Three days passed. During the three days, America had genuinely apologized to Japan about the bombings back in World War II (Japan was anxious to stop talking about such horrible times; he understood why America was apologizing and he too was sorry for bombing Pearl Harbor but America went on and on through details that seemed quite unnecessary).
"I see...well, then I shall agree to become 'best buds' with you America." Japan had said at the end of the 'Apology Session'. Normally, Japan would have bowed and go away but he and America were in the hospital at the time and walking away was physically impossible. Well, if he tried, he could make it two steps before his knees buckled and his head pounded.
By the time Japan and America were released from the hospital ("Well what do you know, I guess we really do heal fast!" America had laughed, at to which Japan responded by asking if America had really gone through so many wars and not notice until now.), they returned to Germany's house at once.
It was a mess there. The power occasionally came on; Germany wondered if it was because the doppelgangers need the power all of a sudden. That led him to think of another thing; the world's electricity can't simply be turned on and off by simply switcing on a single switch; there must be thousands, millions, hundred millions of switches or buttons from powerplants to generate everyone's electricity. Unless the doppelgangers were in town right then and there, Germany couldn't see how their power coressponded to the doppelgangers if they were far, far away.
When America and Japan returned, Japan went out to seek Russia with America's help. Japan took his time to apologize to Russia and saying that he truly wanted to be 'best buds' with Russia as well. "For the sake of our people, the world, and for the sake of our happiness and prosperity. I will like to become friends." Japan said, smiling as he held out a hand tentatively.
At first, when America suggested that he should reconcile with Russia, Japan was somewhat reluctant to; he admitted to America that he was somewhat afraid. He had heard quite a few stories about Russia and sometimes, when Russia was in a bad mood, he could actually feel the aura around him.
But Russia seemed happier than usual; Japan couldn't feel some of the dark aura. There was still the feeling of uncertain danger about Russia, but when Russia took Japan's hand and apologized back, Japan realized that Russia was like a huge giant teddy bear, gentle voiced and 'huggable' as America called it.
And so the 'Best Buds' duo changed to the 'Best Buds' trio. "Yes!" America said cheerfully, fist pumping the air. "Three countries! Now, the rest of the world to go!"
Italy had overheard and ran up to Japan, tugging at his sleeve. "Ve, Japan, can I be part of the 'Best Buds' too?"
Japan smiled warmly at Italy and America placed his arm around Italy's shoulders. "Of course!" America exclaimed. "Our goal is to have everyone join! Spread the love and everything, am I right? Say, Italy..." America's energetic voice lowered to his serious voice, the one he used to apologize to Russia and Japan.
"Yes, America?" Italy blinked at America.
"You have a doppelganger..." America said, somewhat curious. "So that means you probably hate someone or something. What do you hate?"
"America," Japan said quickly. "They said that doppelgangers grow from dislike as well. Italy probably just has dislikes."
"No, Japan. America's right." Italy said softly.
"What?" Japan stared at Italy.
"I do have some things I hate." Italy said quietly.
"Like what?" America asked.
Italy held up his hand and counted off of his fingers. "Ve...Let's see...I hate not eating my pasta, I hate it when the bed is cold, I hate it when the wind blows sand into my eyes, I hate it when I have no utensils for my pasta, I hate England's cooking-it looks yucky!"
America, Russia, and Japan laughed as Italy named all of the small things he hated. They quieted when Italy said the last thing he hated.
"And...I hate being abandoned..."
America glanced up at Russia. Japan stared at Italy. Then, at once, America pulled Italy closer to the three and then proceeded to pull Russia and Japan in into a group hug. "Don't worry Italy." America said.
"We won't abandon you." Japan said, struggling to not break away from everyone else; he still wasn't used to hugs.
"I know how you feel..." Russia said to Italy. Italy looked up at Russia, smiling when he saw Russia smile. "I felt lonely before; I don't like feeling abandoned. But now I have friends, and I hope we can be friends too. This feeling is warm, yes? It's pleasant."
The four broke apart (Japan sighed mentally in relief) and Italy nodded at Russia. "Yeah, the feeling is very pleasant."
And so Italy became one of the 'Best Buds' group. "And we'll celebrate by eating pasta!" Italy exclaimed, linking arms with Russia and Japan. He made sure America's arm was linked to Japan and then Italy led them down to Germany's kitchen for pasta.
The day was nice for them compared to the other countries. Germany was still somewhat stressed but with help from the others, he managed not to knock over any more chalkboards ("Honestly, all of my work could have shattered." England had mumbled under his breath while he and Turkey propped the board back up.).
The list of countries Germany decided to send over to Chicago had been carefully looked over several times. Germany had thought long and hard about it; he's lost so many and he didn't want to walk right into traps the doppelgangers might have set up for them, although he felt as if he really was walking right into one.
But he managed to make a list. "America, since it's his land after all." Germany announced as the countries present gathered in the conference room for dinner. The last of the sun's rays were faded in the sky as clouds rolled by to block the majority of the rays out. It left a beautiful pink-purple color outside the windows, although the black of the night was still to come and the absolute darkness would be dangerous indeed.
Dinner was a little cold; Germany didn't want to risk using the stove too much in case if the doppelgangers cut their gas supply. They ate military style; cold everything. Cold fish, check. Cold beef, check. Cold pork, check. Germany had seen some of the nations poke at their cold mashed potatoes for a while before gulping it down with a small wrinkle between their eyebrows.
"France." France was the second country listed to go to Chicago. France was healed by England, whom Germany commanded to heal. It was enough to listen to the man go on about his fabulous cooking but it was another thing to hear him go on about how his injuries hurt.
And Germany thought that with his flashy clothes, France could be used as a distraction.
"How rude!" France had cried out when Germany mentioned that.
"I was kidding." Germany had said to France. "You're going because I want you to, is that a good enough answer for you?"
Honestly, France was only going because Germany wanted to make sure France was doing something. If they ever won the fight, he knew that France would complain about how he didn't get any glorious time in battle, and Germany would have to listen to France whine about it for quite some time. It was better to make sure the man didn't have anything to complain about. That and he felt like France could be of some help one way or another; he just wasn't sure of what.
"England."
England looked up from his cold cup of tea. "Why am I going?" he asked incredulously.
"Because of your magical abilities." Germany said. "Surely you can use it for offense, right?"
England sniffed. "Well obviously. It takes a bit of energy from me but I'm perfectly capable."
"Italy."
"Ve?" Italy looked up quickly when he heard his name called out. "But Germany, why am I going?"
Germany didn't want to put Italy out there, especially at a place like Chicago. But with the idea he had in mind, it would be best for Italy to go with them. "You have fast feet, don't you Italy?" Germany asked him. "Make use of it, alright?"
Italy nodded quietly. "Okay, I'll go wherever Germany tells me to go."
"Besides," America said from his seat. He gave Italy an excited look. "You'll have me, the Hero, to help you out!"
That made Italy calm down significantly.
The four were to leave for Chicago the day after. Germany wondered if he made the right choice by taking the risk. He knew that Italy would be in safe hands, but he was far more concerned about the possibilities of what he thought. If he was wrong...
"No, I can't think like that." Germany said as he uncapped a bottle of beer.
"Hey, West." Prussia called from four seats away. "So we got the Chicago part covered, but what about the invasion and the missing nations, huh?"
Murmurs aroused and Germany held up his hand for silence. "I have plans for the invasion." Germany said thickly. "As for the missing nations, I have a feeling that we'll run into them."
"A feeling? A 'feeling' isn't always honest." Austria said, dabbing the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief.
"Do you trust that feeling, Germany?" Hungary asked him.
"I hope so." Germany said, sighing. He gulped down some of his beer and set it down on the table.
"My dear England," France said. "You must see this beautiful sunrise!"
France glanced behind his shoulder from the boat's rails. They had to depart Germany by boat. "Planes make too much noise." Germany had reasoned. "And walking isn't an option, is it?"
America walked over to the rails with Italy trailing behind him. Leaning on the rails, Italy said, "It's so beautiful! If only I had a canvas and some paint...and brushes."
America leaned over the rails to look at the water crashing into the sides of the boat. "Cool. It's been a while since I've bene on a boat."
"America, you'll lose your glasses if you keep doing that." England snapped, walking up to America to pull him back in.
"But, dude, look! Fish!" America reached over and forced England's head over the rails and then down. England gripped onto the rails and escaped America hastily, a flash of sudden alarm on his face.
"What's wrong England?" France asked. "You're not afrai-ah, I see!" France grinned at England as England sent a glare his way.
"What is it?" America asked curiously.
"England can't swim!" France laughed.
"Sh-shut up!" England hissed, crossing his arms. "It's not my fault that no one ever taught me."
"You can't swim?" Italy asked England in surprise. "England, I can teach you! You just have to move your arms like this." Italy 'swam' in the air, waving his arms in circular motions. "And you have to kick your feet."
"It's not that hard England." America said casually. "Just do what Italy says!"
France interrupted before England could say anything. "Ah, but mon cher, he can't swim because he used to be a pi-"
England clamped his hand over France's mouth angrily.
"Pi?" Italy repeated. "What do you mean, Big Brother France?"
"Pie, pie!" America said. "England, I didn't know you used to be a pie." he added jokingly.
France smacked England's hand away and said, "Pirate. England, that was the past and yet you still are embarassed about it?"
England looked away. America then laughed. "Oh, I get it. It's that saying, right? The saying says that pirates can't swim. I think that's kinda ironic."
"Yeah well it isn't to me!" England said hotly. "Just you watch, after this problem is over I'll show you! I'll show you all!"
"Yeah, yeah, save it for later." America said, waving England's words away. Stretching, America added,"I think I'm going to go catch a few more Z's. It's pretty early and we won't get there for another three hours or something."
"Where are we now?" Italy asked France as America left the deck.
"Somewhere in the Atlantic." France replied.
"Well no, really?" England asked sarcastically.
"It's very true." France said, oblivious to England's sarcasm.
England sighed and walked away from France and Italy, muttering how he's going to go make breakfast. France and Italy exchanged worried looks and dragged England away from the kitchen as he kicked, shouting for help. "Let go of me!" England yelled, his feet dragging across the floor.
"You'll kill us all if you cook!" France chided.
"Ve, England! Let us handle the cooking, okay?" Italy pleaded. "We'll cook, we'll cook! You rest right here."
"How the bloody hell is this resting?" England yelled at them after they duct taped him to the wall. France tossed the empty roll of duct tape into the trash can beside them and brushed off imaginary dirt from his lap.
"Well, my dear Italy." France said cheerfully. He placed an arm around Italy and added, "Shall we go make masterpieces?"
"Can I make pasta?"
France cocked his head. "For breakfast, mon ami?"
Italy looked crestfallen. "Pasta isn't a breakfast food, is it?"
"I'm sorry Italy, but it isn't. How about this? I'll make some crepes for you, huh? How does that sound? Remember the crepes I made you when you were a petit country?"
Italy brightened. "Crepes! I remember, Big Brother France!"
France laughed and led Italy away from England, who was struggling to break free from his duct tape cocoon. "Italy, mon cher, you can count on me to make the most deliscious crepes in the world!"