Title: Promise
Summary: He heard the beseeching call, echoing from across Nippon but he would not heed …Hayabusa-centric.
Disclaimer: I do not own Okami.
O Canine Warriors, my kin I have not met.
Please forgive me, I, who am not your kinfolk.
I must regretfully inform you, from the bottom of my soul,
That the one you call Hayabusa is not of this world…
I stand in his stead…
I, who play the role of the late Hayabusa.
I, who must break the heart of the fair priestess,
I, who must break the hearts of the brave canine souls,
Who shoulder their burden without question or hesitancy.
My loyalty has been swayed…
O Fair Priestess, I cannot heed your call.
I cannot rush to your aid.
I will not go; I must stay as the Festival approaches.
I am bound to fulfill a promise made to me by your late warrior…
Fate had me by the scruff of my neck…
I must protect a boy, by the name of Mushi.
The late Hayabusa cautioned me with his dying breath,
For I, his successor, to watch over him,
To protect him for an ill fate awaits him.
An innocent child, who has done nothing…
The 100-year anniversary of that fateful day draws near.
As does the piercing end of a white-plumed arrow,
Sailing through the night as the face of the moon waxes;
The darkness slowly banished from its pure face.
Soon that untainted visage may be streaked in red…
The boy requires protection, as no other being knows of his fate.
No human can protect him from the deadly strike that waits in the darkness.
A fatal strike will end his life swiftly and terribly.
I will not stand for breaking this promise, for Hayabusa's soul will never achieve peace.
His soul will forever linger as he mourns for the loss of the child…
I beg forgiveness, O Fair Priestess, O Canine Warriors.
I will not heed your call, your request for aid.
My loyalty is sworn to this child.
There is a chance for his life to be spared…
And I, the current Hayabusa, am the only one who can ensure it…
I pray for your success against the evil that ails you,
I pray that the gods will protect you in your time of need.
I can only hope for your understanding and forgiveness.
May the remaining Canine Warriors prove enough without my strength…
Your call still echoes, across the mountains and trees…only to disappear, vanishing on deaf ears…
