---Chapter XII : Beds (Part 1)---

///Prussia's PoV///

"Prussia! Prussia!" I heard a voice. It was Japan's.

I turned around, still not opening the door. "Y-yeah?! What do you want?!"

"I'm sorry, but you have to come back, quickly! The others are--" Japan got cut off by loud shouting outside. I couldn't understand what they were yelling about, but I could sense it was quite a commotion.

I creased my forehead. "What's wrong?!"

"Quickly, please! I can't handle this on my own! Please!" Japan pleaded.

Japan continued to knock frantically on the door. "Hurry! Please!"

"Yeah, yeah, just hold on a sec..." I told him, massaging my chest. It seems my heart beat settled down.

As I walked out of the bathroom, I heard loud shouts from various countries.

Italy's older brother banged his fist on the table. "Bullshit! Why does it have to be you?! You're fucking kidding me!"

"Th-that's why I'm saying I should be with Germany..." Italy answered, shaking a little.

Germany raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Wait! You've got to be kidding me! I object!"

I couldn't comprehend what they were talking about at all. All I could do is give a confused look.

"I'm sorry for calling you back. As you can see, I can't handle this alone..." Japan told me, sighing.

France gave a playful smirk and waved his arms. "I'm telling you, mine is open~ I would give Italy a warm welcome--physically speaking." he said suggestively.

I looked at my comrades back and forth, trying to figure out what situation we were in. "What? ... Hm? Japan, what are they talking about?"

Canada frowned as he tried to think. "Maybe we should pair up with our... family? Oh, but if it's to be together all the time--"

"If it were a... sister, then I'd be only a little reluctant, but with a brother..." England trailed, not liking the idea at all.

America made gagging noises. "Eeew! That would be torture! It's just too weird!"

"Well, I could do with just a blanket. I could lay it over the table and sleep there. It'd make a perfect cot!" Spain told them.

My ears shot up as I heard that. "Huh? Cot...?"

"Yes, since it's already bedtime, we began to prepare the beds, but then we realised there weren't enough of them for everyone...

So, we began to debate over what we should do." Japan explained to me.

I nodded, everything slowly dawning me. "Oh... Well, those West-made beds are pretty comfortable. So, you were worried that everyone was going to fight over them? Is that it?" 

"...'Going to fight over them'? They already are. Intensely, too." (Name) chuckled, stepping beside me.

I smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kesese. You're right, frau. But you should let those guys fight over the beds. You go rest on one of the comfy West-made beds and get your beauty sleep!"

"Thanks, but I'd want to sleep after these guys agree on the sleeping arrangements. It's not like I could sleep with all of them screaming at each other's faces." she said, laughing a little as she watched the other countries bicker. "Besides, I'm fine with any arrangement, anyway. So, whatever they agree on, I'll go along with."

"Really? Are you sure, frau?" I asked, a bit surprised. I mean, not many would be alright with just that. Usually, girls are picky with these kinds of things.

She faced me and gave a thumbs up. "Yep! ....I...I don't want to be treated differently. I just want to be eye-to-eye with you guys..." She then looked down to the floor. "...Even if I'm not from this world...I want..to belong."

"(Name)-chan... You already know that you belong, right? We've talked about this..." Japan said in a concerned tone.

(Name) raised her head and gave us a weak smile. "Yeah...I know..."

"...Lighten up, frau! You're one of us now and we'll always be here for ya! This is coming from the Awesome Me--so you've gotta believe it! Kesesese!" I pulled her into a hug and ruffled her hair, laughing.

She laughed, as well; trying to stop me from messing with her hair. "Thanks, Prussia. Thank you, too, Japan. You guys are the best."

"Hey!! That's not fair; you guys having a good time while we're here getting headaches from this whole beds thing!" America called over, pouting.

(Name) playfully stuck out her tongue at the sulking American. "Yeah yeah. Sorry." she said, rolling her eyes. "C'mon guys, let's go over there before some sort of fist fight errupts. Hahaha."

"Got it." I said as Japan, (Name) and I started walking over to the other countries.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Russia gave a light chuckle. "It wouldn't be so bad if the smaller ones slept together, right? For example, Japan and China..." he said, jokingly checking out the Chinese man beside him.

"Stop leaning over and peeking at me! You're so damn lewd!" China fumed.

West rubbed his temples, looking like he's got a migraine coming on. "All right, all right! Tomorrow I'll make more beds first thing in the morning! Can't you endure this at least for one night?!"

"Oh! Then I want a double bed!" Italy said, raising his hand. He then turned to his older brother and grabbed his arm. "Romano, let's sleep together! I've been through a lot of loops, so it's been ages since I last saw you!"

Romano's eyes widened for a bit. Though looking hesitant at first, he gave in. "Ugh..." he groaned.

"Oh~ How unusual of you to give in, Romano." France pointed out, smiling.

Italy looked a bit alarmed, thinking that Romano just felt forced to agree. "That's why I'll sleep with Germany tonight! Then my brother can have his bed all for himself! Oh, but Spain--"

"Wait a minute!! Why do I have to sleep with you?!" West exclaimed.

Japan raised his hand and spoke, "Um... I'll sleep on the floor. If I lay down a blanket, it'll be just like a futon..." he told us.

"Can't we all just sleep on the floor?" I suggested. That'll make everything easier.

(Name) nodded and smiled at me. "That's a great idea, Prussia. It's okay with me!" she then turned to the others. "That alright with ya guys?"

The others thought about it for a moment and nodded, agreeing with the idea.

"Kesesese! I truly am awesome~" I laughed, proud that I was the one who solved their dilemma.

America pulled up his sleeves, pumped up to fix the place. "Oh, yeah! Let's just go to sleep already!" he turned to the emerald-eyed Brit and pulled his arms. "England, I'll take care of the beds, so give me a hand!"

"Huh? Wait, stop pulling me!" England exclaimed as his arms were suddenly jerked to whatever direction the American was going.

America didn't seem to listen to him and just laughed like he usually does. "A HA HA HA HA HA!!"

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

~~//everyone on the floor~ yes, even you, reader :P//~~

///Third Person PoV///

"... Haha, it's like a training camp." Japan said, chuckling a little.

America rolled over and stared at the ceiling. "Beds are nice, but sleeping on the floor in a futon is fun, too! It's a little cramped, though."

"I can't wait for our party. Why, there are so many things I want to do that I think I'll forget some of them. I'll have to write them down." Spain said cheerfully.

Spain's words reminded Romano of something. "Hey, Veneziano, we'll really have to send food to Japan's house before--" he paused as he saw his brother. "He fell asleep.

"

"He must be tired. He's finally got some relief. Let him sleep." France said, giving a small smile. He must be relieved, as well, that Italy was getting the rest he needs.

Prussia ran his fingers through his hair. "Was he awake even when I was keeping watch?"

"Now that you mentioned it, I think he was. I mean, it must have been necessary for survival, right? Although he might have dozed off for a while when I woke up and tried to go after you." (Name) answered.

Germany shuffled in his bed. "I see. Come to think of it, even when Japan and I woke up..."

"He was awake. To think that he was aware of that monster because he had known from the very beginning..." Japan said sullenly.

Canada spoke, "He occasionally appeared to be reading the Bible--I mean, the journal. Do you think he's written about everything he's gone through so far?"

"Maybe. Maybe he'll let us read it now?" Russia asked, then suddenly he let out a gasp. "Ah! Or...we could ask (Name)..."

"(Name)..?" America checked on the girl beside him, and saw that she had already dozed off. "....Oh, she already fell asleep, too."

Upon hearing that, England sat up. "....She's asleep?"

"Yeah, why?" America asked.

France, Japan, and all the other countries except Italy sat up, as well. They looked at each other and nodded. "We need to discuss about this...'Second Player' business." England informed the American.

".....Oh. That." America said monotonously.

China sighed. "....I still can't believe that this is all their doing, aru."

"They've killed millions of people, set fire to numerous villages, and caused chaos and mass destruction around the world during the war--before we banished them...how could you not believe that they could do such an unforgivable act like this?" Germany asked, clicking his tongue.

Canada thought about the German's words for a moment. What he did say was true, but...something's missing... 

Then, it slowly hit him. "....H-Hey...you know..." he said, in a soft voice.

"That's right. They're desperately trying to get rid of us now... Even to the point of putting Italy in such pain, and (Name) through so much danger--and deceit." France said, his gaze at the Northern Italian and the girl's sleeping forms.

Spain tilted his head. "Then what do you propose for us to do about it?"

"How about instead of us being hunted down by them ...we hunt them down?" Japan suggested.

Prussia couldn't help but smirk. 

"That sounds like a plan."