Our Journey (the Fourth Book in the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 46

Clarke's POV

Before I do anything, I stay back and keep an eye on Lexa. She's obviously more experienced than I am. Lexa's been training since she was a little kid, so she has the advantage of experience. I'm still relatively new to this whole fighting thing. I mean, I know what I'm doing but I'm no expert. Plus, I had the Commander herself train me. Though I don't think that'll help me too much when my fight is against the Commander.

I know by now that when beginning a fight with Lexa, circling is not the way to go. Lexa has endless patience and I don't, and will wait for me to get impatient and make the first move. Which she expects and can somehow predict exactly when I'll get impatient enough to attack, so it definitely won't work. She knows me too well.

Okay, I've got to just make a move. No circling, no previous stuff like that. I've got to just do it. I tell myself that as we stand in the middle of the arena. Raven and Octavia are doing their version of cheering us on, which involves a mixture of cheering and encouragement, mixed with weird trash talk and insults. Both directed at us, and oddly, also another. I don't know. They're a weird couple. It works, though. Somehow.

I rush at Lexa while I can tell she's also semi-distracted by Raven and Octavia's weird way of being spectators to an event. I hope the element of surprise works in my favor.

Lexa, with all her training, dodges easily and I go running past her for a step before I stop myself from going forward. Lexa elbows me in the back and I grunt, but it doesn't hurt very much. She's holding back.

"Lexa." I say, making her snap to attention. Usually fighting doesn't involve speaking, it rarely did when we were training. "Don't hold back. Please. I want to fight you, not a watered down you."

Lexa purses her lips and then nods in agreement. I don't think she's super happy about my request, probably because she doesn't want to hurt me. I trust her.

"Very well." Lexa agrees verbally.

This time, to my surprise, she makes the first move. She flicks a sword at me almost lazily. I narrow my eyes for a moment. That move is one I recognize, it's one that Lexa drilled into my head while we were training. It's used to gauge your opponent's strength. I respond accordingly and block it, acting slightly weaker and less coordinated than I actually am. It's enough of a difference that Lexa should be able to tell that I'm not as strong as I actually am, but I don't let myself get too far off because Lexa's seen me fight.

We keep moving, blocking and swinging at each other in simple attacks and defenses as we size each other up as an opponent instead of as an ally. This isn't something I've had to do since Lexa trained me, and it's more fun than I expected. Lexa's nimble and quick footed in a way I've come to expect from her. It's how she's so good, in my opinion. Instead of relying on brute strength alone, she also relies on her speed, and her ability to size up an opponent. Not to mention her lightning fast reflexes.

I decide to use one of my favorite moves. It's my favorite because it's never failed me, and it's a fun dirty trick, without it being cruel or anything.

I kick out my leg low, to kick her in the shins (which I honestly think hurt my foot more than her shin). The move brings Lexa's attention lower while a split second later, I aim an attack with a sword higher up. Higher than Lexa's arms are as they move lower in an automatic attempt to block my kick.

Lexa's arms switch directions in an instant and she blocks the attack. I blink in surprise, completely impressed that she managed to block it. I've used it quite a few times, and no one else has ever been able to. I guess Lexa's just amazing, which really shouldn't surprise me.

Lexa and I trade more blows, slowly upping the intensity. We both get in some good hits (Lexa gets in more of course). I feel my muscles ache in a good way, knowing that I'm definitely going to be sore tomorrow. It's worth it. Lexa and I both get progressively more tired, but continue to try to hide it. Sweat drips down from our foreheads and our panting breaths are things we can't hide.

Finally, Lexa gets in a good hit with the hilt of her sword to my back. I grunt and flop forward onto the dusty ground, breathing hard.

"Are you okay, Clarke?" Lexa asks worriedly, kneeling by me.

"Just tired. Good hit." I say, giving her thumbs up.

Lexa smiles and helps me up and it's only now that I realize Raven and Octavia are still cheering. But not normal cheering, no. The breathing out, imitating a loud crowd kind of cheering. Both of them. Dorks.

Raven and Octavia hold up a larger picture, which where the heck have they been keeping that? Anyway, the picture has a (again, badly) drawn picture of me as a lioness, looking regal and badass. My favorite part is the fact that raccoon Lexa is perched on top of lioness me's head, looking triumphant. Along the bottom it reads "team Clexa."

Lexa helps me up and I sheathe my swords before dusting myself off. Raven and Octavia raise their hands that aren't holding up the picture for high fives. With an amused smile, I comply and high five them.

After Lexa sheathes her own swords, she gives Raven and Octavia high fives too. Raven pretends to swoon and looks exaggeratedly lovingly at her hand that Lexa and I have touched.

"Nerd," Octavia teases, bumping Raven with her shoulder.

Well, last chapter got a ton of really sweet comments! Thank you guys for still reading this long ass series, and I'm glad you like raccoon Lexa jokes as much as I do! Next chapter... Maybe a bit of exploring this clan before we love on. Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!