[AN: THIS STORY IS FOR Nutty Nerd]

Marianna ran a finger through her hair, then pulled it up into its usual red ribbon. She grabbed her .50 caliber handgun and decided she was finally ready.

Today was no ordinary day; today she was beginning training with Antonio. Not only had she decided to go to war alongside her brothers, she also wanted to get help so that they didn't fall as a nation. She had a short temper and a caring disposition, and decided if someone was going to die she wasn't going down without a fight as well.

When she got outside, Antonio was firing into the air. As soon as she was in his sight, he pointed his weapon in her direction and fiddled with the trigger. "H-hey!" she stammered. "What do you think you're doing!"

"Heh," he dropped it with a cheery smile, "don't trust anybody when you're at war. That's rule number one." All Marianna could do was stare. Nobody had ever pointed a gun at her head before!

"What's rule number two?" she smirked to hide the fear growing in her.

"No matter what, shoot the enemy. That is all!" he handed Marianna his gun.

"A...Antonio! This isn't enough information to help me through the war!"

"You'll be surprised," he cheerfully slapped her on the back, "how much real work and planning you have to do once you get down shooting the enemy. Wars aren't fun, but they are easy."

"I'm not sure about this..."

"Look." He pointed the gun at her head again. "Just like this!"

He pulled the trigger.

...

"...Oh my God..."

He woke up with a bolt of energy running through his body, cold sweat surrounding him. Without thinking, he immediately broke into sobs.

He had just had a dream; no, a nightmare. He was Marianna, and he just killed her.

Marianna immediately woke up. "I'm in Spain, aren't I?" she groaned, then rubbed her head.

"That sounds dirty..." he muttered, getting up to take a shower. Marianna got up off the floor and took his spot in bed. Antonio just smirked and realized her eyes had the darkest circles under them he had ever seen. As he started cleaning himself off in the shower, he recalled the real memory.

Italy was going to war, and it was being based in San Marino. Marianna was doing all she could to help since she couldn't trust her younger brothers fighting alone, and she was staying with him for the time being to get help. Even though he didn't fight wars anymore or like them very much, he thought it was sweet that she volunteered to put herself through that. Of course, that day he didn't actually shoot her.

He walked into his room shirtless and noticed his friend was collapsed in his spot on the bed. He didn't really care - even if she did take his spot, he had lost a lot of sweat while he was sleeping. He just laughed and got some clothes on.

When the sun rose, he quickly woke up Marianna and she soon left for war. He bid her goodbye, and sent her on her way with a bouquet of roses from his garden. He waved from the front porch, and when she was out of his sight he went back inside.

...

"Yes... I want her brought here right away." he blankly replied. There was nothing he wanted more than to see her. He was so stupid... he should have kept an eye on her...

The few minutes it took for her to arrive seemed like hours. Bruises and burns covered her body, and blood oozed from every opening. Antonio himself was nearly disgusted by the sight, but he made himself welcome her nonetheless. She slowly made her way into the living room and made herself comfortable.

"Marianna... what happened?"

"I... I did something stupid," she coughed.

"Are you going to die?"

She paused to stare him in the eyes. "I'm not going to die, you twat!"

He couldn't help but laugh. "I knew you weren't going down that easily..."

She curtly replied, "I just need a little rest and I'll be fine."

"...are you sure that's all you need?" he crinkled his nose.

"What else would I need?" she stood up to head to the bedroom.

"Come on... Marianna! Don't leave me out here!" he followed behind her.

She muttered a "creep" and just laughed her way into the room and slammed the door behind her.

"...but I care too..."

Marianna let her hair out of its red ribbon and collapsed on the bed. "Maybe I've gone too far..." she mumbled. Feliciano and Lovino now had to fight (or most likely run away) by themselves, and she realized she needed to get rest and return to them. But... she enjoyed being with Antonio. No! She couldn't be so selfish. This was war.

Antonio soon entered the room and laid down on the bed next to her. "What's wrong?"

"Im just confused about everything going on... I apologize. I've never been in a war before."

He stupidly grinned. "They're waiting for you out there. You better hurry up!" Before leaving the room with the door swung open, he planted a soft kiss on her cheek. He went into the kitchen, probably to make her breakfast.

She rubbed her cheek. That was her first kiss.

[AN: I MIGHT CONTINUE THIS IF YOU WANT ME TO, BUT I HAVE OTHER REQUESTS TO FINISH FIRST.]