A/N: So, first of all, I'd like to thank my first reviewer: Verocat! :D I really hope I get more reviews, but even just reading my story is super appreciated. Enjoy, and again, thanks for reading!

Italy whistled on his way to Japan's house. It had been a normal day. Not amazing, not horrible, just an okay day, but that was all Italy needed; that and some pasta! Thinking of pasta, Italy remembered what was in his canvas bag: all the ingredients necessary to make authentic ramen. He began to skip, excited at the prospect of learning yet another pasta dish, this one from the quiet but wonderful chef that was Japan. But, Italy thought as he shifted the bag to his other hand, why did the ingredients have to be so heavy?

Italy finally arrived at Japan's house. He set the bag on the ground and rubbed his hands together; it had been unusually cold lately, and the wind, thought Italy, shivering, was not helping at all. He glanced up at the sky as the last remnants of the day faded. The sun's rays tinted the world red, making the snow covered top of Mt. Fuji appear to bleed. Ve, if he only had a canvas and paint! Italy shook his head. Now was not the time for painting- it was time for pasta! Italy raised his hand, making to knock on the door, when he heard a bellow… was that Germany? Italy chuckled. So Germany and Japan were busy… well, he would do his best to come in quietly, so as not to disturb them. He slid open the door, which Japan always left unlocked, and set down the ingredients as he changed his shoes.

"What are you do- stop!" Italy heard, turning red. He knew Germany was into the kinky stuff (how could he not, with all the weird videos Germany left lying around), but Japan too? Then, he heard a clanging, and a soft growl. This was getting weird… Italy thought. Suddenly, Japan cried something in Japanese. Italy registered the anger and pain in his voice, and ran towards the sound. Why wasn't Germany saying anything?

As Italy ran, he heard Japan tell Germany something about, "stabbing through the heart". At full sprint, he threw open the door to Japan's room, his eyes widening in shock. Germany was quite literally pinned to the wall, bleeding from several places, and looked terrified, confused. A bloodied sword lay on the ground, crossing another unblemished one. The most horrifying part? Japan held a knife of some kind and looked like he was about to stab Germany. Without stopping, Italy ran in front of Germany, arms spread.

"STOP!" he cried. Japan looked surprised, as if kicked out of a trance, and Germany gasped.

"No! Italy, no, he might-"

"Get away from him, Italy. This does not concern you," said Japan coldly, his icy glare returning. "I don't want to hurt someone that is not involved."

"Germany is my friend!" yelled Italy. "You're trying to hurt him, so that makes me involved!"

"Italy… please move," whispered Japan, his gaze softening momentarily. "This… this bastard is no one's friend. As soon as you get close to him…" Japan's gaze hardened again, and his voice became angry. "He stabs you through the heart!" Japan raised his arm again. "Now move!"

Italy closed his eyes tightly, and his muscles tightened, expecting to feel the sharp knife plunge into his body. The blow never came.

Germany had broken free from the shuriken and pushed Italy out of the way, receiving the knife in his previously unharmed shoulder. Japan simply stared as Germany fell to his knees, clutching his shoulder. Italy crawled towards Germany, crying. Germany looked at Japan, then Italy, and then at the knife in his shoulder.

"You… you almost killed Italy! You almost hurt him! What has gotten into you Japan?" said Germany, his voice quivering with emotion. "I don't know what I am supposed to have done, but Italy… he is an innocent!" Japan simply stood there, his eyes covered by his black hair. The hand that had held the knife shook.

Germany's yell echoed, then faded. All that could be heard was a soft pitter-patter. Tears fell from Japan's cheeks, hitting the floor and leaving little puddles.

Outside, the sky wept and the wind howled.

A/N (part 2!): So how is it so far? Like it? Don't worry, we'll get into the meat of the story in the next chapters! Thanks for reading! :D