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Kyra's claws extended deep into the dry sand at her feet. She feel the vibrations as the wind blew the tiny little particles across her toes. She felt so alive, standing her ground mere feet away from her opponent.

She'd found the perfect female too, she looked like a piece of cake. Her solid white coat might not have been her first choice, but given the dry desert, she was at least luck she wasn't brown or tan. But enough of that! It wasn't what she was here for!

Shaking her head loose of the many thoughts racing through it, she sneered at the female before her before charging forward. Her goal? Simple. Give her a good knock of her paws, if she could do that, she would surely have the advantage.

The space was closing between them, she was getting closer .. closer .. she could feel the female's breath, and before she knew it, she could feel her chest crashing into the other's. Clenching her eyes shut as tightly as she could, Kyra stepped back to inspect her damage, her chest heaving in and out from pure adrenaline.

"Heh!"

Kyra shot the other female a quick toothed grin, her chest still desperate for air. Not only was it feeling heavy, but it had a dull thudded ache to it now. Probably shouldn't have hit the girl so hard ... glancing in her direction she could tell the other female hadn't expected such an attack. It made her feel bad, and the pang in her chest got a little tougher to deal with, but now wasn't the time to worry about the enemy. She would worry about her after this was over, when she was no longer the enemy, but a friend.

Wincing, Kyra reared back her legs and took a few steps backwards. The other female was still down for the count! If she could just ... get over to her ... Oh man, that crash hadn't done her any favors! Just as she reared forward the pain nearly doubled her over.

'Perhaps practice wouldn't have been such a bad idea afterall.' She thought through gritted teeth, her eyes still glaring down the female. Mentally preparing herself for whoever or whatever happened next.

It all happened in the blink of an eye, and for a moment she'd thought she'd missed it. But quite obviously she was fine, the lioness had charged at her at full speed. Quite ready to tear her limb from limb, yet instead she'd ran right past. Had she even lifted a paw to attack?!

Blinking dumbfounded for a slight moment, Kyra couldn't help but try to figure it out. It was quite obviously the wrong time to do it, but shouldn't there have been an attack? A quick mental check of her body, she wasn't hurting. Except the chest, no marks ... no anything ...

She wanted to laugh, laugh as loud as she could, out of sheer relief and to belittle her enemy. But that was far out of anyone's honor code. This lioness would soon be her family, she had to respect her. Regardless of whether she really wanted to.

Snapping herself back to attention, Kyra took the opportunity at hand to stealth up on the female once more. Her back was turned, a dart to the left, and she was hopefully completely out of the other's sights. Kyra's eyes narrowed into single slits as she slid up on the female's left, extending her claws she slipped a quick stiff leg under Eish's front legs. Effectively knocking her to the ground, and quite possibly taking a small bit of skin and fur with her.

She went down like a sack of rice, the sand billowed up around her. Infuriated by the sheer stupidity of her situation, Kyra gritted her teeth and her claws quickly unsheathed. This was getting ridiculous, and she knew it. If only she could end this now, with something clever. But what could she do? She was flat on her belly, while the other had quickly regained her composure.

A throaty growl built in the female's chest as she attempted to pull herself to her feet. Her idea was to make it look difficult, almost as though she had sustained a serious injury. Then to take out her opponent in the blink of an eye. The true test of her abilities at this point, was to outwit the other long enough to pin her to the ground.

Pulling herself up, her legs caved from under her. She groaned in displeasure, trying her best to fool the female into a false sense of security. She wanted so badly to take a glance into the other's eyes, but knew that would give her away for sure.

One last time ...

She took her time, putting all of her bets on the female not attacking her while she tried to stand. So far, her bets had been safely placed, but it wouldn't last. She had to make her move.

It took but a moment, less than the blink of an eye. Kyra lept from her haunches, legs outstretched and aimed directly for the other's chest. Pressing all of her weight into the lunge, she kept her eyes open, wide and locked on the target. As her paws met Eish square in the chest, she pushed all of her weight into the female forcing both of them to the ground. Kyra now standing tall and proud atop the other female. Heaving and weezing all of her frustrations right into the poor girl's face.

It only took a moment for the girl's words to sink in, and in that time it occured to Kyra that she was apparently doing something wrong. Tilting her head to the left, she stepped off the female, still keeping her wits about her. ""What? Why isn't that mature?" She was quite obviously dumbfounded by the girl's remark.

"You're supposed to disable your enemy in a duel. Or don't you know that?" Rolling her eyes at the female she released her from her grip, but not before allowing her weight to do some talking.

It was apparent, from her tone that something she'd done wasn't right. But for the life of her Kyra couldn't quite place it. She was tough, and she'd simply overpowered the girl, she wins right? Well, apparently not. Frowning, she shot a scowl at the female from across the small space she'd made between them. If a simple pin wasn't going to win this duel ... then what was?

Pain shot through her side as she gripped with her thoughts, trying to come up with her first move. This has been a rough and tumble battle, a show of brute force, and not much else...

Taking a deep breath, Kyra quickly shot herself back into motion. Skidding to a halt just before reaching Eish, she kicked up a good bit of sand into the female's eyes. Whether that part was intentional ... it was a secret.

The stress in Kyra's shoulders seemed to melt away instantly as the other female admitted defeat. She let loose a loud whoop and jumped a few inches into the air, her childish side finally showing through. The more she jumped, the more the weight from her battle began to show. Her legs wobbled, and her chest stung with a vengeance. It was probably a good idea to calm down now.

Shrugging her shoulders, she bent down to take a better look at her opponent. She'd really done a number on her ... guilt began to chew away at her, but she knew better than to show it.

"Hey ... thanks." Kyra shot the female a more friendly smile, than she had previously. Though still not one keen on showing any signs of immediate friendship.. She just didn't want to leave without letting the girl know she appreciated the effort.

"And ..." A quick glance from side to side, it didn't seem anyone was around. "I'm sorry if I went a little rough on you." She then straightened right back up, and followed Eish wherever it was she was being led.