Chapter 5

A/N: Here's another update, and a warning of a (really small and disappointing ) fight scene, plus a change of POV half way. Yeaah.

Reply to a review from blueflower1594: Of course I wouldn't hold a grudge against a country! Just Alfred himself. I mean, all nations have their pros and cons. Glad you're enjoying it by the way! ^.^

China's POV

CRASH! I dismissed the loud noise as another explosion- something that by that point, was completely normal for me. I mean, I was doomed enough as it was.

I started to hear whispers coming from the direction of the noise, and began to reconsider my deduction.

"...this place is pretty destroyed..."

"...y'd we have...mess up... .. .. already is..."

"I like destroying things, da?" If my head wasn't throbbing so hard, I would of shot up from my lazy position on the floor and ran. Although I recognised they had strong European accents beforehand, hearing the last phrase clearly gave it all away. Ivan was here. Ivan. Of all people. Ivan. There had been a countless number of times he of all people would stalk me, hurt me, and just plainly creeped me out, and now he was there to save me.

'Yeah, sure, I'm definetely going to trust this guy... ha ha... someone save me, aru.'

After running a possible number of 45 different theories of how this day would end through my head, I felt a large, gloved hand on my shoulder. My eyelids were to heavy to open, so my head stayed down.

"Oh, there you are. You don't look so good." I heard the figure say. I realised it was Ivan, but still wanted to punch him in the face. Maybe I could send him back to Russia with one blow. I clenched my fist to show I was conscious. "You're awake too. Come with me now." His large hands wrapped around my shoulders, and aided me to sit up. Because his hands were gripping... really, really tight, I sat up straight away. I tried my best to ignore the aching in my stomach, desperately not wanting to seem any weaker than I already did.

"You will be fine, come on." At that point, I pushed one of my eyelids open, and though it did not go all the way, I could still make out the scene in front of me. It seemed Ivan has finally realised my oddly shaped wound, and was staring at it in curiousity. He soon glanced back up at me, causing my eyelid to immediately shut closed. "Katyusha, Toris, can you find some bandage rolls? It looks kinda bad." I mentally facepalmed. This is why I- or anyone, really- doesn't trust Ivan.

"R-Right.."

"Right away, Ivan!" Though not recognisable, I assumed the voices belonged to Toris and Katyusha, both of whom were probably just dragged here by Ivan.

I attempted to lift up my right arm and guide the two minions to where I kept my medicine, but as I got half way, another rush of pain shot through my whole limb. My arm quickly dropped to the floor, adding to the intense pounding already running through it. After a while, it started to grow numb, as did my other limbs. Internally I was screaming, wanting to move and do anything but lay motionless. But of course, it didn't solve anything, and my throat was too dry to even cough properly. I began to hear light, but rapid footsteps, presumably two people together.

"I-Ivan, sir, we only found t-these..!" I heard one of them wail.

"It'll do."

-Meanwhile-

Japan's POV

I handed back the phone (even though it was my phone) and watched Kuro walk out of the room. Soon enough he came back with a smirk on his face- I noticed he did that a lot. I gave him an intense glare, though it clearly didn't get anything across.

"You." I darkly stated.

"Me? Yeah what? Got a sappy speech for me, or something?" I frowned, keeping eye-contact with him at all times.

"It's not a speech, but I would like you to listen." He yawned in response, gaining a growl from me. "Look, this is probably a really bad move that I'll regret later, but I need you to do something for me. I will not allow you to say no or screw everything up."

"I don't have a choice, do I? Oh, but wait, it's not like you can do anything to me if I don't." he taunts while chuckling. My short nails dig into my skin from clenching my fists too hard.

"Damare! [Shut up] You can cut them, strangle them, beat them, torture them, kill them, I don't care! I just... For Yao-san.." I blurted out, yelling louder than I usually do. I only processed what I had said afterwards, and even then, I didn't regret a word I said. Instead of flinching like I had planned, Kuro's cocky attitude shone through. His smirk, laugh and amused facial expression all attacked at once.

"Though it was a nice try, you ddin't phase me or maybe 'scare me' like you had planned. But to stop your wining and crying about your so important 'Yao-san!' I'll do your dirtywork for you. Just this once. I've never tried targetting people from this inferior world, but if this 'Ivan' guy is as tough as you make him out to be, then it should turn out to be fun. Or at least better than what you can do to me." That was it. I couldn't stand this guy's cocky attitude, dark presense or harsh insults any longer. I stepped closer to the glass which I assumed was in 'liquid mode.'

"W-What did you say!? You were only awaken recently, and released just now! You don't know a thing about me or my strength!" No matter how cruel or upset I sounded, nothing changed the smug look on his face.

"Oh? You're forgetting I'm what you're not, so if I'm really strong, I guess that's saying something about you." I launched my body through the glass with my right foot, luckily whirling through it without a problem. I swung my arm forward, colliding my fist straight into his..

...hand? After blocking my attack, with one swift motion Kuro pulled his arm downwards, hauling me towards the ground efforlessly. I landed roughly, probably bruising the shoulder I crushed beneath my weight. Seconds before I turned to get up, a black shoe dug straight into my back with immense force. A scream escaped my lips as the pain ran through my veins. At that instant, Yao flashed in my mind.

'This must be how he felt when I betrayed him... wait, what am I thinking!? It must have been much worse.. Dammit, get it together, Kiku-san!'

I lifted my uninjured shoulder to push myself up, but Kuro only applied more pressure to my back.

"Still feeling tough now?" he taunted, spinning his heel into my back further. I held my breathe to hide anymore noise I was making.

Soon enough, after being in silence (but agonising pain) for a few minutes, he lifted his foot off my back, knowing that I wouldn't dare get up. I turned my head sideways, and out of the corner of my eyes, caught his grin fade to a disappointed frown.

"You're not even worth anymore of my time. How do people here live this way? It's such a shame."

Just as Kuro turned to leave, I lifted half of my body of the ground silently, and spun myself around with my left leg out, tripping him, but draining my energy. I hoped his head would smash against the hard wall, but he was too far away. I dragged myself along the floor as fast as I could, and pushed my knee into his stomach. Before he could swipe at me, I smashed my fist against his right temple, knocking his head back to the solid floor. I pulled my entire body onto his thin stomach with as much power as possible. It seemed to work, because he coughed in response. I stared at his mischievous smirk, which was somehow still plastered on his face. I wrapped my hands around his neck, squeezing as hard as I could.

"How about you? Are you still feeling superior?" I teased. Somehow he managed to chuckle.

"Y-Yeah.. how could I not, in front of such stupidity?" Kuro's knee swung up, knocking straight into the spot his heel was digging into earlier. I let out another scream of pain, releasing my grip on his neck and my balance. I fell to the floor beside me, and he immediately sat up. "Don't try and be strong when you know you're clearly outmatched. Your pride isn't always the only thing on the line."

The last thing I felt was another blow to my back before the world became black.

A/N: Not really that long, but it sure is action packed. Sorta.

Anyway, please don't hide behind that screen too much, I love reading responses from my readers. I also take criticism and any feedback you have. Any ideas for the future storyline are also really appreciated.