A/N: Hello peoples, ThreeBlackRoses here,

I was recently introduced to the magic of Hetalia and this little plot bunny sprang into my mind. Keeping in mind that I have yet to take European History and that I would probably ignore, edit and otherwise adjust history to my means, I feel the need to introduce you to the characters of my fic.

*Spoiler Alert* (as much as fanfic can be spoiled.)

Germany: This is the Germany featured in Hetalia: Axis Powers. Due to the setting, he is now Post WWI and WWII Germany. He represents what is now known as West Germany. He will be identified as Germany in this story.

East Germany: I do not believe that East Germany is ever personified in Hetalia and hopefully never in an adult form. In appearance he perfectly mirrors Prussia, and, in agreement with KivaEmber's ReBorn verse drabbles, he is Prussia's re-incarnation. He will be identified as East, for simplicity's sake.

Prussia: This is the Prussia featured in Hetalia: Axis Powers. His appearance is also where I'll begin to screw with history.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not the show, not the nations, heck, not even the clothes on my back. Feed the starving artist? Anyone?

Warnings: Violence, improbability, manipulation/denial of minor historical events/persons for the sole purpose of furthering the plot, and, of course, ridiculously hopeless idealism.

All nations will be referred to by their country's name, as I am too lazy to remember everyone's real name, and this is a political fic anyway.

Get on with the fic, you say? Very well:

1. Division

"And we shall be as never before, two nations united by the most common of goals, a peace and prosperity shared by all. We shall be as brothers, markedly different but connected on a level mankind has yet to probe."

"Well, what do you think?" Germany questioned, hands resting lightly on his young brother's shoulders as they watched his Prime Minister address the world on the eve of East Germany's ascension to independent statehood.

"I think I'm glad that they're finally getting around to setting everything up. Not to imply that I find living in your home the least bit distasteful, brother, but I feel well and ready to inhabit my own land. It tastes of victory, albeit a bitter one." East Germany replied, massaging his temples with a hand.

"Bitter?"

"Come now, Brüder. However dearly you may love me, your bosses feel no such kinship to my people. I am but a reminder of a shattered nation that apparently refuses to die," East shook his head slowly, smiling up at his elder sibling.

"Nonsense I won't stand for any such talk about my family. Prussia is dead, and East must stand apart from West. This is right, Brüder, and let no one tell you otherwise," Germany snarled in return, lifting his hands to the other's temples and massaging in slow, deliberate circles. "Headache any better?" he inquired tone softening as his fingers slid through the younger's white hair.

"Yes," East lied, wincing as the migraine rattling about within his cranium threatened to rip his skull in two.

"Liar." Germany's calm tone lacked discernable accusation, but his eyes held the concern of a father when East looked up. "Tell the truth. Will you be alright to attend the ceremonies today?"

"Of course," East cried, startled into motion. "Our nations have been planning his for years now. We can't just move the date because I have a headache," he drew out the syllables, sounding so like the petulant child he had until recently been that Germany smiled and resumed stroking his "son's" brow.

"Be that as it may, should you be too ill to be in attendance, only our bosses would truly notice the difference, and even they will be preoccupied come time for the presentation. Besides," he continued with a grin, "I could just tell them that Italy's jabbering finally sent you over the edge. We both know they'd believe it."

"Be that as it may," East began, before the renewed pain of his headache stole the worlds from his lips and sent an array of colors dancing across the backs of his eyelids.

"Be that as it may," he began again, grinding the words out with determination, " I have an obligation to my country to make an appearance. I promise," he mollified at Germany's disbelieving stare, "On my honor as a young, impressionable country, I will beg out as early as possible, veg about in my new home and generally accustom myself to unfamiliar territory."

"See that you do," Germany grunted, only slightly more comfortable with this plan. He removed his hands from East's head and stared down at his younger brother. Deceptively innocent-looking blue eyes stared back, the only visible difference between the young nation and his former self. A minor detail, thought Germany, but one that had won other nation's to their cause in the first place. Hesitant to put another Prussia in a position of power, the world's major powers were hesitant to allow East Germany statehood of its own. Finally, after years of work , countless hours of training poured into the impressionable young nation and personal interviews with every nation individually, East's first chancellor was being named today.

Germany's thoughts broke off abruptly as a cry of "Pastaaaaaa~~!" echoed throughout his house.

East smiled and rose from his seat, turning the television off as he went. "I suppose that's our cue," he chuckled, "Italy's late for everything."

With a resigned sigh Germany conceded the point and followed his younger brother out of the room, worried frown still shadowing his normally stoic expression.

Germany knew his brother was in pain. He could see it in the grim set of the younger man's mouth and in the tightened skin around his eyes.

Yet somehow the younger man lasted through the entire ceremony, through lengthy speeches by important political figures and the first address of his own chancellor to the people of East Germany.

Despite Germany's fretting about his brother's health, the actual ceremony went off without a hitch. Two nations gathered together as one people to celebrate the independence of their brother country. So seamlessly, if fact, did the people come together, that Germany knew for a fact that something was wrong.

"You worry too much Brüder," East scolded him sullenly when he voiced his growing concern. "It's a headache, not cancer. I'll get over it. In fact, I bet it's nothing more than my people's excitement."

"But-"

"Enough already!" East snapped. "I have no more patience for conspiracy theory today. You saw your people's joy. You heard my chancellor's speech. Now go home and let me rest as you instructed!"

Germany didn't bother to add that he wished his brother would rest with him nearby. He simply stood and inclined a respectful half-bow to his young sibling. "Good day then."

"I'll come by tomorrow, when I'm feeling better." As much of an apology as East will ever give him, Ludwig knows.

"Noon?" Apology accepted.

"Eleven. Let's live on the wild side."

"Understood. I will see you then."

Dusk enveloped the world outside of his brothers door, muffling and muting every light and sound. The people had long since retired and the air felt taught with tension to Germany's frayed nerves, almost as though this entire community was waiting for the most minute of signals to erupt.

Dismissing is fears as irrational conspiracy theories brought on by his worry, he continued on his way, intent on sleeping some before his brothers arrival.

"East Germany has become its own nation today, da? You find this exciting?" Russia looked down at his comatose companion, knowing full well that no answer awaited him.

"Do not worry, darling," he soothed in a falsely jubilant tone, twining his fingers through the others hair and curling the strands around his gloved fingers. "Don't worry. Soon enough we shall reclaim what is ours."

A/N: And so ends the first chapter. This is the unedited version and a newer version will be posted after I hear back from reviewers/my on-again-off-again beta. Flames will be saved and used to heat my house this upcoming winter. Critiques are embraced and dearly loved by the author.

Thanks all,

TBR