Book 3 - Retrievers

XLV - Claws

Russia sits down next to America, who is filling Mexico in on everything that had been happening. His chest aches from using the magic, though he suspected it was because of the grey magic more than anything else. He hadn't been in pain when he first started experimenting, after all.

"You're getting better at this whole magic thing," Ohio comments, "are you gonna try to get rid of the whole cat get up?"

Russia thinks for a moment before shaking his head.

"I don't know what it's going to do. I don't want to make it worse."

Ohio pauses and then nods.

"Makes sense."

"Bama! That's for firewood!" North Carolina scolds.

"Well, I'm trying to build something so Dad can walk again!"

Russia's ears perk and he turns to look at the source of the noise. Concern bubbles in Russia's chest at seeing her sitting nearby with a bloody pant leg. Alabama is holding one of the larger logs of wood. North Carolina tries to grab it but misses. Alberta is about to snatch it away, but Alabama dodges, holding the log close to his chest.

South Carolina pokes his head up from the bushes, his face spattered with blood. In his hand is a stiff stick that he had been sharpening.

"I've got a rabbit!" South Carolina announces, holding a bundle of fur on the end of the wood.

"Hand it to me," Kansas requests, holding out a knife, "I'll skin it."

"Okay!"

South Carolina tosses the animal toward Kansas and then refocuses on the brush. Alberta catches it easily and hands it over to Kansas. Russia looks closer and sees that most of the jackets they had been wearing are splattered with blood, their own and others.

"Hey, Russia?" South Dakota asks.

Russia looks up and offers the Dakotas a lopsided smile. North Dakota takes a seat in front of him, and South Dakota sits down next to her.

"Did you need something?" Russia asks curiously.

"No. No_ _______," North Dakota says, her words falling under the ringing.

'I wish I could hear her more clearly,' Russia thinks, looking away as his face drops a little.

"What's wrong?" South Dakota asks, her head tilting a little to the side.

"I wish I could hear you and your sister better," Russia reluctantly admits, his ears pinning back.

"Oh. That's okay!" North Dakota soothes, her voice noticeably louder and a little strained, "I just don't talk very loud. I can sign too if you want."

"That would be good. Thank you."

"(You're welcome.)"

Russia smiles. North Dakota smiles back.

"So," South Dakota cuts in, "we wanted to know if you were okay with us calling you dad."

Russia sputters for a second, and his face grows hot. His ears pin back, and his tail tucks against him. North Dakota starts giggling wildly and South Dakota watches with confusion.

"Are you seriously going to blue screen on us every time we ask something like that?" South Dakota asks, sounding bewildered.

America laughs and pats Russia's arm.

"Welcome to the family," America teases.

Russia curls his legs up.

'AAAaaAAAAaAaaAAAAAaAAaAAaaAAAAAAAAA!'