say Arthur's visit surprised Ludwig would be the under-statement of the century. He could hardly understand why the Brit would come to take guilt off of Ludwig's shoulders now.

Ludwig was in for a second surprise when Yao came in. Arthur left with Yao and left Gilbert with Ludwig.

"Ok Luddy! We're heading out again!" Gilbert said with a grin. Ludwig got his crutch and stood up.

"Where are we going?" Ludwig asked wanting to hear from Gilbert.

Gilbert was quickly spinning around the room with about as much organization a tornado. He was making more of a mess than he was packing but Ludwig just let him go. He would never tell anyone but he enjoyed to see his brother so energetic.

"Uh...Romano joined Feliciano to spy for us. He got the locations to Feliciano's new base so we're going there now." Gilbert said. To say that Ludwig's emotions were clashed would also be an understatement. He kept his facial expression cool and emotionless while he could feel anger, and sadness all swirling around in him in a torrent of confusion.

He knew they would have to kill Feliciano but he didn't expect it to be so soon. He had hoped for some more time to come to terms with the Italians fate.

"You do not have to go, Ludwig. We can go back to Germany; you and me." Gilbert said pausing in his work for a moment to observe Ludwig. He was surprised that Ludwig's hands weren't trembling.

"Nein. I'm fine. I-," Ludwig paused thinking. Could he stand there quietly as his allies killed Feli? Would he be able to bear the sight of Feliciano's precious blood or hear his pained screams as he drew in his last breaths ? Could Ludwig let Feliciano die without letting him know how much he loved him? "-I want to be there for him." Ludwig said finally.

He didn't know why he said it. He just had to be there for Feliciano's last moments; for closure and to feel like he was there for the Italian even though he hadn't.

Gilbert nodded; his facial expression unreadable. He finished packing in silence. Ludwig didn't know what else to say. His Feliciano would be dead soon. He wouldn't do anything to help him. Did his pinky swear mean anything? Did he love the Italian as much as he said he did ?

Since they didn't have anything accept for the medical things that had been bought, which took long enough to gather since Gilbert tossed everything around when he was taking care of Ludwig and their weapons, packing didn't take too long though it did cause a big mess.

"Hey West ?" Gilbert asked.

"Hmmm." Ludwig said half paying attention.

"How's your leg? It should be healed soon." Gilbert said. Ludwig blinked his eyes into focus and looked down at his bandaged leg. It was still sore but not nearly as sore. His other wounds that had been infected had been healing quickly due to the medicine Gilbert put on it.

"It's better. Danke." Ludwig said though it was clear there wasn't a lot of emotion behind it. Gilbert grinned and ruffled his hair playfully.

"Lets go, dummkompf." he said affectionately. He picked up their supply and strutted to the door. He held it open with his foot for Ludwig as he crutched out. Everyone but Mei and Kiku was out already since they hadn't had anything.

"Aww!" Gilbert said grinning. "Did you guys wait for my awesomeness ?"

Roderick crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes narrowed into slits. "No." he snapped. "This is serious so we don't have time to goof off!"

Gilbert made a face as if he had just eaten something sour, "You don't have to be such a prick, specs."

Roderick sighed and decided against arguing with him.

Ludwig noticed that Gilbert hasn't acknowledged or even glanced at Elizabetha.

He prodded Gilberts rib with his elbow.

"What is it, West ?" Gilbert asked him with a big grin.

"Give her a chance. Go talk to her." Ludwig whispered. Gilbert groaned and looked at her. Ludwig knew that Gilbert did want to go over with her. Gilbert might be the older brother but sometimes it seemed as though Ludwig was the older brother. Gilbert could be mature about something but those things were few and far between. He still acted hyper as a child and about as mature as one as well.

"Go!" Ludwig said sharply.

"I can't just go. That would make me a totally unawesome big bruder." Gilbert scoffed. Ludwig looked around quickly. He spotted Mei and Kiku walking towards their group, holding hands.

"There's Kiku; now go talk to her!" Ludwig said. He used his arm to weakly shoved Gilbert towards Elizabetha and hurried to Kiku, finding that his legs had more energy now that he was getting more life back into him now that he wasn't thinking of Feliciano's death hanging over his head like a bolder.

"Kiku!" he called. Kiku glanced up and locked gazes with Ludwig. Since both of them were uncomfortable with too much touch, they didn't hug. They just looked at the other, taking in each others injuries.

"You look much better, Ludwig-san." Kiku said politely. Ludwig couldn't help but allow a small smile.

"Danke, Kiku. The same goes to you." he said.

"Do you know where we're going?" Kiku questioned.

Ludwig winced slightly. All his energy was crushed at the reminder of Feliciano's planned death, "W-we're going to Feliciano's new base." he said quietly, "Romano sent the new address. Apparently, he is spying for us."

Ludwig watched Kiku's face bug Kiku was far too skilled at keeping his face void of emotion.

"They are going to kill him." Ludwig whispered. He was aware of Mei standing there beside Kiku and he knew she strongly supported Feliciano's death but he didn't care. Kiku's eyes flashed with surprise and hurt but he quickly masked himself. He was all too familiar with having to mask emotions.

"Kill Ita-chan ?" Kiku asked, using Italy's pet name. Ludwig only nodded.

"Kiku," Mei spoke gently. "You should understand why he must be killed. He killed Alfred, he caused Spain to loose his memory, he bombed France and you've both have endured his 'care'." Mei said.

Her gentle tone made Ludwig angry. Why should she be kinder to Ludwig and Kiku when she had just told Prussia it would be better if he had died with his country ? Didn't she already realize that she had insulted Ludwig by telling everyone that it would have been better if Gilbert was dead?

Kiku closed his eyes for a few moments before opening them again, "Mei, I am touched by your concern but Feliciano has been my friend for a long time. I cannot simply toss our friendship out the window any more than I can agree to him being killed." Kiku said in a voice barely over a whisper.

"What do you expect us to do ?" Mei asked. "You might not be able to forget your friendship but he did! We cannot just let him kill another country! Have you seen what Arthur's become? "

"Mei, I believe you have already stuck your nose into too many unwanted places." Ludwig said sharply. Mei glared at him.

"I am simply caring for those around me. I know you've been through a lot, Ludwig, but my concern is to those that are innocent of atrocities." Mei said. Ludwig narrowed his eyes at her dangerously. Kiku put a hand on her shoulder in a warning. He understood that she was just upset about her brothers treatment but she was taking it almost to an extreme.

"Please sister, stop this." Kiku said quietly.

Mei sighed. "Fine fine! I don't want to be the bad guy!"

"You're not the bad guy. We know you have good intentions." Ludwig said though his voice was not comforting in the least. "But if you ever tell my bruder that it would have been better if he had died, I swear to Gott that you will wish you had never come with us."

Mei blinked surprised at the sudden change in the German. She nodded none-the-less.

Ludwig glanced back at Gilbert who had appeared to have made up with Elizabetha then looked back at the small Japanese man.

"Bye Kiku." he said. Kiku allowed a small smile.

"Hai. Sayonara, Ludwig-san." Kiku said. Ludwig hurried back to Gilbert who grinned and ruffled Ludwig's blond locks.

"Hey, Luddy! How'd it go?" Gilbert asked enthusiastically.

"Gutt." Ludwig lied. Gilbert laughed gently, "Kesesese."

"Let's head out now, da?" Ivan said sweetly.

"Yeah. Lets get the show on the road!" Gilbert said grinning. He took Elizabetha's hand and wrapped an arm around Ludwig's shoulders almost in a way to show the Russian that they were his. Gilbert chuckled with a grin, "Kesesese!"

A blush blossomed on Elizabetha's cheek. Gilbert leaned over and stole a kiss on her rosy cheeks. She swatted his chest playfully.

Ludwig removed Gilberts arm around him. When Gilbert looked at him he simply said, "I'm going to walk with Kiku."

What he didn't want to say was 'I'll let you have some alone time with your girlfriend.' Gilbert would start going off about how Elizabetha wasn't his girlfriend.

Gilbert just ruffled Ludwig's hair. "Alright." he grinned. Ludwig went over to Kiku who just smiled. They walked out in silence.

"So where's this address at and how do we get there ?" Roderick asked.

"Antonio is on a train over here right now, aru. He seems pretty bent on getting 'his Lovi' back." Yao said.

"I still don't understand why we don't we just blow little Italy up ?" Ivan asked sweetly.

"Because if we bomb Italy, we'll hurt Romano!" Roderick said sharply.

"So, then we'll be rid of Mr. Anger Management too." Ivan sang.

"Ivan!" Elizabetha snapped. "Romano is helping us and that's not a good enough excuse to kill him!"

"It is for me." Ivan grinned. Ludwig and Kiku both stayed silent.

"Well we're not hurting him and that's final!" Gilbert said. His tone clearly said 'no buts'.

They quickly left their little town in the mountains to head to the train station Antonio told them he would be at.

Romano lived in constant fear of confronting his friends. He couldn't disobey Feliciano in fear of getting hurt and fear that he will not be able to save Feliciano. He couldn't stand the thought of Feliciano getting hurt and he knew the other countries weren't going to let Feliciano go. Worst comes to worse, they would bomb Italy. Romano and his innocent citizens would be hurt just to get to Feliciano.

Romano couldn't allow himself to chicken out just to save his own butt when his actions could cause many innocent people to loose their lives.

He was stuck now. He was bound with his fratello in his war. It seemed as if it was them against the world but Feliciano was pretty confident about their allies. Even though Romano felt like Feliciano was his Feliciano, he knew that Feliciano was stronger and smarter than he made himself out to be so he would just have to trust him.

Sometime yesterday, Gosto had shown Romano where the weapons were and gave him a brief explanation of how to use them properly. The demonstration had scared him more than comforted him. He didn't want to fight them yet he had no doubt his real allies would come to the address.

The gun in his holster feel heavy, like it was pulling him down; down to the depths of hell. He didn't want to hurt anyone, much less kill anyone. He needed to make his fight look believable but he needed to send the others message: that he wouldn't hurt them and he was still on their side.

Romano went downstairs of the house. He had to admit, Feliciano was pretty clever. If he had thought of a base, he would have thought of some big warehouse and not this tiny house. One of the things Feliciano had taught him was to not under estimate such things.

Feliciano had told Romano of the vast underground lab under the house. Anyone who would see the house wouldn't be able to suspect anything other than two Italian brothers living together.

Romano had to admit that it was pretty clever. He hoped that when his allies came, they would see the house and turn around thinking he had misled them.

Of course, with his luck, that is not what happened. Within a few days, his allies did in fact come and even worse, Spain was there too.

They had came with the same weapons they had when they attacked the first base. They must have collected a few guns for the shot the door knob.

Gosto and Fosco quickly joined Romano, both wielding swords. Romano quickly unsheathed his own swords. His eyes met with Antonio's. His kept himself cool, not allowing himself to feel bad by the look of betrayal in Antonio's eyes.

Feliciano quickly descended the stairs. Romano didn't look up from the band of countries in front of him; waiting for Feliciano's order or a move from the others.

He caught some movement in the back; Gilbert and Mei shoving a stunned Ludwig and Kiku outside. Romano also noted Hungary, Austria, Russia, China, England and of course Spain. He didn't see France but yet again, he should have guessed he wouldn't be there.

"What are you standing there for?" Feliciano shouted. "Get them!"

Almost simultaneously Gosto and Fosco charged at the countries. Romano quickly gathered his wits and charged a few steps behind him.

Romano charged at Antonio like a bull. He needed to get his message to him. Maybe he would listen to him.

Their swords clashed together with the clank of metal striking metal. The light bouncing off their swords shined on the roof of the house like a pool of water. Romano was only able to hold in his wince, thinking of the night Spain fell into the pool.

Antonio's eyes filled with beads of tears as he battled Romano. He had forgotten his memory but he obviously hadn't forgotten how to fight.

"Why Lovi?" Antonio asked broken heartedly. "I thought you were on our side!" Perspiration was already starting to dot his forehead. His days in the hospital had caused him to get out of shape.

"Because," Romano snarled as realistically as he could. He wasn't aware of where anyone else was but he wanted to sound believable in case Feliciano was nearby. "I'm tired of everyone seeing me as the angry, cowardly Italian!"

Antonio looked at him desperately. "Oh Lovi!" he said softly. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know you thought that way! Please, just stop this fighting and come back. We can make this work out!" Antonio begged.

Romano was starting to get tired of fighting. He kept a firm grip on his sword and advanced a step, swinging his sword offensively. He locked his sword with Antonio's and leaned close to him.

Antonio's body stilled and went ridged. "Roma?" he breathed. His sweet scent wreathed around Romano. He felt more at home than he had for a long. He longed for Antonio to hug him close and tell him everything would be alright.

Romano frowned but his eyes softened. He stared hard into Antonio's eyes, hoping his message would get across.

Antonio started to relax slightly seeing the change in Romano's golden eyes. Romano was about to lean back and start fighting him again when something slammed into him and drove his body into the ground.

The impact caused the breath to be driven out of the Italians body. His mind scrambled to grasp what was happening. Before he could see who was still on him and straddling him to the floor, a fury of fists rained down on him.

"No! Russia stop!" Antonio exclaimed. Footsteps hurried to Antonio.

"Let him go. Ivan won't kill him." Gilbert said pushing Antonio away.

No! Antonio, save me, bastardo!

The fists didn't stop. Romano feebly tried to protect himself but his arms were trapped by the Russians so all he could do was keep his eyes closed.

His face hurt so much. His head pounded painfully and his ears rang against his poor eardrums. His wounds from Feliciano reopened. He could tell his face would be a bloody mess. His nose hurt particularly, as if it had been broken.

The taste of blood filled his mouth. Romano cried out at every strike. Blood ran out of his mouth, joining other streams of blood, running down his face.

"Ivan, stop! You're going to hurt him, aru!" Yao exclaimed near by. Even though he was close, his voice sounded distant. A fog swirled around Romano's consciousness, dragging him down. He only groaned, no longing able to obtain the strength to cry out. He felt dizzy.

His body went limp, devoid of any fight he had been putting up

"Gilbert, let me go!" Spain cried. "He's hurting my Lovi!"

Romano didn't fight as the mist swirled around his consciousness and swallowed him up.

The last thing he was aware of was the agony of Russia's fists and Spain's cries.

Feliciano joined in the fight shortly after Romano and his two henchmen joined in. He charged quickly at Austria.

Austria tried to hold his ground but he was nothing compared to Feliciano's superior skills. He managed to injure his arm. He didn't plan to kill him since he needed him to suffer more still. He released him hearing Antonio yelling at Ivan. Begging was more like it.

Feliciano ignored it at first. He knew Romano had been fighting the Spaniard. He was probably begging him to come back into him 'loving' arms. Judging by the nonstop begs, Romano was staying loyal to Feliciano.

Feliciano smirked, very happy with this. He knew his fratello would choose him. They were closer than anyone else. They would forever be linked in a way no one could beat or even compete with.

"No! Ivan stop! You're killing him! You're killing him!" Antonio cried hysterically. Feliciano quickly kicked Roderick into a wall so he could look at what was happening.

He would never have expected to see Ivan straddling his fratello's unconscious body. Rage filled Feliciano. A red streak obscured his vision. He was by his brother in a second. He quickly cut Ivan's chest, not enough to kill him but enough to get him off and cause a great amount of pain.

Ivan hissed in pain and looked up sharply to meet Feliciano's eyes. Feliciano could feel the blood pulsing on his ears. His finger itches to thrust his sword through the Russians heart. Even better yet, cause him a more painful death and stab his neck. He forced himself to keep his cool. He kicked Ivan's chest wound, sending him sprawling onto his back.

Feliciano bent down and picked up his fratello, not taking his eyes off his enemy.

"It is not your time to die yet. However, if you do not get out of here right now I will be forced to kill you!" Feliciano warned with a dangerous tone. They might have him out numbered but they knew Feliciano could easily have more men. They quickly ran out, taking their weapons with them. Feliciano let them go. It wouldn't be fun if they were weaponless.

"Gosto, make sure they leave. Fosco, fix the door and clean up down here." Feliciano ordered quickly Gosto and Fosco ordered a couple of the other men who had been fighting with them to help. He held Romano to him gently. He could feel blood soaking into his shirt, causing an urgency to his tone. Both men dipped their heads to him.

"Yes sir!" they said in unison.

Feliciano quickly took Romano to his room. He gently laid him all the bed.

His stomach churned at the sight of his fratello's bloody face. He didn't mind blood as long as it wasn't his loved ones blood. His brother's face, however, was covered in blood.

He couldn't see the full extend of his wounds since there was so much blood. He could only see that his nose was a wreck and both his eyes were swelled.

Feliciano went to the bathroom. He got a small bucket and filled it with water. He carried that, a cloth and a first aid kit back to the room.

He gently washed his fratello's face of blood. It was a good thing his fratello was unconscious because he would probably be in a lot of pain. It was just his face though. Feliciano could teach him to fight after he woke up. He wasn't going to let his fratello get hurt any more than this.

After his face was all clean, Feliciano could see all the cuts that littered Romano's face. Most of them were deep and without proper treatment, would probably get infected.

Feliciano rooted through the first aid kit and put alcohol on another end of the cloth and used that to clean the wounds even more. He could imagine the sting that the chemicals brought to the wounds, again making him thankful that Romano was unconscious.

Feliciano gently fingered Romano's nose. It indeed was broken. That much was clear by the angle of the cartilage. Feliciano took it firmly and put it back into place. He was satisfied that it was put back into place and reassured of it by the crack.

Feliciano got out two ice packs and snapped them to activate them. He gently put them over Romano's eyes to help with the swelling.

Once he was finished with his work, he gently bent down and placed a tender kiss on Romano's forehead, trying to find a spot where there wasn't a cut but that was near impossible. He pulled a chair beside the bed. He wanted to be there when Romano woke up. His fratello deserved it since he had proved that he was loyal.

He was proud to finally have his fratello on his side. His other allies were wonderful, no doubt but none of them loved them as Romano did. Even though it was brotherly love and Romano had a weird way of showing love, his love was truer than his allies; even his secret lover.

His allies only loved him because he helped them reach their goal. Yet again, the only reason Feliciano loved them was because they were loyal and they would help him. Romano had always loved him, even when he had portrayed himself as a wimp. He had always been beside him, no matter if he was powerful or not.

For that, Romano deserved someone to wake up to.