you become what you hate

Ochitsuki didn't like this. She was very confident in Kotori's abilities, but there was a nasty, sour feeling in her stomach. Despite this feeling, the woman remained stoic, her black and white face holding a mask of bravery and confidence. She wished her mate good luck and sent up a silent prayer to her ancestors to keep him safe.

Rather than join anyone that she knew, Ochitsuki stood tall behind her mate as he went to meet his opponent in battle. She wouldn't flinch, she wouldn't balk. Within, her anger would rise but externally the woman simply looked stern and determined. She wanted nothing more than to fly in and fight by Kotori's side, but they were honor bound, held back by rules and expectations.

As she watched with mismatched eyes of ice and fire, Ochitsuki's nimble digits tensed and relaxed, digging into the earth beneath her in tune to Kotori's attacks as though, by mimicking them, she could lend her strength and ferocity to his own. The koi woman's eyes were only for Kotori and the bastard that had challenged him. They may as well have been the only three wolves on the battlefield.

"Ochitsuki"