Disclaimer: AilateH nwo t'nod eW!
A/N: Hey, everyone!
Whew, two chapters in one day. This took a lot of time. Time that I could have used doing my homework or getting over my cold. Yeah, I have a cold. It sucks. Lots of hugs will make me better. ^.^
We're updating our schedule back to our updates being Wednesday – Monday. This is because it's hard for Pollux to edit in time. We both work and Pollux and Mondays are busy for both of us. So we'll play on Mondays if Pollux finished editing in time.
And now for a quote I like!
Sometimes we don't build walls to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to knock them down.
Enjoy! Please review!
Spanish-America War
1898
America/Cuba vs. Spain
Poland raced helplessly down the empty streets of Tirana. She couldn't believe she had trusted Albania enough to help her. Not only had she been betrayed, but now she was only moments away from being captured.
Tearing down an alley, Poland cursed when she found herself facing another fork. She took turn after turn, only getting more lost in the labyrinth, and her enemy was catching up with her. Poland skidded to a halt at a dead end.
"Cholera," Poland wheezed for breath. She turned to leave and froze as heavy footsteps echoed off the stone walls.
"Sie können mir nicht entgehen, Polen. (You can't escape, Poland.)" A figure stepped into the mouth of the alley. He was dressed in a military uniform complete with a cap.
"Niemcy," Poland breathed, backing away until her back in the wall. She glanced to either side frantically for a way to escape and found nothing.
"Did you really think you could escape me?" Germany asked as he moved forward with slow, deliberate steps. His boots echoed off the walls of the alley. "Did you honestly think that crook of a nation would help you when I could actually pay him?"
"I guess I, like, should have known better," Poland snapped, inching sideways as subtly as she could. She froze when Germany's fist flew forward and collided with the wall beside Poland's head. The bricks crumbled to the ground and a dark smile passed over Germany's lips.
"You shouldn't have," Germany said. "I'm only doing the world a favor."
"What?" Poland glared up at Germany. "By, like, killing my people off?"
"No, not this time," Germany chuckled. "Czech and Slovakia have agreed to take your land and your people. Only you will be dying this time."
"Co?" Poland asked, staring at Germany in shock.
"How stupid are you?" Germany wrapped a hand around Poland's throat. "You. Are. Dying. Tonight."
"Germany." Poland grabbed the taller nation's wrist, tugging at it helplessly. "I totally don't understand. Why aren't you, like, trying to kill my people again?"
"It's not your people who disgust me this time, Poland." Germany leaned down to whisper in Poland's ear. "It's you." Poland eyes widened in terror and she began to thrash against her captor.
"Nie! Germany, you, like, don't understand!"
"What is there to understand?" Germany growled. He slammed Poland hard against the wall and pinned her there. "You're disgusting. Eine fickschlampe." Poland winced at the pain, squeezing her eyes shut tightly.
"You so don't get it!" she cried.
"Get what?" Germany roared. "You let another man touch you! And then you expected me to take you back?"
"Germany," Poland whimpered. "Please."
"Nein!" Grabbing a fistful of Poland's hair, Germany threw the other nation to the ground. "You are a disgusting fickschlampe. How could any man love you?" He stormed up to the female nation, drawing his gun as he moved.
"I, like, didn't want to," Poland plead. Moving onto her knees, she stared up at the man she had once considered her fiancé.
"And yet you slept with him," Germany growled. He cocked his gun and aimed carefully at Poland's head.
"I totally didn't want to," Poland sobbed, lowering her head. "He, like, threatened to kill you."
"Lügner, (Liar,)" Germany said. His finger just barely pushed the trigger. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because you love me!" Poland screamed. "You totally swore you loved me when you asked me to marry you!"
"I should have known better." And Germany pulled the trigger.
)O(
Poland shot straight up in bed, a scream tearing out of her throat. Sweat drenched her body and her heart was thudding against her ribs.
"Po?" Lietuva cracked one eye open slowly. "What happened? Did you have a nightmare?" He sat up and reached out for Poland who screeched and slapped his hands away. Scrambling out of bed and into the corner, Poland curled up tightly with wide eyes. Her breath came out in heavy gasps.
"What's wrong, Po?" Lietuva asked worriedly as he slipped from the bed. He approached Poland as if she were a wild animal. "You can tell me." Crouching down, he offered out a hand.
"Nie!" Poland tried to shove herself further into the corner. "Nie! Niemcy!"
"Germany?" Lietuva's eyes flashed and his hand clenched into a fist before the anger passed. "Did you have a bad dream about Germany again?"
"Nie!" Poland's gaze flicked around the room, as though she were trying to find an escape route.
"Oh, Po," Lietuva sighed. He sat beside the nation and pulled her into his arms. "It's alright. That bastard can't touch you, not with me around."
Poland shivered, her eyes wide, and made no recognition she had heard the War's words.
"I love you, Po." Lietuva said in Poland's ear as he held her close. "Our love will grow into something wonderful. Just you watch."
"YA khochu (I want) Papochka," Poland whispered. Lietuva's hand tightened on Poland's shoulder hard enough to leave bruises.
"You don't need them," he snarled. "You don't need either of those bastards."
"Nie potrzebuję ich, (I don't need them,)" Poland said in a dead voice.
"That's right," Lietuva said, a happy note in his voice. "You don't need them. Only me."
"Nie potrzebuję ich," Poland repeated. "Tylko ty. (Only you.)"
Lietuva smirked and pulled Poland against his chest.
o)O(o
Việt Nam scowled and crossed her arms. Germany and Switzerland were both furious sat her for having lost Albania, believing the War to be their ally. Việt Nam had returned to the group claiming she couldn't find a trace of the nation in the forest.
"If you bastards want to search again," Việt Nam said, throwing her hands into the air. "Then far be it for me to stop you."
"How could you have lost him?" Germany growled. The stress was evident in his voice. "You know how to track in the forest."
"I didn't mean to," Việt Nam snapped.
"Obviously the lack of work has worn her skill down," Austria commented as he crossed his arms and quirked an eyebrow.
"It has not!" Việt Nam hissed. "He's good at hiding, is all."
"So are you," Switzerland snapped. "Or did America burn down your forest for nothing" He crossed his arms and glared at Vietnam.
"She lose him." Portugal shrugged. "Everyone loses something."
"But he was a criminal," Belgium pointed out. Portugal only shrugged again.
"She's working with him," Slovakia said, pointing an accusing finger at Việt Nam. "Why else would she have let him escape and then chase him into the forest? She was helping him the whole time!"
"I was not!" Việt Nam surged forward, wrapping a hand around Slovakia's throat. "You try and keep a grip on him! He's like a wet fish, easy to lose a grip on!" Slovakia's hand flew to Việt Nam's and his eyes widened at the strength.
"Vietnam!" Germany grabbed Việt Nam's wrists and wrenched her back. "No one is blaming you for anything."
Việt Nam blinked before she realized what she had done and her eyes widened. Releasing Slovakia, she backed away quickly.
"I am sorry, Slovakia," she said. "I didn't mean to lose my temper like that."
Slovakia coughed, massaging his bruising throat. Switzerland sent his older brother a suspicious look.
"Are you alright, Vietnam?" Austria asked carefully.
"Of course I'm fine," Việt Nam snapped. "Are we going to search for the bastard or not?"
"We are," Germany said. "You and Belgium are staying here."
"What?" Việt Nam's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Why do I have to stay here?"
"Ja!" Belgium crossed her arms defiantly. "I can fight!"
"Ja, you can, Bel," Switzerland assured his wife. "But Albania must have hit Vietnam hard on the head."
"That's the only way he could have escaped," Germany agreed. "Vietnam is too skillful when it comes to the forest."
"I guess so." Belgium chewed her lip, a look of worry passing over her face. "Do you promise to be careful?"
"Always." Switzerland kissed his wife on the lips before following a distressed Germany. Slovakia sent Việt Nam a strange glance as he passed her.
)O(
The five nations passed through the trees, studying each one carefully. Albania was well known for being able to change his appearance in an instant. Mimicking everything from humans to large plants.
"Does anyone else think Vietnam's acting weird?" Slovakia finally asked as he straightened up.
"You mean apologizing to you?" Switzerland asked. He used his rifle to lift a fern, checking underneath the plant.
"Perhaps she had a change of heart?" Austria offered, peeking into a fallen log.
"Nie, I don't that's it." Slovakia shook his head. "She just yelled at Germany and Switzerland two hours ago for that big war."
"Albania's sly," Germany said. He straightened up and turned to scan the forest. "He could have easily snuck up on Vietnam and knocked her out."
"Wunderbar," Austria sighed. "Now we are looking for a shadow, ja?"
The four nations jumped in surprise when Portugal suddenly screamed into the trees.
"Albânia!" Portugal cupped her hands around her mouth. "You come we give you . . . eh." She glanced at her husband. "What that word?" Slovakia slapped his forehead.
"That's not going to work, Portugal," Germany sighed. "Even for money."
"Albania's clever, not stupid," Switzerland added. He marched off into the woods to search another area. There was a pounding of footsteps before something collided with Switzerland. The nation leapt to his feet, a grin on his face. It quickly disappeared when he caught sight of the nations surrounding him.
"Oh, mut!" Albania attempted to dart past Germany, but the nation was too quick.
"Nein!" Germany tackled him to the ground and jerked Albania's arms back roughly. "You are not going anywhere!"
Switzerland groaned from where he had been knocked over. Slovakia leaned over to knock him on the head.
"Why do you always treat me like a criminal?" Albania moaned, tugging on his arms lightly. "I didn't do anything!"
"You stole the key and slipped out of your handcuffs," Germany growled as he handcuffed Albania's hands together. "And I am going to make sure you won't be able to do that this time."
"I didn't have the key," Albania said after a moment of silence. "I just popped my thumb out and slipped the cuff off. Want to see?"
"Nein." Germany motioned to Switzerland, who was by now hitting Slovakia over the head in revenge. "Switzerland, do you have any gauze with you?"
"Ja." Switzerland gave Slovakia one last good thump over the head before he fished a roll of gauze from his back pocket. He tossed it to Germany.
"Danke." Lining up the gauze with Albania's right hand, Germany began to wrap the nation's fingers together.
"Çfarë?" Albania struggled against Germany, almost breaking free from the nation. "What are you doing?" Germany grunted and pressed down harder on Albania to hold him still.
"If you can't move your fingers," he said. "Then you can't steal." Albania huffed but laid obligingly still. Portugal cocked her head, studding the nation carefully.
Finished with Albania's right hand, Germany moved on to bind his left hand. With that done, the two hands' palms were pressed together and bound with gauze.
"Up," Germany growled, forcing Albania to stand. Albania stumbled to his feet, muttering curses under his breath.
"Let's head back." Austria dragged his younger brother away from Slovakia in an attempt to keep him from attacking the other nation again.
Slovakia wrapped an arm around Portugal's shoulders as he followed the group, keeping a wary eye on Switzerland. Portugal blinked in surprise when she passed by Albania. The earring Turkey had forced upon the nation was gone.
o)O(o
Cyprus looked up from the Bluetooth he had been talking into for the last few minutes. England, Scotland, Wales, Hungary, and Egypt looked worried as they waited for news.
"Canada and Finland made it there in time," Cyprus announced. There was a unanimous sigh of relief. "But . . ."
"But what?" England ruffled her wings nervously. Scotland blew a smoke ring into the air and Wales batted it out of his face.
"Norway, France, Romano, and Romania were captured," Cyprus admitted. "And several of the others were badly injured. We need to get them back to base as soon as possible."
"France was what?" England asked in a hushed voice. Her wings fell limp against her back, the tips trailing on the ground.
"Good riddance," Scotland muttered under his breath. He yelped when England started beating him over the head.
"He's my bloody husband, you git!" England shrieked. "Can't you be nice for once in your bloody life?"
"Get off!" Scotland shoved his younger sister off but she just attacked him again. Wales inched away to Cyprus' side.
"Who was injured?" Wales asked as he watched his siblings' fight.
"Turkey," Cyprus began to count off on his fingers. "Korea, North Korea, Spain, and Latvia. The others are simply bruised or scratched up."
"At least it's not that bad," Wales offered weakly. He flinched when Scotland howled in pain, England having just scratched him.
"Those aren't nails!" Scotland shouted, escaping his sister once more. "Those are claws!"
"Oh, shut up and come down here so I call kill you!" England snapped.
"We just lost five of our nations," Cyprus pointed out. "The others can't fight and they only have two nations to protect them."
"We're in Estonia," Hungary added. "We won't be able to make it there in time to help." Egypt watched the group silently from where he stood.
"If those two gits would stop fighting we might be able to." Wales jerked his head at England and Scotland. "Britannia can do a brilliant teleportation spell."
"But we were told to search a house here," Cyprus argued.
"Then what should we do?" Wales asked uncertainly. "We can't just leave the other nations to fend for themselves. What if a human comes across them?"
"I think we should-." Whatever Cyprus was going to say was cut off by Egypt's shout.
"Duck!" Egypt hit the ground quickly, dragging Cyprus with him. Wales was quick to fall to the ground beside the two other nations. Scotland and England were too busy bickering to have heard Egypt.
"Mi van?" Hungary turned around to look at what Egypt had been staring at. She screamed in surprise when a net was thrown over her. She tried to escape the woven threads but only succeeded in tangling herself up in it.
Two more nets were thrown over Scotland and England, capturing them as well.
"What the bloody hell?" England tore at the netting around herself. Scotland rolled over on the ground to right himself before exhaling smoke, preparing to breathe fire.
"Scotland! Britannia!" Wales shouted helplessly. He almost raced to his siblings' aid but managed to keep himself down.
"Hi!" Korea leapt off the roof, landing beside England. "Did you miss us, da-ze?"
"They don't even know us," Taiwan pointed out as she and Iceland dropped beside him. "How could they miss us?"
"I don't know, da-ze." Korea shrugged. Iceland turned to look up at the roof expectantly.
"Come down from there, België!" Taiwan called up.
"Don't tell me what to do," a voice snapped back. A young woman leapt from the roof and landed with a thump on the ground. "I thought I already warned you about that."
Scotland grabbed a piece of netting and exhaled a small stream of fire at it.
"Sorry," Taiwan giggled, squatting down beside the nation. "That's fire resistant. You won't be breaking out of that for a while."
"Shite!" Scotland tried to spread his wings but only managed to tangle them in the netting. England tried to wrench her arms free and found herself twisted in the strings.
"What do you bloody want?" England finally demanded.
"Great." België rolled her eyes. "She's asking questions. Can we just cut their tongues out?"
"No!" Taiwan glared at België. "Why would we do that?" België just shrugged.
"What do you think we want, da-ze?" Korea crouched beside England, looking excited to hear her answer.
Cyprus held his breath, inching backward carefully. A hand snapped out and grabbed his arm. Wale shook his head quickly.
"Wait," the winged nation whispered as quietly as he could. "I'll create a diversion and you can escape."
"You idiots," Hungary hissed. "Get of here now! Don't bother playing hero."
"On my mark," Wales said quietly. He moved into the position of a runner, ruffling his wings. "One."
Egypt and Cyprus both rose slowly, watching the Wars carefully.
"Two." Wales tensed his legs and spread his wings slightly.
"How would I bloody know?" England snapped at Korea. She wrenched at her arms, wincing when one cut into her skin. "You're the gets kidnapping us."
Korea scowled and glanced over his shoulder, freezing. "Hey, da-ze!" The other three Wars whirled around to see what he was shouting at.
"Go," Wales hissed before kicking off the ground and spreading his wings, soaring over the Wars. Cyprus and Egypt took off, desperately trying to reach the forest before the Wars could catch them.
"Get them, da-ze!" Korea shouted, pointing at the nations.
Wales swooped down from the air and landed between Korea and the escaping nations. Two dust devils swirled beside him. The Wars backed away while trying to shield themselves from the dirt.
"Shite!" Scotland roared. "Wales, get out of here before ye get caught too!"
Wales spared a glance over his shoulder before he slowly backed away, preparing to spring back into the air. Korea coughed, managing to clear the dust of his eyes before moving to attack Wales. Wales kicked off hard and flapped his wings to pull himself high. He shouted in surprise when België leapt up to wrap her arms around his legs.
"Wales!" England shouted helplessly, struggling against her net.
"Gah!" Wales and België hit the ground hard in a heap of feathers and dust. "Ow." The winged nation struggled to get up but België pinned him to the ground.
"Can I cut his tongue out?" België asked hopefully. Wales froze at the word.
"No!" Korea and Taiwan shouted at the same time.
)O(
Cyprus stared in horror at the four trapped nations. He and Egypt backed away quickly, grateful for the cover of the trees. Cyprus pressed on the Bluetooth in his ear.
"This is Cyprus in Estonia," he said, swallowing hard. "Hungary, Scotland, England, and Wales have just been captured. We need backup."
Egypt grabbed the younger nation's arm, pointing at the three large forms barreling toward him.
"Run!"
Both nations turned and tore off into the trees, praying someone could get to them in time.
o)O(o
Vietnam sighed peacefully when she awoke. For a split second she thought she was back home. And then she remembered falling asleep in the same room as Albania. The first thing she noticed was Albania's jacket covering her. The second was the absent owner of the jacket.
"Albania?" Vietnam called softly. When she got no response, she bolted upright, allowing the jacket to slip off her. "Albania!"
"You called?" Britain asked as he leaned once more against the doorframe, his arms crossed. He quirked an eyebrow at Vietnam's scars.
"Where is Albania?" Vietnam demanded. She groped blindly on the floor for the jacket, desperate to cover her scars.
"We just wanted to have a little chat with him." Britain stepped into the room, eyeing Vietnam in an almost hungry way.
"About what?" Vietnam slowly pulled the jacket on, zipping it up to her throat. "You already asked him what he told us. I didn't lie."
"Actually," Britain said, scowling at the jacket. "He wanted to tell you something. Shall we go?" He motioned to the door with a sweep of his arm.
Vietnam remained seated for a moment before she finally stood and moved slowly out of the room. Britain followed her, occasionally telling her when to turn. When they reached a familiar door, Vietnam heard a high pitched keening coming from the room. Vietnam froze at the sound for a moment before she rushed at the door.
"Albania!" she screeched, ripping the door open.
Albania hung in the air, his hands bound behind him and painfully held up. His face was a mask of agony as he weakly wailed in pain.
"Why are you doing this?" Vietnam demanded, rounding on Britain. "I already told you!"'
"Because we can," Britain said with a shrug. He didn't wince when Albania hit the ground with a thump behind Vietnam. "Tell me something." He moved to stand before Vietnam. "How many nations has he wronged? How many Wars do you think would love to get their hands on him?"
Vietnam glared at Britain, hatred in her eyes. "Nearly everyone," she said.
"That's right." Taking Vietnam by the shoulders, Britain sun her around. "And would you like to know something else?"
"Những gì?" Vietnam asked stiffly, her eyes glued on the whimpering Albania.
"Who do you think created napalm?" Britain whispered in Vietnam's ear.
A feeling Vietnam was all too familiar with struck. Her stomach sunk and her heart lurched. Pain, fury, betrayal. It all flashed through Vietnam too quickly for her stop it.
Albania choked back a sob, his forehead hitting the ground. His shoulders were swollen and showing obvious signs of injury. Long cuts covered his entire back and bruises decorated his legs.
A whip suddenly appeared before Vietnam, offered by Éire.
Vietnam couldn't tear her eyes away from Albania. She had trusted him with her life's history. Her darkest secrets. And he had lied to her. Hidden his own.
Vietnam's fingers twitched and she screamed, completely ignoring Éire.
"Đồ khốn!" Surging forward, Vietnam grabbed Albania by the hair and slammed him into the wall. "How dare you!" Albania screamed in pain, struggling against Vietnam.
"I guess she won't be needing it," Britain said in surprise.
"Is there something you won't do for money?" Vietnam demanded. "Let's light your forests on fire and see how you like it!" She slammed Albania's head into the wall before letting him drop to the floor,
"Vietnam," Albania rasped. "Please."
"Không." Vietnam kicked Albania in the stomach. "I am done with you! I tried to help. God knows why I did, but I tried to help. And look where it landed me. In trouble!"
"By all means." Britain motioned to a table covered in rather dangerous looking items. "Feel free to help yourself."
Vietnam glared at Albania before moving to examine the table. Her fingers moved over the tools before she turned to Britain.
"Brand," she ordered. "I want a brand."
Britain quirked an eyebrow but shrugged, striding to the furnace and removing a glowing piece of iron. He moved to Vietnam and handed it to her carefully.
"No." Albania's eyes widened and he struggled to back away from Vietnam, screeching when his shoulders were jostled.
"Let's see how you like feeling your skin burn," Vietnam snarled as she approached Albania. "Do you have any idea what napalm feels like?" She ripped the jacket open to reveal her scars.
"Please," Albania begged. "Vietnam, don't."
"Why not?" Vietnam forced Albania onto his back and pinned him down with a foot on his stomach. The brand hovered over his heart.
"I'm sorry!" Albania struggled against Vietnam. "I didn't mean for it to go like that! They said they wanted something easy to burn. They didn't tell me they were going to use it on you!"
"Has that ever stopped you before?" Britain crossed his arms and leaned against the table. "Don't forget about the atomic bombs or Dresden, now."
"Shut up," Vietnam snapped at Britain. She whirled around back to Albania. "What did you say?"
"They said they wanted something that could burn easily," Albania admitted. "They didn't-."
"Before that." Vietnam waved a hand. "What did you say?"
"I didn't mean for it to go like that," Albania said hoarsely.
"And before that," Vietnam hissed.
"I'm sorry," Albania whimpered.
Vietnam straightened up, an unreadable look on his face. The fury and betrayal stewing in her heart dissipated and she was left with a warm feeling she had quite forgotten. The brand clattered to the floor, unused.
"No one's ever said that to me before," she said softly. "And sounded like they meant it."
"Get her out of here," Britain snapped.
Éire grabbed Vietnam by the arm, dragging her out. The last she saw was Britain and Polska descending on Albania before the door closed. Albania's screams echoed down the hall as she was dragged away.
"Albania!" Vietnam screamed helplessly, fighting against Éire. "Let me go! Albania!"
Éire grunted, dragging Vietnam back to her cell before throwing her in. Vietnam stumbled to the floor before she whirled around and lunged at the door, but Éire slammed and locked it before the nation could reach it.
"Albania!" Vietnam pounded on the door with her fists until they hurt. That didn't stop her, though. She continued to punch the wood until there were splinters in her hands and her arms hurt. Sliding down the door, she sobbed into her knees.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."
There was a clinking noise beside Vietnam. Whirling around, her hands flying to where her gun would have been, Vietnam tensed. But all she saw was a golden ring on the floor with an emerald set into it.
"Where did this come from?" Vietnam picked up the ring, examining it. Realization dawned on her and she dug through the pockets of her jacket. She felt a piece paper brush her fingers in one and she grabbed it, all but ripping it open. The writing was sloppy, as if written by a weak hand.
Hey, sweetheart,
You're probably worried right now. Please don't cry. I promise I'll be alright. I bet you can even see through that lie. Listen, I know a lot about these Wars. They could care less about you. They're getting the chance at revenge. I've had worse before, I can tell you that much. And I promise you this: I WILL FIND YOU. I am not going to leave you alone, I will come back. Keep the ring as my word. I can hear the Wars coming, so I need to hurry up. I won't be coming back this time. I don't know what they'll do to me, but I know it's going to be bad. I want you to stay strong and make it out. I got to go now.
With love,
Guess who?
Vietnam traced with words, her fingertips barely brushing the paper.
"With love," she repeated softly. A smile quirked at her lips before she examined the ring. "Chết tiệt thief," she muttered.
Standing, Vietnam moved to the center of the room and sat down, preparing to use her long patience for her imprisonment.
"There is no way I'm dying in here," Vietnam said firmly to herself. "That chết tiệt thief stole my heart and I'm getting it back."
o)O(o
Morocco glared at the computer on the table before her. Two more were already smashed beyond repair, courtesy of the older nation. Several of the other nations were attempting to rescue one of the last computers from the vengeful female. They now understood how she managed to keep her brothers in line.
"Mrs. Morocco," Liechtenstein said weakly, Czech having fled to a closet. "Perhaps you should leave the computers to North Russia and Hong Kong."
"Perhaps." Morocco reached and tapped a key. She blinked in surprise when the screen went blank. "What did I press?" She picked up the keyboard and began examining it.
"The power button," Hong Kong said bluntly from braiding Bauhinia's hair.
Andorra sat in a chair by the window, the saddest any nation had ever seen her before. She hadn't flirted with any of the male nations in hours.
"Give it to me," New Zealand grumbled and sat down, taking the keyboard and turning the computer back on. Morocco gave the technology a warning glare before turning to the other nations.
"Have we set a perimeter yet?" Morocco asked.
"Can I go?" Bauhinia asked excitedly, but Hong Kong pushed her hand down.
"No," Hong Kong said firmly. "You would just light something on fire. Again."
"Besides." Morocco gathered some sheets in her hands. "We need beds made for incoming injured." Andorra whimpered and hid her face in her arms.
"I'll go," Northern Ireland said softly. "I can check from the sky."
"I will go too," Liechtenstein said. "Big Brother and Bel have taught me how to use a gun and fight."
"Very well." Morocco nodded. "Northern Ireland, Liechtenstein, Indonesia, and North Russia will run a perimeter. Keep in contact with us at all times."
"Aw, why don't I get to go?" Bauhinia whined. "Indonesia does!"
"Stop whining or I'll make go shopping with Korea again," Hong Kong warned. That shut Bauhinia up right away.
Northern Ireland stood and flexed his wings. Much to both his and Turkey's relief, his wings had healed on their own just fine. With a bit of magic from England and Norway, of course.
"Shall we go then?" Northern Ireland asked.
"Ja!" Liechtenstein patted the handgun on her hip. "I'll start on the east side and head south around up to the west."
"I will go with Liechtenstein," Indonesia announced. North Russia nodded and headed to Northern Ireland to join him.
"Come on." Seychelles grabbed Bauhinia's hand and began to drag her from the room. "Let's go make those beds."
"It's really creepy how good you are at making beds," Bauhinia commented to the blind nation. "Did New York really teach you that much? Ow!" She rubbed her head from where Hong Kong had thrown a rubber ball at her.
Morocco sighed, watching the two small nations leave before turning to Andorra. She carefully sat down beside her and wrapped her arm around the French-Spanish nation.
"Are you alright, Andorra?" she asked, brushing some hair out of Andorra's face.
"No." Andorra wiped a tear from her face. "Spain and Turkey are hurt and France has been taken. What if they don't get better? What if we all get captured?"
"They'll be alright." Morocco pressed a kiss on top of Andorra's head. "Don't worry. Everyone will come back safe and sound."
"But what if they don't?" Andorra whimpered. She leaned into Morocco's embrace. "France and Spain won't let me be with Turkey and I hate it."
"Oh, I know, sweetheart." Morocco stroked Andorra's hair softly. "I know exactly what that is like."
"Do you?" Andorra sniffed, looking up at Morocco.
"I am from Africa." Morocco quirked an eyebrow. "How do you think all those white men thought when I married their nation?"
"How come people are so mean?" Andorra looked back out the window longingly. "I just want to be with Turkey. But I can't because he's 'a bad influence' and 'just trying get revenge'. And you couldn't love America because you're African and he's white."
"Because love is a very trying thing," Morocco said softly. "It comes up with all sorts of tests to make sure you are ready. Did I ever tell you about the time America was hunted by my brothers?"
Andorra shook her head but smiled a bit. "What happened?"
"Well." Morocco settled back, pretending not to notice the other nations listening in on the story. "America was heading back from New York. It was dark out and he wanted to make it back before the next day. His horse was already nervous in the dark when he heard a thundering of hooves behind him."
"This sounds like that Saul Reverend story Delaware was telling," Andorra commented.
"Paul Revere," Hong Kong corrected automatically, before remembering she was supposed to be working on the computer.
Morocco grinned and returned to her story. "America glanced over his shoulder and saw several horses tearing after him, weapons drawn. They were shouting out all sorts of war cries as they charged toward him. America's horse panicked and bolted. They were led on a merry chase through the woods for most of the night. I became worried when my husband had not returned after midnight. So I went out to search for him."
"Where did you find him?" Andorra asked curiously.
"I found my brothers trying to sell America to a slave company," Morocco said dryly. "I nearly killed them when I got my hands on them. My poor husband was quite shaken up by it."
"But . . ." Andorra frowned thoughtfully. "I thought the slaves were only black."
"You'd be surprised by what my brothers can do." Morocco shook her head, a small smile gracing her lips.
"Have you been back recently?" New Zealand asked over his shoulder. "Back to Africa?"
"I have not." Morocco looked saddened at the fact. "I am able to work from America's house easily. But I have not been there in a few centuries. Many of my friends have stopped calling."
"Huh." Hong Kong leaned back in her chair. "I know the rest of Asia stopped talking to Teacher centuries ago."
"I didn't get to talk to the rest of Europe," Andorra pouted. "France and Spain made me stay home with the princes. They got really made when I somehow ended up engaged to Louis XIV."
"You poor girl." Morocco patted the younger nation on the head consolingly.
"What is it like?" New Zealand asked.
"What is what like?" Morocco turned to look at the island nation.
"Africa," New Zealand clarified. "I mean, they never leave their houses. Even if they did, they returned as soon as they could. You, Seychelles, and Egypt are the only three nations to actually stay out for a long time."
"Africa." Morocco set her jaw and grief flooded her eyes. "It's a dangerous place for any of you to be. Even the Asian nations."
"I'm sure Vietnam would be fine," Hong Kong said. She leaned back just a bit more, tipping dangerously. "She did fight in the Vietnam War and kick America's butt."
"No war can prepare you for Africa," Morocco said coldly. "Let us pray the Wars never gain any of the other African nations. There are too many civil wars due to Europeans."
Andorra blushed and looked out the window.
The room was silent for a moment before Hong Kong's chair tipped all the way back and she landed on the floor with a loud crash.
A/N: What did you think?
I hate colds so much. Remember, hugs!
Oh, right. Milana is our beloved sister who corrects us. And for that we are thankful.
Spanish-American War – (1898) Cuba/America vs. Spain
Casualties: 17,135
Results: American victory and the collapse of the Spanish Empire