A month later a wild update appears. I'm going to include some flashback/dreams. Some will be historical others won't. I don't want to include too much history as I do plan to write Historical fics in the future and I want to leave those open to be used if I do.
I do not own Hetalia. *A Mexico appears but the character is not introduced so just use your imagination for him/her*.
February 17, 1865
Alfred looked up at the burning city. In one hand he felt a sense of almost pleasure to see the place that had started it all suffer. But deeper he felt heartbroken to see this much destruction. America didn't want this war, he'd never had. This would only ignite the hate the South right now had for their Northern brothers.
America didn't even know who it all had started. One moment he'd been drinking with his men and the next they'd notice the golden lights coming from outside. He didn't even know who or were the fire had begun. But it'd been started and now part of the city was been engulfed by its flames.
He just wished for his states to return to the union, for his people to understand this. He didn't want his people to fight against each other, to kill and hurt each other like this. He'd seen families fight each other's, brothers kill their own brothers. He could see so much hate in their eyes. If the South had hated the North before their arrival, then their hate was endless now.
Even after the war ended, the healing process for both sides would be a long one. That's why he couldn't lose this war no matter what. America needed to get the Southern States back into the Union. So many had died for them to be a full nation, he couldn't just have it be for nothing.
Like this there would be too many bad feelings between both sides. As separate nations their economies would be affected, their relationship with each other. Things would never be the same between the two of them. But as a single nation their people could with time work it out, together as one strong and united nation.
There was another reason why America had traveled here though. He'd heard rumors about his brother staying here. If this was true then maybe he could talk with Jackson. Maybe he would be able to reach an agreement with his brother, to end this war between them and their people once and for all.
He hadn't spoken with Jackson since the Battle of Gettysburg. They'd met in the battlefield, but even after America had tried talking to him Jackson had ignored him. With this he doubted his brother would be in a better mood for a talk. He hadn't expected for his people to set the capital ablaze. This was still his South Carolina.
The whole thing was overwhelming. His feelings were all over the place. He had the feelings of Alfred who wanted his family back together, the feelings of his citizens who wanted a united nation but also the South to be punished. He could even feel the anger those in the South had.
He couldn't just pinpoint one emotion. One single though. Instead he was overwhelmed with all of them at the same time. If it wasn't for his boss America would have gone insane long ago. Driven mad by this war.
"Captain Jones." Alfred turned to look at one of the soldiers. "There were a sighting of someone matching the description you gave us."
"Where, tell me where?" Alfred walked forward. If his brother was here he needed to find him. With how the men were acting he feared for his life. If they knew who he was, what he represented, they could easily try hurting him. If they hated the state that had started the rebellion so badly, how would they react to the person that represented said rebellion?
After getting the direction Alfred without thinking began to run there. He tried not to stumble or walk into one of the many citizens outside. Some were his own soldiers. His beating heart accelerated as he ran closer to the place. He hoped, prayed, that Jackson was still there.
Finally America stopped. Right in the center of town stood a figure. He wasn't wearing the Confederate Uniform but America still recognized the other nation. "South."
Once more the feelings overwhelmed America. Standing here facing his brother he was tempted to both hug and punch the other nation at the same time. It'd been so long since they'd met like this. But he was also responsible for the reason why they hadn't. He could have tried to stop the states from leaving the union.
At the sound of his voice the other man began to walk away, America quickly moved to step in front of him. Jackson's face darkened instantly, he looked irritated, angry and tired. He hardly looked the southern gentleman America was used to seen.
"Haven't you done enough, Union?" America flinched at the iciness in that statement, the name his brother used didn't help. America wondered if Jackson was having similar mixed feelings about this war. Or was his mind completely made out.
"You know I didn't do this. If anything it was your people who started this whole mess." America knew he was only making things worse. But he wasn't going to let him put on the blame on him.
Jackson's angered only grew. He pushed Alfred out of his way and continued to walk away. "Stop running away, I know you want this to be over too."
"You have no idea what we want Yankee, I want this to be over but with a Confederate victory. What you've done here today will only strengthen our hate for you." Alfred noticed now that the flames illuminated his brother's face better that he'd been crying. Trails of tears ran down his face. He also looked thinner and almost ill.
It hit him fully there. "This war is going to kill you."
Jackson only smiled at this. "Well, I'll be darned! It finally hit you didn't it. This isn't a game anymore. This is war and your people are destroying me. You just burned one of my cities, what do you think was going to happen? We'd make up and everything will be simple after it is over."
Jackson smiled almost sadly shaking his head. "Go back to your men Union. You've done enough damage to me for one day."
Damage that he wanted to return America knew, even if he hadn't said it out loud. If given a change Jackson would gladly burn down his capital if it would mean a victory for the south. America's blood boiled but he held back on his emotions. He couldn't risk leaching out right now.
"I won't lose." Jackson stopped there. They both knew that the war was close. Any victory and lost could mean the end of it. It could mean victory for either of them.
"Well ain't that too bad, because I'll win this war." Or die trying.
America watched as the other nation disappeared into the shadows. His head turned to the burning sitting. His spirits were as low as that of the people here witnessing their beloved capital burn. Jackson's people, his people, wasn't it the same? Did it even matter anymore?
He wouldn't allow it. Heroes didn't let others die if they could stop it. America had lost so much to this war. He wasn't going to lose his brother.
"I won't allow it." He'd fought against England and won. Right now he was fighting against his own people, it was harder. But he wouldn't lose.
"America!" England's voice interrupted America's thoughts and the young nation almost jumped in surprise. His mind had drifted off, memories almost forgotten returned to him. He shook his head those times were long gone. He'd won that battle, keeping his states and his brother. He'd lost a lot, but not that.
"I don't think it's a good idea to leave your brothers with all those nations." England and France had been helping America but the necessary things for the barbeque. Mostly they were there to help pay the bill. But England couldn't help but worry about Canada and Southern America. Canada wasn't the most people person and Jackson hadn't looked that good either.
"They'll be fine. Don't underestimate my little brothers." America said proudly, picking another burgers box. "They can handle themselves, they're grown nations."
"Alfred" England used America's human name when in public "I think we should be getting back. I didn't even check if Germany was in the group. At least I would know he would be able to keep things from getting too out of hand."
He wasn't sure if Canada had the authority that they did to control the others and Jackson wasn't familiar with the nations. He probably had no idea in the mess he had gotten himself into. One they had literally abandoned him into. "Plus I'm pretty sure that Mathew is older than you."
America packed more hotdogs. "It doesn't matter if he's older or not, I still like referring to them as my little brothers. It is not like we have anyway to tell. I only learned of Canada when you brought him and Jackson appeared at the same time as I did." It was one of the few things they both had agreed on. Alfred would be the older one.
Jackson probably had only agreed on that because he still acted more mature than Alfred most of the time. Plus whoever was older didn't really change much for a nation, making it into an unimportant detail for them. Their lifespan didn't work the same way as humans. They even chose their own "birthdays".
England wasn't ready to give up. He still believed that leaving all those nations there could cause more trouble than it was worth it. Last time America had celebrated his birthday the house had almost burned down. After that they had ended in a very long meeting with their angry bosses. He didn't want something similar happening again.
America on the other hand decided to ignore his friend's rambling. His mind was somewhere else. Maybe that the others knew about Jackson was a good thing. It meant that he could send Jackson to some of the more boring meetings. Italy and Romano did something similar and it was working since they kept doing it.
He wondered why Germany didn't do that. But then he guessed that Prussia would probably be the one slacking off. "I think this will do for now." If it wasn't it would give him a chance to sneak off again.
"Do you think France was able to find all the booze?" America looked across the street to the liquor store.
"Who knows, it was your idea. He probably only bough wine." England didn't bother to follow America's eyes. He would have preferred to get the drinks that follow America around the store. He wanted to be drunk already.
"I still think we should be on our way back. We've taken far too long already." America finally sighted, giving up. When England decided on something he wouldn't let it go. Then he wondered why America was so stubborn. It had been on the raising.
"Fine. Let's find France first."
America strolled of to pay for their things, England followed the other nation and sighted. America had been acting weird since yesterday. He could understand how he was feeling. It had been a horrible week for him when his brothers had decided to one day show up in one of their meetings.
But America had been there for him that time. He had helped him survive the embarrassment that his brother knowingly caused him. He wished America would be more open around him now. England knew he could help the other nation just like he had done.
England knew that if he was able to get America alone, to get the younger nation to open to him he would be able to understand his situation better. He also wanted to talk with Jackson. He hadn't been able to be a guardian for the other boy, a time he couldn't get back now. But at least he could know the other nation better. To say the least he was a part of America's life that he knew almost nothing about.
He was facing the same thing he'd faced when he first had learned of the States existence. England sighted helping America with the bill and carrying things. Though he knew America was able to do most of the carrying on his own.
"If I find out you are keeping any other big secrets from me I'm going to strangle you."
"Huh?" America who had drifted off again turned to look at him. "Well If you must know, I'm actually a girl and you're a terrible person for never noticing."
"Wanker."
"Hahaha! You still love me and you know it." England blushed. He did. Even with all the secrets he would always end up forgiving the big fool.
"England?" The older nation turned to look at his companion. America had a serious look on now. England's breath hitched. Could this be what he had been hoping for? Was America ready to tell him what had been really worrying him?
"I…"
"Got them!" England cursed. France was quickly making his way towards them. If America had been ready to say something he wasn't going to do it now. "Even took them to the car."
"Nice!" America's serious expression had disappeared, the familiar grin was back. "We should get going I don't want the others to burn my house down."
"Frog I really hate you." England whispered to the French nation once he had been standing close enough to him. He quickly followed after the American nation still cursing in various languages.
France looked after them, not sure what he had done to anger England this time. True the Englishman was always upset at him. But he'd been pretty good lately. He hadn't even flirted with anyone. Well he had flirted with the cashier. Well he hadn't at least flirted with the new nation. Even if that was because last time had flirted with Alfred he'd almost lost a tooth.
"Wait for moi!" Knowing England, in such a mood the other nation would happily leave him there. Thankfully America was the one driving and had waited for him to catch up. England didn't look very happy about it.
Canada looked down at his wristwatch. It'd been over an hour since the others had left to get food for the barbeque and he wasn't sure for how long he could control the other nations anymore. Jackson didn't look much better at one point, right after Russia had asked him (and everyone else) if he wanted to become one with Mother Russia, had started to look sickly pale.
The nation had even visibly backed away from the tall and threatening Russia. Quickly so did everyone else.
Jackson also didn't look like he wanted to keep answering the many (sometimes embarrassing) questions the others were throwing his way. It didn't seem like he was able to even keep track of most of them anymore.
Thankfully both of them were saved as America's car finally pulled in and the three nations got out. "The food and booze is finally here!" At the mention of alcohol and food everyone's attention was off them. Canada wondered if they had even eaten anything before pilling outside of America's home.
"That's over thankfully." Canada waited for a response but when none came he turned to look at Jackson, who was now quickly slipping away now that everyone was looking away. "Eh?" Canada had to give him credit, he was fast. He'd only seen Latvia and Italy run out of a room that fast.
Canada wondered if maybe he should follow the other nation. But he still didn't know much about him, which meant there was little he could do. He didn't even know what had happened. It would be better if he found America.
Canada found America happily chatting away with a group of nations. It took him sometime to get the other nation's attention but once he did he dragged him off from them. "What wrong bro?"
"Your-our-brother left for the house, I don't think he looked well." At first Canada though America hadn't heard him but once the other began laughing he frowned.
"That went quicker than I'd imagined. I knew he wouldn't last. South is a terrible people person, it took him weeks to get used to the States, even his own." It probably was because he'd spend so much time in isolation.
"America that's horrible. You knew that and you left." Canada was starting to act like a parent, which meant bad news for America.
"Don't put the blame on me. He was the one that went to the meeting. I bet he thought he'll just show up and disappear whenever he wanted. Probably just to annoy me. Yet his plan backfired…" America stopped talking. Canada was still glaring at him.
"Fine, I'll go talk to him. You and my boss should get together one day bro." America sighted. He could never have his bit of fun could he? Maybe it hadn't been nice to leave Canada and South with a bunch of hyper nations. But the only reason why they were there was because Jackson had gone to the meeting. How was that America's fault?
"South?" The house was pretty quiet which meant everyone was outside. "Well I checked." America walked towards the front door, if his suspicions were right Jackson would be leaving that way since everyone was in the backyard.
"Go away." America grinned, bingo. "This was a terrible idea."
"I thought this was what you wanted." Jackson was walking out of his room, bag in hand.
"Well I know now it was a terrible idea, it's too much for me. I'm going to see the president and then I'm going down South." America moved to stand in front of his brother. A flash of that day sown in South Carolina crossed his mind.
"Move." Alfred shook his head.
"No way, Jack! If I let you leave now I'll have a bunch of angry nations wondering where you are. Plus I don't think your torture is over."
"First of all don't call me that and second of all, you can't stop me." Jackson tried to push the other nation out of his way. The other nation just kept grinning.
"Maybe I can't. But I'll boss won't be happy to know you left our guest waiting." Noticing Jackson's face had reddened America grinned. After years of living with him he knew his brother's weaknesses.
"You wouldn't dare." Jackson was trying to glare at him, but there was a visible hint of worry on his eyes.
"You know I will." America simply stated. There was no way he was going to stay behind with the others on his own. Even England would be on him
"I really hate you right now." Jackson finally sighted. He didn't want their boss yelling at him for something so unimportant. He was supposed to be the responsible one. "But keep Russia away from. He's really creepy and I'm from the South."
America grinned he knew how creepy the other nation could be. While South had crossed paths with Russia twice before, once during the Civil War and then during the Cold War, they had been short and once official meetings. America was by now used to the other nation always lurking around.
"South…" America waited for the other nation to stop walking "do you still hate me?"
Jackson looked with surprise at America, he smiled sadly shrugging. "I want to punch you must of the time and the rivalry between us will never die."
"That doesn't really answer my question."
Jackson simply shrugged. "What's up with that question anyway?" Jackson knew that America didn't really like thinking too much about the bad memories from the past. Something Jackson could understand. As nations they had to live through the good and the bad and sometimes the bad things were more memorable than the good.
"I'd just been thinking."
"Don't think too hard you can hurt yourself and then we'd have a problem." Their nation couldn't deal with another.
America ignored the insult. "We used to be so much closer back then. You know back during our colonial years and even those before." Before the Europeans had come and the wars had started. Their natives had fought, but it hadn't been the same. Plus he remembered the personification before them, Grandpa North America. He'd been the one to take care of those things. It had never bothered the newborn colonies.
"When we played you always left me behind." Jackson frowned. Out of the two of them he was the slower. His people had taken longer to get used to changes. He'd always been a step behind his brother. "You even ate my food."
"I don't remember that." America quickly lied. He still did that when around the other nations.
"Well I do."
"America!" As both nations walked outside England approached them. He looked upset. "Were on Earthy did you run off too. We have a lot of food to cook and those ungrateful brats don't want me cooking."
"That's because they don't want to get poisoned by your "cooking". America turned to his brother. "Don't ever accept any food he gives you."
"You ungrateful little brat, you loved my food before France tainted you." The two nations quickly began to fight. Jackson wasn't sure if he should step away. Unfortunately that would mean he had to walk on his own towards the group of nations. Something he wasn't looking forward too.
Jackson turned to look at them. While some of the questions had been easy ones. Some of them had been frankly embarrassing. Why did they need to know if he was part of a relationship? Of course he wasn't the only other nation he knew was America. Jackson blushed remembering that, the conservative part of him had almost screamed in horror when someone had hinted at that.
They had also asked about the States. Which ones were under his care? They'd been surprised to find out he'd taken part in both World Wars. He'd made sure to keep away from them and he was actually proud that it had worked so well.
But after those serious questions someone else would come up with an even more embarrassing one. He had started to believe they were doing it in purpose. Maybe as their little get back to some of the 'mistakes' America had made in the past years.
"It's always like that." Jackson turned to look at Canada and France. "You should see us at the meetings. We were pretty calm this time because someone new was there. But things tend to get loud and violent in our best days."
"I guess you'll know about it in our future meetings. South Italy and Prussia go so I don't see why you shouldn't." France continued almost dreamily. "It should make things more interesting with a new face around."
"I don't think so. This was too much for me. I think I prefer my quiet afternoons better. For loud meetings for now I'll stick to the ones we have with the States." Those had their own sort of drama. But at least Jackson was used to them. Plus he was able to smack the States and Alfred on the head when they got too bothersome.
"Maybe in a few years I'll be ready for them." The two nations nodded in understanding.
"I remember our first meeting it was terrifying and people didn't even notice I was there." Canada smiled. They still didn't see him most of the time. When he wasn't getting confused with America they couldn't see him. "But I'm used to it now."
"I guess you'll have to make do with just North until then."
France giggled and wrapped an arm around his waist. "That's too bad, I do enjoy some trisome here and there. I have tried quite a few with twins and they're very interesting." In an instant Jackson was bright red and pushing the Frenchman away. He'd forgotten from his French civilians how pervy the other nation was.
"Papa you're making it worse." Even Canada was blushing by then. It hadn't been the first time France had 'joked' about something like that. He'd even tried it with the Italian twins, which had resulted with Romano almost beating him to death, then America almost beating him to death soon after when he'd tried it on them.
It seemed like the other nation would never learn his lesson.
Jackson was blushing and murmuring various things to himself. Then he started cursing America for convincing him to stay and for been an annoying Northerner. Well at least thing had ended with Jackson opening more around them. Even the punch France received from England after he found out what he had done was worth it.
"We're almost a normal family." Well Canada thought to himself as normal as they could get. Which was what Canada loved the most about them, they weren't a normal family.
"You gringos forgot about me again! I am part of this familia too. I can't believe this and what's up with this stupid fence." The five nations turned to look at a very angry Mexico yelling at them from outside America's home, besides her Cuba was also looking rather unhappy their way.
"Tres Americas I really hate mi dia." Cuba continued to frown and curse.
"North if the States show up next I'll seceding from the Union again."
"I understand." Not that he was going to let it happen. But at least he understood why.
America was starting to look rather worried. Mexico was rather irritable when angry. It didn't help that their relationship lately had been rigid. Mexico's yelling had caught the attention of the other nations who now had noticed their group.
"Everyone run!" America finally seemed to react grabbing whoever he could.
"What about our boss?"
"He'll understand this is a run or die situation." He started to think of good places were to hide. Maybe Alaska would be nice and safe.
Historical Date:
February 17, 1865: The Burning of Columbia
Next time the boys end up in another State, someone shows up and fun begins.
I tried to keep this chapter light, cracky and fun. It took far too long to complete.