It's finally here! Chapter 7! :D

The next few weeks after that went pretty smoothly. Greenland frequently talked with Iceland, and she seemed to be doing pretty well in her training. I knew the thought of her brother's freedom gave her more drive to be the absolute best she could. I ran alongside her, helping her better herself. Now and again, we would talk about this and that while we ran every morning. Once, when we got home from a run, I found her looking at my arm. I looked at her and asked her what was wrong.

She came closer and fingered a scar on my arm. "What is this from?"

I looked down at the mark and the memories flashed through my head. "That was from Japan's first attack on me since the War started."

Her eyes remained on the scar. "Oh…"

We both sat on the couch and I rolled up my sleeve so she could get a better look. "It was the attack on Pearl Harbor, the attack that really woke me up to what was going on."

She gave me a quizzical look. "You were asleep when it happened?"

I couldn't help but laugh a little. "Not exactly. Before, I was pretty stubborn about not getting involved. I said that it wasn't my problem, and tried to stay as far away from it as possible. None of my people were in danger. What did I care? Why should it bother me? That's when it happened."

"The attack?"

I nodded. "The attack came straight out of nowhere. None of us expected it. Innocent men died, and they weren't even part of the War. Husbands taken from their wives, fathers stolen from their children…"

"Brothers taken from their sisters."

The saddened expression on her face nearly killed me. She understood the concept all too well. "Yeah… exactly. It was that attack that made me realize that people were dying all around the world, innocent people who just wanted the War to stop. That's when I decided to get involved, to fight for the innocent and the weak. I only wish I would have realized it sooner. Maybe then, those men would still be here…"

She took my arm and laid her head on my shoulder. "You made a mistake, yes. But you shouldn't dwell on it. You should learn from it and move on." She looked up at me. "Like I did with the obstacle course."

I smiled at her. She had such insight, something young colonies didn't often have, insight so deep I myself didn't have. I ruffled her hair. "You're a good kid, Green."

She hugged me. "You too, America."

It sure was great to have a little sister like Greenland there to cheer me on, someone to teach and to love. I was her protector, her guardian. She needed me, but it was at that moment, I realized I needed her, too. She needed someone to look after her and look out for her; I needed someone to be a role model to, someone to remind me that there were innocent people I was fighting for. She was my Little Sister.

The next meeting came up pretty fast, it seemed. A lot of War is spent in the meeting room, planning battle tactics and figuring out who would do what and who would go where. I never liked them much, and I knew Greenland would get pretty bored, too. Still, we did our best to pay attention.

This particular meeting, though, Greenland seemed a little sluggish. I knew it was early in the morning, and it was cold in DC this time of year (of which she was used to), but she wasn't usually so zoned-out all the time. We sat down, and Greenland stared at the table. I nudged her with my elbow. "Hey, you ok?"

She looked up at me and nodded slowly. "I'm ok." She smiled wearily to try and prove her point. "Just didn't sleep good last night."

I gave her a skeptical look.

She laughed a little. "Hey, no need to look at me like that! I'm good, really!"

I shrugged. "If you say so…"

And so, the meeting began as usual. I tried to focus and take notes, but most of my papers ended up covered in doodles of superheroes and stuff of the like. Now and again, I would notice Greenland start to doze off, then her head would pop right back up and she would do her best to stay awake. She said she hadn't slept well. I guessed that she wasn't kidding.

After China was finished speaking, we were given an hour for a break. I stood from my chair and stretched. "Hey, Green, what'ya say we go get some lunch, huh?"

She nodded sleepily and stood as well.

That was when I noticed she looked pretty red in the face. "Hey, are you sure you're ok?"

She nodded again, leaning on the back of her chair. "Guess I'm hungry. You said something about lunch?"

"Only if you're up for it."

She smiled again. "I am. Let's go… get in the…" She walked a few steps, but started to sway a little. "The…"

France started to notice it, too. "Mon Cheri? Are you alright?"

She shut her eyes and held her head.

I came closer. "Greenland, can you-"

Just then, a loud THUMP got the attention of the other countries. Everyone turned to see Greenland lying on the floor! I knelt down next to her and held her up, trying not to panic and get her to respond. "Greenland! Green, can you hear me?"

She looked up at me, her eyes out of focus. "America…"

I was a little relieved that she could talk, but still worried. "Yeah, I'm here. Hang on, we'll get you help, ok?" I took her in my arms and looked around, my chest tightening in worry.

"I'll call a doctor." Britain left the room to find a phone.

France came closer and put a hand on her forehead. "She is burning up…"

She coughed a little and shivered. "Big Brother…"

I took off my bomber jacket and wrapped it around her. "I'm right here…"

France handed me her things. "She needs to be in bed. I'll have Britain send the doctor your way."

I took the bag, slung it over my shoulder and stood, carrying Greenland bridal style. "Thanks." I headed off to the car, trying to run smoothly so as not to jostle her too much. Hang in there, Green. I'll take care of you…

Cliffhanger! Don't you hate those? So do I, but I ran out of time... We'll see what's wrong with Greenland in the next chapter!