Hey, all, got a question: do you want me to put some USxUK yaoi up it this sucker? Yeah, they totally kissed and whatev'z but that was me being all unsure about putting some in there. So, like, tell me whatcha think. And if you do, tell me if it should be soft and cutesy sort of stuff or hardcore and flamin' hot. I LISTEN TO THY PEOPLE!

Chapter Seven

Canada flung the mahogany double doors open, and America stared warily into the playground/arts and crafts/lunch room. He really hoped that Mildred the cook wouldn't serve him this time. "All right, Mr. Jones, I'm going to go tell Mildred that you would like a hamburger and some fries for dinner!" Shit.

America looked around at the trays on the tables in the room, careful not to meet any eyes (at least not yet), and noticed that everyone else was having corndogs. "Why do I get something different?" he asked Canada, pointing to one of the trays nearest him. To tell the truth, he liked to get special treatment, but in a place like this, it seemed kind of strange.

Canada beamed up at him. "Why, Alfred, you're our special patient! Our most important patient~"

"Uh, what in the hell is that supposed to mean?" America snapped. He didn't think he was going to like his answer.

Canada never stopped smiling, but his eyes became sad and he looked away. "Well... Let's just say you need a little more medicine than the rest of them..."

America's jaw dropped down. That couldn't be true. He had seen Britain, and he was an absolute wreck! He knew that he was nowhere near as crazy as him. What is he trying to hide?

"Now, don't look like that, Alfie," Canada cooed. "You're also my favourite patient." He drew in closer to America and whispered. "But don't tell the others I said that. I'm not supposed to pick favourites." He winked, and then he was moving through the room to the swinging metal doors and disappearing behind them.

America let out a breath, He had felt so tense with Canada standing there beside him, looking so sweet and innocent. Like he always used to... Except America knew that this innocence isn't like the other. It seemed too strained and forced; like a bad act. And Canada makes it known that he's there, which was never the case. But now, America knew when he walked into the room. The air feels cold and a shiver of dread ripples down his spine everytime. It's just his new attitude... The confidence that was never there before. It was suspicious, and America had to find out where it came from.

"Man, are you gonna talk to your friends or what?"

America jumped, startled out of his reverie by the high voice. He turned around and watched Blaise fly closer to him. He whispered, "Looking at these faces, I know for a fact that you know them."

America shook his head. "Blaise, you shouldn't be here! What is everyone else gonna think when they see a talking dove?!" He struggled to keep his voice low. "Uh, I'll tell you what will happen. These crazy people will go berserk and start screeching about it. And I'll be standing in the corner, banging my head against the wall because of how stupid you chose to be!"

Blaise face winged. "Shut up, you pig, and look around. I think you might actually cry."

"Dude, I don't cry," he retorted. But he turned around, deciding it was about time to meet the crazies, anyway. He stared at the occupants at the table nearest to him: The Baltic States. Estonia ate while watching Lithuania finger paint the white table cloth, and Latvia just... Sat there. He stared at his untouched food without moving a muscle. Neither of the other Baltics seemed to notice, or really care about their friends strange behaviour. America was shocked, but he had always thought they would end up somewhere like this, anyway. They did live with Russia, after all. So, his eyes just moved on to the next table.

He slapped a hand over his mouth to keep a sob from escaping. He saw Japan at the next table, slowly tracing a finger over the ledge of it. K-Kiku is here? He had a strange look in his eyes that was unfamiliar to America. Or, at least it was unfamiliar to him on Japan's face. He's seen that look many times before on civilians and a few other countries: hunger. But he couldn't decide what sort of hunger it was. There was lust, greed, power-hungry and bloodthirsty... America blinked when he saw that flash of steel once again.

America decided it was his time to act, to see if he could find out anything more about this place. He slowly approached the table Japan had claimed, still unsure if now was the good time to talk to him. But even if it wasn't, America was still desperate to see him, and to hear his voice. His steps came faster at the thought of that small voice, and soon he was seated in the chair next to Japan. But he never looked up, never even stopped tracing the table ledge. America got a closer look at his eyes, and they seemed so far away. It was like he was in another world, and America had a feeling it was a place he wouldn't want to see.

He laid a hand on Japan's shoulder. "Kiku... Kiku." He shook him gently. "Kiku, it's me, Alfred. Please... Say something." America waited for a moment, concern etching lines into his young face. Nothing. "Please, Kiku... Just- look at me. Or blink. Do something!" Finally, Kiku stopped the movement, and turned his glossy chestnut eyes onto America. Then, suddenly, it was like something clicked within him and his eyes were full of life again.

"A-Alfred-san?" His eyes grew as wide as a fawns, and he threw his arms around the American's neck. "Alfred-san! You're okay!" He nuzzled into America's neck, but pulled back suddenly. "They-they got you?" His expression deflated. "They got you? No. No, this is bad. This is very bad!" He had let go of America and held his face in his hands, moving it from side to side. America just stared at him a moment, surprised that he had come around so quickly. Just a moment ago, it was like he was a dead man walking, but now he's crying! Why does this have to happen to me? thought America, half pitying himself for the day he's had. America felt awful suddenly, as he watched his close friend cry for him... Or at least he thought it was for him. But nonetheless, he knew he shouldn't feel sorry for himself and focus on helping the people he cared about. But first, he would have to find out exactly what is going on.

America put his hands over Japan's that held his face, stopping him from shaking his head so fiercely. He provided some resistance, but the longer America held his hands there, the more he calmed down. A moment later, Japan was looking into his eyes again and they were shining with tears. America could feel tears of his own start to well up, but he knew he had to stay strong for his friend, so instead he smiled and gently stroked Japan's jaw line with his thumb. When Japan's expression softened completely, America felt relief and pulled him against his chest. He never wanted to lose sight of the Japanese man again.

"Kiku..." he started. "Kiku. I'm so glad you're... I mean I wish you weren't here, but-" America sighed. "I'm just really, really glad to see you." He felt Kiku nod against his chest, telling him he understood what he meant. America placed his head on Japan's. "It's just that... I saw Iggy and-" America surreptitiously wiped under his eyes. "Something's wrong with him, Kiku..." Japan nodded again, and he looked up at him. "Alfred-san, I understand what you are saying. I have seen Arthur, as well. He-" Japan stopped, and he tilted his head to the side.

"What? What's wrong, Kiku?" said a wide-eyed American. He thought that maybe he was reversing back into that previous state. He couldn't let that happen again.

"You're rips..." He reached up and touched them with his two first fingers. America winced at the sting, but left them there. Japan gently prodded the raised skin on his upper lip with a look of scrutiny. Then, strangely enough, he put those fingers into his own mouth. America blushed, thinking that it was absolutely absurd, but then he noticed the dawning realization that was crossing Japan's face.

Japan took his fingers out of his mouth and stared at them. "Acid."

"Uh, excuse me?"

"Mr. Kirkland. He put acid on your rips... To spell his initials on them." He looked at America for a moment. "Why would you ret him do that?"

"Dude!" He held up his hands in defense. "It wasn't like that! He..." Oh, shit, I'm gonna have to tell him about this. He covered his red face with his hands. "The stupid Brit kissed me, alright? It came out of nowhere, I- I wasn't expecting it!" Japan just nodded, but America saw something flash in his eyes. "What? What does it mean? He said it would make everyone know I belonged to him, but..."

"Nothing. It means nothing." America gave him a questioning look at Japan's tone, so he elaborated. "Okay, it does mean something... In this prace, people get ronery, so we pick someone to be our... Companion." He looked away. "And Arthur got to you first."

"First? What do you mean 'got to me first'? And what the Hell?! I'm not anyones anything!" America was fuming at this point, all crossed arms and rage-sweat. He didn't understand the first thing about this looney bin hopped up on steroids.

Japan lowered his voice. "It's bad he got to you first."

"What? Why? Dude, it's just Iggy!"

He shook his head solemnly. "Not anymore... Mr. Kirkland has been here ronger than most of us. He's farther gone." He looked up at America, seeming worried. "You might be in danger."

"Of who? Iggy?!" For the first time since he got to the hospital, America actually laughed. "That Brit couldn't kill an Italian! I can totally handle this."

Japan held a hand up. "Prease, Alfred-san, you must berieve me. Everyone here. They've changed. It only takes a week, give or take. It depends on your willpower..." He swept his arm around the room. "Just rook at everyone. Rook, Alfred-san."

America looked, following Japan's hand as it swept over the room. First, he noticed the Baltic states again. Everything was the same, except Lithuania was painting Estonia's face now, and he gripped the table so tightly his knuckles were turning white. At the next table, Germany was running his hands over Italy's body with a look France might have. Italy sat still as he did, but one fist was rapping a strange beat over and over on the table below it. Knock, knock, stop. Knock, knock, stop. It went on, and America realized that it sounded like a heartbeat. He shivered. At the table in the corner, Switzerland had his finger shaped as a gun and held it to his head. Over and over, he pretended to pull the trigger and say "Bang!" while Liechtenstein rocked back and forth beside him. She sang a strange song in German that sounded like a lullaby...

"Der Vater hüt't die Schaf.

Die Mutter schüttelt's Bäumelein,

Da fällt herab ein Träumelein.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf.

Am Himmel ziehn die Schaf.

Die Sternlein sind die Lämmerlein,

Der Mond, der ist das Schäferlein.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf.

So schenk' ich dir ein Schaf.

Mit einer goldnen Schelle fein,

Das soll dein Spielgeselle sein.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf."

America looked away. Even that there were more tables, more countries in the room, it was all he could handle. He couldn't understand anything and it made him sad. It made him furious to know that he didn't understand what was happening to the world, because that meant he couldn't help. He looked at his hands on his table, a single tear sliding down his face, and he spoke softly to Japan. "You have to help me. You have to help me help them!" The tears started to come faster and he laid his head in his arms, letting reality rack his body with misery. A hand rubbed his back.

"I will, Alfred-san. Not just for them, though. For me, too." America heard Japan's voice waver slightly. "Something's happening to me, as well. I've only been here for three days, but there's this voice..." His sentence trailed off. America felt him lean closer, and when he spoke again, a warm whisper was in his ear. "I remember something, though. It's not a rot, but I think I know what's happening. I just needed someone strong to help me figure out a pran."

America lifted his head. There were tear stains streaking his face. "You really think you know what's happening, Kiku?"

Japan nodded. "I'm positive." His face became serious. "We're going to have to meet tonight."

"But how?" America was sitting straight now. "They lock the doors."

Japan looked around and took something out of his pocket. "Take this." He slipped it into America's hands. He looked to see what it was and saw that it was a scalpel with a thin blade. He looked into Japan's eyes, wondering how this could help. "The blade is thin enough to pick the lock it the doors. I took a few from my doctors office while waiting for the nurse. I was going to use it to..." He shook his head. "But I realized what I could use it for."

America stared at him a moment, then nodded. He slipped the scalpel into the inside pocket of his bombers jacket. Kiku really has good ideas sometimes.

"Oh, good! You're getting acquainted with Kiku!" Japan's back stiffened. America turned around to see Canada approaching with a tray. A hamburger and some fries.

"Sorry it took so long. We thought we were out of hamburger meat!" Canada set the tray in front of him with a smile, but then shot his gaze at Japan. "Come with me, Kiku. You're overdue for your treatment." Kiku looked at America, fear in eyes. America only looked back and nodded, trying to tell him to go. The faster everyone was in bed, the faster they could meet later. Japan seemed to understand, because he nodded back and stood.

Canada grabbed his forearm. "Don't worry, Kiku. It won't take long." He smiled one last time at America, and then started to the doors with Japan in tow.

Once the had gone, thoughts began to ran through America's head. He wondered what it was Canada was going to do to Japan, and then what it was he remembered. He really hoped that it would be enough to figure everything out... He looked down at his dinner, and for the first time in his life, he wasn't hungry.

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Longest chapter! 2500+! Ain't that just kicktits? :D Anywhore, sorry it's been, like, two days, but dude, my friend pissed me off and that was the only thing I could think about for two days! But don'tcha worry, 'cause we're closer than ever, now! ;D Friendship is magiccccccc~ (haha!) Thanks for reading, beautiful homo sapiens!