Canada was apparently breaking several records today. He has never been so mad, frustrated, sad, terrified, or be so willing to puke his guts out in such a short time span. He has also never been so annoyed before. He started to realize that last one after listening to Ohio and Michigan argue since they were at the gym. Listening to France and England was nothing compared to these too, actually France and England were quite amusing at times. With Ohio and Michigan, they mostly argued about their roles as states, which led to the conversation getting really messy. They often went off track of their original argument and started to point out each other's flaws, which led to arguing more and more.

"You know what? You're delusional, I don't even know how you defend half of the crap you do," Ohio said hotly as he and Michigan stormed through the airport's parking lot. Canada and Prussia glanced at each other helplessly as they trailed behind them, both knowing yet another war was starting.

"I'm surprised you can walk with that giant stick up your ass. It's not my fault that I like to actually work for us to have a better life, you might not care if we're shut out from the rest of our kind, but I do." Michigan held his head stubbornly, his figure stiff.

Venom poured out of Ohio's mouth, "Our kind? Are you talking about them? I'll have you know that we're not shut out from our kind, because there's only fifty of us. Those personifications are nothing like us, so don't even associate us with them."

Michigan's hands formed two fists at his sides, "It doesn't matter how different we are, we're all personifications, and we deserve to know about each other!"

"Doesn't matter? Why don't you look at what's left of your face and tell me how it doesn't make a difference. We wear a flag, and no other personification is ever going to have that as a part of their physical appearance. Slow down before you lose another eye."

"Why don't you shut the hell up about my eye! Maybe you should-"

Prussia threw his hands in the air, "Oh my god shut up! Why can't you just shut up? For the love of god!" Canada winced when his voice boomed through the parking lot, but then realized that their arguing couldn't have been much quieter.

Michigan and Ohio paused for a moment, Canada noticed that the only time they stopped talking was when Canada or Prussia said something. It could be the littlest of all comments and they would listen. Michigan always listened as if they were saying something he'd have to remember, he could always see the state's focus when one of them was talking. Ohio listened with a defensive gleam in his eyes, preparing for the worst. Either way, Canada would talk all day if it kept them from yelling at each other.

"Where would Indiana be around this time of day?" Canada asked, trying to distract the two from their previous argument.

Michigan checked the time on his watch and hummed in thought, Ohio glanced at him with fading annoyance, "She's finishing her shift at work. Leave it to Indiana to work the day after a party."

"You're the one to talk, I had to drag you out of the boxing gym!" Michigan rolled his eyes while Ohio glanced at a small notebook in his hands, "We have an overlay for the next hour and a half, so we have enough time to get Indiana, drive to her apartment, and get back to fly to the next state."

"This state has a job?" Canada asked. "Are you states being funded by the government, or do you have to find your own way to support yourselves?"

Ohio looked about to lash on him, but Michigan held his hand out, stopping him from saying anything. "It wasn't an insult, he's curious." Michigan glanced at the nation, "Of course we're funded by the government, but barely. I'm sure you can guess that our existence is even top secret within the border, only the president knows. Our pay adds on to the deficit, so it's common sense not to take much, and America can only share so much of his pay with there being fifty of us. So yeah, getting a job is common, it's a hobby too. We have a lot of free time."

Prussia gawked, "Only the president? How do you run country like that?"

Ohio glared at him, "We run our country and our state just fine. Now if you don't mind, I think it would be best if your interview with Michigan comes to an end."

"Yeah, wouldn't want to give too much information to the outsiders," Michigan's voice was dangerously sarcastic.

"Shut up, Michigan. It's what the nations want, and you submit to their every will so you might as well be quiet." Ohio smirked at the anger brewing in his eyes.

Canada cleared his throat, "Anyway, where does Indiana work?"

"She works at a publishing company, she's really into novels," Ohio grumbled as his eyes danced across his notebook, which Michigan soon snatched out of his hands.

"If you're so worried about our schedule then we should get moving," His starry eye ran over it, "and it looks like we'll be very busy for the next week or so. I hope we catch them by the end of the week, or we'll have problems." He tossed the notebook back to him and whistled for a taxi.

"Yeah, I wonder who they are," Ohio murmured with a distant look in his eyes. "Everything will change when we find out." Michigan nodded in agreement, then opened the door to a taxi that pulled beside them. "Well you ready for your one hour petty tour of Indianapolis?"

Prussia smiled at the brunet, "Sure, but all of your cities look the same to me. Just a bunch of buildings pushed against each other, that's what I see."

Ohio and Michigan instantly shook their heads, "Hell no."

"Absolutely not, and don't tell Indiana you said that."

Canada threw his suitcase in the trunk and carefully placed Kunajira on his lap as he slipped in the taxi. Kunajiro gave him an annoyed look, "It's alright. We only have seven more states to travel to, not to mention our flight to D.C." He gave the polar bear a sympathetic smile as he groaned.

XXX

"Hey, did you catch Indiana Jones on TV this weekend?" Michigan asked loudly as they walked down a thin hallway of the publishing building.

Ohio sighed in a way that gave Canada the impression that the state did this every time they visited Indiana, "No, I didn't."

Michigan let out a low whistle, "Well I sure did! It was the first one too, I haven't met a single person who doesn't like the theme song. How'd it go again?"

The Mid-Westerner rolled his eyes, but failed to keep a straight face, "Well I believe it went like this." He whistled the song as loudly as possible, soon Michigan joined in. They stopped in front of a door with a small window blocked with blinds. Canada and Prussia stood off to the side, both making sure to keep out of view if the state opened the door. The two states obnoxiously knocked on the door while continuing to whistle.

Canada could hear a loud sigh through the wall, "I really hope that two states other than Michigan and Ohio are outside my office now." The two whistled even louder. "Seriously I'd rather have the Southern prank war reach the Mid-West than have Michigan and Ohio standing outside of my office."

Ohio stopped, "Did she just consider us worse than the prank war?"

Michigan shook his head, "Well, we almost killed each other several times on our way here, so she's possibly right."

The woman behind the door groaned, "Just come in already you idiots." Canada placed his hand on Prussia's shoulder to stop him from entering the room, holding his breath if she saw them. Prussia gave him a look of confusion, "Wait," He mouthed. The albino gave him a nod and pressed his ear to the wall, Canada copied his place.

"Indiana Jones! Nice to see you, are you up for an adventure?" Michigan's voice was the loudest out of all of them.

"Why is it that when you say that you have something completely ridiculous laid out for me?" The female voice asked in a deadpan voice.

Canada could imagine Ohio rolling his eyes now, "Oh it's ridiculous for sure. I don't know who laid it out, but some of us screwed up really bad."

"What do you mean?"

There was a pause, then one of them let out a sharp breath, "America's gone," Michigan blurted out bluntly, causing a heavy silence afterwards.

"Gone? Gone as in..."

"Maybe we should talk about this outside," Ohio suggested.

Canada could hear an office chair scrape against the carpet, and a hand slammed on a wooden desk. "If there's something regarding the safety of our family then it won't matter where you tell me," Her voice was hard.

Ohio started to protest, but Michigan interrupted him, "Fine. But you're responsible for anything that blows out."

Prussia tapped on Canada's shoulder and pointed to the door crack, he gave him a nod of agreement and they both laid on the rough carpet to peak under the door. The state Indiana leaned against the window and continued to argue with Michigan while Ohio watched with a frustrated glare. "You're not going to share without my permission, just tell me what happened."

Michigan raised his eyebrow, "You sure that I wouldn't? I'd be more doubtful if I were you. It's not exactly something we can put into words with a schedule like this."

"Schedule? Where's America?"

"We don't know," Ohio said.

"Well, what happened?" She growled.

Michigan glared at her, "Why don't I make this clearer for you?"

Ohio took a step forward, "Wait, it's probably not the best idea to-" Indiana's head slammed against the blinds when Michigan blasted her with his star. Canada only caught a glimpse of the process since the light was so blinding. Canada flinched and started to feel a pain in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" A male voice said behind him. Canada jumped and whipped his head towards the voice, a tall man in a navy blue suit looked down at him questionably.

Canada sputtered and stumbled to his feet, Prussia sat on the floor and patted the ground, "I'm so sorry sir! We were just..."

"Looking for the back of my earing, and I just found it!" Prussia called out. Canada couldn't tell what was happening beyond the door anymore, it was silent.

The employee squinted at him with beady eyes and shifted the file of papers in his hands, "It didn't look like you were searching for anything. Also I doubt you're supposed to be here in the first place. Do I have to call security?"

"No, we came in here with two other men who know the girl in that office," Canada blurted out.

The man seemed taken aback by the explanation, "Ms. Jones? I suppose you're talking about her brothers Digby and Astor then, what is your connection with them?"

The door opened and Michigan let out a gasp, "Chris! I haven't seen you in forever."

The man adjusted his glasses, "What a blissful time span that has been. And it's Christopher! I can't say I missed you loitering around this company building. What are you and Digby doing here?"

"We're delivering some news, that's it." The state tilted his head, "Do you need anything? You should be working at your desk, right?"

Christopher stared at him like he was a contagious disease, "Well actually I'm going to drop off this short story that I edited for her to read over, which is proving to be a more difficult task with you blocking the doorway."

Michigan didn't move from where he was standing, "My sis is busy at the moment, but I'd be glad to hand it over for you."

He extended a hand, but Christopher recoiled with a disgusted expression, "Or maybe if you move, then I'll be able to give this to her myself." He tightened his grip on the file of papers.

Canada cleared his throat, "Ms. Jones is facing a series of family matters at the moment. If you wouldn't mind then I could hand it to her."

Christopher turned to him, "Fine, at least you have some manners. You must not be related to the Jones, they don't know what manners are." He placed the file in the Canadian's hands then said, "Besides you don't have that hideous eye."

Michigan twitched, "Well, it was great seeing you! Gilbert, Matthew, and I will go hand over that file now." He grabbed the two nations by their shirts and pulled them through the doorway. The door shut firmly and Michigan glared daggers at it, "The damn prick."

Indiana's blonde hair covered her face as she leaned over her desk, "Why did this happen?" She glanced over at Ohio, "We're not at war, we didn't fight, nothing happened."

"Nothing had to happen, it's in our nature. If we suppress our greed for too long, we explode into chaos. It was only a matter of time," Ohio muttered.

Indiana glared at him with a star and a beige colored eye, "It was only a matter of time? America would slap you upside the head if he heard you! We're not animals that have no self-control, and unless you're the one who captured America you should agree with me!"

Ohio paused, "Me? I have more self-control than most of you. I'm just trying to put myself in the mind of the guilty, it would help. If we can figure out why this happened in the first place, we can find a way to stop this from happening in the future."

Michigan snorted, "Self control isn't what we need, we need justice. I say we bring these states down hard when we find them, they won't want to take any risks after I'm through with them!"

"Will you be able to do anything?" Canada asked timidly. Michigan stared at him questionably, "I mean, if these states are close to you, will you have the will to punish them?"

Indiana and Ohio faltered while Michigan puffed out his chest, "I might not at first, but once I remind myself that they harmed our leader, I'd do it."

Ohio rolled his eyes, "He's just sizing himself up."

"I'm serious!"

"Hey," Prussia said, "While I'd hate to cut off the only conversation with real meaning we've had so far, we have to get moving."

Indiana gently picked up the file from Canada's grasp, "Right, it looks like I'm giving this back to Christopher, time for an early vacation for me."

"And if you don't get permission?"

She shrugged at Michigan, "Then I'll quit. I'm sure you faced the same with the boxing gym."

The state rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah, but as long as I got my eye, where I go doesn't matter."

Michigan and Indiana left to talk to Christopher and her boss, leaving three left in the office, "You states are so complicated," Prussia mused.

Ohio chewed on his pen while reading over the schedule written on his notebook, "You've only met four states, this is just the beginning. Speaking of complicated, we're going to Illinois next, then Wisconsin, then Minnesota, after Minnesota we make our way south to Arkansas, then skip to Mississippi."

"Then we're done?" Prussia asked.

Ohio shook his head, "Then we go to D.C. and wait for everyone else to arrive. Then we'll probably have a huge argument on who's had the worst experience throughout our trips, then we'll unpack, and who knows what happens after that."

"Either way, we know how it ends, we get America back," Canada stated with more confidence than he felt.

Ohio didn't feel like playing along, "I hope, but you never know."

Prussia crossed his arms, "No way am I letting this end any other way, that's for sure!"

Canada smiled, "Me neither. My brother's an idiot, and it's my job to point that out to him. I can't do that if he's not here."

"Hey, that's my leader you're talking about. He's smarter than he's given credit for in my opinion, and without him the country would fall apart. I'm not letting us screw ourselves over by taking America. Not gonna happen, we're getting him back no matter what."

"I second that," Indiana said as she entered her office.

"So who wants to help clear this desk? Indiana just quit," Michigan gestured to the empty boxes he carried. Ohio frowned and for a moment he looked as if he were about to say something, "What?"

He shook his head, "Nothing give me a box."

Canada laughed as he helped unload piles of paper in the desk drawers, listening to Michigan describe Christopher's face as he spoke to him for possibly the last time. While he was happy that everyone was starting to work together, something still seemed off. Canada couldn't shake the unnerving feeling in his chest that something was wrong, and as he thought more about it he started to realize why.

Never before did he feel so wrong about meeting personifications than he did while meeting the states. He couldn't help but wonder if America kept them isolated for a reason. Maybe fate decided that nations and states were never meant to interact, and this was all one hideous mistake. All he knew then was that being annoyed with these states and distrusting them was easy, and the closer he got to these states the more unsettled he felt. Every smile, laugh, or friendly exchange could be a lie. Canada knew that eventually he was going to look into the eyes of the state who pulled the trigger and not even know it. They were different from nations, and Canada didn't know what to expect.

He only hoped that he could trust the right states, but for now he decided it was too early to trust anyone.

XXX

"Wisconsin, based on the fact that it's almost three in the morning, I hope you have a valid reason for waking me up," Minnesota's voice drawled through the phone.

Indiana leaned over Canada to check the time that read in the taxi car, "Actually, this is Indiana and it's 2:56, not three yet. I don't think this reason can get any more valid, anyway we're almost at your apartment."

For a moment, there was no reply, "What? You took a plane at this hour to visit me?"

"Not just me, there's also Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin." She shrugged as she glanced at Canada when she decided not to mention him and Prussia.

"Wait, why are so many of you coming to my apartment at once? Did something happen?"

Indiana bit her lip, "Kinda, just throw on clothes you can go out with and we'll explain the rest once we get there."

"Alright, I guess. I'll see you then."

"Bye," Indiana ended the call and tossed the phone to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin shook her head, "I can't believe you didn't bring your phone."

The state shrugged, "There's no use in bringing it. I quit my job so the only important ones who would call me are going to be held up in one house being accused of murder or kidnapping or whatever."

Illinois smirked, "I bet you ten bucks he's going to cry."

"Minnesota?" Canada asked.

"Yup, he can get so emotional sometimes."

Indiana rolled her eyes, "Have a little sensitivity, will you Illinois?"

Wisconsin nodded, "We're all getting emotional over this, and there's nothing wrong with that."

"I didn't say it was wrong, I just said I bet he's going to cry," Illinois looked at Canada, "Did you cry?"

Canada rubbed the back of his neck nervously as her mist white eye landed on him, "Well actually I didn't really give myself too much time to think about it. So far I've been busy with the plan to gather all of you individually."

Indiana ran a hand through her hair, "Yeah, we're all trying to keep busy."

Wisconsin looked out the window, then back to the taxi driver, "we're here!" She paid the driver and they filed out of the cab. While unloading the trunk, another taxi pulled up beside them and Prussia, Ohio, and Michigan jumped out.

Prussia rubbed his temple and looked at Canada, "Don't you ever put me in a situation again where I have to stay with those two!"

Canada tried to suppress his amusement, "Next time I'll take one and you take the other."

"Oh yeah, I was wondering why those two were put together in the same taxi," Indiana said as she dragged a large suitcase out of the trunk.

Ohio rolled his eyes, "Come on, let's get this over with so that we can be one state closer to D.C."

Michigan tapped the back of the taxi and it drove away, "so who's going to give Minnesota a head ache?"

Wisconsin shrugged, "I'll do it I guess.'

Canada blinked again at the blinding light of the apartment building as they walked in. Once they entered, he got a better look of the states. Michigan, Indiana and Ohio's expressions were hardened with exhaustion and annoyance, while Illinois and Wisconsin somehow still had energy radiating off of them.

Canada wasn't sure what to think of the two, but then again he didn't know what to think of any of the states. Illinois greeted them with a feisty attitude, and spoke loudly to address her presence, some states act too much like America for Canada. Her orange hair was short and always looked like it was swept back by wind, and she had a misty white eye and a star, which at the moment scanned the hallway they were in, "Wow it's dead in here."

"Well not everybody is awake at this hour traveling from state to state in one night," Wisconsin said. Her eye was a light orange and her hair was long and white. It was so silky that Canada didn't think her hair was real at first. She said it was because she was the dairy state, but Canada didn't quite understand what that had to do with her hair. She talked in a very calm and composed manner, even when she found out that America went missing. She seemed to be the one to keep a clear head during battle.

"Hey Corn Field, I'd win if I raced you up the stairs." Michigan claimed.

Ohio whipped his head to glare at him, "You wouldn't!"

Wisconsin raised her eyebrow, "Minnesota lives on the 10th floor, and it's three in the morning, do you two really want to?"

"Oh come on, I box. Also I feel dead inside, if I don't get some blood pumping through these veins I'm going to pass out. Come on Digby, let's have some fun! Unless you'd rather settle this challenge with a little game of cornhole, but you know you'd have to harvest some corn for me to play that." He smirked at successfully riling the state up.

"There's more to my state than corn you street rat! Why don't you go back to your ghetto city and sleep in a garbage can!" Ohio growled.

Fire filled the state's eye, "Oh that's it! Staircase, now. We'll see what you have to say about my city after I beat you to the ground!"

Canada glanced at Prussia, "There's no stopping them is there?"

Prussia shook his head, "Does America have this problem too? One of use has to watch them or else they're going to injure themselves."

From his pleading gaze Canada could tell he didn't want to run up ten flights of stairs at three in the morning. Canada sighed, "maple, I guess I can supervise them."

Prussia gave him a victorious grin, "Awesome! We'll meet you in the hallway then!" He cheerfully followed the three female states into the elevator while Michigan roughly dragged him to the staircase.

"C'mon! I hope you can keep up!" Canada winced at his tight grip around his arm. He could barely focus on his footing and stumbled most of the way to the stairs.

"Be careful!" Ohio growled as he jogged beside him, "What would everyone think if you broke a nation's arm before we even got to the house?"

Michigan laughed, "You've got to stop worrying about everything. You're just on edge because you want me to prove you wrong!"

Ohio glared at him, "It's not true! Just give it up, I'm right about this and in the back of your mind you know that too!" For some reason Canada started to wonder if they were really talking about a race. It seemed every thing they said had a double meaning, yet Canada couldn't think of what they could be talking about.

The three passed under a glowing exit sign and Canada was thrown through the doorway. Canada grabbed the railing, catching himself from hitting the cold grey flooring.

BANG!

Canada jolted from the echoing noise the door made when Michigan slammed it closed. He glanced up and down to see nothing but stairs, the lights flickered and the smell of mop soap slapped against his nostrils. Michigan turned to him, his one eye was glowing and he wore a smile that would look scary if it wasn't so childish. Canada studied Ohio's expression, his lips were pierced and he gave Canada an apologetic look, "T-This isn't about a race, is it." It was more of a statement than a question.

There was a moment of silence that seemed terrifying to the Canadian, his heart was thumping against his chest like it wanted to jump out. His breath hitched as Michigan shook his head, and his mind began racing to conclusions. There was a moment where there was no doubt in his mind that the two states blocking him from escaping captured America, and his eyes started to burn.

Michigan seemed confused by the Canadian's reaction while Ohio ran a hand over his face, acting like he knew this was going to happen. Michigan took a step forward and as he got closer, Canada realized that he seemed almost nervous. "Sorry to bring you here, but honestly we were expecting Prussia to come with us. Either way I have an important question..." When Michigan glanced at him his eye dimmed a bit so Canada could see the hope sparked in it. His hands shook as he practically yelled the question, "Are there provinces!?"

Oh

Canada looked him over in understanding. Michigan seemed surprised he actually asked the question, Canada could only guess how long he has thought about it. The state bit his lip as he waited for an answer. "W-Why didn't you ask me before?"

Michigan bounced on his heels and blurted out, "Well we know how secretive America is about us so I figured you wouldn't want to say anything in front of Prussia, but you can tell us! It would make total sense because America has his states, and you have the provinces and you're both brothers! Of course you'd both keep a secret like that from each other, and it can stay like that if you want!" Canada stared at the babbling state in confusion. "Just tell us, do they exist? Can they cross the border? Do they wear your flag? Can we meet them!?"

The stairwell went silent as Canada searched for the right words. Michigan paused as he waited for him to speak, while Ohio at first seemed disinterested, he was now frozen and staring at the nation with curious eyes. Canada toyed with the strings from his backpack, Kymajiro was probably woken up from all of this. "Well... actually I have provinces..." Michigan grinned, "...but none of them have ever been a personification. This is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this happening, I'm sorry."

Michigan's grin dropped and his shoulders slumped. Ohio redeemed his disdainful composure, "I told you this would happen. You states who are always interested in what we don't need always end up disappointed in the end."

The state stared at Canada hopelessly, "But why? What about when you were just forming? They might have dissolved but they were there at first, right!?"

Canada shook his head, "No, that's not how it works. I don't know why America's the exception, but nations aren't formed when there are other beings already personifying certain groups. Take Austria and Hungary for example; when the formed Austria-Hungary, they didn't create a new personification, they just lived in the same house."

"B-But..." Michigan had no argument. He slumped his shoulders and looked towards the stairs, "We should get going, everyone's waiting for us and Minnesota needs an explanation. Besides, we came here to race."

Canada glanced at him, "What were you going to ask Prussia?"

Michigan shrugged weakly while Ohio rolled his eyes, "We were going to ask about him about Holy Rome since he's old enough to know. We wanted to know if Holy Rome existed along with personifications within him."

Canada paused, "I-I don't really know, but we can look into it once we get to America's house."

Michigan looked up, "Really!?"

"Yeah, but under some conditions. You can't plan this stuff on your own anymore, not without us and not without America. We have to work together, and if there's something you want to talk about you have to be open and not plan to corner a nation in an empty stairwell." Michigan blushed at the last part.

"Alright!" He turned to Ohio, "See? Look at all the potential there is when teaming up with nations, we're learning so much already!"

Ohio sighed and quietly said, "Yeah, and they're learning about us in return." He glanced up the stairwell, "Are we actually doing this?"

Michigan flexed his arms, "Absolutely. Too late to take the elevator, it's just ten floors after all. But if you're not fit enough then I could carry you. We'd be like a newly wed couple!"

Ohio batted the idea away, "Over my dead body."

"Canada count us off!"

The nation stretched his legs for a moment, preparing to chase after them, "Three..." Ohio sent a glare to Michigan, who in return stuck out his tongue childishly. "Two..." They both took a deep breath. "One..." Everything seemed like it was underwater. "GO!"

Their shoes screeched against the hard floors as they launched themselves up the stairs. Canada wasn't expecting such speed and strength to come from two territories, he had to struggle to keep up with him. Climbing stairs would seem like a dull task and on any normal occasion he would put his mind on auto pilot. But something about the states' race made his competitiveness rage over all common sense. At the moment, being the first to reach the top of the stairs was the top priority. Canada blocked out their pounding feet and Michigan and Ohio taunting each other through breaths. He ignored how stiff his legs became after a good amount of floors and his inability to breathe in a decent amount of oxygen for his survival. He flew past Ohio, who was in the lead, and skipped as many steps as he could without tripping. The satisfaction of passing them both was almost too much for Canada, he couldn't suppress his grin of triumph.

"Hey!" Michigan called. He was tempted to ignore the state, but looked back anyways. That's when he realized he was on the eleventh floor, and just turned around in time to catch the two shoving the door open.

Canada stopped, then jumped off the railing and landed on the tenth floor, causing Kimojiro to scream. "It was just a couple of feet," He could barely reassure through his gasping.

When he partly controlled his breathing he entered the hallway, Michigan was leaned against the wall stifling his laughter. Ohio stood in the middle of the hallway, staring down the state smugly, "I WON!"

Michigan waved a hand, "Yeah, yeah, but the true win goes to Canada, who decided to go the extra mile and reach floor eleven, good job!"

Canada blushed, "I didn't read the signs to see which floor I was on." Kumajacko huffed in annoyance, Michigan patted him on the head.

Ohio checked the notebook he carried around, "Well we should get going, our overlay is only so long and I doubt they waited for us. Minnesota's apartment is this way."

Canada followed the two states down the dim lighted hallway. Once they were outside a door identical to all the others, Ohio only had to knock once before Illinois opened the door. "Who won?"

Michigan gave her a pointed look, "How's Minnesota?"

Illinois smiled, "Ohio, then? We took care of Minnesota while you boys played your game. He's still pretty upset, but he's packing. Also I'm now ten dollars richer!" She let the three into the apartment, a small studio with not much room to move around. Large yet comfy furniture was most of the apartment, but Canada also found himself dancing around various other things on the floor such as sports equipment, clothes, and laundry baskets.

He tripped over a fishing pole and caught himself with a large blue couch. When he looked up he was staring into Prussia's blood red eyes, "You should be more careful," he said with a smirk. When Canada realized half his body was on the Prussian's lap, he rolled onto the floor, he didn't even know how many things he landed on.

"I see that this state hasn't cleaned his apartment in a while," Canada mumbled.

Indiana stood from the couch and held out a hand to hoist him up, "Yeah, that's Minnesota for you. But besides his lack of order you two have a lot in common. Nice, quiet, obsessed with hockey, and probably more stuff too."

Canada took her hand, "He likes hockey?" Once he was up, he sat on the couch since it was the closest thing he could get to without falling again.

He sunk into the cushions and looked around. Ohio and Michigan were talking to Illinois while sitting at a small rounded table. Wisconsin sat on the blue love seat beside the couch, while Indiana, and Prussia sat next to him on the couch. "Yeah, a lot of us northern states do, we should all play a game sometime!"

Canada gave her a timid smile, "That would be nice, but I don't know what America will decide to do once we bring him back."

Wisconsin looked up, "That's not his decision, it's ours. We vote every couple of years once the topic comes up, but..." her light orange eye gleamed towards Ohio, "the isolationists always outvote us."

"And it should stay that way," Ohio said, earning a glare from Michigan.

"Why's it your decision when America's the leader?" Prussia asked.

Indiana leaned back in the couch, "He said that he shouldn't make a decision for us that will impact us more than him, a good move on his part since we're so conflicting on the issue."

"What are you?" Canada asked. "If you don't mind me asking."

"Neutral. I'm not an isolationist, nor an internationalist, and I have no problem with that. I'm the only one in the area, most states along borders and seas choose a side instantly, the further in you go the more neutral states there are." She smiled at Ohio and Michigan.

Canada glanced at her, "So is the decision based on geography or the people?"

"Neither," Indianan said. "It's not determined by anything but ourselves, it's almost as if we're making it as people and not personifications."

Canada thought about it, "Well I guess that would make since, you states are very-" He was cut off by a door slamming open. Minnesota hopped into the room on one foot while tying a shoe with the other. He had dark brown hair that was sticking out from every angle and a lake blue eye.

"You almost ready?" Illinois called.

Minnesota gave a slight nod, "Y-Yeah, but have you seen my-" The state cut himself off as he finished with his shoe, "actually I don't remember what I was looking for."

Illinois squinted her eyes, "Glasses?"

"Yeah!"

"Here," Wisconsin picked up a pair of metal frames from the coffee table. As the state rushed over to put them on, he looked at Canada, "Oh Hello! I'm Minnesota."

Canada reached to shake his hand, "Nice to meet you."

He adjusted his glasses and stepped over everything on the floor to get back to his suitcase, "Hey," Prussia called, "why don't you states wear contacts or something to cover your eye?"

Ohio let out a fake gasp, "What!? Genius! Us states- who obviously seem retarded to you- have never thought of that before!"

Minnesota cringed and looked at Prussia, "Ask California, she was the first to try it. She couldn't get it out for a month, her eye melted the contact lens, and it was stuck. Her eye kept healing around it, we had to rip her eye out to remove the melted lens. It hid the star for a full minute before it melted though, but the pain wasn't worth blending in better."

Canada had to shake his head to get the image out of his mind, "Oh," Prussia looked up, "Wait, does that mean she's missing an eye too?"

"No, it regenerated like all personifications would be able to," Minnesota answered.

Prussia glanced at Michigan, but thankfully didn't ask anything else. The state clapped his hands together, "Well, now you know! To Iowa?"

"To Iowa!" Illinois cheered.

Prussia groaned, "Traveling from state to state is starting to drain me, I don't think I can get up from this couch."

Canada whipped his head over to him, "Drain you! I just ran up ten flights of stairs!"

"Eleven," Ohio corrected, "and stop complaining before everyone decides to join in. We're not having the 'I'm more tired than you are' contest. No matter what we have no time to rest before America's house."

"I don't think I can get up from this couch because I might trip over something and fall on my face," Indiana complained. "When was the last time you cleaned this place?"

Minnesota hoisted her up from the couch, "The manager came up a week ago when she collected rent and told me to clean up, so this is my peaceful protest saying that I paid for this, so I can keep it in any condition I want."

Michigan laughed, "Nice! Stick it to the man! Well you know, Woman."

Canada stood and forced Prussia off of the couch, having him land on the same fishing pole Canada tripped over earlier, "I'm sure this is a legal safety hazard some where."

Minnesota nodded, "Yeah, maybe in Canada. Anyways we should get going!"

Prussia huffed as he got off up the floor, "Damn right we should be going. All I know is that I can't wait to get to America's house!"

XXX

Canada yawned as he stared at yet another apartment building, he was getting tired of seeing those things. Maybe one day he would come to learn that a state lived in something other than a low maintenance apartment. He could also be yawning over the fact that he hasn't slept since the morning before America's party, but he tried not to think to hard about that.

Prussia on the other hand, took that thought and turned it into an excuse to complain every five minutes, "What time is it even?"

He glanced at his watch, "9:34 AM."

Prussia groaned, "The first thing I'm going to do is sleep this trip away when I reach the house. If I make it that long, I'm either going to drop from exhaustion or from heat stroke."

Minnesota did his best to fan himself, "Don't even talk to me about heat, heat and I have a horrible relationship, we're not even on speaking terms."

Iowa laughed, "was that a joke? You never do that, this is a rare moment in life." Canada smiled, so far she has been in a good humor. The state had a grass green eye and straw colored hair, she greeted the nations with a warm smile before she knew what was going on. She gave the same smile after too, although it was a little strained.

Minnesota swatted at her, "Oh no, how dare anybody but you have a sense of humor in this country, must be the heat stroke."

Iowa raised her eyebrow, "Humor and sarcasm right next to each other? Keep going, i'll get out my camera."

After realizing the state's contradicting opinions, it wasn't hard to learn which side each state was on, if they were on one. Canada noticed the disappointment in Iowa's eyes when she found out ten nations knew America's secret. What Canada didn't understand was how there were so many different reactions to the issue. The states varied from being completely calm to absolute crazy, and everything in between. He was expecting all the states to be a little more similar since they're of the same nation, but he was obviously wrong.

"Candy!" Prussia yelled into his ear, causing him to jump. He glanced over at the albino, "You completely spaced out on us, I said we should go meet Missouri, not stand out here in the heat all day."

Canada paused, giving his mind a moment to catch up with the world, then nodded, "Yeah, and it's Canada."

"Who?" Canada shook his head as he followed the others into the apartment building.

"I'm so glad I made it back to Kansas!" Illinois drawled in a western accent stronger than her own, "and I even have these beautiful slippers from Oz to keep as a souvenir."

"We're in Kansas City, not Kansas," Indiana corrected. "Kansas would flip if she heard you right now."

Illinois smirked, "What's she going to do, throw a bucket of water on me?"

"Well maybe you'd really melt, since you're such a witch," Iowa said quietly.

"Aww, Iowa, you should've saved that one for Massy!" Michigan called out.

Ohio whacked the state upside the head with his notebook, "Alright enough with the teasing, we almost missed our flight the last time we fooled around for too long. I'd actually like to reach Missouri's apartment without racing up ten flights of stairs."

Michigan's eye gleamed, "Oh come one, it's only seven floors now, we can have Prussia supervise us this time!"

"No." When he caught Canada's eye, he looked away.

They piled into the elevator, all trying to shift their luggage around to make room. The ride up was silent, excluding Michigan's complaining, Ohio's retorts, Iowa's laughter, Minnesota's apologizing for taking up so much space -Canada only then realized how tall he was- Prussia's cackling... actually it wasn't quiet at all; Canada just wished it was. It was all a dream, one Canada would never be able to obtain for a while.

By the time they were outside Missouri's apartment, the state whipped open the door fired up with annoyance, "Do you guys even know how loud you are? What are you doing here?" Canada was getting used to the moment of shocked silence there was after a state realized there were nations along with the group.

Then a state would say something like, "Long time no see, Missouri. Did you get a hair cut or something?" This state happened to be Michigan, unsurprisingly.

After that there would be a response similar to, "Michigan unless you want to be thrown out a window you better tell me what those two are doing here."

Canada held in a sigh and stared at Michigan, "Are you going to draw it out or just zap him right away?"

Michigan laughed, "You just get funnier and funnier after every state, are you getting bored or something and you're trying to entertain yourself?" Canada shrugged in response, he didn't know if his newly discovered attitude was from his lack of sleep or the fact that he was loosing his mind. He guessed it could be a combination of both.

"What the hell is going on!" Missouri asked. He had short dark red hair and a dark brown eye, his light blue tee-shirt and yellow sweat pant's made the colors seem even darker. His shoulders were more broad than Michigan's, and he was taller. Yet when the state took a step forward into his apartment, he took a step back. "W-What are you doing?"

Michigan rolled up his sleeves, "I don't feel like drawing this out, so if you don't let me 'zap' you -as Canada calls it- then I'll have to do this by force."

Indiana rolled her eyes and pushed him aside, "Move shorty, you and Ohio need muzzles, did you know that?" She gave an apologetic look to Missouri, "Sorry, we're kinda running on no sleep and we have an emergency on our minds."

Canada stepped aside to let the rest of the group file into Missouri's apartment, Canada remained in the hallway. Thankfully no one noticed him, there were advantages with being invisible sometimes, the door shut and he closed his eyes and leaned his shoulder against the wall. "Hey," Canada jumped when he heard Prussia's voice. His eyes flung open to find out that he was indeed not alone, Prussia stared at him in concern. "Are you aright?"

"Who's watching the states?" He asked instantly.

Prussia smiled, "Oh come on, they can handle five minutes without us, now what's wrong?"

Canada shook his head and started walking aimlessly down the hallway, Prussia followed. "I just don't understand any of this, America's not suppose to have states, it was a mistake. If it wasn't a mistake then I'd have provinces too, and now I can't be sure if they existed before I was even born, and died after I formed."

Prussia frowned, "Where's all this coming from?" Canada explained to him what happened in the stairwell before meeting Minnesota, he listened with intense interest. When he finished his story Prussia stopped him and put a hand on his shoulder "Hey, it doesn't matter if these states were a mistake; they're here. It doesn't matter if there were Provinces or not; they're not here. We have to keep our heads clear and focus on the mission, I might have the balls, but we need some brains too, which means I can't do this without you."

"Can you try?" Canada asked quietly, "I don't know if I can hold myself together."

His throat tightened as he waited for Prussia's reply. The nation sighed, "Canada, I'm not going to let you fall apart. I won't, no other nation will, and you definitely won't allow that. America needs all of us, and especially his brother."

Canada crossed his arms, "and what can I do about all of this? I'm not strong enough to do anything."

Prussia stared at him defiantly, "Are you serious? You're the second largest nation in the entire world, and you have the brains and strength to prove it. Remember when we took down New York? Japan said you unarmed him in three seconds, then you revealed his eye, and figured out his identity. We wouldn't even be here without you, so stop looking down on yourself."

Canada stared at him in shock, and couldn't think of what to say before his phone rang. He pulled his phone out of his backpack and pushed it to his ear, "Who is it?"

"Canada, it's England, and I have news for you." Canada stiffened, Prussia reached over to put the phone on speaker.

"What is it?"

"Where are you?"

"Kansas City, Missouri, you?" Prussia said.

"France and I are at the house, I just called Germany and Italy, they are in Kentucky and will start heading to D.C. after West Virginia."

Prussia huffed, "You talked to West? I'm going to guess that he didn't die from heat stroke in that suit then, who wears that in this heat? So what's this spontaneous news you have to share with us?"

Canada knew what he said after that, but he wished otherwise. He hand shook and loosened it's grip on the phone. His throat tightened and his eyes watered. Prussia's knuckles turned white from clenching his fists, and his mouth was a thin line, "As I said to Germany and Italy, France and I are holding a vote on whether to continue this mission or not. It's never too late to pull back, but so far every vote has been on staying."

Prussia snorted, "Then who am I to break the pattern? Count me in, we'll get them before they can get us."

Canada took a deep breath, "I will continue this mission to my grave if it means getting my brother back."

"I'll let everyone know, anything else you'd like to discuss before ending this call?"

"Nope."

He hesitated, "No but... I want you to send me the picture this state sent. I don't care what condition he's in, I have to see him."

England paused over the phone, "A-Are you sure? Canada, you won't like what you see."

"Either way I will see it, send it to me, please," Canada said with a hard swallow.

"OK, goodbye then, get here safely."

The nations said their goodbyes and ended the call, "I don't think we should leave the states alone any longer," he said looking at Canada. He nodded numbly and they started walking back to the apartment room, his legs seemed to get heavier with every step, and he feared he was gripping his phone with enough strength to break it.

"Hey! There they are!" Illinois called.

Missouri stared at the two curiously, now holding his head in pain. "Canada and Prussia... I never thought I'd be talking to you in person.

Prussia cackled and shook his hand, "Yeah, it must be shocking to meet someone as awesome as me! Welcome to this crazy journey."

Canada jolted when his phone vibrated in his hand. He unlocked the phone and glanced at his messages, his movements slow and shaky. It was hard to focus his vision when he laid his eyes on the picture, but once he did, he couldn't tear his eyes away. It was his brother, beaten, scarred, and chained. His eyes widened to take in every detail, every bruise, every wound, every drop of blood was etched into his memory. He'd never have that image erased from his head, even though he wished he never saw it at all. He forgot where he was before he heard Wisconsin scream and back into a wall, she must have looked over his shoulder. Once he was brought back to present time, his phone slipped out of his hands and crashed onto the hallway carpet. It was picked up by a state's hands and the group went silent.

"One of you did this," Canada murmured quietly, barely registering that the words escaped his mouth.

"We know," Ohio said, his voice hard.

"Who?" Prussia asked.

Wisconsin covered her face, "We don't know. It could be any state that you've met or haven't met before." She looked up, "In fact, the state who left those marks on him could very well be standing in this hallway." No one said anything after that, because there were no objections. She was very well right, and that scared Canada. Any state could be responsible for this, even the ones traveling with him now. Canada couldn't imagine America in this situation, he didn't see any of this coming, which meant that anything after this would be unpredictable too. Surprises were becoming sickening to the young Canadian.

As they waited for their taxis to arrive for the airport, Canada couldn't help but look over the states watching the street in boredom. If the state was among them, which one would it be? He didn't have an answer then, but he knew that he had to have one soon if he ever wanted to see his brother again.

Until he found an answer, he'd just have to keep on searching.

XXX

Author's Note: YEAH! That's like my shortest time span between updates for this story I think. Sorry for the wait anyway! I was helping my friend get ready for college so I've been trying to find time in between everything to work on this. I'm trying to get in a chapter in less than a month, and I was so close for this one! Maybe next chapter will have a faster update. If I don't update by September just assume that I'm pulling out my hair screaming.

And we have 2/? of Canada's point of view! So what do you think of the Mid-West? Thank you so much for everyone of you awesome reviewers who told me your suspicions, I die of happiness with everyone's predictions. Next chapter we're going to see more of America's house and how everyone's settling in.

Thanks for reading and hopefully next chapter will come soon!