Hetalian Protectors

Stars of the Future

Romano's POV: "This boy here is my pet. His family's at home, so can you put your gun away? They won't hurt you, Tamo here was just startled, that's all." Germany's and Basch's faces were filled with disbelief. Italy standing shocked in the same fashion.

Luna started walking, but when we didn't start off following her she turned back towards us. "Well? Aren't you coming? There should be some pasta waiting for us at home."

SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?! SHE JUST GOT SHOT!

*****

Romano's POV: We followed Luna's slow trek through the lush green overgrowth lining the pathway. The sky had started to darken and the clouds were tinted orange and red, making it almost look as if the sky was on fire. My eyes trained on Luna's leg were dried blood still stained her pants. I shook my head, looking back at the ground where I narrowly avoided a rather large rut in the dirt, stumbling over myself as I dodged it. The ground beneath our feet was hard and bumpy, a rouge root crossing our path on occasion. I really should of been paying more attention if I didn't want to end up with a mouth full of dirt. I didn't even know why her just blowing off her injury like that irked me so much.

I kicked a browning leaf, sending it into the dimming trees as I let out an inaudible sigh. "Dammit..." Just then, a loud howl passed over the trees, swirling in the wind like a low-pitched song, freezing me in my tracks. I felt rather than saw the rest of the group stop, Germany readying his gun again even with Luna's earlier statement.

"G-Germany... They're not gonna eat us, are they?" Feli's quiet question sent a shiver through my spine, even though I knew better. Scanning the trees and shadows I tried to spot anything moving, sweat starting to slide down my face. I may be part of the mafia, but that doesn't mean I don't get afraid too. Especially when facing carnivorous animals in the middle of a darkening forest. Who wouldn't be at least slightly fearful of this situation?

"Guys, I told you that you needn't worry, didn't I? They're just welcoming me home." Tearing my gaze back towards our guide I saw her standing with a small smirk on her face at the front of the group, arms crossed across her chest and blonde hair swaying somewhat in the breeze, eyes aglow with amusement. Our gazes connected for a moment, my blood freezing over at the look in her eyes.

To say they were disconnected was an understatement. She seemed... How do I put it? Cut off maybe? Blocked? Either way, she turned away rather quickly, letting the heavy atmosphere that had formed fall away. It was like nothing had happened, and at the speed at which it did, I was almost convinced that it didn't. But I know what I saw. And it intrigued me.

She motioned a bit further up the path, signaling at a break in the trees. "We're almost there. Come on." She started off, not looking back, leaving us standing in a smaller circle. Gazing one last time around me, I let my feet carry me forward. "Lets go bastards. Don't wanna be left behind do we?" I didn't stick around to hear their responses, jogging forward till I was directly behind Luna.

I came to a abrupt halt as her house came into view. It was a wooden house, dark in color, with several windows across the top floor but only two near the ground. The front porch had two pillars holding up a small overhang above the front door, lined by bushes covered in violets. A gravel pathway lead to the porch, swinging around large trees that left the house rather obscured in shadows. A little shiver of fear ran through my body, comparing it to....

NO! I quickly shook those thoughts away. We'd burned that place to the ground. It wasn't coming back. Not now or ever.

"Lovino... are you okay?" Jumping at the worried voice I looked into Luna's eyes, which were staring at me in confusion and concern. She was such a... strange girl. I jerked my head back towards her house.