The new gis Sensei had gotten them looked fricking badass compared to the white ones Sky had already gotten used to wearing.

These were all black, with bright yellow details and a super cool Cobra print on the back. Sky's only concern was that the practically sleeveless cut would leave her scar visible at least part of the time. She didn't like people seeing her mutilated shoulder - she hated the shocked, disgusted looks on their faces when that happened. Besides, it would give an advantage to her opponents if they spotted her injury.

She glanced at Aisha, who was finished getting dressed, and noticed that she had left a black long-sleeved shirt under the gi. Aisha, always observant, seemed to not notice her trail of thoughts.

"You can put a shirt under the gi too if you want to," she said kindly. "But just so you know, I think you look awesome."

"You too," Sky replied. "Seriously, that gi looks amazing on you."

"It is kinda badass, isn't it?" Aisha asked with a grin. "But so are you - scar and all. I think you should just go like that."

"You think?" Sky looked at her reflection in the mirror again.

She had braided her hair in one, thick french braid. The simple, black gi made her look pale but fierce, bringing out the red of her hair and the green of her eyes. She had no make-up - she hated the feeling of foundation getting smudged on her skin and mascara staining her cheeks when she got sweaty - but that didn't make her look any less fierce, kind of contrary. She looked like a badass warrior - a look she could get used to.

You shouldn't be afraid of the world,

The world should be afraid of you.

Sensei Lawrence had said that to her, and at the time it had seemed impossible to believe, but now—

"We're gonna kick ass," she said with a grin, meeting Aisha's dark eyes through the mirror.

"Hell, yes."

"Let's go and show these guys what we're made of."

"Speaking of guys—" Aisha said as they stepped out of the dressing room and started walking down the hallway that was crowded with kids wearing different colored gis. "Did something happen with Hawk?"

That made Sky's smile disappear. She opened the water bottle she had in her hands and took a sip. "He's just being an asshole."

Aisha gave her a quizzical look. "Okay? What is it this time?"

"He got jealous. Again."

"Ah," Aisha sighed. "For a smart guy, he's surprisingly stupid sometimes."

"Tell me about it." Sky rolled her eyes and took another sip of her water. "I fucking hate it when he is like that—"

"Not that it makes it okay, but you were hugging a cute guy." Aisha noted. "Who was he anyway?"

"So you thought he was cute?" Sky glanced at Aisha with a sideways smile.

Aisha might have blushed a little. "Don't you?"

"I'd say he is devilishly handsome, but whatever." Sky shrugged. "He's an old friend," and then, realizing that she didn't have to keep secrets anymore, she added, "His name is Paulo, he is Kat's brother."

"Oh," Aisha replied. "He flew down here just for the tournament?"

"And to catch up. We haven't seen since..." the end of that sentence drifted into silence. Sky really didn't want to think about the last time she had seen him, still in hospital and absolutely miserable. "Anyway, He's gonna stay for a couple of days. You want me to introduce you?"

"Maybe," Aisha said, with a giggle and her cheeks were definitely pink now. Sky couldn't help a smile at that sight.

That conversation ended, though, as they reached the spot where they were meeting the other cobras and Sensei. Hawk was there already, looking incredibly handsome in his black gi, the blue mohawk a sharp blade on top of his head, the outfit complementing his lean, wiry figure.

His throat bobbed at the sight of her, but Sky didn't meet his eyes, just turned to look at Miguel and smiled at him.

"Looking like a champion," she said to him. "That gi looks awesome on you."

"Thanks," Miguel replied with a nod. "These black ones are so cool. So, how are you feeling? All ready to kick ass?"

"I've never been this ready in my life," Sky smirked. "Thanks for all the help."

"Yeah, don't mention it," Miguel replied, and glanced at Hawk from the corner of his eyes, clearly nervous. Sky hadn't revealed their secret workout sessions to Hawk, and neither had Miguel and now clearly wasn't the time because Hawk looked tense and irritated as it was.

"Sky–" Hawk said, his voice raw and low. "Can we talk?"

The look in his deep, blue eyes made something melt in Sky's heart, but she was still annoyed at him. "About what?"

"Like, in private?" he tilted his head indicating they should step aside.

Sky sighed and made a face.

"Fine," she said and followed him as he led her to a bit quieter spot, even if the room was rather crowded. "But make it quick, they're gonna announce us soon."

"Yeah, I know," he replied and licked his lips in a nervous gesture. The sight of his tongue sliding over his lips made a flash of desire flash through Sky's core even against her will - shit, the things that boy could do with his tongue–!

She pushed that thought determinedly out of her mind. Now was not the time for that. Besides, she was still pissed at him.

"I'm sorry for what happened," he said, reaching to take her hand in his, but she pulled her fingers away.

"Don't talk about it like it's something that just happened. Jealousy is not a fucking force of nature. You wanted to talk? Well, how about taking some responsibility for your actions."

He clenched his teeth and swallowed hard. "Okay," he managed, if reluctantly. "I'm sorry I got jealous. It's just that—"

"You acted like a jerk and got jealous without any reason. Again. It doesn't get better by trying to explain it."

"Then... would it help if I told you I love you?" Hawk rasped, reaching for her hand again, and this time Sky let him take it.

"That always helps," she admitted, even if a bit reluctantly.

"I love you," he said, his fingers entwining with hers. "And I'm sorry. I just... I don't like seeing other guys touching you like that."

Sky let out a sigh. "Well you're just gonna have to get used to it. Because I'm not going to stop hugging my friends just because your ego can't take it."

Hawk looked exasperated. "Jesus, Sky - I get it, but seriously? That guy is gonna stay the night at your place? It's fucking killing me to think that—"

"To think what?"

He shrugged, his glance darted to the wall behind Sky's back as if he didn't want to finish the sentence.

"You are incredible!" Sky snapped. "You really think that I'm gonna jump in the bed with Paulo the minute you turn your back—"

"I don't!" He let out. "I really don't. I trust you, it's him I don't trust."

"Because you don't know him," Sky said. "Paulo is the most trustworthy and kindest person on this planet and I love him like a brother. Am I jealous of you and Demetri? Fuck no! And you shouldn't be jealous of my capoeira brother either."

"So you're saying nothing ever happened between the two of you—?"

"Well I had a huge crush on him when I was like 12 but you think a 14-year-old kid would've even looked at me twice? Shit, it was never like that between us. Besides, I shouldn't have to explain myself to you like this."

Hawk was silent for a couple of moments, and he even had the decency to look like he was ashamed.

"I'm sorry," he finally said with an agonized, strangled voice. "I don't know why I'm being like this."

That honest confession broke something in Sky's heart, and the anger melted away. She knew he loved her more than anything, and she knew what it was like to love someone so much that just the thought of losing that person was too much to take.

"I would never cheat on you," she said silently. "I don't want anybody else, I only want you."

His eyes went dark and he swallowed hard. "I don't want anyone but you either."

Hearing him say things like that made her feel hot all over. She knew just how much he wanted her, remembered the strangled moans that had left his lips when he had pinned her down on the bed and fucked her, her name on his lips like it was the only word in the whole fucking world.

And if the dark side of that love and that need was jealousy, she would still take it, she would accept it even if it hurt. Because there was no version of her story where she didn't love him, where she didn't need him like he was the marrow of her bones, the blood in her veins.

"You look fucking hot in that gi." He rasped, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "It's actually pretty distracting."

That made Sky smirk. "What, having trouble concentrating when I'm around?"

"Maybe."

She took a step closer to him, felt his familiar scent in the air, and her body reacted to it. She couldn't help the need that gathered in her core when she was close to him - it made everything in her hot and restless, and–

This is not the time for that, jeez!

They were standing in a crowded hall, surrounded by dozens of kids and senseis, the loud music that echoed from the main hall telling Sky that the tournament was just about to begin.

But Hawk laid his hand on her shoulder, and just feeling the touch of his calloused fingers was enough to make Sky burn. He slid a thumb under the short sleeve of her gi, his touch on her scarred shoulder soft and gentle but she felt it like it was burning oil on her skin.

Sky looked up to meet the gaze of his dark eyes. He swallowed and his throat dipped down and back up, the sharp Adam's apple clearly visible under the skin.

"Damn, Sky, you look so hot that no one's gonna be able to fight you," he breathed. "They're just gonna fall into your feet on the mat."

Sky laughed, but her cheeks flushed. "You think flattering me will make me forget that you're a jealous ass?"

"Just saying," he shrugged. "You look fucking incredible. I wish we could go somewhere–"

"And what? Have a quickie in the dressing room?" She smirked.

Hawk swallowed and red spots emerged on his cheekbones. "Shit, I didn't mean–"

"I know," Sky replied and leaned closer to give him a kiss. "Just messing with you."

His grip on her shoulder moved to her back, and he pulled her close, his lips finding hers. The kiss was slow and gentle but turned deep as she opened her lips and let his tongue enter.

Shit, that tongue! Feeling it slide into her mouth, instantly set Sky on fire as she remembered the mind-blowing night they'd shared a week ago, how it had felt to have his tongue on her most sensitive parts, licking her relentlessly–

She broke the kiss, slightly out of breath, and took his hand.

"We'd better join the others," she said.

He gave a wordless nod, took a deep breath, and then another.

"Yeah, you're right," he said throatily. "Time to kick ass."

"I'm rooting for you," Sky said and held his hand as they walked back to their friends, who wisely didn't comment anything about their short make-out session. "You can win this thing, you know."

"So can you."

She gripped Hawk's hand harder and glued her palm against his. Her heartbeat in her chest was strong and steady, and she wasn't scared anymore.

"Remember to strike hard, babe." Hawk whispered to her ear when they took their places in the line, preparing for their grand entrance.

She flashed a feral grin.

"Don't I always?"

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