Chapter 77: Midnight Hunt; Meigetsu

I woke up in the middle of the night, the bed crowded as Anko, Kurenai, and Cameia all lay beside me, Anko holding Kurenai in her arms, the two women snoring slightly, while Cameia slept silently on my other side, her ample chest slowly rising and falling.

Slinking out of the bed, I silently entered the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water before gulping it down.

My body felt a little better after that long nap, and surprisingly my right arm only stung slightly, no longer feeling like millions of needles pricking the inside of my flesh.

Chuckling at that, I leaned against the counter as I sipped on the rest of the glass, my eyes flitting around the dark room.

Laying on the table was the whetstones that Anko and Cameia used, their daggers remaining sheathed on the table beside them.

Hanging on a rack next to the door were our vests, the forest green cloth blending in against the shadowed wall.

Seeing the vests I pursed my lips, looking down at my current state of dress.

I hadn't taken anything off, so I was currently wearing a long pair of pants and my thick shirt.

Tilting my head, I stared again at the vests, debating if I should indulge myself with a rare midnight hunt, or...

Finishing the glass, I gently placed it on the counter before stepping forwards.

Lifting the vest off the rack, I slid it over my head, zipping it on before patting down my pouches, making sure I had everything.

Approaching the door, I knelt down and tied on my boots, when a hand gripped my shoulder. Hard.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Freezing, I shuddered as I glanced back, Cameia's golden eyes glowing in the pitch black room.

Her still voice was glacial as she stared down at me, and her grip tightened when she didn't get a response.

"A-Ah... C-Cameia... I w-was just..."

Gulping, I wondered again why I felt like a kid as she stared at me, the normally expressionless woman narrowing her eyes slightly in displeasure as she continued to wait.

"I-I was ju-just going... fo-for a walk! Ye-Yes, a walk..?"

"You were going for a walk... at midnight."

I nodded, the woman falling silent as she looked over my state of dress.

"With your vest, which contains your bow."

Gulping, I patted the vest, shakily smiling at her as I said "T-To keep me warm!"

Crouching in front of me, Cameia tilted her head as she said "Don't lie to me, Kokoro."

Biting the inside of my cheek, I looked away as I muttered "F-Fine, I was going to go for a quick hunt!"

Staring intently at me, Cameia remained silent, making me squirm under the pressure of her golden eyes.

"Very well. Come on."

She stood up, extending her hand to me.

Taking it, she dragged me to my feet, patting my shoulder.

"Don't lie to me again, Kokoro."

I nodded, watching as she quickly slid on her shoes before opening the door.

Stepping out into the cool, quiet night, we exited the village easily, Cameia nodding to the two gate guards before following behind me silently.

Summoning my bow, I hopped into a tree, Cameia remaining right behind me every step of the way.

Reaching the now familiar river, I searched the forest for any signs of nocturnal predators.

As I was looking around Cameia gently tapped my shoulder, pointing towards a tree.

"Bloodfang Panther, behind that copse."

Nodding, I led her over to the cluster of smaller trees, looking into the clearing to see an inky shadow moving around in the dark night.

With the full moon shining down on us, I admired the sleek black pelt of the large panther, its shiny fur reflecting a little of the moonlight, while its crimson fangs glistened slightly as they became coated in blood.

Biting into the small rabbit below it, the panther growled lightly as it devoured its prey.

Drawing an arrow, I drew back the bowstring when I almost yelped, feeling Cameia slide behind me.

Placing her hands over mine, she steadied my aim, her cheek brushing against mine.

Trying my best to focus on the panther, I almost yelped again as Cameia pressed her body further into mine.

"Relax..."

Her warm breath billowed past my cheek, her whisper barely registering in my ears as she pulled my right arm back, drawing the bow.

We aimed at the panther together, before Cameia released my hand.

Letting the arrow fly, we watched as it easily pierced the black panthers skull, killing it instantly.

However, Cameia continued to hold me, twisting me in her arms before gently pushing me against the trunk of the tree.

"C-Cameia?!"

Hearing my gasp, the Darkness Priestess only stared at me, looming above me.

Was she always so tall..?

Pinning my hand that held the bow against the tree, Cameia slid her free hand around my waist, those golden eyes of hers staring down at me with desire.

"Cameia..?"

All I could do was repeat her name, the cold air being easily combatted by her warmth as she pressed herself against me.

Leaning forwards, she buried her face into the crook of my neck, whispering "I want payment for escorting you..."

"P-Payment?!"

Feeling something poking against me, I grew flustered, my free hand landing on her stomach as I weakly tried to push her away.

Kissing my neck, Cameia tentatively licked my neck next, trailing her hot tongue up towards my ear, where she nibbled on my earlobe.

Letting out a small moan, I again tried to weakly push her away, even as her teeth gently pressed into my soft flesh, a rush of pleasure coursing through my system.

However, Cameia persisted, and under her continued assault of my ear I relented, moving my hand from her solid, chiseled abs up towards the back of her head.

"C-Cameia~"

She shuddered as I moaned her name, before pulling away, taking in shaky breaths as she stared at me.

Licking my chapped lips, I stared up at the woman, her eyes fixed on my tongue.

"K-Kokoro... I... I want..."

Not letting her finish I got on my tiptoes, pressing my lips against hers, making her fall silent.

Licking her soft lips, I slid my tongue between them as I entered her mouth, pressing against her tongue.

Her lips tasted citrusy, and that acidic taste flooded my mouth easily.

Cameia pulled me further into her, desperately and clumsily kissing me.

Moments passed, out tongues locked in a passionate battle, one that I won due to my experience, though not easily, as Cameia quickly found a rhythm of attacking my tongue and my body, her hand dropping from my waist to my rear, groping me.

Moaning into her mouth, I eventually pulled away, much to her disappointment, and we stared at one another, panting.

"W-Was that... pa-payment enough?"

My heart skipped a beat as Cameia nodded, a small smile on her plump lips.

Her sharp features softened as she leaned down, placing another quick kiss on my lips as she whispered "It was~"

Releasing me, Cameia took a step back, allowing me to move again.

Placing the bow back in the scroll, I rushed down into the clearing, storing the panther's carcass.

Cameia kept her palpable gaze on my body as I worked, before following behind me as I ran back to the village.

~~~

As soon as we got home I sat on that stump in the yard, retreating into the summoning world.

I needed to think, and be away from everyone for just a few minutes.

Pressing my fingers against my lips, I recalled Cameia's citrus taste, making me blush furiously.

Her lips tasted so good...

Her warmth easily enveloped all of me...

Her strong arms made me feel safe as she embraced me...

Shuddering, I fell to the ground, pulling my knees to my face.

As I contemplated life, a soft, shy voice reached my ears.

"H-Human? A-Are y-you okay..?"

Looking up, I saw the small, black Hawk Meigetsu.

"Yes... yes, I'm okay. Just... flustered..."

Swallowing hard, I buried my face in my knees again, only to feel a shivering wing land on my back.

Peering to my side, I saw Meigetsu staring intently at the ground as she laid her dark wing on my back, comforting me.

Chuckling, I smiled over at the young Hawk, whose blue eyes went wide before she looked away.

"Thank you, Meigetsu..."