Chapter 9 (July 1st, XXXX)

Lights.

Firecrackers.

Dancing.

Dresses.

Alcohol.

Suits.

Congratulations.

Red.

White.

Party.

It was the celebration of Independence Day for the country of Canada and the birthday of a certain Matthew Williams, the personification of said country.

Many countries were here; whether out of friendship, alliance, respect, fear, or simply the fact that turning down the invitation of the strongest country in the world may or may not be a good idea.

A pretty young woman by the name of Samantha Vanpool stood at the edge of the party. Most would think that a untouchable beauty such as herself would make herself known on the dance floor, however she merely looked on with an impassive face and unreadable eyes.

Currently she was the assistant of Matthew Williams, alias of Canada. It would not due to be seen so freely enjoying herself in her employer's night.

Not many saw her turn around and leave the party.

Many would recall, but not remember, several other people who came to the party.

There was a man by the name of James who flirted with the ladies in the most remarkably gentleman-like manner near the bar for several minutes leaving.

A girl who called herself Rebecca who could only be described as 'golden' danced in entrancing movements, mesmerizing her onlookers before disappearing without a trace.

An hour or so in many could see a cocky male called Jerome telling tales of old stories of men who rode horses and settled feuds with guns to a wide eyed audience, an hour later nobody knew where he was.

The waiter with the earthen brown eyes and a name-tag of 'Carol' served refreshments to the tired and was never seen again.

Finally a beautiful woman could be seen sitting in the shadows at the side of the party, exhausted but vibrant with life. Her luscious golden hair and grass green eyes attracted many onlookers.

Yet none of them approached her.

None of them would know why if asked.

She watched as someone a counterpart of hers called Mister Williams try to get out of the party.

He looked extremely tired but happy.

After brushing off some of his friends he looked for a place to sit. Something drew him towards the lone figure sitting on the fringes of the party.

"Hey," He grinned a little goofily at her, "Do you mind if I sit here?"

"Not at all," She replied, moving slightly as so to offer a space on the bench.

"Thank you."

He sat and watched the festive, wondering why the gorgeous woman had decided to sit alone.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" He asks her.

"Well enough," She studies the how the lights move in the depth of the night, "I wonder why I forgot to come."

"What?" He's confused by her word choice.

"A long time ago I had a brother whose birthday fell on this very day," She continues as Canada stiffens, "I always forgot about his birthdays and I had held him in such low esteem… I wish I hadn't though."

Slightly perturbed he asks, "Did anything happen?"

"Yes something did and I believe that it is too late to make up by now," She sighed.

"I had a brother who once told me that it was never too late," He told her.

"As noble as that sounds, it is far too late for me."

"Why?"

The soft green eyes that reminded Canada so much of grass gazed directly into his eyes, "He's dead to me now."

She gets up and nods to him once before leaving into the throng of people. Her eyes flickering a beautiful and hauntingly familiar blue for just a moment.

Canada responds after she is long gone, "Mine is too."

The pretty young woman with the unnaturally silvery hair and violet eyes stood beside two figures, both of which could be mistaken for a brother of hers.

To be more specific, she stood next to Canada who was having a stare off with Russia.

"I do hope we can come to a compromise, comrade," Russia's voice was lilting but his eyes shown with a gleam only cruelty could endow.

"As do I, Russia," Canada's voice and eyes matches one another in their coldness.

Nearly sneering, Russia turns to leave, "I hope you've had a happy birthday."

He leaves.

Canada deflates the moment he left and groans into his hands, "I hate him, I really do."

Samantha looks at him with a professional sympathy in her cool violet eyes, "Has he been troubling you?"

"Yes," Canada sighed, "For quite a while now. It's not that there's anything wrong politically, but us as humans are disagreeing."

"How troublesome."

"I know. I'm living it. Come on, let's go back to my office. I have some things to put away."

"Of course, Mister Williams."

Side by side the two walked down the street and across town. Not once did they speak a word towards one another nor did they take the time to look at their companion.

Which is why Canada missed the way her eyes glimmered bright blue.

Arriving at Canada's office, he should have known something was wrong when the door was wide open.

Alas he did not.

"Please excuse me for not saying this earlier, but Happy Birthday, Mister Williams," She says.

"Thank you," He replies.

It was then that he crossed the room to behind his desk and saw a curious little package awaiting him. Brows furrowed, he picked it up, "I thought I said for all presents to be sent to my house…"

Cleverly hiding a smirk she spoke off-handedly, "It seems that some missed the memo."

Canada made a non-committing sound as he opened the package. Inside was a pair of glasses, an old photograph, and a note. Before he could read the note she left the room saying, "I am leaving to fetch you something to drink."

Dear Canadia Canada,

Happy Birthday! Man, we haven't seen each other in forever! I can't even remember when we last saw each other, actually. Oh well, time flies doesn't it? Sorry for not being able to get you an actual present, it's a lame excuse but was gone busy. Still, could I ask that you hold my glasses for me? I don't need them anymore and I'm afraid that I'll lose them if I keep changing fo travelling so much.

Happy Birthday,

Your late brother.

A figure stood right outside of the door to an office. In both hands were cups of water. Sobbing sounds could be heard from inside the room. The keen wailing for something long lost.

The crying man inside the room held a photograph of a pair of twins. One had the arm over the other and both grinned at the camera as if they hadn't a care in the world.

The tall stranger chuckled silently at the shocked man inside.

Blue eyes flashed and the mouth below them gave a wry type of smirk.

Do you regret, Canada? That neither of us has a brother?

The smirk grew.

Because I never had a brother.

I do not own Hetalia.

And so another plot twist enters.

Sorry about this being so late, I meant to get it done on Wednesday but I had a LOT of work to do.

And I was reading Harry Potter fanfics...

It seems that not many of you liked my last few chapters judging by the amount of reviews I got...

Okay, I was thinking about pairings the other day and I decided not to do a pairing because I don't generally like a pairing messing up a perfectly good plot and that I think that America is too good (bad?) for all the other characters. That and that no ones understands him and he really only cares for himself. HOWEVER I have decided to do a Holy Roman Empire and Chibitalia pairing if you remember Rome mentioning it from an earlier chapter. There will be a hint of Germany x Italy but not very much.

Next chapter should be sometime next weekend.

Or review and it might come early...

Now favorite and review my followers! Gah, too much Harry Potter.