Chapter 65: Basan (4)

Staring down the throat of the immense beast, I widened my eyes as a blue glow rapidly approached, ethereal blue flames hurtling towards me at a speed too fast for me to react to.

In the back of my mind I could hear two people shouting my name, however...

As that flame got closer and closer, I felt fear flush my system as I wondered...

'Is this it?'

Spilling from the beasts maw, the flames expanded, almost enveloping me.

Radiating from the soul fire was a deep chill, making my body shudder as it filled my vision.

Waiting for it to consume me, I widened my eyes again as I felt someone push me.

The flames washed over my right arm, and I gasped as the fire entered my body.

From the corner of my eyes I could see a familiar black haired woman, her left arm enveloped in the soul fire as she pushed me out of the way, her gold eyes fixated on mine as she saved me.

The fire seeped into her arm as well, and we both fell to the ground in pain, barely registering the beasts death when someone decapitated it.

Thousands of needles poked each part of my right arm, colder than even a harsh blizzard in the Land of Iron, that's what it felt like.

Pain coursed through my body, making me gasp as I writhed on the ground, clutching my right arm to my body as I tried to warm it up, to...

Feel something.

It was a phantom pain; even as I slammed it into my chest I couldn't feel the familiar sensation of my tough vest, nor could I feel my fingers digging into the numb flesh.

My vision tunneled, until...

"Kokoro!"

"You damn-"

"Baby, please-!"

"Medic-nin, over here!"

"Squad 21, right side!"

Various sceneries flashed past my vision, and the voices...

Dozens... No, hundreds of voices screamed around me, and when I rolled onto my back I saw people I knew to be dead.

"D-Dad..?"

My father kneeled beside me, his lips pulled into a gentle smile as he caressed my cheek.

"The heart of the Kanei family..."

Behind him was the small bedroom I used to sleep in, the familiar calligraphy of my name hanging on the wall.

Tears streamed from my cheek as he smiled down at me, only to turn to dust and be blown away.

"N-No..."

I tried to reach out, only for someone to pin my arm.

"Hehe~ Oh, ain't she a beaut? You damn Konoha ninja..."

What replaced him was a thin woman, her blonde locks falling onto my face as she sneered down at me, only to give me a chilling grin as she whispered "You killed my lover, you damn brat... Who's supposed to comfort me now, hmm?"

The cave walls surrounded me, and I shuddered, her breath tickling my cheek before she pulled away.

Seeing the familiar symbol of Kumo on her Hitai-Ate, I swallowed, the various memories of the Third Shinobi War flooding my mind.

I had killed and killed...

I had been wounded, both physically and mentally...

However, I watched as the blonde woman, a source of many troubles for the younger me, gurgled, a kunai sliding across her throat.

Turning to dust, she was replaced with my Jonin Sensei.

"Come on Kokoro, you know better than to let your guard down. Didn't I drill that into you?"

A bulky man kneeled beside me, a stern look on his face.

Sighing, he flicked my forehead, making me pout.

"Hakan Sensei..."

"Ah, be quiet you dolt; you need to rest, not speak."

He pursed his lips as he looked at me, before rising again.

"You'll be fine; you were always stronger than Hiansha and Jilyo. Besides, you need to live, Kokoro. Isn't that what you promised us?"

Giving me a sad smile, Hakan Sensei walked away, towards the raging battlefield near the Northern Border of the Land of Fire, towards the Kumo Shinobi.

"N-No! H-Hakan Sensei! Pl-Please, don't go!"

Feeling someone pin my arms again, I struggled against them, trying to get up and prevent my Sensei from joining that battle...

The battle he died in...

Darkness enclosed around me, and as the pain in my right arm grew, I eventually passed out.

~~~

Anko PoV

""Kokoro!""

I lunged towards her when I saw the pale blue glow in the Basan's throat, desperately trying to reach her before the soul fire could wash over her figure.

However, before I could reach her, I watched as Cameia flickered forwards, her left arm outstretched as she pushed Kokoro to the side.

Ethereal blue flames poured from the Basan's beak, hurtling towards the right arm of Kokoro and left arm of Cameia.

Come on...

COME ON!!

I tried to get closer, to be able to push them away, to save them, only to...

Watch in horror as the flames seeped into their flesh, dropping the two women to the ground with a thud.

Writhing around in pain, they clutched at their arms, gasping and crying out before...

Sliding to kneel beside Kokoro, I heard Rekyses' guttural growl as she slashed her blade down on the Basan's neck, severing it.

However, I was focused on the writhing figure of Kokoro, rotating her onto her back.

Her eyes were unfocused, staring straight past me.

"K-Kokoro... Kokoro, can you hear me?!"

Gently shaking her shoulders, I grit my teeth as she continued to stare past me, before saying...

"D-Dad..?"

I froze, before seeing her eyes grow watery.

Kurenai kneeled beside me, gently lying a hand on my shoulder.

"D-Damage to the soul would lead to... hallucinations... nightmares..."

I turned to her, growling "I DON'T GIVE A DAMN! WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP HER?!"

Narrowing her crimson eyes at me, Kurenai sighed, making my heart drop.

"Come on! You must know something!?"

My voice shuddered, and I looked down at the trembling figure of Kokoro, each time she shuddered or whimpered sending a needle into my heart.

"I can place her under a genjutsu; stabilize her in complete unconsciousness. But..."

"H-Hakan Sensei..."

Kurenai gulped, looking at Kokoro with a shuddering breath as she said "T-This is something... she n-needs to g-get over herself..."

My muscles went slack, and I almost collapsed.

Why couldn't I help her?!

"N-NO! G-GET A-AWAY!!"

Kokoro cried out under us, her eyes wide with fear as she tried to push my hands off her.

Why...

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY

Grabbing my head with one hand, I growled in annoyance, only to look at Kurenai, who shivered.

"A-Anko, please..."

Turning my gaze downwards, I saw that my hand was on her leg, clenched hard.

Releasing her, I staggered to my feet.

Sighing in relief, Kurenai leaned over Kokoro, her eyes flaring as she whispered "Slumber..."

Kokoro's eyes fluttered shut, and her trembling receded slightly as she fell unconscious.

"I-Is she safe to move?"

My voice still shook, but I needed to calm myself.

Taking a few deep breaths, I tried to steady my heart, failing miserably.

"Yes, she should be fine... we need to get back to the village."

"Let's go."

I peered over my shoulder, seeing Rekyses lifting the silent form of Cameia over her shoulders.

Gulping, I mirrored her, lifting the trembling figure of Kokoro onto my back.

Placing the Basan's corpse in a scroll, Kurenai followed behind us as we rushed through the forest, making our way back to the village.

The entire time we traveled Kokoro would whisper things, her body shivering.

Her right arm was cold, and I shuddered as well, both from the glacial feeling of her arm on my neck and from worry, wondering what would happen to her.

Reaching the gate, Rekyses glared at the gate guards, who moved to the side when they saw Cameia on Rekyses' back.

We rushed towards the temple, entering as the Chieftess was discussing something with Hailyte and Yuncahe.

Looking over at us, her smile fell.

"Clear the table!"

Getting up from her throne, she swept the various offerings from the long table, freeing a spot for Kokoro and Cameia.

Lying my wife on the table, I bit my lip as my eyes watered, watching as she spasmed slightly.

"Was it soul fire!?"

Nodding at the Chieftess' question, we all looked down at the two women, the Chieftess slumping slightly as she said "It is up to them then... all was can do is make sure they are cared for..."

Collapsing back into her throne, the Chieftess spoke quietly to Yunache, who rushed from the temple.

"We'll leave them here; the chakra in the air should help them heal, even if it is only slightly. If you wish to stay..."

I nodded, gently taking Kokoro's left hand in my own, squeezing it slightly.

"I-I'll stay beside her..."

Kneeling down, I looked at her pale face, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Kurenai kneeled beside me, her hand laying over my own as she nodded as well.

Placing her head on my shoulder, I felt the raven haired woman tremble, tears staining her cheek as she looked down at Kokoro.

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Well...

Yup

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