Foaming at the mouth, (Y/N) laid down on the cot as they took a nap while the unbearably suffocating and hot air of the large tent smothered them. It smelled of death and it was ear-gratingly painful to be in since the only musical chorus they were greeted with were groans of pain.
Since they were so distracted and lost in their thoughts while staring dumbly at the wall earlier, the loud entrance of the resistance member into Gorou's tent had caught them off guard.
In their moment of flight or fight, they had squeezed on to what they were holding and pulled, and in Gorou's similar state of adrenaline fueled flight or fight, he chose fight.
That led to where (Y/N) was now, on that flattened uncomfortable cot as they rested and slept off the bite wounds from a 'feral' general of the resistance. The tent was shared by dozens of other injured people, and although it was reserved for members of the resistance, they had found themself intermingled with them without officially joining.
Everyone in here was uncaring that they weren't a member anyways— mostly because they were too delirious of the pain they were experiencing since this was the area where wounded individuals resided. If it puts into perspective how dire the peoples circumstances were to be in here, it wasn't exactly rare when lack of immediate medical treatment would result in a few deaths in this very same tent, a majority due to blood loss.
Luckily enough, today wouldn't be a day where any injured member would succumb to a painful demise.
The dimly lantern-lit tent glowed a vibrant and iridescent blue and white, the sound of water sloshing around bringing relief and seizing any anxious worries in the room. A creature made purely of water pulled its limbs towards itself while its rounded head bent forward, pushing itself to move just above a heavily injured man.
The woman who was controlling this being narrowed her eyes as she watched it send out a pulse of warmth and vitality, healing not only the man it intended but the one who he was laying back to back with which made them both make noises of relief.
The man, whose leg was nearly severed off and was only hanging by bare minimal fibers of his flesh, let a sob escape his throat as tears clouded his eyes and looked up at the otherworldly woman above him— one he felt only respect and admiration towards.
"Thank you so much, you're a goddess!" He said through a shaky breath as his lip wobbled, the chains of pain being released from him an overwhelming sensation that he was undoubtedly grateful for. He wasn't sure how much longer he would have been able to hang on, and surely if she hadn't arrived, he would have done himself in if the growing infection the wound harbored didn't already.
Sangonomiya Kokomi stood up from her crouched position as the water entity exploded in a burst of healing as it completed the full procedure, a firm nod of her head being sent towards the man's direction as she scanned him over to double check he was alright.
"It is no problem, rest up and replenish your energy. You've done well." Resounded her soft yet powerful voice throughout the tent as she looked at the man with reciprocated respect, understanding how he got it in these circumstances in the first place.
Not just everyone was willing to put their lives on the front line in defiance towards a tyrannical god, and she respected each and everyone who was willing to stand alongside her.
"Will do!"
He was the last of the major injuries and open wounds which prompted her to approach the area of the tent that harbored those with minor cuts, strains, and non-lethal fractures.
She looked over towards the most recent addition to the tent, scrutinizing their features and outfit and realizing that there was something off. Not only did they not wear the standard resistance uniform, she was fairly good at remembering the members and she couldn't say she recognized them. It made her slightly suspicious.
"Hm? Who's this?" Kokomi questioned to herself as she stared down at (Y/N) with a raised eyebrow.
She bent down, her knees folding as she leaned forward while simultaneously pulling her hair towards her front so that it landed in her lap instead of hitting the floor. She placed a gentle hand on the sleeping adventure's shoulder before shaking them lightly, and seeing them stir while rapidly blinking, she found she was successful in waking them up.
(Y/N) was greeted with a warm smile and a soft voice as the woman who was crouched next to them moved to stand up once again.
"You don't look to have any visible wounds." She stated, putting emphasis by pointing her finger from their head and dragged it through the air towards their feet to show she thoroughly checked them over.
A tall man with brown hair and a white armband stopped wringing the washcloth in his hands as he looked over his shoulder towards Kokomi, and seeing the patient she was tending to, he was reminded of their circumstances and what he was supposed to tell others who attempted to assist them.
"They're being dramatic, my lady." The volunteer nurse said while being mindful not to raise his voice too much in fear of disturbing any recovering people.
Kokomi looked on in disbelief, her head tilting as she wondered why some civilian decided to come rest in the tent where nearly dying soldiers were held.
"Then why are they in here?" She asked, not wanting to invalidate any pain they were going through, but also questioning if they truly needed to be in here.
The words that came from the volunteer's mouth made hers fall agape, a hand moving to cover the lower half of her face as she hid her surprise.
"It was General Gorou's doing, ma'am."
Kokomi's attention was diverted from the volunteer when in her peripheral vision she saw an arm reach out for her. Desperately and weakly holding their hand up towards the girl, (Y/N) began to mumble,
"Pretty girl, watch out for the big bad wolf... he'll eat you like he nearly did to me..."
Kokomi's lips cutely pursed as she suppressed a snort behind the hand that she had yet to move away from her face, quick to deduce that the 'big bad wolf' was Gorou and some how this person annoyed him enough to which he bit them— which wasn't a feat just anyone can accomplish.
"Pff..."
When she saw the volunteer nurse look at her questionably, the hand in front of her face curled into a fist as she masked the laugh with a composed cough, her other hand moving to rest under her chest as she lightly shut her eyes for a moment.
"Ahem. I see, I will take note of that. Here, allow me to heal your wounds."
Kokomi's expression changed as she lowered her hands to her side and stepped forward, intending to heal their wounds in a way that didn't involve her vision.
Her gentle smile and grace was mesmerizing, every movement she made seeming so sophisticated and elegant. Her pearly pastel eyes hidden behind her long eyelashes peered down at (Y/N) before the two made eye contact, every move she made done without looking away from their face.
They felt her soft silk-gloved hand run along their outstretched one, moving from the side and grazing against their carpals to instead cup half of their hand in her smaller one. She cupped the other side with her free hand, now gently holding their one hand within both of hers as they felt the white fabric along their bare skin.
Lips slightly parted from shock, they could only watch in awe as she pulled her arms closer to her body and lowered her head slightly so that her soft lips planted a delicate kiss atop their hand. She retreated her face slightly before one of her hands shifted to reposition their hand and placed a second kiss against their knuckles. All without releasing eye contact once.
Suddenly rejuvenated despite not actually being healed, (Y/N) shot up with a newfound burst of energy and power. Fire burning in their eyes and steam shooting out their nostrils like a wood-burning stove, they clenched their fists tightly and engraved this moment into their most down bad memories.
"I'm healed!" They declared before sending a starry look over towards the amused woman's way.
"You're amazing-- how could I ever repay you?!"
Kokomi shook her head as she backed up, her shoes clicking against the ground as she made distance between the two.
"I don't do this for payment, do not worry about being in my debt!"
Seeing that she was genuine in saying that, (Y/N) didn't bother to insist as they only nodded towards their savior.
Noticing the stare of that same nurse volunteer, Kokomi was brought back to the reason why she was here. Although she liked the momentary break that released some worried tension she had been shouldering, she knew she had responsibilities to uphold, so without delay, she excused herself.
"Please remain here, I will tend to the other soldiers and then return to you. I do want to engage in further conversation, strange adventurer."
"Yeah, I will! Take your time!"
——————♡——————
Kokomi was quick to finish healing all the soldiers within the tent and kept her promise with (Y/N) by returning to them when she was done. She was exhausted, however she didn't outwardly show that since her vision use was draining as it is for anyone that overused one.
She folded her hands delicately behind her back, interlacing all her fingers as she smiled and tilted her head up towards the sky while she walked. (Y/N), who was beside her, awed at all the sights of Watatsumi Island— the views far more surreal than they could ever imagine.
Giant pink shells were used as footing while waterfalls dipped off their sides, the elevations varying making it seem like a ethereal staircase for some giant. The giant shrine was gorgeous and all the historical significance it held was all so interesting for (Y/N).
The way pastels intertwined with one another to create the scenery was an image they would never forget, and to add to that image, Kokomi would be in the center of it. She was as beautiful as the sights around her, it was like the mountains were carved and shells were sculpted as a gift specifically designed to compliment her.
Realizing they were staring once she turned and smiled at them, (Y/N) sheepishly looked away while rubbing the back of their neck gently and feeling the soft breeze hit them along with the salty scent of water fill their senses.
Kokomi's voice broke them out of their embarrassment at being caught staring, not even acknowledging how they were mesmerized by her and instead deciding to break the silence by starting a conversation.
"Honestly, I'm always looking for a chance to unwind. I am constant in my responsibilities that come with leading the Sangonomiya resistance, but it's always nice to relax here and there."
(Y/N) stopped walking and stared at the girl bewildered, of course knowing that the Sangonomiya name meant she was an important figure within Watatsumi island, but they didn't know her connections ran that deep.
"Wait, you're the leader of the rebellion?!" They asked while gaping at the girl, amazed that they were standing in the presence of such a badass.
Seeing a good spot up ahead where the two can sit and chat since they picked up on Kokomi's fatigue, they gestured her to follow while giving her a chance to respond to their exclamation.
"Yes. I know I may not seem like the type but I have a superior affinity for war rather than governing." Kokomi said while trailing behind (Y/N), seeing they were going to the edge of this elevation where a large sturdy pink shell extended from the cliff.
They led Kokomi onto the shell after checking if it were safe first by throwing a rock on it, and realizing it was sturdy enough to step on, they walked onto it before sitting at the edge and swinging their feet over the side, the action exhilarating as they felt gusts of wind hit their legs.
Kokomi sat just beside them, sweeping a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked over towards (Y/N) who awed at the sight, finding it cute how they were kicking their legs against the wind that was hitting them.
"Let's talk about something else. You, more specifically." She said while looking their clothing up and down and seeing it was just as one of the soldiers had informed her of, that they were the one involved in the most recent significant incident in the city to perform acts of rebellion against the Shogun.
They indeed matched the description of the person who had recently infiltrated a prison and defeated the guards there to send a silent but flashy defiant message before escaping.
She's heard many different alterations of the same story, but she chose to believe this one since it was the most admirable. She hadn't even thought to consider them as the person in the wanted poster at first since their garments were hidden behind a blanket as they rested and she was too distracted with healing the injured.
"Oh yeah, I know your name, but you probably don't know mine. I'm (Y/N)!" They exclaimed, snapping her out of her rampant thoughts that questioned their purpose for being here, but she decided to put that question aside as she nodded her head.
"Hmm, and I heard that you were the one who attacked the capital's prison, yes?" She asked, just to confirm, though she didn't want to delve too deep in conflict since she did promise herself to a little break with them before getting back to work.
'I should just embrace this as my new identity.' (Y/N) thought while clenching their fist discretely, this time conflicted in either cursing Heizou's name or thanking him.
"Yeah, I guess." They responded with a shrug, and when Kokomi saw their uncaring attitude towards the whole thing, she wondered if maybe there was something slightly off about the story.
"Ah— apologies, I'm getting off topic. We're here to talk about non-political related things."
Kokomi fiddled with the end of her gloves, deciding to take them off and let her fingers breathe. She slid the pearly gloves into her pockets before placing her hands flat against the shell, the cool sensation making her retract her hand at first, though she was quick to place it back without being startled again.
"You're a foreigner from what I know, can you tell me of some of the places you've been and the people you've met?"
(Y/N)'s eyes shined at her words and she knew she found something they were passionate about. They must really love to travel because the way they brightened up was so noticeable— it even made her face glow excitedly in return.
"I have so many stories to tell, where do I even start?" They asked as they threw their head back and stared up at the sky, a smile pulling at their lips as the memories of adventures they've been on and people they've met played in their head.
Finding something they wanted to share first, they grinned before excitedly turning towards Kokomi and raised a finger in exclamation towards the light bulb that went off in their head.
"Oh—! Let me first tell you about my best friend, he's a drunkard and an idiot, but I love him nonetheless!"