Gilbert had seated himself beside Ludwig. His shoulders were touching his bruder's but neither seemed to mind. Gilbert shot a glare to anyone who looked at Ludwig, reminding the blond of the bruder that had raised him back when Gilbert was in the Teutonic Knights.

Ludwig was too much focused on what the others were saying about Italy that he didn't notice his own pain. Gilbert must have noticed that Ludwig's hands kept twitching, fore every time they would twitch the older of the two would clasp his hands tightly around Ludwig's until they became motionless.

Ludwig, while he couldn't feel his own pain, could very easily feel the pain that hung in the air. Alfred's death still hung heavily in the hair and the bombing on Paris was still a shock to them all. Ludwig felt it the worst. Everyone felt some sort of guilt for potentially causing Feliciano for being this way but they know it was Feliciano who chose to make those decisions.

They knew that it wasn't their fault for what happened. Many people on the earth feel as Feliciano does yet only a few made the choices Feliciano did.

Ludwig however, felt as though everything was his fault. He was the one who was closest to Feliciano. He was the one Feliciano called out to help for the loudest and he was the one who ignored him. If he had been the one person who noticed Feliciano's pain, then he could have helped Feliciano deal with everyone else and Alfred's death and the destruction of Paris could have been avoided.

Unfortunately, what's done was done and nothing could be taken back. They couldn't avoid dealing with the situation any longer. If they did, more innocent people and possible some of their own kind might die.

The realization of knowing that Ludwig had lost Feliciano and wouldn't ever get him back was almost enough to crush his already shattered heart. He kept his facial expressions impassive though the others knew he was heartbroken.

Ludwig could feel his hands beginning to shake again. Gilbert glanced at his hands again and covered them with his own. He gently messaged the thin, paper -like skin with his thumbs. Ludwig forced himself to relax and stop his hands from shaking. Gilbert let his hands go, neither of them wanting to show the others too much emotion or vulnerability. They both kept their facial expression smooth ad the other discussed their plans for Feliciano.

"What should we do ? With all of allied we can easily take him on! This will be a quick war and there will be no need for anyone else but Italy to get hurt!" Roderick said. No one could bring themselves to call Italy by his human name anymore. They were having a hard enough time thinking of him as a bad guy.

"I don't think it would be that simple." Matthew said softly.

"Yeah, he probably has allies as well that we don't know about." Elizaveta said, actually hearing Matthew for once.

"Ok..." Roderick said. "Then why don't we give him a warning. If he doesn't surrender then we'll bomb him."

"It's already past that point!" Mei exclaimed. "He didn't give any warning to Ludwig, or my brother, or Antonio, or Alfred or Francis!"

"I agree with Taiwan. I think we should just blow him to bits." Ivan smiled.

"Where are you getting at Taiwan ?" Mattie asked.

"I'm saying that it's time we took control of this situation. We can't let him win this war!" Mei exclaimed. Several people opened their mouths to respond to her comment but were interrupted.

There was a knock at the door. Mattie went up to get it. Ludwig's hands started shaking again. Gilbert takes Ludwig's hands silently.

"Arthur?" Mattie said in surprise.

Ludwig glanced up surprised. One of the last people he expected to be here was England. He suspected that he would want to avenge Alfred's death but with Francis in the hospital, Ludwig thought he'd be with him.

Arthur came into the room, looking timid. "Um...Francis said it would be a good idea if I talked with you guys." Arthur said.

"Get comfortable then!" Elizaveta said cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood.

Arthur allowed a small smile and walked in. His usual proud shoulders were slumped in defeat and his emerald eyes had lost their luster.

Ludwig looked away when Arthur glanced at him. He couldn't help but feel bad. He felt responsible for Alfred's death and Francis' hospitalization. Despite Gilberts hands around his, his hands shook harder.

Gilbert messaged his hands harder while staying gentle. He glanced at Ludwig's face, quickly scanning for any sign of illness. Ludwig knew his older brother was starting to worry but he couldn't get his hands to stop shaking.

"What are you talking about?" Arthur asked quietly. He sat down quietly in the chair.

"We were discussing how we should deal with Feliciano." Roderick said matter-of -factly.

Arthur didn't respond.

"Ok!" Elizaveta said recollecting the group. "Do you have anything you'd like to say, Arthur?"

Arthur shook his head quietly.

This surprised Ludwig. How could Arthur not have an input to deal with the man who killed his lover and severely injured his best friend ?

From the corner of his eyes, Ludwig saw Arthur glance at him. Ludwig couldn't look at him. Ludwig kept his gaze on his still-shaking hands, ignoring Arthur's burning eyes. What must Arthur think of him? Alfred was dead because Ludwig didn't notice the person he thought he loved.

"Well we can't let this go on!" Mei said. Ludwig could the anger emanating off of her in waves. She imagined Gilbert must feel exactly the same that Mei did but Gilbert wasn't saying anything because of Ludwig being in the same room.

"No one wants to let this go on, Mei. Just calm down, ok ?" Elizaveta said firmly, sensing Ludwig's obvious discomfort.

Mei glared at her. "Don't tell me to calm down! You all are taking this too lightly!" she said. She glared in Gilbert's direction making Ludwig's hands tremble more though now with anger.

Gilbert firmly took Ludwig's hands. "Don't." Gilbert whispered quietly to Ludwig. Ludwig looked up at his older bruder. Gilbert grinned his usual cocky grin. A hand reached up and gently touched a cut on Ludwig's face.

"That hurt ?" Gilbert asked. Ludwig shook his head. Gilbert chuckled, "Liar."

"Gilbert?" a feminine voice said. Gilbert turned his head sharply.

"Ja?" Gilbert asked. His scarlet eyes met the probing eyes of the others in the room.

"Do you or Ludwig have a say ?" Elizaveta asked.

Gilbert looked back at Ludwig asking him with his eyes. Ludwig quietly shook his head.

Gilbert looked back to Elizaveta. "Nein. Do whatever you want." he said quietly. He gave Ludwig's hand an indiscrete squeeze.

"See! You all need to get serious or he's only going to hurt more people!" Mei said sharply.

"Hey." Gilbert said. His voice foreigning calmness but anyone could hear the anger and protectiveness lacing his voice, "Just because some of us aren't saying anything doesn't mean they don't care."

Mei glared at him sharply, "Oh really ? Care to explain ?" she said.

"Sure since some of us are too daft to understand" he smirked, "I understand how you're feeling protective over your siblings but open your eyes! Kiku went through hell but he wasn't in there nearly as long as Ludwig! If your best friend had done the things that Italy did to Ludwig and Kiku, then you'd be quiet too so just shut up and stop being a brat!" Gilbert said. He gently squeezed Ludwig's hands even though they weren't shaking.

"This is the exact same attitude that made you lose your country! Why are you even here anyway? Everyone would be much happier if you just died like you should have!" Mei snapped. "That way you can't destroy Ludwig like you destroyed yourself!"

Ludwig could feel Gilbert stiffen up beside him his scarlet eyes filled with an anger that he had seen many times in their history together. Not one time had that look done anything good for Gilbert's opponent.

"Hey!" Elizaveta said sharply. "Enough! We don't have time to fight amongst ourselves! Now more then ever we need to stay together and forget past instances!"

"Yes. We need to stay together, aru!" Yao said.

"I think we should just blow Italy to bits, da?" Ivan said sweetly.

Ludwig stiffened. Gilbert gently squeezed his hand.

"No." Ludwig whispered. Gilbert gently rubbed his hand.

"Ludwig," Gilbert said gently, "He's gone. You can't save him; we can only protect ourselves now."

Ludwig shook his head. He couldn't accept the fact that Italy was gone.

"No! I can save him! We made a deal; if he gets in a pinch then I'd come save him!" Ludwig said quietly.

"Ludwig, that happened a long time ago. Italy's changed too much. You need to let him go." Gilbert said.

"His name is Feliciano!" Ludwig shouted. Everyone looked at him, startled by his sudden outburst, "You all keep calling him Italy like he's not a human with feelings. Why are you all so eager to hurt him like he's some animal that needs to be hunted! He's a human just like us!"

"He is an animal! Humans don't lock each other in rooms and beat them!" Mei shouted.

"He killed Alfred and bombed Francis!" Arthur cried out.

"He shoved Spain into a pool! That's more then enough evidence against him!" Roderick said.

"Ludwig," Elizaveta's gentle voice said. "I know your close to him and most of us in here was, though none of us were as close as you two were." she said. "I understand you don't want to hurt him but everyone else in here has faced reality. I'm sorry Ludwig but your Feliciano is gone. Unless you want someone else to get hurt, we have to stop Feliciano."

"You don't have to kill him though!" Ludwig pleaded desperately.

"No one wants to do it, Ludwig." Yao said.

"But we can't stop him any other way." Elizaveta said gently.

Ludwig's hands started trembling furiously. Gilbert held them firmly.

"Calm down, West." he whispered quietly as to not draw attention to Ludwig's hands.

"N -no!" Ludwig choked out. A lump formed in his throat making it painful to speak. "Not him! Please not him!"

Elizaveta, she walked over to Ludwig and knelt down in front of him as if he was a little child. She gently tilted Ludwig's head to look at her.

"Ludwig, we all understand what you're feeling; you're not alone." she said gently.

Ludwig stayed silent. He refused to show any more weakness to them; he had already exposed too much.

"It'll be easier if you face the facts; Feliciano's gone and we can't stop him from hurting anyone else unless we stop him." Elizaveta said.

Ludwig stared right through her. His brain slowly wrapped itself around the truth even though his heart refused to listen.

"Have we reached a conclusion ?" Roderick asked solemnly.

Everyone else nodded.

Gilbert stood up, his face neutral. "Let's go, Ludwig." he said taking Ludwig's shoulders and helping him stand on his crutches. Elizabetha's eyes met Gilberts; hers being soft and compassionate, his unreadable. They both felt bad about what was to happen to Feliciano and both worried about Ludwig.

Gilbert steered the zombie-like Ludwig to the door.

"How about we go see Kiku now ?" Gilbert asked in his usual upbeat tone. Ludwig shook his head.

"Nein. I think I'll take a nap." Ludwig said in a monotone voice. Gilbert gently ruffled his hair.

"Anything you want, West." Gilbert smiled. "Anything you want."

The two brothers walked back to their room, shoulder to shoulder. Ludwig's shoulders were slumped low. Gilbert kept his arm wrapped around Ludwig's shoulders and occasionally ruffled his hair the way he used to. He wanted to keep reminding Ludwig that things would always get better and he'd still have happy memories to help him through tough times.

Nothing could brighten the Germans mood. Not when he had allowed those people-those monsters- to think they could hurt his Feliciano. He knew Feliciano was gone but he couldn't accept it. He wanted to refuse it but the rational part of himself kept telling him that he was just thinking what he wanted to think.

Ludwig was so confused. His heart was beginning to throb as the jumbled up thoughts spun around in his head. Gilbert must have known this because he would ruffle his hair or gently squeeze his shoulder. It would take Ludwig's eyes off the pain, if only for a second.

"Gilbert!" Elizaveta's voice called from behind. Gilbert stopped. Removing his arm from around Ludwig, Gilbert turned around.

"Ja?" Gilbert said. "What is it Liz?"

Elizaveta stopped, her eyes wide, "Antonio just called! He said Romano hasn't come to visit him in a while. When Antonio got a nurse to go check his house, the nurse said that no one had been home in a while. They think Feliciano got him!"

"Vas?" Gilbert scoffed. "That can't be right! Feliciano would never hurt Romano!"

"But we also said he wouldn't hurt Ludwig or Kiku!" Elizaveta exclaimed.

"Well, there must be an explanation for this!" Gilbert said.

"Well, Spain's getting really worried so he's meeting us here so we can discuss what to do about Romano. He just got cleared from the hospital the other day! We're then all going to head up to Austria if all goes well." Elizaveta said.

Gilbert growled. "Dumb Four Eyes."

"Gil!" Elizaveta snapped. Gilbert looked at her, his scarlet eyes holding an edge to them. "This is serious! Something really bad could be happening to Romano and all you care about is that we're going to Austria?"

"Just can it, Liz! What point is there in leaving if we have to find Romano ? We can't do much in Austria" Gilbert snapped.

"We can do plenty in Austria! It's at least a safe place to go!" Elizaveta snapped.

Gilbert sighed, "I have gotten so tired of you always sticking up for Austria and complimenting Austria. Austria this, Austria that!" Gilbert mocked.

"Come on, Gilbert! That's not fair and you know it!" Elizaveta said.

"No! You're not being fair so just go away! I don't need anyone except Ludwig. Its way too awesome to be alone!" Gilbert said coldly. He turned around, putting an arm around Ludwig. "Let's go, Ludwig."

The two started walking down the hallway. "Gilbert!" Elizaveta exclaimed.

Gilbert ignored her, just grinning and ruffling at Ludwig's hair. Ludwig knew his brother well enough that he was just trying to hide his pain.

"Gilbert, just talk to me, you big jerk!" Elizaveta called after him. She again got no response from Gilbert. She sighed, "Fine then! Screw you!"

Elizaveta stalked down the hallway, opposite the direction of Gilbert and Ludwig.

"Girls are jerks, aren't they ?" Gilbert said smirking. "Is that why you like dudes better?"

This earned Gilbert a smile from Ludwig. Gilbert chuckled lightly and ruffled his hair.

"Kesesese! Did you like that one?" Gilbert asked.

"Ja." Ludwig smiled softly.

"You know what ? I'm better off alone anyway. There's no one awesome enough to be worthy enough to be called my girlfriend!" Gilbert smiled.

"Gil?" Ludwig asked.

"Ja, Luddy?" Gilbert asked smirking.

"Do you really want to be alone?" Ludwig asked gently.

Gilbert was surprised by the question. "Ja. Of course!" Gilbert insisted grinning again.

Ludwig looked at him skeptically. Gilbert smile faded eventually.

"Ok, so maybe I don't. But there's no one out there who can put up with me besides you and no offense, I'm not into the whole incest thing." Gilbert said.

"You never gave them a chance. Granted, I think you were crazy to date Ivan but Elizaveta can be the person for you." Ludwig said. His brother had been alone to far too long. He wanted Gilbert to feel how wonderful it was to be loved.

"But West," Gilbert started.

"Nein. Don't start with that 'I'm awesome' crap. You need to give her a chance!" Ludwig said. Gilbert was silent for once in his life. "Just let her into your heart. People aren't perfect but it's their faults that make them special."

Gilbert sighed and ran a pale hand through white hair. "I guess you might be right." he sighed. "I'm so confused though!"

"That's what love is about!" Ludwig said.

Gilbert chuckled, "I didn't know you knew so much about love, West!" he teased him. He unlocked the hotel room's door. Ludwig went in first and Gilbert locked the door behind him.

"I don't." Ludwig said sadly. He sighed and sat down on the bed. Gilbert plopped down beside him.

"Hey. Cheer up, West!" Gilbert exclaimed.

"How ? Nothings right anymore!" Ludwig said desperately.

"Well just look at the bright side!" Gilbert said.

"What bright side?" Ludwig snapped.

"Uh...?" Gilbert said.

Ludwig sighed, "Just relax. I'm going to bed."

Gilbert helped Ludwig get into bed and under his covers. Ludwig closed his eyes. Gilbert brushed his hair with a gentle smile. He stayed at the foot of Ludwig's bed like a faithful watch dog.

Ludwig smiled, thankful that he at least had Gilbert. He smiled and let himself drift into sleep.

Deep brown eyes slowly opened to drink in the change of scenery.

Kiku made a small noise of confusion. Where was he? He had no idea. Nothing looked even slightly familiar. His heart beat accelerated painfully in his chest. His body was weary and sore almost everywhere. He feared that he had been kidnapped to some place again. He did not see Ludwig though. What if his friend had been killed ? The very thought send his heart into over drive.

Almost on cue, footsteps neared the door. Kiku stiffened, fear racing through his veins like electricity. Each breath hurt his chest but he couldn't get himself to calm down.

The footsteps came into the room and neared where Kiku was. When he saw Mei come into the room he immediately breathed in relief, wheezing from the ache in his chest.

"Kiku, are you ok ?" Mei asked in a motherly tone. She was by Kikus side in a flash. She gently brushed Kiku's forehead with her hand. Her touch sent more electric pulses through his body causing him to blush.

"I-I'm fine." Kiku said.

"Do you have a fever?" Mei asked. Kiku shook his head.

"I feel fine." He said.

"You don't look fine." Mei said. Kiku blushed again.

"Ok, maybe I am a little sore." Kiku said. He leaned his head into her touch. He hand not felt gentle touch in what felt like forever. While he didn't like touch, his body craved for that gentle touch to wash away all the pain and confusion.

Mei smiled sadly, "I'm so sorry that happened to you." She said. "But do not worry, Feliciano will pay for what he did to you."

Kiku frowned. "W-what ?" he whispered.

"Do not worry. He will not be around much longer to hurt you or anyone else." Mei said smiling almost cockily.

"N -no! Is violence the answer ? We can solve this without the need for blood shed!" Kiku said quickly. He didn't want Feliciano to get hurt or die. He still considered the Italian to be his friend and he didn't want him getting hurt.

"Kiku, he killed Alfred and bombed Paris!" Mei exclaimed. Kiku's froze in disbelief and shock.

"W-what ? No! He couldn't have! He wouldn't do that!" Kiku said closing his eyes tightly. This all had to be some bad nightmare. Feliciano would never do anything like that. He willed himself to wake up but nothing happened.

"I'm sorry, Kiku, but you need to let him go. He needs to be stopped." Mei said gently brushing his cheek. Kiku winced in pain. His breathing was hurting his chest. Mei kissed his forehead.

"Just calm down. Everything will be ok in the end. At least you and Ludwig got out ok." Mei said gently.

"Ludwig got out ?" Kiku asked, his spirits rising just slightly. Mei smiled and nodded.

"Yes, he's alive and he's doing well. You should both heal quickly since Feliciano didn't hurt your country in any way." Mei said. Kiku sighed in relief. His breathing calmed causing the pain in his chest to decrease.

"Good. I'm glad." He said. Mei smiled and kissed his head.

"Get some more rest. We'll be leaving soon." Mei smiled. Kiku, still tired despite his rest obeyed her. He closed his eyes; silently hoping good dreams will await him to give him a break from harsh reality. Mei stayed beside him, gently stroking his cheek and humming a lullaby.

Kiku was asleep in minutes.