AN: Hey everyone! It's been a while! How goes it? I have been a bit busy but I have finally found time to write the next chapter. I usually take turns updating each story. In fact I should have updated Red Angel some time ago and then Monte would have been next, but since I don't have as much time as I usually do now a days I will just update whatever chapters I have planned out instead of my usual plan. I do plan to update the other stories here soon though. With thanksgiving break coming up I'm going to have some more time to write. Thank you all for supporting the story especially to those who took the time to review. It always makes my day when I see that someone has reviewed or when I get an email about someone following/favoriting the story! This chapter has a lot going on with England, emotion wise. In fact, I even wondered if I was going over board. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and have a great day!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.

Alfred stared at Arthur with horror. "How... Why? Why did you do that to me?" Alfred asked. He knows the answer but he refused to believe it. England was like a brother to him.

"You know why, love," England started to move closer but stopped when Alfred stepped so that the desk was between them. "I have always been there for you," Anger started seeping into his voice. "I raised you. I was always by your side but when I fell into a recession you didn't support me at all! Instead I find that you have been running around with Germany of all people!" Arthur lashed out and punched the wall near the door. The wood split with a sickening crack.

"Arthur...," Alfred said cautiously. "I... I think the recession did something to you. That and the war. Maybe-."

"NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME!" He screamed as he turned back to look at Alfred. Arthur took a deep breath and whispered. "Nothing was wrong until you left my side," Alfred stared at his former caretaker with unease. Arthur stared back with a soft smile and a strange gleam in his eyes. "Don't be afraid, Alfred. I did what I had to do. Germany was changing you, love. If I didn't take you away then you would have changed forever."

Alfred gripped the edge of the desk in anger. "You destroyed me." He glared at Arthur.

"It was for your own good." The movement was quick. Before Alfred could react Arthur lunged over the desk and pinned him down. Alfred struggled but to his surprise he found that he didn't have the strength to push Arthur off. "Surprised that your weaker than me? You should have expected it. After all you are not really a nation anymore."

Alfred refused to give up. He thrashed around hoping to throw Arthur off. Eventually he found an opening. He kneed Arthur in the gut and wormed his way out from under him. The moment he was free he made a bolt for the door but tripped over something and fell to the floor. Looking down at his feet he saw a box that was knocked over during their struggle. It was full of scrolls with Japan's flag printed on the ends. Briefly Alfred was relieved that he found them but that feeling faded quickly when Arthur grabbed the back of his shirt. "I never expected you to turn into the person you became. You were never suppose to be free until I fixed you," Arthur hissed. "My goal was to turn you back to the America I remembered." Alfred struggled as he was dragged out of the room.

He clawed at Arthur's hand and struggled against his hold. As he passed a stack of crates a saw a shard of metal sitting on the pile. He quickly grabbed it and ignored it as it cut into his skin. Quickly he plunged the shard into Arthur's forearm. Arthur grunted with pain and let Alfred go. Knowing that this might be his last chance Alfred sprinted away from Arthur and hid among the crates. He tried to get his breathing under control as he heard Arthur recover. "There is no escape for you" He called.

Alfred glanced over the crates and saw Arthur looking around the ship. It was obvious that he didn't know exactly where Alfred went but the way he kept on glancing towards the stairs it was obvious that he knew Alfred hasn't left. Alfred's heart beat increased when he realized that Arthur was holding something. He drew he sword and was holding it at the ready.

Alfred scanned the room looking for a way to get past Arthur and run towards the stairs. As he looked around he laid eyes on the vault. Kiku's scrolls were lying on the ground just inside the door. He glanced back towards the stairs and debated about leaving the scrolls behind. He needs Kiku's help and Kiku was counting on him. Making up his mind he started to plan a way to sneak towards the vault door. Glancing over he saw Arthur checking the crates at the other side of the room and occasionally glancing towards the stairs. Every time he stopped to check behind a group of crates or barrels Alfred quickly tiptoed from one group of crates to another until he got to the vault. He quickly tucked the scrolls under his arm and ducked behind a crate.

"I didn't mean for anything bad to happen to you," Arthur called. "I tried to change you using gentler means but you wouldn't listen to me," Using the same technique, Alfred started making his way towards the stairs, desperately trying to ignore Arthur. The more Arthur talked the more vivid the images in his head became. "It didn't help that Russia found out."

Alfred heard something right next to his hiding spot. He looked up to see a pair of emerald green eyes staring down at him. Before he could run Arthur grabbed him and pinned him to the ground. the scrolls scattered and Alfred quickly grabbed Arthur's sword and tried to yank it out of his hand. He suspended and the blade clattered as it hit the ground. However the struggle to disarm his attacker has left him in an unfavorable position to free himself out from underneath Arthur. Alfred struggled and managed to land a punch on Arthur's face. His lip split and blood drops landed on Alfred's face. Despite being smaller than him, Arthur was proving difficult to fight off.

"Let me go." Alfred growled.

"Never." Alfred was about to start screaming at the older nation but he was silenced when Arthur suddenly kissed him. When Alfred didn't respond Arthur gripped dug his nails into Alfred's arm with a strong grip, drawing blood. Alfred gashed at the suddenly pain and Arthur seized the opportunity to slip his tongue into Alfred's mouth. The taste of tea and iron filled Alfred's mouth. Arthur's tongue played with his urging him to return the kiss. Alfred refused and bit down instead.

Arthur flinched and sat up, glaring down at Alfred. Before he could say anything Alfred asked; "Russia knew?"

Arthur stared down at him in silence before responding. "Yes. As you know Russia and I have never seen eye to eye. But when he found out I was surprise when he didn't tell any of the other nations. He did, however, stop by constantly after that. He even helped me push your limits from time to time. In exchange for his silence I helped him with Matthew. Granted we still fought constantly," Alfred felt ill when the memories of when he witnessed in the Canadian colony came back. "...idea."

Alfred realized that he had toned Arthur out. "What?" he asked. He immediately regretted asking when he saw the crazed look return in Arthur's eyes.

"You escaped. I underestimated your strength and lowered you security. You were unstable and not ready to leave," Alfred's eyes widened when tears started to form in Arthur's eyes. "After you declared war I tried to catch you repeatedly but I never succeeded. I even sided with Russia in hopes that his help would be useful. Eventually I decided that I needed to weaken you. Everyone was in ruins and I didn't have many resources left. I went to Russia and told him that if we don't stop you now then everyone will fall. It was his idea to use nuclear weapons against you. We didn't think you would die from it. I'm sorry." Arthur's Voice quivered as he uttered the apology. Tears fell from his eyes and dripped down onto Alfred's face.

Alfred stared up at the weeping nation, unsure of what to do next. "Arthur." He whispered. Alfred tried to sit up but suddenly he felt something cold against his neck. Arthur pulled out a dagger and was holding it against his neck.

Arthur stared at him with a cold stare. "I won't lose you again. This time I will succeed."

Alfred stared up at Arthur. "Arthur, Don't do this to me." He pleaded. Alfred glanced around the room for something to defend himself with. There was nothing close by.

It happened swiftly and the sound of a blade tearing apart flesh broke the silence. Alfred quickly brought his hand to his neck when he realized that the blade was no longer there. There was no wound. No blood. Alfred looked into Arthur's eyes and saw them wide with shock. Slowly his emerald eyes looked down. When Alfred followed his gaze he saw a blood covered blade sticking out through Arthur's stomach.

Arthur was about to look behind him to catch a glimpse of his attacker but the attacked pulled out the blade and swiftly struck him over the head. Arthur fell on Alfred who stared up at the attacker in shock. "Kiku." Alfred stared at his friend in shock and relief.

"Move Alfred-kun," Kiku's dark eyes glared down at Arthur with an intense hatred. "I'm going to run him through the heart." Alfred could feel Arthur's blood seeping through his clothes as he bled. A crimson pool started forming on the floor around them.

"N-No! You can't," Alfred exclaimed.

"You heard him! Everything he did," Kiku looked into Alfred's sky blue eyes. "He is no longer the England we loved."

Alfred looked down at the unconscious Arthur and gently ran his fingers though his blonde hair. "I hate him," Alfred whispered. "But there has to be a way to save him."

"And if there isn't?" Kiku asked. Alfred didn't answer. Sighing Kiku sheathed his blade. "If he can't be saved, Alfred-kun... we have to kill him. In the state he's in... he could start another war... and," Alfred looked up at Kiku when he paused. "and if it happens again everyone could die."

Alfred slowly and gently placed Arthur down on the ground. "I have to try." He whispered. "I hate him for what he did but I have to do."

Kiku sighed. "Let's hope that your compassion doesn't have negative consequences," Kiku walked over to the scrolls and picked them up. "Hmm... I suppose that it was to much to hope that he would keep all the scrolls in one place."

Alfred stood up and walked over to him. "Where do you think the other ones are?"

"His manor, probably." Kiku pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Alfred.

"What's this?" Alfred asked. He grabbed paper and looked at it. It was an invitation to the ball.

"Make copies of it. I'll meet you in the party. I'm sure that England-san didn't see me. I could say that you have a friend aboard the ship who attacked him." Kiku stated.

Alfred nodded and gave Kiku a small smile. "Thank you. For the invitation and for letting Arthur go."

Kiku sighed. "Let's hope that we didn't make a mistake by sparing him."