Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia

In northern Canada, the winter consumes most of the year there. But when warmer days come many of the woodland creatures awake from there slumber to roam the beautiful forests and look at the beauty of the land. One creature in general though, was looking directly at its lunch. With the warm glow of the afternoon sun barring down on the land, it cast long warm rays of sunlight through the trees. The young creature swiftly crawled towards the lush green underbrush to hide itself. A young rabbit nibbled on a blade of grass, unbeknownst that its fate had been decided by the blonde and white predator only a mere few feet away. With sharp claws kneading the ground and violet eyes narrowed the creature launched itself through the bush and onto the rabbit, teeth breath as a growl escaped the animal's throat. With a sickening crack the rabbit's life was over, now dangling limp in the wolf's mouth.

After making sure the rabbit was dead the golden and white speckled wolf dropped it on the soft grass. Licking his lips he stared at the rabbit and knew that it was probably the biggest he ever caught, but sadly it wasn't for him. The wolf back away from the rabbit for a moment. Within a matter of seconds the sound of bone cracking filled the usually silent forest. And under a minute the golden white wolf disappeared and in his place stood a young boy who was wore a fitted tan shirt with a matching leather vest man of deer hide as well as his pants. The boy went back over to the rabbit and grabbed it by its hind legs and gave it a once over. It was a clean kill and the boy smiled brightly. When he was just about to head back, his ears caught the sound of leaves being crushed and spun around to see who was trying to sneak up on him.

Violet eyes met green ones and the younger boy sighed with relief. "Matthew?" The other asked, his voice tired as if he had just woken up. "Hey Hercules." Matthew said and walked over to his long time den mate. "What were you doing out here?" He asked him, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I got Alfred and Alice there wedding present!" He told him, gesturing to the rabbit he caught. "Oh, that's what woke me up." Hercules stated. Besides the two knowing each before they could even open there eyes the two boys were extremely different. Matthew and Hercules were born in the same summer, though Hercules was technically older. He was also taller, had tanner skin and had more muscle than him. Matthew was smaller when it came to muscles but he did have them, since he was the packs messenger and had to travel for long distances. The two had shared the same until there mothers had kicked them out, saying that they were to big to fit in the nursery anymore.

They were best friends and some of the pack members believed that they were even dating. The two laughed whenever someone asked, neither felt that way about the other, just really good friends. "Isn't the wedding starting soon?" Hercules asked him. Matthew nodded, "Yeah and I have to get ready! I bet Alfred is going to love this." He said as he started to run away, he turned and looked over his shoulder at Hercules, "Make sure you don't stay out too long, you'll miss all the fun!" He shouted and his friends simple smiled and waved at him. It wasn't long until Matthew came running into the pack's camp. Small little huts dotted around the river on either side and the members were walking around getting ready for the wedding. The pack wasn't big, not like other ones and almost everyone here is somehow related to one another. Whether they were half sibling or step sibling everyone here was family. So when someone announced that they were getting married the whole pack came together to celebrate. Matthew rushed over to his mother's hut and opened the flap. "Mother?" He called out, looking around to see if she was there. Matthew placed the rabbit gently on the small wooden table, sitting on one of the matching chairs.

A woman appeared behind another flap from inside the hut, smiling. She had long bright, vivid light brown hair, which was braided and reached her slender hips. She had a beautiful golden tan, much like his half brother Alfred, and she wore and tan fitted dress with beads sewed into it making wonderful patterns. "My son." She said and walked over to him, cupping his cheeks and giving him a small kiss on the forehead. Matthew never admitted it, but he was a mama's boy, he loved his mother to death. "Hello mother." He said, mirroring the motion she had just done to her. "I got Alfred's wedding gift! See!" He pointed to the rabbit on the table. A smile tugged at his mother's withered lips, "Such a big rabbit, I wouldn't think you would be able to caring it." She said, her voice as soothing as always. "I may not be a warrior like Alfred but I'm not weak." Matthew said. Ever since a young age Alfred had said he was going to be a warrior like his father was. Matthew was sometimes jealous of Alfred, since he was bigger and knew his father.

When his mother mated with Alfred's father he told her that she wasn't his only lover and was heartbroken. It wasn't until a few weeks later that she found out that she was pregnant with Alfred. Throughout her pregnancy Alfred's father helped her along with it, even though it was clear to everyone that there was still unresolved tension between the two. Once Alfred was born, his father left, being one if the pack's top warriors he was sent to the southern part of their territory to help keep guard. So, every few weeks his father would return and spend some time with his son and teach him how to fight. After a few winters passed Alfred became of age to pick which role he wanted to be in the pack. When a pack member became of age, around 15 years old they had the 4 choices: Hunter, Warrior, Healer, or Messenger. His mother was not to fond of him picking to be the one of the pack's warrior but knew once his mind was made up, there was no changing it.

That was Alfred's life, and after a few winters of being a warrior he found a mate, Alice one of the pack's healers and now had their own baby on the way. As for Matthew's father, whenever he brought the subject up, his mother would somehow throw him off topic and change the subject, and before he knew it he completely forgot about it. He didn't know why his mother didn't want to tell him who his father was, everyone knew who Alfred's father was. "I know you are not weak, my son." She told him, taking a few giant leaves and placing them on the table.

"Your will is strong as well as your mind. Those are more important than having strong muscles. You need those to keep your body in balance, with all that running you do." His mother chuckled softly. Matthew nodded his head, and watched as his mother decoratively wrapped the rabbit in leaves, tying it off with a piece of string. "Mother," Matthew said softly after a few minutes of watching his mother, "can you please tell me about father?" He asked her. Hearing his mother sigh he looked down at the table and frowned. His mother reached over the small table and cupped his cheek, bring his head back up to meet her blue eyes. "Matthew, I have told you this a countless number of times, your father is a good man. He would have made a great father, and I know he loves you even now, wherever he may be. But he could not stay in this pack, and I couldn't leave Alfred alone. You must understand, Matthew, you are not the only one who misses him." With that Matthew watched as a few tears slid down his mother cheek, reaching over with a pale hand and swiped them away.

"But, I can tell you, you are more like him then you are me, even if you don't realize it now." She whispered to him. Matthew tilted his head and leaned closer. "What do you mean?" He asked her. "When someone is born, their offspring is of both parents. Meaning that the child inherence traits from both parents, equally. But you Matthew, inherited more of your father's blood than mine, something that doesn't often happen in children around but, but is neither unheard of." His mother took hold of Matthew's wrist and laid his arm flat on the table so that his palm was facing upwards.

She took a slender finger and slowly started to trace the veins running through his arms, his violet eyes tracking her every movement. "In the moonlight I felt your heart." Matthew's mother began to sing. "Quiver like a bow string's pulse; In the moon's pale light you looked at me, nobody knows your heart. When the sun has gone I see you, beautiful and haunting but cold. Like the blade of a knife so sharp so sweet, nobody knows your heart. All of your sorrow, grief and pain; locked away in the forest of the night your secret heart belongs to the world, of the things that sigh in the dark, of the things that cry in the dark." His mother looked back up at him as their eyes met again. "That was the lullaby your father sang to you on the first night you were born." She said. Matthew felt his own heart wrench inside his chest, and felt the familiar wetness of tears sliding down his face. He didn't know why, but that song tugged at his heart strings. Looking away from his mother he wiped his tears away with the back of his hand.

Letting go of his arm his mother got up and walked around the table, hugging him from behind, humming softly and kissed his head. "Hush now child, it's okay." She whispered and took Matthew's arm that she had held earlier and raised his forearm up to his face. In the center of it was a black marking of a wolf's paw. Matthew looked over his shoulder and up at his mother. "Now, you mustn't show this to anyone, Matthew." She warned him. "Not even Alfred and Hercules." She told him. Matthew didn't know what the mark stood for or what it meant, but the serious look in his mother's eyes made him promise not to show it. His mother got a white bandage wrap and wrapped it around the mark.

"Just tell others you burned yourself making stew with me." She told him as she finished. Matthew nodded his head and stood up, grabbing the wrapped rabbit and nestling it his arms. Suddenly the rhythm of drums being pounded filled the pack's camp, signaling that Alfred's wedding was about to start. "Go on ahead and save me a place up front my son, you know my eye sight is going." She said as she walked and vanished behind the flap inside the hut. Matthew stood there for a moment looking at where she vanished before running outside and to the place were the wedding ceremony was being held. He saw Alfred stand in the center of the camp, wearing handmade tan pants and white shirt, along his neck was a necklace made if animal teeth and claws that he had killed himself. The pack members were already starting to gather and Matthew was able to get pretty close to where Alfred was standing. After awhile and everyone was standing in orderly rows, his mother slipping in beside him, the music started to play as Alice appeared at the very back were the crowd separated.

Her long brown hair was tied in a braid with feather and beads intertwined with her locks. She wore a simple white dress and a flower crown on her head. To Matthew she was a very sweet person and liked that Alfred was marrying her. Once the two where at the front the wedding began. Matthew didn't really pay any attention to it after that. Instead he looked around to see if he could spot Hercules and go stand next to him. After a few minutes of looking around the crowd he didn't spot him. 'He must be sleeping somewhere.' Matthew thought. His hand gently brushed against the wrapping on his forearm and looked down at it. His mother beside him placed a hand gently on his shoulder and pointed to the front. Just as Matthew looked up he saw Alfred leaning in and kissing Alice on the lips.

The whole crowd cheered happily and directly after started the feast. By the time it was ready the sun was starting to sink into the ground. A huge bond fire was started in the center of the camp and tables were placed everywhere. Pack members started to play music on their instruments and other began to dance. Matthew watched from a distance as the others danced along and ate mounds of food. His slim pale fingers continued to play with the wrapping on his arm. He wanted to know what the mark meant but his mother looked tired and did to press anything at the moment. Standing up from his seat he decided to try and find Hercules again. Matthew walked through the crowd of people calling out his name.

As he searched for his friend he bumped his knee into something and looked down. He saw a small child, now sitting on the ground holding his head and rubbing it gently. From the thick brows and dirty blonde hair he realized it was Peter, Alice's younger brother. Matthew bent down and picked the little boy up. "What are you doing out so late? It's passed you bed time." Matthew said and watched as Peter huffed. "I wanted dance and play with all the others!" He complained. Matthew laughed and shifted him in his arms and heard Peter trying to cover up his yawn. "Come on, I'll tell you some stories before you go to sleep." He said as he walked him back into the nursery. Once he made it into the warm cozy hut he placed Peter down on the pelts and got another one, covering him with it. "Now, what kind of story do you want to hear?" He asked him. "Any kind, you tell the best stories!" He said. Smiling softly he told him an old story that his mother use to tell to him and Hercules when they were still pups.

After a few minutes he watched Peter's eyes give way to exhaustion and fall asleep. Matthew sat in his pot, cross legged as he watched him. Being in the nursery brought fond memories back to him and sighed softly to himself. He leaned back against the the wall and closed his eyes, drifting off into sleep's comforting embrace. A few hours later he was awoken by noises coming outside the hut. Stirring around a bit he yawned and stretched his arms out. He jumped in his spot as he heard a blood chilling scream from outside. Quickly Matthew shot up from his spot and opened the flap of the nursery to see what on Earth was going on.

Matthew's eyes widen as he looked around. The bond fire was out of control and members were screaming, running around and saw warriors shift into their wolf-self. That was when he spotted them. Humans on horse back, swinging weapons and sporting rifles in their hands. The camp was being invaded by Takers. Takers were humans, or demons sent to collect other humans and demon to sell to buyers or to be killed. A horse suddenly flew pass only a few inches from Matthew and blinked. It had to be a dream, this wasn't really happening. Shaking his head he turned to Peter waking him up. Peter slowly got up and Matthew grabbed him by the waist pulling him to his chest as he rushed to the back of the hut. He elongated his nails and sliced through the thin wall opening it up. Now fully awake Peter asked what was going on. "The camp is being invaded you have to get out of here." He told him. "Peter, listen to me." Matthew said as he saw the little boy start to panic.

"Everything is going to be okay." He said. "I need you to get out of here and tell the other packs in the area. The closest one is to the east, by the bottom of the mountain. Follow the river and stay low the whole time, if you keep moving you'll make it there before dawn." Peter nodded his head and slipped out through the whole. "What about you?" He asked him. Matthew gave him a small smile and then cupped Peter's cheeks leaning forward and gave him a kiss on his forehead. "I'll be fine, you have the warn the others Peter. Be a hero." He told him. "Like the one in your stories?" He asked him. "Yes," Matthew smiled turned into a sad one as a sudden wail filled the night air. "Just like the stories."

After saying goodbye Peter rushed into the shadows of the night and disappeared. Matthew prayed to the spirits above to watch over him before quickly rushing out of the hut. The whole place was lighted by the burning bond fire, illuminating the chaos at hand. He saw his fellow pack members laying still on the ground as blood was splashed everywhere. Quickly he ran for his mother's den dodging the horses and Takers on foot and rushed inside. "Mother!" He screamed searching the place, but there was no sign of her. Matthew felt his chest start to raise and fall dramatically, and his forehead start to sweat from the heat. Matthew felt his hands start to shake and panicked, he didn't know what to do. He spun around and opened the flap back up, he tried to find anyone, Alfred, Hercules, his mother, just anyone to follow. He couldn't see a thing, the sudden smoke from the fire becoming thicker and traveling through the air.

Matthew knew he had to get out of there before the smoke became too much, he exited the hut and started to find someone to help. Many of the members who were not warriors started running away, while other tired to fight the Takers off. The reek of blood started to stain the back of his throat causing him to cough roughly. Everything was in disarray he didn't know where to go anymore. He couldn't tell who needed help and who was dead. Suddenly he saw a Taker rush at him, Matthew ducked his head, the butt of the man's rifle nicking the side of his temple and stumbled to the ground. He felt the the man above him drive the end of the rifle into his shoulder letting out a painful scream. The next moment he didn't feel the man's presence and slowly looked over his shoulder to see one of the warriors fighting him off. Taking his chance he got up, stumbling a bit and made his way as fast as possible to the edge of the camp. Hot tears stung his face as he ran, tripping over his own feet and gasping for air.

Once he reached the edge of the camp he felt someone grab his injuries shoulder. The person spun Matthew around and immediately he started to scream and kick. "Matthew! Stop it!" A familiar voice yelled at him. Matthew stopped and looked up to see half lidded green eyes. "Oh my lord." Matthew mumbled and wrapped his arms around Hercules shoulders, failing to noticed how beat up he was. "There's no time for this now Matthew, we have to leave." Hercules told him. Matthew back away, still looking up at him. "B-But my mother-" "She is strong despite what she looks like, we have to get out of here." He told him. Before Matthew could protest Hercules grabbed Matthew's still shaking hand and pulled him along. About a few feet into the forest the two started to jog, slowly picking up speed and trying to put as much distance between them and the camp. They ran until he felt Hercules slow down a bit and Matthew turned around to stop. "What's wrong?" He asked, worry lacing his voice and smeared on his face.

He watched as Hercules looked over to one of the many small streams that covered their territory, and saw a figure kneeling down next to the water. In a heartbeat Matthew was running over to the figure he realized was his mother. He kneeled down next to her and placed his hands on her shoulder, mourning her to face him. His mother's face was sickly pale and blood was smeared on her prefect skin. "Mother come on, we have to leave here." He told her, trying to help her up. His mother placed a hand on her youngest son's shoulder, stopping him. Matthew looked down and his eyes widen and felt his whole world suddenly shatter. Her hand looked like she had just dipped it in blood, up to her forearm. Violet eyes traveled down to his mother's stomach, where a gaping wound was flowing with blood, stain the whole bottom of her dress. "No..." Matthew whispered to himself, more tears spilling over his face. "No, mother! Don't leave! You can't die here!" He yelled, begging her.

Hercules walked over to his sobbing friend and kneeled down on one leg, placing a hand on his other shoulder. "Matthew, we have to leave." He tried to reason with his grief stricken friend. "He's right Matthew, I'll only slow you down." She told him. Matthew refused to listen to any of it. "I'm not leaving you here! You're coming with us!" He demanded. His mother shook her head and gave a weak laugh, blood trickling from the corner of her pale lips. She looked over at Hercules and cupped his cheeks, kissing his forehead and did the same to Matthew. "You both are my sons, and I love you both so much." She whispered. "As my dying wish, please live. Run away from here and don't look back. I'll be fine." She said. With a nod Hercules understood and stood up, grabbing Matthew's arm and pulled him up as well. "I won't leave you! Come with us please! I'm begging you!" Matthew pleaded. His mother simply reached out and ran her fingers along the wrapping around his forearm. She started to hum to the tune of the lullaby she had sang to Matthew as Hercules started to drag him away. Matthew started to pull back, wanting to stay by his mother's side until the end, when he suddenly felt Hercules lift him off the ground and place him in his shoulders.

"Respect her last wish Matthew." Was all that he said before he started to run off into the forest. "Mother!" Matthew cried out, trying to reach out with his hand to grab her. He watched painfully as her body slowly sunk to the ground. "NO!" He screamed banging on Hercules back, trying to get to his mother. Matthew cried and screamed until his throat burned and couldn't even breath a single word without wincing. His eyes were bloodshot and everything was starting to spin and felt like he would be sick. Hercules felt Matthew start to shake like a leaf and slowed down. He himself was starting grow weaker and placed Matthew down in the ground panting heavily. Looking at his old friend he placed his hands on his shoulder. "Matthew, we have to keep going." He told him. "Matthew!" Hercules yelled, getting the smaller boy's attention. "She's gone. She's gone, and...and I-we could have saved her." He said. Hercules shook his head at him, "Listen Matthew even if the Takers weren't here we still couldn't have saved her. The wound was too deep." Hercules told him. "I'm sorry Matthew." He whispered and pulled him into a hug.

The two held each other for a moment like that until Hercules pulled back. "We have to keep moving." He said to him and started to walk, Matthew tailing him. The both of them walked in silence. The burning camp was nothing but a small dot in the distance as Matthew turned to look. The surrounding forest was washed in the moonlight's glow, making everything a hue of different blues, unlike earlier when he was out here. All the woodland creatures were silenced and the only thing that was heard was the footsteps of the two young wolf demons. They walked until they reached a small stream. Hercules told him that they should rest while they had the chance. Matthew agreed and bent over, cupping the water and taking a drink.

After each had quenched their thirst, they sat side by side at the water's edge, looking down at their reflections in the still water. "What are we going to do?" Matthew asked after a few minutes of silence. "We need to head west to the next pack, we can warn them and hopefully send reinforcement to stop the Takers." Hercules said coolly. He had almost forgotten that Hercules was one of the pack's warriors. He was trained to keep his head clear at all times to make the best decisions at a moment's notice. Nodding his head Matthew looked up at his friend. "Do you think we'll see others? Or will I see my brother again?" He asked him. Matthew wasn't very close with Alfred, but he was still family to him. "Your brother is strong, so don't worry about him Matthew. And I'm sure others escaped before the chaos." Hercules said and wrapped an arm around Matthew's shoulder. "We can rest here for a bit longer before we have to keep moving. We should make it the the pack near the land of the bears by morning."

He told him reassuringly. Again nodding his head Matthew stared at their reflections. After a moment the two heard movement a few feet behind him and the low hum of voices trailing their way. Immediately Hercules stood up, dragging Matthew by the collar of his shirt, ignoring his protest and whispering to him to be quiet. He hide him under a bunch of thick bushes and told him at stay there. Matthew did as he was told, trusting that Hercules will be okay and that the voices were of other members of the pack that had escaped. Hercules hid behind one of the oak trees and crouched down low to the ground, shifting quickly into a wolf.

His fur, a deep dark brown, blended in with the shadows that surrounded him as he watched the area around him and sniffed the air. All he could smell was blood and the musk of the forest, before he dismissed it as they both of them hearing things and were just overly exhausted, he saw the glint of metal flash in the moonlight a few feet away. Hercules claws kneaded the ground and watched as three Takers came into view. He knew two of the three were humans by their scent and the other a demon. Hearing them talk as they walked closer Hercules ready himself, his eyes flickering over to Matthew, who was now trembling like a leaf, his violet eyes wide. Looking back over the Takers who came closer and closer. And once they were only a few feet in front of him, Hercules launched himself out behind the tree and at the closest human Taker. His jaw latched on to the man's throat and shook his head, killing him.

Jumping off of the dead man he rushed at and fought off the other two with all of his strength he had. Matthew watched in horror as his only friend fought off the Takers. He wanted to help, but didn't know what to do. He never learned how to fight and didn't want to mess up Hercules or get in his way. His eyes looked up as he heard a wail escape from Hercules. One of the Takers, the demon one, had drawn out a knife and stabbed him in his shoulder, the knife sticking itself there. His breathing picked up at the sight of his friend in obvious pain. Suddenly Hercules backed slightly away from the Takers, shifting back into his human self. Matthew had no clue what he was doing as he saw him yank the bloody knife out of his shoulder, wincing as the blood poured out of the wound. Hercules clutched the knife tightly in his hand and faster than anything Matthew had ever saw, flung the knife at the demon Taker.

Knife sheathed itself in the demon's forehead and slowly fell to the ground, just as a shot was fired. A loud splash was heard, shattering the sound of the fight. "It's a dream..." Matthew whispered, slowly standing up in his spot. He walked over, slowly to the water's edge, a hand stretched out towards Hercules. His hand shook slightly as the water around his body started to turn red. As he reached the water's edge he stopped only for a moment before walking into the water, sinking down on his bruised knees next to Hercules's head. Tears steadily fell from Matthew's eyes as he cradled Hercules head in his lap. With his thin fingers, he brushed the hair out of his face. "It-it's not fair..." He whispered to the suddenly cold body. Matthew was so focused on his friend, that he didn't even noticed the second human Taker laid dead on the ground. "Hercules?" He asked out loud, tapping his wet cheek. "Hercules, come on. Wake up; please?" He asked him, sobbing. Matthew shook his shoulders a bit, trying to make himself believe that the blood in the water wasn't real. "We, we have to keep moving, remember." Matthew sobbed.

Matthew stayed like that for a long time, before finally passing out next to Hercules in the water. His whole body hurt greatly and the water was freezing, but he had no more energy to move himself or to keep going. All he wished for was to stay by his friend's side, until he too passed away. But, even when he prayed to die himself the spirits above had no such mercy, instead when the morning came so did the other Takers. Matthew looked half alive by the time they came and took him away, leaving Hercules laying peacefully in the water. He watched from the bars of the cage on the back of a horse drawn carriage as his friend disappeared into he distance. And as his friend finally vanished Matthew closed his eyes and once again passed out.

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