Disclaimer: AilateH nwo t'nod eW!
A/N: Hey, everyone!
Guess what? Our government shut down! The Republicans and Democrats can't agree on Obamacare, so the Republicans shut the government down. Yep, and we have no idea when it will start up again.
Anyway! Naru asked us what you all were in our little family. So we thought hard and here it is! Medusa and Dala are the sane sisters we love talking to. Naru is the annoying middle daughter of ours who we can't help but enjoy talking to. LYS is the younger daughter who makes us laugh. Cave is the cousin who travels the world and pops in every once in a while to say hi. Caha is our long lost cousin. Back is the youngest daughter with the boyfriend who somehow wormed his way into all our hearts. If she missed anyone, let us know.
Enjoy! Please review!
Russo-Japanese War
1904 – 1905
Russian Empire vs. Empire of Japan
France and Spain had spent the better half of their trip trying to convince Andorra out of talking to Turkey through her Bluetooth. The Eurasian nation had countered by using innuendos on all three Latin nations. Andorra had found it highly amusing and her natural ability to flirt had only quadrupled to the point her brothers were ready to turn their headsets off.
And then Norway had screamed.
That had been an hour ago. Thirty minutes later, she had called for backup at a farmhouse in Netherlands near Weert.
France and Spain were now racing across a gravel driveway of an abandoned farmhouse with their team, trying desperately to make it to the group defeated by the Wars. Latvia's small form could be seen buried under rubble. Japan and North Korea weren't far away. And Korea had been shoved on top of an unconscious Turkey. There was no sign of Norway anywhere.
"Where is Tante Norge?" Greenland asked as she searched the nations and Wars desperately. "I thought she was part of this group."
"Oui, she was," France said, scanning the field while running.
"Germans majors, (Big brothers,)" Andorra said over the Bluetooth. "Si plau, poseu-vos Turkey esquena, (Please get Turkey back,)" she asked softly.
Spain and France exchanged glances before Spain nodded and France sighed.
"Oui." France pressed the technology into his ear. "We will try our hardest, Andorre."
"Gràcias," Andorra said and then fell silent.
"Dammit," Romano swore, drawing his twin guns. "Why the hell can't we get a year off?"
"North Korea?" Bulgaria asked, hurrying to kneel beside the Asian nation. Upon glancing up, she gasped. "Turkey!" The taller nation laid unconscious at the feet of Luxemburg.
"Luxembourg?" France asked. "Que faites-vous ici? (What are you doing here?)"
"Quoi?" Luxembourg cocked his head before grinning. "I was, ah, in the neighborhood."
"But you are supposed to be back at base," Spain said with a frown. He fingered his axe carefully.
Luxemburg opened his mouth before closing it, at a loss for words.
"Something tells me this bastard's got something to do with Veneziano's disappearance act," Romano snarled, cocking both his guns.
"Wow, they were right," Luxemburg said with a grin. "You Italians really are fast."
"We don't have time for this, aru," China snapped.
"Chine?" France glanced over his shoulder. His hand flew to the gun at his hip. "Merde."
"There's only two of them." Romano glanced between China and Luxemburg. "We could take them easily."
"But what about them?" Greenland looked around at the injured nations worriedly. "They were defeated by two Wars."
"Ja, what about it?" a gravelly voice asked from behind Greenland. The nation squeaked in surprise and whirled around, her eyes widening at the sight of Netherlands.
"Netherlands," she cried. "Don't do that to me!"
Netherlands looked Greenland up and down before glancing at Bulgaria, and he grunted.
"Please don't do that!" Luxemburg whined. "I don't like it when you do that!"
"What the hell is he talking about?" Romano demanded. He squealed when Netherlands suddenly stuck him in the chest, sending the small nations flying backward.
"Roma!" Spain moved to aid Romano but was stopped when a hand roughly grabbed his hair.
"Never liked you," Netherlands snarled.
"Aw, come on!" Luxemburg turned around and fisted his hair. "Why did you have to go calling Nederland? I hate Nederland!"
"Oh, shut up, aru." China smacked Luxemburg upside the head.
"Let him go!" Greenland shouted before charging forward, transforming into a caribou as she moved.
Nederland grunted again and seized Greenland by the antler. Swinging his knee up, he struck Spain in the face.
"Ay!" Spain clutched at his nose and would have fallen back had Nederland released him. But he didn't. The War kept a painfully tight grip on Spain's hair.
"Espagne!" France rushed forward but Luxemburg jumped in his way. "Luxembourg-."
"Hey!" Luxembourg exclaimed. "You got my name right!"
Romano rolled over in the dirt, coughing hard as he tried to catch his breath.
"Merde," France swore. "Move, Luxembourg."
"Non, geen, and neen," Luxembourg sang happily. "Nederland is kind of busy right now, so we get to play a game."
"I am not up for games right now," France snapped. His eyes flicked to Spain who had started whimpering, blood running down his chin.
"Neither am I." Luxembourg squealed when he suddenly found himself tackled by Romania. The fanged nation knelt on the smaller War's chest, a fist slamming into his face.
"That's not fair!" Luxembourg howled as he struggled. "That's against the rules!" He tried to throw Romania off but France leapt forward and pinned his arms down. "Get off me!"
"Non," France snapped, pressing his weight down on Luxembourg's.
"Zhōngguó!" Luxembourg shouted helplessly. "Get them off! I haven't fought enough for this!"
An arm wrapped around France's throat and he was dragged away.
"Perhaps you should not play games then, aru," Zhōngguó snapped.
"Non!" France twisted out of Zhōngguó's grip and spun around, punching the War in the face. His blow missed when Zhōngguó stepped back then darted forward to return the gesture.
"Gah!" France stumbled back, clutching his nose.
Spain collapsed to the ground as Nederland punched him hard in the stomach. Bulgaria suddenly found her hair in Nederland's firm grip.
"Bulgaria!" Romania's eyes widened and he grunted when he was thrown of Luxembourg.
Something cold and metallic jammed into Nederland's stomach. The War grunted and followed the gun down to Bulgaria's hand. Bulgaria had her other hand wrapped around Nederland's wrist.
"I won't both counting," Bulgaria said. And she pulled the trigger.
Luxembourg looked up with wide eyes from beating Romania senseless as Nederland stumbled back, releasing Bulgaria and Greenland.
"Uh-oh," he said slowly. "Heh, heh. You know those soldiers who got really sick of fighting in the wars so they'd abandon their ranks?" he asked Zhōngguó.
"Don't you dare, aru," Zhōngguó said darkly. He winced when a bullet hit Luxembourg in the leg.
"Gah!" Luxembourg grabbed his thigh. "Yeah, geen, I'm out of here!" When Nederland gets shot, I get going!" And with that he took off for the cornfield.
Nederland pressed a hand against his stomach and examined the red palm when he took it away. He was silent for several minutes before his gaze rose to Bulgaria. There was nothing but pure rage in his black eyes.
Bulgaria cocked the pistol and raised it. "Do not think I won't shoot you," she said.
Nederland snarled and stormed up to her. He grabbed the nation's hand in a firm grip.
"I'm sure you would," he growled. "If your hand wasn't broken." And he closed his fist tightly. Bulgaria screamed, struggling against Nederland.
"Bulgaria!" Romania stumbled to his feet, collapsing when Zhōngguó kicked his legs out from under him.
"Romanie!" France leapt forward and grabbed Zhōngguó's hand. Whirling the War around, he gave him a solid kick in the stomach.
"Dammit," Romano growled as he finally got to his feet. "That hurt." His hand flew to the hidden handgun in his boot.
Nederland released Bulgaria and let her fall back to the ground where she curled up tightly and sobbed. His head shot up when Romano fired several shots at him. One hit the War in the spine. Romano's hand slowly lowered when he heard Nederland chuckling darkly.
"How in the hell?" Romano asked in shock.
Nederland threw his head back and roared with laughter. "Boy, I'm a War!" he laughed. "I could take you out with one slap." As if to prove it, he moved too quickly for anyone to stop him and slapped Romano across the face. The nation fell back to the ground with a squeal.
"R-Roma." Spain struggled to get up but stilled when he heard a click.
"I never liked you," Nederland growled, aiming Romano's gun at Spain. "Not. One. Bit." And he pulled the trigger.
"Espagne!" France shouted as Spain collapsed clutching the back of his head.
There was the thundering of hooves and a large brown body passed over Nederland, striking the War in the back of the head with its front hooves.
"Gah!" Nederland stumbled forward and whirled around to glare at Greenland. "Zhōngguó," he barked. "We're done here. Sverige only wanted us to stick around for a few hours. Grab who you want and get the hell out."
Korea groaned from atop of Turkey, his hands still handcuffed behind him.
"Get Turkey," Zhōngguó snapped. "If we have stronger nations, we can make sure we stay alive, aru."
"Non!" France threw himself between Zhōngguó and the unconscious Turkey, a gun trained on the War. "You are not taking Turquie anywhere!"
"Get out of the way, aru," Zhōngguó snarled, taking a step forward. He froze when a bullet whizzed barely a centimeter from his head.
"Moi moi," Finland's voice rang in the nations' ears. "I'm sorry I'm late."
"Finlande," France sighed in relief. "Is Canada with you?"
"Oui," Canada's voice called through. "I am on the opposite side."
Nederland scanned the horizon before backing away slowly. Reaching down, he dragged Romano up the scruff to hold the nations before him as a shield.
"Shoot and he gets it!" Nederland shouted. Romano whimpered in the War's hands.
"Ei!" Finland cocked her rifle, steadying it against the room where she laid. Taking carefully aim, she pulled the trigger quickly. The bullet flew an inch over Romano's right shoulder and buried itself in Nederland's chest.
"I warned you!" Nederland shouted, jamming his gun against Romano's temple. Romano froze, his eyes wide with terror.
"He's not bluffing," Canada said. "That could cause major damage for Romano."
France's feet shifted unsurely on the ground as he tried make his decision. Rescue his younger brother or keep his promise to Andorra? Romano or Turkey?
Zhōngguó ducked when another bullet flew over his head. "Forget about that brat, aru!" he shouted.
"Geen!" Nederland backed away toward the cornfield. "I'm not leaving here without something!"
"Romano!" Making his decision, France raced after his brother and Nederland, disappearing within the cornstalks.
"France!" Romania scrambled to his feet and followed France quickly.
"Ei!" Finland leapt off her roof nimbly. "Stop anyone else from leaving!"
"I don't think they could," Canada grumbled. "Kuma, you ready?"
"Yep," Kuma said, several cartridges in his paws. "Are you really going to shoot him full of holes?"
"Oui, and pray that's not actually China." Canada trained his gun and pulled the trigger several times. Zhōngguó ducked before tearing into the cornfield after the nations and War.
Finland skidded to a halt by the destroyed barn. She gaped at the mess before her and pressed on the Bluetooth.
"We may need cleanup."
o)O(o
White. It surrounded China on all sides. The sky and the ground where both a snowy white and a dense fog seemed to roll around him.
"Where am I, aru?" China asked in confusion. Everywhere he turned there was nothing to see.
Something surprised the ancient nation when it collided with his foot, growling and attempting to chew on it ferociously. The creature's attitude reminded China of only one nation.
"Iceland, aru?" China looked down, taking a step back. He couldn't have been more wrong.
The wolf cub snarled and leapt at China's foot again. There was a soft padding of paws as an adult world stepped out of the white nothingness. Her soft eyes studied China carefully. Her sleek black coat was the only color in the white world.
China's eyes widened and he stumbled back several steps.
"China," Indonesia's voice rang through China's mind. She sounded both happy and sad at the same time.
"Indonesia," China said in disbelief. His feet carried him forward until he stood directly before the wolf. He fell to his knees, tears filling his eyes. "I am sorry. I am so sorry for what I did, aru!"
"You did nothing." Indonesia stepped forward, resting her chin on China's shoulder. "That I can forgive you for."
China sobbed, falling forward on the ground. "I killed you and Korea," he cried. "I almost killed Norway. A nation like me does not deserve to live, aru."
"What do you think you are doing here?" Indonesia reached down to nuzzle China's cheek. "Why do you think Mesopotamia allowed you to live for so long?"
"There could be no good reason for my survival," China moaned. "I am a hindrance to the other nations and a plaything for Nihon, aru."
"Why do you say that?" Indonesia laid down, studying China carefully. "When Iceland was first changed, he looked to someone for guidance. When others are injured, they come to you for medicine. What about when the Asian nations needed to be raised? Or Poland?"
China sat up slowly, wiping his tears away. "You truly believe that is my purpose here on Earth, aru?" he asked.
"You have done nothing but teach other lessons." Indonesia's eyes seemed to smile. "I have learned so much from you. Though, I may need to relearn it now."
"What?" China's head snapped up and joy filled his eyes. "You do not mean . . . you could not be . . . you are, aru?"
"I am." Indonesia dipped her head once. "And I have a twin sister named Bauhinia. I am the daughter of Slovakia and Portugal."
"Alive," China said softly before he suddenly laughed. "If the wolf may rise again, then perhaps I may too, aru."
"That is the way to think," Indonesia said approvingly. "Korea is alive as well."
"He is?" China brightened up. "Then he and Norway are married?" He sat back to think. "What of Vietnam? Is she still foul-tempered, aru?"
"As ever," Indonesia chuckled. "And now she has Albania to play with. Many things are coming, Cintaku. (Love.) It is time for you to rise up once more."
"When will I see you again, aru?" China asked anxiously.
"You may see me whenever you wish." Indonesia stood, a necklace now visible around her neck. A charm in the shape of a howling wolf hung from the chain. "Take the necklace and you shall see me at all times."
China slowly reached out and took the necklace from Indonesia's neck.
There was a snarl as the wolf cub attacked China again.
"Oh, Shaanxi," Indonesia laughed.
"Shaanxi," China breathed. Reaching down, he pulled the wolf cub into his arms and buried his face in its fur. "I love you, Shaanxi. I truly do, aru."
The cub growled, snapping at China's nose and wriggling in its father's arms.
"I hope you two are well, aru," China breathed.
"Shaanxi waits for you." Indonesia sat beside china, her tail curling around her paws. "She is excited to meet you someday."
"I thought Shaanxi was a boy, aru," China said in confusion. He could clearly remember Babylonia's curse.
"I apologize," Indonesia chuckled. "He is a boy on Earth, yes. This is my Shaanxi." Leaning, forward she nuzzled the cub in the stomach. "Our daughter."
"A daughter, aru," China repeated before closing his eyes and exhaling deeply.
"It is time to wake up." Indonesia nuzzled China's cheek affectionately. "Do not lose hope, for many will look to you for guidance."
"I wish I did not have to, aru," China said, a tear sliding down his cheek.
"I will always be with you," Indonesia promised. Her voice slowly faded into the void of white, along with the wolf cub.
)O(
China jerked awake at the painful poke in his ribs. Nihon knelt before him, looking thoroughly annoyed. The War held a tray of bread and stew in his hand.
China glared at Nihon, wrinkling his nose behind the bridle. He could feel his jaw locking up from the metal tongue and his skin had been chaffed by the metal.
"Don't you want the food then, China-kun?" Nihon asked with a quirked eyebrow. "I can give it to a War if you'd like."
China ducked his head before nodding slowly.
"Very well then." Setting the tray aside, he reached behind China to unbuckle the scold's bridle and remove it. "Have you learned your lesson, China-kun?"
"Yes, aru," China said, relishing in the ability to use his tongue again.
"I will leave you to your food." Nihon rose. "I must go and tend to something. "Liech will be in to watch you. Do not misbehave for her, or I will know."
"Yes, Nihon, aru." China waited until the War had left to begin eating his stew. He paused when something cold pressed against his chest. His eyes flitted down to see a wolf hanging from a chain around his neck. The smooth black stone stood out against his much lighter complexion.
"Indonesia," China breathed. He smiled and let his head fall back against the wall. 'Thank you, ancestors. Thank you for bringing her back, aru."
o)O(o
Albania managed to kick Germany in the stomach, scrabbling to escape the van before he could be grabbed. Portugal sat on a boulder with her arms crossed and a quirked eyebrow. Belgium stood nearby her, staring in shock at the fight.
"Gott verdammt," Germany swore, rubbing his stomach.
A leg suddenly swung up to kick Albania in the stomach. A hand flew down and struck him directly in the junction of his neck and shoulder.
"Gah!" Albania fell forward, bellowing curses in Albanian as he did.
A foot landed on his stomach and a gun cocked.
"Move, bastard," Vietnam said from above him. "And I pull the trigger."
Albania froze, breathing hard through his nose.
"Get him now," Portugal advised as she studied her nails.
"I might," Vietnam said, the corner of her lips quirking slightly.
"Vietnam," Germany said in a low voice.
"Shut it, Germany," Vietnam snapped. "I don't take orders from anyone, especially not you."
"Put gun down," Portugal yawned. "Let Potato Head take him."
"No, this đần độn has been nothing but a pain in my side since he first walked into the room." Vietnam cocked the gun, leveling it with Albania's head.
"Vietnam," Switzerland snapped. "This isn't the War again."
"Say that again and I'll shoot you," Vietnam snarled. "It's your fault that war even happened."
"Too true, Switzerland," Albania said from the ground. "But I'm afraid my time here is done." There was a sudden flurry of movement and Vietnam found an arm wrapped around her neck. Albania grinned, holding the gun to the female nation's forehead. "Fare thee well, gentlemen."
"Vietnam!" Germany lurched forward with wide eyes.
"Nie!" Slovakia whipped his own gun out.
"Let me go!" Vietnam screeched, struggling in Albania's arms.
"How about . . ." Albania clicked the safety off and the nations froze. Slovakia swallowed hard as he lowered his gun. Switzerland's fingers twitched toward his own firearm but his hand remained at his side.
Vietnam dropped her weight in an attempt to escape. Albania only hefted her up before suddenly shoving her forward.
"Po! (Yes!)" The minute Vietnam stumbled into Germany, Albania was gone as he tore for the cover of the trees.
"Vietnam," Germany growled. He held a gun out to her. "Shoot him in the legs."
"With pleasure." Vietnam snatched the gun and raced after Albania.
"Why her?" Slovakia asked in confusion. "Aren't you going to go?"
"I will follow," Germany said as he drew another gun. "But the Vietnam War was mainly a guerilla war on Vietnam's part. It's how she was able to defeat America so easily."
"Is that why she hates everyone?" Slovakia scratched the back of his head.
"Ja." Switzerland checked his gun. "We met in the Geneva Conference in 1954 and chose her fate for her. For that, she hates us all."
)O(
Twigs cracked under Vietnam's boots, echoing off the trees around her. There was no sign of Albania anywhere.
"Tên khốn chết tiệt," Vietnam muttered. Wiping away a drop of sweat, she glanced around herself before shrugging out of her jacket. She wore only a tank top under the heavy fabric. It did nothing to hide the scars marring her entire upper body.
"I am going to kill that tên khốn when I get my hands on him," she growled as she began to make her way silently through the forest, her jacket tied around her waist.
Branches suddenly moved before the nation, causing Vietnam to draw her gun, and a body was thrown to the forest floor. Albania rolled over, his face a mask of pain. His hands had been tied behind him and blood ran down his forehead.
"Albania?" Vietnam lowered her gun and moved forward. "What happened to you?"
Albania's eyes widened and a hand grabbed Vietnam by the throat before she could react.
"Bonjour, ma cherie," a voice said whispered darkly in her ear.
Vietnam's eyes widened in horror. "Không!" she shrieked and tried to escape from France's grasp. "Let me go, you tên khốn!" She struck France hard in the nose.
France released Vietnam, showing no sign of having felt any pain. His dark eyes studied her carefully.
"That wasn't very nice," he commented.
Vietnam whipped the gun around to aim at France's face. She swallowed the fear creeping into her heart. Of all the nations, she had never been very fond of France.
"You're one of them," she whispered.
"Am I?" France cocked his head, watching Vietnam's trembling hand. "Am I truly one of them? What if I was a forest spirit? Or perhaps I am a demon. Or maybe." He grinned darkly. "This is nothing more than a nightmare."
"A nightmare," Vietnam repeated. "My life has been nothing but a nightmare. Do you know how I felt when you refused me to give me freedom? Did you really think I was going to stay if my freedom had a cost?"
"Nightmares?" a familiar voice said from behind the Asian nation. "Is that why I am so strong?"
Vietnam whirled around in surprise to find herself standing over Albania grinning darkly. The nation's eyes widened and her gun slowly lowered.
"How is that even possible?" she asked in a hushed voice.
France moved forward to snatch the gun from Vietnam's hand and wrap an arm around her throat. Vietnam's hand only halfheartedly reached up to grab the War's wrist.
"Look before you," France whispered in Vietnam's ear. "Every war you ever fought in flesh and blood."
"Không," Vietnam breathed. She struggled weakly against France. "Không! Why won't you leave me alone?" she shrieked. "I want friends! I want family! And you will not leave me alone! Why?"
"Whose fault is that?" Vietnam's doppelganger folded her arms and threw her head back, laughing. "Who pushes everyone away? Who desires nothing but enemies?"
"It's your fault!" Vietnam lunged forward against France, tears in her eyes. "If you didn't exist, if I had not fought in those wars, then I would have a life!"
"Would?" Vietnam's doppelganger stepped over Albania to trail a finger down Vietnam's cheek. "Would you truly have a life? Or would you be enslaved to France?"
Vietnam froze, her eyes wide. The thought had never occurred to her. It had been over fifty years since the French Indochina War, she had spent all that time thinking about the American War. A sob caught in Vietnam's throat and she fell limp in France's arms.
"Take care of her," 'Vietnam' said as she took the gun from France and stuck it into her own belt. She studied her original carefully before pulling her hair back into a ponytail. Removing Vietnam's jacket, the doppelganger wrapped it around her own waist. "We wouldn't want her getting in the way."
"Không," Vietnam whispered. She struggled against France, throwing her head back. "Germany!"
"Dammit!" Vietnam's doppelganger whipped her gun out, smashing the handle on the nation's head. Vietnam collapsed to the forest floor beside the struggling, wide-eyed Albania. A dark bruise was already forming on her forehead.
o)O(o
Denmark wheezed, struggling to breathe against his broken ribs. He had been trying to fend off Sverige for the last ten minutes and the stress had started getting to him. He could already feel his airways beginning to swell.
"Get off," Denmark gasped, gritting his teeth when his ribs were jostled again.
"Nej." Sverige forced Denmark to lay back down on the table. He drew a black leather strip over the nation's hips and buckled it down. "You need c're."
"Not from ya," Denmark snapped. He grabbed Sverige's wrist to try and stop the War from doing anything else.
Sverige grabbed the hand in a firm yet gentle grip. He stared at Denmark with a set jaw until the nation backed down like a dog and released his hand. The hand was then locked in a strap at Denmark's side.
"Your w'fe is f'ne," Sverige said as he locked Denmark's other hand down. "R'ma's t'king good c're of her. She sp'nds pl'nty of t'me in the w'ter to stay healthy."
"Italy!" Denmark yanked on a wrist, coughing when he was barely able to breathe.
"Ja." Sverige moved down to tie Denmark's legs down at the ankles and knees. The finishing touches were a strap across Denmark's chest and then his forehead.
"What have ya done with her?" Denmark wheezed.
"She's w'th Sw'den," Sverige said as he moved across the room, moving objects on a tray.
"What?" Denmark wriggled his head around, trying to free it. "Sve's here?"
"Ja, and so is Israel, B'larus, Ir'land, P'land, and Greece." Sverige examined a scalpel in the dim light of the room.
Denmark froze at the sight of the knife, his eyes widening. "What are ya doing?"
"I'm going to h'lp you," Sverige said. He set the scalpel aside and wiped a slightly larger knife clean with disinfectant.
"Nej!" Denmark shouted before falling into a coughing fit.
"You need to keep coughing," Sverige said as he set the tool aside. Moving to the nation's side, he smoothed Denmark's hair back. "It w'll h'lp your r'bs heal c'rrectly."
"What the hell . . . do ya mean?" Denmark managed to ask between coughs.
"It w'll st'p your l'ngs fr'm c'llapsing and pneum'nia," Sverige explained. "I can g've you s'mething for the pain."
"What do you know about me?" Denmark gritted his teeth in pain.
"You're my br'ther." Sverige smirked and leaned over Denmark. "I may not be able to h'rt D'nmark, but I can st'll h'rt you."
"Nej." Denmark began to struggle wildly against his many bonds but they held fast.
"Ja," Sverige said as he straightened up. "But we won't h've fun yet. I pr'fer to play wh'n they're healthy." He moved to a fridge and opened it. Examining a few bags, he grabbed two. One was a dark red, an almost purple, and the other was clear.
"What are ya doing?" Denmark watched the War carefully.
"D'nmark's blood." Sverige held up the dark bag. "And paink'llers." He held up the other. "They'll h'lp you heal f'ster."
"Nej," Denmark said through gritted teeth. "I don't want his blood in me."
"It's your blood," Sverige said, dragging an IV stand to the table. "J'st w'th m're . . . blood in it."
"Nej." Denmark twisted his wrists around to hide the underside of his arms. "I said I don't want it!"
"Th'n do you w'nt to play now?" Sverige leaned down to whisper in Denmark's ear. "The l'nger th're is a needle in your arm, the l'nger you are s'fe." Straightening up, he took the bag of blood. "I'm a scient'st w'th a f'scination in v'visection."
Denmark froze, staring at Sverige in shock. "Hvad?" he all but croaked.
"V'visection." Sverige spared Denmark a glance. "I enjoy d'scovering how a b'dy w'rks. You n'tions f'scinate me the m'st. I've always wn'ted to pr'form a v'visection on one of you."
"Vivisect yerself!" Denmark howled.
"I don't th'nk so." Sverige grabbed a wrist and forcefully turned it back around. "I w'nt you in pr'me c'ndition wh'n I cut you op'n. Why do you th'nk It'ly sp'nds so m'ch t'me in the w'ter? Roma's a m'ron wh'n it c'mes to health."
Denmark stared at Sverige in horror. "Yer disgusting!" he roared. "I'm going ta kill ya!"
"W'th br'ken r'bs?" Sverige pressed a palm against Denmark's chest and the nation howled in pain, struggling against his restraints. "I don't th'nk so."
Taking his hand away, Sverige stabilized Denmark's arm before stabbing a needle into a vein. He moved to the other side to hang the painkiller on the stand.
"The couple who l'ves t'gether," Sverige said as he grabbed Denmark's other wrist. "I would say dies t'gether, but I won't let you do th't. Th't would k'll D'nmark and It'lia."
Denmark groaned, trying to keep his head clear from the drugs. He could already fell his limbs relaxing.
"You can't f'ght it, D'nmark." Sverige smoothed the nation's hari back. "It should only t'ke you a day or two to heal with D'nmark's blood in you. Th'n we can h've s'me fun."
o)O(o
Albania groaned as his head cleared. He had passed out in the van with a bit of help from France's doppelganger. It seemed the War really hated him. France hadn't minded tossing the nation around like a doll. He had been more careful with Vietnam, though.
A soft sob from the corner caught his attention. Turning around, Albania saw the hunched back of someone. It was covered in what appeared to be burn scars.
"Hey." Albania pushed himself up onto his knees, wincing at the pain in his bones. "Are you alright?" he asked.
The figure stopped crying and Vietnam glared over her shoulder, tears in her eyes.
"Why do you care?" she snapped before hiccupping.
"Because, contrary to belief, I do have a heart," Albania said with a roll of his eyes. "Any idea on where we are?"
"Không," Vietnam snapped and turned back to the corner. "Turn around."
"Why?" Albania crossed his arms defiantly. "So you can cry in peace? Sorry, sweetheart, but I'm stuck in the room with you."
"So that I can feel ugly without having you look at me!" Vietnam screeched. Whirling around, she spread her arms. Albania could see the burn scars that traveled down her arms, disappearing under the tank top.
Albania gave a low whistle. "I'm glad I didn't start that one," he commented.
"Shut up!" Vietnam screamed. She lunged forward and began to slap Albania around the head. "You weren't there! You didn't feel the napalm burn your skin! O-Or your heart! O-Or your land!" Vietnam's hits weakened with every sob. "You didn't wish you could finally die so the pain would stop."
Albania groaned and covered his head. "Look, sweetheart," he said. "I can't help you. The only girls interested in me are the ones who want to light my head on fire."
"I don't need your help!" Vietnam screamed. Stumbling to her feet, she shouted to the ceiling. "I don't need anyone's help and they don't need mine!"
"What's all this then?" Albania and Vietnam turned to see Britain leaning against the doorway with crossed arms. His dark eyes traveled over Vietnam lazily before landing on Albania. "Is the wanker bothering you, poppet?"
"Shut up," Vietnam snapped, wiping her tears away. "Just shut up and go away . . . and get me a jacket."
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Britain pushed off the doorway and strode to Albania. "Though I must agree, Việt Nam is much prettier. She doesn't have any of your scars." Reaching down, he grabbed Albania by the arm.
Vietnam's hands fell to her side and she stared at Britain with wide eyes.
"Hey!" Albania struggled when he was dragged to his feet.
"You can come watch if you want, poppet," Britain said before leaving the room, dragging Albania after him forcefully.
Vietnam's head slowly turned and she met Albania's eyes. He could the hurt clearly in her eyes.
"Vietnam!" Albania bellowed. "Don't let them do this! You don't know what they're capable of!"
Closing her eyes, Vietnam turned her head away. Her fists clenched at her sides.
"Chết tiệt," she muttered through gritted teething. She darted after Britain, her footsteps echoing off the walls. "Let. Him. Go!" Swinging a foot up, she struck the war across the forehead. Britain winced but didn't stop moving, acting as though he had barely been kicked. Arms wrapped around Vietnam's waist from behind.
"Have you come to play too, da-ze?" Hangug asked cheerfully before shoving Vietnam forward. Vietnam stumbled several steps before she caught herself.
"I said let him go!" Lunging forward, she clawed at Britain's hand. Hangug only dragged her back, keeping an arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
"But we want to have fun, da-ze," Hangug practically whined.
The nations and Wars entered a circular chamber. Albania's eyes widened at the sight of several torture tools and he began to struggle wildly.
"Jo!"
Vietnam gaped at a rather large metal elephant. "What is that?" she demanded.
"That is an Iron Elephant." Britain paused behind it. "You lock someone inside of it above a chamber where there is a fire."
"They'd die," Vietnam said. Her eyes widened and she struggled against Hangug. "Let me go! You lock him in there and I will kill you!"
"Too bad, poppet," Britain snorted. "We're not using that today." He dragged Albania to a corner where another War stood.
Vietnam fell still, her eyes flicking almost worriedly to Albania.
Britain and Éire worked together to bind Albania's hand tihglty behind him. They stepped away and Britain wrapped a length of rope around his hand.
"Now, then," he said. "What did you tell them?" He gave a slight tug on the rope.
Albania's eyes followed the rope, widening as they upward. The rope was curled around a pulley system on the ceiling. Pulling the rope would lift Albania high into the air.
"No. No. No," Albania chanted. He screamed when Britain scowled and pulled on the rope. The rope creaked and Albania was lifted nearly a foot in the air. Vietnam flinched and turned her face away. Albania writhed wildly, screaming in pain. They became sobs when the rope was loosened and he landed in a heap on the ground.
"Well?" Britain demanded. Albania gave a choking cough in response. The War's scowl only deepened and he pulled on the rope again.
"Stop it!" Vietnam screeched, lurching forward in Hangug's grip. The Asian War kept a tight grip on his prisoner. "Albania, tell them!"
"Go on, lad." Britain leaned lazily against the wall. "Why don't you tell us?" Albania only wailed, struggling wildly once more.
"Chết tiệt, Albania!" Vietnam struggled harder against Hangug. "If you don't tell them, I will!"
"And why should we believe you?" Britain snorted. "He's the one who spoke. He knows what he said, and he'll tell us."
Vietnam swallowed hard and her eyes flicked to Albania. Having successfully diverted the War's attention, she now had to think of a way to save Albania.
"We're married," she finally said, lying through her teeth. "He swore never to lie to me and hasn't yet."
"Oh?" Britain said with interest. He pushed off the wall, ignoring Albania's screams. "And how long have you been married?"
"Fifty-four years," Vietnam lied. She stood stiffly before Hangug. "He was the only one to help me after the American War."
"Did he now?" Wrapping the rope around a peg, Britain strode over to stand before Vietnam. "And what has he never lied to you about?"
"He told me the truth about everything he has done," Vietnam said with a set jaw. "He tells me about every job he's done and every nation he's ever cheated."
"Oh really?" Britain glanced over his shoulder and quirked an eyebrow at the screaming nation. "And what did he say about us?"
"He told me the location of seven houses," Vietnam said. "He said he had met you there to answer your questions."
"And nothing else?" Britain lifted a hand and Éire moved to stand by the rope, unwinding it.
"Không." Vietnam shook her head.
"Hm." Britain waved his hand and Éire released the rope, allowing Albania to crash to the floor in a heap. Vietnam lurched forward in Hangug's arm as though she could stop the nation. Albania sobbed, curling up tightly.
"Take them to their room," Britain said dismissively. "We will use him when the time comes."
Hangug moved forward with a grin on his face as he drew a knife to cut the rope.
"Wait." Vietnam grabbed the War's arm. "M-May I?" Hangug scowled but gave Vietnam the knife grudgingly.
Taking the knife, Vietnam slowly made her way to Albania's side. She bent down and began to saw through the rope. Her long hair masked her face as she leaned down to whisper in his ear.
"If we survive this," she hissed, barely making a sound. "I will kill you."
Albania only whimpered, screaming when Hangug grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back to their room. Shoving the pair in, Hangug slammed the door shut. Albania laid panting on the floor, his face a mask of pain.
"You're an idiot," Vietnam spat at Albania. "Why do you do this? You lie, you cheat, and you steal. And then morons like me come along and save you, landing themselves in trouble too."
"I don't know, wife," Albania panted, gritting his teeth. "But you're right about that, we are in trouble. I never lied to you? I told you everything?" he chuckled. "They're not going to believe you. They'll eventually torture you and demand you tell them what they already know."
Vietnam pursed her lips in thought and crossed her arms. She thought hard before coming to a conclusion. Moving to sit before Albania, she took his hand and placed it over her heart.
"In 1954," she said softly. "They held the Geneva Conference. It split me along the seventeenth parallel, tearing me in half. I lived with a broken heart until the American War began."
"Is it a bad thing if I can't move my hand?" Albania asked curiously. "I believe I learned this when 'visiting' you house during those years."
"Shut up," Vietnam snapped before exhaling hard and closing her eyes. "When America first came . . . I was terrified. He was huge. I had never seen such a large nation before. Nor its people. And I didn't know why they were there at first. And then he started dropping napalm bombs on my land and I thought he was trying to kill me."
Albania nodded slowly, letting his arm drop uselessly into his lap. "I remember that," he said with a grimace. "I barely saved that village in time. I kept screaming at them to run until they escaped it."
Vietnam's eyes flicked to Albania then back down to her lap. "I built the POW camp," she said. "The one America called the Hanoi Hilton. He . . ." Her lips quivered. "He got himself captured and landed there for the rest of the War. Afterward, I couldn't believe what had happened. That someone could actually do that to another nation and not even bat an eye."
"I know, sweetheart," Albania sighed. "I've seen it a dozen times. I've done it too."
Vietnam sniffed and wiped a stray tear away. "Your turn," she said.
"My turn?" Albania repeated, blinking in surprise.
"Tell me everything you've done," Vietnam ordered. "You say they're going to know immediately? Then you have to tell me everything so it can seem like we have been married."
"From the beginning?" Albania croaked.
"From the very beginning," Vietnam said firmly. "And then I will tell you how China raised me and my life before the War. So hurry up."
"We're going to be here for a couple hours," Albania sighed and leaned against the wall, wincing when his shoulders were jostled. "I was formed after the fall of the Byzantine Empire. I was one of the few who managed to escape Turkey's wrath back then. But that didn't mean I didn't bother him. Or anyone else for that matter. The first war I began was between Italy, France, Spain, and a few other nations. They weren't too please after they found out I started the mess."
"Who would be?" Vietnam asked sarcastically as she leaned back on her hands.
"Alright." Albania rolled his eyes. "The next one was between England and Scotland."
A/N: What did you think?
Sorry if I did miss anyone in the family. I didn't mean to.
Russo-Japanese War – (1904 – 1905) Russian Empire vs. the Empire of Japan
Casualties: 123,678 – 157,553
Results: Unknown, Japanese victory
The Vietnam War is also known as the American War in Vietnam. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)
The Strappado is a form of torture in which the victim is hung from the ceiling by their wrists which are bound behind them. It can cause dislocated shoulders.
Vivisection is dissecting an animal while it's still alive.
Bad news. I set Pollux free on her evil side. And this is what she came out with. Vivisecting Denmark. POLLUX!