Hetaoni: ENDGAME

Chapter 26 ~ Sweet Nightmares Ita-Chan....

   Japan decided to go take a bath before he went to bed. He was feeling unbelievably dirty, and the grime was getting annoyed. While he was entering the bathroom, he passed America, who was getting ready to sleep.

"Oh hey Japan!" America smiled cheerfully. "Taken a bath? I was drenched with sweat, so I think I should thank Germany for the awesome shower!"

Japan chuckled. "Yes. We should all be grateful towards Germany-San for what he has done. Oh, by the way.... Thank you for what you did for Italy. Since I broke a clock without consulting anyone else, I became so preoccupied with my own matter that I completely forgot about that... It was highly irresponsible and selfish of me."

"Aw, come on bro, stop putting yourself down like that! You did what you had to, and better late than sorry, right? And there's no need to thank me, I'm the hero! It's my job!" America laughed, slapping Japan on the back.

Japan shied away from the touch. "I agree, you were a hero. You even told England and the others."

"Hm? Oh yeah. When we took refuge in that room, England hadn't said anything, had he? He said he was going to do some kind of spell or whatever, and if by any chance there wasn't enough time, I had to buy him time. And there rally wasn't enough time, so I attacked with my pistol that only had a few shots left, and when the spell was done, it succeeded in slowing our enemy. We should be thanking Canadra too, after all, she did lend some of her magic energy to old the Old Brit over there." America said, retelling the story.

Japan nodded. "That's why you both stood waiting in the back. Everyone else acted so quickly. Telling them beforehand turned out to be the key. America, that was very smart of you. Thank you."

"It's because... I don't want to lose any of my friends." America said, remembering the shear horror and guilt and sadness on Seychelles, Sealand's and Arthur when the parallel Alfred died. "And it looks like Italy is hiding something..."

"Indeed. Everyone has noticed it by now, I hope he will tell us tomorrow, though..." Japan hoped, even if the odds were slim.

"I wonder if he really will fess up. He has that determined face, as if ordinary methods won't work." America pointed out.

"Although I wouldn't use the words 'fess up'," Japan sated, "It is just as you say. I can't help but think he looks like someone who has been in the dark for too long."

"Then we're just gonna have to save him." America said, reminding Japan of what Italy said to Canadra. 

"Then we're just going to have to get your body back!"  Little Canadra smiled at that. "Promise?" She asked. "Promise." Italy said.

"Definitely. We should all save him together." Japan smiled.

   After taking a bath, Japan set off for bed. It looked like everyone had gone to sleep. Italy was cuddled into Germany's arms on the last bed nearest to the east wall. Next t them was Prussia and Hungary, the couple sleeping peacefully. Next was America, then England. On the end was China. 

Japan looked at his brother. "He's sleeping like he's dead..."  He shook the depressing thought off and took a bed in between Russia and France. Next to France, Canada was all snuggled up with sheets covering his entire body. 

The Asian country smiled. Then, he drifted off to sleep.

~

 "Prussia!! What happened to Japan?!" Italy cried out, a half sob almost breaking through.

"....He fell asleep.... Deeply...." Prussia looked down at the floor. "....So did Lizzy..."

Germany was silent. "N-No... This can't be happening... T-Tell me this isn't happening... There's no way my little brother is dead... R-Right aru? A-ARu...?"

China's voice cracked at "aru". 

"I'm so sorry bruder. Kann Ihre Frau in Frieden ruhen an einem besseren Ort." Germany said softly.

Prussia began to cry. But he smiled. Because he knew that was what Lizzy would have wanted.

"So now..... We're the only ones left." For once, Russia wasn't smiling.

 "Shit! We failed again! What are we going to do?! We've got the key. Now-"

"When we've lost so many? I can't." Germany said, opposing England.

"Yeah there's no point." Russia looked like he was about to sob.

"I agree with them Master. I-I.... I don't want to leave America behind." Canadra cried, hovering over England's shoulder.

"Yeah, I agree. Let's leave this key to our next selves." England said with a sigh. "Don't worry Canadra. I promise you, we will be a family one day. Didn't America make that promise to you to?" 

Canadra gave him a small smile. "Y-Yeah... He did." She sniffled.

"....I'm sorry." Italy said.

"I-Italy? What's wrong?" Germany asked.

"Italy, it's not your fault. You didn't do anything-" Prussia was cut off midway.

"I'm sorry... It was me...." Italy's voice cracked. "It's my fault.... B-Because.... Because I-"

~

Italy woke up, gasping for air. With such a shock, he fell to the floorboards with a small yelp, luckily not waking anyone up.

"A dream...." He whispered softly to himself.

"I guess it wasn't quite a dream. I hate this.... Even here, it's affecting me. It's because I remember so many things.... Maybe it's like a backlash affect? Who knows. I'm beginning to forget memories from long go... When did I meet Germany? what was the alliance that bound us? When I was little, I made some kind of promise to someone, didn't I? H-H... Holy Rome...? Ah, yes. I at least remember that one. Maybe I'll be able to remember the rest if I can get out of here? Everyone is.... breathing, right? Y-Yeah, japan is even moving. Thank God. I didn't know this place existed, and I really didn't think that I'd still be alive.... If I've come this far, the next thing to do is....."