Chapter 3. Suspicion

"NATARIE-SAN!"

Somewhere deep in my heart I had suspected it, and known that there was something else there with us. I just hadn't wanted to be right. I hadn't wanted to realize that the tightening in my stomach and cold shivers up my skin had been a sign. So I had ignored it and it had caught me off guard when a looming shadow had suddenly engulfed me.

But Japan was still at the table, picking up a rice ball. He had looked up and dropped the piece of food, face paling as he shouted. I had tried to move as fast as I could, barely dodging the hand that tried to grip and crush my tiny body. The book was far gone now, ripped apart as the monster dragged its claws against the floor boards, creating deep gashes as it slowly looked up, its dark eyes glaring at me.

Then its attention had turned towards Japan, a strange grin pulling up its mouth to an unnatural degree. For a brief moment I wondered if that was what a Cheshire cat smile would like, but then Japan shouted and dodged the attack the beast had thrown.

It was so quick I had barely even seen it, but then I hadn't even realized Japan had a sword either. I could only watch with mouth agape and eyes dazed while Japan slashed his katana down upon the monster. Only causing the beast more agitation as it snarled and bared its teeth.

"Natarie-san! Get out and go to Doitsu-san!"

"Doi – ?" I stammered, stumbling onto my feet. I still had the pocket knife, but compared to Japan's own katana it was very small and useless in comparison. Hell, even in my delirious state I could tell that as much as Japan moved and rammed the blade into the monsters hide, there was no wound. Not even a scratch. So what would my blade to the monster in comparison?

"Ger- Germany!" I shrieked, running towards the door as fast as I could. But what could he do? Hadn't he been rendered into a broken state when Japan and I had found him? Would he not surrender to that same function when facing the monster? For fucks sake all he had was a whip!

I let loose a frustrated shriek. The door wasn't opening. Had the door locked when we closed it? "Ke-key – KEY; where the fuck is the key?!" I jerked back into the library, flinching and ducking in order to avoid being seen. As I pillaged the shelves and checked the flooring, searching desperately for the key I could hear that Japan was slowly losing the battle. He had even been knocked back and thrown over the desk, creating a painful impact into one of the shelves with a loud thump.

The noise had caught my attention and I had narrowly missed having my head cut off as I ducked and crawled behind one of the shelves. The monster, believing that Japan had been taken care of was now after me, determined not to let anyone in the room out alive.

"Imaimashī akuma, watashi wa anata no aiteda!"

For a brief moment all I heard was the muttering of Japan as the monster made its way back towards him, then a whoosh and out of the corner of my eye had seen the monster flying into the wall. I ignored it though with tear stricken eyes as I searched for the key.

I needed to find it, and then we could both leave and maybe lock the thing inside. But where was it? Did Japan still – I gasped, spotting a glimmer underneath one of the shelves as I crawled. There was the key! Had it been knocked under there during the battle? I didn't care to worry over it as I reached down and grasped the key.

"Japan! I have the key!" I shouted, turning round and paling as soon as I noticed that the creature had heard me too. It was now barreling towards me, its lips stretched over sharp fangs and claws curved as it raced forward.

"Doa ni isoide!"

A strange noise escaped me as I rolled to the side, scrambling to my feet and running for the door. Japan was right behind but so was the creature. There was no turning back as I dove for the door – momentarily stunning myself when I knocked the breath out me from the impact – fumbled with the key, slipt it into the lock and wrenched the door open, bolted out of the room and slammed the door behind us in our wake.

For a moment we stood there, panting and gasping, both listening intently for the creature. Would it follow us out? Where would we hide? Thoughts raced through my mind and soon enough my weak legs couldn't hold me up anymore, I crumpled to the ground.

Japan then did the same, dropping his head into his palms with a groan. For a moment or two that was all there was, both of us trying to calm our erratic beating hearts as we gulped and shuddered, skin ashen from the experience.

Then Japan gave a shaky laugh before exhaling slowly. "…Are you aright, Natarie-san…?" I nibbled on my lip before jerkily nodding my head while Japan stood. "Good…" He seemed to hesitate as he slowly motioned towards the stairs, "We rearry must find Itary-kun and Prussia-san… and your cousin."

I was falling again, a strange an empty falling that rushed me downwards. But I knew I was still moving and I knew I was still following after Japan. But I could hear, somewhere in the rushing in my ears, from far away I could hear voices. It was like what had happened in the Piano room… a thick white fog surrounding my senses, inside me –

"Why do you care?"

A disgruntled noise and the sound of someone shifting –

"You don't get it do you? Compared to us personified nations, your survivar –"

Squeaking I stumbled backwards, startled from my thoughts when Japan had jerked to a halt. For a moment I blinked, confusion flittering throughout my mind as I stared at the black haired male questioningly.

"J-Japan?"

We were now on the last floor with only two doors as our options, but Japan seemed more interested in his sleeve, scrutinizing it with a troubled expression. "Is something wrong, Japan? Why are we up here?"

He shook his head, tugging down his ripped sleeve. "Nothing, nothing at arr; but I did find a key whire we were in the ribrary, before the thing attacked." Japan showed me said key and it was much different to the one Germany had given us. This one was bronze in color and the handle curved, though it did have another note tied around the handle.

"Master key…? Shouldn't that open all doors though?"

"Not necessariry. Most master keys onry open the very top froors, usuarry were the head sleeps, and this is a mansion after arr." Japan explained, trying the first door. It was locked, not unsurprising but the key wouldn't work either, it didn't even fit. The next door though was the correct one to place the key in.

It was a quiet and practically empty room, some sort of office. Though there only seemed to be a few pieces of furniture, a single desk, a few chairs, and an eating table along with a few drawers. There was a rather large red chair against the wall along with a few book cases.

I stared at the chair and it seemed normal enough but the color of it, such a color of red that made me uneasy. I quickly turned away from it and examined the shelves, keeping an ear out for Japan while he rummaged through the drawers and checked beneath tables.

There was nothing of interest in the shelves though and no extra keys lying around. "Nothing…" Japan sighed, "Ret's go Natarie-san, and perhaps we can check that piano room you were speaking –."

Squee….

The sudden noise caused us both to jump, Japan drawing out his katana while I drew out my pocket knife. For a single moment all was quiet and Japan slowly lowered the sword while I looked up and down in confusion. Had it been the old wood floor? But it had seemed a bit closer to me, almost right near me but there was nothing but shelves surrounding the walls. I frowned –

Squee….

The noise happened again and I realized that it was coming from just behind the shelves. I grabbed a hold of the side and cautiously pulled it away from the wall. I huffed and looked down before gaping once I saw what had been making the noise.

It was some sort of small creature stuck in a crack of the wall, the white body nothing I had ever seen before. It was a ball-like creature, with no limbs. Its wide blue eyes, magnified by the glasses somehow perched on its face, staring innocently up at me. It squeaked again.

"A… a mochi?" Japan muttered as he squatted down to the creature's eye level. My brows furrowed and I mouthed the name of the creature in disbelief. Mochi… weren't those a type of food in Japan, like a candy?

I knelt down though and examined the creature. It was quite cute actually once I got a better view of it, the body was very pudgy and seemingly huggable. I flushed and poked its cheek, gaining its attention. It was so weird but so cute, especially when it squeaked again.

"Are you stuck little one?" Japan murmured, grabbing onto its sides and suddenly trying to tug it out. It hadn't helped much though as the tiny creature squeaked and seemed to complain. Japan kept trying though and suddenly…

Crack.

I gaped as Japan froze and let go of the mochi, holding onto his back desperately. "J-Japan? Was that –?"

"I'm not as young as I used to be!" Japan whined, kneeling down as he rubbed his poor back. Young? I blinked rapidly. The Asian male barely looked much older than me though. Japan sighed, wincing every once in a while. "Not rike this… I can't do it rike this."

"Ah um… wait, let me try Japan. Just… don't move. Hm, let's see… Okay little cutie, let's see if I can get you out." I carefully pressed my fingers down on its body and was surprised to find that the creature was actually very fluffy, much like a small dog. I tugged and grunted, face pinched as I tried to help the strange creature. But it was so stuck inside the wall that I couldn't pop it out.

"Ugh, darn! I can't… so darn cute too! I feel a little bad that it's stuck…"

I petted the small creature and smiled when the tiny thing began to purr and squeak. As I did so I began to gain that niggling feeling again, an uneasy stirring in my stomach while something tried to be remembered. Something was much too familiar about the mochi, its blue eyes sparkling in delight and the tiny blonde curl perched on its head swinging about happily –

"Holy crap! An actual Mochi!"

The sound of someone moving across a room – a squeak and purring – a door closing shut –

"Isn't that a little… too similar though –"

I shook my head and gazed down at the little mochi. It was whining because I had stopped petting the small creature. Had I seen this creature before – with Mireya? But the voice was different this time, softer and a bit deeper though I could still tell it was from a female.

But whomever it was had been excited at the sight of the mochi. Though I knew for certain that living and breathing mochi's such as this one shouldn't exist. In fact I had only read them in stories made for Hetalia. Yet here was an actual sentinel mochi, breathing and squeaking and purring as I returned to petting it.

Similar…. Yes something was similar, but to what I couldn't seem to recall. It was bothering me though and for some reason, deep in my bones, I knew it was important. The tightening of my stomach told me so, though the unease I felt inside was urging me of the idea that it was something wrong… something I wouldn't like.

Shaking my head and rubbing the mochi one last time I turned to Japan, he seemed to be doing better.

"Ah… I think Germany might be abre to get the mochi out… arthough…" Japan's face dropped at the thought of the blonde hiding in the closest. I already knew what he was thinking of; would Germany even really want to leave his confined space? He had been so rattled and out of sorts that I wouldn't doubt that Germany wouldn't put up a fight.

"I wonder if he'rr come out for this? Maybe I wirr have to drag him out…" Japan muttered while picking himself up, wincing and pressing a hand to his back once more. Japan allowed himself to recover for a few moments before he began to move. "No, we'rr have to ask him."

I noticed a curtain hanging to the side as Japan passed by it; he seemed to not care what was or could be behind it. Curious though and recalling how Germany had been hiding in a closet, I quickly made my way over and peeked inside. There was nothing really there aside from a tiny wooden box. Picking it up and shaking it, I realized that it was empty and the whole endeavor had been pointless.

With a dejected sigh I left the box behind and followed quickly after Japan, sending one last reassuring smile towards the mochi before I closed the door behind me.

Japan hadn't moved though, he was just standing in the middle of the hall, a frown on his lips as he gazed once more to his sleeve. It was pulled back enough for me to peer over, and I noticed that there seemed to be these spotted specs of dark red splattered on the kimono.

A closer look though showed no wound and I wondered if perhaps those spots had been there before Japan had entered the mansion. "Japan? Is something wrong – oh!" I pointed towards the other door. It was open but it hadn't been before… someone had opened it….

Hesitantly we entered, Japan fiddling with his good sleeve as the other hand rested on the hilt of the katana. I followed quietly behind; keeping my blade close, further into the room we realized that the unease and caution was unneeded.

The bedroom was empty save for two beds, a single table, some chairs, a few cabinets nestled in the corner wall, and some crates. There wasn't even a book case. It seemed as if the room was completely useless. Taking a few more steps in I noted the layer of dust that seemed to settle around the room.

It was strange, most of the other rooms and practically the manor itself were spotless but this one room was not. I frowned, now that I thought about even the piano room held some form of cleanliness despite the cobwebs hanging around the corners of the gray walled room.

Giving a grunt Japan began to search the room while I, having noticed a strange lever, made my way towards it. I ran a single finger over it and realized that there was no dust. I noticed that it seemed to be a three-way lever, with a rather small plaque next to it.

Up is Heaven.

Middle is Earth.

Down is Hell.

I paused and read it over again. Why did those words familiar? I tried to think but I couldn't seem to drudge up a memory with Mireya, not even one without her. My brain was practically dead to the frustration and so I turned back to the plaque. It had to be something else; it wasn't a personal familiarity –.

Had I done something similar to this? I nibbled my lip, trying to recall and then it hit me. But I didn't like the implications of the idea. It was practically preposterous! HetaOni… that was why the plaque appeared familiar and that was why the mochi and even that voice in my memory had said it was similar….

I had played the game once or twice yes, but I could recall momentarily having seen that mochi stuck in the wall and this plaque here as well. I stepped back and ignored Japan as he tucked something into his good sleeve, my brows furrowed while I examined the room.

HetaOni, it was an RPG based game. Though now that I thought of it, most of the rooms I had seen and the landscape of the manor were quite similar. Is it possible that this is –? No, was this a joke of some sort? Had Mireya lead me here for a prank? Was that why Japan and Germany – I shook my head and frowned. No, a joke wouldn't go so far as to hurt someone.

Mireya and surely those two were not so cruel. But then was it simply coincidence? Or is it true that this is – The monster surely didn't look like that fat thing in the game. Still I couldn't shake away the unease stirring inside my stomach, I had to be wary even if things appeared similar. It might be all coincidence but it could also mean that it was a clue of some sort so… "Heaven should be avoided then, right?"

"Excuse me?" I jumped and turned to face Japan. His cheeks were ashen and there seemed to be a wild look in his eyes. "Did you… did you say something just now, Natarie-san…?"

"Hm? Oh uh... nothing… just thinking is all." I cocked my head, a bit confused as to why Japan seemed uneased. Was he also just realizing the connections like I was? After all, Japan was a cosplayer so he must know of HetaOni. Just as I was about to question him he suddenly turned, his back towards me as he pressed a hand to the plaque.

Well that was a bit strange, I stared a second more before turning back to examining the room. Well either way I should probably avoid that little thought of HetaOni. For an odd moment I had begun to contemplate such a silly and farfetched idea – as if I was in a video game. The similarities were a bit uncanny yes, but perhaps I could chalk it up to references or a very devoted Hetalia –

VRRR….

A loud scraping noise begun to fill the room and I hadn't noticed but the bed had moved, revealing a rather large hole. I was much too preoccupied with spinning around, startled as I settled my wide eyes upon Japan that I had neither noticed my footing slip either. My world turned and changed, the wind rushing through my ears as I shrieked and landed roughly onto the floor below.

I could hear Japan frantically calling, "Natarie-chan!" from somewhere up above. I had barely even made the connection in change of honorifics as I tried to gain my bearings though. Groaning and shaking my head I gazed about the room, stiffening once realizing I was in the piano room. In the back of my mind I knew I was beginning to gain a fear of piano's… and their rooms.

Sighing I turned my gaze heavenward, squinting at the large hole in the ceiling. Japan's visage was blocking out most of the light so all I could make out was his body lining. But even so I could tell he was becoming frantic.

"Ah… I – I'm alright, Japan! It's just… I'm in the piano room, its one floor down."

"Yosa ni kansha..." Japan muttered. "Aright, prease move out of the way and I'rr jump down!"

"W-wait no! I can just –!" It was too late though, Japan had jumped through the hole. I yelped, rolling to the side in order to avoid being landed upon. Japan had made a more graceful landing but I couldn't help but mutter sarcastically, "…Open the door."

Sighing I brushed myself off and looked around the room warily. I really hated piano rooms.

"Ah, so this is the piano room, you were tarking about, Natarie-san?"

"Yah… there's nothing much inside here though. The cabinets are filled with white napkins and there is one single clock but it's not working. The piano plays though…"

Japan hummed and made his way towards the piano, pausing in front of it with narrowed eyes as he pressed one of the keys. "Did you aready see the numbers here, Natarie-san?" Startled by the question I walked over and was surprised to see colorful numbers painted on the key notes.

"N-no I, I hadn't really noticed it." I admitted, frowning when the RPG came to mind again and I couldn't help but shudder. Certainly someone, a human had to have done this, and it felt as if they were trying to convince me – that this was real. That the possibility of the game having come to life –

Dispelling the thought I tried to figure out what the numbers could be for, had they always been there though? I hadn't really been paying attention the first time I had been the in room and then the second was self-explainable. But I wondered if someone had instead drawn it in. Dragging a finger down the painted five I noted that it was dry. It must have been painted days before now. But who would have done it and what could they be for?

"A passcode… maybe? Did you ever find something that needed a code, Japan?"

He shook his head and began to make his way towards the door, "Though it could be someone's strange sense of humor. Perhaps it's of no rear importance." For some reason I couldn't help but feel that those words were a lie. Those numbers were there of more than just a whim, someone had deliberately painted them there….

When we entered the bedroom I couldn't help but gape. Where the curtain should have been was a grand iron door. Had the door always been there – or perhaps we had the wrong room? One glance at Japan though told me the room was correct.

Germany surely couldn't have made that in the time we were gone though. Had he found it? It was a preposterous thought but it was the only thing I had. I didn't want to accept the unease in my stomach, the feeling inside that things were familiar again.

I could recall that in the HetaOni RPG game Germany had also built a door. It was an unsettling feeling when I realized this and I quickly stepped back away from the door, turning around and glaring deeply at the wall. Why had that thought come back to me? Why was my brain seemingly determined to always bring it up?

"Doitsu-san?" Japan called out, tapping on the iron softly. Seconds ticked by and I couldn't help but wonder if Germany was even inside anymore.

"Is that you, Japan?" Germany's voice called out after a moment. So he was still here, but that still brought up the question of the iron door.

It had to be coincidence. The niggling doubt lingering in the pits of my stomach was urging me otherwise.

A game, that's all it was and ever will be – I nibbled on my lip, uncertainty spinning a web through my thoughts. But the events that had occurred up till now, it was all coming to the same situation. This was not a joke though! The monster was not a joke but… Is it possible that it could be –?

Pushing up my glasses with a scowl, I scolded myself. There was no such evidence suggesting it, yes things similar to it but how would it even be possible? Surely this –… it was simply coincidence. Yes, just… of course. I just believed that things appeared the same; perhaps I was looking too much into what could be only coincidence.

Out of nowhere the door there was a rather loud thud as the iron door closed, startling me as I spun around, and listening to what was followed by a few muffled German curses.

"…I see." Germany's voice came after a moment. "Okay, I'll go and get it out." Ah right the mochi. For a brief moment I suddenly realized I had forgotten about the mochi, so caught up in my thoughts that I had tuned out most of the conversation between Japan and Germany. The poor thing was probably frightened by now, teary-eyed as it wondered where we could possibly be. I smiled, Germany would help though –

"I just have a favor to ask of you." Japan and I startled, the male wanted a favor?

Japan blinked rapidly before nodding hesitantly. "Aright, if it's something I can do."

"Well you see… ah, I'm sorry but… I'm actually hungry. You don't happen to have anything with you for me to eat?"

I blinked. Food… the man wanted food. He couldn't be serious, surely he wasn't?

"To… eat?" Japan asked. "I'm sorry… I didn't bring any food with me, I don't believe Natarie-san has anything either…"

"I see!" Germany exclaimed. "So if it's not too much trouble, could you both please look for something to eat?"

"What?" The question had slipped out of my mouth before I could even filter it. Japan and Germany looked at me but I continued on. "That's impossible! This place is abandoned. There's no way there's any food in this place!"

"Bitte tun Sie es nur für mich!" Germany's voice was suddenly spiked in pitch. Was… was he pleading? "I have… I have no strength right now. Anything is fine just… find me something, okay?"

I turned to Japan questioningly but he stared at the door, head cocked in thought. This was something impossible to do, Japan and him must understand. How did Germany even expect both Japan and I to find food?

Japan seemed to hesitate before nodding, accepting the request Germany had asked of, and leaving me no choice but to go along with the idea.

"Hai, aright. We'rr take another rook around." He said before adding, as if wanting to give Germany more initiative to stay. "We have to rook for Itary-kun and Natarie-san's cousin anyways."

"I see! Danke!" With that there was a moment of silence before he spoke again from behind the door, voice muffled. "…By the vay, did either of you find mein bruder?"

For a moment I was confused before remembering that Japan had mentioned another aside from Italy. Of course – Prussia; he was Germany's brother in the anime as well. I almost felt ready to slap myself for having forgotten that little bit. Darn this situation and them cosplayers.

"Īe… but he should be fine." Japan blinked. "Somehow..."

"Sorry for the trouble…" Germany muttered, his voice muffled by the iron door. It was softer than it had been before, a tone that almost seemed to convey how regretful he felt of not being able to follow.

Nibbling my lip I turned away and placed a hand onto my stomach, wondering of when it had been the last time I had eaten. Perhaps the search would do well for us, I thought, trying to think positively of the situation.

Maybe Mireya had brought a bag? If she had perhaps it could have fallen around somewhere.

The sound of a clink caused me to return my attention and spot a bottle of…beer? Japan bent down and picked it up, frowning as he stared at the liquid inside. After all the trouble Japan had gone through to get him water, Germany had beer?

"Arigatō. We'rr be going now."

"Okay, Danke again."

Just like before I do not own the HetaOni franchise, only my Oc's and the plot going on here. :)

Translation Is Down Below This Text

Japanese (Romaji): Imaimashī akuma, watashi wa anata no aiteda English: Damn demon, I'm your opponent here!

Japanese (Romaji): Doa ni isoide English: Hurry to the door!

Japanese (Romaji): Yosa ni kansha English: Thank goodness…

Japanese (Romaji): Arigatō English: Thank you

German: Bitte tun Sie es nur für michEnglish: Please do it for me!

German: Danke English: thank you