Chapter 3: We Hold The Deepest of Memories

A figure, with a cloak covering their head and face, was running through a small town, their breath was short with each step they took. The citizens who they passed looked at them in confusion until they saw guards run after the figure.

"Don't let them get away! " One guard yelled. The others nodded as they picked up speed.

The figure ran down the streets and dodged any obstacle that got in their way. Their legs grew tired but they pushed themselves to keep moving. They saw a forest up ahead and smirked.

They made themselves go faster and disappeared into the bushes and trees. The lead guard scowled as he ordered the others to split into groups to search for the figure.

The figure heard the commotion from a tree branch as they took a breather. They knew the soldiers wouldn't look up here so they relaxed from all the running.

A few moments later, a yell was heard and and arrow was shot near their head. They growled and jumped off the tree to set off running again. However, they were kicked to the ground. The figure groaned.

"Looks like I finally got you. " An Italian accent spoke as the stranger put their foot on the figures chest. "As I have always told you. No matter where you run, I'll always find you. "

The figure just smirked.

"Right. "

"I'm telling you, your sense of fashion sucks! " A female voice yelled.

"You just don't know what good clothing is when you see it! " A male voice yelled back.

The two continued to argue as they walked along the streets of Rome. People gave them weird looks as they passed by. A child pointed at them. "Mama! Why are they fighting? "

"Pay no attention to them bambino. " The mother dragged their child away from the scene.

The argument still continued, until...

"Fratello! Sorello! Please stop fighting! " A young man pleaded to the two.

The male and female turned around. "Ah! Feliciano! " They said at the same time. They ran up to him.

"Why must you fight all the time....? Ve... " He looked crestfallen.

"So sorry mí fratellino. " The male apologizes. "It's just that Alessandra is being an ass today. "

The girl named Alessandra growls as she hits him across the head, earning a yell in pain. "Stai zitto! " She yelled. "You're one to talk, Pierto. "

Pierto rubs his head as he glares at the Italian girl. "Cagna... " he muttered.

"WHAT WAS THAT!? " Alessandra was getting ready to punch Pierto.

"Guys! Stop! " Feliciano begged.

"Yeah! You two are suppose to be the responsible older siblings! Is that right? " A voice called out. The three turned around to see two other men. One looked like Feliciano, but with darker hair and eyes, and the other the same but their hair was lighter.

"Lovino! Romeo! " The Italian man cheered.

"Of course we are responsible, Lovi! It's just that Alessandra gets in my way of entertaining the tourists. " Pierto said.

"Don't call me that... " Lovino groaned.

"YOU ASS! I don't get in the way, it would be you getting in my way! I mean, look! We're in MY CITY you fu- "

Feliciano covers his sister's mouth. "Calm down, please."

She sighs, and moves his hand away. "Romeo, Lovino, Feliciano,...... Pierto. It was nice seeing you all, but I must go now. My tourists need guidance. Ciao. " With that, Alessandra walked off.

"That's the calmest I've ever seen her in a fight... " Romeo says.

"Why do two always fight... " Lovino mutters under his breath.

Time Skip

Alessandra sighs heavily as she sits down on her chair in her lovely home. She pours herself some red wine. "Today was tiring... "

A knock was heard. "Dannazione... " She curses. She gets up and heads to the door, opening it. "Ciao, what is it? " She looked up and saw it was a man with dark brown hair and purple eyes. He was dressed fancily.

"Roderich? "

"May I come in? "

Alessandra nods as she lets him in. He sits down on another chair while the Italian girl sits down on the one she was in before.

"What's with the visit? "

"I've been meaning to ask you something. "

She raised an eyebrow, and nods. "Alright, spit it out. "

"How are you here? "

"Are you seriously asking me this? After what? Maybe 400 years I've been back? You pick the right time to ask the question Austria. " She lightly glares at him.

The Austrian merely sighs. "It just confuses me how you and Pierto are here after.... You know... "

"I do know. " She pauses. "And it's a subject I don't like to talk about. " She looks away.

"I'm deeply sorry for that... "

There was a long amount of silence. None of them would speak, but Roderich stopped it.

"Do you... Miss being who you were? " He asks.

".... "

"Yes... I miss being able to protect the ones I love... Being known as a strong Republic... Being my fratellos hero... " Her voice cracked as she spoke until she finally broke.

"I miss my friends..."

Roderich hesitated, but he went over to Alessandra and hugged her. He wasn't the best when comforting others, but Alessandra needed some type of reassurance that it's alright.

"I miss Grandpa Rome! " She yelled as she squeezed the Austrian, sobbing into his chest.

The most cheerful people, are the most broken.

A Republic can be strong, but they eventually fall...

Two children sit on the lap of a older man. They were all smiling as the man hugged them tightly.

"We'll be the best Republics ever! " The little girl says.

"Yeah! We'll make you proud Nonno! " The boy adds.

"Ah, I believe you mí nipoti. You two always make me proud. Siena. Florence. "