Anything You can do I Can do Better (America)

[Czech Republic]

(Thought maybe we could use human names? If not I can change it to nation names )

Juliana was humming quietly to herself while walking merrily around the training grounds mnot a single care in the world. In her hands she held two knitting needles and a ball of blue yarn under her arm. Her hands were moving at rapid yet were still graceful while they knitted what looked like what was to be a blue scarf. She had come to terms with her tattered old scarf that was around her neck constantly and admitted that it was now beyond repair and needed to make a new one to take its place. So that is why her neck was so noticeablly bare of her usual blue scarf for it sadly had to be discarded and meant he had to get right to work making another.

She loved knitting while walking. It was always so peaceful to stroll and knit and it seemed to strangley help her concentrate even more. She hated mistakes and none of her works no matter how small or big never had a single stitch out of place and she was determined to make her new neckwear just as if not better than perfect.

She was unknowingly making her way towards one of the areas that were filled with practice dummies. Whatbshe didn't knownwas that one Alfred Jones happened to be there beating the crap out of a poor defensless mannequin right when shenwalked in.

She suddenly looked up from her knitting to see the American was training. She stared quietly notnwanting to distract him as shenwatched his form. She thoroughly enjoyed watching other nations demonstrate their fighting especially the males nations. To her they seemed to have a grace to them that was entrancing.

Her face flared up in embarressment when she realized that she was staring. It was not proper for a young ladynof her nation to stare at men with such admiration unless they were they were their teachers or husbands. She shook her head then set her knitting aside deciding to say hello to Alfred.

"Ahoj Alfred!"

She called out raising her hand in the air and waving like crazy a large sweet grin present on her face; friends always made her so happy.

[America]

[[I'll probably use nation names in my posts, but I don't mind if you use human names!]]

America was thankful that it was both cool enough and warm enough that he was able to train without the temperature getting to him. Clad in a white t-shirt and a cozy pair of jeans, he was reminded once more why he liked the moderate climate of spring. The heat wasn't getting to him and forcing him to stop early out of exhaustion and the cold wasn't getting to him and forcing him to layer up out of the chill. Spring was simply perfect weather to practice his battle skills.

And by battle skills, he meant beating up the mannequins that lined the training grounds.

It might have been a way to get all the stress off his shoulder, what with the new sort of zombie running around and the normal zombies moving faster now that the snow and ice was gone. Everyone was on high alert, himself included. On top of that, he actually had some paperwork to fill out regarding his own nation and what would become of it. Everything was just too much to load on him at once.

So, yes. De-stressing in such a way was doing wonders.

Then, however, he heard someone call out his name. Quickly recognizing the voice, he turned around, panting slightly from his workout, and grinned when he noticed Czech Republic. "Hey!" he greeted, wiping a few beads of sweat off his forehead. "Didn't know you were standing there."

He left his dummies to go step closer to Czech, glancing down momentarily at the scarf she was knitting before looking back up at her face. "You come in here to train?"

[Czech Republic]

Without warning she grabbed him up in a strong hug squeezing him until his back popped and his feet were a few inches off the ground. She promptly set him down and gave him one of her special smiles that were reserved for good friends only. And America fit that bill to a tee. She looked at the scarf in process then shook her head no.

"Nope! Actually I was just wandering around while knitting myself a new scarf."

She gestured to her neck that was bare of the usual scarf to show wat she meant.

"The other was so worn and torn and stained with blood that I had to toss it out..."

She then held up the work thus far to show him her slow but very careful progress. She gave a warm smile to it looking forward to having a brand new scarf. It had been so long since she had anything for herself! It was nice to take time to make something for her to enjoy, a pleasure she rarely had.

She looked over to the dummy and a sudden twinge of longing came over her.

"But I think that I would like to if you'd allow me to do it with you America!"

It was then she flashed him an oh so adorable look knowing how he couldn't resist such cutness such as herself. She enjoyed using cuteness as a weapon, it was one of her more peaceful methods to get what she wanted

[America]

America laughed in surprise when Czech picked him up with a hug. It wasn't everyday a young lady such as herself could pick him up. It certainly was an interesting experience, that was for sure. Once she set him down, he straightened out the white t-shirt he was wearing, grinning all the while.

"That's a nice scarf," he commented, his untrained eyes finding no flaws whatsoever in the stitching. Then again, he doubted if he would be able to even when there was a flaw. He had never been good with knitting or sewing. That usually fell under a talent of the European nations, since England seemed to adore doing it. Maybe the Asian nations were also skilled sewers. Whatever the case, America simply bought whatever scarves and blankets he could find at the store, or wear one that England would make for him.

He blinked at her next question, looking up from the scarf. "Sure," he said, gesturing over to the dummies. "I was just working on hand-to-hand combat. I've been fighting with guns the entire winter. Gotta work out my punches a little bit more. Ya know, just in case!" Realizing that she might not be good with fist fights, he pointed to the stack of practice swords on the far side of the training grounds. "You can grab one of those if you'd like, though."

[[sorry this sucks X'D]]

[Czech Republic]

A rosy blush touched the modest girl's face when she was complimented. She gave a shy giggle then hid the ear and needles behind her back avoidoing eyes with America. She really couldn't cope with praises that well no matter how small whereas her brother Poland would be quick to state that he was the best at whatever he was being praised for.

She nodded at his comment on the guns. She knew exactly what he meant by that. Originally all Czech knew how to use were her bare hands and a blade. However as time changed she had to adapt to the new ways of war and took up the art of firearms. As the time wore on she slowly forgot the old ways of fighting for she did not need them in the time period that she was in. Now that their new threat appeared she realised that the only way to probab;y win this battle was going back her old fashion yet efficent methods.

The bright look in her eyes faded when he suggested that she should grab a blade. It should not be mitaken that se did not enjoy sworsplay. In fact it was a hobby of hers one that she was really good at and had a sort of pride in. However she had practiced enough with it that week and now looked to do something required soley on her hands.

"Thank you America."

She flashed a very polite smile to him as she set the knitting down very carefully so that the thread would not become tangled. She then moved her hands up to her black corset as she started to unlace the tight strings that kept her already small skinny body sucked in.

"But I would rather do some fist fighting."

With a blush clear on her face she tossed the corset aside and started to slide her shirt off of her body. In the place of her white blouse was a black tank top. After folding that up and setting it down her face turned even redder as she stepped out of her shirt to show that she was in a pair of knee length black pants that went great with her black boots.

Most didn't know that under that traditional Czech outfit there lye another pair of clothing. Clothing that was only put on if she was training or in the event that the dress was a hazard to her safety. She folded the skirt up setting it next to the other stuff then looked up with red cheeks and a sheepish smile hoping that her taking her clothes off in front of him didn't spook him.

"Though I may look petite I am very strong! I can take whatever punch you throw at me!"

She said unaware of the challenge that was in her voice.

[America]

America tried not to look when Czech started undressing herself. Even if she did have on clothes underneath her clothes (he honestly didn't think it was that hot to start doing stuff like that, but perhaps he was wrong, or maybe she was still feeling cold), he felt it would be rude to pointedly stare at her. So, he looked away, clearing his throat and trying to hide his discomfort. Luckily, she shed that first layer rather quickly, and he deemed it safe to look at her again, smiling at her determination.

"Fist fighting, huh?" he muttered, rubbing at his chin. Honestly, he wasn't too sure about fist-fighting with Czech. He had no doubt of her strength, but he already knew he was stronger still. Knowing this, he didn't want to possibly hurt her. He sometimes wasn't sure just how much strength to put into his punches. Why, even Norway had experienced his lack of self-control, and had gone flying into one of the walls. Czech was even smaller than Norway and, though she might not agree (and though he might be wrong), probably weaker.

Plus, he was taught that he should never hit a girl. This went against what he was taught.

Then again, she seemed sure of herself. Besides, he could always get a sense of how skilled she was with hand-to-hand combat before trying out anything that might be too much for her. And, hey, even if she wasn't good, he might be able to give her a few tips. All in all, it would most likely be a rather beneficial experience for the both of them.

"Alright," he finally agreed, nodding at her. "I'm not gonna hit you with my hardest punches, though. I've seen you fight, and I'll be the first to admit that you got some amazing strength going on, but I seriously doubt you'll be able to come out unhurt if I hit you with all I got." Or even most of what he got, though he wouldn't say that. "Nothing against your skill, 'kay? Just don't want you to get hurt."

And he grinned at her to show her that he was in no way putting her down.

[Czech Republic]

Czech couldn't help but roll her eyes at America's warning towards her safety. One might said that the girl was a little too arrogant for her own good. Other might of said that her arrogance was well placed and justified. 

She had come from a long line a powerful nations, the first being her mother Bohemia, a sly and tricky young gypsy who could best any man with a blade. And then there was her father Germania; a strong and powerful man that shaped his nation from his sweat and his blood. Though he was mostly stoic and calm if one were to mess with him they would find themselves either dead or on the edge of death.

Coming from those two she had become very strong herself even able to best the great Hapsburg Empire, becoming a big power herself at the time, she lost against them but they knew that she was a force to reckoned with and needed to have a special eye over. Of course after she lost the 30 Years War she was to become a proper young lady and store that hidden strength for the future wars to come. 

Right at this moment she wanted to show America that celtic warrior that was hidden within! 

"America you needn't worry over me!" 

She said this raising her fist up and giving him a playful punch in the arm. If one saw her punching 'playfuly' they would see that it was more like she was whamming him in the arm with little to no mercy.

She flashed him her sweetest most adorable smile afterwards. 

"I'll show you just how powerful I am without a weapon! "

She said raising her fists up in a fighting stance her eyes full of challenge towards the strong, fit American unaware that she may have bitten off more than she could chew

[America]

America raised his eyebrows at the punch Czech delivered to him. Had he been a human, that might have really hurt. Had he been anyone other than who he was, it probably would have been slightly painful. Being America, however, had many advantages, one being that his body could take a lot more than the average body. He was able to pick up a bull as a child, for heavens' sake. A simple punch wasn't going to hurt him.

But the fact that it was only a simple, playful punch brought a new challenge to light. Czech really was strong. He could feel it in the blow she gave to him. Had she been actually fighting, he would probably have been bruised pretty nicely.

Of course, there was still no doubt in his mind that he would be able to beat her. He knew better than to underestimate her strength, but even when he overestimated it, there was still no way that he would be able to lose.

He stretched his arm muscles quickly before smiling at her. "I'm sure you will!" he agreed. "But remember to defend yourself correctly." He didn't want to give her a black eye or something. That certainly would not bode well. Neither would releasing that strange alter ego of hers. He was about to warn her against resorting to such measures, but he was pretty sure she would be careful. After all, it probably only came when her life was in danger. That meant, so long as he held back, nothing bad would happen.

He quickly darted forward, bringing a fist up to punch at her elbow, putting only a minimum amount of force into his blow when he connected.

[Czech Republic]

She allowed hit to hit her without any resistance. She took in the pain quietly closing her eyes so that she could relish it in silence. One might think that, that was a stupid move, to allow yourself to be punched. However from her mother's teachings she had learned that the first punch was always important. It was the one punch that would determine whoes strength would be better. And in truth to be hit first was the best because the you could feel out just how much strength you had to put in your next move. But doing that you could effectively intimidate your opponent. After all intimidation was winning half the battle. 

Czech knew better than to question the strength of America. She knew he was strong, she witnessed his fighting during the time that he and the Allies saved her country from the Nazis and knew that he was more powerful than what others would peg him to be. Then again it brought you back the old saying 'never judge a book by its cover'.

All in this one moment she calculated his punch and realized that he was holding back, that this was no where near his regular strength. It made her happy to know this for it would be a short battle if this was all he could do. 

Her instincts kicked in as she pushed the fist away from her arm effectively grabbing it tightly pushing it down where it was safe then with a fist cocked back punched him in the left cheek showing little to no mercy with the force she used.

Her eyes widened suddenly. It had been so long since had fought hand to hand that she completely forgotten how rough and violent her mother methods were! Her hands flew up to her mouth as she gave an apologetic look. 

"I--I'm sorry America! I didn't mean to hit you...Well I did but not in your face!" 

[America]

He was pleased to note that his punch really didn't hurt her all too much. At least, she didn't pull back or wince or act like it pained her that bad. Now he knew she could probably take a little bit more than that. He didn't want to go too easy on her. He knew she was strong, he knew she could protect herself, but he had to first see how much her smaller frame could handle before it began bruising.

The last thing he wanted to do was hurt a girl like that.

Before he could draw back, though, she suddenly pushed down on his arm, then suddenly punched him. Right in the face. He stumbled back, shocked by the attack, bringing a hand up to his stinging cheek. Nope. She certainly wasn't anywhere close to being weak. Hell, that hit might even leave a mark.

He smiled at her apology (and winced, because his cheek was still sore), shaking his head. "No, no, that was good!" he exclaimed proudly. "I mean, you really caught me off guard, so I wasn't able to dodge it, but that means you're a good fighter. Which we both already knew, huh?" He laughed, taking his hand off his cheek. "Does it look bad? Can't have the face of heroism scarred, now, can we?"

[Czech Republic]

She gave a small sigh of relief when he wasn’t upset over her hitting him in the face. She knew a few nations that would yell and curse at her for even thinking of striking their faces though she wasn’t going to say any names. Giggling at his remark she stood up on her toes to look at his cheek and saw that there were just the tiniest signs of a bruise forming but nothing too bad.

Flashing him a grin she shook her head no.

“Your face is just as handsome as ever America!” She beamed brightly.

“I think my knuckles didn’t serve as well.”

She then proceeded to raise her still clenched fist up and showed that one of her knuckles had split just a little and was now bleeding. Despite the pain she took it with a large sweet smile showing no sign of it affecting her whatsoever.

Now she did feel the pain, she felt it course all through her hand and up to her wrist which threatened to cramp up. It had been so long since she had really punched someone that she had hurt her hand from the misplaced force, she could even feel that their might have been a fracture coming on. She had however, lived with physical pain almost all her life and this was nothing worth complaining over.

Her smile faded just a little as she looked at him like a hawk. She could use this to her advantage. Moving once more she cocked her right fist back deciding that it would be best to experiment with her bad hand before attempting strong powerful hits with her good left hand. Her fist was now aimed for his gut knowing that, that was a place that would surely hurt him.

Not hurt him too badly mind you but just make him feel maybe a little taste of her might.

[America]

America laughed at the "just as handsome as ever" comment. Not only was it so completely true, but it was awesome to see others admitting that it was so completely true. Besides that, he was enjoying just loosening up some and being able to smile more. He tried keeping up his bright and happy attitude, but sometimes their situation seemed hopeless and he just wanted to give up and go to bed until the world was back to normal.

Engaging in pretty normal activities with his fellow nations really was doing him some good. He needed to immerse himself in activity lest he allow his mind to wander too much on their task, which usually seemed so hopeless and long.

He wanted to address the injury on her knuckles, possibly bandage the cut before starting again, but he noticed then that she was just about to punch him in the gut. He quickly dodged the blow, proud of himself for actually paying attention this time around, now to the side of her and still in a defensive stance.

"Gotta be faster, Czech," he taunted, sticking his tongue out at her.

[Czech Republic]

A smirk came over her face at America's taunting almost tempted to reach over and pull that tongue right out his mouth but thought better of it. If she couldn't even do it to her twin brother Slovakia how the hell would she be able to do it on freaking America?

The dodging brought her back to another time. When she was training one on one with her mother. She had attacked her in the same manner except the woman moved to the side with a teasing smile on her face.

"Now Czechia..." She would say as a small little warning to the lecture she was going to give yet again.

"Remember fighting isn't all brawn. It involves a lot of calculations as well as a bit of cleverness that only a Gypsy can provide."

Bohemia would've then smiled and patted her daughter on the head before continuing. 

"Try to think of fighting as the dances I have taught you and your sisters...for fighting requires grace and balance and the right timing just like dancing."

She nodded to herself remembering that lesson like it was only yesterday when it occurred. It was then after that she knew what to do next with the grinning American. 

Her flexible body turned her torso to the direction of America her leg then coming out as it made its way to the man's face one more applying a lot of force into it. In the same movement, she gave a full twirl away from him standing there defensively as she flashed him one of her smiles.

"Was that fast enough America dear?"

She asked this very sweetly yet even someone with less sense that a fool could sense the challenge that was laced into the sentence but was questioned like it was any kind of normal conversation. The look of challenged deepened in her blue-green pools knowing that things were going to get very rough pretty soon.

The rougher the better!

[America]

America was prepared for another punch somewhere near his stomach. After all, Czech seemed rather upset that she had punched his face before, so she would obviously aim for the stomach again. Therefore, he kept his fists further down, blocking his stomach and keeping a close eye on Czech's next move. She might even go for the legs, so he bent his knees slightly, preparing himself to jump or dodge again if he had to.

However, she did neither of those things. Instead, she quickly turned and shot her leg out, kicking him right in the face. America stumbled once more, this time falling back completely. He instantly brought a hand up to his poor, abused face, feeling grateful that she didn't break his nose. He wouldn't be able to take it if his face was ruined.

"Didn't know we'd be kicking," he joked, sitting back up and rubbing at the bump he knew was forming. "But that was good aim. The force could also knock a zombies head off, probably." He stood again, laughing off his pain.

"You're doing real good," he complimented, shooting her a grin. It really was a pleasure to have an opponent who wasn't going to go easy on him, and who didn't want him to go easy on her. She appeared to like the challenge, if the determination in her eyes was anything to go by.

Well, he'd give her what she wanted.

He quickly leaped forward, using more force than he did last time to hit at her gut, hoping she wouldn't see it coming, hoping she wouldn't block it. He didn't want to lose against a girl. (But he also didn't want to win against a girl.)

[Czech Republic]

The smile on Czech’s face was a mix of pride and embarrassment when America complimented on her fighting. She was glad if any nation noticed her strength but for America to notice? That was a bonus. Her smile however faded when a numbing feeling came over her. Pain suddenly came over her as she saw the fist in her gut.

“Hovno!”

She cursed as she doubled over just slightly allowing just a little bit of air to return in her lungs. She stared at the fist then her eyes fell on that of America. That sneaky little bastard, he caught her off guard like she did! A small smile touched her lips once she let the pain subside to feel the force he had just placed in his hit.

He was taking her seriously now, that was very good. That meant that she could take him just as seriously.

A large grin spread on her lips her hand grabbing his shoulder while the other pushed his fist aside as she brought her knee up and hit him in the gut just as he had hit her. An eye for an eye as they say.

She then pushed off from him gaining a safe distance as she pushed her hair from her eyes. She looked at his face seeing the small damage she had inflicted on him. Her inner trickster started to come out. She thought over the eye for an eye concept and thought that this would be a great opportunity to test how soft he was towards women.

“Hey America, about your face…since I hit you in the face I’ll give you a freebee!”

She gestured to her small child like face to him showing that she was offering him a free shot to do the same as she had done to him.

“Don’t go easy on me! Give it all you got!” She said brightly showing a smile that was just as sweet as Russia’s when was in a good mood.