Tino was surprised that he had manged to live this long. He should have been long dead. Of course, Ivan could be just playing with him, however, he doubted that. Sure Russia was a sadistic psycho, but he had so many people against him that he really wouldn't want to waste all of his time on a little country like Finland.

Tino thought about the German rifle in his hands. He had heard that Germany and Russia had signed a treaty, however, it seemed as if Germany still feared the Soviet Union, if not just the insanely large part that was Russia.

"Come out little Finny! We can have good times together, da?" Russia's voice echoed through the frozen wasteland that was Finland in winter. At least here he did not have the advantage of being used to the cold.

Russia began to laugh, swinging his pipe as he marched through the snow. "If you do not come out of hiding, I may just claim this land as my new home."

Tino gritted his teeth. Everyone thought he was a pushover and that they could just claim his vital regions whenever they wanted. His mind wandered back to when Russia had first take his vital regions.

Tino looked up at Berwald, his eyes wide with fear. Berwald was crouched over him in a protective stance. He was bruised and battered, but he did not move from his position.

This was his last stand, and Tino could see it. Berwald was desperate to keep him safe, but he was completely used up and beaten.

There was a thud as water pipe connected with flesh and Berwald grunted, but did not move. The pipe whistled through the air, this time landing squarely on Berwald's back. Berwald buckled as the wind was knock out of him, but he continued to protectively shield Finland. Russia laughed seeing that victory was close, and swung again. This time Berwald collapsed.

"Berwald!" Tino shrieked as he was squashed by the heavy country. He yelped the Swede rolled away under one of Russia's kicks.

"I win!" Ivan laughed. "I guess now I will take what you treasure most just to rub it your face." The Russian reached down and grabbed Tino by the collar, dragging him off towards the east.

Tino looked back at Berwald, but the country didn't move. He looked up at his new captor and found that he could hardly see a difference. Both countries were scary big men that liked to keep him in their control. He gasped in pain as Ivan forcibly dragged him along.

Okay, so maybe there was a difference. Berwald had never been mean to him. Actually, he had cared quite a lot for the country. Everything he had done for the him had been so kind. Even to the last he had lost fighting for him.

Tino had always hated feeling like a piece of property, but he felted touched that Sweden and Russia were fighting over him.

Ivan forcibly jerked him out of his reverie. They had stopped deep in Finish territory. Ivan was grinning at him and saying over and over again, "you're mine now."

Tino shuddered as Ivan grabbed him around the waist. He called at out as Ivan forcibly yanked him into a vice-like hug. The larger country cooed in his year and stroked his hair in rough handfuls.

"You are mine now," Ivan whispered. "If I need to I'll beat some sense into you."

Tino shuddered. He felt Russia's grip tighten on him even more. He didn't dare look up at Ivan's face. He just closed his eyes and hoped that it would be over soon.

Tino had escaped then, and the second, and even when he was part of the Russian Empire he had managed to break free. He was strong! He could handle Russia another time. He would live. The fact that he was still alive was evidence enough.

Russia was standing in the snow all alone now. His troops had moved closer to Helsinki or were still being repressed at the border. Tino could see him standing there almost in line for a shot...

"There you are!" Russia laughed. "I thought you were going to hide all day."

Tino began a string of harsh Finnish curses and swung down from his hiding place. He was too close to Russia to do anything besides fire his rifle and hope the bullets hit.

Russia easily knocked the weapon from Tino's hands. Tino quickly drew his sword. All he he needed to do was deflect Russia's attacks until he had the opportunity to escape.

It didn't work out like that. Tino's measly sword, no more than a remnant of earlier times, was no match for Russia's pipe. The faucet hit hard with unrestrained power and the sword flew from his hands.

Tino scrambled after it, but he slipped on some ice. Russia laughed as Tino tried to scuttle away backwards while his boots slid on the frictionless ice.

"Kol kol kol, I always win because I am Russia!" Russia grinned, raising his pipe over his head. His eyes flashed with wild excitement as he began to swing downwards.

Tino shut his eyes, preparing for the blow. His muscles clenched and he knew that there was nothing he could do. This was it. He had lost.

The blow never hit its mark. Instead there was a low grunt and a burst of Russian laughter.

Tino peeked through his eyelids. Behind Russia, a firm hand was holding the pipe back. Tino opened his eyes wider as he followed the hand up a dark blue sleeve to a broad shoulder and up to the the intimidating face of a blonde Swede.

"Kol kol kol, it seems as if your friends have come to help you, Finny." Russia jerked his pipe free and turned to face Berwald. He chuckled under his breath, but his eyes flashed in anger. "Do you want to become on with me too?"

Berwald scowled at him. "I've only c'me t' help Tino," the Swede grunted. "M' c'ntry is no' invo'ved."

"If that's what you say," Russia laughed. "Well it seems play together again like old times, da?"

Berwald didn't look amused. Russia chuckled and strolled away, probably in search of his troops. The Finnish forces weren't giving up that easily. Bloody battles were occurring all over the Land of Lakes and Snow.

Berwald watched him disappear and then bent to give Tino a hand up. Tino stared at him with a dumbfounded expression before accepting the hand and scrambling to his feet.

"I thought you said you weren't going to help."

"'m vol'nteerin'."

Tino laughed. So Berwald had found away to get around his boss's order. As a volunteering member, Berwald would not have full access to his country's support funds, but he would still be able to help. Everything counted when it came to Russia.

"I'm honestly glad to see you," Tino said, smiling a genuine smile.

"'m gl'd t' see y' too." Berwald smiled, but it was too small to be noticeable.

Tino laughed again. He suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted. It was such a wonderful feeling that it made him giddy. "Come on, Berwald. I'll make you some hot cocoa."