>>5304039 You take the moment to thank the gods and catch a breath or two. Heading right towards your bottle of water, Ruki barely gives you time to swallow two mouthfuls before tossing an object your way. Spotting it just in your peripheral vision, body moving on its own your fingers close around the object deftly and soon your eyes follow. It was a knife, the training weapon dull and spongy. But it was still firm enough to give someone a good walloping with. She wanted to mix it up alright. Springing across the padded floor Haruki came in quick, knife held out it didn't hamper her pace, twisting through the air you back pedaled around her slashes, thrusting in to counter and warn off her own long stabs. She kept you on the back foot as you fought to win the upper hand, you threw in a few kicks to catch her by surprise and instead the girl incorporated her own style further and before long had you backing into the wall. Breathing raggedy like a beast, sweat stings your eyes, ears buzz a full tone as you falter.
Haruki moves in for the kill, glee plastered across her face. But you weren't done, without warning your body moves, your mind following just a step behind. Your blades kiss, rolling down until the guards lock. She followed up with her spare hand sending out a straight punch that would have left you reeling. You dodge it, her wrist and forearm simply sliding along your wet face. You hook your left foot around her own as your weight and momentum carries you forward. Your bodies meet next. Your own lower force knocks her tall frame off balance. Taking her to the ground you drive your own spare hand around her throat and pin her neck to the floor. And for a moment you both freeze. Chest drumming a wild haphazard beat as lungs worked the air into your blood. Her eyes were wide in shock. Your whole body felt numb, the final shreds of strength giving away as you fell onto her.
Every fiber of your being focusing on fighting to breathe as steam danced up from your boiling body. She was deceivingly soft. "I'm sorry Ruki, I'm sorry I forgot so much. I wish I could remember. I remembered the stretches we did as children, for motion and lateral calibration… I'm working on it…" you mumbled, resting your head against her chest. Unsure if her deafening heartbeat or your own allowed the words to be heard. The girl's arms coil around you tightly as she hugs you. "They are splitting us up again already…" She croaked out, her own voice weak. You enjoyed the moment, the sweat and the strain in your muscles unable to lessen being in her embrace. Unbecoming of your brave display, with arm over shoulder Haruki ends up totting you most of the way back to the Pilot's quarters. "We might have overdone it a little…" The Pilot declared with a smile. You joined her in laughing, the sixth or seventh bout might have crossed the line, but you were making up for missed time.
