Author's Note: Hello, dear readers! Sorry it took me two years to update this story, but a lot has been going on. First off, this was not supposed to be the next chapter. The next chapter was supposed to be about Kiku meeting the other nations' children at the conference, but when I had half of the chapter finished, I couldn't figure out how to write out the rest of it. So to make up for lost time, I placed this chapter in as a replacement; this was actually meant to be Intermission 2. Another thing that's kept me away from writing is that I was fighting depression for months, but now I'm well enough to continue on with my life and fics. I am still writing this story, I have no intention of abandoning it and leaving it unfinished. I'm also still writing I Am a Pirate, You Are a Prince, but the only problem is that I'm having trouble on how to start it off. I've also gotten much more ideas for Hetalia fanfics and fics for other series! So I am happy to say that I'm back in business! Just don't expect me to post a new chapter every week, though.

Also, a warning for this chapter: This does contain a yaoi lime, but no lemon. Feel free to skip that part if you wish.

Child Raising Arc – Intermission 1, Part 2

There was fire on nearly all the buildings and people were walking towards me. Some had their own skin hanging off of them, or worse, melting off of them. I trembled and backed away, but one of them reached a hand out for me; I saw pieces of glass and wood sticking out of it. I made a frightened noise before darting off in the opposite direction, but they kept following me. I felt so hot, not only because I was running so fast, but I could feel the heat from all the flames that surrounded me.

I heard the neighing of a horse pierce the bright night from the distance, but it wasn't long before it was in my sight. It was a black horse on fire, neighing frantically and running in a blind fury as it tried to escape the fire that was engulfing it. I practically dove to the side to avoid its path, but when I looked over my shoulder, I saw the horse turn around. It was coming back at me! I scrambled to my feet and began to run again. To my horror, the burned, deformed people that had been chasing me earlier were now in front of me. They grabbed me and one of them put their hand on my mouth. They then turned me around, as though they wanted me to see the fast-approaching horse. Even though its skin was melting off, it kept running and neighing. I saw that the horse's eyes were glowing red now. It truly looked like a horse from hell.

I felt tears fall down from the corners of my eyes just before the horse collided with me.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

I awoke from my nightmare with a start, only to find myself sitting up in my bed, sweating, panting, and trembling. When I rubbed at my eyes, I felt wetness there. It took me about five minutes to remember where I was, but as soon as I did, I grabbed my cell phone from the nightstand, not bothering to turn on the beside lamp. According to my phone, the time here in Moscow was one o'clock in the morning, but that wasn't the time I was concerned with. I quickly called Dad's number and waited for him to pick up.

"Kiku?" I heard him answer.

"Dad… Are you okay?" I asked.

"Of course I'm okay, but what about you? Did something happen?" he sounded worried.

Even though this was a phone conversation, I shook my head. "No, I—uh—just had a nightmare and I wanted to make sure everything was okay with you… How's the conference going anyway?" I didn't want him to ask about my dream, so I swiftly changed the subject.

I heard Dad sigh heavily. "No where."

"Oh…" I didn't know what else to say.

Dad went silent all of a sudden.

"Dad?"

"Kiku… you know, it probably won't be long before they summon you over here too."

It was my turn to go quiet. "…Yeah."

"I—I won't let them take advantage of you. You're still my son, after all."

I smiled a little. "I know."

"Are you lonely over there, Kiku?"

"Dad… I'm not a little kid anymore, I can take care of myself. Besides, I have Henri, Louis, Mari, and Zhu here with me. Although…" I paused, "I do wish they'd let you go so you can come back."

"I know, Kiku, I know. But just think, when this is all over, we can be a family again."

I didn't say anything in reply to that.

"I love you, Kiku."

It took me a few moments to answer back, "Love you too, Dad."

"Take care of yourself and remember you're free to call me anytime."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

Dad hung up, but I was still too frightened to go back to sleep so I dialed another number on my cell phone. I also changed the way I was sitting so I was cross-legged on my bed now.

"Kiku?"

"Henri, I'm sorry if I woke you."

"Don't worry, you didn't, I've been out on the balcony, smoking. Now, do you mind telling me what's up?"

"I just… it's… Can you come over here?" I stuttered.

"Right now?" he asked, surprised.

"Look, if you have something that you—"

"No, no! It's fine. I'll be right over, just let me leave a note for Louis since he's already asleep."

"Alright, see you in a few then."

I hung up and put my phone back on the nightstand. Unable to think of anything else to do while I waited for Henri, I just sat there, on my bed, in the dark. I closed my eyes and tried not to think about the nightmare, filling my head with any happy memories I could recall. Then, right in the middle of my thoughts, I saw the flaming black horse charging at me again. I closed my eyes tighter and held my face in my hands. I don't know how long I stayed like that, but when I heard the sound of a jeep outside I uncurled from that position.

I finally turned on my bedside lamp so there would be at least one source of light and made my way down the dark hallway. The moonlight coming in through the glass windows on either side of the front door gave off a ghostly glow.

I didn't care that I was only in boxers and a white T-shirt, I opened that door to find Henri still in his military uniform, except he wasn't wearing his shades anymore. He smiled at me.

"Bonsoir*." he greeted.

"Good evening." I returned.

I stepped aside so he could come in. Then as soon as I closed the door, I felt a pair of strong, warm arms snake their way around my waist, followed by Henri's chin making itself comfortable on my shoulder.

"What happened, Kiku?" he murmured into the bare skin of my neck.

I felt my face heat up instantly, not just from having Henri's arms around me, but the way he lowered his voice, making it sound so husky. I placed my own two hands on his arms.

"It was just a nightmare." I said.

His embrace tightened. "Just a nightmare?"

I went silent. Henri didn't say anything either, but he did turn me around in his arms so we could face each other. He cupped my chin with a gloved hand and tilted it up, forcing me to look into his green eyes.

"Was it one of those dreams?" he asked me with a serious face.

I slowly nodded my head.

He began to move his thumb over my lips gently. "Do you want to talk about it?"

My eyes looked to the side, but my chin remained in his grasp.

"The kitchen." I murmured.

He released me, only to take hold of my hand as I led him through the dark halls and into the also dark kitchen. I felt around for a chair, but I ended up stubbing my toe against a table leg. Though I hissed in pain, I did end up finding a chair to sit in. Henri took the one beside me before taking both my hands into his. I had to take a deep breath before telling him everything I saw in my nightmare. The deformed people, the burning buildings, and the flaming horse. I didn't need to explain how frightened I was since Henri must have felt my hands trembling.

"I think I was in Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped. Or Nagasaki. I—I don't know." I shook my head. "But it was twisted and…" I couldn't finish that sentence, a knot was forming in my throat.

Henri gently squeezed my hands. "If that's the case, then maybe some of your own repressed memories interfered."

A cruel smirk somehow made its way to my lips. "I wouldn't be surprised," I said wryly, "My parents have seen so many fucked up things and now I have too."

One of Henri's hands moved to cup my cheek. Despite the darkness, I could feel his emeralds staring at me sternly. "Don't start talking like that." he said in an equally stern tone of voice.

I also moved one of my hands so it could join the one Henri had at my cheek. I held it close, my silent way of apologizing to him. "I'm tired." I mumbled.

"Well, let's go to bed then." said Henri.

We stood up and made our way to my room without any problems thanks to the lamp I had left on in there earlier. When Henri came into my room, however, he shielded his eyes from the light. I mentally slapped myself and switched the light off.

"Sorry, I forgot how sensitive your eyes are." I apologized.

"It's all right." said Henri.

I sat down on the side of my bed and couldn't help but watch Henri undress himself. First he removed his black beret, allowing me to see his golden mane. Then he undid the buttons of his military jacket before peeling it off his body. Now, my room has a single window covered by rather thin white curtains, allowing the moonlight to enter my personal dwelling. The fact that we were having a bright moon tonight only helped to make the pale light brighter.

Henri stripped himself of his white undershirt, revealing his toned body and the muscles that rippled under his pale skin with even the simplest of movements. He kept his pants on, but the band that was holding up his ponytail was the next thing to go, making his hair cascade down onto his shoulders. Once he folded his clothes and laid them on a chair that was in the corner, he took a seat on the foot of my bed so he could remove his boots, allowing me to get a better look at the lean muscles in his arms.

"You know, my bed wasn't exactly made for two people." I said, still staring.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to improvise." I could tell by his tone that Henri was smirking. "Kiku, stand for a moment, please."

I obeyed and after Henri had tossed his boots to the side, along with his socks, he also stood up so he could move the covers. He then laid down flat on his back and looked up at me, still smirking as he offered his hand to me.

"Come, don't be shy, Kiku." he said, his voice silky. It didn't help that the moonlight seemed to make his green eyes look as though they were shimmering, making him more alluring.

I blushed and crawled on top of him, laying my head on his chest as he pulled the warm blankets over us. One hand rested on my back while the other found its way into my hair. Henri planted a kiss atop my head, muttering French endearments in my raven locks. I let out an annoyed huff.

"You know I can't understand when you speak in French." I said.

I felt his chest vibrate as he laughed softly.

"Then maybe if I use action you'll understand." he said huskily.

Before I could realize what was going on, Henri turned us around so I was pinned underneath him. The covers had become entangled around us, making our bodies press against one another tightly. As soon as Henri kissed me, I opened my mouth to welcome his tongue in and I let him dominate… for a bit. I fought back and managed to get my tongue into his mouth. I played with his tongue first before moving over the roof of his mouth and a couple of his teeth. He tasted like smoke, making me frown against his lips. I pulled away, leaving only a thin line of saliva to connect our lips, but it broke when Henri licked his lips.

"Jesus, Henri, do you really have to smoke so much?" I asked, pouting.

He chuckled and pecked my forehead. "Does the taste displease you?" he cooed.

"You should be careful. Even though it won't kill you, all that smoke can't be good for you." I said sternly.

"Okay, okay," he chuckled again, "I'll try to cut down on the cigarettes. But right now, I have other things on my mind."

Before I could make a witty remark, his mouth was on my own again and he forced his tongue inside. I dug both hands into his hair as he explored and tasted me. Wet sounds were coming from our kiss, making me blush even more. Henri soon broke the kiss, though, and began to ravish my neck with kisses, bites, licks, and strong sucks. I gasped and gripped Henri's silky blond hair tighter. All that was going to leave marks on my skin, but I didn't care at the moment. Suddenly, one of his hands went under my shirt and began to knead at my chest, causing my eyes to fly open. I tried struggling, but the blankets were still entangled around us plus Henri placed a knee between my legs.

"S-Stop!" I gasped.

All of Henri's movements stopped immediately before I saw him lifting his head to lock eyes with me.

"What's wrong?" he asked, worried.

"I—I just don't feel like doing this now. The nightmare is still—" I was cut off when he gave me a quick chaste peck on my lips.

"As if I'd ever let a monster near you." he said when he pulled away.

"I know, but please, Henri. I don't feel up to this tonight, I just want to sleep." I said in an almost pleading tone.

Henri looked at me for a long time, but I could feel him withdrawing the hand that was beneath my shirt and as I stared into his brilliant green eyes, I saw that lustful hunger ebb away.

He nuzzled my cheek. "Alright, Kiku. Alright."

The knee between my legs was also drawn back, but he remained on top of me, nestling his face against the crook of my neck, kissing the mark he made just minutes earlier before closing his eyes. I kept one of my hands in his hair while the other rested at my side. Soon enough, I too rested my eyes and let sleep take me, Henri's warmth comforting me and making me feel safe.

A/N:

Bonsoir - "Good evening" in French.

I know there's a couple of things that aren't being explained here, but they will come in future chapters! Now, I'm going to try and figure out how to finish the chapter that was meant to be here and how to begin that other fic.