"I know it's hard to understand," I said. "But you need to try to. You're me with another soul!"

"I don't really believe in those kinds of things," Germany said leaning back in with chair. "But if you can prove it, I'll go along."

Prove it? How was I going to prove it? Oh, right...

I took my hand and passed it through his desk.

"Good enough?" I asked looking up. Germany looked slightly surprised but didn't show it as much as he could.

"Okay, I'll play along," Germany sighed as he stared. "So tell me EXACTLY what happened. Other than the 'I'm you' scenario."

"Well, here's the shortened version," I explained. "I've been watching over Italy ever since he was a child. When I was alive, or, you know, in your body, we were... really really REALLY good friends. So I expected Italy to remember me, but when France came and said one of his soldiers killed me but Italy said he didn't know me. So I got upset, left, and wandered here."

Germany closed his eyes and thought. "I'm still having trouble with this," he said. "But here are my thoughts: Perhaps Italy does still remember you but is trying to forget about you. I'm not exactly sure if he succeeded or not, but it would make him forget about your assumed death."

"That does make sense," I said slowly. "But what do I do?"

"I don't mean to be insensitive to the topic," Germany continued. "But do you have much use if your dead?"

"...No, not really," I answered. "But are you saying I should... pass on?"

"If that's what you call it?" Germany asked, opening his eyes. "Yes, I think that's the right choice. So that you won't have to dwell on Italy anymore."

"...Okay," I finally replied. "That's what I'll do. It won't really change anything here." I turned to leave and looked back before passing through the door. "Thanks, by the way."

Germany simply nodded. I smiled at him and left for Italy's house. When I got there, it was almost sunrise and the owner of the house was gone. Only Malersha was there. (Darn it!)

"Italy left," she said looking at her shoes.

"Oh," I said. "Malersha, I'm ready to pass on."

Her head shot up. "Really? Oh, um, alright. Can I go with you?" I nodded. "You know to tell the truth, I never really hated Italy. I was just jealous." She blushed.

"Yeah," I said with a frown. "I figured that."

"Oh!" Malersha's golden eyes got wide. "You can't pass on yet! Germany isn't dead!"

"Hmph," I grunted, shrugging. "Wouldn't hurt to try, would it?"

Malersha smiled and took my hand. (And, of course, I couldn't get it free because of her dumb iron grip.)

"It's easy, really," she said. "You just have to want to pass on. But be careful, because you're visible to people right when you leave this world."

"How do you know all this?"

She smirked. "I met another ghost."

She closed her eyes and I just stared at the door. Don't come in. Don't come in. Don't come in. I just want to pass on. Even if I'm not ready yet...

I knew it was working. The world began to fade away and get whiter and whiter.

"Holy Rome?" Italy was standing in the doorway, staring at me.

"Italy!" He started fading faster. No, WAIT! Not yet! I need to say good-bye! Too late. Italy was gone and everything went white...

I opened my eyes. Malersha wasn't with me. Italy was gone, but... Why was I standing at his door? I bent my head down.

"Ugh," I moaned. "Oh, no." What was I going to do? Should I run? Should I knock? Too late. Italy flung open the door, looking pale.

"Um, hi," I greeted cautiously. "I heard France came to visit you, so was it anything important?"

"Oh, uh, no!" Italy stammered. "It was nothing!"

"Okay," I said. "Just checking. Bye, then."

"Okay, bye, Germany!" And with that, he shut the door in my face.

You probably caught on by now. Since I passed on too early, I was Germany. But what happened to Germany's soul? I never found out. I was Germany now. Not Holy Rome. Holy Rome was forgotten. No one remembered him. Except Italy.

On the note of Germany, I always liked to think he was my conscience or something. Whenever I was about to do something unGermany-like, I could hear him yelling at me in the back of my mind.

But now my promise with Italy came true. We were friends.

We did see each other again.

*Hurrah! Yet another FanFiction finished! Thoughts, Romano?

Romano: Why wasn't I in this? I thought I was your favorite character!

…ANYWAY! Sadly, I will not be doing San Buon Valentino, so as of now, this FanFic is FINISHED! However, I will be doing some kind of "interview" thing with the characters just because. And don't worry, Romano, you'll be there too.

Romano: Good.

Maybe.

Romano: WHAT?!

K Bye!*