Gilbert glanced at the Ukranian standing by the door. It was rather awkward having her check up on him and not Ivan. Her presence was better than Ivan's, but Gilbert wasn't sure if he could trust her. After all, Katyusha was Ivan's older sister. Siblings tend to have common personalities... okay, maybe not. Now that he thought about it, Nadja and Ludwig weren't much like him in any way. Ah, now it came to mind, siblings rub off of each other. Nadja had a tendency to pick up Gilbert's habits and such. With Ivan, there was his little sister, Natalia, who was just as crazy as the Russian. Eh, Gilbert could not wait to get out of the Soviet Union and far away from the creepy Braginski family.
Nudge.
Gilbert glanced down at his feet quickly. Not now, Gilbird! Katyusha is still in here!
Gilbird lightly pecked Gilbert's foot. I'm getting cramped down here! She seems nice to me.
Gilbert sneaked a peek at Katyusha then looked back at his bird. She could be fooling us. And you were telling me to be careful!
Gilbird rolled his eyes. I can sense things you can't.
Yeah right! I'm a country and you're just a bird!
Gilbird pecked Gilbert's foot a little harder. I'm not just any bird.
Gilbert growled softly to himself. Just... be quiet and sit tight. I'm sure she'll leave in a bit.
Gilbird ruffled his feathers. Sit tight? Riiiiight.
"Is something wrong?"
Gilbert jerked up to face Katyusha. "Eh um... nothing's wrong." Look what you've done, Gilbird! Now she's going to suspect me!
She pursed her lips slightly and closed the office door. "Gilbird is with you, isn't he?"
Gilbert forced a straight face. "Gilbird? Here?" He laughed softly. "He's with West. No way he'd be here."
"Chirp!" Gilbird hopped out from under the desk and over to Katyusha.
Gilbird!
Katyusha smiled slightly and kneeled down beside the little yellow bird. "Hello, Gilbird."
Gilbird chirped and flew onto her shoulder. He glanced at Gilbert. Trust me.
Gilbert growled under-breath. You're ruining my plans!
Katyusha stood up and looked at Gilbert. "You can trust me."
Gilbert narrowed his eyes at her. What did she mean by that?
Her thin fingers brushed through her long hair as she pulled it back. It was time to get to work. She pulled a mask over her face and turned toward the door of the fateful room. The room hadn't been touched in years and it was due time to clean it. She reached for the door knob. Before her fingertips touched the cold metal, she paused. Was she sure she wanted to go through with this? She shook her head hard. No, she was going to do this. She opened the door.
*Cough! Cough, cough!*
Dust floated everywhere. Years... definitely was an understatement. This room, it hadn't been cleaned in decades (or so it felt). No one had had the incentive to touch this room. But now, now was different. Nadja set her lip in a firm line. She was going to clean Gilbert's room because he was coming back. He would be back. There were too many people who loved him, he couldn't just disappear forever into East Europe.
"Nadja?"
She whirled around to face a rather dusty Italy. "Feli! I mean... Feliciano."
"What are you *Achoo!* doing in *Achoo, achoo!* here?"
"Cleaning," was her muffled reply.
"I can *Achoo, achoo, achoo!" that." Feli rubbed his itching nose. "But does your *Achoo!* know about this? He might want *Achoo!* help too or have someone help you..."
"I didn't tell him. He has too much on his mind. I'll be fine on my own."
"Would... would *Achoo!* like me to help?"
Nadja glanced around the room. Help? Well, it would be nice... "If you can spare the time."
Feliciano smiled. "I'll be back with some cleaning supplies."
Nadja blushed under her mask as she watched the Italian skip out of the room. How could she have forgotten to get cleaning supplies? Feliciano probably thought she was very silly to enter a dusty room without having some sort of duster or rag to clean the room with. How very silly of her. Now she had to wait for Feliciano to come back with cleaning supplies before she could do any cleaning.
"Cleaning?"
Nadja jumped. "Ludwig!"
Ludwig gazed at the worn Prussian flag hanging on the wall. "It's dustier than I remembered..."
"What brings you here? I though you had paperwork and..." she trailed off softly.
"The paperwork can wait."
Nadja sneaked a hopeful peek at her brother. "Are you sure that's all right?"
Ludwig gave her a tired smile. "This is more important."
Author's Note: Bah, short chapter I know but I felt I should update since it's been awhile. Sooo please enjoy this short update (but update nervertheless ;3) and forgive me please? I proooooomise to post a longer chapter next time. X3
Author's Response to Reviews:
(Chapter Three)
DrivebyReader: Okay, I'm hooked. I like how you have characterized the main characters. Ivan is not the sadistic monster many think he is, and Gilbert is shrewd and resourceful. Even Katyusha is perceptive and not the ditz many think she is. I can't stand one-dimensional characters and so far yours are pretty interesting. And Gilbird is a wise little cutie! I'm looking forward to more!
Thanks for your review! I really appreciate it. :) I'm glad you feel the same about Ivan and Gilbert. :3
(Chapter Two)
Koo Kid: Always enjoy reading your stuff :) helps me improve on my own writing a lot.
aw thanks! I'm flattered. X3