Chapter 67: Awakening

Anko PoV

It had been a few hours, and I was still kneeling beside the shivering form of Kokoro, biting my lip as I clenched her hand in mine.

Every so often she would mutter something, groan, and very rarely...

Cry out.

Every time I heard the normally snappy, serious, strong woman cry out in pain, my heart cracked.

Kurenai tried her best to comfort me, whispering soothing words in my ear as she sat beside me, a blanket over both our shoulders as we looked over the pitiful figure of our love.

"Anko..."

The raven haired genjutsu user sighed, leaning her head on my shoulder.

I remained silent, my eyes glued to Kokoro's figure.

I just... couldn't bring myself to care about anything else right now...

Or anyone else.

Sure, Kurenai was my lover, but...

Kokoro had my heart firmly held in those soft hands of hers.

I would do anything for her, anything to see her smiling face.

Hearing her groan again, my heart wrenched in agony, only to turn and look at the other woman who was hit by the soul fire.

Cameia wasn't as bad as Kokoro, her pale skin being slightly clammy the only giveaway that she wasn't just peacefully sleeping.

Turning back to Kokoro, I continued to watch over her, praying to everything I could think of to bring her back to me.

Time continued to trickle by at a snails pace, each second feeling like a year.

Cameia let out a grunt, sitting up as she drew in a deep breath.

We all turned to look at her, Rekyses recovering first as she handed the woman a cup of water.

Draining it, Cameia turned towards Kokoro, her normally frosty golden eyes filled with worry as she stumbled over to Kokoro.

Kneeling opposite of us, Cameia spoke in a raspy voice.

"H-How long..?"

Kurenai sighed, looking down at Kokoro as she muttered "It's been over thirteen hours..."

"Thirteen..."

Sighing, Cameia reached to take Kokoro's other hand, making me glare at her.

Staring back at me, Cameia continued, her pressure washing over me slightly.

Holding back a growl, I tore my eyes off of her, taking deep breaths as I brought Kokoro's hand to my cheek.

"C-Come on, Koko..."

~~~

Kurenai PoV

Leaning into the younger woman beside me, I bit my lip as I watched the Darkness Priestess take Kokoro's hand, feeling the slight rumbling in Anko's throat as she suppressed a growl.

Hearing Anko's shaky voice as she whispered "C-Come on, Koko...", my heart ached.

This woman in front of us had brought two unlikely people together, turning our dislike of one another into a blossoming love.

Of course, I knew that Anko wouldn't go through the same lengths for me as she would Kokoro, just like I wouldn't do so for her.

However, it was a love none the less, and seeing both of my loves suffering while I was helpless to aid them...

All I could do was hope that my presence helped calm the young Shinobi down slightly, to stay her hand should... the worst happen.

As I continued to lean against her, we all widened our eyes as we heard Kokoro mutter "A-Anko..."

Getting closer, Anko pressed Kokoro's right arm into her chest, leaning over the woman as she said "K-Kokoro?"

Kokoro writhed slightly, like she was trying to escape from something.

Her eyes were darting around under her eyelids, and I bit my lip as she muttered my name next.

Her voice was strained and panicked, like she was calling for help.

Joining Anko, I gently stroked her cheek, not trusting my voice as I bit into my cheek, trying to prevent myself from shedding tears.

She continued to struggle, her body slick with sweat as she drew in shuddering breaths.

However, we all were surprised when we heard her cry out "C-Cameia..!"

The woman in question gulped, her hand flashing forwards as she clasped Kokoro's hand between her own.

"Kokoro..."

Cameia's golden eyes flashed as she stared down at Kokoro's paling skin, before...

Kokoro let out a gasp as she sat up, gulping down air as she shivered, her amber eyes flickering around the room.

Seeing us around her, she relaxed, tears falling from her eyes as she pulled her knees up to her head, hiding herself from us.

Anko got up, wrapping the woman in a hug, while Cameia just released her hand, pursing her lips slightly as she stared down at Kokoro.

Sliding behind her, I wrapped my arms around the sobbing woman and Anko, biting my cheek hard enough to draw blood as I held back tears again.

Kokoro had always been the rock of any group, her serious, determined attitude making her a highly respected Shinobi in Konoha, even if she had no idea about that.

She was definitely the rock of our family, keeping Anko in line with my help.

Seeing that rock chipped...

For a few minutes she just sobbed quietly into her knees, Anko and I looking at each other with watery eyes as we held her.

Kokoro eventually calmed down, still sniffling as she gently pushed Anko away, a small smile on her lips as she said "Y-You're s-suffocating me..!"

Anko chuckled, her tense muscles relaxing as she collapsed backwards, sitting on her legs as she looked Kokoro over.

Raising her shaky hand to my cheek, she wiped the tears off of them as she said "I-I'm f-fine, really..."

Releasing her, I shook my head as I chuckled, before Anko and I followed her gaze as she looked up at Cameia.

"C-Cameia..."

The Darkness Priestess nodded, staring intensely down at Kokoro, who just smiled up at her.

"W-We need to talk... do-don't we?"

Again, Cameia nodded, sitting down on the table beside Kokoro.

The Chieftess chuckled, reminding us that we weren't alone.

"I'll let you have the room..."

Grinning at us, the Chieftess nodded at Cameia, before leading her mates and Rekyses outside, the temple falling silent.

"Anko..."

Kokoro looked over at our snake summoner, before turning her amber eyes over to me.

"Kurenai..."

We both nodded, only to widen our eyes as she said "I... I want to let Cameia... join us..."

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Hehe~

Again, next chapter is all about Kokoro's past, some of which will be disturbing, so just a forewarning.

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