Bookworm24601, I kept your review in mind when I was writing this.

Anyway! I've kept ye waiting longer than normal for this and I'm a bit worried about this chapter because (bar Turkey and Cyprus) all the characters in this chapter I'm writing them for the first time so it was kinda hard keeping them IC. And I quote World Series quite a bit in this :)

Disclaimer: don't own *sadface*

Sadik strode confidently down the moonlit street. His plan was almost complete, just one more thing and then...

"Meow!"

Sadik looked around him for the source of the noise. His eyes alighted upon a small brown and white cat with bright blue eyes.

He was about to kick that damn cat when a slow voice spoke from the shadows. "Leave Corporal alone, Sadik."

Sadik glared at the Greek man who had emerged from the darkness, his usual entourage of cats climbing all over him.

"What the holy hell do you want, Feta-Breath?"

Herakles leaned casually against a wall. "I'm just here to tell you that your plan's not going to work."

Sadik stiffened. "How the hell do you know about that?"

Herakles shrugged slowly. "Through the grapevine. You and Stelios weren't exactly quiet."

Sadik growled lowly. "Look, Jerkules, stay out of my business."

Herakles appeared unmoved by Sadik's threats and began calmly stroking one of his many cats.

"I thought you of all people would know not to force people into loving you, considering just how well it went for you last time."

Sadik glared at Herakles. "Lovino is nothing like Kiku."

Herakles examined his nails casually. "True but remind yourself, who did Kiku choose? You or me?"

Sadik lunged forward at him and wrapped his fingers tightly around Herakles' throat. He lifted him bodily into the air and glared right into his face. Herakles' battalion of cats began hissing and spitting at Sadik.

"Hey Sadik!"

Sadik turned to look at Stelios who was standing in the tavern doorway, looking more than a little ill at ease. "He's inside. ...And h-he doesn't like waiting."

Sadik turned his attention back to Herakles. "I'll deal with you later."

He dropped Herakles and joined Stelios inside the tavern.

The whole room was in near darkness. The fire flickered weakly in one corner and a single candle stood guttering at a table. A single figure sat at the candle table. The pair of them sat themselves gingerly in front of him.

The man was, frankly, one of the oddest and most terrifying people Sadik had ever met. He towered over most, even Sadik and that Swedish carpenter, Berwald. His childish violet eyes seemed to penetrate into their very souls and chill them with the coldest of winter gales.

"Good evening comrades." Smiled the man creepily. "I don't normally leave the asylum at night as my sister might get out but the little one said you'd make it worth my while."

Sadik leaned forward on his elbows. "See, it's like this, Mr Braginski. I've got my sights set on marrying Lovino but he needs a bit of...persuasion."

Stelios thumped the table hard. "Turned him down flat!" Sadik punched him in the face.

"I'm sorry, comrades. But I run an asylum, not a lonely hearts club."

"I-I know." Sadik stuttered slightly. That seemingly innocent smile was really freaking him out now. "But Lovino's brother and grandfather were in here, yelling about some beast. All you have to do is pronounce them mad. You get two new inmates; I get Lovino through his family, everyone's happy."

"Да, sounds good."

They shook hands. Sadik smirked. "Looks like Lovino will be marrying me after all."

"He'd rather die" muttered Stelios. Sadik grabbed by the front of his clothes.

"...than let his family get locked up?" Stelios amended. Sadik, seemingly satisfied with that, released him. The three of them picked up a tankard and clanked them together.

"Let's get to work."

Page break

Herakles drew back from the door silently. He felt a shiver run down his spine. He felt truly afraid for the Vargas family.

"Herakles-kun."

Herakles turned around to see Kiku standing almost directly behind him. "Kiku. How long have you been there?"

"Not long, Herakles-kun. Is something troubling you? You seem...tense."

Herakles reached out and tentatively took hold of Kiku's hand. Kiku flinched but didn't take his hand away.

"Your friend Feliciano, his brother and his grandfather are in danger. Sadik is planning to have Feliciano and Romulus thrown into the asylum and to marry Lovino against his will. You must warn them."

Kiku nodded. "Hai, I will."

Herakles leaned in and brushed his lips against Kiku's. "Then let's go."

A/n Giripan! And creepy Mr Russia is creepy (...why did I think that in a Finland voice?) Anyway, me is starting to ramble, so just letting you know that the title song (you know what I mean) is up next \(^▼^)/

And I CAN SWING MY SWORD,SWORD! I CAN SWING MY SWORD SWORD! That is all.

Ja!

-Animerockchic