Hetalian Protectors

I'm Back

"It you were talking about their conditions then you needn't worry. Their wounds are taking much longer to heal than normal."

A menacing laugh echoed through the still air, "Good... Good... Let's proceed to the next stage then."

Silvana started to glide back the way she came, never once glancing behind her.

"As you wish."

*****

Canada's POV: England was sitting on the floor, his hands white with how hard he was gripping Kyoko's shoulders. His face was white and it looked almost as if he wasn't breathing, his chest barely moving. France moved forward, his face stricken and his violet eyes watery, placing his hand on England's arm. England violently shook him off and moved his arms beneath Kyoko's neck and legs, lifting her in the air as he stood up. America started to step toward him, worry shining in his eyes. Everyone knew England wasn't all that strong right now, not with the state his government was currently in. However, the look he gave America was good enough to freeze him in his spot.

England's eyes were dark, and when he spoke his voice was desolate, "I'll take care of her." He left no room for argument, stalking from the room and letting the door slam behind him.

"What... just happened?" America's voice was small for once, and looking at my brother caused me to flinch. It was painful to see. His broad shoulders were tensed and his blue eyes were clouded, resembling a storm covering a clear blue sky. He had his hands clenched together to the point where they were starting to bruise.

I walked over and laid my hand over his gently, trying to send him some form of comfort. America stiffened under my touch, meeting my eyes, before leaning slightly into me. I wanted to smile, but I couldn't bring myself to. America and I were actually pretty close despite what everyone thought, even though our personalities were completely different. It was true that he sometimes covered my presence, but he always protected me and I always protected him. We were twins after all.

"France," I said without looking up, "can you calm everyone down? I'll stay with America." I didn't have to glance up to see that everyone else was pale and wide eyed, putting together the puzzle none of us wanted to finish. Finland was gripping Sweden's jacket, grasping Sealand's hand. Sweden had a protective arm around Finland. Denmark and Norway stood a couple feet away, touching shoulders and taking ease in each others presence.

I'm sure we were all thinking about the sentence the smooth voiced doctor had said in Kyoko's memories, "It's a good thing that they got all those countries out of the house. We still have our bargaining chip." It really didn't take a genius to understand what he meant. The only problem was that Kyoko hadn't been in the Mansion back then. None of the girls had. Not Scarlett, Arwen, Luna, or Aridan. The whole event may have happened years ago, but I'm positive none of us had forgotten our saviors. The humans who had rescued us.

So why did the doctor say that?

My thoughts were chased away as France started leading everyone from the room, giving me an encouraging nod before closing the door quietly behind him. The last part I saw of him was his golden hair, swinging faintly as he moved. I then grabbed a chair, pulling it over and pushing America down into it, his body landing with a dull thump. I crouched down next to his chair, moving my hand to his knee, whilst I stared up at him, meeting his gaze.

"America?" I know he heard the unasked question. What is it? What do you need to say? I waited as he turned his head away, thinking.

What seemed like minutes passed before, "Did you see his eyes Matthew?" I started at his use of my human name. He never did that unless he was very upset or planning something rather idiotic. I assumed it was the first one.