you just can't hide
The call was all too familiar and all too clear. Natalya was calling for a death match. Hani didn't know of the history between the two women, and she had left Natalya after the meeting, but she found herself on her paws as soon as the call reached her ears. Her pace was a wandering walk towards the battlefield at first. She imagined Natalya fighting to the death. She imagined the woman falling. Her pace quickened. Her paws hit the ground faster. Hani's ears pricked and she moved faster still.
Her mind played out an imaginary battle. She saw Natalya die. She had left thinking she would never see the woman again. She had felt miserable and had been taking medicines regularly. The call had startled her out of a sleep. She was sober. Her friend was alive. Her friend, Natalya, was going into a death match. She had left her only friend knowing she was going to die. Guilt wracked the woman's body, pulling tight at her stomach.
She entered the edge of the battlefield in the fastest run she could manage. She stopped short at the sight of the battle, her paws skidding on the rough ground. Sea-colored eyes opened wide, overflowing with tears from her previous thoughts. Her heart clenched. Before her, the two women fought roughly. She couldn't breath. She should have been there for Natalya. She should have talked to her! She should have tried something- anything- other than running away! Choppy breaths shook through Hani's body, half panting, half sobbing. She knew she couldn't do anything. She knew Natalya would die from this or from her injuries and sickness. Suddenly, Hani wanted to throw herself at her friend's paws. She couldn't believe she had forsaken her only friend, and now it looked like it would be too late to make it up to her. Stiffly, Hani stood, her attention on the fight only.