Here you are everyone! Chapter 8! I forgot to note in the last chapter that the officer Arthur was talking to was not a Shinsengumi officer, but a magistrate officer. Well, I don't know what the difference is, but if anyone has any clue I'd like to know.

~England's POV~

I sighed to myself. I was feeling a bit of anxiety as I held the envelope in my hands. My hands were shaking, clutching it tightly. I wasn't sure if I wanted to open it, but at the same time I wanted to know who sent me this. Whoever might have sent me this, might know a way to take me back home. He might even still be here if I'm lucky. I suddenly jumped when Gintoki shouted a bit too enthusiastically. I decided to look back at what the other three were doing; maybe whatever they were so into I guess it might help get my mind off this thing.

"Just what are you shouting about over there?"

"Oh, Arthur-san. Have you opened it yet?" Shinpachi asked me. He sounded rather concerned; it did seem important but...

"I... Not yet." I couldn't bring myself to lie to him. I really want to open it, but at the same time something is telling me not to. The timing was just a bit off to me. But, why was it bothering me so much? Dammit...

"You should get to it soon. If they said it was urgent..."

"... The lucky sign for today's black horoscope is Taurus." Said a brunette with a charming smile from the television set.

"Taurus? That's my sign!" I replied excitedly. To be honest, I wasn't interested in these particular things, but I was a bit curious to what my horoscope will say.

"I know you aren't interested in this particular thing and curiosity is a good way of learning new things."

"Eh?"

"Of course! You with the dumb-founded face and large eyebrows!"

"Is she seriously making fun of my eyebrows!? And how does she know—"

"If you don't open that envelope soon, you may never find what you're looking for. It could be very important, so I suggest you open it now."

"..." I looked down at the envelope in dismay. How could she have known...? The only people that know about this are the very people in this room with me.

"Your lucky color for today is white. Just be very careful not to get it dirty or it won't look as clean."

"Oh, for the love of—I feel as if she is referring to underwear."

"And, a new addition to our black horoscope: your compatible sign today is Libra. It may be that way for a while, though. But, don't give your hopes up. Have a wonderful day!" The woman said before the TV switched to a commercial.

"How did she know about the envelope? All I know is that you three were the only ones I—"

"Ana Ketsuno is known for her horoscopes as well as the weather reports. Her horoscopes are also known for their accuracy. Plus, her smile is a lot brighter than the sun itself and to have her talking to you is news to me. I happen to..."

"Don't mind him, Artie; he tends to get like this when Ana Ketsuno is on. He always thinks she's talking to him through the TV." Kagura explained.

He seems to like her a lot to be talking about her that way. Gintoki has a crush on the weather girl. That's cute.

"But... To think I'm your compatible sign, that's new. Are you sure we're not just soulma—"

"DON'T even think of going there, Gintoki. I swear. Lucky color, though... White... But, there a lot of things that are white around me. Shinpachi's kimono, yours and even Sadaharu himself."

"Then, consider yourself very lucky."

"You won't be, considering that you were the one who took my wallet. You gave me a scare! I don't know what I'd do if I had lost it for real. Just how did you manage to do that? I haven't been around you for at least two and a half chapters."

"It was back in chapter 4 that we actually had physical contact."

"Gin-san, the way you said that sounded a bit out of context."

"Oh, that reminds me... I should open this."

I stared down at the envelope. I swear I wanted to tear that blasted thing to shreds; it gave off a serious tension in the air. I... didn't like where this was going. But, I can't wait any longer. I slid my thumb at the corner of the envelope. I cringed when it started to tear. I started to grow nervous; a twisting feeling was in the middle of my gut as it started to open a bit more. I took a breath as it finally ripped to the opposite side. Well, here goes.

I pulled out a letter; it was folded in three halves. I wasn't sure what to make of this. Was this some kind of joke? Even if it was supposedly "important", this thing was really pissing me off. And so, I opened the letter and began to read.

This handwriting seems so familiar... Could it be!?

Dearest little brother,

How is your stay here coming along? You're not nagging at anyone, are you? You always were pretty grouchy when you didn't get your way. How have you been? I hope those Odd Jobs characters are treating you okay. I hear the main guy of the group is a good-for-nothing that works for money, yet he's dead-beat poor. I don't think anyone pays him any, do they?

He's starting to piss me off. I've had enough of all these comments about Gintoki. I've already heard it this morning, especially when they have come out of his mouth. I wanted to tear the letter right then and there, but he also had something else to say.

I hear you've got the book, too, don't you? Don't worry about it, though. Have you mastered it yet or are you afraid of the contract? You're a country for God's sake; I think we can defy that, can't we?

What are you talking about? How do you know about this? He said, 'too'. He also has one? So there are two!? How many are out there?

Well, as the rumors go. It's about centuries old. And the one you have is the most talked about there are only two that exist and they can only be found in Edo. Not many people believe it because it's only a legend. There are people who would go to great lengths to have such power. Greedy bastards. You might just have enough to have everyone down on their knees bowing. But more or less, it's like opening Pandora's Box without thinking of the consequences. It was sealed off with magic. And lucky enough, you happened to find it. But, you are rather careless at times, Arthur. You never change.

Before opening this, you felt a bit nervous, didn't you? Sorry for the fright, then. Well, I have to end this and so soon. I was thinking of having us catch up, but I'm busy. See you around.

And with that, the letter ended. I stared at his words for a long moment until someone spoke up.

"Hey, Kagura, can you read anything?"

"No, Shinpachi?"

"Eh..."

I jumped back and turned around. "What in the world—how long have you been there?!"

"I was wondering when you'd notice. So, uh, what did it say?" Gintoki was looking at me as he scratched his head. "None of us could read whatever writing that was. What is it, anyway?"

"It's in English. And, it's... not really anything of interest."

"You don't seem comfortable from the look of things."

"...I'm not." I told them plainly with a frown that eventually formed into worry. I reached out and grabbed Kagura by her shoulders. I shouldn't be hostile, but I was starting to panic. "Kagura, the one who sent you this... Do you have any idea of what he looks like at all?"

She looked at me sadly. "No, I couldn't see his face. I'm sorry."

"No, Kagura, please," I begged. "You'll be doing me a favor. At least tell me what he wore."

"Uhm... Well, I couldn't see his face because he had a hood on. But, he did have this dark blue cloak on and a pair of boots, but that was it."

"Ah!" I gasped, overhearing Gintoki and Shinpachi as well. It seemed we all looked at each other.

"You've seen him before?"

"We did. Gin-san and I did. He passed by us just this morning."

"Damn..." I immediately moved away from Kagura, my hands grabbing at my hair and turned away. I heard a couple of footsteps running towards the door. It might've been Gintoki and Shinpachi because Kagura was right behind me. I sighed and sat down, placing my hands on my palms. I felt sick, I wanted to cry. I don't know what I wanted to do...

"Artie. I'm sorry." Kagura told me sadly, she sounded guilty. It hurt me. I couldn't bring myself to agree, because it wasn't her fault. I wasn't expecting him to show up here so suddenly. His appearance is something I didn't need right now. I looked up at Kagura; she was staring back at me. It looks as if she was about to cry. "Kagura," I began. "It's alright. It isn't your fault. Actually, I didn't know this would happen, either."

"Arthur-san," I heard Shinpachi walk in, I saw Gintoki watching me too. "Whatever was in that letter, we need to know everything. Whoever that man is, you seem to know him well as he does you."

I looked down; there was a lot of explaining to do. But first:

"That man in the cloak. He's my oldest brother..."

I'M NOT DEADD! Here is chapter 8 to start the end of the month with. I'm about to start on Chapter 9, but I need suggestions because my brain is fried right now with classes and I haven't had any time to work on this fic, which has been, well, for-freaking-ever. I was also planning on writing one-shots to make up for the times I have been on a long-term hiatus from writing. They won't be about Gintama or Hetalia. Unless you have any ideas, I'd be willing to take them and see what I can do. And for anyone who's still reading this fic, congrats on reaching Chapter 8! (/^0^)/