The Secrets of a Nation

Chapter 12 : I'll Still Be Here in the Morning

*Hello ladies and gents and welcome to the 12th chapter of The Secrets of a Nation. I hope you all are enjoying this book so far as much as I love writing it. Anyway let's get into this, shall we?*

(America's POV)

Upon seeing Japan leave the room I chased after him. I knew how he felt. It wasn't easy getting your secrets revealed. They were secrets for a reason after all. When I entered the hallway though he was nowhere in sight. "Drat!" I murmured under my breath. "America!" I heard Italy yell. "Where is Japan." He asked completely serious.

"I don't know." I said, exasperated. "He disappeared from sight when I arrived." Italy pondered this for a minute before he spoke again. "Well we can rule out him being in the dining room since that is more than likely where the others will be going." He said. "So, that leaves us with the empty hallway, his dorm, or this hallway."

I thought this over for a moment before I decided what we were going to do. "Okay I'll take this hallway and the dorm since there isn't that many rooms and you can take the deserted hallway." Before I added, "He'd more than likely be there." At this comment Italy raised his brow. "Why wouldn't you want to go where he was likely to be?" He questioned suspiciously.

I sighed, I was hoping he wouldn't ask that. "Well are relationship has been strained recently." This was true ever since WW2 we haven't been talking like we used to. In fact we didn't talk unless it was strictly politics. "You're probably the best one to talk with him in this moment."

"Okay, if your sure Alfred." He gave me a kind smile. "I'm sure, now go find your friend." Quickly Feliciano turned around and disappeared down the dark hallway. I looked down the hallway watching him disappear down a door before I turned and ran to go search as well. "He wouldn't need someone like me anyway."

(Italy's POV)

I didn't want to admit it but, America was right. Especially after all their history and strain it probably wouldn't be best to send him to calm down Japan. "Okay, if your sure Alfred." I said trying to give him an encouraging smile to try and cheer him up some.

Without looking back I dashed down the deserted hallway coming to stop at the first door. It seemed almost taunting in its own way. "Let's get started." I whispered before throwing the door open and slipping inside.

(Lithuania's POV)

After America and Italy dashed after the quieter nation we were dismissed to lunch. Since I wasn't the most enthusiastic about getting to leave the room for food, I was one of the last out. Though that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. When I left the room I looked at the retreating figures of the other nations.

I felt a pang in my chest before I looked down the hall. There at the end stood the door where I had encountered Italy and America. "If you want to join you have to come up with a human name though." I heard America's voice repeat in my head. "A name huh?"

(Japan's POV)

I know I didn't need to run nor hide from my friends. It just felt right to though. I don't want these secrets to change their view on me. I feel like they respect me and appreciate me as I am now. What is going to happen now that they found out who I really am? Will they even like me anymore?

Millions of other questions started to filter through my head. Yet I couldn't seem to grasp one long enough to try and find an answer. I felt myself start to get lightheaded. I wasn't even sure why. That little thought started to make me panic. This only made things worse though.

"Please... someone... anyone, help... me." I begged with the breath that I had. The corners of my vision started to turn black. 'This can't be the end, it just can't be!' Suddenly I heard the door being pushed open. "Japan!?"

(Italy's POV)

I had searched every door except the one at the very end of the hall, and I was starting to feel panicked. "Oh god, Japan where have you gone!" Quickly I left the room I was currently checking and made my way to the last door. As I reached for the handle I heard shuffling on the other side.

Relief flooded me. 'It's Japan, it has to be!' Quickly I threw the door open, pleading that he would be okay. He just needed to be after all. "Japan!?"

(America's POV)

I frantically ran down the hall from Japan's room. I had decided to check there first since out of the two areas I had to check he would have more than likely been there. I made a quick turn around the corner as I pushed open the door to the bathroom. "Japan!?"

I was shocked into silence for a few seconds. Whatever I had been expecting it surely wasn't this. Pushed up against the opposite wall to me was Japan. He was pale and his breathing was erratic. He looked like he was about to faint. Quickly I snapped out of my stupor and went to my friends side.

"Japan, cmon you need to calm down. Deep breaths." I said hoping to get him to calm down. It seemed that he wasn't able to hear me though. I started to get frantic. His breathing wasn't getting any better and he was definitely not showing any signs of stopping either. "Please, Japan!"

When he didn't respond in the slightest I did the only thing I could. I pulled him to my chest and started to rub calming circles to his back. "Your okay, everything will be just fine." It was something that I did to my kids when it started to rain. For an added measure I started to hum the tune I sang, just in case.

Little child, be not afraid
Though rain pounds harshly against the glass
Like an unwanted stranger, there is no danger
I am here tonight
Little child, be not afraid
Though thunder explodes and lightning flash
Illuminates your tear-stained face
I am here tonight
And someday you'll know
That nature is so
The same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
On forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you'll see
In the morning
Little child, be not afraid
Though storm clouds mask your beloved moon
And its candlelight beams, still keep pleasant dreams
I am here tonight
Little child, be not afraid
Though wind makes creatures of our trees
And their branches to hands, they're not real, understand
And I am here tonight
And someday you'll know
That nature is so
The same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
On forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you'll see
In the morning
For you know, once even I was a
Little child, and I was afraid
But a gentle someone always came
To dry all my tears, trade sweet sleep for fears
And to give a kiss goodnight
Well now I am grown
And these years have shown
That rain's a part of how life goes
But it's dark and it's late
So I'll hold you and wait
'Til your frightened eyes do close
And I hope that you'll know
That nature is so
The same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
On forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you'll see
In the morning
Everything's fine in the morning
The rain'll be gone in the morning
But I'll still be here in the morning.

*and that ladies and gents was the 12th chapter of The Secrets of a Nation. I am really glad that all of you are enjoying this book so far and I can't wait to update soon. Anyway, I'll see all of you next time, Bye!*