Ch 5

"Blast!" Arthur scanned the ground, his fingers throttling the steering wheel. His jet was skimming close to the ground, his frantic eyes searching about him. He had been flying for hours now, still no sight of Alfred. Kiku was still hard at work, attempting to track the weak waves from Alfred's radio. However, it was impossible for even the technologically-advanced nation to concentrate on a dying signal while driving a jet. So far, the only information he had is that America's assaulters were heading north. Suddenly, something sounded in Arthur's ear as one of the country's tuned in. Please be Japan! he thought, Please give me a lead on America.

"This is Romano."

There was no mistaking the sinking disappointment in Arthur's stomach. He shook himself, struggling for his lost composure. He was being too kind, getting so worried over an idiot like America. America didn't deserve saving. Especially from a powerful country such as England.

"Nii-chan! You're alright!" Feliciano radioed in, the tears of relief audible in his voice.

"Of course I am!" Romano snapped.

"I'm so glad! Are you hurt anywhere?" Feliciano began blubbering. Arthur could almost hear the tears flowing from his eyes. An uncomfortable thought passed his mind. Would he be that comforted if he managed to save America? No, he thought, that's preposterous. Who would cry for that idiot?

"Don't cry!" Romano scolded, "I called to say that we drove back the enemy attacking the East assault group. France, Austria, Switzerland, and now China are unconscious. Canada, Prussia, and I managed to finish off the rest."

Gilbert's voice sounded suddenly, "I'm too awesome to be defeated by some…"

"EH? THEY KNOCKED OUT ANIKI?" Yong Soo shouted, completing drowning out Gilbert, "Is he alright?!"

"Stop yelling, you long-sleeved bastard," Romano grumbled. There was another change of frequency, and a soft voice came in.

"Don't worry, Korea," Matthew said, "All the unconscious nations should recover."

"I'm so relieved…"

Arthur gritted his teeth. So everyone was fine except for America? He turned the steering wheel rather hard, circling back into the sky for another scan.

"England-san?" Kiku called. Arthur jolted, and immediately pressed a hand to his ear.

"Yes, I'm here Japan. Did you get a lead?"

"Yes."

The previously dignified country slumped in his chair, and the hand holding down the record button began trembling. However, he prided himself in not crying. I'm too old for that sentimental stuff anyways, he thought to himself. Even alone, he had to keep his self-possession.

"I found a broken frequency of the path they took," Kiku said, his business-like voice flowing through, "Seems they headed for Sapporo, and then set off there. They paused for a long time at a port, so I assume that they're traveling by ship. They are currently sailing east on the Pacific Ocean, most likely heading for North America."

"Understood."

Arthur leveled his jet upwards, his hands fiddling with the buttons. Immediately, his jet shot off, heading at a north-east angle through Sapporo. Within minutes, he was sailing over the ocean. By this time, it was already night, and the murky waves lapped at each other ominously, the smooth black liquid sliding over each other, devouring each other. His eyes straining, he watched for any sign of a ship, fearing that the darkness of night would swallow the vessel. He needn't have worried. A few trips over the waves and a hulking battleship loomed before him. He reached up once again.

"Japan, I think I found them."

"Good job, England-san. Let me see if I can match the frequency."

Suddenly, Arthur's jet began beeping. There was a slight whirring and clicking sound.

"What the hell is going on, Japan?"

"Oh. Sorry, England-san, I forgot to warn you." Kiku sounded sheepish, "I took the liberty of installing a few tools on these jets. Right now, I'm activating the night-vision cameras and radio wave detector. This won't take more than a few seconds."

There was another moment of beeping, before Kiku spoke up triumphantly, "No doubt. America-san is in that ship. Luckily for us, the enemy didn't notice his radio. Now, England-san, would you like landing instructions? I can scan for blind spots on that ship with a few other tools I installed…"

Arthur gaped. Japan was so prepared. "Err… Y-yeah, go ahead."

"Okay. England-san, please pull your jet a little to the left so you are facing the metal mast on the starboard side. The watches there are asleep right now." Arthur complied. "Now when I tell you to, glide down at a 45 degree angle. You should land on the runway. Please wait for my call. There is another watch at the security cameras. I need to determine when the camera is turned away from the runway."

Arthur swallowed. If he landed, there was no turning back. He didn't even have a plan. Let's say that everything went well. He lands, dilly-ho, finds Alfred… And then…? Could the two of them defeat an entire battleship? Surely the crew would search for Alfred if he suddenly went missing. And even if they could hide, what happens when the ship reaches land? Could they make a run for it? Scowling, Arthur shook his head. He obviously didn't have enough self-possession yet. If he did, then there was no way he'd put himself in so much danger to save one twat.

"NOW, ENGLAND-SAN!"

Arthur steeled his resolution, angled his plane, and turning off all engines, plummeted towards the ship.

"The button to your left, England-san!" Kiku's called urgently, "Press it!"

Obediently, Arthur reached his hand out and smacked a large yellow button. There was a slight whoosh as hot air was emitted from the jet, slowing its plunge and landing it softly on the deck. He had done it. Cautiously, he glanced about him. As Kiku had mentioned, the guards were sprawled on the floor, snoring slightly.

"Don't relax yet, England-san," Kiku had lowered his voice to a whisper, "We need to guide your jet into their pod. Hopefully, it won't be discovered that way."

"Help appreciated." Arthur muttered, and following Japan's instructions, managed to direct the jet into a garage with others like it. Once inside, he sighed. The first trial had been successfully passed.

"Alright, England-san. After you leave the plane, you are on your own. I will be of no further use. Please be careful."

"Understood. Thank you, Japan."

Deliberately, the door to the jet opened. Unbuckling his seatbelt, Arthur leapt silently off the plane, landing with catlike grace on his feet. He had to take advantage of the cover of night and find Alfred. With the glittering cameras the he glimpsed about him, if he attempted to search during the day, he would definite get caught. After a quick estimation, he judged that he had around three hours before sunrise. Wait for me America! he thought, and dashed off into the darkness.

A/N *Mm~ Sorry if this chapter was a bit slow. I thought it was necessary. O: There were tons of hidden hints in this chapter about the true identity of the bad guys. :3 And not only that, but it'd be rather abrupt if I didn't write about England-san's search for America-san, right? (: Things speed up more in the next chapter~ Please look forward to it! *