Next Day
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"Where's Italy?" Romano asked entering the room during the early afternoon. Germany turned from where he was checking on the banked fire.
"I thought you were keeping him close to you. What happened?" Germany replied. Though he kept a calm appearance his voice caught.
"He has a mind of his own?" Romano said defensively.
"Which normally tells him to keep close to those he likes and trusts." Germany said getting louder as he talked. "So, I will ask again; what happened?" Romano waited a moment before replying just to prove he could.
"We had a disagreement; only a small one." Germany's shoulder's which were tense went slack at the shock of Romano's statement.
"A small one for you would be huge to Italy!" Germany began pacing his mind racing to figure something out. "Where have you checked?"
"My room, your room, the yard, and now here."
"Okay so we should split up and check the closets. I'll take the north-west area and you can check the south-east area."
"That won't be necessary." Japan interrupted. He held a sword in his hand, which set Germany further on edge. "France called; he said he has a weepy Italy in custody."
"Is there any other kind?" Romano joked.
"Did he say where?" Germany asked ignoring Romano's comment. He opened the cupboard in the back.
"The French Alps; why?" Japan asked as he cleared the table at Germany's request. Germany piled a series of maps on a chair and unrolled one using weights to hold it out on the table. It portrayed the roads and passages that went through the mountains. Commonly used ones were marked in red and less traveled ones in blue. Going back to the cupboard Germany removed pins, pens, and note cards. Germany set them on the edge of the map and began using the pins to mark different routes that could be used; including ones through forested and farmed area. Romano studied the map for a moment realizing that all the marks out paths led from where they were to a chateau on the opposite end of the map.
"You aren't planning on going after him, are you?" Romano demanded as Germany continued noting different roads.
"I am." Germany didn't look up as he replied. For a moment Romano balked; Germany sounded so sure.
"Italy isn't worth much as a prisoner. It's probably a trap for you or Japan." Romano continued trying to talk Germany out of going.
"I don't care." Germany said forcefully. He met Romano's eyes with his own steel ones. Fed up Romano pushed Germany over. Germany kicked Romano in the stomach who doubled over wheezing. When Germany stood Romano had his knife in hand a fire in his eyes. Germany didn't wait for Romano to attack first. He swung low aiming for the bottom of Romano's rib cage hoping to take the breath out of him again. Romano twisted out of the way and Germany grazed the side of the rib cage instead. Romano swung the knife forcing Germany to keep his distance and give Romano a moment as he thought. Romano's heart pounded in his chest. He didn't think that Germany would take this serious. Romano glanced at Japan who stood ready with his hand on the hilt of his sword. Japan caught Romano's eye, but made no movement to intervene. Germany waited for Romano this time, his eyes calculating. He shifted as to not take the punch directly. Still it stung and Germany hissed as he used Romano's forward movement to flip him onto his back.
"Have you had enough?" Germany asked on one knew next to Romano. Romano growled and slashed Germany across the cheek bone. Germany leaned back wincing. Ignoring the cut Germany took the knife from Romano's hands. Romano rolled over ready to continue the fight. Germany watched and stood as Romano did. Romano curled his hand into a fist and shifted his weight to throw another punch.
"Enough!" Germany commanded making no move to dodge or block the oncoming blow and he didn't need to. Romano had fallen quiet and stood at attention. Japan had removed his hand from the sword's hilt and stood with his back straight. Germany pressed the heel of his palm against the cut to stanch the blood as he looked the two in the eyes. Japan seemed satisfied; that confused Germany. He noted that along with the embers that remained in Romano's. Romano seemed to have calmed down and was prepared to listen. Romano met Germany's eyes and recognized the fire in them with envy. Germany was a natural leader, able to keep his head when blood boiled. The soldier in Romano aware of this did as ordered, muscle memory kicking in.
"Italy is France's prisoner and I am going after him. You can either come with me or stay here and deal with it." Germany said calmly continuing to stanch the blood with the pad that Japan had handed him.
"I'm with you; he's my brother." Romano told Germany decisively. Germany waited a moment before accepting with curt nod.
"I'll stay here." Japan said handing Germany more ointment. "France may call again or decide that he can't keep up with Italy." Japan reclined in a chair opposite of Germany his sword set aside.
"Then it's decided. We just need a plan for me and Romano." Germany confirmed Japan and invited them both to offer advice.