It had been a week since the day that Alfred had smashed a stone down on Ivan's head, the inspectors came and everything changed.
Needless to say the inspectors WEREN'T happy when they found almost all the students locked in solitary confinement, battered and bruised. They were even less happy when they saw Ivan with a serious head injury lying unattended. In the end, Arthur had done the school a favour by calling a doctor, it made them look at least a little better.
If it were a normal school, the headmaster would of been fired along with most of the teachers. But it wasn't. As terrible as they were, the inspectors knew closing down this place wasn't an option. They needed SOMEWHERE to put teenage misfits.
So now, Alfred and most of the other students had to see a therapist once a week to try and 'deal with their difficulties in a positive way'. It seemed like a load of crap to him- the therapist was a thin, lazy looking greek guy who seemed like he was barley out of uni. No way would be able to control the students, let alone understand them. When the American went for his visit with him, the guy just prattled on about Alfred's subconscious in a way that seemed far too philosophical for him to understand. There was one thing that did stick in his mind though.
"You must forgive and seek forgiveness from Ivan." Mr Karpiusy said, drawing out the syllable of each word. Alfred thought he had a point, so that was what he was doing now. Tying up loose ends with Ivan.
The hospital wing had been cleaned up since the inspector's arrival. No longer were pill bottles strewn everywhere, and bandages trailing all over the floor. Alfred swung open the greying plastic doors and walked inside, suddenly hit by a wave of nerves. What if it just ended in a fight again?
Ivan was sat at the end of the room propped up on a pillow, his massive frame spilling over the narrow bed.
"Pyrvate Comrade." The Russian said, smiling pleasantly like they were old friends. Alfred let out a laugh that sounded forced and nervous.
"So, you uh- feeling better?"
"Da. The doctor was shocked by my quick recovery. He thinks my skull must be especially thick."
"Awesome dude! Anyway I just wanted to say... I'm sorry for almost killing you." The American said, laughing again. "That was too far, ya know."
"I see."
"So you forgive me?"
"Da."
"So we're good?"
"Nyet." Ivan said, his smile dropped and his eyes suddenly looked cold. Alfred faltered.
"Wait.. What?" He said. He thoughts things were going well!
Ivan reached out and touched one of the scratches on Alfred's face, making the American flinched away.
"I don't understand." The Russian said. "I hurt you. So why would you do something like that?"
"Like.. What?" The American said, confused.
"Like help me." Ivan murmured. "It doesn't make any sense. I can't seem to work out your agenda."
"Agenda? Dude, you were hurt real bad." Alfred said. "Helping enemies is what heroes do!"
Ivan froze, completely still, and for a moment, the crazy look in his eye had Alfred expecting he was going to be hit. But instead, Ivan's face broke out into a genuine smile, and he started chuckling, in a way that seemed innocent and genuine, not like his usual creepy laughter.
"What!?" Alfred spluttered, unnerved.
"It's just... Your so interesting." Ivan laughed. "We should be comrades. Friends."
Ivan extended his hand to Alfred. With uncertainty, the American hesitantly reached out and shook it. Friends, huh?

"You'd think they'd fix the food around here before doing all that dumb stuff like getting a therapist." Gilbert scowled, poking the unidentifiable slush with his fork.
"Oui. No wonder we're all so thin here." Franics shuddered dramatically, before forcing down a mouthful.
"The changes wont last, anyway, pretty soon the school will be back to it's old ways. Just like before."

"Speaking of before- didn't we have a war going on with Artie and Alfie. You know- back in the ancient times of last week." The Prussian said. They were sat in the dining hall, the old, chipped wooden benches had been replaced by hard plastic ones. They looked second hand, but at least the students didn't have to worry about splinters any more.
"Oh I remember now!" Antonio said, his eyes lighting up in recognition.
"Well, I say it's time to end the hiatus and get back to the war!"

(A/N: I know. This chapter was disappointing. But I haven't updated in SO long I needed something to get back into the swing of it! I'm also in the process of re-editing my first chapters... damnn they are bad. Anyway, please review :D