Here is the final part for this short story. I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
England, France and the former Axis powers carefully watched the tired forms of the twins walk by them in the morning. It was an interesting sight to see, both walked down with their eyes closed, giving England a heart attack every single time they looked like they would fall down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, the other nations watched as they bumped into walls with their eyes closed and mumbling to themselves.
This had been the routine every morning for the last few days, since the nations forced America and Canada to let them stay with them.
After the twins had their coffee and pancakes, they would wake up and stare blankly at them like they were wondering what they were still doing there. But today something was different about the twins. They looked like they didn't get any sleep at all.
"Good morning you two," England politely says.
"Ja. Good morning."
"Good morning!"
"Good morning America-san, Canada-san."
"Hmm? Yeah good morning everyone." America lazily but politely replies.
The other nations noticed the large bags under both of the younger nations' eyes, hair messier than usual, and a bit of dirt smudge on their pajamas and face.
"Mon petites are you two alright? Did you get enough sleep?" France asked concerned.
"What? Oh yes… we…" Canada yawned then continued to talk. "we got enough sleep, France."
Everyone knew that wasn't true, America and Canada didn't even get up from the table to make pancakes or coffee. The twins stared off into space, eyes clouded, obviously lost to the world. Suddenly, America's head fell to the table, earning a loud thump and CRACK onto the table. Soon followed by Canada who made a sizable crack in the already damaged table.
The others were stunned at what just happened, none moving until the cracking of the table sounded again. Immediately crumbling before their eyes, along with the twins. England and France went to their children's sides, looking for any wounds on their faces. England released a breath of relief, both were unharmed but were completely knocked out.
"We better put them into bed," Germany said and proceeded to pick up America since he was the next strongest out of the other nations. The others helped picked up Canada as Italy guided them up the stairs.
When they reached the top, Germany paused on his movements.
"What is wrong Germany-san?"
"Where should we put America and Canada? They told us not to go into their rooms."
A silence followed soon after as the others thought about their current dilemma.
"Ve~ How about we put them in one of our rooms? That way we do not mess with their rule about going into their rooms?" Italy happily suggested.
"Good plan Italy! Big brother France is so proud of you!"
"Alright let's put them in my room." England directed everyone to his guest room and placed the twins onto the bed.
After putting the twins to bed, everyone proceeded down the stairs to figure out their next move.
"I think now would be the best time to check the basement. There is something suspicious down there. Let us go down before they wake up." Germany quickly walked towards the basement with the others quickly following.
The nations didn't notice anything out of the ordinary as they tried to find a way to open the basement door. As the others tried to pick the lock, Italy was just humming and looking around the hallway, until he spotted a dirt trail leading away from the basement door. Italy followed the trail curiously all the way towards the wall. Upon closer inspection, Italy found a small open space within the wall, almost unnoticeable at first glance.
"Germany I found something like a secret door!"
Italy's exclamation immediately had everyone's attention. Before he could say anything else, England and Germany were inspecting the wall.
"Aha!"
Excitement overruled the guilty emotion at the nations' discovery. When the wall was moved, the nations stood in awe at the secret door before them.
"Well then, I am going in." England's sense of adventure spread to the others.
The secret door will answer questions that have been plaguing their minds, hopefully before the twins wake up.
The little light from the moon allowed for some visual aid in the dark forest, but the noises of the nocturnal animals. The hoots from the owls and rustling from the wind, gave an eerie atmosphere. The wind carried all kinds of sounds, but if one listened intently, though could hear little sounds of sniffling and crying and humming.
A sickly Native America hummed to her crying twins. A loud, wet and hoarse cough escaped from her mouth, worrying the twins even more.
"Mama? Are you alright?" Kanata's voice filled with worry.
Large tears fell from the baby blues of the twins. They buried their faces into Native America's chest, in hopes to keep her warm and make sure she won't disappear on them. Suddenly, determination ran through Maska. He looked at his sleeping mother with determined filled eyes.
"Don't worry Mama! I will find something to cure you!"
With that he got up to leave in search of help for his mother.
"Kanata take care of Mama!"
"No! You can't leave! I won't let you go alone! Mama will be worried when she wakes up! " Kanata cried out.
"But Kanata, someone needs to protect Mama!"
"But I don't want you to leave! I will come with you!"
Maska and Kanata glared at each other in determination and stubbornness. Eventually, Maska groaned in acceptance.
"Alright but let's hurry!"
"Come on Nanuq!"
The little white polar bear that was currently sleeping, woke up and quickly followed the tots.
Minutes passed, and the twins looked for everything and anything that could help cure their mother's sickness. As they walked farther and farther, the twins became tired with every step they took, dirtying and ripping parts of their clothing.
"Maska I'm tired."
"I know Kanata. Let's go back."
They tried to find their way back but the darkness made it especially hard.
"Maska we're lost!"
"D-don't cry… don't cry…* sob*… Kanata."
"Waaahh!" Tears fell from their eyes, both crying until a small nudge distracted them. Nanuq lick their tears away, earning giggles from both.
"Climb onto me."
Nanuq lead the way through the forest with the twins comfortably riding upon the bear's back. The twins were becoming sleepy with each passing minute. Soon the bear lead them to a clearing and a cabin was spotted up ahead. The cabin was abandoned, a few graves nearby, showing the former inhabitants were no longer in the world.
Nanuq carefully opened the cabin door and lead the children inside.
After rummaging into some chests and other items, the little polar bear found two white gowns with bloomers, telling the children to change into clean clothes. The twins were too tired to argue and did as they were told.
Nanuq carefully helped them up onto the bed along with himself. The twins cuddled closer to the bear in order to stay warm. Everyone sleeping peacefully through the rest of the night.
Sounds of horses galloping nearby along with loud voices, woke the twins from their slumber. Nanuq was quick to be on alert, sniffing the air. Quickly, he licked them to wake them up faster.
"Hurry. We must leave."
"But I'm still sleepy Nanuq." Maska tiredly complained as Kanata was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. However, before the bear could get the children out of the cabin, two men opened the door ruffle and swiftly, startling the children awake.
"I told you frog! No one lives in this house! We can rest here until then."
"Oh Angleterre, no need for yelling! My delicate ears can only handle so much!"
"Don't make me punch you."
Growling startled the two men from their bickering, turning their attention towards the polar bear guarding two bundles that were hiding from view. England quickly grabbed his pistol aiming it at the bear. The twins saw what he was going to do and immediately jumped in front of the bear.
"NO!"
France immediately pushed England's hand in the other direction away from the children.
The twins were clutching Nanuq and each other desperately. Seeing the children jump out, surprised both older nations. Seeing the frightened children, England carefully put his pistol away and crouched down towards their level to show that he wasn't going to harm them.
"Sh…There, there. We won't hurt you." England cooed softly towards them.
"Qui. We are like you." France smiled warmly at them.
"We don't know what you're saying." Maska and Kanata chorus with confused faces, sniffling a little.
The confused looks of the twins was enough of a hint to let the two men know of the language barrier.
"Alright….I am ENGLAND. ENGLAND." England pointed to himself as he said his name, hoping they would understand. The twins stared at him a little while longer with confused faces.
"ENGLAND. EN-GL-AND."
"Eng-wa-nd?" Maska asked pointing to the green eyed nation.
England brightened up at the cooperation of one of the children.
"Yes. Yes. ENGLAND."
"Kanata. I think he is telling us his name. Try saying it."
"Eng-wa-nd." Kanata struggled to pronounce the word.
"Engwand! Engwand!" The twins happily chirped and clapped their hands in amusement.
"I am FRANCE. FR-AN-CE."
The twins looked at the other nation in awe as France pointed towards himself.
"Fw-an-ce?" they both asked pointing towards the Frenchman.
"Qui. FRANCE!"
"Fwance! Fwance! Engwand! Enwand!"
The happy laughter and smiles from the tots made both of the older nations smile. Then the children pointing towards themselves.
"Maska."
"Kanata."
Both twins smiled, hoping the nations would say their names. England and France stared confused for a moment until they understood that they were telling them their names. Both smiled gently at them, but shook their heads in amusement.
"I think I shall call you… America." England pointed to Maska.
"Ame-wi-ca?" Maska asked surprised and confused.
"Yes. AMERICA."
"Amewica! Amewica!"
Next France pointed towards Kanata.
"And you shall be…CANADA."
"Ca-na-da?"
America pointed towards himself and happily continued to say his new name along with his twin. Each giggling at the new words that they had learned.
Nanuq had watched the entire interaction with calculating eyes, but came to accept them… somewhat. As long as the children were happy and not in danger, he wouldn't worry too much.
England and France interacted with the twins all day, until late into the night where they fell asleep in their new caretakers' arms. England and France smiled at their new children.
America and Canada abruptly woke from sleep. Something amiss in the house, had woken them up. Heavy breathing and sweat came from both of the North Americans. Without telling each other and more on instinct, they grabbed their glasses and ran down the stairs.
Noticing the lack of sounds from their guests, they immediately checked the entire floor. When no one was found, the twins headed towards the basement to make sure it was u touched.
The bare feet hit the floor in a hurry and what they saw brought shock and anger and many mixed emotions that were currently swirling all around them.
"Let's go." America said seriously as he and Canada went through the opened secret door. They needed to prevent the others from reaching the center of the garden. The older nations weren't seen at the end of the hallway, and immediately, the twins headed towards the center to make sure they haven't reached it.
Quietly, they weaved through the garden to get ahead of the other nations. America and Canada heard the others close by and decided to intercept them then and there.
The others were currently admiring the beautiful garden and could see that it was well taken care of, making them wonder why they would try and hide the garden. They could see a clearing up ahead and figured that it was the center of the garden.
"The center must be even more beautiful than the rest. Hurry I want to see it!" France admired happily.
"Don't take another step!" Before the others could take another step two voices stopped them in their tracks. The others froze, fearful at being caught
America and Canada came out in front of their paths. Even though they were still in their pajamas with bed hair, their steal and angry gazes made the other nations very nervous.
"A-America, what are you doing out of bed? You two still need to rest." England tried to diffuse and distract the twins from the current situation. Unfortunately, the twins' glares turned fiercer. Everyone gulped in fear.
"WE. TOLD. YOU. NOT. TO. COME. DOWN. HERE." America's words are hissed towards the guilty nations, causing them to flinch.
"We-well,… um… we… were trying… to… um…." Germany stuttered and trailed off unsuccessfully.
"Waah. I'm sorry America and Canada! It was all Japan, England's and France's idea! And a little bit of Germany's idea! Please don't hurt me! I didn't want to do it but you two were acting so strange! And we were really worried about you!" Italy blurted out as he waved a white flag around showing he didn't want to be hurt.
The others looked a little miffed that they were sold out but that's too be expected with Italy.
America and Canada didn't say anything but pointed towards the exit. The others begrudgingly accepted their fate and left.
"We will catch up in a minute. But you better be out the secret door by the time we come back." Canada demanded.
The twins waited a few more minutes until they were more than positive that the others were not nearby, they released a sigh of relief.
"That was too close." America sighed as he ran a hand across his face before pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Tell me about it." Canada exasperated.
After checking on their mother once again to make sure she wasn't disturbed, the twins headed back up to the Parlor room where the other nations were waiting nervously for them. The older nations waited with stopped breaths, hoping they wouldn't be too punished by the twins.
"So, first off," America began cheerfully. "We hope you won't tell the other nations what you had seen because if you do…. Say hello to our dear friend Blackmail. I'm sure you want the others to see your most embarrassing or… private moments." America's sickly sweet smile grew wider with every word.
"Y-you wouldn't…" France truer to rebuttal.
"Oh but we would." Canada grinned evilly, making the others pale deeply.
"So… do we understand each other?" America asked sweetly.
Everyone nodded their heads in full agreement, America and Canada smiled in victory and clapped their hands together.
"Now that this is all settled. I would appreciate it if you all left on the next available plane. You all shouldn't over stay your welcome." America happily and forcibly suggested, but everyone could see that it was a demand.
Not wanting to anger them anymore, England, France and the former Axis Powers immediately headed towards their rooms to pack.
By the end of the day, the other nations had left, leaving the twins to themselves since that last few days.
"Finally they left." Canada said as he flopped onto couch.
America nodded in agreement. "Looks like we have another century or so, until they become curious again. Hopefully."
"Next time, let's place an alarm to scare the intruders away." Canada playfully suggested.
"Awesome idea if I do say so myself."
The rest of the day and the next few days, the twins had a peaceful time reminiscing about the past, all parts.
And at the next world meeting, the nations would resume their usual routine and no one would question the twins about anything. Though they still kept the blackmail handy, in case they slip.
Here is the final part for Secret Memories! I hope you enjoyed it! I worked really hard on this chapter, one of the reasons i hadn't updated earlier. :D
Thank you LadyLazarus33 for being my Beta Reader!
PLEASE REVIEW! They inspire me!
Until next chapter!