Author's Note: Ok, so more of a filler type chapter before the big ball scene in the next chapter, however, we get some more insight into the characters (specifically Germany).

Late: Yeah… this is an entire week late. I know and I'm really sorry and want to thank everyone for your patience. I have not dropped this story nor have I lost interest. I just started a job for the summer and it's consumed a lot of my time and energy. It's actually more tiring (in my opinion) than college academics and athletics together. Anyways, the next chapters will be more interesting and fun for me to write so I should get those done at a much better pace.

I hope this is worth the wait.

Warning: Some swearing. Only a few words though.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or the characters of the manga/anime.

XXX

Chapter 8: Two Nightmares and a Memory

XXX

Golden light glittered around the huge ballroom. Beautiful people, men and women dressed in extravagant clothing, swirled gracefully across the dance floor. All of them wore an elaborate mask, decorated with fanciful feathers and brilliant jewels. The deep navy sky sparkled outside, visible through the huge windows. The party was in full swing and people laughed as the charming music flowed through the air. It was truly a magical night.

America stood in the middle of the ballroom, a gorgeous white gown fanning out around her, it's intricate folds created a beautiful pattern of shape and delicate shadows. Her long blond hair was pulled up elegantly, twisted together artistically and her diamond earrings twinkled. She watched the dancing people, a gentle smile on her face. She couldn't imagine a more perfect night.

Suddenly the magic was torn with an outcry of horror.

The music, the dancing, the laughter, all stopped. All the dancers turned to stare at America, their eyes boring into her. Fear began to pump through her as she felt their accusing glares from all sides, piercing her. The once beautiful masks were now twisted and frightening, the golden light replaced by shadows, the stars in the sky erased by an inky curtain of black.

America felt trapped and as she tried to move she realized she couldn't. She was frozen in place, paralyzed, unable to flee from the awful glares of the once beautiful dancers. She found herself in the spotlight, with nowhere to go.

Then, figures began to step forward. There were only a few at first, but America could see others behind them, as if waiting their turn.

The people slowly began to take off their masks, and America realized that they weren't just any people, they were her fellow nations.

She could see China, a condescending and disapproving look on his face. With him was South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, mimicking China's expression. There was Germany and Prussia, both looking at her with mistrust and wariness, as if she were some crazed lunatic about to snap. Russia loomed close by, a look of disgust replacing his usual creepy smile. Behind him stood Belarus and Lithunia, both shaking their heads in disappointment, refusing to look at her.

All around her more and more countries removed their masks. Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Egypt, all five of the Scandinavian countries, Greece, Trukey, Cuba, Australia. She suddenly found herself surrounded by the entire world, all mirroring each other's expressions. The intense glares of accusation and contempt and disappointment burned her skin and her chest began to dully ache.

Suddenly two people appeared in front of her, standing out among the crowd, and she gasped when she saw that one of them was her mother, Gaho, Native America. She was beautiful, with her long raven black hair and tanned mocha skin, her fierce dark eyes reflecting her wild, free spirit. Even though she wore only leather animal skins America thought she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. Beside her stood her brother, Canada, contrasting their mother's dark features with his lighter skin, wavy blond hair, and gentle violet eyes. He was looking at her pityingly and Gaho was looking at her in disappointment; both spoke in unison.

"We tried."

America felt her breath catch in her throat as the two of them turned their backs on her, leaving her behind as they walked away. They had given up on her and she was left alone to face the ridicule of the world. Her chest began to ache even more.

Just as quickly as they left two new people appeared in front of her. America wished she could run then as she came face to face with her former caretakers and current family, France and England. She wanted to close her eyes and escape, just so she could stop seeing the contempt and disappointment in France's blue eyes and the hurt and betrayal in England's green ones. But she couldn't look away anymore than she could move. England was the one to speak.

"Why? Why did you lie to us, lie to me?"

America, who had been unable to speak until then, suddenly found her voice coming unbidden.

"I wanted to protect my people."

England simply shook his head, unable to accept that answer. He looked at her with a look of utter loss. France put a comforting hand on his shoulder and looked away from America, as if not wanting to look at her anymore.

"You've always used that excuse. It's always been the reasoning for your being selfish."

America found herself again incapable of speech as they too turned their backs and walked away. The ache in her chest became stronger.

Then another person approached her and she was drawn into dark, solemn brown eyes. His face was devoid of emotion, as it commonly was. For a moment he just looked at her, and she realized she could speak again.

"Kiku, I—"

"Don't try to apologize. You made your choice."

She couldn't help but flinch at the harshness of his tone, and suddenly his normally neutral expression twisted into one of disgust and distrust, his dark eyes flashing angrily. America felt the ache in her chest worsen still, becoming unbearable as she felt the eyes of the world upon her, scorning her, burning her.

"You chose to lie to us, to lie to the world, your family, your friends, and even your own people. You've shown to us that you can't be trusted anymore."

America felt sudden weight on her wrists and looked down to see that her gown was gone, replaced by ragged clothing. Her hair was no longer long and beautiful but uneven and short. There were shackles clamped around her wrists and ankles, chained to the floor. Terror began to well up inside her, and she looked up pleadingly at Japan.

"No, I didn't want to lie! I just wanted to keep my people from harm! Please, you have to understand!"

She received only a look of revulsion.

"You're pathetic."

She couldn't breath; her chest burned with searing heat.

"No…"

They all began to turn their backs on her, fading into the shadows.

"You don't deserve our understanding. You should have never been a superpower in the first place. Your revolution was a mistake. Everything you've told us, everything you told yourself, all of it was a lie. You're a liar and untrustworthy. You don't deserve what you have. The power you have wasn't yours to take. You went against the order of this world. You're a fraud and criminal, and should be treated as such."

Suddenly it was just the two of them, she in the spotlight, shackled to the floor, and he at the edge, ready to leave her forever. Desperation and loneliness fueled her to give one last plea.

"Kiku, please… don't leave me."

He shook his head and turned around. She felt claws begin to tear at her chest as it burned.

"Good bye America."

She cried out as he walked away, leaving her alone with only the darkness.

"NOOOOO!"

America jerked upright, resulting in her fluffy cat, Hero, to fall off her chest. The cat meowed indignantly, unhappy at losing her sleeping place. However, her owner hadn't noticed the cat's discomfort. America was panting, trying to catch her breath. The fear and despair had not left her yet and she simply sat there, staring at nothing as she slowly began to calm down. After a couple minutes her breathing slowed and evened out and she was able to think clearly again. Absentmindedly she began rubbing her wrists, as if she had actually worn the chains from her dream.

Once she had calmed down enough she took a deep breath and placed her forehead in her hands, noticing that it was slightly sweaty. It was just a dream. Nothing more. Just a dream. You're still in you're room. It never happened. Just a really bad dream. It's not real.

She repeated her mantra, trying to shake away the lingering feeling of despair and terror that still hovered at the edge of her emotions. She was startled out of her trance when Hero nudged her hands with her fluffy white head, meowing as she did so. America smiled and pulled the white fluffball into her lap, stroking the soft fur. The cat began to vibrate as she purred contentedly.

There was a soft creaking as the door to her bedroom opened up and her pale alien friend entered the room. In his hands he held a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk, his large unblinking eyes staring at her. Anyone else would have probably screamed and questioned the safety of eating cookies offered by an alien in the middle of the night, but to America it was one of the things she loved so much about Tony. She smiled appreciatively at her pale friend.

"Thanks Tony. You always know just what I need."

He simply nodded and sat down on the bed, placing the cookies between them and handing America the glass of milk. Together, they ate the cookies in silence, the only other sound being Hero's soothing purr. Once all the cookies had been eaten and America drank the last of the milk Tony took the dirty plates and began to walk back to the door to leave.

He paused at the doorway, looking back at his friend. Most people would see the unblinking eyes as creepy and incapable of showing emotion, but America wasn't most people. She saw the concerned question behind the glassy surface.

"I'm ok now. Really, I shouldn't have any more nightmares."

He nodded and left without a word. America couldn't help but smile and looked at her now sleeping cat. She absently stroked the white fluffy fur, her thoughts wandering towards her nightmare.

She shook her head, "No, I'm not going to think about it. I'm going to go to bed and have happy dreams and that is final." She then promptly fell back onto her bed, closing her eyes and forcing herself to think of nothing. Eventually, she did fall back asleep, and she didn't have any more nightmares. However, her sleep was uneasy and she tossed and turned the rest of the night.

XXX

A sea of stunningly green grass surrounded her, waving gentling in the wind, creating beautiful ripples across the grassy field. From her position at the top of a hill she could see for miles around her. Luscious greenery and cozy farmhouses surrounded her; there was not a city or paved road in sight. The sky was a magnificent shade of bright blue, with white fluffy clouds creating fanciful shapes against the blue backdrop. She breathed in the fresh, clear air of the countryside and felt the warmth of the sun on her exposed skin. Her light yellow sundress fluttered with the wind along with her long chestnut brown hair. She smiled cheerfully at the gorgeous weather and peaceful landscape.

Italy couldn't imagine a more perfect day.

However, just as the thought flashed through her mind she suddenly heard the rustling of grass behind her. She turned to find out that the day had just gotten much better. A large smile spread across her face and she laughed aloud as she ran into Germany's waiting arms.

He scooped her up and spun her around and Italy giggled while he laughed openly, an easy smile on his face. They stopped spinning and he gently set her back down, looking at her adoringly. For a moment they just stood there, looking at each other, bright blue into chocolate brown, still wrapped in each other's arms.

"Feli."

"Yes Luddy?"

"I have something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I've wanted to tell you this for a long time now. I've been meaning to tell you, ever since I found you in that tomato box all those years ago."

She stood there with baited breath, waiting for what was to come. Anticipation and elation began to build inside her being.

"Feli, I love you."

She had been longing to hear those words for a long time now, and almost forgot to give the response she had been longing to give in return.

"I love you too, Ludwig."

The moment she had been imaging for decades was suddenly upon her as they both drew towards each other for their lips to meet. Italy closed her eyes, waiting for the contact.

It never came.

The warmth of the sun and Germany's arms were suddenly replaced by cold, whipping wind. Italy opened her eyes again, unsure what had just happened.

Looming grey storm clouds filled the sky, replacing the warmth of the sun, rumbling angrily, waiting to release their deluge. The wind lashed out across the field, causing the grass to whip and flail, helpless to the gale. She began to shiver from the cold, but she shuddered when she realized that she was now completely and utterly alone. Everything from her perfect day was gone.

Gone was the warm, bright sunshine. Gone was the blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Gone was the calm breeze and gentle waving grass. Gone was her sweet Germany. Everything, all gone.

Italy felt the loneliness biting at her insides and the cold beginning to sink into her bones. Tears of loneliness and fear slowly began to fill her eyes.

"No… please, no. Not again. Please, not again."

Her plea was lost in the wind, swept away so fast that she wasn't even sure she had spoken. She desperately began searching the dark countryside, looking for any sign of her love. She felt an all to familiar pain in her heart, and dreaded the feeling.

She didn't want to have her heart broken again.

Desperate she began to cry out, frantic to find her missing friend and love.

"Germany! Germany, please, come back! Where are you!? Don't go away! Germany!"

The tears began to spill over, running down her cheeks. Sobs began to work their way up through her throat. She couldn't take it. This was too much. She put her hands over her face, crying in despair.

"Italy!"

Italy's sobs died in her throat and her eyes widened in shock. Slowly she turned around and suddenly she was about three feet tall again, dressed in a pale green dress and apron. Even through the tears in her eyes she couldn't believe what she was seeing in front of her, or rather who. Despite the still raging wind her whisper was clearly heard.

"Holy Roman Empire."

"… Feli … wake up …"

The wind caused his cape to billow and crack around him as he looked at her, his blue eyes full of emotion. He reached out a hand towards her, before he began to fade into the wind.

"No, don't go! Please! Don't leave me again! Where's Germany? Don't take Germany away from me too!"

"Feli. Wake up."

He was gone, vanished. Just like he did all those years ago. But this time Germany was gone too, and she was once again left alone and heartbroken.

The crackling of electricity flashed bright over the fields and thunder growled after it, mixed with the crying of a young, lost girl.

"Feliciano Vargas, wake up right now damn it!"

Italy jerked awake, her brown eyes wide and tearful. Romano gave a small sigh of relief before his still crying sister hugged him fiercely, absolutely sobbing.

Romano did not appreciate being woken up in the middle of the night to the crying of his sister in the next room; however, no matter how annoyed he was about being woken up, his worry for his sister's safety always outweighed all his irritation. She must have had a pretty bad nightmare to upset her so bad. She was still crying and refused to let go of her brother, not that he was pushing her away.

This was the side of Romano very, very few other nations (or people) had been lucky enough to see. Despite how annoyed he got with his sister he still loved her for who she was and hated to see her so distraught. With a surprising amount of patience he began to slowly rub her back and pet her hair, softly humming an old Latin lullaby. And to think some people said he didn't have a heart. Really he did, he just didn't go around showing it off all the time like his cheerful little sister.

Slowly her tears began to stop falling, but her cheeks were still wet when she finally lessened her death grip. Her frantic breathing had slowed and the desperation and fear that had clouded her mind was clearing as well. Finally she pulled away from her brother and sat up straight, however, she did not look up at him but rather stared at her sheets, still feeling the heartache from her nightmare.

Romano didn't have to wonder about what had upset her so bad. This wasn't the first time she had dreamt about the loss of the Holy Roman Empire, whom she had loved as a child. At first he had been exasperated with his sisters nightmares, but he had learned quickly just how deeply she had felt for the once powerful nation and how much it had broken her heart when he disappeared. Of course, it had gotten better with time and she didn't have these nightmares nearly as often as she used to. But they never went away completely.

Gently he rubbed her arm, "It was just a dream, Feli. He's gone and you can't change that."

He was surprised when she flinched and looked at him fearfully. Normally she would just nod and go back to sleep, but apparently something had changed in this last dream.

"No! Please don't say that! Germany isn't like Holy Rome, he hasn't disappeared! Has he?" The last part was a mere whisper, a quiet plea.

Romano wasn't sure if he should feel angry that the dream had been about Germany or upset at how sad his sister looked. He decided it didn't really matter since his sister was still distressed and needed comfort.

This time he hugged her and said, "No, that potato bastard isn't gone. He's still around. Even though Holy Roman Empire vanished, I don't think Germany is going to be checking out any time soon. Just look at his stupid brother. He's still around isn't he, and he isn't even his own nation anymore. Even our bastard of a nonno is hanging around here somewhere. Germany hasn't left. You don't have anything to worry about sorellina."

At this she finally smiled; it was one of the things she loved about her brother. He only ever called her sorellina when it was just the two of them and even then it was rare. However, every time it reminded her that he really did have a kind heart under all the thistles and thorns. She breathed a sigh of relief and kissed her brother on the cheek, causing him to grumble in annoyance and embarrassment.

"Grazie fratello."

XXX

He was blushing. He knew it.

The heat he felt on his cheeks indicated as such. But he couldn't help it. She was just so cute.

She was sweeping the floor, her chestnut brown hair swishing slightly as she worked. She was humming sweetly, her pale green dress swaying with her movements.

He couldn't see her face, since her back was turned towards him, but for him that was a good thing. After all, he was technically spying on her at the moment. Really he was just peeking through the crack of the door, watching her work. But he desperately wanted to reach out to her in some way. He just wanted some contact.

Slowly he reached out his hand and, before he realized what he was doing, he tugged on her bow, the one that held her white apron in place.

She paused, and to his horror, turned around. She looked like she was about to say something, possibly his name. But he never heard it. He ran away, blushing like a fool in love, because that's exactly what he was.

He knew he loved her, the little maid girl in the green dress. He wanted her so badly it hurt. He could picture it in his head, the two of them together. They stood hand in hand, facing the world as one. Someday they would be together, and he would have the little girl's love.

Someday.

He hated to see her like this, with tears at the corners of her eyes, ready to spill over.

He hated knowing he was the one to cause those tears.

They stood facing each other. He had to leave, and she had to stay. He would be back one day, the same day they would be together.

He asked her a question, he couldn't recall what. But he could remember what she responded with.

"A kiss, I think."

His heart had pounded out of control but that kiss, their first kiss, was the sweetest thing he had ever experienced.

He had told her something, he couldn't quite remember what exactly, but it made her smile and the he turned away from her, leaving with his army. He took with him her love and push broom, and smiled. Because he knew that someday he would return and they would finally be together.

Someday.

Germany groaned as he felt a particularly persistent jab in his side. He knew exactly what had woken him up and didn't bother to look at who had been bothering his sleep for the past minute or so.

"What do you want Gilbert? I was sleeping."

His brother gave him another poke, this time in the head.

"What were you dreaming about? You were mumbling in your sleep." Another poke. "Was it that dream again?" Poke. "The one with the cute girl who's name you can never remember?" Poke. "Have you figured out her name yet?" Poke. "Is it still all fuzzy?" Poke. "Have you found out anything new?" Poke. "I still don't understand why you're so hung up on this dream girl." Poke. "She's probably not even real." Poke. "Why do you love her so much anyways?" Poke.

Germany finally swatted away his hand, tired of being poked and still tired in general. "Stop it Gilbert."

His brother did stop poking him, however, he didn't stop his questioning. "So, was it the dream?"

Germany sighed and didn't look his brother in the eye.

"Well, was it?"

The blond mumbled a little, before finally sighing. He grumbled out a curt, "Yes."

Prussia gave his brother a smug smile as he leaned with one arm on the desk, the other on his hip. "I knew it. You only ever mumble in your sleep if it's that dream. By the way, have you figured out anything new?"

Germany looked out his office window. It was dark outside, well past the time most people would have gone to bed. He had been doing some late night paperwork when he had dozed off, only to be unceremoniously woken by his older brother.

Thinking about his dream Germany couldn't help but wonder what it meant. He actually had been having the reoccurring dream, and other very similar dreams, ever since he was very young. Every time he had the dream he was left just as confused as he was when he had first had it when he was little. He would remember that everything was so clear and real while he was dreaming, but as soon as he woke up all the details were blurred and fuzzy, and he only had a vague image of the dream. However, he could always recall the girl.

This was the most puzzling part of his dreams. He knew he loved that girl. He loved her more than he would ever admit. He knew because those feelings of love stayed with him even after he woke up. This confused him greatly. He was certain he had never met the girl in his life. Besides, he knew almost nothing about her. He didn't know her name, where she lived, how he knew her, nor why he had to leave her as he always inevitably did in his dreams. He could hardly picture her face let alone figure who she might be. All he knew was that she cleaned, wore a pale green dress and apron, and loved him in return.

He had tried to move on. He had tried to find love in the real world. But no matter how many pretty women he saw and met he could never shake the feeling that he was somehow cheating. Just flirting with a woman, even a human who he could never have a long-term relationship with, made him feel dirty and deceitful. He couldn't understand why he was so connected to a girl he only knew in his dreams. It was illogical and unreasonable and just plain stupid. But despite how ridiculous it was he could not deny his feelings. He knew what he felt, and was powerless to change it. He was in love with a girl he saw only in his dreams, and all he could do was accept it and live with it. However, he did not allow these feelings to affect his day-to-day life, but as long as he continued to have those dreams and continued to have those feelings he knew he would never find love in the waking world.

He was reminded that he had not yet answered his brother's questions by a sharp poke to the head. He gave the white haired ex-nation an annoyed glare. "No, nothing. I still don't know any more than I did a century ago. You should have guessed as much, bruder."

His brother, Prussia, was the only person who knew about his dreams. When he had first had them he had told his brother to see if he would be able to help him figure them out. His brother had told him it was probably just his imagination acting up after hearing his 'awesome' fairy tales and stories. It had eased Germany's mind in the beginning, but the dreams never stopped reoccurring, even as he grew older. It was a mystery he had never been able to solve.

Prussia gave him a thoughtful look, then smiled cheekily. "Well, no use worrying about it. Now as your awesome older brother I'm telling you to go to bed." He put up a hand as Germany opened his mouth to say something. "Nope. No buts about it. You need your sleep just like everyone else. Now get up and get your ass to bed." To emphasis his point he turned off the desk lamp, sending the room into semi-darkness, with only the hall light for illumination.

Germany gave an exasperated sigh, before getting up. "Fine, fine. But only if you go to bed too. You're up just as late as I am."

Prussia threw an arm around Germany's shoulder and led him out of the office. "Of course, of course. Even someone as awesome as me needs to recharge and get some sleep."

After sending his brother to bed Prussia returned to his room, where he then got ready for bed. However, even as he laid down he found he just couldn't sleep, his mind was buzzing with activity.

In reality, he knew exactly why his brother had the dreams he did, and he knew who the girl in his dreams was. Of course, he hadn't ever told Germany the truth. He still wasn't sure how to approach it. Prussia had never been sure how Germany would have handled the truth had he known.

But now, the situation was different. With one little discovery everything was changed. Prussia smiled at the thought. He couldn't wait until next weekend.

XXX

Author's Notes: So yeah. Wha'cha all think?

Anyways, everything hits the fan in the next couple chapters so we get lots and lots of drama. This is going to be fun. :)

As I'm sure everyone's figured out by now this story will follow the theory that the Holy Roman Empire later became Germany. This will be explained in more detail later so I'm not going to go into it now.

Translations:

* nonno (Italian) – Grandfather/Grandpa

* sorellina (Italian) – Little Sister

* grazie (Italian) – Thank you

* fratello (Italian) – Brother

* bruder (German) – Brother

- I've decided to start including translations at the end of the chapters, even if most are pretty common/self-explanatory. -

Notes and Headcanons:

* Why is Americat a girl? Well, it makes sense for the story since Nekotalia is basically the counties as cats so because I genderbended America it would make sense that I would do the same for Americat. Since the countries don't really seem to realize this (or at least they don't in the anime, to them they're just cats) I feel like the other countries wouldn't question America's cat being a female rather than a male (if they even bother to ask America about his/her cat, really it's a mote point).

* Headcanon: Tony doesn't have to do anything for America and America doesn't expect him to. But, because Tony likes America, he does little things like that. America also does things in return when s/he can (although, it's not as often since Tony isn't as high maintenance doesn't need much in return). They share a close friendship/bond and make great housemates.

* In America's dream it was mentioned that her ears were pierced. Remember that this is a dream and her ears are not actually pierced. As a guy she could never pierce her ears since it was never socially acceptable (at least not for professionals, usually only rebels pierced their ears). Even though it is much more socially acceptable today it still is considered unprofessional and because of the professional and political world America lives in she has never pierced her ears. This is the same for Italy, her ears are also not pierced.

* As for the dreams themselves. America's nightmare is a worst-case scenario of the other nations finding out the truth; everyone turns against her and she's left alone. Italy's nightmare is Germany disappearing just like the Holy Roman Empire. Germany's dream is actually his memories, although he doesn't realize it.

* In Germany's dream I took the dialogue of Italy from the dub. I'm not entirely sure if it matches up with the sub, but either way, I'm sure any fan will recognize the scene.

Yeah, so anyways. I leave you all in suspense now. :D