As promised, another chapter!

Canada: She doesn't own Hetalia... do I r-really need to say this? China already-

Me: *cuddles* shh~~~~

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Japan's P.O.V.

I walk into the ward. Spain, carrying Romano, brushes past me with a nod and a smile.

"I'm taking Romano somewhere quieter. He's worn out."

I nod and bow.

"Speaking of which, he looks like he is too. Maybe you could...?"

"I'll try."

I cross to Italy's bed. I can't ever get used to seeing him like this. How hard must it be for Germany? Everyone now knows they're...dating? Is that the word?

"Doitsu – san."

"Was? Oh, guten morgen, Japan." He blinks up at me and gives a watery smile. He looks almost dead. It's scary.

"Don't you think Italy – kun will be alright for a few minutes? You need something to eat, and to get out of this room a bit."

"No! Nein...If he wakes up and I'm not here, I'll never forgive myself. I would like to be there for him."

I sigh. The same answer again.

"Doitsu, you'll make yourself ill. You don't sleep, you hardly eat..."

"I don't care." His voice shakes on the last word.

I frown slightly, exasperated. Germans are so stubborn! He's sat here ever since they brought Italy in, right next to him, holding his hand. The life support machine beeping at regular intervals, Italy filled with tubes, medical staff coming and going...and he just sits there. Spain and Romano have been there most of the time, but they have to leave at night. They tried to get him to leave once too. It didn't work. Of course, I've been here quite a lot of the time too, but they need me for the inquiry. It turns out that France, quite honestly, has no idea how this has happened.

My two best friends...one who the doctors have told me confidentially that they will be surprised if he survives and the other, who is making himself ill and, if Italy dies...even I can't tell what he'd do. I'm not a Christian, but even so I find myself praying to anything that may listen, begging them to save him. To save them both.

"I'll get you some food."

"Danke schön."

I start to head towards the door, but when I am almost there a noise from behind me makes my heart plummet.

Germany's P.O.V.

My head snaps up as, with disbelieving ears, I hear a long, unbroken beep filling the ward. No! Not this, please! The machine before showing his heartbeat divulges nothing but a flat line. Gott, no! Not him!

"Italy! Italy!"

I don't even know what I'm saying. All I know is that he can't be... that. He can't! Paramedics pour into the room, attaching various things to him, shouting things I don't hear properly or understand. A button is pressed and his body convulses. A smell of burning fills the air. When I regain myself, I find Japan and some of the staff dragging me towards the door. I shake them off and try to run back, but more people rise up and block my way. I try to fight my way through, but there are too many of them.

"Doitsu – san, you can't do anything to help. You'll just get in the way!"

"He's right, sir. Let us do our job."

"We can let you sit outside, but not any closer."

Sit outside? While Italy's life hangs in the balance? I cry out to him again, straining for a final glimpse. I see his face through a gap, pale and wan, and I stop struggling. I can't help. They're right. A sense of inadequacy sweeps over me. Glad I have stopped fighting, they quickly manhandle me through the door and deposit me on a chair.

"I'll go and get Spain – san and Romano – kun." Japan walks away, leaving me alone.

Alone. Nausea twinges and I retch emptily. Walking unsteadily to the door, I hear shouts of "Clear!" and, through the blurry panel, a hive of activity around the Italian's frail body. I put out a hand to steady myself.

"Feli..."

My hand clenches and I fold up into a ball on the floor. Hot tears squeeze past my closed eyelids, and I give myself up to sobs.

... Yay for cliffhangers? Maybe? O3O Reviewers get this lovely Canadian to cherish and not forget! ^^

Canada: *edges away* ...R-R&R?