"Italy, I don't feel right about this. We should have told Prussia where I was going, he has enough to worry about even when he does know where I am."

Italy lightly sighed, nodding in agreement as he continued to just float alongside the German as they walked down the street.

"If he knew where we're going, he wouldn't have let you leave the house. He's been taking care of you more and not leaving the house." Italy glanced down for a moment out of a bit of guilt, knowing once Prussia woke up from his nap, he'd just go into a frenzy again. "You're all better now, you've been better for a week now, and we need to talk to Japan as soon as we can, in person. I don't know what's going to happen and I don't want Prussia to get involved."

"But if something does happen like, oh, I don't know, Japan tries to attack me with a knife or something, we wouldn't have any back up, would we?" Germany rolled his eyes at the others lack of foresight, soon coming to a stop. "Please, can't I just call Prussia and tell him—"

"Germany, do you trust me?"

Germany's words caught in his throat, left to just stare at Italy's surprisingly determined face. The reason they got into this mess was because they had betrayed Italy's trust, and in a way didn't believe in Italy in the first place. He dropped his gaze, nodding lightly before continue to walk down the street.

"Why couldn't have we just called Japan? Or asked China to check up on him?"

"Japan is our friend, and he's going through a very rough time right now. I don't know what drug he's using against himself but… b-but there was just so much blood and he was just so used to it, he probably does it all the time." Italy quivered at the memory of the strange ritual Japan put himself through.

"And even though you didn't know what the drug was, you still stole some and had Prussia use it on me?"

"The side effects had a fast healing effect on nations, whatever it was. It at least helped your recovery." Italy pursed his lips for a moment, frowning to the German once again before setting a hand on his shoulder. "I know you and Japan haven't been on the best of terms after… well what happened after the meeting. But while he doesn't say it, he really needs you right now."

Germany faltered in his step as he finally looked back over to Italy, actually seeing the genuine concern on his face to their other Axis member. There really was something wrong with Japan, and really only they could fix it.

It didn't take long for the both of them to stop, looking up to the front of Japan's house yet again. Once again out of habit, Germany tugged at the ends of his leather gloves. He wasn't good at this sort of stuff, not really sure he has ever one to make an intervention with a drug problem before.

Well, there was a first time for everything.

Germany knocked against the door briefly, making sure for it to hit hard enough so it could be loud enough of Japan to hear. They waited for only a minute or so before the door opened up, revealing the rather tired looking Japan in some oversized relaxation robes again.

"… Mm?"

The larger nation stiffened at the other actually answering the door, looking away for a moment to try to collect his thoughts before quietly clearing his throat.

"Er uhm, hello Japan."

"Mm, konbonwa Doitsu-san."

Germany blinked at this, glancing upwards to the overcast skies for a moment before back down to Japan.

"That… means good evening, right?"

"Mhm."

"It's not evening yet."

"… Ah. So it isn't. My apologies."

"Tell him you need a talk with him inside."

Germany's ears perked as he heard Italy murmur in his ear, out of instinct looking to him for a moment before back down to Japan, who now had his head cocked to the side curiously.

"Japan. I need to have a talk with you. May I come inside?"

"Ah, of course. Come in." Japan stepped aside slightly to let the German into the house, waiting until he was fully inside before closing the door behind him. "Would you like something to drink? Or to eat? I do not have much right now, but I am happy to share."

"Ah, no that's all right. Thank you for the offer." Germany noted, looking back to him for only a moment before looking around the couch area. This time around, the table only had what appeared to be a cup of tea on it, the blanket that was covering his tracks earlier being lightly rumpled on the couch, looking as though it was being used until just a while ago. Instead of sitting on the couch though, he decided to sit in the recliner next to it, letting Japan go back to his spot on the couch and cover his lap with the blanket in place.

Now that he had an actual good look at Japan, compared to last time where he was just being awkward and wanting to leave, ever since he saw him at the meeting, despite looking quite healthy he was looking quite bit thinner along with his hair being grown out quite a bit, though a bit unevenly. He honestly wouldn't be surprised if after the incident he had just decided to stay indoors. His eyes wandered down to Japan's reddish hands, seeing them piled on top of each other on Japan's lap, just barely covered by his overly long sleeves.

Despite the circumstances, he still didn't want to be rude.

"So how have things been?" Germany finally said, bringing his eyes up to meet with Japan's. At least so far he didn't seem off, but then again if this drug problem is a real thing, who knows how long he had been hiding it.

"Ah, things have been fine. Because we were given temporarily leave from our jobs until Italy was found, I have just been spending my time here taking it easy. I got caught up with a few of my mangas I had been wanting to read for a while, which is nice." Japan let out a quiet hum of satisfaction before taking a slow drink of his tea.

Germany nodded in understanding, taking another look over Japan. Was Italy really right about him having a drug problem? He seemed perfectly content and relaxed, not to mention very healthy despite some weight loss. Then again, if that drug really did have a healing effect, that would probably be the reason why he seemed that way, right?

"And how about you? Prussia came by here last week with the police saying you had gone missing."

"Ah… yes that. It was nothing, really. I got sidetracked and went to Romano's house for a while, and-"

"Oh, I see. That is why there's a warrant for his arrest."

Germany paused, leaning back in his chair a little at the fact that Japan knew about that. If he knew, who else even knew?

"Psssst. Germany."

At being called to, Germany glanced to Japan once to see if he was looking, but once he saw he was drinking more of his tea he looked over his shoulder to look at Italy. His eyebrows raised a little as immediately Italy started patting his own trunks in an exaggerated motion.

"Pockets! Look in your pockets!"

Germany's hands slid into his pants pockets curiously as the other made it so clear to do, blinking as he pulled out the small black silk bag that they found the drug in when it was snuck into the house by Italy. Now that he thought of it, when Italy did show him the knife under the blanket last they were over, he did notice this bag too. So that really was his.

"Germany-san?"

He looked up as his name was called, instinctually curling his hand in so the bag remained hidden from the others eyes.

"Ah, yes?"

"Are you all right? You look nervous." Japan said, finally setting down his tea and gently maneuvering so he was facing Germany more. "You needed to talk to me about something, right?" Germany frowned as he was now just put on the spot, biting his lower lip for a moment before he sighed. Without much ado, he lightly tossed the baggie onto the table for Japan to see.

In that moment he was fairly sure if Japan was still holding his tea, he would have dropped it.

"…W… Where did you get that?"

"From here. I hope you don't mind that I borrowed it briefly."

The island nation reached forward, gently grasping the end of the bag and lifting it up close, realizing now it was empty.

"Was… was there anything in it?"

"Yes. A needle with liquid pouch attached to it. I'm fairly certain you know exactly what it is."

Japan's gaze lifted up from the bag to just stare at Germany, his eyes widening in what looked like complete horror. It was quite obvious he knew he was busted. He smacked his lips dryly, slowly setting down the bag before quietly taking the blanket off of his lap. At this point without the blanket, Germany could see very well how Japan's hands trembled together. Germany's eyes narrowed very slightly, watching him carefully.

"Japan. I don't know what you're using, but I think we both know you've doing this for a while. I'm not sure but I'm… I'm guessing this is because of Italy, isn't it?"

Japan's head drooped down, left to just stare at his stained hands as he just shakily nodded. Germany's features softened a little, seeing how much this was affecting the poor man.

"We've both gone through a lot, I know my recovery isn't easy but I know slowly I'm getting better every day. The sooner we can put it behind us and find Italy, the sooner our lives will go back to normal."

"…i… ill… im.."

Germany perked a little at hearing the broken murmurs of the smaller man before him, tilting his head a little.

"… Pardon?"

"….I killed him…"

At this, immediately Germany looked back to Italy who was waiting on standby, seeing his shoulders slump in what looked like guilt. He frowned a bit more at this before looking back over to Japan, reaching a hand up at first in thoughts of setting a hand on his shoulder for comfort, but in the end set it back down.

"You and I both did things we regret, things to make us spiral downwards but this isn't the way to handle it. This wouldn't make him happy."

"…. I don't care."

Germany raised an eyebrow at this, actually leaning forward as he didn't even know he heard him correctly. He didn't care if Italy was worried about him? He leaned back however, seeing more of Japan's body beginning to shake, the man's hands coming up to grip onto his forearms as if trying to hug himself.

"…. I…. I-I…."

"Japan?"

"I…. I nEED IT!"

Without much of a warning, Japan suddenly sprung up from his spot on the couch, leaping onto the armrest and jumping over the sofa before suddenly taking off deeper into the house. Germany stood up instantly at this, in too much of a shock to actually call out his name. He looked back at Italy in panic, not even sure what to do. It wasn't supposed to go like this!

"Uh! Uhm! You go down one hallway, I'll go down the other! I'll call out if I find him first!" Italy quickly said before running where they saw Japan go, Germany following in suit and soon splitting up as soon as separate hallways were present.

For a while, Germany opened up empty rooms one after another, every once in a while calling out Japan's name to see if he could somehow lure him out. For being a hermit he sure did live in a giant house. After quite a bit, Germany was pretty sure he checked all of the rooms on the first floor. And yet no sign of him.

"GERMANY! GERMANY UPSTAIRS! HE'S ON THE FOURTH DOOR TO THE RIGHT!"

Germany looked upwards as he heard Italy's shouting, immediately turning on his heel to head over to the stairs, skipping every other step to head up faster. Fourth door fourth door! After looking into the door on the right by accident, he whirled around and gripped onto the handle and turned. Locked. Shit!

"Japan! Japan come out of there right now!"

No response.

"This is an order! Unlock the god damn door!"

"Leave me aLONE!"

"Tch, I'm breaking down the door!"

Germany pulled away from the door, taking a couple deep breaths before raising his foot and pounding against it. It budged a bit after the first hit, but after the next few times the door finally swung open.

The room was dark, light now being poured in from the hallway. Japan dropped his rolled sleeve and gripped onto the larger silk bag he had suddenly acquired. He looked at Germany in almost horror of being exposed, looking around to try to find a way out, only to back himself into the corner to try to hide in the dark.

Germany tried to slowly approach him, wanting to be sure to catch him if he tried to make a run for it. He glanced to the side, seeing Italy coming up behind him with a worried expression.

"Watch where you step Germany, h-he used a lot of those needles on himself while he was in there. There's s-so much on the ground I can't even count!"

At this being mentioned, Germany looked down, seeing very dim glimmers of small metal pieces on the ground. He used all those, just now? Was his body able to withstand having that much in his system? He looked up to Japan once more, raising his arms beside him to try to coax him to come closer to him.

"Japan, please. We need to address this. This isn't good for you. Just come with me, we can get help."

"This is helping! I-I need it! I need it all!"

With that, Japan pushed himself off of the wall and ducked under Germany's extended arms to try to bolt out the door. Germany quickly whipped around and tried to grab at the smaller man, ending up grabbing the silk bag in his hands, making Japan freeze in his tracks.

"Let go! L-Let go!"

"No! We have to end it!"

Japan tried his hardest to pull his item away from the German, the struggle making them both end up in the hallway. They tugged hard on the bag for quite a while, but suddenly, there was a loud rip. All of a sudden, the bag torn into two pieces, sending both of them back a few steps from the momentum as now dozens of small needles hit the ground, clattering as they all hit against each other.

Germany regained his footing, eyes widening at just how many drugs Japan had stashed away on reserve. But something caught his eye as suddenly Japan dropped to the ground to grab something large and red, holding it close to him to try to hide it away from sight.

"…Japan? Wh… what is that?"

Japan looked up to him, knowing very well he had been spotted. He sighed however, pulling himself together and standing back up. Italy leaned in close from where Germany was standing to try to see if he could see it better. That thing.. that was the thing he touched before when he was looking over it. What was it?

The man gave a quiet sigh, knowing there was no way around it any longer. He held his hands out, showing to the German and the ghostly Italian something he had been trying to keep a secret for a while.

Germany's eyes widened in shock, feeling almost numb as Italy smacked his hands over his own mouth to muffle his sudden shrieking.

"Italy's heart belongs to me. I need it."