The Hero and the Survivor

A Secret

Bam. Bam. Bam. Her fists and every once in a while one of her legs hit the punching bag. Israel just kept hitting it over and over again. I mean there was a reason she had gotten two bronze metals and one silver metal in judo at the Olympics. And there was also the fact that she had a marshal art all her own. Being a master at Krav Maga wasn't something that happened to Israel over night.
Israel stopped for a moment and chugged down some water. She had been practicing for a while now. Not only was she practicing like her athletes for the upcoming events in upcoming Olympics in Brazil. She was also trying to keep her mind occupied. Israel always got a little bit paranoid before the Olympics ever since what had happened in 1972. Five of her athletes and six of her coaches died and it still made her sick to her stomach to think about. She had just gone with them to see Fiddler on the Roof and have dinner with them and then they were gone.
That wasn't the only reason she was trying to keep herself occupied. The last world meeting left her with very mixed feelings. After the words left America's mouth, the look on England's face was priceless. He look angry, horrified, terribly sad, and embarrassed all at once. The usually cunning Brit was at a complete loss for words. A few countries were trying not to laugh.
Israel was frozen; she was in a bit of a daze at the time. Eve was heartbroken for sure, but the fact that no one could have him made her feel a bit better. The simple fact that someone hadn't been chosen over her made her stomach less queasy at least. And it wasn't like all hope was lost, when America could want a relationship eventually right. But it probably wouldn't be with her.
It also didn't help that a few sets of eyes were on her. The eyes of Poland and Lithuania looking at her in concern along with a few others, she didn't mind. It was Russia's cold purple eyes that seemed to bore into her that simply unnerved her. It was like he expect he'd his gaze to break her hard exterior and see the blazing emotions that swirled within her; he seriously expected her to cry before them all. She was happy to disappoint him. After that though, the meeting went on with it's usual amount of craziness.
Squeak. Squeak. Israel blinked and looked at her little companion who had saved her from her thoughts. A mouse sat on Israel's shoulder. Unlike most people, Eve laughed at the small creature and picked it up.
"Katan," she said simply,"why are you out of your cage again?" The small animal just titled it's head up at her. She had owned her little friend for a very long time now, but it wasn't until recently that most countries noticed. A few of them had even mistaken him for a rat.
"I suppose your here to tell me I need to take break huh?" Her little friend seemed to nod at her before scampering up her arm and sitting on her shoulder again. Israel patted his little head before heading out of her training room and to her kitchen. As she made herself a sandwich, Katan waited patiently for some of the food. Knowing what the animal really wanted, Israel pulled off a small of the bread and gave it to the creature. As they ate, another animal crouched on the floor and watched the mouse closely. It's tail swished back and forth as it watched for the moment when it could strike.
"Are Tom and Jerry at it again?" America's voice rang through Israel's house causing Israel to almost choke from surprise. America smiled heroically as he reached down and picked up Israel cat. The calico cat seemed to pout a little a being a caught, but was to comfortable in America's arms to want to try escaping them.
"You know you should ask before you enter people's homes America even if you have a spare key ," Israel commented simply as she cleaned up after her meal. The two hadn't talked since there time at Poland's house unless they counted his announcement at the last world meeting.
"I know but," America stopped for a moment. He let out a sigh and bent to let the cat go. Israel cat gave him a disappointed look, but purred as America's pet it's head for a moment. Israel smiled slightly as she watched them as Katan ran up to his spot on her shoulder again.
"So um can he sniff out explosives?" America asked referring to Katan as he stood up. Israel laughed for a moment at the American attempt to avoid the elephant in the room and patted the mouse's head.
"Yes," Israel said bluntly as she set the mouse on the counter for a moment,"now what did you really come here to talk about?" America gulped and both animals went completely still. They could both feel the tension in the room.
"Ever since we first met, I've been able to tell you secrets. And both when you were in a coma and when you weren't, you've kept them under lock and key. In return, you've told me a few of yours and I've kept them locked away as well." He was standing right in front of her now and Israel looked directly into the face of her friend trying to find out where he was going with this.
"I was wondering if you could keep two more secrets?" America asked and Israel nodded. He smiled at her, but he looked serious and nervous. America slid a hand through his blonde hair.
"I lied at the last world meeting," he began again. Israel felt her heart stop for a moment as she waited for him to finish. Was he stopping like this on purpose!?
"What's the second Alfred?" Israel asked now sick of waiting. He flashed her his innocent, oblivious smile and kissed her forehead. Time felt frozen for a split second to the both of them.
"Could this...Could we...be a secret?" He whispered as leaned his forehead against her's,"a secret between a hero and a survivor?"