Huhuhu~

Next chapter is ready :3

Also as a clearification for those of you who don't know:
Liam - Ireland

Gavin- Wales

Hetalia © Hima

Don't Lean On Me © Bringmemisery

Chapter 20 – For the Love Of!

"You have to be bloody kidding me," Arthur muttered as he set down his messenger bag.

Before him the ground had been littered in thousands of small white feathers. Remnants of what appeared to be pillows were scattered all over the staircase. A few of the couches had been flipped over – a pair of legs here draped over the side of one.

He took a few steps forward when his eyes caught sight of Peter walking out of the kitchen.

"You," Arthur shouted, and Peter's face fell.

"Don't blame me!" Peter cried, "It was Allistor's idea!"

"Where is he?"

"In the kitchen . . ."

Arthur rushed past him, but as soon as he entered the kitchen he lost his footing. Before he knew it his body slammed to the ground. He struggled to catch his breath as he remained motionless against the cold hard wood that was pressed against his back.

Then his vision was covered by two, unfortunately, familiar faces.

"Oi," Allistor said, "whatcha doing, wee brother?"

"Thinks he's a bird," Liam grinned.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur grumbled.

Liam pointed at himself.

"Yes, you!" Arthur barked.

"Allistor invited me," Liam beamed.

"Why?"

"I told ye he was comin," Allistor held out his hand.

Arthur reluctantly took his brother's hand and was helped to his feet. He dusted himself off and shot glances at his two brothers before him.

He didn't know Liam would come this soon!

But then again, Allistor did arrive quiet early as well . . .

Wait, but if Liam was here . . . who was that on the couch?

"Liam?" Arthur found himself asking, "Did you come alone?"

"Nah," Liam shook his head, "I brought—"

He stoped before he looked over to Allistor, "Wait a minute."

"Oi, Allistor said, "Where is he?"

"Dunno?" Liam tilted his head, "saw him earlier."

Arthur turned himself around to the mess that had been left in the living area. Over on that one overturned couch he could still see that pair of legs dangle.

Either they killed him, or he was sleeping.

How?

Arthur didn't know nor did he want to.

He made his way across the field of feathers until he had reached his other brother at last. Gavin's eyes were locked onto the ceiling before they shifted over to Arthur's. A huge grin spread across his face as he slid onto the ground, then jumped up to his feet.

"Arthur," His smile grew as he opened his arms.

Arthur smiled in return as he embraced his brother. Of the older three Gavin was the only one that wasn't a nuisance and never made a laughingstock out of him. He appreciated it, greatly. It was really like Gavin was the only one that really understood who he was, and really what he stood for.

As for the other two, they probably didn't even know who they were. . .

"How are you, Arthur?" Gavin said once he released his arms.

"Could be better," Arthur forced a smile, "I hadn't any idea that you would be here as well."

"It was very last minute," Gavin scratched the back of his head, "Liam really dragged me along, but it's nice seeing you again. Feels like ages since we last saw you. How is your schooling?"

"Stressful as ever," Arthur sighed, "Recently I've had to fill in as a Substitute – it's both nerve-wracking and exciting, if that makes much sense?"

"It does," Gavin laughed, "Glad you're following your dreams, brother."

"Oi," Allistor's voice chimed, "Where do ye keep yer dishes?"

"Both of you," Arthur yelled, "Over here. Now."

The sound of feet approached, and they stopped beside Arthur. He shot his head and both of them, mostly Liam, flinched.

"Explain this disaster!" Arthur pointed to the ground.

"Winter's comin'?" Liam laughed as he looked over to Allistor.

"Brace yerself," Allistor chuckled, and soon those two roared in laughter.

Arthur felt his blood boil, but he kept his composure. He took in a deep breath as he brought his hand to his forehead.

"Please," He tried not to yell, "clean this up by the time I get back home."

"Oi," Allistor said, "yer leavin' us?"

"Yes, I am. I have plans, and I will not let the two of you ruin the rest of my evening."

"Where ya going?" Liam rang.

"I am visiting a friend," Arthur started for the front door, "so please, behave."

"Which friend?" Liam asked.

Arthur grabbed his keys and opened the front door, "None of your concern."

He shut the door behind him, and then slowly locked it.

†††††

"What is it exactly that we are looking for?" Arthur asked as he peered into the shop window beside him.

"Something for my brother," Kiku said as he too peered into the window, "I give him the same thing every year, so I want this one to be different."

"Well," Arthur fixed the cuff of his jacket, "what is it that you normally get him?"

Kiku looked at him, "food."

Arthur rose an eyebrow, "You give your brother food?"

"Hai, I always take him out. Which is why I want to do something different. Taking him out all the time is becoming annoying. Plus, he can be very expensive."

"I hear you there," Arthur shuttered, "that man tries everything in his power to make me owe him lunch one way or another."

Kiku walked away from the shop, and Arthur followed after him.

What really was there that a guy like Yao would really like?

Arthur hadn't really put much thought into it until that very moment. Yao was almost on his own level – matching his taste without satisfying his stomach was going to be a bit of a problem. But he had to help out Kiku even if the task was heavy.

As they walked around the shops Arthur's gaze fell upon a clothing shop across the street.

"Have you considered purchasing new attire for him?"

Kiku turned around, "hmm, no. I have not considered that."

"Let's give it a go," Arthur smiled as he approached the crosswalk.

After pressing the meter he and Kiku stood at the edge of the pavement and patiently waited for their green light. Once it finally changed the two of them crossed the street. As they crossed the street, there was a man that came their way who passed by Arthur's left. At first he thought nothing of it, but then he realized something.

That man looked familiar.

That man . . . looked like –

Arthur shot his head around, but that man was nowhere to be found. He continued to search when something tugged onto his sleeve. He looked back and found Kiku giving him a confused look.

"Is everything alright?" Kiku asked, "You shouldn't stop in the middle of the street."

Arthur shot one more look back before he proceeded to the other side.

"Sorry about that," He said once his foot touched the pavement, "I could have sworn I recognized that man. . ."

"Man?" Kiku questioned, "What man?"

Arthur blinked a few times, "the one that had passed us."

". . . Ummm, Asa-sama? No one passed us . . . are you feeling alright?"

"Quite," Arthur forced a grin, "never mind me. Shall we?"

Kiku slowly nodded as Arthur paced over to the shop before them. The automatic doors slid open and Arthur slipped inside.

He saw him – he knew he did.

He couldn't have just imagined that!

Arthur quickly shook his head.

He must look like such a lunatic.

José was locked up!

Of course he wouldn't be roaming the streets like a free man!

"Asa-sama?" Kiku stepped beside him, "You're sure you are alright?"

"Of course," Arthur smiled again, "what type of clothing would your brother wear?"

Kiku looked off before he started in a different direction. Arthur followed after him, and the two of them wandered the store for a bit. They walked past numerous aisles, each time Kiku picked something up he replaced it time after time.

They were nearing the end of the store when Kiku picked up a red scarf that was resting upon a low display table. After staring at it for a while, Kiku gave a quick nod.

"This," he said, "I could get this for Sadik."

Arthur tilted his head, "Were we not looking for something for your brother?"

"We are," Kiku continued to search around, "But Sadik's birthday is at the end of this month, so eventually I have to get something for him as well."

"I see," Arthur looked about, "Sadik is which friend, again? The dancer, or the cat-lover?"

Kiku laughed, "The dancer."

"Right," Arthur looked at him, "well, I do hope he likes it."

"I do as well," Kiku turned around, "If only my brother was as easy to shop for."

"I'm sure you'll find something," Arthur placed his hand on Kiku's shoulder.

"Hopefully," Kiku smiled as he headed off somewhere else.

As Arthur took a step, his body tensed up. He blinked and before him no longer stood the rows of clothing that hung on their rack, but instead he stood in the middle of a deserted intersection. He looked around, but all he found was bare asphalt and a sign:

Main Street and Roswell Ave.

He furrowed his eyebrows as he continued to scan the area. Then off in the distance he could make out a figure approaching him. He stood his ground as he tried to make out their features.

Male.

Fairly tall – perhaps Arthur's height.

Short wavy light brown hair.

Dark Grey eyes.

Light stubble.

An all too familiar grin.

"Well what'll you know?" Arthur smirked, "Pleasure meeting you again."

"Pleasure's all mine," José continued to grin as he stopped a few feet away, "miss me?"

"Hardly," Arthur spat, "What in the blazes do you think you're doing here?"

José shrugged, "Minding my own business, really. What brings you here?"

"I should be asking you!" Arthur took a step forward, "You brought me here, didn't you?"

José smiled, "Perhaps? What are you going to do about it?"

Arthur snorted, "Why tell when I can show?"

He shot a quick green beam, but José stepped aside and the beam collided with the ground.

"Arthur," José snickered, "you shouldn't act so rash. You could get someone hurt someday."

Arthur laughed, "Don't instruct me, you bloody wanker."

"Oh, sorry," José held up his hands, "Didn't mean to offend you. Can't we just be friends?"

"Friends?" Arthur chuckled, "I'd rather bathe in acid."

José laughed, "That's a bit much, don't you think?"

"What would you know? Now, I will only ask once more – what are you doing here?"

José put his hands behind his head, "I just wanted to talk—"

"About what?"

José smiled, "I want to make peace with you. I know we got off at the wrong foot—"

"You tried to harm my friends!" Arthur barked, "What makes you think I could 'make peace' with a mad-man?"

"Mad-man?" José put his hand against his chest, "Oh, no you've got me mistaken with someone else. There are others far worse than myself, Arthur."

"Really? Sounds farfetched to me."

"Would you please hear me out?"

"I'd rather be pushed off a cliff!"

José smiled wider than before, "very well. Have it your way."

Before his eyes José vanished, and Arthur felt the ground below him disappear. He plummeted down into complete darkness. He tried to shine some light, but every orb he cast was vanquished almost immediately. He struggled to reach out for a ledge or anything, but he felt nothing but air.

His heart beat picked up as he continued to thrash around. Then a moment later, his body slammed to the floor. The arm he landed on burned from his shoulder down to his fingertips. He gripped it as he rolled over onto his back.

"See, amigo?" He heard José's voice echo, "you should be careful what you wish for."

"Piss off!" Arthur shouted as he struggled to get to his feet.

José's laugh surrounded him for a few moments before everything got uncomfortably silent. Besides his own panting there didn't seem to be any other noise. He scanned the darkness before he conjured up a green orb from his good hand.

Even with the light he couldn't make out a thing. He tried to look around for anything, but it was as if he was surrounded by miles of blackness. Then he could hear what sounded like chains cling together in the distance. He tried to follow the sound but was halted by the most bloodcurdling shriek he had ever heard.

His heart thumped as the shriek boomed louder and louder.

The noise was unbearable, and unexplainably . . . familiar.

Before he could put much thought into it he was blinded by a vibrant white light. He shielded his eyes for a moment, then pulled his arm away. Before him stood Kiku – his hand was waving before Arthur's face.

"Hello?" Kiku asked, "Are you still there?"

"Damn it," Arthur muttered, "sorry you had to see that."

"Are you okay? You really seem out of it today."

"I am fine, I just," his cellphone vibrated multiple times in his pocket.

He pulled it out and notification after notification popped onto the screen. He unlocked it and found about ten different text messages from Lovino, five from Alfred, two from Matthew, and another twenty from Francis along with ten calls.

"One moment," He said to Kiku as he dialed Francis' cell.

He hadn't waited that long before the line picked up.

"Mon dio, why were you not answering me?"

"What in the blazes are you talking about?"

"I have been trying to get ahold you for a while now! Where are you?"

"I am out. What does it matter to you?"

"I need to speak with you urgently."

"About what?" He sighed, "Can't it wait a few more—"

"Antonio's missing."

Arthur's heart skipped, ". . . What did you just say?"

"We do not know where he is. Earlier he was supposed to visit Lovino, but he never did. He is not home, and his phone was under his car which for some reason was unlocked. We cannot find him anywhere."

"He wouldn't just leave without a trace."

"Well, apparently he has. Lovino is contacting the police as we speak. Can you please tell me where you are?"

"I'm shopping with Kiku – what does it matter where I am?"

"Why did you not answer us? We've been trying to contact you."

"I only just now received any of your messages. How was—"Arthur stopped himself and blinked a few times.

"Arthur, what's wrong?"

"Who . . . who did you say was missing?"

"Antoni . . . what's wrong?"

Arthur felt his eyes widen.

That shriek.

He knew he recognized it from somewhere.

"F-Francis?"

"Yes?"

"Antonio is in trouble. Where are you? We need to contact Detective Mendez immediately."