woo, finally~ I got the next chapter done. I have said it before and i'll say it again, it's near the Holidays and you'll have to expect late updates from me. =A=

Anyway, Enjoy. ^^

XXX

He could not understand it, Russia actually showed mercy, but by the look Russia gave him he didn't seem too pleased with it. The kindness Canada was giving to Russia, it was now affecting Russia, Canada knew this. He left the torture room and headed for the kitchen to find the baltics gossiping.

"Poor Canada, what do you think Mr. Russia did to him this time?" Lithuania said.

"Well, let's stop talking about it and find out" Estonia replied soon after.

All three of the baltics were just about to leave the kitchen when they spotted Canada at the doorway, watching them.

"Oh! C-Canada! Y-You're alright!" Latvia squealed with joy as he immediately hugged Canada, tears running down his face.

"Canada, I just have to say this..." Lithuania sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair, "Why didn't you listen when we tried to warn you NOT to approach Mr. Russia?"

"I... well, I felt I needed to talk to him, I believe there's some good in him"

The baltics looked at each other a little worried. They didn't seem to agree with Canada that Russia could be a good guy.

"Canada... Mr. Russia is too, well... desensitized, to be kind" Estonia's face saddened, probably for Canada's sake.

"He doesn't care if he hurts us... he doesn't even care if he kills us. There's no way to save him..." Lithuania's face was equally as depressed, but he looked away, hand on arm.

The baltics did not believe Russia had some good in him, they probably doubted a speck of kindness even existed in his heart. But Canada believed there was, he saw it for himself. When Russia could of killed him he didn't, when Russia could have whipped him, he didn't. Something inside Russia had stopped him and Canada was going to drag that light in his darkened heart out in the open, one way, or another.

"Where is he now?" Canada asked.

"Y-You're not really planning on going to see him are you!" Latvia cried as he let go of Canada.

"Yes, I don't think he's had any supper yet, I'll take some food to him"

"No! Lithuania shouted, "Why do you keep on getting yourself into trouble like this, haven't you been traumatized enough?"

"I know this is a very painful road I'm taking, but I'm going to take it, even if I die trying"

"But why?"

"Eh?"

"Why would you risk your life to help out Mr. Russia?"

Lithuania was right, why would Canada risk his own life just too simply try and bring out the kindness he saw in Russia? It was suicide to do this. Russia would probably end up killing Canada if he kept butting in to Russia's personal life. But that's not what Canada was trying to do, he wasn't trying to butt into anyone's personal life, he just wanted to help. Canada just gave Lithuania the puppy dog look.

"Please, just let me do this"

Lithuania did seem to want to protect Canada, but he just couldn't talk Canada out of this no matter how hard he tried. He groaned before he passed a bowl of soup to Canada.

"He's in his room..." Lithuania said quietly.

Canada smiled as he took the bowl from Lithuania.

He left saying 'thank you', but none of the baltics answered, they only responded with worried expressions. Canada headed upstairs to Russia's room. Canada knew Russia was probably under a lot of stress, he didn't want to annoy him anymore, but just giving him his supper wouldn't be too bad. He opened the door to Russia's room to find him sitting on his bed face in hands. Canada didn't think he heard the door creak open.

Canada walked in the room, he looked around for a place to put the soup but he could only find Russia's desk, so he placed the bowl there. Canada was about to leave, but he couldn't. Russia looked so frustrated; he just had to say something to him. Canada gently placed his hand on Russia's shoulder. Russia didn't even flinch. Neither of them did or said a thing. The room was too quiet for comfort.

"Um"

"-Leave..." Russia interrupted.

Canada pulled his hand away soon after Russia spoke. Russia's voice was filled with irritation, perhaps this was just a phase he was going through due to the whole 'bringing out Russia's good side' thing.

Even so, Canada couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for him.

"ok..." Canada said silently.

He turned away from Russia and left the room closing the door behind him.

Canada did not leave though; he stayed outside the room, leaning against the door, hugging himself.

He thought to himself, knowing what the baltics meant. Desensitized... It must be because Russia hasn't been treated fairly. The words Russia had told Canada before lingered in his thoughts, "You shouldn't waste your time worrying about everyone, because no one's worrying about you"

...Ivan, He's hurting, I know why he does what he does now. Canada straightened himself. If I'm right, Ivan's like a child, one that has been mistreated. To cure that, I need to gain his trust by showing him that I'm on his side, but at the same time I must stand my ground.

Canada knew this would not be an easy thing to do. To try to gain the trust of Russia would be like going skydiving with an untested parachute, and Russia was the ground.

"Canada!" Lithuania called as he stood outside the kitchen, looking up the stairs.

"Eh? Y-Yes?"

"Will you please help me with the dishes?"

"Of course"

Canada headed downstairs and entered the kitchen. Latvia and Estonia were nowhere in sight.

"Grab a cloth and start drying" Lithuania said.

"Ok"

Canada did as he was told. The two didn't talk for a while after that. It was easy for Canada to see that Lithuania was a little disappointed in Canada, but at the same time he was relived he was alright. Canada smiled as he dried the dishes, knowing this.

"Lithuania?" He said.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for your concern, I know I'm stubborn, but thank you for putting up with me"

"Oh, Canada... I just worry about you a lot, Just like I worry about Estonia and Latvia"

"You all look out for each other, eh?"

"Yes, to make sure Mr. Russia doesn't hurt them too much, though, we're not that close really..."

Canada stopped drying, he put the dish down and stared at it with no expression on his face. Lithuania's been here longer than I have... yet, he hasn't seen what I have...

"...Lithuania..." Canada said with much doubt in his voice.

"Yes?"

Canada looked up at Lithuania. He had to tell Lithuania, if no one else, what he thought Russia was going through.

"I think I figured Russia out"

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes... You see, Russia only hurts people because he is afraid of being hurt himself"

"...I...I don't understand"

"He's putting up a barrier to protect himself from getting hurt again, and that barrier is hate"

Lithuania stopped what he was doing and looked at Canada, concern in his eyes.

"Canada, I don't know if that's true or not, but that's just a theory. I'm sorry, but I can't trust a simple theory"

Canada's heart felt as if it had sunk a little, if Lithuania wasn't on his side, then there's no chance the other two would be either. Canada was alone in this. He sighed, then went back to drying.

Perhaps, Russia did have some good in him, perhaps not. Either way it was hard for Canada not to believe he did, he had seen it, he knew. Once the dishes were done, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Canada headed for bed. Canada dressed into his pj's, crawled into bed and tucked himself in. I won't give up on you Russia...

:::

The door slammed shut, Canada's eyes shot open soon after. It was very faint due to the fact he was sleeping upstairs this time, but he heard the footsteps again. Canada immediately crawled out of bed and walked to the door to his room. Suddenly he heard the slam of the door at the end of the hallway, just like the night he was first brought here. Canada's curiosity most times got the better of him; he just wanted to see what Russia was doing. He snuck downstairs as quiet as possible, the floor made a few creaks, but none that he thought Russia could hear. He was halfway down the hall, watching the door to see if it would open. Just then the floor creaked noisily making an echo through the entire downstairs. Canada froze as he saw Russia's shadow move from where it was before. He greatly hoped that Russia did not hear him sneaking around, but Russia did not open the door. Canada sighed quietly in relief. He approached the room once more, quietly. Once there, he opened the door as quietly as he possibly could. He peeked in the room to find there were two giant bags on the floor, but there was no Russia. He opened the door a little more, still no Russia. Where is he? Canada wondered as he entered the room, cautiously. He walked towards the two bags, What are in these? Canada reached out his hands to the bags. He untied the first one and opened, but only to find there were sunflowers in it. Neatly placed sunflowers. Russia probably carried these in as gently as possible, but why would he carry them in bags?

Canada decided it would be best not to take any sunflowers, he didn't want Russia to worry. He knew Russia's favourite flower was the sunflower. Canada smiled, this is what he's been hiding, he really does have a soft spot.

"What are you doing here?" Came Russia's voice from behind him.

Canada quickly spun around to see Russia there staring at him, not exactly angry, but still upset.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry sir I- EH!"

Canada took a step back but tripped as soon as he did landing in the direction of the flowers. Russia's eyes grew, he immediately grabbed Canada's arm and pulled him back up and harmlessly into a hug. Canada unconsciously wrapped his arms around him as he was pulled close to Russia.

"Careful!" Russia shouted, "you could have crushed the sunflowers"

"I-I'm sorry"

It didn't take long for Canada to realize what position he was in, but he didn't feel like he wanted to let go. He hugged a little tighter he felt Russia's warm coat, it even if it wasn't all that warm, it felt warm to him. Canada felt so comfortable there, and for some reason, he felt safe, and happy. He didn't care to question himself on this, but just to enjoy it.

He then felt Russia's hand on his head stroking his hair.

"Does Canada like touching me?"

Canada immediately snapped out of the trance he was in and pulled away looking a little more than embarrassed.

"I-I, n-no! I mean, I-I was just-"

"It's ok, I don't mind getting hugs" Russia smiled.

Was he in a better mood than earlier, it was the sunflowers, it had to be.

"You don't?"

"нет, My sisters hug me all the time they come to see me... Nobody else ever has"

He admitted that nobody had hugged him. Was this a sign that Russia was opening up to Canada? Whatever it meant, it made Canada smile a little.

"um, I should get back to bed then"

Just as Canada tried to walk around Russia, Russia stepped in his way, stopping him from leaving. Canada looked up at the now smiling Russia, a little worry in Canada's eyes.

"U-um, I-I can't go to b-bed if you won't l-let me, Ivan" He said nervously, hoping Russia wasn't mad at him again, though he probably was seeing as Canada had snuck into the torture room.

"You love to stick your nose into my business little Canada" Russia said as he stepped towards Canada, staring down at him with a menacing grin.

'I-I'm sorry, I was c-curious" Canada said as he stepped back and away from Russia.

Suddenly Russia snatched Canada's arm keeping him in one place.

"I-I'm sorry Ivan! M-My curiosity, i-it just takes over sometimes!" Canada yelped.

"нет, You almost stepped on the sunflowers again"

"O...Oh..."

"I should punish you, but I won't, right now I want you to answer me this"

"Yes?"

"...What is your name?"

Canada felt a little downhearted, how could Russia already forget who he was. Canada tried to hold in his anger, but he wanted to let it out so badly.

"I'm Canada! You know!"

"Ah?" Russia stared curiously, then he giggled before patting Canada's head

"нет, I mean what's your human name?"

Canada felt ashamed now, he had raised his voice to Russia when he didn't deserve it. He held his head down in shame and poked his fingers together, but still, he shouldn't tell his human name to Russia, or anybody but those he trusts.

"I'm waiting"

It was clear that Russia was getting impatient, did Canada have a choice, Russia would probably end up injuring him in some way. Canada mumbled a little, knowing Russia didn't hear.

"What?" Russia asked.

Canada looked up at Russia and finally pushed away his worry.

"Matthew..." He whispered.

"Mat...vey?"

"U-uh... yes"

"...Well then, Matvey" Russia said, "Were you wondering why I went out to get sunflowers?"

Canada was curious to know why, and Russia didn't seem like he was in bad mood at all, so he thought it would safe to say yes.

"Y-Yes"

"Mhm..." Russia walked around Canada, and behind him. He placed a hand on Canada's shoulder as he spoke.

"Do you see any sunflowers around my home?"

"N-No, I don't"

"That's why I go out, and buy sunflowers, but, what I would really like is to be in a sunflower felid... and as you can tell by the weather here..."

"There won't be any sunflower fields..." Canada finished, he felt a little sorry for Russia, nothing seemed to go his way, not exactly the way he wanted it, Canada could relate to that.

"...Da, and as you know these flowers die too quickly"

Russia tightened his grip on Canada's shoulder, but not enough to hurt him.

"You will not tell anyone else this, Da?"

"Ye- I-I mean, Da..."

"Good, now, go to bed"

Canada nodded and did as he was told and headed back upstairs to his bedroom, but he smiled on his way up. I really do believe Russia's starting to trust me, I hope so.

XXX

Oh and my birthdy's coming soon, I'm so excited, yet, I'm not. XD Anyway, wait till next update.