Chapter 53: Oath

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This will be a bit shorter, so...

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Kokoro PoV

Feeling Anko pull me into a tight hug, I felt my heart warm as I felt her love and longing for me.

However, when she whispered "Both of you are mine..." I shivered, my heart swelling as I leaned further into her.

We stood there in an embrace, before eventually pulling apart. Looking at each other, we smiled when we realized that we were finally back together.

Taking a deep breath, Anko looked between us before looking at the skewers, pursing her lips as she said "I'm hungry."

I chuckled, offering her my skewer. As she devoured it, the woman who we first saw, and who had captured us, walked towards us.

"After you have eaten, I will take you to the Chieftess and Priestess' to swear your oath."

We nodded, and quickly followed behind her.

As we walked towards the lake, she said "I apologize for not introducing myself sooner, but I am Beldia, the leader of the Chieftess' Fang Guard. I have to admit, I thought you would all fall in the arena. Especially you, Hawk. You have less of a... presence than your companions. And yet, you were the one to give us the greatest show, what with you ripping Nomnia apart with wind chakra."

Anko looked over at me, asking "Is that the reason the arena was drenched in blood?"

I just gave her a small smile, nodding.

She chuckled, before falling silent again.

Beldia continued.

"The Chieftess was impressed, and our Wind Priestess has asked if you were willing to lay with her. However, I do believe Snake here has shown enough to stay her hand."

Anko growled, grabbing Kurenai and I by the waist.

"They are mine, and I am NOT handing them over."

I shook my head, however a large grin was on my face.

Beldia chuckled, before saying "I shall let her know. Now, I do believe you should know that respect is to be expected in a place of worship, yes?"

We nodded, understanding that and willing to comply.

After all, we were still in their village, and we were now going to enter their sacred place.

Looming in front of us was a large pyramid, the stone block making it up a dark slate. Each block was etched with various runes and symbols, and standing at the large entrance were two women, their gold eyes cold as they observed us.

Leading us into the large pyramid, we were astonished to see the inside was completely hollow, creating a spacious cavern that seemed to defy gravity.

Seeing our expressions, Beldia chuckled.

"Yes, even we know not how the pyramid stands, yet it does. Now come, we shall convene in the center."

She gestured inwards, where a large stone platform stood.

In the center were three statues, each one placed to look down at a long stone block, where various candles and offerings lay.

On the left was a large wolf, its eye an inlaid green stone. The fur was intricately carved, each strand of fur shown. Its large maw was wide open in a roar, and the statue radiated a cool breeze.

On the right was a sleek panther, its eyes a bright yellow. Carved from a black stone, the panther seemed to flicker and blur as we stared at it, and when we turned away it was almost invisible.

Lastly, sitting in the middle was a large bird carved from a deep red material that glistened in the candle light. Its wings were spread out wide, and its beak was open as it looked towards the sky. Instead of stones for eyes, two flames burned in its hollowed sockets.

Gathered bellow the statues were a dozen women, four robed women standing behind a mature woman who sat in a large stone throne. The remaining seven women wore pelts that radiated different types of chakra.

As we approached, the woman seated on the throne stood up, her arms wide as she spoke "Here comes the Outsiders. Beldia, what do you think of them? Provided quite the show, yes?"

Her voice was filled with mirth, and her eyes shown with a deep wisdom.

A few lines crinkled at the edge of her golden eyes, and her long black hair was laden with various bones etched with golden runes.

Beldia placed her right hand over her left breast, bowing as she spoke "Indeed, Chieftess Jyda. They were quite entertaining."

Smiling, Chieftess Jyda sat back down, before saying "Well then, Hawk, Raven, Snake. Introduce yourselves. You have earned it."

Stepping forwards, I said "My name is Kokoro, and this is Kurenai, and this is Anko."

When I pointed to them, they bowed their heads.

Chuckling, the Chieftess looked at me, saying "I guess that they are your mates, as you are theirs? Are you the leader of your group?"

I nodded, a smile on my lips.

She chuckled again, before saying "Well, we can finsih introductions after we have your oaths. Rekyses."

One of the woman clad in a pelt stepped forwards.

She had green eyes, and a long scar ran from the corner of her left eye down to her throat. However, what should have marred her beauty only enhanced it.

Paired with her serious face, her pelt radiated the chakra of a storm, a combination of wind chakra and lightning chakra.

She stepped towards the table, taking a candle before walking towards us.

As she got closer, the chakra pressure increased, her green eyes hard as she stared at us.

She brought the candle to her lips, whispering something that we couldn't hear.

The flame flared, and a seal appeared before us.

We looked at it in surprise, watching as it slowly encompassed the area we stood.

"Do you, Anko, Kokoro, and Kurenai swear to never take action to willingly harm this village or its people?"

Rekyses' voice was a low rasp, and upon hearing that we all nodded, saying "We swear."

"As Priestess of Tempests, I, Rekyses, swear on behalf of the village to never harm Anko, Kokoro, or Kurenai."

As she finished speaking, the seal that surrounded us spun, before shrinking to the size of a palm. As it spun, it flew back towards the candle, entering the flame with another flare before disappearing.

Taking a breath, Rekyses stepped backwards, placing the candle back on the long table before taking her place again.

The Chieftess laughed, saying "Well then, welcome to my village. I hope we get along!"