This short little drabble was inspired by the song Run-Around by Blues Traveler (even though the two really don't have much in common)

Description: She always loved the race. It made her feel alive. He just did it to get closer to her.

Rated: K+ (no sex, again!)

Pairing: Ayame & Kouga

Warnings: None :)

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It was exhilerating; the way he was able to get her adrenaline pumping so quickly. He didn't have to do much...

...saunter over to her...

...smile down at her where she sat stretching on the ground...

...crouch down beside her and whisper the words that always got her heart pounding...

"Let's race."

Their eyes would meet for a brief second, and she'd smirk at him, tapping her chin as if contemplating her options. However, it was a futile attempt at stalling. They both knew her answer before he even spoke the words that sparked the challenge. She could never resist him, his charm, his haughty attitude, his utter masculinity, and she wouldn't ever pass up a chance to go against him in a test of speed.

Pausing a few moments more for good measure, she finally creased her eyebrows downward-he had told her once he thought it was cute-and smiled toothily. "You're on."

Bring it.

They stood side by side, their starting line the boulders he had just moments ago been lounging on, the end point not a physical object; they would run until they were short on breath and panting.

Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she was ready for him this time as he bent down low in a crouching position, ready to push off of his heel at any moment and sprint off into the horizon. She waited for his signal, because whenever she gave the signal-and even she would admit to this-she would get too anxious and start running before 'go'.

"Ready..."

She took in a deep breath, crouching in a position similar to his as she waited.

"...set..."

Her fingers twitched with anticipation. She was going to beat him this time; she was convinced.

"...go!" And they were off.

Her leg muscles tensed as she pushed off of her heel and made a break for it, leaving him in the dust. She laughed as she ran, feeling almost giddy as she flew, her barefeet pounding the cold Earth beneath them as she felt the freeing feeling of wind rushing through her hair. She didn't need to look behind her to know that he was right on her heels, so she kicked it up a notch, pushing her legs to the limit so she could speed away from him. He was inhumanly fast, but she was determined to be faster; to prove to him that she could be as strong as he was.

The telltale sign of exhaustion became evident when her side started to ache, but she played through the pain, ignoring the burning sensation in her hip as she pushed onward. Her breathing became shallow and rapid, singing her lungs as the air hit them, and, for some reason, it made her feel alive.

Her legs complained, pleading with her to ease up, but she didn't listen. She kept pushing onward, not caring about anything but the path ahead of her. She was so close...

A gust of wind made her lose focus, and she blinked rapidly as he took the lead, sprinting past her and disappearing around the bend. She growled; she had lost again. And after she tried so hard to beat him...

Slowing to a jog as she rounded the same corner he had just moments ago turned, she was not surprised to find him leaning against a tree trunk with his arms crossed over his chest, an arrogant smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he caught sight of her walking up to him with her hands fisted on her hips.

"Don't look so smug..." she scolded lightly, smirking with a tad bit of her own arrogance when she noticed he was panting slightly; at least she made him work for the win this time.

Wiping the sweat from her flushed face, she looked up into his eyes again to find them twinkling with mischief. "Well, Miss Twinkle Toes...I won, so what's my prize?"

His brazenness made her resist the urge to roll her eyes playfully. Instead, she smiled deviously. Rising onto her toes, she leaned over, her lips so close to his, he could practically taste her breath. Just as their mouths were about to connect, she flashed him an evil smile and winked before pushing away from him and sprinting away.

He blinked confusedly for only a millisecond before chuckling and giving chase. Shaking his head, he could only be thankful that he was able to find someone who would run off into the sunset with him.