And, I'm happy to continue this story! Cambodia gets to show up in this one! Man, my muse has been deserting me lately, it's really not fair... Anywho, I hope you enjoy this chapter! I'm very glad with the response of been getting!
I don't own Hetalia! end /AN/
America led South Vietnam silently through the forest, both in camouflage and guns slung over their shoulders. They were taking something of a different approach today, to stem the attacks. It would certainly catch the enemy by surprise.
Brushing branches aside, America slowed as the house came into view, sticking out an arm to stop South Vietnam. "We can't be seen approaching," he whispered, carefully inching forward towards the old building. A figure moved around inside, though what it was doing was unclear. It could have been anything from assembling bombs to setting the table.
America made it onto the porch, placing himself on one side of the door. South Vietnam placed herself on the other side, looking at America expectantly. America signalled at her with his hands, counting down to three, before both of them kicked the door open and stormed inside.
The inhabitant of the house yelped in surprise, dropping the dish of food in his hands.
"Put your hands where I can see them!" America said, pointing his gun at him forcefully. Cambodia, the unfortunate they had invaded, quickly did so, eyes still round with surprise. He looked over at South Vietnam, who also had her gun pointed at him.
"I'm sorry, okay! I'm sorry!" Cambodia's quick apology made America snort. "You should be! You should have known we wouldn't just let you help her like this!"
South Vietnam was annoyed with Cambodia as well, frowning at him. "I can't believe you let her use your house to sneak through to mine!"
Cambodia stared hard at the ground. "It's not personal or anything!"
"Well, it's personal now! I'm going to keep a close watch on you from now on, understand?" America said, glaring down at Cambodia. Cambodia nodded quickly. America nodded to himself. Really, it was for Cambodia's own good; if South Vietnam fell, then he would probably end up Communist too! He was doing him a favor.
However, it was only months until guilt began to roil in the pit of America's stomach. What was he doing here? Should he really be here? Was it his place to interfere in Southeast Asian affairs? Was he really doing what a hero should do?
And so, he'd quickly let Cambodia go. South Vietnam had been slightly perturbed, but didn't argue with him over it.
It was not enough, America discovered. The guilt grew, burning his insides and giving him the sense of a drowning man. He should not be here, he could feel it, and it was a feeling that was sure not to go away. Had he scarred North Vietnam in his zealous attempts to keep South Vietnam safe? He'd harmed North Vietnam and Cambodia both, he'd even hurt South Vietnam, at times when the enemy was indistinct from th civilian population. She tried not to complain about it, but he could see the pain in her eyes.
America placed his head in his hands. He'd even hurt himself in this conflict, his own soldiers dying beside the South Vietnamese. What was he supposed to do?
A knock on the door woke him from his thoughts. He looked up, saying, "Come in," without even thinking about it. South Vietnam opened the door, looking in slowly. She seemed concerned. "Are you okay? You seem kind of stressed..."
America sighed. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately... South Vietnam, I've reached a decision, and I don't think you're going to like it."
South Vietnam was immediately on edge, watching him intently. "What do you mean? I'm okay with any of your strategies, you know-"
She was cut off by America, who ran his hands through his hair. "No, no, that's not it. It's this whole war business. I don't think it's right to keep fighting this war. I'm... I'm going to back out, South Vietnam. Do you understand? I'm leaving."
South Vietnam gaped. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out, until finally a whisper was heard. "You... You're going to leave me to fend for myself against her? But I'm not strong enough, I'll fall! How can you seriously- You can't do this, America! Please, please, you can't..."
"I have to. It's the right thing," America insisted adamantly, standing and turning to go out the door. South Vietnam caught his arm. "No, wait! America, you said- You said you loved me! For the sake of that, please stay! Don't do this to me!" Her face was already glistening with tears.
America stared at her dully. "I'm sorry if I lead you on," he said, causing her eyes to widen with horror, "but I feel no such way. I'm leaving."
South Vietnam gasped for air, arm falling numbly to her side. America opened the door, and stepped outside, barely glancing back. South Vietnam sank to her knees, face buried in her hands. Her shoulders shook silently, before the silence was broken by her sobs. How could this have happened?
/AN/ Okay, so America invaded Cambodia to stem the flow of Viet Cong going through there. Then, they felt guilty and retreated. Then they felt even guiltier and gave up on South Vietnam, deserting our ally because of opinion at home. South Vietnam was left alone, for America's allies left when they saw the hopelessness of the battle without America. South Vietnam stood no chance against North Vietnam.