the ceremony, while the Nurse wanted to stay at home. She seemed like she didn't really like Arthur, and he knew it. Even when he was ten, and wanted to name himself 'Arthur,' the nurse disapproved of it. She used to like Arthur, but when he turned ten for some reason she seemed to begin to hate him.

He walked along the cement path towards the House - or where the people of the Court worked, and where his ceremony was to take place. Well, his and the other people that were turning 22 that day. He sighed as he saw the gigantic, white building with no windows. It was shaped like a large dome, and only had one door. And people were crowded around it. Lots of them. Arthur tilted his head. He wondered how people had even built the House in the first place. How long had it taken? How did they get it to stand up so perfectly?

"Aren't you excited, Arthur?" Eva piped up, laughing and jumping to her adopted brother's side. Arthur glanced down at her briefly, his emerald eyes looking dull and quite un-excited.

"Uh-huh." he murmured, his eyebrows furrowing. He couldn't tell anyone that he really didn't want to be a Builder. Not anyone. Anyone who disagreed or even expressed dislike towards a decision of the Court was never heard from again, according to his teacher. It was breaking one of the Rules.

"Really? I can't wait until I'm 22!" she bubbled, smiling. "I wonder what job I'll get..."

"A Builder," Arthur replied monotonously. "Like everyone in the unit. Like Rupert and Philip."

"Ehhh...but I'm a girl, Arthur!" she protested. Ah, yes. Women had different jobs than men. "I'll probably get the job that's most suited to me. The Court always knows what's right~But you know, sometimes, Arthur..." Her voice lowered to a whisper, and she beckoned for Arthur to come closer to her, "I get this strange feeling. Like I'm supposed to be somewhere else."

Arthur frowned, then shook his head. "Nonsense. You'll get over it."

Eva frowned. "Okay."

Philip and Rupert squeezed in between them, then Rupert said, "Hey, hey, what's all the fuss about? Sharing secrets? You have to tell us everything, you know! That's a rule! And if it's not appropriate then we can report you to the Court~" he reminded, mischief glinting in his eyes.

"Yeah. Sure. Eva just told me about her feelings," Arthur sighed. "As usual."

"What did she say?" Philip asked, looking at Eva.

"That I have strange feelings," she said, puffing out her chest and looking proud. "Happy?"

"Awww, you know we like teasing you guys~" Rupert laughed, draping an arm around Philip's shoulders casually, to which Philip showed no reaction. "No biggie. In fact, we don't really care. But it's so fun!" he added, his eyes sparkling.

"I'm sure." Arthur said curtly, then stopped walking. "We're here."

The door was propped open, and the four could see people swarming inside. Arthur stepped in, a bit hesitantly, only to be pushed into a line with others who were receiving their assigned job today. Eva, Philip, and Rupert were ushered into the sitting area. The room had a podium in the front and center, where each man or woman was to say a couple of lines, usually about how they were going to 'work hard' at their new job, and how they appreciated the Court's decision.

Arthur stood in line with the other 22-year-olds while a member of the Court, who identified himself as Roma, began giving a speech on the traditions of the society, and the different jobs available. It was always the same speech, and Arthur grew tired of it after 2 times of hearing it - from Rupert's and Philip's ceremonies. The crowd applauded enthusiastically.

Roma began reading names, and each person, man or woman, walked up to the podium, accepted the book and scroll that Roma gave them about their job, said a few sentences, the audience applauded, and they left to start on their new job. It was so simple.

"Arthur Kirkland. Unit 3, Cluster A."

The room went silent. Arthur fidgeted for a few seconds before slowly walking towards the podium, each step echoing across the room. He stood in front of Roma, who was just behind the podium. "Yes, Arthur Kirkland, correct? Your new job is..." he paused dramatically, then smiled. "A Builder!"

Everyone applauded, but Arthur drowned out the sound. Well...this was it. For the rest of his life...a Builder. What had he expected? He took the scroll and book offered to him bitterly while fighting back tears. He didn't want this. But he'd die before he cried in front of everyone - Rupert and Philip wouldn't let him forget it for the rest of his life. In fact, everyone in the crowd wouldn't let him forget about it. They'd single him out as weak, or even worse, someone who didn't agree with what the Court assigned him. He walked behind the podium and took a deep breath, then fell silent.

What should he say? What should he do? What could he do? He was just so...so angry, so sad, it was so bloody unfair! Why couldn't he choose the job he should have for himself?! When he asked his teacher that, her eyes widened, and she had smiled tightly. 'Because you would make the wrong choice. The Court knows best,' she had said. But he still wanted to choose for himself. And to his horror, it didn't feel wrong. What was he to do with himself?

Arthur skimmed over the crowd nonchalantly, until he saw a young man with bright, blue eyes like the sky that caught his own emerald ones. He gazed at him for a couple of seconds, and the man blinked at him in confusion, then gave him a wide grin and a thumbs-up. Ah, that was who he reminded him of. He remembered seeing a very small child fifteen years ago, who had the same blue eyes and dirty blond hair. The child was from another cluster, so Arthur refrained from talking to him, as per the rules. Was it the same child? Had he grown up? Arthur blinked, awed at how he could remember something so insignificant. Arthur turned his gaze back to the general crowd, and, a strange reassurance bubbling up inside him from the boy's smile, he opened his mouth.

"I'd like to thank the Court for giving me the job I've always wanted," he said, hidden sarcasm lacing his voice. "I will work hard, as my brothers before me have done, and put all my effort into make our society a better place. Thank you," he finished, feeling his eyes water a bit, and he quickly walked out of the room.

Philip, Rupert, and Eva met him outside with concerned faces when they saw tears pouring out of him eyes. "Arthur!" Philip gasped, his usually calm demeanor destroyed. "Arthur, what's wrong!?" His green eyes, similar to Arthur's, went wide. His eyebrows, unlike Arthur's bushy ones, went up in surprise.

"Aren't you happy? You should be!" Eva said, her eyes reflecting her confusion.

Rupert just looked at Arthur, his head tilted to the side.

"F-Forget it," he mumbled, struggling to wipe his tears away and stop crying. "J-Just...f-forget it..."

"Arthur!" Eva cried, and she hugged him, as did Rupert eventually. Philip stood watching, thinking hard.

"You didn't want to be a Builder." Philip stated simply after a while.

Silence met his words, as all three of his adopted siblings stared at him in shock. "B-But...you said..." Eva began, until Arthur threw a glare at Philip before running away from them.

"Wait!" shouted Rupert in a low voice, running after him. But Arthur wouldn't let Rupert catch him. "Arthur Kirkland, stop running!" That was a tone Rupert never used. He kept running, took a few turns, ran across several fields, until he was all alone, and completely lost. The scenery flashed by in a blur, the colors mixing with each other, until he stopped, realizing where he was. Lost. And that was when he really began to break down. He cried, not sure for how long, until he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He jumped in shock, shouting, "Just leave me alone!" He gave an angry glare to the person who tapped him on the shoulder, then his eyes widened when he was met with those same beautiful blue eyes he had seen only a short time ago, though they were a bit confused and concerned.

"Are you okay?" the man asked, his face contorted to a concerned frown.

"O-Of course I'm okay!" he stuttered, standing up and dusting himself off. He was a mess, and he could feel his hair was ruffled and messy. His mind was slower than usual, and he felt a bit confused. He swiped away the tears on his face.

The blond frowned. "I dunno. Are you sure about that?"

"Yes," Arthur said, still frowning. He didn't need sympathy from this man. Then, realization dawned on him. "Shoot!" he yelped, jumping back from the man, almost tripping himself.

"What? What happened!?" the man asked, concerned.

"We're not...we can't talk!" he gasped, his eyes wide thinking of the punishment he would have to go through if he was caught. This man wasn't in his cluster. They shouldn't talk. "A-And...shoot! I'm not...this isn't..." He looked around him, a bit wide-eyed.

"Nope! This is Cluster F, my place!" the man said cheerfully, his eyes laughing and happy all of a sudden. "What's the trouble?"

"We can't and shouldn't talk, that's what the TROUBLE is," Arthur snarled defensively, stepping away from him. He could not, however, take his eyes off of the man's face - it seemed perfect, his beautiful blue eyes shining, and his dirty blond hair falling over his forehead in a rather...appealing manner. He noticed a little stray cowlick, which reminded him of something, but he couldn't remember what. He flushed a bit, mentally slapping himself for staring at the man, and looked away.

"...Oh."

And again, there was silence, until the man interrupted it. "MY NAME IS ALFRED F. JONES!" he shouted, facing away from Arthur, almost as if shouting it to the fields surrounding them. He turned towards Arthur and winked.

Oh...Arthur sighed. "Nice to meet you, Alfred," he sighed, resigned, and held out his hand. Arthur couldn't explain it. He was just...compelled to talk to him. Alfred grinned, and gently wiped a tear from Arthur's face before gripping Arthur's hand and shaking it firmly.

And that was when Arthur crumpled to the ground, screaming.


Ahh...the next chapter should be out in a couple of days~I have proofreading paranoia 8D