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The young woman runs like her life depends on it. Her feet thumping, her heart pounding as she rushes through the unfamiliar forest. She ducks under branches, zigzags between trees, and keeps rushing forward.
She knows her pursuer isn't far behind her.
Even though she is in excellent condition, she starts to breathe faster as she keeps going. She has lost track of where she is, but it doesn't matter, she just has to get away.
Being hunted— being prey isn't something she's used to. Normally, she's in charge. A leader. Someone who hunts.
She doesn't like the sensation.
The forest path slopes downward and she nearly loses her footing, managing at the last moment to keep her balance as she slides down a bit. She can't help it— she looks behind her, hopeful that she has cleared more distance between her and the woman trying to catch her.
Her heart leaps in her throat when she sees her pursuer not that far behind. She can see the whites of her eyes, almost make out the expression on her face. She feels fear clamp around her heart like a fist. She's exhausted, she doesn't understand why the other woman isn't. Panting, she considers stopping and fighting, but she knows she doesn't stand a chance on her own. Not when her opponent isn't.
No. She's not going to lose.
With renewed purpose, she goes on. Her mind is racing as fast as her feet, trying to think of a way out of this. A way to outsmart her enemy. She should be able to—
A painful jolt— her foot is stuck under a root. This time she does lose her balance, falling onto her hands, the leaves on the ground crunching under her weight.
She scrambles to her feet and whirls around. She'll have to fight.
Her hands heat up, she readies herself to unleash fire at her enemy, even if it means her hunter’s allies will overpower her.
The Kyoshi warrior is still faster than Azula expects. Her body smashes into Azula before she can get an attack off. They slam backwards into a tree, Azula grunts as her back hits against the rough bark. Suki moves like lightning, jabbing her in the elbow. The flame that had been forming at Azula's fingertips dies with a sputter.
Ty Lee must have taught them new tricks, how repulsive.
The same movement stops Azula from using her other hand. She moves her leg up to kick fire at her opponent, but Suki's body presses her against the tree, limiting her movement. In the blink of an eye, the Kyoshi Warrior has the sharp blade of her fan against Azula's throat.
Suki smirks, her blue eyes full of triumph.
Azula loathes it. She longs to breathe fire, burn that pretty face off and see how she'll fare then. But she's still out of breath, panting hard.
"Good to see you, princess," Suki says, still pressed close. Not nearly as tired as Azula, to her irritation. "We were looking for you."
She can feel the heat of Suki's body against her own. One of her legs pushes between Azula's thighs, pinning her to the tree. It makes her shiver despite herself.
Something darkens in Suki's expression. Clearly, she noticed.
"Can't handle a fair rematch?" Azula asks, still catching her breath. "I remember it going differently last time."
"I remember." Suki says softly, smirking slightly.
The cold steel of her fan pushes against Azula's jugular. Her breath hitches. In the distance, she can hear rustling. It tells her the other Kyoshi Warriors are catching up.
Azula knew she could break free if she really wanted to. Wipe that smug smirk off Suki's face. She wouldn't be able to fight off all the Kyoshi Warriors, but at least she could take out their leader.
Suki studies Azula's face, a slight smirk on her lips. "You're my prisoner now, princess. I think I will enjoy that."
Azula meets the other woman's eyes with an unsaid challenge, arching her body against Suki's, feeling the shape of her even under the rigid armor piece. Perhaps… she will defeat Suki later. It's a strategic move, taking her out when she least expects it. She might as well enjoy herself in the meantime.