I couldn't believe it. As much as I had jokingly fantasized about this situation, it was a harsh reality to face. It made me feel ashamed that I could ever wish this on someone even in jest.

France lay there in the grass. The dark red blood on the front of his shirt looked like one of the roses he loved so much. I couldn't help but think it was my fault. I should have been more careful I should have sent someone else out here with him. I don't know what I was thinking. There was a murderer out here. A cold-blooded murderer. I guess I thought France would run away or give up like he usually did. He had always found a way to survive after the countless wars.

I also blamed myself for Lichtenstein. The only reason why she ended up like this is become I was the one who brought her brother in for questioning. It would have been worth something if it had actually panned out. When France didn't report back, America and I came out here and found all of the bullets in question. That's when we found two more bodies.

I was the one who had to break it to Switzerland. That his little sister had been murdered. Somebody had to. He had screamed and shouted in anguish. I had never seen someone so hurt by grief. When he saw her body, he finally started crying. . He questioned the world of why it would take someone like her away. She hadn't done anything wrong. She was so sweet. Why would anyone want to kill her? It was so cruel. She had been shot two times in the stomach and once in the chest.

He carried her to a pasture with a breathtaking view of the mountains. He buried her and decorated her grave with flowers and ribbons. After that, he disappeared, refusing to accept the people of the world that had taken away his beloved sister.

"I know that this is hard for you, man," America said as he put his hand on my shoulder. "You grew up with France, and now he's just gone."

"It'll be tough, but those no use in dwelling on it. The best thing we can do is to keep going and bring the person who's causing all of this to justice."

"Do you have any more ideas n who it might be? Prussia's pretty violent, you know. He didn't like Austria too much either."

I shook my head. "It's true, but Prussia couldn't have done it. He's too loud to have gotten anywhere near Austria's house without getting hit with a frying pan. Plus, France was one of Prussia's best friends."

"So, who could it be?"

"Whoever did it must be a bit psychotic. I can't think of any reasons as to why anyone would kill Lichtenstein, so they must be crazy."

"Crazy people, huh? Russia's thinking has always been a bit weird. Belarus could be an option as well. If someone got to close to her brother, I don't think she would hesitate to kill them."

"I guess we have no other options at this point. There's no harm in asking them a few questions, I suppose," I said. Together with America, we made the long trek to Russia's house.

America was late, but I suppose that was typical. He had been pretty busy with England lately trying to solve the recent string of murders. He asked to come over so that he could relax a bit. He suggested that we play some new video games.

I accepted his proposal. It would probably be best to relax a bit. These times were being stressful on everyone. I waited patiently while drinking a bit of the traditional tea. I tried to relax as I heard the bamboo slapping the rock by the pond.

"Ve~ Japan? Where are you? Are you home?" I heard the vice of my friend, Italy. I hadn't been expecting him.

I got out of seiza position. I felt the blood rushing back into my legs. Perhaps I had been sitting like that for a bit too long. I quietly walked through the hallways and greeted Italy near the sliding doors. He was taking off his shoes at the step.

I gave him a polite bow. "Welcome. Please come in. I must say I'm a bit surprised. I didn't expect you to come today." I hadn't seen Italy in a while. It had been pretty hard on both of us since the loss of a mutual ally.

"Ve, sorry about that. I wasn't intending to stay very long," Italy said.

I turned to lead him through the hall. I noticed just in time to pull out my katana and flip back around.

I was just in time. The bullet Italy sent my way was sliced cleanly by my blade.

Italy smiled a bit. "I knew you'd be the toughest one yet. It's a shame really."

"Why are you doing this?" I asked. I had to weave in and out of the bullets Italy kept firing at me. They became swifter and more frequent.

"It's silly really. You actually couldn't help it. Your birthday was just to close."

I knew I wouldn't be able to dodge all of them. One was going to hit me eventually. Hopefully I would last until he had to reload. Then I felt it. Searing pain ripped through my leg. One of the bullets had caught me in my thigh. Another flew through the knee on my opposite leg. I was forced to the ground.

I knew I wouldn't be able to escape now. Italy stalked closer while reloading his weapon. I wanted to scream, but I didn't have much time. I dipped my fingers into my own blood. I needed to leave a clue.

My fingers were gone. Italy blew the smoke away from the gun. He shot at the shoulder of my other arm, rendering useless. I couldn't do anything.

Italy raised the gun to my forehead. "Happy Birthday" were the last words I heard.