Guest: Some of those hetalia characters have done crazy stuff. I bet a jail break would be like child's play for someone like Russia.

Yuuki no Yuki: There's plenty of them here :) I like trying to make things possible, and Russia and Liechtenstein have that potential (backed by the historical event that this was based off... wait a minute...)

I hope I responded to all the reviewers. If I missed any, I apologize- I'm trying to make sure my responses are good, and not too short or rude.

Oh yeah, I forgot: asylum is apparently another word for sanctuary.

Chapter 3: The truce

"Why are my people in your country?"

Lili had long since felt her heart stop as both she and Elise stared in horror at the new addition. She had been sure Ivan would stay in prison for some time, if not for as long as she needed him to be. She she didn't realize or suspect it would take him this soon to find out the truth.

"If this is to be a private matter between us." He emphasized 'us' for an understanding. "We should head to a more secure area."

Lili and Elise shared a worried glance. 'be safe' the woman mouthed, before Lili slowly got up. "Don't say a word about this to any of them... or my brother." Lili warned, almost begged, to the woman as she slowly got up. She headed towards one of the many castles that was tucked away in the privacy of the hills, with the chibi Russian following behind.

"...Hey." One of the Russian soldiers pondered out loud as they watched them go. "Didn't that little guy look a bit like-

"Hush!" Another, who then realized who it was, panicked and whipped his hand over the other's mouth. "Don't you dare say another word out loud about him."

Lili hoped Mikhal and the general knew who they had brought into her homeland- the last thing she wanted now, was for the word to spread and cause more than panic.

But to get to that castle required Lili to pass through one of the towns.

It was a sweet little town, as were the many others that filled the country of Liechtenstein. Many who saw the girl in the uniform respectfully moved out of the way, but shot a variety of different glances at the... unusual person following her.

"What is that?" A woman whispered behind her hand to another. "Is it some spirit?"

"It's quite cute." The other admitted a little too loudly. "It looks like a little fat child."

Lili felt her stomach drop when she overheard that- this was NOT going to pass by quietly, was it?

It got bad when that horrible aura of unease came back and became even worse than that: she heard what sounded like the word 'kill' be repeated over and over again in a low, threatening voice that almost shook her to the core. She turned to see Ivan- little chibi, normally cute Ivan- almost literally spew what sounded like 'kill' out of that mouth, over his scarf. If he was intentionally trying to scare those women- it was working way past overkill.

"AGH! IT'S A DEMON!" The loud woman shrieked and she bolted into the alleyway. Lili heard loud shuffling, and realized, as she curiously glanced around, many others were scared out of their wits end like an American watching a japanese horror movie and left the street until only two brave civilians were left, and even they were shaking in their shoes. Lili had to regretfully admit that she wanted to run away too.

"So then," Ivan smiled, and the atmosphere changed as if nothing traumatizing had just happened. "Shall we keep going, little one?"

(Why did he have to do that?) Lili shivered as she thought these words.

-and yet we love this guy, despite his bad traits-

They finally reached the castle in mind. Lili had seen the lovely sight of the green land and the town nestled in the fields many times before, but Ivan hadn't. He took his time and took in the scenery, while Lili awaited for the impending conversation that she had been dreading the whole way up here, with every second passing by in a sort of agony.

On the light side, it was almost humorous to see him on the stone balcony, with the wind blowing through his silver-beige hair and causing the long pink scarf to gently flap in the breeze. As Lili rested her arms on the balcony, she noted there was genuine contentment in the Russian's purple eyes.

"Your country is quite peaceful." He told her without glancing back. "Your people seem so happy. It's also nice and simple, yet there's so many castles too. And the weather is nice: the temperature feels better than it would be around this time of year, in my home. I bet winter doesn't last as long either. Plus, it's nestled in the mountains, so it's safe out of danger."

He finally glanced back to Lili. "I could see why my people would want to come here. If I didn't know any better, I'd say these would be one of the most quaint countries to live in."

He then wore the smile that was a tranquil mask that hid something dangerous and smoldering within the dark. "Why did they come here? Do not lie, for I will find out sooner or later."

"I-" Lili glanced to her lands once more- was this the last of the peace that the Army would know of in her home?

"They were assigned by Mr. Bellshmidt's boss," She found herself saying, against her wishes. "...to go against your army, Mr. Braginski."

The smile tightened a bit. "I see... please continue."

"They were to go against the Bolsheviks, but the general knew that their lives would be at risk, and face a severe punishment either way, so they came to me for asylum."

"And how long are you going to let them stay?"

Lili straightened up and faced him. It was now or never: time to prove to her brother- to herself- that she was strong. Even if it was against a smaller version of Russia himself.

"As long as they wish. I have no intention of returning them to you without their consent." She told him in as strong of a tone she could make, which gave her some confidence. Perhaps the only reason why she was able to do this was because he didn't hold any power in his condition at the moment.

She waited for the Nation to say something. A long silence held between the two of them.

Finally, the male Nation nearly let out a snort of disbelief. "So even if I were to take them by force then? What would your brother say?"

"I don't need to listen to my brothe-" Lili stopped in horror as she realized what she was about to say. Where did THAT come from? Instead, she frowned as she recalled the incident in the town. "Why did you scare off that woman from before?"

"Oh her?" Ivan remembered, and laughed. "Because she was being mean. Also, it was fun."

"But if she didn't deserve that!" Lili protested. "Why should that be funny? She didn't know who you were, and she didn't know any better, so why scare her and many others like that?"

"She can get over it." Ivan calmly continued. "We all get over things, eventually, da? And what about you and your economy? You got over the Depression, didn't you? I didn't need to worry about it, but I've had a lot of fights to get over. You're too way in over your head at where you stand to even go against me, in your state of recovery- it's a miracle you got out of being poor to begin with."

Lili felt something unfamiliar rise in her chest- something she never felt often, but she knew she was feeling very angry. But she had never felt this much resentment towards anyone before. "So you think I got over the Depression myself, you monster?!" She snapped. That made Ivan's smile fall.

"Unlike you, I've struggled throughout my whole existence! I developed by land after land being purchased, and I still had to struggle against other nations! My survival was thanks to other nations who cared for me, until they passed me along or abandoned me all together!"

Darn this stupid nation- why would he make her remember that horrible moment- the darkest time in her life?! "I was lucky that brother found me- I would have died if he hadn't, and even though he was struggling too, he was willing to care for me, just like I am for your people, whom I'm afraid for... because I'm starting to know who you really are!"

"What do you know about hardships Mr. Braginski?!" She felt the frail little something in her finally breaking away into dust: all the pent up anger she had contained under hopeless optimism and sadness during those dark times in her life was finally being released. "You're just a big bully of a nation! You don't care for anyone but yourself, and you treat others with cruelty, while forcing others to live with you! That's just mean! If I was you, I wouldn't be doing things that scared my own people! I don't care that you survived the Depression because you didn't rely on others, or that your the biggest country that could overtake me- you're just like a child! A mean child who always picks on the weak just to feel better about themselves!"

She buckled and her knees hit the ground. She couldn't believe it! Had she finally let out anger after years of trying to hold it back for her people? Had she gone out of the comfort zone to say her mind, rather than try to play it safe with anyone other than her brother?

However, she felt tears swell up instead- she was frustrated at this Nation. If he was exactly as she called him, what would he do to his people for abandoning him?

I cant cry. Brother wouldn't cry in front of his enemies, so I can't cry in front of mine.

She pushed herself up and forced her body to move and get away as far as possible. By the time she got to the ground level, her throat was already tightening up.

Ivan silently watched the little Nation run as far away from him as fast as her legs could carry her until she went down the hill, out of sight. He stared off to the distance as he thought over her words.

No one had ever said that he was a bully before- not directly to his face, that is.

-break-

Lili was sitting on the side of one of the hills, away from any curious eyes, with her head bowed into her arms as she hugged her knees. She had only just finished crying out the last of her tears.

"What will happen if I cant hold the peace here?" She muttered to herself. "I'm trying my best, but now I think I wont be able to: not when there are other countries that could take me for their own."

"I don't want to leave." She let out a deep sigh. "I don't want to leave brother's side, and I was happy the way things were, until I let this happen. I don't regret helping those people but I'm really worried." She tightened and curled up even more. "I just wish this war could truly be over... and I wish the whole world could be at peace."

But she knew that was impossible. She knew all too well what was happening outside the safety of her brother's borders: many lives were already spent and not just from all the fighting. She knew what Mr. Bellshmidt's boss orchestrated, and what it lead to. Soon, everyone started fighting, but she no longer had any clue as to what it was that they were fighting for. Was it to take power from others or to keep it out of those very hands? The Axis were made out to be evil by the Allies, but there still were good people on that side who had to have a shred of the sense of right and wrong. The Allies claimed to be good, but who knew if there were hypocrites among them?

What would the last of this war lead to? She was afraid to find out.

Lili heard the sound of feet stepping through the grass; Someone was coming towards her. She opened her eyes to see the chibi Russian heading in her direction and tensed up: she had no desire to deal with him now, and the part of her that was angry wanted to snap at him and tell him to leave her alone.

Despite this, she raised her head up a little and noticed his expression. Instead of that calmness, or any positive emotion- real or a mask- there was... regret. Honest regret and, curiously, sympathy. She didn't know it, but it was considered a rare miracle to see Ivan look like that, and only few had been so lucky.

He stopped in front of her by just two feet. He seemed reluctant to glance at her, but he kept his gaze on the Nation.

"It's been awhile since I remembered those times." He began. "When I was picked on myself."

Lili let out a small "Oh?" in interest at this.

"I struggled too. I guess I forgotten about that since I've come a long way myself." He let out a sigh. "Especially from Gilbert, when he was still a real country, and the times when I was under the rule of other, more powerful countries. I've lost count of the years I've had to endure that...maybe because of-" He stopped short. He got lost in his own memories- the bad ones, it seemed. "So anyway." He continued on. "I guess I owe you an apology. I'm sorry." He bowed before her.

She thought over this new revelation in her mind. It was certainly strange to think that even the great Russia had a hard time- a dull one wouldn't even imagine it. But at least he understood, and he seemed very sincere, rather than fib about it to get on her good side, and that was good enough for Lili.

"Your forgiven." She let out a small smile.

Ivan stood back up. A very big grin- also genuine- was plastered on his face. He was very relieved. "I promise I will get out of here as soon as I can find out a reason for...why I look like a cute plush toy." he waved a finger over his head for emphasis. "I could start by trying to contact help."

"Well..." Lili tried to think. "We do have phones, if you need to contact your friends."

"Or I could wait until Arthur summons me again with another one of his spe-"

An epiphany hit Ivan. "Oh Arthur! He's always going on about magic sometimes!" He almost bounced on his feet with excitement. "He might know something!"

"Arthur... as in Britain?" Lili asked. "I guess it's worth a shot."

"It would make sense. I hope he didn't have any part in what happened in Berlin," Uh-oh- the uneasy aura seemed to come back as Ivan's grin took on a creepier edge. "If he somehow thought it would be funny to play a prank on me, I'll do more than shove his tasteless food in that mouth of his."

Lili found herself very worried once more. She had to do something about Ivan, so there wouldn't be more trouble in the future.

"Mr. Braginski." she stood up and put her hands on her hips- compared to Ivan, she was a giantess, albeit, with a commanding authority that only looked more adorable than anything. "I'll make a deal: you will not talk of hurting anyone, or scaring them intentionally while your staying here."

"...Sounds reasonable." Ivan admitted. "I'll try not to say it out loud or anything, but I'll do my best. And what will I get in exchange?"

Lili thought hard on this. She knew what would be best, but she needed something to back it up, since no one else would likely agree to it.

"...I'll have you stay with Elise." She hesitantly decided: the woman would object, but she was unable to refuse the Nation if Lili trusted her with anything of importance. "And you wont have to stay in prison anymore- as long as you stay in my country, and out of brother's. He will definitely throw you out the moment he even glances at you."

The chibi Russian grinned "Deal!"

Looking back, that was resolved a little too quickly. There's still a few things for them to worry about though... like big brother Vash. He's going to be in for a heart attack if he finds out...