A/N: I had this story long before the stories that make up chapters two and three, but I couldn't seem to let myself post it until now, I had to keep on tweaking it.

This particular story features Italy and involves the infamous second loop. Unlike all the other stories thus far, this one does not contain explicit character death.

Fun fact: When I had finished the Hetalia anime, I had three favorite characters: America, England and Russia. It wasn't until the middle of HetaOni that I ever paid that much attention to Italy. He now resides on my favorites list, and Germany got up there as well. Strange what a fan production can do to change your opinions on characters.

GO BACK!

The driving rain was suddenly gone and Italy's clothes were completely dry. The monster, the house, the rain… it had all vanished. In their stead were the familiar walls of the meeting hall, the electric light, the other nations… The other nations!

Italy tried to grab his head in disbelief and clunked himself with the book he had in his hand. Head somewhat smarting, he gazed down at the journal in disbelief. It… It took me back. The monster took me back! I… this is amazing… I can't believe it listened to me… Had the words he had screamed in desperation actually affected the creature? Did the monster take him up on his offer? Was it going to try to "catch him first?"

If I can help it, it won't get the opportunity to ever catch any of us again… Italy thought fiercely.

He inspected the journal carefully, and then opened it up to the first page. There, written neatly upon the paper, was a name: Italy Veneziano.

Italy simply stared for a few seconds. So, I guess this means… I've become Ryuuzu… he thought.

He stood still, just trying to simply take in what happened. Okay! This is very good. As long as I can make sure no one goes into the mansion… I can make sure no one dies! He unconsciously clutched the book closer to him. Yes. That's all I have to do. That monster won't claim any of them…

"Italy," a familiar voice said, breaking him from his thoughts, "What are you doing just standing there? I know the meeting is over, but at least do something."

Italy's head turned so quickly he felt his neck crack, "Germany!" he gasped.

Indeed, standing right beside him was Germany. Alive. Without injury. Italy almost couldn't believe it. He had watched Germany die… he had seen him take his final breaths, watched as the light faded from his eyes… and here he was now as though nothing of the sort had ever happened.

Germany looked at him confusedly, "Yes…?"

Italy could feel a smile suddenly appear on his face. A smile… I'm smiling! How long was it since I had done that…?

Seeing Germany alive really couldn't count as a surprise, though. In fact, it was expected. However, the fact that he was talking to him, looking at him…

Germany studied his friend's growing smile with nervousness, "What are you…" Germany began, but Italy cut him off as he jumped into his arms.

You're not dead! You're not dead! Thank Heaven that you're not dead! Italy thought, for his voice didn't seem to work. He tightened his grip, as though giving an inch would cause his friend to disappear again. …and you don't smell like blood or fear or…

Germany suddenly pulled the smaller man off of him and held him at arm's length. Italy looked up bemusedly as Germany's face filled with embarrassment.

"What was that about?" he asked angrily.

"I… uh…" Italy began, feeling his happiness wane slightly as Germany's eyes burned into his own.

"We're in a professional setting, please try to behave yourself!"

"But… but Germany…"

Germany wouldn't hear it. He just shook his head and walked past, "Honestly," he mumbled.

Italy watched silently as Germany left, feeling a little ashamed of himself. This is the first time I've seen Germany in a while and I've already gotten him upset at me… he thought miserably. However, before he could sink into any sort of depression, he heard America's voice ring out from across the hall.

"So, are any of you game on going to the haunted house?" the young nation asked loudly, looking expectantly at the rest of those who had gathered there. The other countries simply looked at one another, trying to gauge each other's reaction to the question. The general consensus was "mild curiosity."

Italy paled.

"It sounds like a good sort of bonding activity or something, right? Come on, it'll be fun!" America goaded, grinning, "It's close, too… just east of the city nearby. Hey, it's not like we have anything better to do."

Italy worked his jaw up and down, shivers coursing unbidden through his body. The horrible memories of seeing everyone dead flashed before his eyes once more. He could still smell it… the blood, the fear… he could still hear the screams and the shouts, the last dying breaths… he still could see the light fading from everyone's eyes… feel the loneliness that tore at his soul…

I have to stop them! They can't go! They can't go! Finally finding his voice, he let out a loud "NO!" that startled the entire conference. Everyone turned to stare at Italy, whose jaw began working furiously again to get himself to speak more, "You can't go! There's a monster there! You'll all get killed!" He managed to shout.

"A monster, you say?" France asked.

"Yes!" Italy cried, forcing back the memories that flooded his mind. If he allowed them to surface, he could get paralyzed again. "You can't go back there! None of you can go back there! It's not safe! You all died!"

"We all… died," said Prussia slowly.

"I don't feel dead, do you feel dead?" America said, looking at England.

"Of course I don't feel dead!" England said indignantly.

"Wait… did you say, 'go back there?'" Canada asked, but he was ignored.

"Wait… Italy, you're the one who suggested this in the first place. Why don't you want to go through with it now?" America asked, genuinely confused.

"He probably had a nightmare about it," Prussia supplemented with a grin, "His eyes are always closed… maybe he slept through the meeting and we just didn't notice."

"But…! I…!"

"I guess that's a plausible deduction," Germany sighed.

"No! You don't understand…!" Italy cried.

"I think that the haunted house idea sounds exciting," France said, jumping up and grabbing England by the arm, "Come, let's explore it together!"

"Let go of me!" England snapped, trying to twist out of France's grip.

"Come, now… where's your sense of adventure?" France asked. England simply growled in response.

"I want to go, too!" Prussia said, jumping up, "It does sound a lot more fun than just hanging around the meeting room for the rest of the day."

"You are completely right," France agreed, paying no mind as England began prying France's fingers off his wrist. "Come, Canada! You should explore with us, too."

The young nation slowly got up from his seat, "I… uh… okay," he said awkwardly.

England had managed to release himself at that point, but as soon as he had done so, France's other hand grabbed him.

"Okay, so the four of us are going!" France crowed, "We'll see you soon!"

"But… you can't… we all…" Italy began, feeling his hope slip away like sand through a sieve.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Prussia said with a grin. Then, the four of them were off, though England put up a tremendous fight to not do so. It took both Prussia and France to get him through the door while Canada silently followed them out.

Italy watched them leave, eyes wide, body frozen. They're going to die. They're going to die!

Silence fell after the four left from sight. Those who remained stared somewhat bemusedly at each other.

"I still want to go," America said after silence had persisted in the room for a moment or two.

"I… we… we have to go after them!" Italy croaked, "They'll get themselves killed! I know it!"

"You want to go now? After all that fuss you made about not going?" China asked.

"Well… that was before anyone left…!"

"I want to go," Russia said with a smile.

"No! Wait! You can't! All of you can't! They shouldn't have! You stay here… and…and I'll go and get them back!" Italy shouted, already hurriedly making his way toward the door.

He was stopped from moving any further by a hand that fastened securely around his forearm. "What's going on with you today?" Germany asked.

"You don't understand! The longer we wait, the closer they get to the mansion! The closer they get to the mansion, the closer they are to their deaths!" Italy cried, struggling against Germany's strength and not succeeding.

"If you're going, I want to come along, too," America said.

"I already said I wanted to go," Russia said, smiling politely and standing up.

"I'm going, too," China decided.

"I probably shouldn't leave Italy alone in this condition, so I have no choice but to go as well," Germany sighed, keeping a secure grip on his frantic friend's arm.

Japan frowned, but got up from his seat, "I really don't want to go, but I'll be lonely if you all leave and I stay. I'll come along."

"No! The more of you that go, the more of you will die!" Italy cried out, not giving up in his futile struggle, "Please let me go, Germany!" he begged, "I don't want it to happen again!"

"Are you okay?" America asked.

"Italy… calm down, it was a dream," Germany said firmly.

"It wasn't…" Italy moaned, feeling extremely desperate at that point. However, fighting Germany's strength seemed to get him nowhere... the longer he fought, the more time he wasted. Realizing this, he suddenly stopped struggling. He hung his head as his mind raced; Maybe if I just go along with these guys, I can get to the others in time to make sure they don't go in…

"Are you done?" Germany asked, noticing that his friend was no longer trying to flee.

Italy nodded mutely. Germany released him.

It's very lucky that I had a second chance at all... even if they do make it inside the house before I get there. Italy thought, standing off to the side, trying to calm his nervousness as everyone took an excruciatingly long time preparing to leave, I know my way around… if I can keep these guys from entering and get those four out… it… it will all be good… Italy frowned as his stomach twisted painfully.

…I hope…