Ehhh, yeah. I tried to keep the whole color-titled chapters thing going, but it's not really working anymore. Sorry. Maybe I'll find another cool chapter title idea someday. I haven't really proof-read this, so please tell me if you see anything off.


"That's not funny, y'know!" Issun uttered, but even he could not deny that the woman before them could be none one but Amaterasu. "How do I now you're not some faker?" The goddess huffed, crossing her arms.

"Let's see. When we first met, you were shuffling through the robes of a sprite! Is that proof enough?" Issun gasped, his light turning red.

"H-Hey, don't go spreading that stuff around, Ammy! That's private!" Both Oina laughed, and Ammy smiled.

"So you believe me now?" The Poncle bounced his way up to her hand, and she held him at face level.

"I suppose, yeah. So what you doin' here so soon? And in… that body." He asked, making her laugh; if she had learnt something from all the time they travelled together, it was that pretty ladies made him choke.

"I didn't exactly plan to come here like this," she started with a frown. "Orochi is back." They all gasped, and she nodded grimly. "He attacked the Celestial Plains and stole my powers, forcing me down here again. He's planning to take over the world again." Issun unsheathed his tiny sword, Denkomaru, from its hold.

"Not if we can help, right, Ammy?" She nodded, determination clear on her face.

"The thing is, I lost the brush techniques again and although I am stronger now thanks to everyone's belief in me, this form isn't really suited for fighting. I'm not sure I can be quite as strong as before." They stood silent for a moment.

"I'm sure we can find some way," Kai joined in, taking a step forward. "There has to be away, right?" Ammy nodded with a smile.

"Let's get out of this forest first, I want to see Wep'keer again.", she told them and they nodded, soon leaving Ponc'tan behind.

When they were out of the forest, Kai ran ahead to tell Samickle of her coming- it wasn't everyday they received a god in their midst, and this time, they could treat her as she deserved. Oki seemed unsure of whether he should follow or not, but ended up staying with Ammy and Issun.

They arrived in Wep'keer to a great ruckus as the tribe tried to prepare themselves in such short notice. Samickle and Kai stood in the middle, coordinating everything. The chief gasped upon seeing them arriving, hurrying everyone to run behind him and kneel. Ammy smiled upon seeing all the masked faces bowing to her in respect. With a wave of her hand, they all stood again.

"We are most honoured to receive you again, Amaterasu," Samickle spoke, his head held high. "The last time you came, we didn't know about you, and didn't treat you as we should. I hope you can forgive our insolence and accept our warm welcome now." Ammy chuckled. From the group of Oina, a small form forced its way through, jumping at the goddess, causing the others to gasp.

"Doggie! It's you! You came back!" Lika exclaimed, and Ammy hugged her back. "You're not doggie anymore though…" The goddess laughed at the little girl, noticing Samickle's distress.

"There's no need to be so formal, Samickle. Please, treat me as a friend, not as a goddess. I'd feel much more welcomed this way", she said, smiling at Lika. He stared at her in surprise, clearly not expecting that.

"W-well, uhm, alright. Since we didn't know you were coming, we didn't really have much time to prepare anything for you… apart from one thing." Lika went to her sister's side and Samickle stepped aside, allowing her to see old man Kemu, coming down from the upper parts of the village carrying something in his hands. Kai met him halfway and helped him walk towards Ammy; upon approaching her, he laughed.

"They might not have known who you were, but I did. And I knew you would come back one day, so I told our artisans to make this, as a repayment for saving us five years ago." The object was wrapped in cloth, and when she unwrapped it she gasped.

"Oh, Kemu… this is…" She mumbled, amazed by the beautiful mask before her. It was like the Oina's, but her own face looked back at her; a white wolf with red markings. "Is it really okay for me to have this? I mean, the masks you wear part of your tradition, right? Isn't it wrong for someone from outside to have one?" Samickle crossed his arms, head tilted to the side.

"Technically, yes. The thought of an outsider having an Oina mask is unforgivable. But you're not just anyone, Amaterasu. And you saved the whole village before." Kemu cut in with a chuckle.

"Not to mention that you're both human and wolf too. No one could be a better candidate than you." Her smile was wide upon receiving such great honour. She bowed, holding the mask close to her heart.

"Thank you all for this amazing gift. I will treasure it dearly."

A great fire was lit on the centre of the village; large wooden tables were brought outside, as well as floor cushions. All the Oina sat around the fire as some of the women prepared a feast; Ammy talked with Kai and Kemu while Issun and Lika played. The Oina told her about some of the latest occurrences in the villages, as well as what they'd heard about the rest of Nippon. Ammy listened intently; glad to hear about how everyone was peaceful and happy. She frowned to herself, realizing it would end again soon, with the demons coming back.

When everyone finished eating, she stood up and motioned for them to stay on their seats.

"I have news to share, but unfortunately they're not good. At all." Silence took over the tribe. "As some of you might have heard, the demons are back," she told them with a grave voice, the Oina gasping and whispering among themselves. "The Celestial Plain was attacked, and now, I fear they will now attack throughout Nippon once more. I am, however, determined to deal with them once more. I will not let any demons harm the people I love. I will do my best to protect all of you, I swear. As long as you all still believe in me and send me strength with your prayers, I will be able to cleanse Nippon from the demons once again." The whole village cheered and she bowed to them before sitting again. It was then that they heard shouting, and soon two Oina warriors came running into the village.

"Chief! There's… there's something out there! It injured two of our men and melted the ice from the frozen lake!" Screaming and panicked voices could be heard throughout the Oina. They all stood up, some hurrying to help the children back inside the huts, some running to get weapons.

"No!" The goddess screamed as loud as she could, causing the Oina to stop on their tracks. "I will not allow any more of you to be harmed. I will deal with this myself." Oki quickly stood up, sword in hand.

"I'm coming with you." Amaterasu opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her. "Don't bother trying to tell me to stay, I'm going. I owe you my life, and you look like you need help. I'm going too."

"And so am I!" Issun joined in. "Don't even think of leaving me out of this, furball! I'm not gonna let you kick ass all one!" Amaterasu sighed, but nodded with a smile.

"I didn't really expect you to stay. Come on then!" Oki shifted into his wolf form and Issun jumped on her head, and they left.

When they got outside, they saw some of the trees had been burnt to ash and the snow around the lake was all melted. Steam still clouded the air as they approached the lake. Sure enough, the frozen parts of the lake had been melted, ash from the trees turning the water a dark hue. They stood around the lake, ready to attack as they tried to locate the demon. Suddenly, hot water splashed on them and they turned to see a large, serpent-like demon rising from the lake. It reminded Ammy of Crimson Helm, it too having one of Orochi's heads, though the body was different. They turned to face him as he roared. Oki was the first to attack, attempting to strike his neck, but the scales were too thick and strong, his sharp fangs doing nothing on it. Ammy tried to deliver a few blows to his head with her Reflector, but it was no good. The demon roared again as if laughing, and delivered a breath of fire towards them; they had to run back so as to not be burned. Issun exclaimed, holding tightly to the goddess's hair.

"Ammy, you have to use Galestorm! Maybe blowing the fire will help!" Ammy shook her head.

"It's no good, Issun. I remember how to use it, but I don't have the power anymore. All it'll do is bring in a nice breeze." The Poncle scowled, unsheathing his sword and jumping at the serpent's head. He tried to stab the demon's eyes with it, but it was no more than a tickle. They kept trying to attack it until once again it prepared to blow fire at them. As Ammy tried to step back, she lost her footing on a broken piece of branch and fell to the ground, right when the demon delivered another wave of fire. She tried to cover herself with her reflector, and just as the fire reached her, something pink flew between her and the flames and blew them away. Oki took the chance and jumped at the serpent, thrusting his sword into his throat and piercing his skull. The demon howled in pain and fell back into the water, sinking to the bottom of the lake.

Ammy stood up and turned at the thing that had flown in front of her and smiled upon seeing her trusted friend.

"Ah, what would you do without me, chérie?" Waka said dramatically as she hugged him.

"Waka, you're here! How did you find me?" he chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.

"After your powers were wakened again, it wasn't very hard, mon bijoux. I just had to follow your aura and it let me straight here!" Issun huffed, jumping back to her head.

"The half-baked prophet is back too? Geez. Didn't think I'd see you again." Waka gave him a sly smile.

"Neither did I, little Poncle. Neither did I." He turned back to Ammy, ignoring the glare the Poncle was giving him. "Chérie, I'm afraid we don't have much time for pleasantries. There are other demons out there, and they're already causing trouble. We have to leave as soon as possible if we are to fight them." The goddess nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right… well, let's do one last stop on Wep'keer to say goodbye and maybe grab some supplies and then we can be off." Oki approached them in his human form, giving one last look at the once-frozen lake.

"I'm coming too." Ammy frowned and Waka raised his eyebrows.

"Are you sure, Oki? Shouldn't you stay here with the other Oina? They might need you," Ammy pointed out. Waka nodded.
"That's right, petit loup. Are you even allowed to leave?" Oki stared at Waka in what could only be guessed as a glare before turning back to Amaterasu.

"I'm sure. You could use my help, and I'm tired of staying cooped up here. I never left Kamui, I want to see what the rest of Nippon looks like." She smiled at him.

"Tag along then. Unless the others have anything against it?" Issun huffed and Waka gave a very clearly fake smile, but Ammy ignored. "Alright then." Oki nodded, and left the group to get his things while they made their way back to Wep'keer.

"Are you sure it's safe to bring him with us, chérie?" Waka asked her, a doubtful look in his face. "I mean, you know he has a bad temper. Not quite the agreeable fellow either. Must I remind you he stole his tribe's sacred sword?" The goddess glared at him.

"Waka, I don't wanna hear you say any of that, okay? I would trust him with my life." The blonde prophet rolled his eyes.

"évidemment, you saved his!" She glared at him before lightly slapping him in the head. He snorted, but stayed quiet.

Amaterasu went to explain the situation to Samickle as well as bid her farewell while Issun and Waka went to buy supplies. Neither was happy with this, but Ammy had told them they needed some 'bonding time' and she would not be convinced otherwise.

"You better not get in our way this time, blondie," Issun warned Waka from his spot in his head. The prophet huffed and threw him off with a flick, laughing with disdain. "Please don't annoy me, little imp. Go bother chérie or the masked warrior, yes?" Issun unsheathed Denkomaru and stabbed him in the neck. It was only a prick, obviously, but the prophet was not happy.

"How dare you-" they were interrupted by the sun goddess herself, staring at them with her arms crossed.

"You two aren't fighting, are you?" She asked, her words a silent threat. Waka smiled brightly at her.

"Never, chérie. We were but discussing a few items, that's all." Issun hopped to her head with a huff.

"Yeah, whatever. Let's just go." After gathering everything, they left Wep'keer, making their way to Oki's hut, which was just on the way out of Kamui. The Oina warrior awaited them outside his hut, a leather bag thrown over his shoulders.

"Are we going?" He asked, joining the group. Ammy smiled at him.

"Yup! We're off!"


Wow that was a shitty way of ending a chapter amirite? by the way, I'm gonna try to add more french words to Waka's vocabulary. Might work, might not. I'll put the translation down here so you guys don't get lost. Man, this chapter was fun to write! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. if everything goes right, there are fun times ahead!

Petit loup = little wolf, wolf cub

Évidemment = obviously