Chap 7

Alfred was trying his best not to look at Mexico as the British Navy drew closer. He was sure that if he did Mexico would see his reluctance to meet them in his eyes. It wasn't like they abused him, though uncle Scotland did play rough, it was just he could sense that his uncle Scotland seemed to harbour some kind of feeling of regret around him. Wales seemed to be indifferent and Ireland adored him, it was just Scotland who made Alfred uneasy.

"Idiota, ellos han venido a bordo." Mexico said punching him in the arm softly

" ¡Cállate! ¡Lo sé!" hissed Alfred startling Mexico with his use of Spanish

Alfred tucked his revolver into the leather holster which had burnt in bold eagles to decorate it, that he had made for himself in his boredom. With Texas clasped in one hand Alfred leapt from the crows nest and clung on to a rope sliding down to the deck. He dismounted five metres above the deck and landed in a crouch. Mexico rolled his eyes, as yet again Alfred Jones, or better known to him as America, had became the centre of attention again. Mexico followed Alfred down but climbed down the rigging instead.

Alfred straightened into a standing position. His Uncles looked at him in shock. Antonio glared back at them all, his lips set in a grim line as he held on to his giant battle axe.

"Alfie is that you?" asked the shorter red haired man who had bushy red eyebrows and the same emerald eyes as Arthur.

" Yeah, nice to see ya uncle Connor." Alfred replied Using the human name for his Uncle Ireland.

"What are you doing with the Spanish Armada? " the sandy brown haired uncle asked quietly but his emerald eyes flashed dangerously towards Antonio.

"He went and had my father jump over board then shot him when I got kidnapped." Alfred informed them tilting his head to indicate Antonio when he had said he.

This was greeted by an awkward silence that was interrupted by the tapping of Mexicos feet as he stepped down on to the deck. Wales and Ireland where furious but nothing compared to the taller brother with the flaming red hair and wild green eyes who seemed to be calm but for some reason that was a million times worse. Alfred shuddered as the tall red head advanced on the shorter Antonio.

"What are you going to do amigo? I am the one who rules the oceans right now. The British Navy can hardly compete." Taunted Antonio

" Is tha sae? If tha was true then ye would noo be tyin tae kill ma wee brother. Face it, yer threatened by him are ye noo?" The red haired man said cruelly

Antonio raised his axe. The thing had to weigh a ton, but he welded it as if it was feather light as he Span it in his hands. The tall red haired man withdrew a sabre. His eyes flashed like a Scottish wild cat ready to pounce on his prey. Alfred glanced at Mexico and saw his eyes go wide in horror. As much as he hated the kid, he didn't want anyone to have to go through watching their own fathers so called death like he had. So as the two men took a step towards each other with murderous intent Alfred ran between them.

"STOP! No killing got it?" Shouted Alfred

Alfreds eyes never left Mexico. Antonio followed his gaze and saw the young Mexican who looked close to tears. Immediately he dropped his axe and rushed over to Mexico. He pulled the boy into an awkward hug.

Alfred and his uncles watched as Antonio muttered some kind of apology to Mexico. Alfred almost jumped out of his skin when he felt the taller red heads hand come to rest on his shoulder. Since the taller red head was his Uncle Scotland, whose human name was Iain, it was really no surprise that Alfred was a little jumpy.

"So ye found a friend did ye?" The red head asked

"What Mexico? No way! I don't like the dude. I just helped him out cause that's what hero's like me do. Besides I had no idea other nations around my age existed, apart from my own siblings of course!" Alfred replied

Iain laughed and walked with Wales, the brown haired brother whose human name is Tristan, towards Antonio and Mexico. Connor stayed behind with Alfred, while Alfred contemplated following his other uncles in case he needed to protect Mexico again. Before he could make his move he felt Connors breath on his right ear as the man leant closer to him.

"Of course you don't know of other young nations. Poor laddie, you have absolutely no freedom. How could you with such an over protective father?" Connor whispered to him

Alfreds eyes widened with wonder. Freedom. It was a word that he had read about, that was associated with flying birds, and his father claimed that it also came along with the honour of being a pirate. He was a pirate in training, so didn't that mean that one day he would have freedom? Didn't his father get him everything he wanted? He spun round to face his now standing uncle who was grinning slyly.

"I do have freedom don't I? Or I will when I become a pirate right?" Alfred asked confusion seeping into his voice

"Freedom is choosing what you want for yourself. It is the right to make those choices. Do you want to be a pirate? Can you leave your father's side and make new friends when you wish? Can you speak as you wish to speak? " Ireland continued

Alfred stayed silent. That was Freedom? It sounded wonderful; it was something a hero defiantly needed. Shouldn't he have the freedom to choose between becoming a hero and a pirate? Truth be told he didn't want to be a pirate because they where villains. He wanted to be a hero and swoop in and save people.

"Do you have freedom then?" Alfred inquired innocently

" I use too, but your dad took it from me. When freedom is taken away we must fight to gain it back." Connor answered a dark look clouding his face

"Fight... dad says that it is bad to fight." Alfred stated

" That filthy hypocrite. Still he has a point, fighting should be avoided. However when freedom is involved, that is always something worth fighting for." Connor replied

Connor smiled down at his nephew and ruffled his hair before going to join his brothers. Alfred was left staring at the sea not really taking in the view. Freedom was it? He wanted it. He had never wanted anything more than he wanted that. He wanted to be able to explore, be himself, and meet other nations. Still right now he wanted to get away from the Spanish Armada, and be able to see his father again. He wanted to sleep in his own bed. So did that mean he wanted freedom from Antonio? Was it Antonio who was taking his freedom? Alfred screwed up his eyes in confusion. Why was getting hold of this freedom stuff so dang hard?

His train of thought was cut off by loud shouting. He turned to see that Antonio and his uncles where having a heated argument. It was obviously over him. Alfred felt his heart sink, there seemed like a bloody battle was brewing on the horizon and he wouldn't be able to stop it. Tears welled up in Alfreds eyes, the Spanish Armada was the strongest fleet of ships in the world, not to mention that it easily outnumbered British Navies fleet. This would surely mean that Alfred would have to watch more family members die wouldn't it?