A/N: Finally, a second chapter! This is a filler of sorts but it is necessary because I have decided to add a bit of a plot. Woo! Plot! Updates should become a bit more frequent now that my schedule has taken a turn for the slow.

The auction passed in a nebulous fashion. I received different looks ranging from pity to unabashed glee, the later obviously being from the filthy Russian who put me here in the first place. He wasn't going to be allowed in, but he used his 'wonderful people skills' to get in. I was not supposed to have attended the actual auction, only the 'parties' before and after but Yao had provided me with a way in so I would at least know that my states were in good hands; well, in most cases. A few of the purchases had me seeing red; however, I had no power to prevent anything.

It seemed to me that every country was there, even those who would be unable to afford a purchase. Mexico's behavior towards me had shocked me because I always had thought of her as clingy and unstable nut she had shown up at the auction and bought Texas and New Mexico and they decided to keep a lose control over Texas, allowing it to have more of an alliance status. Mexico knew the Texans would not react well to a sudden governmental change, so she had told me that she had pleaded her case with her bosses. I remember her words clear as a bell too; "Just between us, I did this for your sake."

I couldn't look any of the states in the eye in my cowardice. They went one by one and many of them were purchased by their previous 'parents.' I felt like I was standing in a tunnel with a train racing towards me each time a state was sold or someone offered to buy a collection of states. When Alaska came forward a hushed silence fell across the room, many nations eyed her with lust because of the oil she possessed but were reserved because of their fear of Ivan. In the end Ivan was the one who ended up buying her, as well as: Washington, Oregon and half of California. He also bought Kansas for her sunflowers; selfish bastard.

France and Spain pooled together their resources and bought most of the Louisiana Purchase back, then divided it amongst themselves. England staked claim on almost all of the east coast save for a few states that offered no monetary benefits or were already purchased such as Maine.

Mattie took a lot of the northern states like Minnesota, probably for their hockey skills. Sweden had managed to finally get a piece of me and get Maine, and Finland took Ohio. The river ways were agreed upon as international waters to prevent conflict as was the air space. After the last state; Wyoming, had been sold Nations began to filter out until only the buyers remained in the room.

Arthur must have discovered my hiding place sometime during the sales because he walked directly to me after the final bid was made and embraced me tightly. A lone tear slid down the Brits cheek and I stopped it with my finger, barely holding on myself. "Bloody hell Alfred, what did you do to yourself?" It was more of a statement than a question because the answer was obvious, but I felt the need to answer it anyways. "I was stupid." It only took three words for me to realize three things; not only did I destroy myself, but those who were important to me, I was crying and so was England.

"W-why? Why did you have to do this? I'm going to miss you." Anger was evident in his voice at first but it quickly faded to sorrow. My arms wrapped themselves around the smaller man out of habit and I cried into his shoulder. It was several uneasy minutes before I voiced my reply in an unnaturally quiet voice, "I should have told you this a long time ago, and I may be around yet, like Gilbert! But at the same time I may die, so I am telling you now, Arthur. I love you."

The small blond looked up to me staring me straight in the eyes begging me to not say anymore because it would only cause to much pain yet as I regarded those misty green eyes intently I saw hope and that was enough for me. Our lips touched briefly in a bittersweet kiss and are embrace fell away, "come visit me, your kids. Whenever you want, come. Please." With that England turned away slowly, wiping his tears off his face and went to collect his newly reacquired 'colonies'. I could only watch and try to keep the tears at bay.

I watched and waited in one of the chairs located near the exit as the paperwork was all finalized. I still maintained a weak connection to the land though. Just not nearly as much connection as I had before and probably Gilbert had. In a sickening sense I felt free. It disgusted me to feel this way as I watched my life walk by with another being, leaving me desolate and empty.

The sun had sunk behind the horizon about two hours ago when Yao approached me with the somewhat morbid news. I stood quickly. "You are apparently going to live, all of your land has been sold but still, here you are. Congratulations on surviving your death. You have no obligations to stay here, but you are nobody now. Feel free to leave whenever you want."

I could sense reality finally start to reach my mind as an empty feeling settled in my stomach with Yao's blunt statement. I just turned my head and sat down. I don't quite know how long I remained slouched over in that chair but by the time I had finally found the strength to get up to leave, the maids had come and all the papers were gone. There was no sign that anything had taken place; similar to how there was no sign I had existed.

-2 days later-

The first two nights I found solace in the chilling alleyways as I walked the streets of D.C., heading out to the Virginia countryside where one of my houses was located. It was the largest of many and each state had a room there. When we had first declared independence from England my states and I built this house and we would add a room for every additional state from there.

It was late March now but unusually cold, snow still littered the ground in patchy blobs and a few pubs still displayed St. Patrick's Day decorations in their windows. People joked about the cold weather inside, all displaying jovial faces and having a good time despite the dissolution of their country. Unlike me, alone and stripped of all my earthly possessions. Okay maybe that is a bit of a hyperbole but still!

As I neared the city limits the amount of people decreased leaving me in welcome solitude. My feet began to ache and I pushed up my sleeve to glance at my watch; it read 1:22 A.M. "No wonder you hurt" I said to my legs and feet in a passive manner with a semblance of a smile. As I had seen so many others do, I stuck my arm out with my thumb up. There were not as many cars as I hoped for but the traffic on the highway should pick up within the hour seeing as most bars were closing and the graveyard shift was finishing up. I saw the tail lights of several Fords, Chevrolets, Civics, and Hondas pass and my eyes squinted a little as a dark blue Mercedes sped past, swerving a bit and suddenly flashed its break lights backing up slowly. I lifted my head and surveyed the vehicle for a moment before breaking out into a run. It was Arthur's car.

A/N: Bit of USUK anyone? ;) Well I hope you liked it! States will get introduced in the next chapter. By the way, would you guys prefer shorter chapters or are these okay?