Ch 2

*A USxUK yaoi fanfic for my friend* *If you don't know nation names, then go back and read chapter one! D: * *Or go on the livejournal thing for Hetalia and read the simple character introduction. ;3 *

~The next day~ The nations assembled outside, glancing at each other. A mixture of excitement and apprehension pervaded all of their senses. After all, the world had been at peace for so long, but now, everyone was prepared to fight once again. Kiku walked about with a hat, each country reaching in and randomly selecting a piece of paper with an attack group labeled on it. It ended up as:

North assault: Japan, England, Korea, Italy; East assault: Austria, Switzerland, Prussia, China; South assault: America, France, Canada, Romano; West assault: Russia, Germany, Lithuania.

"Umm… The groups are uneven," Toris (Lithuania - He's a hard one for me, so here's a freebie. :3 ) piped up, glancing timidly at the two intimidating members that he would have to be cooperating with, "The West assault army only has three countries."

"Brilliant observation," Arthur responded cynically, "Considering there are 4 attack groups and only 15 countries are assembled, it seems rather hard to help it, though."

Lithuania blushed and closed his mouth.

"Please don't worry yourself," Kiku said to the abashed country, "Russia-san and Germany-san are powerful, so you should be safe with their protection." Toris was unable to help but think, glancing once again at the stoic Ludwig and macabre Ivan: But it's not the enemy I'm worried about...

Romano rolled his eyes, "Why am I stuck here without Spain? And I'm a different group than my brother as well!" He spun around, his finger accusingly directed towards Germany, "This is all your fault!"

There was a silence as everyone couldn't help but think: But you chose your group out of the hat. Germany turned away, unable to put a lid on the enthusiastic country.

"Don't be angry, brother." Feliciano patted Romano, "America is really nice and strong. He isn't scary like Germany. And his hamburgers have tomatoes in them. I think you'll like being with him."

"Hahaha~ Seems you finally understand me, Italy," Alfred grinned, "Everyone likes to hang out with a hero!"

"What an (idiotic) assumption, America!" Arthur smirked, "Only a (idiotic) hero like you could possibly come up with such an (idiotic) conclusion. No need to worry about a (idiotic) country such as yourself."

"Wow, England. You seem to really look up to me!"

Arthur grimaced at the carefree country's inability to understand sarcasm and shut his mouth. Crossing his arms, he couldn't help but reminisce. America had always shown tremendous growth, and now even timid Italy seemed to trust him. Alfred and Arthur were like two glaciers, unable to help but drift apart. He frowned. It was all because that stupid twit had to succeed from him! They seemed so far apart now, each destined to attack in an opposite direction. So far away from the time that young Alfred had chosen the crying England as his big brother. Arthur couldn't help but feel a little…

…Lonely?

"Can we stop secretly insulting each other and get a move on?!" Ludwig bellowed. Toris jerked, silently hoping that he would be able to survive his group. The enemy was nothing in comparison.

"Ah, stop shouting, aru," Wang Yao plugged his ear, "We'll leave now, aru."

The Oriental Country glanced over at the rest of the group he was in and paused. He could help but get his attention caught by Roderich, who seemed to be lugging some sort of cloth-covered car behind him. There was a silence as the rest of the nations stared in disbelief at Austria.

"…What is that?" Yong Soo finally asked.

Roderich stopped, pushing up his glasses to glare at the incredulous company.

"It's my piano, of course. I can't go onto the battlefield without it. Well," he turned towards Prussia and Switzerland casually, as if he hadn't just said something extremely extraordinary, "Are you two dolts coming or not?"

Gilbert and Vash, still shocked, followed the other two members of the East assault out, and the latter was heard to mutter, "He really is helpless without Hungary, after all."

"Well~ Time for us to go as well." Ivan grinned, holding a water-pipe in one hand and towing a trembling Toris in the other, "Come along, Germany, Lithuania."

After they had left, the North and South assault groups exchanged glances. Somehow, the countries in these groups had formed some sort of friendship. Each felt as if they shouldn't leave without saying something. Francis broke the awkward silence.

"Adieu~" he took Arthur's hand, "Let us reunite after our battle so I can mess up your embroidery even more."

"Go get yourself killed, you wine freak…"

Kiku and Alfred shook hands. Alfred smiled amiably, "Well, good luck, Japan."

"Same to you, America-san."

Arthur wrestled the teasing Francis off of him and was unable to help but steal a glance towards Alfred, who noticed and waved towards him. "Don't die, England."

"Whose going to die, you idiot?" Arthur grumbled, turning away.

Feliciano waved his white flag, "Good luck, Nii-chan~"

"I don't need luck, you idiot," Romano sneered, before his large bronze eyes softened, "But take care of yourself, Veneciano."

Yong Soo took this moment to cling onto Kiku.

"Let's go, Aniki!"

Japan jolted, but was unable to help but agree. He threw Yong Soo off of him and glanced towards Feliciano and Arthur, who nodded their consent. So it was like this that the North and South assault groups parted ways. (And poor Canada-san is still overlooked.)

*Sorry it's short, but I wanted to get it up. :3 *