Hi everyone! :D I am soooo sorry for the long wait on this chapter. And it's not even good :( I stink huh? :P (My beta got a virus)

Anyways. I have been doing a lot of confusing stuff to this story. I'm sorry. But my eyes were bleeding when I read chapter 3. Bleeding. So I decided to change it completely. Please forget everything you've read in the old chapter 3. Especially the stuff about Alfred. I decided I wanted the story to go another way. This is my first story so please bear with me :P

Thanks to Etariana, CelestialCiel, RawrTheSecond and Pureh for reviewing chapter 6. It's means a lot! :D

CelestialCiel: Thank youuu!~ Yea, I think it's sad that so many people are greedy :( But it's a natural part of being human. As for the ages: I'm really glad you noticed that! :D The reason why I call Arthur a boy is because, unlike a lot of the others, he's still below 18. I'm thinking 16 almost 17. Alfred is 19. I know that Alfred is supposed to be younger than Arthur but… uhh… I erm… Well let's just say he isn't in this story. Hope you guys are okay with that :P

Most of the survivors, if not all, understood the importance of ensuring that any passing ship or plane would be able to locate them. Ludwig knew that their best chance of being spotted was to produce a big cloud of smoke, as it was a well-known way of signalling S.O.S. This meant that big amounts of palm wood had to be stored, and already here problems ensued. Seeing as they had no knives, felling nearby trees was not an option. Therefore, they had no other choice than to send someone out to find logs which had already fallen. Ludwig would have gone himself, but due to the growing tensions between everyone, he figured it best to stay behind and keep an eye on things. And so, that led Ludwig to send the ''next best thing'', resulting in his completely incompetent brother, Gilbert.

…

Ludwig had gathered everyone for yet another meeting, and was subtly taking notice of all the different people around him. He knew most of the names, he had to after all, but the linkage between them and the appearances took a while. He had of course memorised the names of those in his own group within the first few days, but the others were hard.

Ivan, the tall Russian, with eyes so bizarrely blue that they appeared a pale, icy violet was practically squished between two girls Ludwig simply couldn't place. He really hoped they wouldn't ask any questions. Not only because of the embarrassment it would cause to admit having forgotten their names, but also because the long-haired one on Ivan's right was scaring the shit out of him. If she wasn't the epitome of creepy, then no one was.

Seated next to them were three other males; a blond (…Felix, perhaps?), a timid looking brunet (I'm absolutely certain it was something with a T), and a smaller blond boy that left Ludwig's mind completely blank.

Then there were a bunch of familiar faces (Berwald, Tino, Mathias, Lukas, Emil, Elizaveta, Kiku, Heracles, Sadiq) and next to them sat Feliciano, Lovino, Antonio, Gilbert, Roderich, and three males, all with various shades of blonde hair, that Ludwig couldn't quite figure out. He knew there was an Arthur a Francis and an Alfred, but he didn't know which name belonged to which person.

He'd just finished explaining the plan to the others as an errant thought struck him; of course he couldn't allow Gilbert to go alone. He would have to make sure that someone was there to protect- help his brother carry those big logs. It wasn't like he was worried about Gilbert's wellbeing or anything. Of course he wasn't, Gilbert was a grown man, and he could take care of himself. But, still, logs were… heavy.

He coughed into his hand and spoke up once again. ''Gilbert can't leave alone, so two of you will have to set out alongside him.''

He promptly ignored Gilbert's angry, ''Of course I can fucking leave alone!'', and the intense blush crawling along the albino's pale skin from having to be escorted. This is for his own good, Ludwig reminded himself.

''Are there any volunteers?'' He scanned over the crowd again and quickly noticed a tan arm shot up into the air.

''I would like to volunteer, Ludwig,'' was drawled out in a loud Spanish accent.

''Wonderful. Thank you Antonio-''

''Of course you fucking won't you idi- I mean, I don't fancy that idea Antonio.'' Lovino interrupted heatedly, just barely managing to sustain himself from switching into the original angry Italian that he was.

''I understand Lovi, but I haven't done anything to contribute to our little society so far, and I want to make up for it! I am perfectly capable of going on a trip.'' Antonio explained happily, not the slightest affected by Lovino's wrath.

Lovino was just about to throw a fit when Ludwig quickly cut him off, ''Thank you, Antonio. Gilbert and I really appreciate it.''

''I don't appreciate it one freaking bit-!'' Gilbert all but shouted, but was silenced on the spot by Ludwig's finger pointing demandingly at him.

''We really appreciate it.'' Ludwig reiterated sternly, sending Gilbert his best scolding glare. Said albino continued to mumble curses under his breath, and Roderich chuckled lightly.

''Francis would love to volunteer as well.'' Arthur's voice cut in from the right, the boy himself fighting to keep his poker face on as Francis nearly fell backwards in shock.

''What? But jungles are dirty!'' he exclaimed horrified, his accent thickening, and hands flying up to cover his mouth in an over exaggerated gesture.

As quite a few eyebrows rose, the stuttering Frenchman blushed and quickly corrected himself, ''I-I mean of course I would simply adore to go on a trip to a… wonderful… jungle.''

For a moment his face held the expression of utter horror and embarrassment, but then his eyes got a smug glint to them, and he looked at Arthur with a haughty smile. ''Oh, and before I forget; Arthur here would of course love to volunteer himself as a fisherman.''

In an instant, Arthur's head whipped around to stare at the Frenchman, emerald eyes widening in shock. ''W-what? But Francis you know I can't swi-''

''I know, mon cher, which is why Alfred will of course be joining you. That way the two of you can get real close just like you were when I found you cuddling the other morning.'' Francis finished, his smirk widening as Arthur face bloomed in about 10.000 different shades of red.

''Of course not you bloody frog-!''

''That's a very interesting idea Francis. It would be useful with some extra hands on the fishing team. Are you up for this Alfred?'' Ludwig asked seriously as he locked eyes with the flustered American.

''Uh… sure. I-I guess,'' Alfred said, a deep blush covering his tan cheeks as he scratched his neck nervously. ''I mean, if Arthur's up for it.''

''I most certainly am not-!''

''Oh he most certainly is,'' Francis finished lewdly, wiggling his eyebrows at poor Alfred whose blush only intensified. Arthur was just about to throw himself at Francis, and Ludwig deemed it an appropriate time to end the meeting.

''Very good. Gilbert, Antonio and Francis will head out to find something that can produce smoke as soon as possible. Alfred and Arthur will accompany the fire-team as fishers' tomorrow morning. I thank you all for your effort. Dismissed.'' His voice rang out loudly, although it was slightly hard to decipher his words over the muttering and curses of an infuriated Englishman.

…

Three very different boys of three very different origins were all seated opposite one another, varying expressions adorning their faces. A tan face was lit up in a huge smile – a pale face was crunched up in disgust – and an even paler face was contorted in boredom.

''So-'' Gilbert stated awkwardly, immediately interrupted by a loud voice who was way too happy to be appropriate for the situation.

''I'm Antonio! It's so nice to meet you!'' Antonio exclaimed, waving stupidly at the two other men.

Francis cracked a small smile and fondly waved back. ''Hello Antonio. My name is Francis. I guess the three of us a going on a trip, oui?''

''Gilbert. And yes, we are.'' Gilbert said, eyeing his new 'comrades' calculatingly.

Francis shrugged. ''I see,'' he gave his surroundings a quick glance and continued, ''We should probably get going then.''

''We should.'' Gilbert nonchalantly agreed.

No one moved.

''Okay, so…'' He said, looking at the others expectantly. ''Maybe we should just talk for a bit. Get to know each other?''

…

Arthur could feel the warm, clam waves gently lapping over his toes. It was against every fibre in his being that he took yet another step into the frightening ocean.

His face was completely scrunched up in trepidation and he fought with everything he had in order to stand still. If Arthur had to pick one thing in the entire world that he hated above all, it would most definitely be the ocean. Or some of his old classmates. Maybe they were equal.

Alfred's eyebrows were raised so high he worried they'd actually get stuck up there. ''…Um, Arthur? Do you need help or something?''

Arthur kept his eyes closed, blocking out the American and focusing on happy thoughts. Unicorns, fairies, top grades, books-

His muscles were just about to stop tensing when he felt something slippery and cold quickly grazing his right ankle.

Instantly his eyes flew wide open and he screamed, flailing his arms desperately, and tumbling around in the clear water like a madman.

''Look Arthur! You found a fish!'' Alfred exclaimed excitedly, pointing at a big white blur lazily swimming in circles around them.

''Get it away from me!'' Arthur yelled exasperatedly, running behind Alfred for cover.

''But we're supposed to catch it-''

''NOW!'' Arthur shrieked; a mixture of fury and horror clearly evident in his feminine outburst, voice so loud and high-pitched that Alfred could have sworn he went deaf for a second.

''All right, Jesus!'' Alfred countered back, grabbing Arthur around the waist and flinging him over his shoulders.

As embarrassing as the position was, Arthur was even more mortified by the American's clumsy attempt to catch the fish beneath them.

''What are you doing, you bloody moron?'' Arthur cried, desperately trying to hang onto the American's broad shoulders as he frantically chased the fish around.

''I'm catching a damn fish like we're supposed to!'' Alfred responded, his quick reflexes enabling him to curl his fingers around the slippery aquatic animal and locking it in a death grip. Alas, Alfred pulled up a bit too forcefully, resulting in him falling backwards into the clear water and nearly crushing the Briton beneath him.

At first everything was utter confusion for Arthur, but the moment his head sunk beneath the water, his mind submerged into an entire cacophony of panic. His body froze as his heart pounded rapidly against his ribcage, lungs filling up with salty water and breath cut off altogether. Why can't I breathe ? Oh God, I'm going to die, I'm going to die… I'm going…-

Spots of black swam around his vision and just before his entire sight blackened, he was pulled up roughly by the arm, his lungs forcing him to gasp and claw for much needed air. From a distant, he could hear someone yelling at him but nothing was understood. It wasn't words but sounds, all mumbled and jumbled together into nonsense. He couldn't comprehend it.

Someone forced him to his feet, but his legs could not keep him steady. Just as he thought he would stumble back into the water again, he felt himself being moved, wind blowing softly in his face, and the distant noises growing quieter, quieter, quieter…

…

Arthur was feeling cold. Why is it cold? They were on a tropical island. It wasn't supposed to be cold on a tropical island. That was unnatural…

A sudden racking cough caught him, and he felt something wet dribble down his mouth and onto his neck. Am.. Am I drooling?

''Arthur, wake up man! Wake up!''

Why? Suddenly there was a large pressure on his chest and he coughed harder. More liquid rolled down his face. Why am I wet?

''Can you hear me Arthur? Arthur!''

Yes, he thought tiredly. Who was talking to him? Why were they talking to him? They had to stop. Couldn't they see he wanted to sleep?

''Wake up!''

Why? He was shaken roughly and reluctantly opened his sticky eyelids. Everything was just a big blur. A big blur of blue and blond and something he couldn't place, and somehow it was just so funny.

With no idea as to why, he began to laugh, but quickly stopped himself in favour of rolling over on his side and vomiting. He could feel warm hands pressed against his back and on his face, holding his head above the putrid substance that was now running down his mouth and onto the sand.

''W-wha-'' he stammered but was quickly cut off by another stream of nausea filled vomit.

''Oh God what's going on?'' Someone next to him yelled, frantically.

''Please remain calm Alfred. What Arthur is experiencing is very normal for a near-drowning victim. We must also keep in mind that he had a panic attack not long ago-''

''I know that, but what are we supposed to do?''

''Remain calm. It is very important not to panic as it will affect Arthur negatively. We don't want him to relapse.''

Arthur could hear more distant talking as the warm hands that grasped him earlier loosened their grip. He had finally churned out all content in his stomach and his limbs were beginning to tremble. He was sure that he would have fallen in his own projectile of fluids if it wasn't for the slightly calloused hands that switched him over. He laid in something soft now, but his body hurt and he couldn't care less about it anyway. He just wanted sleep.

''Arthur can you hear me?'' A voice asked softly, gentle fingers brushing the wet hair out of his face.

''Mmm…'' he murmured exhaustedly and rested his aching head against the comfortable warmth.

''How are you feeling, Arthur?'' Another voice, a little further away, queried calmly.

''Li' shizz.'' He whispered quietly, tiredly trying to pry his eyes open even though he really, really didn't want to.

Kiku's worried face came into view. ''Is there anything that feels weird? Anything you want?''

Arthur didn't have to consider for long. ''Head's all fuzzey. Dun gimme water. Got nuff water for a lifetime.''

A deep, hearty laugh came from somewhere above him and Arthur could feel the other person's chest rising and falling with every breath. Somehow, it made him feel much safer.

''…M' sleep?'' he asked, yawning and nuzzling into the soft fabric under his head, slowly inhaling the familiar scent.

Alfred looked to Kiku for answers. The Japanese man gave a small smile and nodded. Alfred smiled back.

''Sure Arthur. You go to sleep.'' He said calmly, stroking Arthur's soft, messy hair as the Briton quickly fell asleep in his lap.

...I hate this chapter. Just. Uurgrhhh. Anyway. Arthur can't swim. Poor guy :/ (It's just my fault that he can't, lol)

About Francis and Arthur; they like to tease each other, but I swear, Francis had no idea that Arthur could have drowned. He's a good friend. Do not hate him. Love him, just like I do! :D

Thanks to my lovely beta bleedingsmirk :D

Reviews make me happy :)