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Mikree stood before the large lion with his head hung low, but his brown eyes trained on Reyes. He was panting heavily and was bloodied in a few places from the long, dangerous claws of his mentor, but that didn't mean he was going to get a break. In fact, he knew it meant he wasn't going to get a break for a while. He hadn't been part of Reyes' little group for very long but for some reason all the other members had taken a back seat to his training. He wasn't going to look a gift zebra in the mouth, though. This guy could fight. That much was apparent when he took down the gang of lions Mikree had originally been a part of. The Deadlock gang had been a fierce group, taking what they pleased and doing what they wanted. The local prides were always keeping a wary eye out for them. And yet Reyes and his Blackwatch group had come in and made very short work of the lions Mikree used to hang out with. He knew he could learn quite a few things from this male, but he was still belligerent and rebellious towards the leader.

The command for him to attack gave him another little surge of energy and he bounded forward, his own claws extended as he lunged for Reyes' face. He was sick and tired of dodging and weaving and running around. He wanted to land a hit that left a mark so he could have a break, damn it! He knew it was a bold move and probably too brash, but like hell he was going to sit there and let Reyes chew his ear off talking.

His attack was turned away just as harshly as the others had been and he hit the ground with a groan. He was exhausted, everything hurt, and still he had to keep on going. He pushed himself back to his paws, breathing heavily once more.

"You look like a piece of s**t is what you look like," he growled, his claws digging into the dirt. Again. Again. Always again! Sucking in a deep breath of air to get his burning lungs to calm down, Mikree lifted his head to fix Reyes with a hit of his trademark smirk.

"You know, if you get your kicks from gettin' beat up, I know a few guys you might find interestin', darlin'." The term of endearment was said with anything but. Right now he'd be happy if Reyes fell off a cliff and hit every rock and tree on the way down. He'd kick a few extra rocks off the edge to follow him down, too.

The little break gave him that boost he was looking for and he shifted to pounce again, this time using his smaller size to his advantage. He dipped to the right and then dashed left, moving dangerously close to those deadly claws. It was certainly a calculated risk, though. Getting close was required to land a hit himself. It was a risk he was willing to take, though, as it finally brought him within striking distance. Pressing on through his charge, he turned to snap at Reyes' shoulder.

Damn it Mikree thought as his snapping jaws closed on nothing but air, Reyes side-stepping his attack as if it were nothing. As much as the other lion frustrated him, he was so eager to learn from him so he could be the one batting around lions like it was nothing. He felt the large paw shove him down into the dust as well as the claws that dug painfully into his neck. He growled threateningly as Reyes stood over him with that damn smug grin that he wanted to swipe off his face.

"Not dead yet," he returned even as he struggled to suck in enough air, dirt mixing with the blood that spilled from the claw marks along his hide. "Ain't failed the way I see it."

Pinned like this he couldn't really get a decent hit anywhere except for the leg pinning him to the ground and that wouldn't really do much damage. Reyes could sink those abnormally long claws into his neck and probably maim him if not kill him before he could get up. He tensed for just a moment before the pressure on his neck started to make dark spots dance in front of his eyes, his air supply dwindling.

The pressure on his neck decreased just enough for the spots to disappear, but Mikree made no move to indicate the change in air flow. He kept his eyes up and his body tense, breathing heavily still to keep the commander off guard. He didn't let it show on his face, but each and every word was lighting that fire in his belly. No, he wasn't a cub. Not a runt. He hadn't survived in a group of all adult lions for the past few months because they felt sorry for him. He had carried his weight and done his duties, and Reyes would be sorry for giving him that inch so he could breathe.

Rather than speak, he acted. Just as Reyes stopped shouting at him he sprang into action. The paw that wasn't pressed to the ground reached up with lightning speed, claws outstretched to rake along the inside of Reyes' leg that was pressing against his throat. A half a moment later and he was moving, shouldering himself to roll under the larger lion, all four paws tearing at whatever they could find - legs, underbelly, chest. And just as soon as the attack started, it ended with Mikree back on his paws, facing Reyes a few paces away. He was quick, and he knew it. It wasn't something that could be taught but rather something one had to be born with, and he had always been good at using it to his advantage.

"What was that about bein' worthless?" he said, somehow managing the words to come out smooth despite his ragged breathing. Expending energy he didn't have was difficult.

Mikree gave a little 'pft' as Reyes said he might kill someone some day. While he had never killed another lion in a one-on-one fight, he certainly had had his paw in a fair share of bringing other felines down. He had even been the one to latch on to a cheetah's neck once! That was a memorable day in his mind and would be for a while.

"I'll miss you too, sweetheart," he called over his shoulder as he turned to go, trying not to limp away. Reyes had done a number on him today, both in wounds and in running him ragged. He wanted him to go do laps now, too!

But the young male eventually trotted off to the watchpoint and began his laps anyway. He liked to argue orders and challenge authority, but he liked bettering himself, too. Reyes had taken a liking to him for whatever reason and, even though it hurt, he knew the commander would help him grow into a successful member of this group. And that, above all else, was what Mikree craved. To be a part of a tight-knit gang, group...dare he say family.

That was the thought that drove him as he ran until he fell to the ground after his ten laps. He'd catch his breath, then eat, then sleep. And then do it all over again tomorrow.