The forest of Death has hosted tons of battles, from Genin fighting to survive, to the wildlife maintaining the food chain, and the destructive nature of shinobi.
Today was no different, a group of ninja made use of the vast environment to train, and one particular ninja was having the time of her life.
Cling
Clang
Steel clashed, the wielders blurring as shadows, punches and kicks exchanged at every second of contact. Anko throws her kunai at Taiju, the weapon pecks his cheek, leaving a trail of blood behind.
Taiju didn't bother wiping the cut; he leaped over to Anko, sword pointing to the sky, purple chakra swirling around it.
"Sword style: serpent's song."
The purple chakra forms a 2 metre long snake, blue eyes, and a violet flame body.
His justu is in range, Anko substitutes herself with a bundle of white snakes.
Appearing behind Taiju, two giant serpents coil around him. "Get yeah~" She purrs, taking out her kunai, she draws a heart on his cheek, blood painting her blade, she licks off his blood, humming approvingly to the iron taste.
"There's something wrong with you." He groans, he feels the snake's constriction pressing his skeleton to his internal organs. One press from ending up as human paste.
"Anko, honey."
"No sweet talk Taiju." She giggles, watching her lover struggle to breathe only increases her sadistic nature. " I never properly thanked you for getting rid of the curse mark." She rubs at the pink spot by her nape.
"I don't even hear his voice anymore...my mind is calm for once." She whispers.
"T–That's great and all...tell your legless reptiles to let go of me."
"Hisss!"
The serpents protest his words, squeezing tighter to worsen his breathing.
"Ohff..." He gasps, his head feels lighter, his finger movements are numbing, and he isn't sure if he can even wiggle his toes.
"Anko–p-please." He pleads.
The kunoichi huffs, "Are you really dying?" She bluntly asks him as if he's not nearing death's door.
Taiju's body is in a frantic mode, blood flow depleting, muscles compressing against bones, and his brain functions are at life-threatening levels.
"Taiju? Don't die on me damn it!" She snapped, she froze at the sight of his mouth bleeding profusely.
"Second sin: Holy pride." Taiju spits out.
His skin started peeling off, red flesh visible, eyebrows becoming pointy, teeth resembling a shark's, and a burst of crimson chakra tears Anko's snakes into pieces, the summoner went slamming against a bulky tree.
Taiju didn't look human, his pupilless eyes staring into her soul.
"What are–"
Zoom.
He vanishes from her view, the temperature suddenly goes cold, and her body shakes to urge her to run, but she stands her ground. Her eyes move across the area, trying to catch a trace of him.
In her frantic state, she fails to notice another predator lurking, about the tree, a 5 metre long panther stalking Anko. The beast got curious at the strong scent of blood, and it found its way over here. Using its feline anatomy to leap through branches with minimum sound made despite its large size, this apex predator is born for silent and lethal movements, even if the human won't be enough to sustain its hunger, free food is free food.
Growling softly, vibration travelling across the area to warn off any predators thinking of interfering with her hunt, she readies her pounce, body leaping off the branch, descending to the human below her.
Anko's instincts barely registered her surroundings, completely focused on finding Taiju, a prickling feeling shot up her spine, heart hammering, "No."
Her head turned to see the jaws of the beast.
Bang.
Taiju flickers next to the panther, grinning like a madman, he punches the giant cat, the force of his punch dislocating its jaw, feral eyes rolling to the back of its head as the beast is sent crashing through 4 trees. Silence followed after the Panthers' fall. Anko looks in awe at Taiju's strength, his chakra decreases, returning to base form.
"You ok?" Taiju asks.
Anko rushes over to hug him, burying her face in his chest, he holds her close.
"You saved me." She whispers.
"Yeah, don't mention it." He plays it off.
"Sorry for nearly killing you."
"It's fine, it's just your love language."
"Pfft–my love language is torture ~"
"You spend way too much time with Ibiki."
Anko scoffs, eyes softening, " I'm worse than him."
----
[ Taiju's apartment]
In his minimalistic home, the blend place was full of character as its tenant guests overfilled the silence.
Taiju stood by the stove, cooking –yes he cooks. Yugao stood on his left, helping with the rice as he maintained the beef curry.
"Don't cook it for too long. " Yugao reminds him, the Anbu is wearing her black gear, minus the breast plate and forearm guards, walking around in socks to show her level of comfort, and her finger laced around his belt.
"Is this necessary?" He chuckles
"Yes." She smirks back.
Anko embraced his back, arms around his waist in a possessive hold, and she regulates her breathing with his heartbeats.
"I'm hungry..." She grumbles, mushing her face to his shoulder.
"Why is Snake Lady so needy today?" Tayuya teases, the redhead walks over in a petal-themed kimono, fiery hair in a bun, tucked in her bandana. "Did you let her bite you again?"
"No."
"Yes."
Taiju turned off the stove, turning around to face Tayuya, Anko let out a whine in protest of the movement.
"Stay still."
He ignores her, "Dinners ready, call Kin to help you set the table."
"Mxm–Kin! Come set the table. " Tayuya calls.
"Are you going to let me go?" Taiju wonders.
Anko looks into hs eyes,"You do realise your stuck with me forever right?" She states.
"Of course I do, your too persistent to leave."
"That's not funny. " She growls,tightening her hold on him.
He winces at the pain as his body hasn't recovered from the snake "cuddles".
"Did you forget you nearly crushed me with your summons?"
"That was a test...I would never kill you. " She justifies her actions.
Taiju just sighs, leading her to the dinner table.
"My greedy self and my stupid decisions." He mutters.
"Walk slower love."
"You're stepping on my ankles."
"Husshh." She pats his cheek.
Yugao couldn't help but smile at them, the satisfaction of seeing her friend happy is a feeling she welcomes, as Anbu, such emotions are disapproved but this family they've built is worth all the pain,sweat and tears experienced over the years.
'I'm sorry Hayate. This man has fully stolen my heart.'
----
Across the village, a lone Senju set at her office, stamping away at never ending paperwork. Tsunade is accustomed to such long nights of no sleep and sake bending.
She gazes out her window, watching her village shine under the streetlights.
"Maybe... I should call him?" She ponders, her heart doing the peng of loneliness. The human need for companionship rather romantic or platonic is a urge not even her grandfather could withstand.
"Curse you, Taiju."
[End of chapter]