YES! I DID IT! This story is finished and just in time! Ready for the last chapter? Be warned , I was in tears when I was writing this so hankies at the ready...

I do not own Hetalia!

Demonic Romeo Vol XII

Arufureddo looked down at his chest to see blood spreading over the side of his suit where the bullet had gone in when he put himself between his pistol and Āsā. Although the bullet had not gone through his heart, it was close enough to be a mortal wound. He looked up at Iwan with one last look of defiance before his strength began to fail and he fell to his knees, then falling backwards to be caught by Āsā,

"NO!" Āsā cried, holding Arufureddo's head against his chest. "No, no, no, no! Oh please, no!" Iwan looked on in amusement.

"It's looks like you'll end up like Romeo and Juliet after all, da?" he commented and aimed Arufureddo's pistol at Āsā. Āsā closed his eyes and waited for the pain of a bullet entering his body but the bullet never came. As Iwan began to squeeze the trigger, he was suddenly ploughed into by something that hit him from the side and the pistol was knocked from his grasp and into some shrubbery. Iwan landed on the ground and looked up at Rutovu~ihi who, seeing Arufureddo being shot and Āsā about to be, despite his injuries, had come to his colleague and his demon lover's rescue. It had cost Rutovu~ihi to attack Iwan but he could not allow Āsā to be killed.

Iwan stood up as Rutovu~ihi did his best to stand firm although the collision had taken some of his strength. Without the pistol, Iwan went back to his pipe and moved to confront Rutovu~ihi.

"You should have stayed out of the fight, arch-angel," he said. "You might have live longer!" In the background, Ferishiāno tried to get to Rutovu~ihi but was being held back by both Romyurasu and Rōman to keep him out of danger.

"Stay here, idiota," Rōman ordered.

U~Orufugangu was not so restrained and went to assist his grandson face off against one of Hell's most powerful demons while, nearby Āsā tried desperately to stem the flow of blood from Arufureddo's wound.

"Hold on, Arufureddo!" he begged, holding part of his robe against the bullet wound and holding the demon tightly while the fight with Iwan began to unfold. U~Orufugangu swung his sword and Iwan blocked it with his pipe and swung the pipe at U~Orufugangu who ducked and it whizzed over his head. Rutovu~ihi had summoned his own sword and was bringing it down on Iwan's head who dodged and slammed his pipe into Rutovu~ihi's side, breaking already damaged ribs and Rutovu~ihi gave a cry of pain and went down, leaving U~Orufugangu to face Rutovu~ihi alone. U~Orufugangu lunged at Iwan who dodged to one side and brought his pipe down on U~Orufugangu's leg.

Hard!

The breaking bone was audible and made everyone but Iwan cringed and U~Orufugangu fell to the floor in pain. Rutovu~ihi struggled to his feet but he was in no condition for a fight but he could not let Iwan win without one but Iwan slammed the tap end of his pipe into Rutovu~ihi's stomach and he almost went down again.

"Time to die, arch-angel," Iwan said, turning his weapon to aim the pipe end at Rutovu~ihi.

"RUTOVU~IHI!" Ferishiāno screamed and broke loose of his grandfather and brother, running to Rutovu~ihi and throwing himself over him, shielding him with his body, just as Iwan thrust the pipe toward Rutovu~ihi.

Ferishiāno's back arched as Iwan's pipe broke the skin and went in deep. The pain was so intense that Ferishiāno was rendered silent while Romyurasu and Rōman screamed at the sight. Iwan pulled the pipe from Ferishiāno's back but there was no look of triumph on his face. Instead Iwan looked shocked. And scared!

Rutovu~ihi held Ferishiāno in his arms and, despite the broken ribs, bored the wounded Italian to the ground. Ferishiāno was gasping in pain as blood almost poured from the injury in his back. Romyurasu and Rōman ran to Ferishiāno's side but there was no doubt that Ferishiāno was dying.

"Idiota fratello!" Rōman cursed, tears already falling from his eyes as they were from Romyurasu's. "Why did you do that?"

"Ve~ I couldn't let Rutovu~ihi die!" Ferishiāno said between gasps of pain. "I love him too much!" Rutovu~ihi held the dying Italian as close as he could to him.

"Ich liebe dich auch, meine Liebe!" Rutovu~ihi replied in a broken voice. (I love you too, my Love!).

"Nyet!" Iwan shouted. "Nyet! He can't die! He can't!" But the light was beginning to fade from Ferishiāno's eyes.

"I love you, fratello!" he said. "You too. Nonno! I wish I had had more time with you, Rutovu~ihi!" Romyurasu hugged his dying grandson.

"You'll have all the time in the world, Feri!" he promised but got no response. He pulled back and looked at Ferishiāno but Ferishiāno was gone, his beautiful amber eyes dulled by death and he was unnaturally still. As Romyurasu closed Ferishiāno's eyes, Rōman wailed his grief.

With that cry of human suffering, the sky turned red.

"NYET!" Iwan screamed.

Yao looked up as the sky turned crimson, Tino looking up as well as he sat with Berwald who had regained consciousness. All fighting came to a halt as everyone, angel and demon alike stared at the sky's suddenly strange colour. Rūkasu and Matiasu looked at each other and then stared at the sky. Erizavu~eeta and Feliks gazed through the trees at the scarlet light and Girubāto, Mashū , Ansonī and Furanshisu knew something big had happened and went looking for Arufureddo.

Iwan, for the first time since becoming a demon, was panic-stricken. Why had the stupid human leaped in front of his victim and taken the death blow? Iwan was in trouble now! He had killed an uncorrupted and Hell would be furious about it. The sky turning red meant that emissaries would come and Heaven would make it's demand. Whatever Heaven demanded, Hell would have to pay and it would be taken out of Iwan's hide.

There was a roar of flames and when they faded, Vladimir stood in their midst and he looked around at the scene. Arufureddo was lying in Āsā's arms, still alive but he would not be for long while Rutovu~ihi, Romyurasu and Rōman wept and kept vigil over Ferishiāno's body and helping U~Orufugangu. There were sounds of flapping as Mashū and the rest of The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto flew into the horrific scene.

"NO!" Mashū screamed, immediately going to Arufureddo's side as the American demon struggled for breath. Girubāto went to comfort his bruder and help his grandfather while Ansonī tried to do the same for Rōman but the distraught Italian shook him off and glared at him with a look of hate.

"This is your fault, you demonic bastard," he spat through his tears. "If you hadn't come into our lives, my fratello would still be alive." All the other times Rōman had swore at him and called him names, Ansonī had just laughed it off but this time, it hurt him to the core. Maybe because, deep down inside, he believed Rōman was right! And Rōman would never forgive him!

Furanshisu went to Arufureddo's side but he knew there was nothing he could do except be with his friend until the end and try to comfort Arufureddo's brother and lover. But who would comfort him?

Iwan knew Vladimir had been sent as Hell's representative to hear Heaven's demand for this transgression of the rules and he tried to plead his case, hoping that he could talk his way out of the punishment that would be his if Hell decided he was at fault.

"The human was not my target!" he said, desperately. "He threw himself between me and the arch-angel. He wasn't the one I was trying to kill, I swear.!"

"You brought the Vargas Brothers into the fight!" Vladimir responded. "Therefore, you were responsible for anything that happened to them and now one has died at your hands. An untainted soul, an uncorrupted! Hell now has to forfeit something to Heaven and you, Iwan, must pay the price of what Heaven demands. Pray Heaven doesn't demand much."

"I've always hated a battlefield," a new voice said and everyone turned to look at an old priest, walking toward them. Arufureddo, through his pain, recognised the priest from the church as he stopped by Ferishiāno's body and lay a gentle hand on his head.

"Rest now, my son!" he said, simply and placed a hand on the shoulders of Romyurasu and Rōman.

"Don't despair!" he told them and gave a soft smile to Rutovu~ihi. "Everything happens for a reason!" Then he stood up and went to Arufureddo and Āsā as the British angel held his dying lover. Furanshisu made way for the priest as he knelt beside them. The priest put his hand against Arufureddo's cheek.

"You remember what I told you?" the priest asked him. "Heaven has not abandon you yet, my son." Then he cupped Āsā's tear stained cheek with his other hand. "Have faith, child! This is not over yet!" He stood up again and, this time, walked toward Vladimir and, as he walked, he began to glow and grew brighter with every step until he was nothing but bright light that did not harm the eyes to look at. Everyone stared and Vladimir bowed his head in respect while Iwan began to panic.

The Divine One was representing Heaven in this. This would not end well for Iwan if God himself was taking an interest.

"My Lord!" Vladimir said, bowing his head. (Even demons gave respect to the Almighty). "Hell waits to make restitution for the transgression against Heaven. Please! Tell me what you wish us to forfeit!" The light pulsed as God spoke.

"I will not make unreasonable demands on Hell," he said. "Hell has respected the rules between us for millennia now so I will ask for only what I believe to be fair. I wish for all the souls Iwan acquired by trickery to be released back to those who once possessed them." A gasp went up from all who heard what God had said. It was a huge demand but, in the circumstances, not unreasonable. Vladimir nodded as if he had been expecting it while Iwan willed him to try to negotiate for a smaller recompense, even though Hell had no choice but to pay up.

"Agreed!" Vladimir replied and looked at Iwan, almost in sympathy. Iwan had worked very hard at acquiring souls. Hell was about to lose a great many demons and would not be happy with Iwan.

Some of the demons on the battlefield began to feel strange and their wings dried out and began to crumble as did their tails and horns. Edo~uarudo, Toriumu and Raivis felt the chains around them go slack as their wings lost substance and crumbled. The chains fell away as they stood up and they began to feel something they had not felt in a long time.

Life!

Girubāto, Ansonī and Furanshisu looked on in amazement at each other as their wings turned to dust and blew away on the breeze along with their tails and their horns became ashes in their hair as they turned back into humans. Living breathing humans!

"Awesome!" Girubāto summed it up for everyone while U~Orufugangu reached up and pull his newly-redeemed grandson down into a hug but then they all turned to Arufureddo. Arufureddo's wings were crumbling as well, his horns fell apart and his tail turned to dust. But then his hair began to be change colour, the black fading away, leaving sun-kissed locks in its wake. The black drained down to the tips and disappeared, making Arufureddo look even more angelic in Āsā's eyes.

But one thing that did not vanish was the gun-shot wound. Arufureddo was still dying and nothing could stop it. Not even becoming a living human being again.

Vladimir once again bowed to God.

"Hell will make sure that this transgression doesn't happen again, My Lord," he said. "I take my leave now. Iwan, you come with me!" Iwan knew what awaited him in Hell and began running. Vladimir snapped his fingers and fire surrounded the fleeing figure of Iwan, taking him to Hell to face what was awaiting him.

Vladimir bowed to the Divine One again and fire surrounded him and took him away.

"Please, My Lord!"

Āsā's quiet and respectful but grieving voice addressed the light and it moved toward him and the dying Arufureddo.

"What do you ask of me, my son?"

"Arufureddo is still dying," Āsā replied. "Please, can you save him?" If it was possible for light to looked saddened, this light managed it.

"Arufureddo is a mortal now," God said. "I gave Humanity free will to make their own decisions and mistakes but it means I cannot interfere with what happens to them. It's Arufureddo's time as it was Ferishiāno's. Not even I can change that!" Āsā brought his head down to Arufureddo's and began weeping harder.

"It's all right!" Arufureddo whispered and brought his hand up to stroke Āsā's face. "I'm not a demon any more. I'll die free of that taint. I only regret that I'll be leaving you but I'm still glad I met you, Āsā! Finding you, loving you saved my soul and I could never regret that!" He turned his gaze to his brother. "Mashū! Tell Girubāto I said that he better do right by you!" Mashū, too grief-stricken to speak, just nodded and brought his head down to touch Arufureddo's. Arufureddo coughed and it became harder to breathe. "I want one last thing!"

"Anything, Arufureddo!" Āsā whispered back. "Just ask!"

"Kiss me, one last time!"

Āsā bit back a sob and stroked the side of Arufureddo's face, lowering his mouth to Arufureddo's. Their lips touched softly and then with more pressure. It was sweet, sad and poignant and then came the moment when Āsā felt the life leave Arufureddo's body. He broke the kiss, looking down at Arufureddo's face. He looked peaceful and serene with a small smile but he was still. Too still!

Mashū put his hand over his mouth as if to contain all the grief that overflowing in him. Āsā could not contain it and began sobbing as his heart shattered and he rocked Arufureddo's body back and forth like a mother rocking a baby, a similar action being performed by Rōman with Ferishiāno only a few feet away. Girubāto went to Mashū and pulled the angel into his arms and held him tight as the angel wept on to his shoulder. Furanshisu wrapped his arms around both Āsā and Arufureddo and wept for his friend and vowed to look out for his friend's love, although how he could do that when he was now human and Āsā was an angel, he did not know but he would find a way.

Ansonī knew that Rōman might reject his comfort but he did what Furanshisu was doing, wrapping his arms around both Rōman and Ferishiāno and holding them both and, predictably, Rōman struggled against the contact.

"Let go of us, you bastard!" he yelled. "I don't want you touching me or my brother!" Despite now being human and no longer having a demon's strength, Rōman could not shake Ansonī off.

"I know you hate me now," Ansonī said, keeping a tight hold on the wriggling Italian. "But I'm going to stay with you through this. We've both lost people we love. I've lost my friend and you've lost your brother! Please, don't shut me out! I love you, Rōman! Please forgive me, I can't lose you too!"

"Ve~ Forgive him, fratello!"

Everyone turned to Ferishiāno's body where the voice had come from but it was still a corpse. Then out of Ferishiāno's dead hand emerged another one. It was followed by an arm and then a copy of Ferishiāno's body emerged from the corpse but this body had beautiful white wings and wore a white toga. The clone stood up and looked back down at everyone, pointing to the corpse.

"Ve~ You can put my body down now," Angel Ferishiāno said. "I'm not there, any more!" Romyurasu stood and swept his angel grandson into a big hug as Ansonī made Rōman gently put Ferishiāno's corpse down on the ground. Rutovu~ihi stood up and, when Romyurasu was finished with his hug, pulled Ferishiāno into one of his own.

"I should have known," he muttered. "You could only become an angel. You're too pure to be anything else." Rutovu~ihi was pulled away from Ferishiāno by Rōman who latched on to his fratello and tried to hug him to death.

"Stupido!" he cursed. "Don't ever do that to me again, idiota!" Ferishiāno hugged his brother back. And then he saw Ansonī over Rōman's shoulder, looking lost in the world.

"Forgive Ansonī," Ferishiāno begged. "It was my time. You know you love him and he'll need your help to settle back in the world! Please! Try to do it for me, fratello!" Rōman bit his lip and finally nodded. He did not know if he could but, for Ferishiāno, he would try.

Āsā continued to rock Arufureddo's body while he squeezed his eyes shut to try to prevent more tears from escaping although it was not doing a very good job. Then he felt a hand touching his cheek and he looked to see an arm protruding out of Arufureddo's body. Mashū gasped as he looked and watched as a copy of Arufureddo emerged, sporting a pair of magnificent wings and wearing a one shouldered robe emerged from the dead body. Āsā lay the corpse gently down and stood up to stare at Angel Arufureddo.

"How …..?" was all that Āsā could say. Mashū broke from Girubāto and swamped his brother in a massive hug.

"I don't care how!" he declared. "I only care that it has!" Arufureddo returned his brother's hug.

"I knew you would be a beautiful angel," Āsā commented and Arufureddo released his brother and swept Āsā into his arms.

"My last memory was your kiss," he said and swooped in for another one. Āsā clung to him as Arufureddo claimed his mouth but all too soon the kiss had to end. Āsā reached over Arufureddo's shoulder to touch the beautiful plumage.

"How did this miracle happen?" he breathed.

"I wasn't going to free these souls just to lose them again," Everyone turned back to the light and could believe that they forgot that God was still there. "You all have a second life or a second chance. What you do with them is up to you. Please use them wisely!" The light gave a brief flash and then vanished.

"What do we do now?" Furanshisu asked.

"You live," Romyurasu replied, taking U~Orufugangu's weight and helping to his feet with Rutovu~ihi's help. "And we watch over you!"

Six months later …..

The Higher-ups in Heaven found places for the redeemed demons in the world but returning Rōman proved problematic as rumours began to circulate that maybe the explosion was a deliberate attempt at insurance fraud, despite the fact that the restaurant had been very successful before the explosion. Such was the way of malicious gossip and the police wanted to talk to the missing Vargas Brothers so Heaven pulled out all the stops.

Memories were altered and the explosion never happened! The restaurant had merely closed for renovation and the restaurant was repaired. The Ceilo Italiano reopened with additional staff, a new Spanish manager, French, Prussian descent, Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian waiters joined the staff and all the regular diners were happy their favourite eating place was open again. The only sad part was the death of the younger Vargas Brother. The Vargas Brothers had taken a holiday while the restaurant was being renovated and Poor Ferishiāno had been killed in a freak accident. No one knew the details and no one thought to ask but many attended his funeral, proving how well loved he was.

The restaurant had many new regular customers after its reopening. Rutovu~ihi would come in with an invisible Ferishiāno to visit their brothers, Ferishiāno was now a guardian angel for Girubāto and Rutovu~ihi was supervising him as he was new to the job. Āsā would also come as he was still guardian angel to Rōman and he was accompanied by Arufureddo who had been appointed guardian angel for Furanshisu and Mashū, no longer having Ferishiāno to watch over, was re-allocated and now watched over Ansonī. Feliks watched over Raivis and he and Toriumu were very happy with that arrangement because if he had been assigned to Toriumu, they would not be able to date. Erizavu~eeta was now Toriumu's guardian and Edo~uarudo was watched over by Tino. With Berwald hovering in the background!

Ferishiāno was in the kitchen, chatting with Rōman with Ansonī chopping vegetables nearby and being ribbed by Furanshisu while Rutovu~ihi talked to Girubāto. Āsā and Arufureddo could not help but laugh as Rōman said, "If you've got nothing better to do, Wine Bastard, go wash the dishes!"

"He hasn't changed, has he?" Arufureddo said, still chuckling. Āsā grinned.

"I don't think he ever will!" he declared. "He'll always be irascible and foul-mouthed. And I don't think Ansonī would have it any other way." Ansonī was trying cuddle Rōman and getting smacked upside the head and told to get back to it but it did not stop Ansonī grinning. Frequent visits from Ferishiāno had helped Rōman forgive Ansonī and the two were growing close again.

Arufureddo wrapped his arms around Āsā and held him tight, smiling down at his lover.

"To think six months ago, I was a demon," he said. "Now I'm a guardian angel with a terrific boyfriend! I never thought a miracle would ever happen to me!" He leant down and claimed Āsā's lips. Āsā clung to Arufureddo and gave a moan of disappointment when it stopped.

"I guess the Romeo and Juliet story can have a happy ending after all," he replied and they kiss again.

Furanshisu looked at all of the L'amour that was going on around him. Feliks and Toriumu gazing at each other, Rōman and Ansonī doing their own brand of flirting with each other, Girubāto was cooing over his Birdie, Rutovu~ihi and Ferishiāno could not get closer and then there was Āsā and Arufureddo. Their romance had lead to them regaining their human lives and gave them another shot at Heaven. Furanshisu did not intend to let this chance pass him by and make another silly mistake like last time, although he rather doubted he would meet Iwan again any time soon. Or at all!

All the love on display was making Furanshisu feel somewhat lonely so he went back out into the dining area to see if any more diners had come in that he could serve. A young woman sat in the corner with her head down and her shoulders slumped. Furanshisu knew enough to know someone who had been stood up and it made him sad to see this girl so brought down.

"Mademoiselle?"

The girl's head came up and the breath caught in Furanshisu's throat. She was the living image of his wife! The short, wavy blonde hair and the blue eyes that were awash with tears yet to fall but it could not be his beloved wife, she had died many years ago but still …...

"Can I help you, mademoiselle?" he asked, trying to breath properly. "You seem to be a little … down!" The girl gave a watery smile.

"Not unless you know where my date might have gone to," she replied, drily.

"Désolé," Furanshisu said. "But I can tell you whoever it is, is a fool to pass up the chance to spend time with a lovely lady like you." The woman gave a self-deprecating chuckle.

"Not lovely enough, apparently," she muttered. Furanshisu sat down beside her.

"You are for me!" he declared and took her hand. "My name is Furanshisu! And what do I call you, lovely lady?" The girl finally gave a genuine smile.

"My name is Jeane!"

Vladimir stood on the roof of the building opposite, looking down at the restaurant below. Everything had worked out well. Iwan had become too powerful, powerful enough to challenge Vladimir's position as the Lord of Hell, even though very few knew who the Lord of Hell was. Vlad or Lucifier as the Lord of Hell was known, quite often wandered Hell as the quiet unassuming demon known as Vladimir. He saw things that his denizens would never show him if they knew who he really was and he knew that Iwan's ultimate goal would have been to become Lord of Hell. He was that type.

Losing all those demons did not upset him as much as many might suspect. Sure, losing them angered him but it was a small price to pay to bring Iwan down. Besides, all the demons Iwan created came with a touch of Heavenly Light within them, something that did not belong in the heart of a demon.

Vlad/Lucifer took one more look at the restaurant and knew that none of the redeemed demons would ever be corrupted again as they were forewarned but there were plenty of other fish in the sea, people willing to sell their souls for less altruistic things as it was now against the rules to accept a soul to save a life. That loophole had been closed forever.

But now to work! There was an ex-demon in the punishment pits, awaiting his special attention!

Kiku finally made his way up to bed! Finishing the final draft had taken longer than he thought and it was now very late. Arthur must be fed up of waiting for him by now. He pushed the bedroom door opened.

"Gomen'nasai, Arthur," he apologised. "I did not expect the draft to take ….." Kiku stopped at the sight of his fiancé, eyes closed, surrounded by all his volumes of Demonic Romeo, the last one still in his hand as he breathed lightly in and out. He looked so peaceful and Kiku smiled as gathered the volumes up and put them on the bedside table in a tidy pile. He dressed for bed and climbed in beside Arthur, pulling the blankets up to cover him and Arthur. Then he lightly kissed Arthur's cheek.

"Good night, my angel," he whispered and turned off the bedside lamp.

And that's that! There have been times during this story when I've been so blocked, I've been ready to throw in the towel but I persevered and I made it to the end. I'd like to thank everybody who read, favourited and followed and I'd definitely like to thank everyone who reviewed! Without your encouragement I think I would have given up so without you, this story might not have made it to the end so give yourselves a big pat on the back and a big box of virtual cookies (::) (::) (::) (::)

To themuscialcat – No, you can't have Poland without ponies :P Don't worry, Iwan's sins have caught up with him I think everybody needed hugs at one point. But all's well that ends well! :)

To Scarlet Phantom – Okay! I forgive you! (sob) No, it wasn't good news at all! I don't know if Hell froze but I bet Iwan got a frosty reception :( And this is Romeo and Juliet! With a happy (ish) ending! :D

To Pandoala – You're welcome! I'm happy that you like it and I hope the last chapter lived up to your expectations! :)

To ArtemisIsis13 – I hope you've stopped screaming now! :P Everyone's fighting and with Berwald and Tino involved, the other Nordics were inevitable. The Vargas reunion was always going to be a tender moment and Feliks and the ponies! Had to happen! :D I heard of Warehouse 13 but I never seen it. I made it No 13 simply because it's meant to be unlucky (not in my experience but each to their own) The Nordics might have hunted Iwan down if a certain event hadn't happened and scenarios involving gunshots are never reassuring DX and this one was no exception and I think you know about the priest now O.O Iwan's in no position to harm your blood pressure any more. I hope you enjoyed the ending and I hope I made you cry! (That just sounds so wrong!)

And that's the end of another story! I'm not sure what I'll be writing next so it might be a while before I post another multi-chapter story but I will try to write some one-shots in the meantime. I'm already working on a final chapter of Vee~ and I'm thinking up ideas for a Halloween story so stay tuned!

Hasta la Pasta!