This is meant to be a shorter story. So I can write it and be done, rather than with my other ones that bear striking resemblances to vultures.

He sees Japan smiling nostalgically as he flips through the book.

"Ah, there doesn't seem to be one of all of us smiling." He say with a sigh.

"Lemme see Japan!"

The good-natured Italian climbs over the couch (much to Germany's disapproval) and flops down on the other side of the book. "Aw, all the pictures are upside down!" He whines, and Japan gives him a good-natured smile before turning the book.

"Ah, that's better! How did you make them normal Japan?"

"Ancient warrior art." He replies simply, and Germany hides a smirk with another sip of coffee.

It just isn't the same as beer... He thinks, his mind wandering back to the drinks in the basement. Japan, despite his preference for tea, had been trying the western drink and had given Germany a few packets* to taste.

It smelt bad in both his and Italy's opinion, but it did seem to help him stay awake when working, so Germany had kept it.

"Ah, look! Germany's wearing his black uniform in that picture!"

"Hai...," Japan replies softly and glances at said German.

They had both agreed to avoid talking about the events of WWII to Italy, just to save some of his innocence. He already knew what some concentration camps were like, due to harboring some on his land, and it had made him a quieter, sadder version of their energetic friend. They wouldn't allow that to happen again.

Italy jabs his finger at one picture suddenly. "What does that sign say?"

Germany stands abruptly and walks out of the room. He shuts his office door just in time to hear Japan say, "Uh... It says 'training starts at 5:00.'"

That's not what it said.

Germany slides down the wood of the door and settles on the floor, his head in his hands.

It said "Erase all blacks, homosexuals, religious of any kind, and other impurities."

The reminder of the Nazi's goals brought back new, fresh guilt.

Especially about the part he hadn't told his friends.

"Other impurities"... Will I ever be able to tell them?

-.;

"Germany! Play tag with me!"

"Nein. I am reading."

It happened like this a lot. They would go to a park, and Italy would run around a bit. Then, as soon as Germany had begun reading, he'd come over and beg to play some type of game. It was rather infuriating.

However, today was different. Germany may have had his book, but he couldn't pay attention to it. The events a few days ago with the photo album kept haunting him.

"Germany! Play tag! Tag Germany! Play tag! Your It Germany!"

That annoying hand slapping thing. Every time...!

Without thinking, he jumps up.

"Do you want me to-!" He freezes. He had almost said it again. That word!

Italy blinks in surprise at his sudden stop, then realization dawns on his face when he remembers.

"It's ok Germany!" He says quickly and tries to wrap his arms around the German, but a large hand pushes him away.

"...Nein. I... Need to be alone right now Italy." He says in a low voice, then walks away.

Italy's expression grows somber as he watches Germany leaving with his head down. "Will you really blame yourself forever?"

-.;

"I have to tell them someday. I can't keep quiet about it forever."

Germany was sitting at his desk, quietly muttering about the problem that wouldn't give him peace.

"But... They'll stop being my friends if I do... This isn't something that can be brushed aside as 'part of the war'. I can't blame it on my people's ideals. They're sure to hate me for it!"

He runs his fingers through his hair for a few minutes. "But the sooner I tell them... The sooner they might forgive me... Though they probably won't."

A knock on the door steals his attention. "Come in," Germany calls.

Italy opens the door. His usual grin was replaced by a nervous frown. "Germany, are you alright?"

Germany's head is tilted slightly away and his eyes are shut. "Yes... No. I need to speak with you and Japan right now."

"O-oh... I'll go get him."

-.;

Japan sits down in one of the chairs by Germany's desk.

Concern was growing inside him as he watched the larger man with cupped hands over his lowered face, his elbows supporting his head, in a position that resembled a scared child or a defeated general. His blond hair, normally sleeked back in a professional manner, was ruffled, as if he had been running his fingers through it.

It was very unfitting for such a strong man, and Japan wondered if it had anything to do with the photo album from a week ago.

I didn't realize... Maybe it hurt him more than I thought...

The trio sits in silence for several moments before Germany starts hesitantly. "I... I have something I need to tell you... About the war." His head lifts very slowly, revealing a pained expression and eyes that wouldn't meet their faces. "I don't know if you know already... Though I don't think you do..."

"Go ahead Germany. We are all friends here." Japan tries, but this statement seems to depress Germany further.

"Friends..." He sighs and continues. "You remember in World War 2... What the Nazi's goal was?"

"Purification. World domination. Utopian society. Yes Germany, we were part of it."

Germany twitches uncomfortably at the ending statement. "I don't think we told you exactly what we were planning."

Japan frowns. "What do you mean?"

Germany tilts his head away again, continuing to act in an avoident manner that was beginning to really worry Japan and Italy.

"Perfection... We thought... That only people with blond hair and blue eyes would be worthy enough to live in that society..." He sighs again in disgust for his own actions. "Blond hair, blue eyes. And you two..."

Japan's eyes widen. "You don't mean...?"

"Ja."

Those piercing blue eyes, sharp with regret, finally met theirs.

"It was never the plan to keep you two alive."

-.;

Germany watches their expressions fill with horror.

"You mean... All that stuff about us being allies?! It was all a lie?!"

Italy looked hurt.

Japan, for once since he'd known him, looked really angry. He had even left his chair in his outrage.

"You were going to kill off our races?! Kill all our people!?"

Germany knows he can't even deny it. He can't defend himself at all. "Ja."

"Me too?" Italy says softly, still in shock and disbelief.

Germany nods and says with difficulty, "Unlike... Japan, a few of your people are under that definition. We... We would have... Taken out most of the population, and conquered your country... But..." He swallows. "Neither you, nor your brother... Make the cut. You may have gotten lucky and changed appearance when your only people looked like that... But we weren't counting on it."

Italy slumps quietly in his seat.

Cold realization floods Japan's face. "Oh no... Those children... Those orphans we let you experiment on... They were only the beginning, weren't they?"

Germany nods. "Your race... Would have been used as lab rats. You were easy to isolate on that island. Once there was no one left to turn to, we'd cut you off and take many of your resources, leaving you in poverty. You would be defenseless."

Shocked anger fills Japan's fallen face. "After all we did for you... After we fought by your side for so long... We wouldn't even be aloud the same privileges as your Jewish prisoners. We wouldn't have even a single speck of hope left." Hatred takes its place and he glares bitterly at nothing.

Germany turns away from them. "Your free... To leave. I understand the consequences of this, and don't expect you to remain my friends."

For a few minutes of dead silence, no one moves. Then Japan stands, bows stiffly, and says in a tense voice, "Thank you... For your hospitality and honesty. I would like to think about this."

He then turns and walks out.

Italy remains motionless.

"Italy... You may go. Don't tear yourself up with loyalties. I was going to kill you from the start" Germany tells him.

Go ahead and hate me. I deserve it. I betrayed you and your trust.

Italy slowly opens his mouth and whispers, "I... Need to think too." And then stumbles from Germany's office.

Now alone, Germany lays his head on his desk and wraps his arms over his face.

This is all my fault.

* I don't know what coffee comes in. I've never drank it.

Never drank beer either, or tea (aside from herbal).

EDIT: I forgot to mention, the children Japan mentioned was a reference to Kagome Kagome (Circle you Circle you). It's likely that many parts are fictional, but there are truths as well.