A/N: thanks again for the reviews, alerts and faves... I can't thank you all enough... I know that the story is so confusing right now... I stupidly started in the middle of the real story so the only way to unravel the whole situation they are in is by flashbacks... And I decided that flashbacks will only come on certain chapters... for dramatic effect because I am a dramatic bastard X3

.::.

Eastern Empire - The Land of the Fire Dragon

A young man, adorned with gold and red clothing was walking at a long windowless corridor. He was carrying a scarlet lamp, and walking almost noiselessly. He has dark hair and expressionless honey colored eyes beneath a rather thick eyebrows.

At the end of the dim alley was a large wooden door. He knocked three times and heard a soft whisper of "Come in." He then pushed the door open and it revealed an equally dark room. As he entered, however, flames ignited from what seemed to be hundreds of candles around the place. The man moved forward to the center wherein a tall guy with a very weird curl sits comfly, holding a console.

"We've received a message," the standing guy said. "They seem to be asking for the help of Deutschland."

"Any particular change of behavior of aniki?" the sitting man asked, still not looking up from his game.

"Nothing worth noting," the once expressionless man is starting to frown at his conversation partner.

"Then, I assume that they will be arriving soon," the man with a curl bit his lip, and then went to attack his gadget's keys. After a while, he let out a sigh of relief and went back to normal playing.

The man in red's frown deepened. "Well then, I shall prepare for their arrival since you don't seem to mind," he muttered sarcastically.

"Yeah, yeah, please do so," the other guy said dismissively.

"I shall cook a banquet," and the red-clad guy turned to leave. "They needed good food as their last after all." As he passed throung the candles, their flames die out until at last, he was at the door and the only light left was from his lantern.

"Oh yeah," the sitting guy said as the man was ready to open the wooden door.

"What?"

"Banquets originated from Korea, da ze."

The man's right eye twitched and he slammed the door close.

He walked back to the other end of the dark corridor.

"Hong."

A girl who lookes exactly like Mei Lan, except that she's tied her hair in a ribbon suddenly appeared from behind the man.

"What did Yoong Soo said?" she asked.

"Nothing as usual," the man named Hong removed his frown. "He's still playing his game."

The girl giggled. "Well then, I received a message again. It seems that they are arriving sometime early tomorrow morning."

"Then I guess the bancquet should be done real quick," the guy said thoughtfully.

"I shall help you then!"

The two walked together to what seemed to be a very huge kitchen. However, this kitchen wasn't somewhere to cook, more of somewhere to do some slicing and chopping. Swords, knives, spears and other metallic weapons of all kinds are hanging from the walls, and the two took one for each. As they did so, their eyes glimmered violet for a bit.

"Wouldn't it be very funny~?" the girl asked, smiling maniacally. "Teacher thinks that we are that brat's prisoners!"

"Right," Hong smiled maliciously. "This will be fun."

.::.

"Awww man, I'm really hungry," Alfred proclaimed. They (Alfred, Arthur, Matthew, Lovino and Kiku) are on their way home.

"No, Alfred, we aren't going to McDonald's today," Arthur said flatly. "We almost always go there in afternoons!"

"Why don't we drop the 'almost' Artie?" the American pouted.

"No."

"Awww," the tall blonde frowned. "Surely, it wasn't only me who wants some burgers, right?" He looked around his group expectantly.

"Uhm, ano... I actually prefer rice so," Kiku said apologetically.

"I never liked those tasteless fastfood cra-things," Lovino answered. Which is true. The Italian only orders desserts when in McDonald's.

"I only go with you since you all go," Matthew murmured.

"See, Alfred? So no McDonald's today!" Arthur said triumphantly.

"Why don't we try KFC?" Alfred piped in, clearly not giving up.

"Actually I have to go home early today," the Italian and Kiku said at the same time that the three blondes stared.

"Uhm, I have some family issues to attend to," Kiku explained.

"I have erm, a part time job," Lovino said.

The two avoided the questioning gazes of the other three. It made them look more suspicious, actually.

"So... We gotta go now."

And the two dark haired members of the group made a run for it.

"Well then, I guess, I have to cook for you today!" Arthur announced after recovering from that unusual behavior of the Italian and Japanese. Alfred utterly dropped his jaw at the remark.

"McDonald's it is."

The elder blondes glanced at Matthew.

"W-What do you mean Mattie?" the Brit asked resentfully.

"You saved us, Mattie!"

.::.

"You're late!" Gilbert hissed at Lovino as they arrived at the headmaster's house running. Kiku quickly went to the Mei and Yao's place.

"Newsflash! Lovino Vargas is a student who has to stay at school until late!" the Italian snarled. He quickly took tomato juice from the fridge and gulped almost a liter. He really gets thirsty so easily...

When he went to wash the bottle at the sink, Antonio was there, washing tomatoes. Lovino glared.

"Uhm... Hi," the Spaniard awkwardly greeted. The Italian passed by him without a word. The taller brunette scratched his head as he placed the tomatoes at the juicer. When the Italian finished washing his bottle, Antonio also wordlessly took it and filled it with fresh juice. He then walked out sadly.

Lovino stared at the bottle filled with red juice...

Stupid bastard. I won't forgive you this easily.

"Lovino! We're leaving!" Gilbert called. The boy quickly snapped out of his daydreaming and walked to the other room where the rest looked all ready to go.

"The boss said we go to the port in five minutes," Francis answered Lovino's questioning look as he fixes his long sleeves. The Italian shrugged and grabbed his leather jacket and wore his shades on its breast pocket.

"Okay, I'm ready."

"I'm taking our dear clients in my car," Francis said. The Asians quietly followed him. "Just ride your bikes."

"It's Vespa," Lovino corrected. "Not just a simple bike to you."

"Fine, mon ami."

.::.

"Wamf fwah ourbm hyuu!"

"For heaven's sake Alfred! Don't speak when your mouth is full!"

"Fwoam gyuu hamburglar!"

Arthur facepalmed.

Meanwhile, Matthew is staring at his now uncold drink. Eating the burger took so much time that the ice in his beverage has all melted. He sighed and stared out of the window only to see familiar persons racing down the high way.

"Bastard! You got nothing against my Vespa!"

"Verdammt!" Gilbert screamed back while he tried to go faster. Antonio meanwhile grabbed at him for dear life ("Ave Maria, Dios te salve, Maria. Llena eres de gracia...")

"Something wrong, Matt?" Arthur asked concernedly, now completely ignoring the babbling American.

"I-It's nothing."

Arthur gave him an 'If you say so' look and then continued eating his BigMac. He tries to hide it but he really looks like he's enjoying the meal.

Matthew stared at his drink again. It has ice cubes now.