Chapter 6: Remembering the Past

It had been several weeks since Mason & Nathaniel had been at Nikki's place. Ronnie would venture out from time to time and tell them what was going on with the war and her last visit she mentioned how Austin, or Arkansas had joined with the confederates. He was quite young, and the two brothers agreed that it was a horrible decision, of course in his young life he hadn't made very wise decisions, anyway.

"You know what I don't understand." Nathaniel remarked, out of the blue, one day.

"What?" Mason muttered as he stirred his morning tea.

"How that idiot little brother of ours has joined up with the rebels. I mean, he's just a kid. The girls aren't gonna let him fight." Nathaniel stated.

"One might have said the same about me, when Dad & I poured all the tea boxes in the Boston Harbor." Mason stated.

"But, Dad did it, too. That's the difference." Nathaniel remarked.

"I don't think it's much different."

"Mase is right. There's really no difference." Nikki chimed in after over hearing the conversation, "I remember when you first became a part of this family, you've grown up a lot since those days."

"I remember that I was a rubbish child. Dennis and I kept Grandfather on his toes." Mason chuckled.

"Oh, I remember that when Grandpa introduced you to the family, Den was so ecstatic that he FINALLY had a brother."

"He and I seemed to get ourselves into so much trouble all the time."

"That's because you two WERE always in trouble." Nikki chuckled.

"Do you remember when Dennis and I tied Penny's hair to her bed post?"

"Oh, how could I forget? She was so angry. Cause Grandpa had to cut her hair and it was a little uneven for months. But, I remember her getting you two back by putting your hands into warm water while you two were sleeping."

"Made us wet the bed, and the prank war had officially begun."

"I remember how cute Nate was when Grandpa brought him home."

"I remember how shy he was. Him and Harley both got along better with each other than with Dennis and I."

"Really?" Nathaniel asked.

"That's right. You were so young when we lived with grandfather. All you remember was the war, wasn't it?" Nikki asked.

"Yeah, pretty much." Nathaniel replied.

"I think that the Revolutionary War definitely changed the ones who could remember it, some grew more mature, others not so much." Mason replied.

"Like Dennis?" Nathaniel teased.

"I really don't think anything will change him very much." Nikki replied.

"No, probably not." Mason chuckled.

"Gosh, it's been so long since I've thought about that." Nikki replied.

"It really has. I still remember when Dad came to Grandpa's house and told us that we were going to live with him." Nathaniel muttered.

"I remember hearing Dad and Grandpa getting into a heated argument before that happened." Mason replied.

"I remember Dad picking me up and taking us all home with him and how happy I was. But, looking back at Grandpa, he looked so sad. But, I caught a glimpse of a smile on his face when Risa waved goodbye to him." Nathaniel replied.

"And then, the war..."

"... It was bloody awful. I remember the final days far too well..."

(FLASH BACK)

"Hurry, we have to work fast." A man exclaimed as he and a few doctors ran past a young brunette girl and a young blonde headed boy. The eldest of the 13 siblings seen their father in a lot of pain due to a gunshot wound through his shoulder.

"Dad!" The little girl cried.

"Nessa, you and Mase watch the others." Alfred ordered before being taken into a room.

"Daddy!" Young Nathaniel cried as he tried to run in after Alfred.

Vanessa picked him up, "You can't go in there, Nate." She said as the other 10 came in the room and waited for their father.

The doctors soon left the room and allowed them to go in. The 13 siblings ran into the room and immediately jumped on the bed. Alfred, who was trying to rest at the time heard the sound of his children and smiled, opening his eyes, "Daddy? Are you a hero?" A small, brown haired girl with Choclate brown eyes asked.

"Nina, I am the hero. And, I will always be. I'd do anything for you guys in a heart beat. I love you, little dudes too much to see anything bad happen to you. I promise you." Alfred stated before all the states hugged him. "Ah! Risa, that's Daddy's bad shoulder."

Risa let go of his arm and hugged his neck, "I love you, too Daddy." She said. Alfred smiled.

(END OF FLASH BACK)

"It's really has been forever since we've thought about that. Of course, given the circumstances of the times, now. No body really has time to think about anything." Nathaniel stated.

"Yes, of course it wasn't too long after that all of us became States. The first 13. What a time that was." Mason replied.

"Everyone was just so excited about the outcome of the War, us gaining our independence. Dad seemed happy, too. But, I think it was broke him a bit, too. I remember walking to him, he was sitting on the edge of the harbor, his feet dangling off the side. And, he looked a little sad. He noticed me there and smiled before picking me up and carrying me back to the big party. He never said a word, but I could tell. I think we'll all feel like Dad did that day, when this is all over. There has to be a winner in this war, the Victor will celebrate, but also remember what all it cost them, the lives they lost, the family that will be separated from us. It makes me sad, just thinking about it." Nikki sighed.

"I agree, but I refuse to think that we'll be separated. We'll all be a family, again. Just like Dad wants." Mason remarked.

"Mase, you're delusional if you really believe that." Nathaniel stated.

"What harm will it do to think that way?" Mason asked.

"Because, when it doesn't happen, the way you think. You'll only hurt yourself." Nathaniel remarked.

"Mason, I hate to say this, but Nate's right." Nikki stated.

"You believe what you will. I'm going back to my room, now." Mason remarked before walking away.

"He has changed so much since this war has begun, too." Nikki muttered.

"That's the understatement of the century. Ever since he came to find me, he's acted like this. It's about to drive me insane. He won't listen to reason, those Confederates are going to get what is coming to them soon enough." Nathaniel remarked.

"Unfortunately, you're right." Nikki sighed as she looked out the window. She knew that very fate would happen to one or the other, she hated that fact, but it unfortunately was the only fact that was plausible.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia, I only wish I did. Also, Nikki does not belong to me, she belongs to my bestie Lilia x Undertaker.