"I don't understand! What is the matter with him?!"

"Please, Germany-san. Calm down." Japan tried to hand the bandage to Germany, but the man had yet to settle down since they arrived back at his home.

Austria had joined them in the kitchen and brought along the first-aid kit once they had arrived, but when he had learned of Italy's strange behavior had gone silent and his face stoic. Germany was ignoring him for the time being because despite knowing Italy well, he was also at a loss for what was happening. The blonde had begun pacing back and forth across the room continually muttering about how he didn't understand.

"If I may just put this on…" Japan held out the bandage again and it going unnoticed.

"He was normal yesterday, how could he have changed so much in one day?!"

Austria shook his head from where he sat. "Perhaps something happened to him yesterday? Did you notice anything unusual happening?"

Germany paused in his walking to growl at Austria. "There was nothing! He was just as weak yesterday as he is any other day!"

A bright flash went off that startled everyone in the room and was immediately followed by loud obnoxious laughter. "Kesesesese! West! Your face looks terrible!" Prussia fell into the room clutching the camera he had most likely pilfered from among Japan's things. "Remind me to shake whoever's hand it was that managed to do that!"

Germany began to shake in rage, but his otherwise stilled movements allowed Japan to place the bandage across his cheek and quickly retreat away from the fuming nation. "Then you have Italy to thank for this."

Prussia, who apparently hadn't been following any of the earlier conversation, looked genuinely shocked. "Cute little Italy did this to you?" He paused for a moment more and his face pulled into a crooked leer. "Lost your touch, have you, West?"

"Prussia, if you are not going to be of any help then I ask that you leave!" Germany snarled, roughly pulling out one of his chairs and collapsing in it. "We need to figure out what to do about this."

Prussia tilted his head before pulling out another chair and taking a seat at the table. "It was an accident though, right? Italy wouldn't… couldn't… right?" His pink eyes glanced to the others looking for help.

Germany sighed and looked at his brother. "He did. And he meant to do it too."

"But isn't this a good thing?" Austria spoke up. "You've been training him very hard, and now he is finally a worthy opponent. Shouldn't you be patting yourself on the back and sending him up against the allies?"

Japan nodded slowly from beside him, his eyes continually flickering to the camera resting beside Prussia. "He is right… It would be most helpful if Italy-kun was a better fighter…"

"But like this?" Germany questioned, staring at each of them in turn. "This isn't Italy. This is….something else entirely. Who knows what kind of trouble this can cause. Besides, it was so sudden! He simply changed overnight!"

"It's strange, yes." Austria agreed, "but I cannot stress enough how much more use an Italy who won't run away from battle is."

"Tr…true…" Germany admitted his chin lowering as he thought about it. This whole situation was a mess and he couldn't think of a way for this to get any worse.

"What the hell have you done to my stupid little brother, you damn macho potato bastard!"

Apparently it could get worse.

Germany lifted his head narrowly avoiding it being hit with a tomato that flew across the room and collided with the wall behind him. His stunned expression quickly melted into one of agony as he found the darker haired Italian standing in the doorway with an armful of tomatoes and a sour expression. "I haven't done anything."

"Shut up!" Romano screeched, threateningly lifting another projectile. "My brother came home today and he isn't right. I know you had something to do with it, and I want you to fix it!"

Germany's eyes slid over to the others looking for any help and finding none. Prussia had taken cover beneath the table, Japan had shrunken back with an apologetic smile, and Austria just looked angry. "I had nothing to do with Italy's behavior. And don't make a mess of my kitchen!"

"Of course you had something to do with it!" Romano cried, frowning further and taking a step forward. "All Veneciano wants to do is please you and now he's taking it a step too far. Change him back!"

Germany felt the sudden pang that echoed through his chest at Romano's words. Italy always did seem to try his best even with Germany's many demands, and he began to worry if he had taken it all for granted. Romano continued to rant and make demands, and Germany couldn't think of anything to respond to him, especially when the brunette dissolved into tears when he realized that none of this was getting him anywhere.

"Could you perhaps tell us what happened?" Japan asked when Romano seemed his version of calmer (effectively when it seemed less likely that one would be hit with flying fruit).

"Veneciano came home and told me I was weak-minded for hiding behind a Spaniard's skirts." Romano fumed and quickly added, "Which isn't true! And his hair and eyes look wrong. This is probably what happens when you eat too much of your terrible wurst!"

"Hey! Insult us, not our food!" Prussia defended, poking his head out from under the table and then ducking back beneath it with a yelp as another tomato splattered against the table's surface. The camera the albino had been using earlier had mysteriously disappeared in all of the confusion and was safely stowed out of harm's way and Germany scowled at the mess that had been caused. From beneath the table there were mutterings of how there were much worse things to eat; crumpets, biscuits, and tea to name a few.

"Enough!" Germany barked, causing Romano to pause mid-throw. "This is getting us nowhere!"

"He is right." Japan added, stepping forward. "If you would please just calm down we can work together to decide what to do next."

Romano paused and seemed to think this over before making a disgusted face. "I'm not working together with the potato-eaters, but I'll stay and make sure you don't come up with a stupid plan." With the coast clear and the angry Italian moodily leaning against the opposing wall did Prussia find it safe enough to exit his hiding place and rejoin his brother at the table and resume their earlier discussion. "What did you idiots plan on doing about Veneciano?" Romano complained, earning the glares sent his way.

It was quiet as they all thought save for Prussia drumming his fingers along the table slowly driving them mad until he abruptly stopped. "I think we should see how much he's changed and send him into a fight."

"What?!" Romano shouted and was promptly ignored.

"What if…" Germany stopped himself before he could add the "Italy gets hurt?" to the end and shook his head. It wouldn't do him any good to be continually worried about the other's safety.

Prussia continued on oblivious to his brother's inner turmoil. "The Italy we've always known surrenders and runs away. Maybe when he confronts a real battle it will shake him out of whatever it is that's going inside his head!"

Japan looked thoughtful. "It would certainly serve two purposes. I agree to Prussia-san's plan."

They all turned and looked at Germany awaiting his decision and after a long moment he sighed. "I… I also agree to the plan…" He looked up to meet the wide grin of his older brother. "But let's give him something easy, just in case he returns to normal and fails his mission." To this there were several nods and a few muttered curses. "France would be a likely target; easiest out of all of the allies and also closest should we need to rescue him."

"This is stupid!" Romano yelled, jabbing a finger in their direction. "You don't honestly believe that this will work will you?! Have you all lost you warped-sausage minds?!"

Austria frowned and directed his glare to Germany. "Order him to go and we will see what happens."

Germany nodded and stiffly got up to head to his home office. His fingers brushed over the bandage stuck to his cheek as he traversed the short distance down the hall and remembered the crazed smirk of the Italian perched on his chest while he skillfully twirled the small knife in his hands. He mechanically picked up the phone receiver and dialed the well-known number, hoping against hope while it rung that when Italy answered he would be his bubbly self.

"Ciao." The voice on the other end breathed and Germany hesitated when he realized that nothing had changed.

"Italy." He replied firmly and feeling a bit unnerved by the sudden giggle.

"Germany!" The voice purred, "I was hoping you would call. How is the cheek doing? Don't worry about it marring your looks. I think a scar there will make you look more rugged and will match your brawny body."

Germany choked on air at the words and nearly forgot his purpose in calling. "Italy." He repeated, attempting to forget the earlier statement. "I have a mission for you."

"Oh?" Italy questioned, "And what did you have in mind?"

"We would like to make an offensive on France. Would you be able to lead it?" He realized his order came out more as a request, but he was sincerely hoping that the other would turn him down.

"France, hmm?" There was a long drawn out sigh. "Fine, but if only to prove to you that you should trust me more. Ciao, Germany, I'll call you when I'm done." Germany didn't move, not even after the click signaled the end of the call and the tone sounded loudly in his ears. When he finally did react, he slowly placed the receiver back, and turned to find the others crowded around the doorway to his office with curious expressions.

Germany scanned them each in turn and closed his eyes. "He's agreed. Now to see what happens."

^v^

AN: Thank you everyone for reading, following, and reviewing!