Disclaimer: We do not own Hetalia Axis Powers but we do own the story in this fiction and things that are not related to Hetalia Axis Powers.

CHOICES

-CHAPTER 1-

-1781-

"Go away! Leave us alone, you... you traitor!" shouted Liliane. Her wavy silver hair was damp and flowed behind her. She was beside her brother's body trying to stop the bleeding yet blood still flowed from his wound. The pitter patter of the rain went unheard by the two people as Alfred went near them.

"Don't c-come any nearer!" Her voice cracked, but nonetheless her words hurt Alfred more than the wounds he was bearing now. It resounded more than any other noise surrounding them, as Liliane embraced her brother's unconscious body. She's shivering, Alfred thought, yet her gaze upon him struck deeper. Now, he was shivering too.

"My brother took care of you, loved you, taught you! He gave you much more attention than the others! Yet this! Is this how you repay brother Arthur's kindness?" she continued as her angry voice grew louder and louder with every word. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the figures of the three.

"I never meant to hurt him. I just wanted him to acknowledge my freedom." Alfred reasoned strongly. Even though he didn't show it, he was affected badly by Liliane's words. It was like his heart was ripped out of his chest and thrown to the ground only to be stomped by a tank.

"Shut up!" she snarled. "Leave now! And never show your face again!" Her ruby red eyes filled with anger and pain glared at Alfred. The two of them stared at each other, a staring game. Only this time, the loser leaves with his heart broken. Alfred was the sore loser.

With all the pride and dignity he could muster, Alfred straightened and left the scene quietly, leaving the unconscious Arthur and furious Liliane soaked in rain and mud. He walked pass through the battlefield but not without a little remorse for what happened to his adoptive brother.

He stopped and turned to look at his siblings for one last time. Liliane looked amazingly beautiful even though she was crying; her expressive eyes lit up with emotions as she hugged their brother's body. Arthur, who was usually handsome, now looked so broken with his wet messy blond hair. It's a pity his emerald eyes could not be seen.

Alfred felt a wave of sadness wash over him as he stared at his siblings. His blond hair darkened because of the rain. Blue eyes swirled with mixed emotions. Pain. Guilt. Grief.

My brother. . .but not anymore thought Alfred with sorrow. He turned around and continued walking. The rain washing away everything but his sins. . . Rain. Mud. Blood. Bodies. This was the aftermath of the war.

Was it truly worth it? All the lives sacrificed . . . but then again.

Arthur. Am I so wrong that I wanted liberty? Do you hate me now?

There was nothing else I could have done. I just protected the rights of my people. I live and fight for them. No matter what sacrifices I make, I must move on along with my people.

Liliane sat there, unmoving. She stared at Alfred's back until he disappeared. Tears flowed silently along the rain. She did not know how much time has passed. The raindrops have stopped. Arthur was still unconscious, his breathing was ragged. She became aware of her surroundings when she heard somebody call her name.

"Liliane!" a voice called out. Liliane looked up to see a silhouette of a tall man going nearer. It was Frederick. His short brown hair was matted with mud and his emerald eyes were akin to his brother Arthur's.

His right arm was bandaged though blood was seeping through. He was wounded by a gunshot while he was fighting along the army. He almost dropped his sword as he was stunned when he saw his older brother's bloody body.

"Fred… A-arthur has lost his consciousness." Liliane hiccupped as she tried to stop her tears.

"What exactly happened here?" asked Frederick as he recovered from his shock. He quickly regained his composure.

"He was shot." replied Liliane. Frederick lifted Arthur's body from Liliane.

"Yes. I can see that. Let's just take care of Arthur first." Fred dryly said while he carried Arthur's body. Liliane didn't reply to Fred's sarcastic comment and silently agreed. Together, Frederick and Liliane walked toward the nearest medical tent.

"By the way, where are your glasses?" asked Liliane when she noticed Frederick wasn't wearing them.

"Hmm? I lost them somewhere. Is there something wrong?" Frederick flatly said as they handed Arthur to a medic.

"Oh… nothing. It's just that… you don't look so cold and calculating without your glasses."

"I don't need my glasses just to be smart you know. Now tell me what exactly happened. Don't leave out any detail."

Both of them walked out of the tent. Liliane then explained to Frederick the events that took place, how American army was able to defeat Britain, how their brother was shot. It was still very clear in Liliane's memory.

"We surrender!" a foolish soldier of the British army surrendered without the permission of their leader, Arthur. Everybody was wounded and already tired. Those who cannot continue anymore agreed with the soldier's decision. The British army had raised the white flag and surrendered.

"CEASEFIRE!" Alfred ordered to the American Army. Every soldier stopped firing.

Arthur did not completely give up, and so he suddenly shouted a battle cry and attacked Alfred. Alfred was able to defend himself, using his musket as a shield but he dropped his weapon. Arthur's musket was already directed to Alfred.

"You were always so naïve, you fool…" Arthur insulted Alfred weakly as he coughed.

"There's no point in firing, is there… fool…" he continued. His musket still pointed at Alfred.

"Damn it…Why… Damn…" Arthur asked as tears slid noiselessly on his face. Alfred could only stare at his older brother.

Arthur was about to pull the trigger. But he could not and would not dare to hurt his younger brother anymore. Arthur dropped his weapon, as he knelt on the ground. He sat there while silently crying with his head bowed down. Alfred just stood there, towering over him.

"England…You used to be… so big…" replied Alfred brokenly. The British and American army went unnoticed by the two brothers.

A disobedient soldier from the American army thought that Arthur would still cause harm. A shot was heard. The sound echoed loudly in everybody's ears. The British army was about to retaliate when Arthur impulsively cried. "DON'T!"

"Brother!" screamed Liliane, who was watching along the sideline, as she ran towards him.

Arthur fell to the ground. A pool of blood was slowly growing. Alfred stood there, shocked. He couldn't move his body. He felt somebody ran past by him. Liliane immediately hugged her brother Arthur's body.

"NOOO!" shouted Liliane towards the dark gray sky. Alfred was awakened from his stupor by the shout. He walked slowly to his siblings, trying to grasp what has happened.

"Go away! Leave us alone, you... you traitor!"

"Brother still cared for him until the end, Fred. He had the chance to kill him but did not. Yet the ungrateful man did this to him." Liliane finished as she broke into tears again.

"He will not get near to brother ever again, Liliane. We will protect him." Frederick stated strongly, Liliane just nodded. The two of them went inside the tent to check on their brother.

"How is he now?" he asked the medic as they came nearer their brother, still asleep.

"His wounds are starting to heal, but he is still unconscious" the medic replied.

"I guess he's just really tired, physically and emotionally. Even if we deny it, he cared for that lad" Fred told Liliane.

"Will he be alright?" asked Liliane worriedly.

"He will be. For us and for himself as well" Fred assured her

A few days later, Frederick received a message from the King. He read it at once. After reading it, he immediately went to talk to the officer in charge.

Frederick came to the officer in charge to inform him that they will take Arthur with them once he wakes up; it was the King's order. Arthur's report will be given directly to the King when he's better. The officer-in-charge received the written order. He read it, nodding. Arthur and his siblings worked under the King's direct order; therefore they are allowed to go as the King pleases. No one, but the King and important officials, knew about the siblings' existence as nations.

After a week, Arthur's condition got better. With Arthur still unconscious, they carried him inside the carriage and they began their journey. Every once in a while, everybody would be disturbed by Arthur's screams. It seemed that he was having nightmares about Alfred.

"No, don't do this Alfred. No. PLEASE! NO!" Arthur shouted as he tossed around in his sleep. He only stopped when Liliane sang to him a lullaby. Her melodious voice calmed Arthur down and sent him into a dreamless sleep. The others could only watch in sadness as they witness Arthur's weakness.

They stopped at a small town to rendezvous with their twin brothers, Edward and Patrick, who prepared other necessities for their journey back to England.

Edward and Patrick were identical twins. They both have dark hair that turns red when light hits it and sparkling blue eyes that were almost the same with Alfred's. Freckles are also evident on their faces. The only way to distinguish the two is the halving of their hair, Patrick towards the left, and Edward towards the right.

The five of them continued their journey, for five days they were able reach Arthur's home. Arthur was still not awake by then, but his wounds were now fine. Nations' healing was fast for the only evident wounds that can be inflicted on them were wounds of their lands.

"Why's ol' man takin' damn too long just to wake up? Ol' man! Just wake u- mmrrff. ." Edward muffled as Liliane covered his mouth.

"Keep quiet Edward! Be understanding for even once in your life. Brother needs it now." Liliane ordered in a very low voice.

"'I andafstand juf lef gof of me mowf nowf. Bwahh! Ar ye tryin' to kill the hell outta me, ol sistah o' mine?" he threatened her, as his hands tried to reach for his little knife.

"Oh, dear Ed. Dear, dear, dear. Do you know what you're doing? You're pleading for a death wish." she said while a dagger magically appeared at her hand.

"Hmm… D'not underestimate me ol'sister." Ed smirked.

"You two, won't you just stop? Good heavens. . ." His twin brother Patrick interfered, he pointed out that nothing good would come out of fighting; it would only make matters worse.

"Well, 'm sorry for that." Ed sympathetically told them. Frederick then entered the room.

"Liliane and Edward, you two should go and rest for the day. I'll write the paper needed to be reported now. Patrick, you go and stay with Brother Arthur. See if he needs something. Call me if ever he wakes up." Frederick ordered his siblings in a commanding voice. It's as expected from the second oldest brother.

"But Fred, I want to be with Brother Arthur!" Liliane protested.

"Not now Liliane, not now. You're tired from the journey. You can stay with him when you've rested enough. Now, go and do what I said." Fred answered sternly.

Liliane still disagreed, but there was nothing she could when her brother Fred was in control. Reluctantly, she agreed and gone back to her room, so did Edward. Patrick proceeded to his task, as well as Frederick. Patrick could only mentally complain for he fears Frederick's retribution.

Why did such a task befall him? It would've been better if Arthur just wake up right at this moment. It was funny when Arthur's face grew angry, but seeing his face right now which was worn out by battle wasn't fun at all. This is boring, Patrick thought, but I'd rather have him here forever if that's what will keep his brother protected from all harm. Well, that sounded rather cheesy but that's what I think and I believe that my other siblings think so as well.

Liliane told them that Arthur had cried in his last confrontation with the American git. Arthur had the chance to kill Alfred but he did not.

Why so? It seems that he really was fond of the kid and gave him kindness, but what was returned in exchange for his kindness? Betrayal. That American git.

Arthur rarely trusts anyone, and yet, when he found one to trust, he was betrayed. Arthur realized this and so he broke into tears until he dropped dead? Sigh, well that's an incredible stunt, Patrick mused, depressed at the thought.

His brother crying was a rare sight. Never before had he seen his brother cry. Arthur, in Patrick's eyes, was a stubborn-intolerable-bullheaded-old-pirate man. He was always angry, if not grinning. Damn that American twat! Patrick thought. It's that entire guy's fault.

"Mnnnghh" mumbled Arthur as he rolled over.

"Arthur, are you awake?" Patrick asked the stirring figure on the bed. Maybe I should call Fred now. . Hmm. . I'd rather not. Patrick thought as he smirked to himself.

Am I dead now? Arthur thought. Ow! Damn, what in the name of all Kings-? *sigh* If my body hurts like hell like this, then I'm surely alive. Arthur tried to open his eyes but he soon closed it as the light shot through his eyes. He tried to open it again, slowly. Where am I? Ah. This is my room, right? But how come I'm here?

"You fainted when some bloody barbaric soldier shot you. Liliane and Fred carried you to a medical tent. Your wounds were treated by the medics. Liliane was the one who watched over you while you slept. Then they came to meet with Edward and me to bring you home. And so here I am. I was asked, well actually, I was ordered by Fred to be you guard dog. Fred also ordered Liliane and Edward to rest though Liliane wanted to stay here; she was not permitted by Frederick." a familiar voice spontaneously answered Arthur's unasked questions. He said all of that in just a single breath, amazing.

"Oh yeah, and don't worry, Fred said he'll take care of the paperworks." Patrick added brightly.

"Patrick…" Arthur groaned.

Then solemnly, Patrick continued "We lost."

Arthur remained silent. He felt his eyes fill with tears, he willed them to stop but the tears fell down A's face. Wow. It's a once in a blue moon incident. Can't believe I'm witnessing brother cry right now. Patrick thought, and then he ruffled Arthur's hair to comfort him.

"Damn brat" Arthur muttered as he roughly wiped his tears away.

"What was that? I'm sincerely comforting you, old man!" Patrick retorted indignantly.

"I know." Patrick's heart sunk at this. Then silence came. Patrick thought that Arthur needed it, but then he was not some considerate good kid.

"Are you sober now, old man?" Patrick asked.

"I am, twit. I was not drunk in the first place." he replied not really looking too good, "Can you leave me alone for awhile?"

Patrick didn't answer verbally, but he nodded, and then soon headed to the door.

That kid can be thoughtful at times Arthur thought. He still can't believe what happened. The United Kingdom of Great Britain has been defeated by a mere colony. Alfred left his side. Alfred left him alone. He couldn't decide which pained him more, the fact that they were beaten or the fact that Alfred left him. He favored Alfred more than the others. He has done what he could as a father, as a brother, as a friend. He did not have a bloody idea as to where he could've gone wrong. Alfred was not by his side anymore. The thought alone was painful. Enough! I am getting sicker. I need to forget him. I need to let go. This is the last thing that I can do for him, to accept and to acknowledge his freedom. That's what he wanted anyway.

Little did Arthur know that Alfred was in the same emotional turmoil as him. A week after the revolutionary war he was still contemplating about the incident. He walked and walked around his room until he felt tired.

I've defeated him. I'm free. My people are free. And yet, why is there a lump in my throat that is so hard to swallow? I should be happy. Alfred thought as he slumped down on a soft cushioned chair in front of an oak wood table.

My people are now free from the heavy taxes that the British Empire imposed upon them. They are now free. I am now the Land of the Free. All of these are all good things, yet these tears just keep on falling. Fuck, it's been a week already. Snap out of it, Alfred! He tried to convince himself of these things. Suddenly, a memory almost forgotten came to his mind.

"Wear this. You will look better. I don't want them to say that I'm not taking good care of you because of the clothes that you're wearing." A young looking Arthur said.

"But Arthur, I'm more comfortable with these." Alfred replied. He was only fifteen years old by then.

"No, dear. Wear these; you'll come with me to the meeting today. You shall observe on how to deal with diplomacies." Arthur told Alfred with finality.

"Yes, there'll be no more Arthur who will dictate my will and actions. I can do whatever I want now. I am free after all." Alfred said to himself. Another memory came to his mind. Older than the other one.

"Alfred, here take these." Arthur handed a box of toys to a ten year old Alfred.

"Arthur, what are these? Oh. . . Wow! Wooden soldiers. I've been wanting them, though their faces are different. But thanks!"

"You're welcome. Take good care of them. They are, ahem, rare in this world. It is custom-made after all."

"The only ones? Then they're really special! Thank you so much Arthur!"

No more Arthur who will give him things he did not ask for.

"Alfred, I'm back as I've promised! I'm sorry if I took longer though."

"No, what's important is that you're here"

"You're really sweet aren't you? Here, I've cooked something for you."

"Oh, thanks… Bleh"

"How is it?"

"Good. Really good, Arthur! Thanks!"

"You're welcome"

No more disgusting food that will be forced upon him. . . Yes, no more Arthur to cook tasteless food. No more Arthur to return by his side. No more Arthur to care of him. No more Arthur. No more Arthur.

DAMN IT! Why did things go this way? Why must I suffer? Why must Arthur suffer? Why? Alfred asked himself as he stood up and banged his fists against the table. He did not feel the pain of his fists as he only felt the pain in his heart.

That time… Arthur he… he… he actually cried. At that time, why did he cry? He was supposed to be strong and not cry. Where was the strong Arthur that I admired? If only he admitted my freedom earlier, we could've avoided this war. Freedom… Was I wrong to choose freedom? He still stood there with his head bowed. Tiny drops of salty water splashed against the shiny wood.

"No. . . I can't regret what I did. I can't. I did this for my people. I sacrificed what I must. I will not turn back." Alfred loudly convinced himself. He stood up straightly. He turned around to face the window and stared at the silver orb that was hanging in the sky.

Moonlight illuminated his face. Tears continued to fall from Alfred's blue eyes, contradicting the words he let go a few moments ago. He already made his choice but still that doesn't change the fact that it hurts.

"Arthur. . ." he whispered into the window as he closed his eyes and leaned on the window.

-End of Chapter 1-

Hello everyone! This is 27 and 31 speaking!

This is our first fanfiction and so everyone's review is greatly appreciated. We would very much welcome constructive criticisms and the like.

We have personified Arthur's siblings. Though in the mainstream story, Arthur is quite hated by his brothers; this story is about Arthur's warm fluffy family. So here they are:

Scotland – Frederick (second sibling, actually based on Kyouya Ootori from Ouran High School Host Club)

Wales – Liliane (third sibling, inspired by Azmaria from Chrno Crusade)

Ireland and Northern Ireland – Patrick and Edward, respectively. (The two of them are identical twins since we thought it would be cute)

We hope you like our story. We will be updating soon once we get feedbacks. Well, that's all for now. See you next chapter!