"America-san! I found this letter in the mail and its addressed to you!" Japan handed me an average sized envelope with no return address. It was stamped with a seal that I didn't recognize. I tore it open and began to read it. I froze immediately.

Alfred F. Jones,
I am writing to you to let you know that time is running out for both you and your brother, Mathew. Yes, I know your mortal names, and I am definitely not afraid to use them to win this war. Give up this act, drop all your allies, and I might spare you two. One day very soon the great Ottoman Empire will arise once again, but I must first get rid of you and the others. I warn you that if we fight it will not be pleasant.
I have a proposal for you: give me Greece and I will leave you alone. He will die a quick and relatively painless death in my hands and his land will be taken care of. If you choose to not give me Greece then this is war. Write back to me with your decision, you know where to find me. Remember that if you choose the path of war I can guarantee your death and your twin's death as well. Think this over.
-Turkey

I crumpled up the paper and shoved it deep into the pocket of my bomber jacket. All of a sudden I felt extremely sick.

"Are you alright, America-san? You look as if you've just seen a ghost." I had an uncontrollable urge to puke. I keeled over and retched. I heard Japan coming to my aid before I spaced out.

How the hell was I going to get through this problem? There was no way I could hand Greece over to the enemy. But the fact that Canada's life would be on the line if I didn't suddenly made the idea of handing him over seem like the better option. No, I had to stop thinking like that. I had to be loyal to my allies, I couldn't betray them. I had no other choice, I had to go to war whether I liked it or not.

I guess I spaced out for the rest of the day because when I finally became fully conscious again I realized I was sitting on the bed in my bedroom in my house and it was pitch black outside. I stuck my hand in my jacket pocket and pulled out the note. I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." Canada entered the room and sat down on the bed next to me.

"What's wrong? You just all of a sudden got really sick today and whenever I tried to ask you what was wrong you wouldn't answer me. And don't just say you're okay, because I know you're not." I handed him the letter and watched as he read it. When he looked up he looked visibly shaken but not nearly as upset as I had been after reading it.

"We're obviously fighting, right?" I nodded. He folded the letter up neatly and set it next to him. He took my hand and held it in both of his then he leaned our foreheads against each other's.

"I promise to protect you no matter what, Al." I stiffened when he said my name but then relaxed. I knew that he would never use the power of my human name against me.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you too. Whatever happens don't forget that," he answered.

We stayed like that and I truly wished from the bottom of my heart that we could stay like that forever.