Story Icon from: My HetaOni logo big and simple vers. by ~Uncle-Nemes1s on deviantART

Sighing, Italy shifted his legs. Life just hadn't been the same since the nations had suffered in Steve's mansion. In the end, they'd all made it out alive, but now everybody had mental-and some, physical-scars. Needless to say, there had been no wars recently, but that was simply because everyone was still feeling battered and in need of comfort. Nobody relished the idea of conflict so soon after the Incident of the Haunted Mansion.

Thinking about this just made him sad. Clutching his journal to his chest, Veneziano let a few tears leak from the corners of his eyes. Although everybody had suffered great losses, everyone had agreed that Arthur and Veneziano had had it the worst. Italy tended to agree, though his friends had had it rough too.

Standing, Veneziano headed for the door. He needed to walk, to run, to do anything to escape the dark cloud hanging over his head. Slowly, Italy opened the door. Ah, fresh air, blue sky. It made him sad, but not so sad as to completely cripple him. More of a… drained sort of feeling. After all, was it not on a day such as this that he, Kiku, Gilbert, and Ludwig decided to enter the mansion?

Italy strolled down the path, alternating his gaze from the path at his feet and the forest off to the left. In truth, the forest scared him. It reminded him of the mansion, of how it was so far from any town, in the wilderness. It was then that Veneziano heard something like footsteps from the woods. It was muted, but slowly becoming clearer.

NO! The word exploded in Italy's head. Italy began to run. Frantically, he sprinted down the path, but it was slowly fading away. Glancing behind himself, Veneziano glimpsed a sinister shadow following behind him. Panicked, he raced faster towards Germany's house. Maybe, maybe if he made it there, he'd be safe. Unless there were more Onis already there.

From behind him, Italy heard a voice, a terrible, terrible voice. "YoU...WOn't…Esc…aPe." Picking up his pace, Veneziano sped forwards, the path beneath his feet going in and out of focus. The Oni would not catch him… Italy would make sure of it. He raced on.

Italy burst in through Germany's front door, panting heavily and sweating profusely. One look at the frightened country and Germany knew exactly what was going on. Veneziano's eyes were wide and frenzied, two frightened orbs betraying his condition.

"Doitsu! Doitsu! They're coming, we have to hide!" The moment was a bittersweet reminder of better, happier times. But Ludwig knew that the danger was not real. At least, not the way it used to be. This danger lived only in Veniziano's mind. Italy was locking the door when Germany roused himself from his musings of times long past.

"Italy?" Germany asked tentatively. Sometimes when he had these episodes, Veneziano became so immersed in the hallucinations or flashbacks that he couldn't see or hear anybody or anything real. Then again, in Italy's mind, those hallucinations were very much real. Germany needed to know how far gone Italy was this time. Even though Veneziano had seen and spoken to Ludwig, there was still the possibility of the hallucinations or flashback-like scenes becoming stronger, or that Italy had been talking to a hallucination.

"Italy, who's coming?" Germany tried again. Slowly, Italy turned around and, trembling, his voice barely louder than a breath of air, replied: "The Onis, Germany. They're here." Despite knowing that this was a fabrication created by Italy's mind, those words still sent a shiver down his spine. In addition to this, Germany felt a sharp tug at his heartstrings. Seeing Italy like this made him feel deeply saddened and depressed. Neither he nor the other countries could figure out how to cure Veneziano's condition, not even Britain. The best Germany felt he could do for his friend was comforting Italy after the episode or to go along with it during the hallucinations. Otherwise, Germany feared, Italy would end up feeling trapped and alone, with nobody believing him when he tells them what he sees. it would probably remind Veneziano of the second time they entered the mansion, of how he'd warned them not to enter, bunt they hadn't believed him. That would surely push Italy over the edge, and Ludwig certainly did notwant that to happen.

Veneziano began to swiftly lead Germany into a neighboring room. Ludwig let him. However, it was apparent that he wasn't moving fast enough when Italy whispered frantically, "Doitsu, hurry! We'll be safe upstairs, he promised!" Germany froze. Who was Italy talking about? Who had told Italy it would be safe? "Doitsu! Hurry up!"

A look of suspicion spread across Germany's face. "Italy? Who told you this?"

Tugging at Ludwig's sleeve and casting frightened glances behind them, Veneziano replied, "No, we don't have time! I'll tell you when we're safe! Hurry, hurry!"

Germany turned and faced Italy, grabbing him by the shoulders. "Italy!" he said, shaking Veneziano gently but firmly. "Italy, snap out of it! You have to learn how to take care of these episodes when others aren't around to help! Italy, are you listening?" Slowly, Germany became aware of Veneziano relaxing. Only a little, but relaxing nonetheless.

Not a moment after the fear had left the countries' wide eyes did Italy have his arms around Germany, sobbing silently into the taller nation's shoulder. Taken by surprise, Germany awkwardly returned the embrace.

"Germany, I think…I think it's getting worse. Before, it wasn't quite as real, but now…Now, I hear voices telling me what to do. Angry voices. Scared voices. Sad voices. I don't…I don't know what to do. We might have escaped, but…we're not out of the woods yet. Not for real. Doitsu, life has gotten so much harder since the Mansion Incident. So, so much…"

"I know," replied the blond man, patting the brunette's back.

And, unseen by the sobbing nation, a single tear rolled down the stoic one's cheek. "I know."

A/N: I am disgusted by my old author's notes. I'm only editing these chapters to get rid of them; there won't be any new content. Probably ever