Story: Bratty Nations.

Author: NoveltyRose

Exclaimer: All characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya.

Author notes: Hello all, so sorry for the delay, but I decided to take a break while the Euro Cup in football was going on. For a long time I couldn't think about anything except football and Game of thrones (which was sometimes eerily similar ;)) while my country competed for the first time ever (the smallest nation to ever get into that tournament), but the whole nation was mad with football craziness, so I wasn't the only one who couldn't focus or work. And it did great, got all the way to quarter final where it was defeated by the host, France (our first defeat in the tournament!), who got silver in the tournament as France lost in the finals to Portugal (which we made a draw against in our first game of the tournament.) Congratz Portugal for becoming the European champion for the first time!

Of course more things have happened in my life than just football, but just the other day I had a book launching party where a fellow group of authors and I published a criminal story collection. It was a great party, my fourth book launching party since 2011 but my last one was in 2013, so it had been awhile. I am happy as long as I get to write. ;)

I also had to take a break from the fic when there were so many terrible things happening in the world (Prayers and hugs for the whole world!) so I escaped into football, a sport I had never much cared for but I became hooked, so be "warned" there will be some football jokes and references in later chapters, as 2014 was a very important year for our men's national football team (our national women's team had already gone three times to the Euro cup and are most likely going for the fourth time).

And once again I had to divide the chapter, as it kept getting longer and longer in rewriting thanks to all the research I did. So there are no musical numbers in this chapter, but there will be in the next two chapters. ;) As the next chapters will be shorter in length, there shouldn't be as long wait in between. I still plan on finishing this story this summer, but currently it has sixteen chapters in the whole, meaning there are seven chapters left…excluding this one.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

The story takes place in September 18th 2014…

Chapter nine - The wonders of Turkey

After great nagging and fight, England and I manage to get our little ones to dress again in their light clothes, so they don't look like a flag parade any longer, especially not America, who has covered up the UK flag underwear to England's relief, though his secret is already out. We hadn't left the restaurant for good, even though the tour around the place had already begun, as we didn't want our little ones to go barefoot for the long walk ahead of us back to the first courtyard and they should only undress when we get to the pool. They weren't happy with our commands, but at least they obey us.

"Where is the pool?" Ice keeps asking Turkey, as he seems to think that the point of our journey is to soak in some mysterious Turkish pool instead of curing him and rest of regressed nations. Which is not that odd, considering the children don't know that it's unusual for them to be in this state. For them this is perfectly normal and we all are together on some fun family trip.

So frustrating…after a week here in Turkey, the only change has been that Ice is not deadly afraid of Turkey any more…which it not that bad, I guess…

Turkey smiles at Ice, puts a finger to his own mouth like he is shushing him and repeats what he had already told us earlier when arriving at the palace. "It's a secret."

Ice groans with impatience and looks longingly at the sea below the restaurant's terrace and looks to be about to jump into it, as he will do everything to get out of this burning heat.

I grab his arm and warn him by waving the harness before his small face, which is more enough for him to understand completely what will happen if he doesn't behave. Den also sends him a stern look to show that I have his support, since he is my co-parent and I give him back the harness, as he is the keeper of it, when I see that Ice has got our message, loud and clear.

Although I have to admit that I am tempted to put the harness back on Ice anyway, as the fence, if one can call it one, is only the height of matchstick boxes, the only thing between a accidental fall into the ocean below.

This is no place for children…

Ice goes rigid like he knows what I am thinking about and sharply looks to his side at America, like he is hoping against all odds that the cool kid in the group did not just witness his humiliation.

Ice though doesn't need to worry about his opinion, as America is too busy trying to see anything in this feverish weather. His sunglasses are clouded over and he tries in vain to clean them on the hem of his t-shirt until England can't watch his futile attempt any longer and hands him a glasses wipe to use instead. America gracefully accepts and happily puts the now clean glasses on his nose.

Romano still clings to Spain and has the expression of someone longing for home while China and Japan wait patiently for Turkey to continue the tour.

I truly hope that the tour around the palace will shed some light on this mystery of the deaged nations...is Turkey really the link to turn them back…?

Turkey informs us that the Topkapı Palace is the oldest and also the most Ottoman of all Turkish palaces and how the palace was the heart, brain and centre of the Ottoman Empire, which was why he wanted us all to meet here with our little ones, as their fear or memories were connected to Ottoman-Turkey. He tells us that the Topaki palace served as many things, one, the residence of the sultan, two, the centre of administrative affairs and three, the highest educational institution of the empire.

The palace is different from palaces in the rest of Europe, for the palace is not a single large structure, unlike typical European palaces like Buckingham Palace or Versailles (England flinches when he is reminded of France), which feature one large building with outlying gardens, instead Topaki palace is a collection of relatively small kiosks, pavilions, kitchens, barracks, audience chamber, sleeping quarters built around a central enclosure and surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Even though Den, Ice and I had to practically run, except for the small time we got to rest and enjoy the seaside view, to meet the others at the restaurant, the outline of palace had not escaped my notice, especially since we had to zigzag through labyrinth of artistic buildings, massive gates and colorful gardens.

"Let us finishes the tour around the fourth courtyard before we head back to first gate." Turkey says and as no one sees any reason to object him, we walk up the marble stairs leading from the restaurant and up onto the terrace and are once again greeted with the wonderful view of the Strait Bosphorus, the bridge that connects Asia and Europe and the opposite side is the Asian Side.

Turkey allows us a moment to enjoy seaside view for a bit, even though we saw plenty of it in the restaurant; you never seem to get tired of it, before continuing further and explaining along the way: "While walking through the buildings and the four courtyards of the Topkapı Palace you will feel the glory days of the Ottoman Empire. But also the horrors that took place there like executions and the mass killing of Ottoman princes…" Turkey trails off and stops, possibly because he sees the children and therefor remembers that he also has some young audience with him.

However as Ice and America seem to hang on each of his words, their eyes widen in excitement, while Romano only leans closer to Spain and even though Japan doesn't seem to mind or even be interested, he continues with his bloody tale in an dramatic voice, fitting of an Shakespearean- actor.

"Or like in 1595 when Sultan Mehmed III became sultan and gave the order to his mute palace servants to strangle all nineteen of his brothers! But of course no blood was allowed to be shed, as they had royal blood! Lest they challenge his right to the throne. Some of them were even still infants at the time. They were buried in their father's tomb left to the exit of the Hagia Sophia, which you can see over there." Turkey points over the sea, where the famous landmark, former church, imperial mosque and now a museum stands on other side, the great architectural beauty, with it's massive dome and high thin towers on each side.

Anyhow Turkey is in no way thinking about the ancient beauty or the remarkable story of the aforementioned place, as he continues his murder-story with a certain glee by rubbing his hands together. "You can visit this tomb and see all the coffins of the sultan and his nineteen murdered brothers, if you like." He grins widely and the only thing he is missing a flashlight, to light up his psychopathic smile, except of course that would be pointless, considering we are both outside and the weather is sunny.

"Coooool….!" America yells and grins and looks at England, who grimaces in disgust when even picturing it.

"Svaaalt!" Ice shouts cool in his mother tongue and looks over at Den and I, like it would be the most fun thing in the world to see dead bodies…of brothers, mind you.

We shake our head affirmatively, in complete agreement with each other and Ice pouts. He has always been a fan of strange morbid things, but this is too much for us and should be for him as a child, to handle right now.

Could it be the fault of our old age…?

Japan doesn't even flinch, as he is used to bare witness to extremely dark things and the same applies to China, though China does seem a little perturbed over how little reaction Japan is showing as a child, nonetheless.

Romano whimpers as if Turkey had just told us a terrifying ghost story and hides behind Spain, who pets him on the head.

"Don't scare them like that, Turkey." England admonishes Turkey, even though Romano is the only of the children who had reacted in that manner or maybe he meant us guardians, as then he would be spot on.

Turkey's crazy smile slowly melts away like snow in the summer. "Oh, I am so sorry."

"You don't want Romano to be…deadly scared of you…again." Spain rebukes him as well and Turkey leans closer to Romano, like he is inspecting him or something, casting a great shadow over him which gets Romano to yelp up in fright and cling, if that is even possible, closer to Spain.

Turkey rises up, deep in thought, scratches his unshaven chin and then he says: "But they have to lov…eh like all of me. I can't lie to them and only give them the pretty bits. Besides, we all have our dark pasts." He gives us an honest smile under his bird-like mask. "I have nothing to hide."

"That is true." England says and we, all guardians nod in agreement.

We all have our past, Den and I were fearsome Vikings, England a swashbuckling pirate, Spain a Conquistador and China a conqueror and later a communist...actually he is still a communist though today he allows capitalism…but never mind that, one of the reasons we even are here today is because of Turkey's dark past…

"And it wasn't me who did this, but the sultan…" Turkey says while twirling his fingers together like a shy maiden and as usual it's England who takes the lead in voicing our thoughts aloud. "We understand. Tell them whatever you want, Turkey."

Turkey is glad to hear that and he leads us further along the terrace, with the gorgeous view of sea, land and ships on his right side and the palace on his left. "This court we are walking through, which is also the last courtyard, is called the Tulip Gardens but it's different from the other three courtyard as it is not really a courtyard, but more like a combination of gardens on different levels, with terraces stepping down towards the view point that watches over the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait." Turkey stops and points briefly at the sea, before carrying on with the tour. "So you see the this courtyard is mostly a garden with terraces and pleasure pavilions, the Circumcision Room, Sünnet Odası is of course…hehe…excluded hehe…snip, snip." Turkey grins deviously while his fingers resemble scissors and his mouth makes accompanied sounds.

Now all of the children look afraid or a least a little anxious, as they don't understand the full meaning of his words and they all huddle together like they are cold despite the hot weather, except for Romano who has Spain's safety but still looks scared.

All of us, that is, the guardians give Turkey a warning look.

Maybe we should continue censoring Turkey after all….?

There is no need as Turkey himself, sees that this was a bit too much for young ears and he clear his throat embarrassingly. "Anyways from the Treasury Halls, that we have to check out later, are the stairs leading down here. But this courtyard was exclusively reserved for the Sultan's own pleasure and nobody else was allowed without the permission of the Sultan." Turkey halts and gets a dark look in his eyes as if anyone of us would have dared to go against the Sultan back in the days, but as that is just a part of his act he return to his friendly smile again.

"Follow me." He indicates us to follow him to one of the kiosks ahead and carries on with the lecture. "Upon the entrance, there's a little mosque on the right, this is just a little room to pray during the prayer times…

"Aaaaaaaa!" All the children shout as one and run screaming outside of one of the rooms, that looked innocently enough with red sofas and velvet rope, until Turkey told them this was the circumcision room.

It was a little bit funny, how they all thought that just because Turkey brought them here, that they would all suffer the same treatment as the princes in the old days. But what is not funny is how they all seem to run without thinking about where they were heading, that is straight to the sea or maybe it was their plan of escape to jump into it. Even Japan who usually keeps a cool head, had to be brought back by China from the brink of the terrace and the same applies to the other children, who are rescued in time by their own guardians.

Turkey runs out of the room and profoundly apologizes and swears to never bring them back to that horrible room. He didn't mean to frighten them, only educate.

While the children calm down and us guardians, after the near miss, we enjoy even more of the seaside view and Turkey gets right back into character of playing the never-tired tour guide. "After a long journey in the palace, the Fourth Courtyard truly is the place to enjoy a fresh cool sea breeze, don't you think?"

We guardians only answer by nodding and breathe in the cleansing sea bathed in sunrays, when catching our breathes after the capture of our little ones and after having breathed in an unhealthy amount of ancient dust in the circumcision room.

The children stay mostly quiet, though half whimpering while writhing in our grasp, like fishes on a dry land. They long for their freedom again, but they have to earn it by thinking through their actions and not act so foolishly.

None of us guardians have it in us to scold them for planning on taking a bath in the sea, as they were truly frightened and this was in no way any disobedience. The only thing we do is assure them they are safe with us and there is no need for them to go into any panic, as we would never let any harm come to them.

When the children hear that proclamation, they stop fighting us and instead relax in our arms. I have never before seen such unification of nations in action, as all the guardians and the children act in the same way, that is in a way spellbinding, like a dance and in turn makes everything much easier for everyone.

Turkey is the only one who is focusing on the tour, instead of the mental state of his guests. "Or the wonderful view over the Bosphorus, if you have a chance you should all take a boat trip along the strait and check out the islands. Ah I forgot to tell you that the restaurant we were in before, is hundred and one years old." Turkey points back to the small distance we have traveled from the restaurant.

"Wow hundred and one years old…" Surprisingly, it's Japan who gives that sarcastic remark under his breath, where China is still holding him in his arms after the rescue from the brink of the terrace.

"Japan, don't be rude." China rebukes him, maybe for the first time since he regressed, according to China's recount of how angelic Japan has been behaving.

"I am so sorry I will write a apology letter later on." Japan says, a bit snidely while smiling politely and bowing his head, for the ancient nation a hundred something is no more than a child's age.

"In the world's oldest and largest palace to survive to the modern times." Turkey adds, maybe a tiny bit pissed over the patronizing look Japan gives him, though his broad smile doesn't falter for a minute.

"I guess that is cool…" Japan says under his breath, without meeting the harsh eyes of Turkey, hidden under his mask, clearly not used to the scrutinizing and judgmental look of the adults turned against him.

In one swift motion, he takes a notepad from his short pocket and a pen and start to write something, most defiantly a apology letter, as it's a kind of a national sport in Japan to compose one after having been to "brutally" honest about something. After a quick write through, Japan rips the page out and hands it with both hands to Turkey, with his head bowed low.

Turkey takes it, reads it, nods happily and ruffles Japan's dark hair. Japan fixes his hair as soon as Turkey has removed his hand, only to be replaced by China's palm who pets him instead like a little dog. Japan doesn't say anything, but looks appalled to be treated in such manner. The first time he is truly being handled as child, except for the leash, since his transformation.

"What's so great about the Bosphorus?" Romano asks in a small voice and is as usual situated in Spain's embrace, like a little child too afraid of the world to leave the safety of his parent.

Turkey is so happy over Romano daring to ask him anything that he looks to be about to eat him up with his big smile.

Romano shivers and clings to Spain, but Turkey quickly replaces that huge grin and explains to us, while leading us further along the terrace, how the Ottoman Empire was ruled from this vast compound and luxurious building overlooking the strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia and that the Bosporus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, which is connected by the Dardanelles to the Aegean Sea and thereby to Mediterranean Sea. The Bosphorus is no less then the world's narrowest strait used for international navigation…

"So you see here we have the best view in the city and strolling around the gardens reveals some wonderful examples of Ottoman architecture. But best of all is this breathtaking view over the sea."

Turkey leads us further through the courtyard and points excitingly over the vast sea on his right side. "Especially on a sunny day like this, when the water is this light blue, you see, yeah over there are islands lying on the right hand side. These islands are called The Princes' Islands" which is municipality of Istanbul. The Princes' Islands or Kızıl Adalar or just Adalar are a chain of nine rather small islands in the Sea of Marmara but they evolved from a place of exile during the Byzantine era. Today the islands are popular destination for tourists and Istanbulites alike to escape the hectic city life for a day, believe me I often go there to relax but of those nine islands, only four of them are open to the public, Büyükada, which the biggest and most popular, and others are Burgazada, Heybeliada and Kınalıada. Büyükada is Turkish for 'big island' and its the largest of the four Istanbul islands about 5,36 km…²"

Turkey stops when he hears snoring behind him, turns around and sees that he has long since lost the attention of his group with that longwinded speech, especially the little ones who are asleep in the arms of their guardians, but that could also be the fault of the hot weather and heavy meal before. Even Japan looks deadly tired, despite the fact that he is the only one of children, who has been able to keep up with the historical lectures and debates throughout this trip.

"But do you know what so amazing about these islands?" Turkey looks expectantly at each and one of us, like game master in a quiz show.

The children instantly wake up, like he had pulled a lever on them.

We guardians put the children carefully down on the ground, where they walk expectantly to Turkey, who reminds me of a circus ringmaster about to reveal some act from out of this world.

"It's…." Turkey lets the children hang onto his every world and even us adults are intrigued by the suspenseful buildup.

The children perk their ears and expect another exiting bloody tale of the old. Romano looks vary, after being frightened before by the tale of brutally murdered princes and the circumcision room, but nevertheless looks exited as well.

"Their sound of…silence." Turkey finishes at last with a dramatic pause.

The silence linger until the children shout bewildered. "Their what?" America and Ice chorus at the same time and share surprised look with Romano and Japan, even though Japan doesn't seem to hate the idea.

"Wait, sound of the silence…it must mean silence of the dead, meaning that is a ghost island!" America yells excitingly and Ice jump up and down, like he is trying to jump all the way over to the island and have a look, despite having seen a terrible ghost not that long ago.

Romano backs away towards Spain, who is close to catch him and comfort and Japan looks down in thought, not buying it and the same applies to us adults. We wait for Turkey to further explain before jumping to any conclusions.

Sure Turkey said there were ghosts everywhere in his country, but an island full of ghosts seems a little bit…too much…right?

Turkey shakes his head and therefor erases the children's illusion of any Halloween kind of island. "No, no, nothing so dramatic. What it means it has a complete sound of silence as all motorized vehicles are banned, making the islands an oasis of peace and quiet. The only sounds you'll hear are bicycle bells and the typical sounds of horse hoofs, as the main transportation there is horse-drawn carriages and bicycles." Turkey has a day dreaming look in his half closed eyes, while the children except for Japan, look bored out of their skulls.

Turkey, who notices that he is losing his youngest audience fast, adds with a soothing tone, that fits that dream island of relaxation perfectly. "However that isn't the only feature that makes the Princes' Islands unique. As you walk or ride through narrow streets, you are either flanked by either untouched pine-forests or fine, wooden Victorian cottages. How is that for a unique fin-de-siècle flash back, huh England?" Turkey blinks England after finishing his explanation and England doesn't look to put off by that idea to travel this way into the past. No need for any time machine.

"What does fin-de-sicle mean?" America asks and looks desperate to try to find anything akin to what him and Ice had imagined before.

All their excitement had died down after Turkey's explanation of what they thought was their dream adventure island turned out to be something far more…normal. It's hard to tell from Romano's unreadable expression, whether he is relieved or even more frightened by that prospect of a normal silence rather then the ghost-infested island they thought it was. Japan however has closed his eyes and judging by his happy face, is imagine being on, what we grownup also think is a true paradise on earth.

"It's a...French…word." England says French like it is a tongue twister or he has something disgusting on his tongue, that he needs to spit out. "Which means the end of a century, especially the 19th century…"

"The 19th century…!" America stiffens as if he had just been turned into a stone statue by that word alone and Ice looks equally grossed out and mutters: "The most boring century there is…"

I don't agree with that statement but it's true that it was not fun to be a child in that time.

The children are therefor not too thrilled by the idea of silence and total peace of quiet, which supposed to resemble the 19th century. It must sound like hellish boredom to them judging by their grimaces excluding Japan, who loves the idea, as are we the adults who really want to escape the hectic city life and…and I close my eyes for a brief second to imagine this heaven on earth.

"You should really go there, Norway."

"Hva?" I snap my eyes wide open, before I have even traveled to this wonderful island in my mind and see how Turkey is looking worried at me. Den has a similar expression, except he watches me like I am glassware that could break in million pieces if not handled correctly.

I avoid his over-dramatic worried gaze and turn to Turkey's normal one, who continues with his suggestion. "You have been through an awful lot in these past days, you need to rest and so do you England." Turkey turns to England, who furrows his prominent brows. "You have been stressed out about the referendum on top of this. Actually it would do all of you some good to take some time off and stay there for a day. How does that sound?" Turkey puts a hand on England's shoulder who puts a hand under his own chin, looks up into the sky, seemly thinking over that amazing idea, the best one since we got here.

The planning doesn't get very far, as America shoots like a rocket to England and urgently clings onto him like squirrel trying to climb up a huge slippery tree, judging from the size of his wide eyes.

"Please don't take us there!" He shouts and I suddenly have my own rocket-squirrel, Ice clinging onto me and crying: "It sounds so boring!"

He looks to Den for help in convincing me, who has no idea how to react to Ice being once again a drama queen and merely looks the other way. Ice glares at him for that treachery.

Romano says nothing but also clings to Spain in desperation.

"I wouldn't mind." Japan says to China, who only nods in agreement, while the other children glare at Japan like he is sealing their fate by agreeing to it.

England and I exchange meaningful glances.

"Only if you misbehave…" England takes the word right out of my mouth.

"We won't!" America and Ice yell in despair and jump away from us, with their head bowed solemnly, as we were planning on sending them in exile on what they must think is the world's most boring island. Of course we had no such plans, but it won't hurt to have some kind of leverage over them to behave, especially my charge.

Romano hurriedly nods his head though Spain has not uttered a single word about sending him there.

Spain sighs and picks him up from the sunbaked pavement. "Roma, I would never send you away."

Romano is so relived that he hugs Spain with a content smile. "Grazie mille, papa. *Thousand thanks, papa."

Spain sighs again this time because Romano used the family title, but he doesn't correct him in any way, only puts him down and pets him on the head.

Japan seems disappointed over the canceling of his and our adults dream trip, while Ice and America, still look tense, like they have been caught red handed with their hands down a cookie jar.

"Ice, we have to get rid of that plan." America whispers aloud enough for us adults to hear.

Plan…what plan?

"Oh, I had forgotten all about it." Ice looks deep in thought.

"What plan?" I ask Ice mildly, who jumps up and has the eyes of a deer caught in headlights.

"Nothing…" He lies straight to my face but quickly turns away from my prying gaze, only to meet Den's intent look, who is not far away.

Den shakes his head with a disappointed frown and scolds him: "Ice, don't lie. It's not nice to lie."

Den is one to talk. He lied to me for long time that he was really nervous about meeting Turkey…which was one of the reason Ice got away from us…

All of a sudden I remember the original reason for us starting the tour around Topaki Palace, was all because of how Ice and America thought they could wander somewhere alone, despite the cardinal rule of him never going anywhere unsupervised.

What is he thinking…?

"What plan?" I repeat the question, more forcefully this time and advance on my little charge, who looks to be ready to jump into the sea, but I drag him away from it to a safe place and closer to the palace, into a welcoming shade.

That plan can't something so horrible, that he is already ready with an escape plan from my wrath…?

That is until I remember his last plan, the one where he tried to get to the Topaki palace on his own, lied that we were his kidnappers and ended with us under a police siege that made us come way to late to the meeting with Turkey and the other nations...

If your so-called new plan is even a little bit similar to that stupid plan, then you better run…

I keel on the sunless pavement, grab his chin with my hand and force him to look me into the eyes and say as softly as possible, despite my bubbling anger over that humiliation just this morning. "Ice, it would be better you just told us, maybe we can help you."

But when meeting his big eyes, I am startled to see nothing there but fear. I let go of his chin, as I have no wish to make him even more comfortable then he already is.

He looks to be on the verge on yet another breakdown…but why?

I want nothing more than to hug him. But I need to get to the bottom of this, as it could be disastrous later if not solved now. If this trip has taught me anything, then that is that secrets will erupt sooner or later, when you least expect them to and are in no way ready for them…

"You don't have to be afraid of anything." Den suddenly appears by side and smiles reassuringly to Ice.

Den's words seem to strike a cord with Ice, who gasps for breath, like he has been underwater for too long or has trouble not crying.

He's really afraid of something…something, has replaced his old fear of Turkey. Maybe that is the reason he is still a child?

But before I get a chance to ask Ice, America pulls on his t-shirt sleeve, dragging him back into the baking sun and whispers, in his loud voice that echoes throughout the layout of the buildings and gardens.

"Don't tell them. They could send us to that horrible, horrible island. I bet they don't even have any hamburgers, this island sucks baa…" America was about to curse, but trails off, when a hand land on his shoulder.

He looks up at the owner of the hand and gulps but the only thing England says to him is: "Hamburgers were invented in the 19th century, know your own history." England removes his hand from his shoulder, crosses his arms and furrows his brows in a teacher like manner.

"I know that. It's not the same, I am talking about a modern day fast food hamburger." America pouts.

"They were lot healthier back in the days…."

America groans, closes his eyes, covers his ears and turns away before England goes into a full lecture mode. England, who at once notices America has built up his defenses, shakes his head, lifts his hands up in a surrendering manner and gives up on lecturing him any further.

"Yeah, I don't want to travel back in time either, I was deadly poor then. I didn't get rich till you came along in Second World War…" Ice rants, but immediately stops when he at last sees that America isn't even listening to him and has his back turned.

America defenses are that strong, that he doesn't even notice that England has already surrendered and England does nothing to let him know otherwise and starts chatting with Turkey instead.

But that is not what interests me most, what interest me most is what Ice said or really, how he said it.

He talked about it like he had experienced the occupation first hand, but not like this was his country history…is he finally coming back to us? But what is he so afraid of? Why hasn't he changed? Why has none of the nations changed?

I am so preoccupied in my puzzle thinking, that I forget all about the fragile mental state of my little charge, till I hear Den ask alarmed: "Ice, where are you going?"

My head snaps up and I see how Ice, who must be so annoyed over America's lack of interest that he strides over the terrace towards the sea below.

Is he planning on jumping into the ocean to get America's attention? Or has the sea anything to do with his near-panic attack before…? Is the sea really the link between all the regressed nations? Is that why they tried to jump into it when Turkey scared them out of their wits? Does the sea have any magic powers…hang on there is no magic involved except the Skype magic England cast on them…but perhaps the sea can help them "wake up" so to speak…WAKE UP?!

I jolt up, suddenly it doesn't seem to be the brightest idea to just watch my little one take a great leap into the depth of dangerous ocean, no matter the reason.

I can see that only Den, who seems to be wavering between jumping and catching Ice and just watch where he goes, and I, are paying any attention to our charge, as England is speaking to Turkey probably about the wonders of the island of silence, Spain is preoccupied in hugging Romano, who hasn't left his side after Spain assured him that he would never send him to that "dreadful" island, China and Japan are working together on a Sudoku puzzle, while little America still has his defenses high up and wouldn't hear or see anything even though a parade of pink elephants would stride by him.

Ice better not be planning on taking a bath in the sea! Not on my watch!

Ice thankfully doesn't go too far, so there is no need for Den and I to play any heroes for our foolhardy brother…again. Instead, he suddenly stops, turns towards us away from the sea, clears his throat and starts to sing with his bright voice…

Author notes: A virtual cookie for anyone who can guess what song Ice is about to sing to get America's attention. ;) The song will be revealed in the next chapter.

Update: I forgot mention that there is also a "bonus cookie" for anyone who guesses the song America or any of the other chibi nations will sing in the next chapter, but each of the chibi nations will have at least one musical number. ;)

I plan to update for the next weekend or sooner...fingers crossed.

Historical facts and others

Hamburger: I researched way too much of the history of hamburger for this small joke and found out that they were invented in the 19th century (1885 or 1891). There is a dispute about who made the first hamburger and bun in America, but it depends on the definition of a hamburger, is a hamburger when served on a bun? Or when served between two slices of bread? Depending on the definition, if served hamburger on a bun it can be traced back to 1891, as the rest served them as sandwiches between two slices of bread. I had no idea about that dispute about the definition of a hamburger, it's a fascinating read.

Another story or claim can be traced back to 1885. A story I was familiar with before researching.

"1885 - The family of Frank and Charles Menches from Akron, Ohio, claim the brothers invented the hamburger while traveling in a 100-man traveling concession circuit at events (fairs, race meetings, and farmers' picnics) in the Midwest in the early 1880s. During a stop at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York, the brothers ran out of pork for their hot sausage patty sandwiches. Because this happened on a particularly hot day, the local butchers stop slaughtering pigs. The butcher suggested that they substitute beef for the pork. The brothers ground up the beef, mixed it with some brown sugar, coffee, and other spices and served it as a sandwich between two pieces of bread. They called this sandwich the "hamburger" after Hamburg, New York where the fair was being held. According to family legend, Frank didn't really know what to call it, so he looked up and saw the banner for the Hamburg fair and said, "This is the hamburger." In Frank's 1951 obituary in The Los Angeles Times, he is acknowledged him as the ''inventor'' of the hamburger."

Iceland was occupied in the Second World Wwar first by England and later by America. America's occupation helped Iceland tremendously when he was the poorest in the war, by giving his people jobs and he introduced to them the American culture and therefor bringing us into the 20th century. Those influences are still strong in my country, hence why Iceland does everything to get America's attention and often one of his biggest wish (or rather our right-wing government) is to become one of the stars in America's flag. He sometimes idolizes him that much…

Japan's apology letter, it's custom every time someone says something too honest in Japan or criticizes something, that he is forced to write an apology letter (often on twitter though) and maybe that will save his career, if that person is lucky. A recent example is of a mangka who had to apologize for criticizing an anime his manga was based on (it was like he was making a light work of the hard work they had put into it), even though the only thing the mangaka did was adding his comment to an already established argument.

Topaki palace: Topaki palace is a labyrinth of many buildings and gardens and rich with history. I will only give you all little taste of it. Such an amazing place! More of it in the next chapter.

They will go to the Princes' Islands later …

I recommend for you to check out the Topaki Palace on the web (or if you can in person!). I found a video of it as well as maps! :D

More of chibi nations, Topaki palace and there will also be musical numbers in the next two chapters. See you then!