Hetalia Feels

Memories of War (S)

Finally done with the request... Though it's not what you expected, I'm sure. It's also pretty short. Sorry for that.

~~~~~
There was something to be said for war. It had a strange way of bringing people together, tearing them apart, and just plain turning the world upside-down.

It doesn't matter how much time has passed, war will always affect us. Present, past, and future, us humans were made for war.

We're destined to fight, flight, or die. Those are our choices. Those choices, particularly the ones we make without realizing it at the time, tend to haunt us for the rest of our lives.

At this particular world meeting, everyone was feeling the effects of those choices.

All countries involved in World War Two were feeling especially down that day. It was the anniversary of the death of Hitler.

Don't get them wrong- they were overjoyed to see that vile man gone! It's just that... Well...

Justice isn't always served, and for that reason, satisfaction is never received.

Germany needed justice for the injustices he was forced to commit, the poisonous thoughts planted in his mind.

Poland needed justice for the people who had been killed, for the invasion, for it all.

Italy, Romano, America, China, Russia, Canada, England, France, Japan, all of them... Every singe country, Prussia especially, both needed and deserved justice.

They needed to feel as though their past wasn't consuming them. As though they weren't determined by the events of the past.

It was cruel, really, how their bosses had arranged for their play date- ahem, meeting- to be on that day. It meant their people were forgetting. Either that, or they didn't care anymore. Same thing, really.

You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. No one spoke, and the happiest of countries wore frowns. Their smiles were there, just weighed down by the past.

Japan peered around the room. He, like the others, was affected by this day.  Japan couldn't help but notice the dead look in France's eyes, and the disappointed one in Italy's. Germany merely looked ashamed. Guilty, for a crime he couldn't help but commit.

Sighing, he stood up, Germany being too overcome by emotion to start the meeting as per usual.

The raven haired country cleared his throat, summoning whatever courage he had at that moment forward. "As you can see," he began, "our people have begun to get careress. To forget."

There were murmurs of agreement, and Japan was shocked. What, no witty remarks back? Not even from Romano?  No comments on his accent?

Shaking off the nerve, he glanced at Germany from the corner of his eyes. "We arr wanted justice-" he paused- "pardon me, we stirr do want justice. It was never served, because the stage was run by a coward. He derivered himserf to Death's hands, robbing us arr of the satisfaction of giving what is due."

Once again, barely-there stares and hushed murmurs of agreement.

Japan frowned. "Werr, considering the day and events that occurred upon this day, I berieve that our time would be best suited doing something other than our usuar antics. Any disagreements?"

As predicted, their were none, so Japan swallowed the lump in his throat and forged on. He wasn't usually this outspoken, but the situation demanded it of him.

"Instead of focusing on the present," Japan gazed into every country's eyes to the best of his ability, willing them to understand the magnitude of what he was going to ask them to do.

"We are here to talk about the problems of our past."

~~~ time skip~~~

Tears. Everywhere. It was as if a floodgate had been opened in the eyes of every single country. Even Japan couldn't help but wipe away a few runaway drops streaming down his cheeks.

Everyone in the room felt much better. They would never reveal what exactly they had discussed in that room, not in any way whatsoever, but it made them feel so much more... Human.

Japan sighed in contentment. He had been strong when it was asked of him, and that was all he needed to do for the time being.

A collective sigh swept the room, as every country felt the burden they hadn't known they had been carrying grow so much lighter.

All it had taken for them to feel this way were a few simple words, and they marveled at the power and wisdom stored within them.

The word had been offered by China, surprisingly. He was known to be wise, but as to what extent, the countries hadn't known. Probably still didn't know.

What China had said to cause all of this?

"I am old, aru. I've seen many things. I've seen evil beyond your imagination, and kindness as well. I've seen these things in people, and countries. Everything goes through tough times. Whether that be country, or human, or whatever creatures you believe in or can see. Please, remember, everything makes mistakes. Just because we are nations.... Doesn't mean we are any less human."

Yeah, that mini-speech had definitely caused quite a few waterworks.

But it was true, though. It really was.

Japan felt a burst of pride for China well up in his chest, and with a sense of love and bravery he hadn't known lurked inside of him, he approached him.

Calming his nerves, he smiled at China, saying words that most certainly needed to be said.

"I'm proud to have you as my older brother."

With that, Japan left the room along with the steady stream of fellow nations, leaving behind a beaming, crying China.

Sometimes it was better to talk about the problems of the past.

Sometimes- scratch that, all the time- you can't move on with your life and be happy until you have accepted the past as what it is. The past.

The nations knew they weren't human. That they were going to fade, one day. That life wasn't fair. But somehow, some way, knowing they weren't so different... That it was okay to be the way they were.... That it was normal....

Well, it just filled up a hole in their hearts that had been there since they discovered what they were.

"Just because we are nations... Doesn't mean we are any less human."

Those words rang through air, as the door shut with a satisfactory slam.

~~~~

A/N

I wrote this on a whim (clearly) so I really do hope you enjoyed!

Sorry I haven't been updating lately... Life's a bit of a butt. Scratch that, a LOT.

If you're going though a rough time, like I am (though we're probably in vastly different scenarios), please message me or check out my life advice book. I'm here to talk if you need to. I don't bite, I promise.

If you refuse, then I implore you to take care of yourself regardless. You're not as alone as you fancy yourself to be.

Have a great life! ^-^  Bai~

~Weirdanimewriter out!