Greetings lovelies! I hope you can forgive my slowed pace of writing... Lately classes have been rough. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you, dearest readers! And to prove it, here is chapter 10! ;3

I tied together my bed sheets and threw them down so he could get to my window without Canada or America noticing. He was never good at climbing (or anything else that required athletic talent), but he got there eventually. I knew that he was my enemy, but before the War, we were friends. I couldn't help but throw my arms around him in a friendly embrace.

He hugged me back, but pulled away. He seemed alarmed. "What's wrong, mia bella? You feel so warm…"

I gave him a cheerful smile. "It's nothing, just a case of the flu. America takes good care of me. I'll be fine."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Si… that's good. After seeing your brother's condition, I was a little worried."

My chest tightened at his words. My brother's condition? "What's wrong with my brother? What's wrong with Denmark?"

He was about to answer, when we heard footsteps coming down the hall. It was America! If he saw Italy in my room… I grabbed his wrist. "Quick! Try to hide under my bed!"

He tried to squirm his way under, but as tiny as the Italian was, he couldn't find a way to make room. "I can't fit!"

The sleepy footsteps got closer and closer. I had to think of something! Maybe the closet? I opened the door. It was a tight squeeze, but he might be able to…!

As if by a miracle, Italy was able to curl up small enough to fit under one of the shelves in the closet. "Stay here, ok?"

He nodded, and I shut the door. I rushed back to my bed and snuggled back under my covers. I tried my best to slow my breathing down and make it look like I was asleep the entire time.

The tension rose in the air as I heard the door open slowly. I heard him call quietly, "Green? You awake?"

I knew it was cold to ignore him, but I had to make him think I was asleep. I couldn't risk Italy being found out. Otherwise…

I heard him walk softly over to my bed. He smoothed out my hair and kissed the top of my forehead. After being so nervous, I was starting to feel hot and sick again. His cool hand was reassuring and refreshing. I felt his presence for a while longer, before he yawned and walked back out of the room. "Must've been hearing things…"

And soon, he was gone again. I waited a while to make sure he was out of earshot, then I hopped out of bed and tiptoed over to the closet where Italy was hiding. I took his hands and helped him back into the more comfortable position of standing upright. He let out a sigh of relief. "He's gone?"

I nodded. "I'm sorry…"

He smiled, but we both remembered to keep our voices down. "Ve, it's ok. I can see he takes good care of you. Denmark will be happy to know that."

My attention snapped back to my brother. "Italy, what's going on with Denmark?"

An expression of gentle sympathy was worn on his face. "Denmark… He is sick, mia bella."

My hands started to shake a little. "H-how sick?"

"His economy is suffering. He's not doing well… But he still misses you. I know he'll hang on until he sees you again."

I looked down at my feet, then back up at him. "Norway?"

"He should be fine, I think. He takes care of Denmark when he can."

I nodded, keeping my eyes on the floor. "That's good, I guess…"

He hugged me again. "It will be alright, mia bella. I'll make sure he'll be ok."

I hugged him back. "Thank you… Thank you so much, Italy."

He hummed and kissed the top of my head. "I should be going. Denmark wanted me to see how you were."

"Tell him… tell him I'm fine, but I'll be so much better when I see him again."

He pulled away once more, sporting that goofy smile of his. "Si, I'll do that." He started to climb down out the window, but turned back to me. "Buena note, bella."

I watched him leave as I whispered back, "Good night, Italy." Soon, the Italian was gone, and I was left alone with my thoughts. Knowing Denmark was sick only gave me more drive to get stronger and to help end this war. I just wanted him to come home. I would make that happen. Denmark and I would be together again, Brother and Sister, like always.

Italy's P.O.V.

It took a while before I got back to Germany's place. I guess he didn't even notice I was gone. Maybe he just assumed I was being lazy or something. It was about two in the morning when I snuck back into his house as quiet as I could.

"Have you found anything useful?"

My heart froze. There, in the other room, was Germany. He looked like he was going over battle tactics of some kind.

He spoke again. "Japan told me you were out on recon. What did you find out?"

I cleared my throat and tried to gather my confidence. "U-um… Nothing important…"

He stood and walked over to me, staring down at me. I could never tell exactly what he was thinking by his expression, but if I knew him like I did, he wouldn't be happy with me leaving without permission. We stood there for a while in the darkness, looking each other in the eye. I felt the sweat start to prickle on my forehead, and it felt like he was trying to stare a hole into my forehead. I had no idea what he was thinking about. I wished so desperately that he would say something!

After a few more moments, he turned to leave, but stopped, speaking with his back to me. "Next time you go out on unauthorized reconnaissance, at least bring back some useful information."

I watched him walk off. I thought I was going to keel over from the tension. I was glad he didn't get upset with me, though I didn't know why. Perhaps he just had a long day and didn't have the energy to yell at me. Either way, I was glad for it. I quickly went into my room and got ready for bed. Now that I had time to slow down and realize it, I was exhausted. I climbed into bed and pulled the covers over my body. I hoped that Greenland would be ok…

Greenland's P.O.V.

The next meeting wasn't something I had expected. At all.

"WHAT?! We… We're going to…"

Britain tried to reassure me. "Greenland… We're not attacking Denmark. We're attacking the German military bases stationed in Denmark. We're trying to help your brother."

I hung my head a bit. I knew that there would be collateral damage from the attack. I had no idea how bad Denmark's condition was. Would he be able to withstand that kind of damage? Still, if we let Germany continue to influence Denmark and his country, I knew that he wouldn't get any better. He would slowly get worse. But even if we did destroy the bases, or at least a few of them, would that help at all? Would he recover sooner? My head spun with questions. I didn't know what to do. I was scared. I wished I could talk to him and see how he was at least before…

I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see America smiling at me. "We'll help your brother out. Don't worry."

I believed him, even though I was still scared. Besides damage on my brother's country, I would have to fight against the Axis.

Against Italy.

I knew he understood just as well as I did that we were on different sides, but after he came all this way to see if I was ok when I was sick, even after risking getting in trouble with Germany? I didn't know if I could do that…

But I knew I had to. It was for Denmark. I knew Italy would recover soon enough if it came down to the fact that I had to attack him, but that didn't take away the fact that he was my friend, and that I might have to hurt him, but I couldn't hold back.

This, after all, is what war is.

See? Told you I wouldn't forget about you! X3 I hope you enjoyed despite the wait. Fear not, I will continue writing in my spare time! For now, I'' leave you all with that cliche cliffhanger phrase: "To Be Continued..."