This is starting to look like I'll be updating on weekends . hopefully I can get all of these up fast enough for you guys! So in these next chapters I'll be switching the view points around a bit and there will be some "time jumps" here and there to keep the story moving. Feel free to comment or ask any questions you might have, I appreciate you guys sticking with the story so far . So enjoy the latest chapter! Oh and Alfred Kirkland = America and William Bonnefoy = Canada…for now at least ;)

Alfred Kirkland

"It's been awhile since…" William whispered up to me from his bottom bunk. It was dark outside our window and not even the moon could cut through the clouds above us.

"Ya." I replied simply. I was trying to fall asleep when I heard him mumble something.

"What?"

"Oh," William rolled over, "I said fifteen days."

"Huh?"

"Since Arthur…made Papa go away."

William began sniffling quietly. I sighed and sat up, swinging my legs over the side of my bunk. I dropped down, landing on my feet silently, and stood over William.

He rolled toward me, his eyes already red and puffy, "What are you doing Alfred?"

I crossed my arms over my chest, "If you stop counting you'll feel better."

William shook his head, "I can't help it." Tears were welling in his eyes and had started to fall…

"Oh, don't start that." I said lowering myself next to him.

The bed was a bit small for both of us, but we were able to fit under the covers. William was pressed between the wall and my chest as he shook with silent sobs. I pulled him closer when he stopped shaking, "You won't become a strong nation if you end up crying yourself to sleep every night."

William didn't answer, but he nodded against my chest. I thought I heard him mumble something again and I sighed, "You also have to learn to speak up when you talk."

He looked up at me and smiled a little, "I said, at least I'll have you to help me."

I shook my head, "You'll also have to become more independent when you get older."

William nuzzled closer into my shoulder and squeezed his arms around me before falling asleep. He really would need to become stronger and forget about…everything.

I kept seeing Arthur's face, when he saw us leaving, every time I closed my eyes. His eyes were so black and his body was glowing a strange colour. And even though we were soaked head to toe, he was completely dry. He had attacked all three of us, throwing Papa to the ground so many times…and he had knocked out William, almost breaking his arm in the process. The idiot! Why would he do that to him?

I protectively tightened my grip on my brother. He would be my only family, and I wouldn't let anything come between us. I'll be there whenever he needs me, but I won't tell him that, not when he needs to be strong.

I woke up first again and shook William awake. We got dressed for training and headed out back. The General was out there and ready as usual, with his back turned toward the obstacle course, watching us march down the steps.

He turned toward William first today and simply said, "Begin!"

My brother took off running. He was getting faster, we both were. I watched, legs squared and arms back, as he jumped over board walls and crawled through the morning grass. When he finished on the other side of the field, he ran back to us at a full out sprint and skidded to a stop in front of the General and I.

"That was a very good run, William. I'm seeing great improvement in you." The General's praise was kind, but a surprise to us both, "Alright, Alfred. Begin!"

I jerked forward, feeling my muscles stretch and work as I jumped and ran. They burned as I reached the third rope wall and I smiled at the feeling. I was breathing heavily when I stopped in front of the General.

He started down at me without smiling, "Good, but not perfect. Return here at thirteen-hundred hours."

William and I nodded and saluted him before turning to leave, "But only you, Alfred."

I stopped and turned back, "What? Why?"

The General glared down at me and I quickly corrected myself, "I mean, yes sir."

William and I left the yard quickly and headed into the kitchen to get breakfast. William pulled out milk from the fridge as I set two bowls on the table. We moved around each other easily and soon had everything out on the table.

I had shoved a spoonful of cereal into my mouth when I heard footsteps coming from down the hall.

"Alfred, I wonder-" William started to ask.

I hushed him and looked at the doorway into the kitchen. A few minutes later a dark, sickly looking figure came into the room. His hair was dirty, his pale skin was almost see-through and his eyes were a startling shade of purple. He walked over to the counter and started to make coffee. I could feel William's eyes flip between me and him as I stared at Arthur with disgust.

He left without acknowledging either of us.

"Alfred, why…what's wrong with father?" William whispered shakily.

I shook my head, I don't know Will, but he's killing himself."

"He's what?" William jumped at my words.

I quickly looked at him, "Shit. Will, that's not what I meant!"

William shook his head, "It is. Don't lie to me Alfred."

I sighed, seeing no way around it, "Sorry, I shouldn't blurt stuff out like that."

He nodded, "But it's nice."

"Huh?"

He looked at me then, seeming older than he is, "To have someone to talk to. Someone to fill the silence, you know?"

I nodded numbly, understanding my brother…and yet not.