Author's Note: So, as much as I love RusCan, this story is a pretty dark fic, and during this chapter we have a very non-con situation. I do not go into details, but you have been warned.

PS If you like happier RusCan, please read some of my other fics. I promise I am not always doom and gloom.

The days passed into weeks, the weeks into months, and slowly, things settled down as much as they could when these sorts of events were occurring.

Russia and his old allies ruled the globe. Russia was not communist, though Cuba still was... Well, as much as he could be with an empire now. Vietnam ruled Southeast Asia, China the north, and a fair amount of Africa.

The atmosphere was still one of unrest. People were afraid. Would churches burn? Ethnic cleansing begin? They sat in fear, and she could not blame them, for she too sat in her home at night, brooding over her safety with a kitchen knife always nearby in case of danger.

After all, she was the symbol of a dead nation, and her heart belonged to one who had long ago died.

It would be easy to destroy her now.

***

She had begged him to stay when the fighting had first broke out. Begged him to stay and protect her. But they had both know she could defend herself, and he could not abandon his people or his brother.

He had promised to return. They had parted, praying to see each other once more.

Only days later, the photos had arrived. Alfred wouldn't even let her look at them.

"Just remember him the way you want to, sister. Remember him as he was alive." Her brother stated, throwing the images into the fireplace and making sure they burned completely.

So she clung to those memories of her love, years and years worth of memories.

Nations will always remember the ones they love.

***

One day as she returned home, Kuma began to growl. She felt her body tense up as she scanned for any item she could use as a weapon. "What is it, Kuma?"

He said nothing, but his fur bristled and she reached for a heavy vase nearby, ready to throw it at whoever had invited themselves into her home.

"Canada?"

The voice was female and Kuma instantly relaxed at the sound. Madeline felt tears spring to her eyes as the woman in a green military uniform and the familiar voice appeared. "Hungary." She cried before running forward.

They embraced each other, and then began to speak.

"How did you get here?" She asked in shock. She hadn't seen another nation in months!

"Russia allowed me to come." She said, scratching Kumajirou behind the ears. "He has business in the south, and plans to come north soon."

Canada stiffened at that news, and Hungary nodded in sympathy. "Yes, I know. But he owns our lands now, and there is little we can do."

She sighed, and then spoke another question. "Who is left in Europe? I have had no news for so long."

Hungary lifted her hand to count. "Well, the Baltics and his sisters, of course. He never would have been able to kill them. Poland is still alive, as well as North Italy. Sweden and Finland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. And me."

Canada had to hold back the tears. "South Italy? She finally asked. The stubborn half of Italy had long held some affection in her heart after the invasion of Italy in the second world war. He had worked with her and the other allies as a leader of the Italian Resistance, and begged them to have mercy on his brother. They had done what they could for both of them.

Hungary shook her head, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "North Italy protected him before. He tried to return the favor."

Canada wiped at the tears in her eyes. "Rome would've been proud." She managed to say. Romano had always said that Venciano was the favorite, but she had always told him Rome would've been proud of them both. He had never believed her.

Hungary nodded. She was so much older than Canada, and she had seen a lot more death in her time. But even she had been surprised by the destruction wreaked on her continent by the frozen nation to the east.

After they each had a cup of coffee, Hungary spoke again, but very softly, as if afraid another would hear her.

"There is a rumor that a new German nation has been born. Liechtenstein told me that they've seen a child nation near their homes, but they run away every time they try to get close."

Canada carefully listened to this and then spoke just as softly. "Does Russia know of this child?"

"No, at least, not yet. Liechtenstein still has her old loyalties, and she hates the occupation as much as the rest of us. I trust her when she says these things."

Canada sat in thought for a few moments, and then spoke. "I need to find this child."

Hungary looked at her. "Why you?"

She looked at Hungary evenly. "Russia doesn't trust you. He hasn't since Germany forced you to go back on your agreement in the second world war. If Liechtenstein and Switzerland raise the child, he will find her quickly, and she will either be destroyed or captured, and they will be punished."

"And you won't be?"

Canada looked at her and shook her head. "I would be punished, but my lands are harder to access, and the child would be nearly impossible to find once hidden." She adjusted the ribbon at her neck. "Besides, I owe it to him."

Hungary looked at the Iron Cross around Canada's neck and nodded. "I'll try to help you, but he will find out and take the child soon enough. If you fly into Europe, he will be watching everything you do."

Canada gulped at the thought that had just crossed her mind. "Not unless I have something to offer to him in return for a week without supervision." She finally said, glancing at her coffee mug in solemn contemplation.

Hungary saw the grim determination that passed over Canada's face and blinked in horror as she realized what this young nation meant. "Canada!" She shouted in shock.

"This is my choice, Hungary, and I will make it." Canada said with a whisper.

Nations had always used their bodies as bargaining chips and Hungary could not convince Canada to do otherwise. The only thing she could do in the end was promise to keep Kuma away from the house for an evening, in order to protect both of them.

They parted, both of them feeling older than they had before.

***

Russia came north and arrived to find Canada waiting for him at the airport. He was startled by her presence. He had let Hungary come north so he wouldn't have to listen to her complaints, but he had not expected Canada to greet him, especially alone.

"Hungary is sightseeing some of my lands. She took Kuma with her." Canada said after he had come up to her with a curious gaze.

Russia nodded, not quite sure what to think yet, but clearly the Nation in front of him needed to speak to him alone.

They drove to Canada's house and he smelled a familiar scent. He knew that Ukraine and Canada had been friends before the wars began, yet he hadn't expected to smell borscht in the Canadian's apartment.

"If I had to guess, I'd say you want something from me." He said, watching her pull out a loaf of fresh black bread and a slow cooking roast. She had clearly tried to make something that would appeal to him.

"Why would you think that?" She said, but her voice confirmed his beliefs and they both knew it. He was used to negotiations like this. It was how some of the European nations had surrendered, and from Canada it was rather cute. Italy had tried to be civil and polite, but his foolish brother had decided to try and poison him. He had sent North Italy away before dealing with his brother. He didn't want to harm the nation by forcing him to watch an execution.

He sat and allowed her to serve him. He knew she wouldn't try to do anything to him. Neither she nor her brother had ever been a particular fan of doing in their enemies themselves. That was why Alfred had created the CIA, after all. He wondered if it was a British trait, since Arthur had always had the same avoidance of getting his hands dirty.

Once the meal had been devoured and she had poured him a second glass of vodka, she spoke.

"I need a week in Europe without supervision."

He raised an eyebrow at that. She would have to have a rather stunning payment if she expected him to allow her that.

"I will wear a tracking bracelet, but no audio or visual surveillance. I have to do something there that is very personal, and I'd rather not have to deal with a detail of people following me."

"And what might you be doing?"

"I would fly in my private jet to Hungary's house. I wish to pay my final respects to Prussia, and she informed me she knows where his grave is."

He watched her and found himself unable to detect another motive in her eyes. "After that, I thought I might visit North Italy, though that might not happen." She continued, sipping on a glass of wine in a way that reminded him of France. France had a way of being able to hide his emotions when he needed to as well.

He paused. He could arrange for men to tail her from Hungary's house, or greet her at North Italy's house, but he looked at her and decided that was simply not worth the effort. Besides, depending on her method of payment, she might revoke what she gave him.

"You will wear a tracker bracelet at all times. If you wish to change your travel plans, that is your decision. But at the end of the week, if you are still in Europe, I will send someone to find you." He said quite calmly.

She looked surprised at his decision, but that look was quickly hidden. He stood.

"I assume, however, that you guessed this bargain would cost you."

She nodded, and looked up at him, setting down her glass of wine. "Whatever you wish in payment, I accept."

Those words made it obvious what she planned to give him in payment, and he accepted the bargain at once. Intimacy was hard for him to achieve, so even a false show of it would satisfy him.

He nodded, downing his vodka in a gulp, and then took her hand, leading her to her own bed. She followed, not fighting. She needed to endure this.

Think of the child, Madeline. You must do this for them.

***

The next morning Canada limped to her bathroom. He was already gone, thank god, and she was glad. She washed her whole body, wishing the filth under her skin would come off with the hot water.

She would leave in three days.

A noise at the door warned her that Hungary had returned with Kumajirou.

She heard his paws on the steps and then his head slamming into the door. She had left it open a crack and he dashed to her side, licking her face from the side of the bathtub, his rough tongue bringing her some comfort. "Very bad. Very bad." He said as he licked her, finally tucking his head under her chin when she leaned over the edge of the tub for him. She wasn't sure if he was speaking about what had happened last night, or that she had let it happen, but she was sure that he knew.

Hungary was close behind the bear, and she looked at Canada with concern. "Are you... did you...?"

"I'm fine." She stated, wrapping herself up in the towel as she stood. "And I have permission."

Hungary nodded, and then turned away. "I'll... I'll go make breakfast."

"Thank you." Canada said, neither of them able to met the other's eyes in that moment.

***

Three days later, she was flying low over the lands that had once been Germany. Hungary looked at her as she prepared to leap. Kumajirou had his own chute, which she would release before her own. He had refused to be left behind, especially after what had happened the last time he left her alone.

Her backpack was on and Hungary spoke quietly. "I wish you to best of luck. My jet will be waiting for you in Switzerland if you are successful."

Canada nodded. "Thank you, Hungary. I suggest you return to the cabin."

She nodded, and went back to the pilots. Around her ankle, Canada saw the light glow of the tracker bracelet. Hungary had a woman waiting for her on the ground who had an eerie resemblance to Madeline.

"Ready, Kumayoshi?"She asked as they neared the drop zone.

"Who?" He asked as she picked him up, and she clung tight to him.

"Canada." She whispered back, grabbing the metal nearby for support.

He nodded, and she clutched him to her chest. The second they had passed the aircraft, she would release his chute.

"Ready to drop?" The pilot called.

"Almost." She said, and then hooked her line to the cable and clutched Kuma to her chest. They had done this before during the wars. "In position."

The door opened and a blast of cold air hit them.

"Five, four, three, two, one..."

The green light blazed and Canada leaped.

***

They were falling. After about five seconds, she pulled Kuma's chute and let go.

Her polar bear calmly watched his chute fill as she rocketed past him, putting some distance between them before she pulled her own chute open, otherwise there would have been a polar bear crash.

She landed in a tree a short while later, and had to cut her lines, pulling the remains of the chute to her. No need to advertise where she'd been to Russia.

She heard a roar in the distance, and running, found Kuma in a tree as well, but he was tangled in his lines, obviously upset.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here." She reassured him as she pulled out a knife and began to cut at the rope.

He went silent and allowed her to free him and lower him from the tree. Once she had removed what was left of his chute, they were alone in the forest.

"Okay, Kumajirou, best behavior when we come across citizens, but if you see a soldier, run as fast as you can and I'll meet up you as soon as I can."

He nodded and they began their walk deep into Germany.