[AN: THIS STORY IS FOR Nutty Nerd]

Marianna refused to stay another moment. She surprisingly healed fast, and the morning she decided to head back to war the papers were flourished with words of encouragement towards the Italian troops. Spain seemed even more giddy than usual, and sent her off with an extremely large plate of pancakes. "What's with the celebration?" she casually asked while she gathered everything up at the doorstep.

"I don't know, I just felt like it," she turned around to that same cheesy smile she was used to. She rolled her eyes and headed out the door.

"Another day, another dollar," she chirped. She twirled the house key in her finger as she took her time down the driveway and into the caravan they had given her to drive. She wasn't a great driver, but she got there a little early to make sure everything was in place. As she expected, her younger brothers were late and she had set up everything for them. "I wonder how they did the couple of days I was gone..."

The troops soon gathered up and they headed out. They walked for hours on end, finally arriving at the battlefield. But for some reason... the battlefield was empty.

"What is the meaning of this!" she pulled aside one of her best generals.

"Well... the troops have gone home."

"Why!"

"I've heard word that the Spanish troops drove them away."

Never had Marianna's jaw dropped so low.

...

Antonio was once again sitting at home when she returned, even more bruised than she was before. "Antonio!" she cried, taking a seat next to him on the couch.

"Heh, have you found out yet?"

"Did you expect me not to find out!"

"Kind of..."

"You're a bigger idiot than I thought. Needlessly putting your life in danger like that..."

"I care about you."

"...

"eh?"

"Marianna, I'm not joking! I didn't like seeing you hurt like that, and I didn't want to see it happen again! I care about you!"

"...well, I care about you too, Antonio. That's why I didn't like you putting your country in danger for me."

"It was my pleasure!"

"...more like my curse."

"Marianna!"

"Fine, fine. So, I need to do something to repay you. What do you want?"

"A kiss?" he smirked and pushed out his lips so he looked like a duck.

"Sleep then dream!"

"Oh, come on! I did save your life out there!"

"That's schemi - fine. Let's."

For some reason, not only did Marianna love that kiss, but she found herself sharing a bed with Antonio when she woke up the nice morning.

"Tomato bastard."