---CHAPTER X: BLOOD (Part 4)---

~~~Reader's PoV~~~

Japan, Russia, America, England, Canada, and I went to search for clues around the mansion until we ended up on the fourth floor. When we entered the room on our left side, Japan rushed over to the white creature stuck on the wall.

"Oh! I just remembered the mochi!!" Japan exclaimed.

Russia walked over to where Japan was and peered over him curiously, "Whoa, what's this pudgy thing?"

"What's this revolutionary creature?! It's fantastic!" America beamed as he saw the majestic mochi that he unknowingly resembles.

"It's a mochi America." I blurted out.

America turned to me and asked, "Huh? What?"

"O-Oh sorry. I meant-- It's a mochi, America..." I answered. It'd be confusing and troubling if I had to explain to him about mochis and stuff. Though, even I have no idea why a mochi would be inside this mansion in the first place.

Canada went beside us who were observing the creature. "The mochi is stuck...A-And it's looking at us with a twinkle in its eyes." he said looking both amused and a little frightened.

"I'd completely forgotten about it! We'll come to help you soon, so please just hold on a little longer, okay?" Japan told the AmeriMochi.

Russia inspected the room and gave a sigh, "It looks like there's nothing in particular here, either."

"Indeed. Let's hurry to the next room. I'm sorry, Mochi. See you later!" Japan gave a bow in front of the mochi as we headed out of the room.

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

For most of the time we searched around, none of us really spoke a word. I guess it's probably because all of us had lots of things going on in our minds or because none of us wanted to say something in fear of saying something that wasn't supposed to be said. Either way, we were pretty much silent, even America.  Room by room, we looked for something that could give us a sign that we could be one step closer in getting out. Room by room, our hopes diminishes little by little whenever we find nothing. That is until, we went to the basement.

=Basement, Iron Cell room=

Japan saw the rest of us huddled around something and asked in puzzlement, "Oh? What happened, everyone?"

Russia pointed at the wooden box and spoke, "Italy said that there was 'hope' in this box. What did he mean?"

"If he was doing that for our sake..; he must have deliberately arranged 'a hope to escape' when he locked us up in the cell." Canada guessed.

America picked up the box and shook it. "He also said that the box was empty, though. Maybe it was just a trick to lock us up?"

"Probably.It makes no sound when we shake it..." Japan said, nodding.

England stepped a little closer to inspect the wooden box and noticed something. "Hm? Wait, wait a minute. This is a little odd."

"Odd? How so?" Japan asked.

England shook his head. "Oh, sorry.You probably won't get it, but this...has some of my magic, too. What the hell?"

"Your magic? You mean this belongs to you?" Canada concluded.

I edged closer to them and spoke, "Well, it's not quite like that..." I turned to England

and continued, "...England, you can lift the spell on this thing, right?"

"W-Well, yes. Give me a minute." he replied, raising his hands over the box. 

Suddenly, a flash of light emanated from his hands and got directed over the object. An audible click was heard afterwards. 

"Hm. It made a sound. Let's try opening it?" Russia suggested.

America started to look giddy and jumped. "Oh! What is it? I hope it's ice cream!"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Ice cream? Like won't it be all melted if it was?"

"Yeah. But even if it was, we could at least get a little happiness out of it, right?" he

grinned.

Seeing his smile made me look away for some reason. "Sorry, but it's far from ice cream. Far from happiness." I whispered quietly.

~=*=*=~

As soon as we opened the box, a voice was suddenly heard coming out of it.

"......the......y..." 

A burst of light emanated from the box, and at that, some sort of hologram began to materialise in front of us.

"Hm?" Canada tried to adjust his eyes to recognise the figure.

Russia took a step back upon identifying the holographic figure. "What?!"

"E-England?!" America exclaimed in bewilderment.

"......and

......it!"

England's eyes grew wide as he exclaimed from confusion, "W-what is this?! Why am I there?!"  

"Shush!! He's saying something!" Japan told him. He heard the muffled voices of the England hologram, who was seemingly panting heavily and looked quite bruised here and there.

"My

... my future self who is watching this!


There is no time to explain much. 

If by any chance Italy dies, find the journal!

In return, you'll get his memories as well as my life! Go back without fail! Go back in time!!

Sa......Italy"

~=-~-=~=-~

The message quickly ended and the hologram disappeared in a blink of an eye, causing us to be quite confused.

England looked over the box again and let out a soft, "Huh?"

Russia turned to the blonde Brit and asked, "Er... England? You were pretty worn-out. What happened?"

Japan was taken aback upon trying to analyse what we heard earlier. "Journal? Does that mean---W-wait a minute. What does that---"

"--So, that was a message to England in the future? And he said something about going back in time or something like that, right?" America cut in.

Canada nodded. "And he also told us to 'find the journal'..."

"...'My future self?' Was he talking about... me?" England wondered out loud.

Japan cupped his chin and tried to think. "But Italy is alive... and 'the journal' ,that's not very specific, is it?"

"Oh. There's something else inside the box!" America told us.

The tall Russian man walked over to it and lifted an object the box stored. "It's a clock. The usual thing. And also...a letter, apparently. But it has no address..."

"A letter?" Japan asked, raising an eyebrow. 

I stepped over to where they were and asked for the letter. While the others were inspecting the clock, I went beside Japan and had a word with him.

"Japan...this letter...I know who it's for." I told him.

The slim Japanese man tilted his head and ushered me to tell him. I motioned him to come closer so that I could whisper to him what he needs to know about the letter.

When I finished explaining, he looked at me and gave a small smile. "... Ah. I see. I will give it to him later." 

Canada tapped my shoulder and asked, "Well, what are we going to do now?"

"Well, it's only a suggestion, but...why don't we break the clock?" Japan said.

America suddenly jumped and got taken aback when he heard that. "What?! Wh-Why?"

"Somehow, I have a feeling that it is hiding the clue that England just gave us. Besides, whenever we break a clock, I can catch a glimpse of future events..." Japan explained.

England nodded. "Hmm, is that so? Well, then, let's break it. We've got to fix time, anyway."

"Oh... b-but... I don't..." America frowned and looked away.

England rolled up his sleeves a bit and took a step back. "All right. I'll break it."

Using his magic, he broke the clock, making time go into another standstill for me--but another event for them.........or so I thought. 

I couldn't understand why or how...because this doesn't usually happen to me...and by this.... I mean me.... seeing an event with them together. Not as just seeing it through a game screen like I used to.... but personally...in the flesh.

===****===

(((VISION/MEMORY)))

It was the room across the fireplace room. Many people were scattered about, but they were all there: Italy, Germany, Prussia, France, America, Japan, England...and a really large Steve creature that looked like it took steroids or something.

(("What on Earth?!" Present-timeloop Japan exclaimed.))  

Past England rushed over to the Northern Italian who stood in front of the creature. "Shit!! Run, Italy!!!"


"Move... Please!! Go!" Past France choked out.


Past Italy shook his head vigorously. "I... can't... If I move from here... America will..."

(("That's the enemy that Italy fought on his own! But everyone is seriously injured! And why am I standing here and watching?" Japan frantically thought.))

(("This is horrible... What the hell? Even with so many of us fighting together, we still can't defeat it?!" I heard someone say out loud.))

((Japan turned to his right and saw his blonde haired blue eyed friend "America?!"))

(("I'm over here, too." I called out from behind them, startling them both.))

((America looked at us both and exclaimed, "Japan?! (Name)?! Huh, you guys are there? You guys were the ones talking just now, right?"))

(("Y-yes. Anyway, we have to help Italy!" Japan urged us.))

((I shook my head, as did America. "I don't think that's possible." the American told him.

Stepping a bit closer to a bookshelf, I attempted to pick up a book but my hand just passed through the objects. "I'm sorry but...We're transparent... See? We can't even touch anything. We're only supposed to watch quietly." I informed Japan.))

(("Oh, no!!" Japan cried helplessly.))

Past Prussia started limping closer to the others. "Shit!! My leg... is broken... ugh...!
Move!!! Please, move!!!" he pleaded.


"Italy!!!" Past Germany cried out to his dear friend. 

The Steroid Steve creature lunched towards Past Italy, but the Northern Italian gave a critical attack on the monster. 

"... Its weakness...

is its forehead...

Too... bad. I win again..." Past Italy said, coughing out a bit of blood. 

The monster disappears as it got defeated. Italy then turned to his comrades.

"France, your injuries... are you okay? Japan is still breathing, too... Thank God. America... you can still move a little... right?" Italy asked weakly. 

(("What--what the hell?! Stop, please! Not again!!! This time it's Italy?!" America exclaimed.))

Italy suddenly collapses on the floor, all bloody and bruised. 

(("Oh!!" Japan let out as he saw Italy fall.)) 

"I... did it... I... saved... everyone! I made no mistakes...!" Italy managed to say softly.

((Even though I already knew about this, my eyes still felt like it got pricked when I saw the Italian's state. "Italy!" I tried to call after him, though he wasn't able to hear me.))

Italy gave a weak chuckle. "Hehe... Your injury looks serious... but you're alive, so you'll heal. Thank God... thank God my ruse worked..." 

(("...Ruse?" America asked, looking at me and Japan.)) 

"Guys, you may not know this, but... this is actually the second time we came here... The first time, I wasn't useful... at all...




I could finally get you back... Thank God...But I'm sorry... now it's my turn to fall..." Past Italy explained to the others. 




Past Germany, who was holding Italy in his arms, got confused upon hearing that. "You've got to be kidding? The second time?! That makes no sense!"




"I went back in time, you see... I managed to get out of here. But I was the only one...who got out...




I didn't want that. I had to get you all out..."  Italy answered, tears streaming down his bruised cheeks.




Past France knelt down beside Italy and reprimanded him. "You--you idiot! You didn't have to get us out! You had to get out with us!"




"I-Italy..." Past Germany shook.




"Q-Quickly... let's carry Italy... Anyone?! Isn't there anyone who can move?! What about China and the others? Aren't they back yet?!" Past America asked the others.




Past Prussia began panicking. "Make... make a place where we can rest! It can be anywhere! I'll look after him! A really safe place! Someone!!"




"I can hear their voices... I was all alone back then, but now they're alive. I'm so happy...I'm so happy, but..." I heard Past Italy's thoughts.



Past Italy turned to his blonde German friend and spoke, "Hey, Germany..."




"H-hold on... Italy... Oh, I know! I will make a place for you. The best place for you to rest at ease..." Past Germany reassured him, his usually serious face now showing overflowing emotions of despair, worry, fear, to name a few.



Past Italy smiled. "Really? Heheheh. Then, will you make lots of beds... where everyone can rest?



And then I'll peacefully rest... between you and... Japan..."



"Yes..." Past Germany nodded.



Past Italy continued, "And a biiig table, too. I also want a place...where we can all cook..."



"Yes. Definitely..." Past Germany's eyes started to water.



"......Ger...many..."



"Yes, Italy?"



Past Italy stared into Past Germany's sky blue eyes and spoke ever so softly, but enough to be heard by him.




"I...I don't...want to die here...

I wanted to escape with all of you......"




At that, Past Italy just....stopped. He stopped moving. He stopped breathing.




He was dead.




Past Germany noticed this and started shaking the man he held closely in his arms.




"Italy?



Italy? 



Italy...



...... Italy!! 



ITALY!!"




"No..." Past England let out as he realised the situation.



"Crap...Japan, take the others outside! West is out of control!" Past Prussia ordered the
others.



Past Germany broke down completely, tears were now falling down from his eyes and landing on his friend's face. "Italy!!! Italy!!! Stop screwing around!! Your eyes are open!! Italy!!! Italy!!!"



"Germany is--" Past America was about to ask something, but bit his lip when he understood what was happening.



Past Prussia limped towards his younger brother and turned to his friend. "West! Calm down!! France!! Please, gimme a hand here!!"


"Italy is... No... it's impossible... Wait... Why..." Past France muttered softly, unable to accept the situation.


Past Prussia placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Wait, West!! Calm down!"


"Japan, let's leave. Your injuries are the worst--...... Japan?" Past England said to Japan, but stopped when he saw the Japanese man....had tears streaming down his cheeks.



Past Japan shook his head and tried to wipe away the tears. "I'm sorry... It's been a very long time since I lost a friend... I don't know... how to react...



I feel sad, but also angry and hopeless, and empty... I don't know how I should feel. But I can't stop crying..." 



"Japan... let's leave. Besides, it would only make things worse if they saw you like that..." Past America suggested, thinking of a way to comfort him.


Past Japan nodded. "...... Yes." 

=outside the room=

"...(Name), are you okay? If you can't stand up, you can lean on my shoulder." America offered me.

After what just happened in front of my very eyes, I felt weak and barely able to hold myself up, so I took America's offer. I leaned on his shoulder for support, but noticed something. "What about you, America? You're clenching your hand too tightly. It's bleeding..."

"... This is why I didn't want to break the clock...I can't do anything to help here..." America told me and Japan, who was looking down on the floor quietly.

The American ran his fingers through his hair and spoke, "What the hell... Someone always, always--"

"--You're kidding... right? Italy is--Wait a moment! How could such a thing..." we overheard Past Canada talk.


Past Russia pointed at the door. "... Those voices coming from the room--Is that Germany and his brother? I guess we'd better not go in. They were...the closest to him..."


"If only I had... got here sooner..." Past China said, looking away.


Past America shook his head. "No, I'm the one who made us split up!


......That---What's that book in your hand?" he asked as he saw his brother holding some sort of book.


"Oh, this? I found it in the library room. Er, actually, it seems to be a... journal..." Past Canada explained. 

"America! (Name)! That book...!!

Do you think that's the journal?!" Japan pointed out. I could only give him a weak smile, but didn't say anything. 

Past America gazed at the journal. "That's the book that Italy had been using...isn't it? I thought it was a Bible, though...Is that it?"


Past Russia opened the book and nodded. "Yeah. And there's something...strange about it. It's on the first page... Here! Look at the name here."


"Italy... Veneziano..." Past England read aloud. He continued,"It doesn't mean it's the name of the journal's owner. It kind of looks like this is a...contract sign page.


It says..." 

Suddenly, America disappeared from my side, meaning he's being pulled back to the present. I almost tripped because I was leaning on him earlier. 

"I feel like I'm going to be pulled back.... No---I have to stay just a little longer--even if it's just for a few seconds!!" I heard Japan cry out, but he disappeared after. 

I tried to reach out to him but was too late, "Japan!!" 

Slowly, I felt myself being pulled back to the present, as well. But then, as I was supposed to give one last look at the event in front of me...

.......something caught my eye.

The door to the fireplace room was slightly open.

And I saw it...

.......I saw a pair of magenta coloured orbs peeking behind the door.

I was about to approach the room, but in a blink of an eye, I got sent back to the present.

(((END OF VISION/MEMORY)))

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*

~~~Japan's PoV~~~

"Japan! America! (Name)!" I heard Russia call after us.

I shivered a bit upon realising I was back to the present.

America scratched his head. "We're... back? Oh...If only we could have stayed a little longer..." he said in a disappointed tone.

".....Yes....if only we could've stayed...even just a little while longer than that...."

(Name)-chan whispered.

Canada gave us a look of worry. "Just sit down, please.You three look very pale."

"..... It was actually... the second world..." I said out loud.

England tilted his head. "Hm? What's the matter?"

"They weren't just hypothetical...All those things I saw... were past experiences, or the future...?" America began concluding.

I saw that (Name)-chan fidgeted in her place. It seems she knows.

America noticed her and faced the girl. "Wait. Then, what number is this world? How many times have we... lost our friends?"

It is not easy to answer such a question like that. By the way she's acting, she's probably having a hard time thinking what could be the best way to tell us or explain to us that without us getting hurt...by the truth.

She looked at America with unsure eyes and spoke, "......W-Well--"

"--What number? ... What? We?" Canada became confused from listening in on us. 

Russia creased his forehead. "You mean, how many times have we come here?"

"....Ugh..." (Name)-chan groaned, clutching her head and sounding like she was in pain or as if she was sick.

"L-Love, are you all right?!" he asked the girl and turned to America and I. "Just what the hell did you guys see?! Can you go back once more?"

America shook his head and looked away. "Can't you... do that for me? I don't feel so good, either..."

"I'm sorry. Even though I know he's all right,I want to see Italy as soon as possible..."

I told them.

Canada went beside (Name)-chan and spoke, "(N-Name), can you still walk? Wait, nevermind. I'll just carry you."

"N-No, you...you don't...need to do that..." (Name)-chan croaked out.

The Canadian creased his forehead. Not taking the girl's answer, he said, "I want to. I can." At that, he carried the (Name)-chan in his arms and continued, "I'm already doing it."

"Canada..." she protested. 

He shook his head. "Seriously, the people here always put themselves last. You need to take care of yourselves a little more. If you won't do that, I will." he told her with a concerned expression.

"...........I'm sorry...." she apologised before falling asleep in the Canadian's arms. Her way of saying sorry had a tone that was quite different, though I can't put what it is. 

Not in my state right now. I feel like my knees are going to give in.

"You look... unsteady on your feet. Here, climb on my back." Russia kindly offered me. I took his offer because I could no longer handle it anymore.

I only saw a few pasts and yet I feel like I'm going to fall apart... If I don't tell them, I won't be able to stand it.

I can't keep this bottled up, or I'll go...

iNsAne

...

It's too painful...

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

~~~Reader's PoV~~~

Sometimes, I dream of very peculiar things.




I dream about the things I want to happen.


The things that are happening.


The things that happened.



There are times when I dream and I know that I'm dreaming. Just like right now.



I am not sure what kind of dream I am dreaming right now, but I think that it might be something...from long, long ago.

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

(((DREAM)))

I was inside a house. A very large house, at that. It didn't look like the mansion where I was with the countries. No. This house seemed so familiar. So familiar, yet I cannot remember exactly whose house it is or where that house was located. I wanted to recall further about it, but then I saw a little girl run past me.

She was very excited about something. She seemed a lot younger than I am now, yet she was more full of life than I am. Maybe it was because of all the things that I have been experiencing in that haunted mansion. I know I had so many things to face when I wake up from this dream...but I want my peace of mind right now. For now, I'd rather watch this dream play in front of me.

The little girl was wearing a cute red dress that went up to her knees. It was quite frilly and followed the girl's movements as she skipped across the halls. 

She suddenly stopped when she was at the end of the corridor. "Oh!~ Hello! This place is really fun!" she told someone. Who was she talking to? I couldn't see the person because there was a large cabinet in the hall that obscured the him or her.

The person replied to the little girl, but quite strangely, I wasn't able to distinguish if it was a man or a woman. It's like the voice was muffled or something, but I could understand perfectly when that person said, "That's right, sweetie~ Would you like to play a game with me?~"

"Of course, I'd love to!!" the little girl bounced up and down.

I wanted to move closer to them, but it was like I was glued to my place. Though I heard the person say, "Alright, then, sweetie! How about we play 'hide and seek'? You count while I go hide!"

"B-But...I can't count that much yet!" she sort of whined. 

The person she was talking to pat her head. "It's okay! It's my house, so I know how to hide really fast!~"

"Okay, then!" the little girl replied. She then covered her face with her hands. I heard footsteps walking swiftly away from the little girl. At that, the girl counted.

"1...

2...

3...

4...

5...

6...

7...

8...

9...

10...?"

She paused for a while and tried to recall the next numbers and continued,

"11...

...12!!

....Uhmm....

....I think...I think I can still count some more!

Let's see...

13...

14...

15...

16...

17...

18...

19..

20...

21...

22...

23...

2..24...

25...?

Uh...26!!! Yeah, that's it. That's enough~"

The little girl uncovered her eyes and looked around. "Hmm? Where to start?~" She suddenly began running across the other hall. I was able to move now, so I followed her.

Room by room she checked, but to no avail. She couldn't find the person she was playing 'hide and seek' with. She almost gave up, when her eyes suddenly brightened, "AH! I know! I know! There's only one place left!!" She dashed into another corridor again. I was getting tired of running with her, but then I remembered--this was only a dream, anyway.

We ran up several flights of stairs. Man, even though I don't really get fatigued because this is just a dream, I still feel like I'm getting dizzy from all the running and stair climbing. While I was thinking to myself, the girl in front of me suddenly stopped.

At the end of the stairs, there was a door. The girl reached up for the knob and opened it.

"You found me!" the person inside the room exclaimed, their back was turned away from the girl.

The girl went inside the room and I followed after her. The room was quite small, I noticed. "Well, this *is* your favourite room!" the little girl said as a matter-of-factly. "You got me there~" the person replied.

"Oh! That big clock is really pretty!" the little girl pointed to the grandfather clock inside the room.

Wait.

What's......that big clock doing there....?

I stepped closer to the little girl and to the person she spoke to. I began becoming curious. What's this? What kind of dream is this? 

"Yes. Very. It's very important, too." the person told the little girl, turning around.

When that person turned around....it all slowly started to hit me.

I know that person.

And that girl?

....I know her, too.

Because that little girl...

....that was me.