We Are Zodiac (Hetalia Fanfic)

Chapter Ten

RECAP:

"My name's Mary," she answered. Her eyes widened when she actually took a moment to look at everyone else's faces in turn. "What...?" she asked breathlessly, too quietly for them to hear. "You guys...?"

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"Rrrgh," Germany groaned as he hauled himself to his feet and leaned against a tree. "Zhat vas unexpected..."

"Are you alright, Feliks?" Lithuania asked fervently of his friend, who nodded and sat up without a problem. "Whew..."

"Seems like we're all alright," England stated. "Are you, Miss Mary?"

"I'm fine," she answered easily, leaning her back against the trunk of an oak. "As fine as "almost being trampled" can be."

Without a stampede of monstrous ram-people trying to crush them, the countries were able to look more properly at the woman they'd just met. Maybe out of wishful thinking, Alfred's first thought about her eye color was that they were like blue raspberry Icees.

She was tall, for sure. Even sitting down, she looked almost the same height as Germany. Her hair was about the same color, too, but thin and down past her waist in length. She was probably about twenty-three or twenty-four. 

"... Where are you guys headed?" she asked after a moment of silence. It seemed as though she wasn't entirely comfortable around people, though that could be the result of possible isolation. On that level, Alfred could relate all too easily. 

"We're going to Michigan 'cause we heard there was a safe haven there," Alfred answered brightly. Before he could ask a question that had been on his mind, he was interrupted by her snickering. "What?"

"You really think you're going to make it to a haven all the way in Michigan?" she asked them all seriously. "That's so far away, and by the looks of it you won't survive for very long out here."

"We can take care of ourselves, thank you very much," Arthur snapped irritably. 

"You were almost run down by a herd of Aries," she retorted. Then, to herself, she murmured, "And why haven't I seen Aries in this area before now...?"

"Listen, ve're grateful you helped us, but ve can take care of ourselves. Ve're strong c-- people," Ludwig assured her. 

All through this, Lovino, Toris, and Feliks were staying silent and watchful. That changed when Lovino stood up and rolled his eyes. "Al-a-right, let's-a just get out of-a here and make camp," he suggested, fed up with this conversation.

"You're camping out here?" Mary asked them incredulously. 

"Ja, ve are," Ludwig answered. "Vhat about it?"

"Well, those Aries are still in the area. A huge flock of Virgo inhabit the trees around here, too. I'm sorry, but you won't live through the night if you're camping out." She rose, dusting off the back of her jeans before drawing herself up to nearly her full height. 

That height was three solid inches over Germany, the tallest of the group.

Mary folded her arms over her chest and looked at the six of them. "... It's a lot, but I think I can squeeze you guys in. Let's go."

"Go where?" Toris blurted out, instantly feeling remorseful for speaking. Feliks had yet to move from behind Toris' back, and the blond's arms were draped lazily around his friend's shoulders. They stood in unison without breaking the contact.

"Where I've been living," Mary answered. "But first, I have to go back and find my hammer."

~

The trip took about half an hour, factoring in the time it took to rush back and retrieve the sledgehammer that Mary had dropped when she'd begun running from the Aries. Then it was off to the "tree-house" as Mary called it.