Spread My Wings (countryhumans)

Part 34: All my fault

(Finally back to Ames POV)

We finally regrouped, Switzerland is letting us stay in her house as long as we need to prepare. Mexico was sharpening the sword she was given by Reich, seeming rather excited of the idea to slay him with his own weapon. Mexico, Poland and Kazakhstan were already familiar with using weapons; their ability of flight can only get them so far after all. However, the others usually had their magic powers to defend themselves, so Poland, Mexico and Kazakhstan were teaching them how to fight with weapons.

"Ugh! Why is this so hard?!" New Zealand exclaimed. I laugh.

"You just don't have good hand-eye coordination. You're used to just looking at things and making them move," I say. New Zealand groaned. China set down his sword and looked me up and down.

"So, what are you going to do? You can try to learn how to fight as well," China said, in a slightly biting tone. I glance around. My father told me to never get into any fights but....

We're all even now, aren't we?

I look at Kazakhstan, who got his wings taken away. He had been taught the basics in swordsmanship, and he was rather good at it. His lack of wings might serve as a disadvantage, especially since he had been used to using them as a crutch. I look down and let out a long sigh.

I've been told to simply forget everything England taught me... especially since anyone with powers would have the upper hand with me....

"Kaz, let's duel," I say. Everyone looks at me with surprise.

"You sure?" Kazakhstan asked. I shrugged.

"Yeah, what's the worst that could happen?" I ask. Mexico hands me her sword without a hint of hesitation. If I get the crap beaten out of me it will definitely give her a good laugh.

Everyone surrounds us in Switzerland's backyard to spectate. It's been a while since I've done this. At least everyone's expectations in me are low.

I make the first swing, which he swiftly blocks with his sword. Metal clashes with metal as we face off, a goodhearted viscousness in our attacks. I can tell Kazakhstan is getting annoyed by my elegant movements and show-off moves. England wouldn't stop at teaching me how to fight, he was determined to make me look good while doing it.

I begin to swing my sword a bit harder, moving forward to match the movement. Kazakhstan begins to step backwards. I keep going. Kazakhstan seems to be loosing his balance. He turned back to look at his path behind him. I take this window of opportunity to twirl my sword with his, making him drop it. I caught him by surprise. I picked up his sword and pointed it to him, I feel a victorious smile spread across my cheeks.

Suddenly, I hear an applause. I hand Kazakhstan his sword back and turn around. I see everyone clapping, except for China, who just looked mildly impressed. I didn't even care that China wasn't clapping as I walked over to my friends. When I'm close, Germany lightly punched me in the arm.

"What the hell Ame? You lead me to believe you were totally lame and hopeless!" Germany exclaimed, a smile on his face. I laugh.

"Well, I wasn't until my dad told me to never fight again," I say, handing Mexico her sword that I had borrowed.

"Why not? You're a really good swordsman!" Poland exclaimed. I sighed and pushed aside my sleeve, showing a long scar.

"While me and England were training I guess I got a bit to cocky... my dad freaked out and decided it was too dangerous," I say.

"That old a**hole, does he not like you or something?" Mexico asked.

"No, he doesn't hate me... he's just a bit overprotective," I say. I wish I hadn't thought to much about my father, because now all I can think about is his well-being. Reich absolutely despises my father... what if Reich hurt him? Are my brothers ok? Did they find out that Australia sent his animals to save us?

"Guys, look! It's Nekomi!" Indonesia exclaimed. We see Nekomi running towards us, with multiple other animals gathering close behind. We all run to the small cat. There is a terrified look in her eyes. New Zealand tries to pet her, just to calm her down. She bites onto his shirtsleeve and starts to pull on it, as if telling him to follow her. He stands up and she starts to run. New Zealand began following her. I turn back to everyone else.

"I'll go see what the matter is, you guys keep training," I say.

I start sprinting to catch up with New Zealand. I see him in the distance, and I see his running slow to a halt. I watch as he falls to his knees and begins to sob. And as I get closer, I see why he was sobbing.

"Aussie...," I say quietly, kneeling down next to New Zealand. New Zealand leans into me, and I pull him into a hug. I can't help but feel tears fall from my eyes.

"This is all my fault... he... he's...," New Zealand whispered between cries.

"Hold on... let me check his heartbeat... this isn't your fault," I say. I release New Zealand from the hug and placed my hand on Australia's jawline. I feel the faintest heartbeat.

"Is he...," New Zealand said, not being able to say the words.

"He's alive... we need to get him to Switzerland," I say, picking Australia up. New Zealand picks up Nekomi, and together we run back to Switzerland's house.

When we get there, everybody starts worriedly gathering around us. I hear everyone frantically asking if he's ok, but it begins to just sound like white noise.

"Put him on the bed in the guest room. It might take a while, but I think I can still heal him," Switzerland said frantically. I did what I was told.

New Zealand sat next to the bed, crying into the palms of his hands. Poland was sitting next to New Zealand, trying to comfort him. I decided to just sit outside. The tension in that room was suffocating and Poland is better at comforting people than I am anyway. I was the only person outside, so I didn't think twice when I let the tears flow from my eyes. I let it blur my vision, and I crossed my arms to feel some sort of comfort.

"Ame?" I hear someone say. My ears were still slightly ringing, so I couldn't tell who it was at first. I quickly wiped my eyes and sat up straight. I looked over to see Germany.

"Hey Germany...," I say softly. Germany sat next to me and took a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry...," Germany said.

"It's not your fault," I say. Why do people always blame themselves when tragedy strikes? If anything, this is all my fault.....

Germany wraps his arm around my shoulder. I decided to let go of my pride and lean into him. I begin to sob despite my shame.

"It'll be ok," Germany said.

"What about this is ok?" I ask between sobs.

"None of it is fine... but it will be ok. He'll be ok, and we will punish whoever did this to him," Germany said. I remained silent and let what he said sink in. I don't know if it will all really be ok.... but I have got to have some faith left in me.