Tails and Amaterasu enter the village and notice the green leaves floating around and the people sounding very happy and excited.
"Wow, what's all this? The village's just bustling with activity! Wonder what's goin' on?" Issun asked.
"Don't know, but I think they're happy to see the tree bloom." Tails said.
Amaterasu smiles and felt the breeze. However, she couldn't shake something was missing. They walked around, listening to the people until they were told where to find Mr. Orange. They soon returned to the deck where Amaterasu first drew the sun. To their surprise, they found Mr. Orange dancing.
'Was he...break dancing?' Tails thought, swore he has seen that dance move before.
"Well, Snowball, Fox? Have you witnessed the majestic figure of Konohana? She had been withered and leafless. But as you no doubt noticed, she has made a miraculous recovery." Mr. Orange said, happily.
"We might have something to do with that." Tails whispers to Amaterasu.
"My dancing must have made a connection with the sacred tree. However, she still won't respond to my questions. Perhaps her evil-plagued spirit has ascended to heaven!? No, it cannot be! But if it has, my secret Konohana Shuffle shall summon it back!" Mr. Orange added.
Amaterasu looked down, hoping that Sakuya was alright. She soon left, and Tails and Issun follow after her. As they headed back to the tree, Tails couldn't stop eyeing the withed and black trees. They soon stood at the base of the tree and looked up.
"Heya, Sakuya, my little blossom! You're looking mighty fine thanks to us!" Issun said but got no answer.
"Hey, why doesn't she say something? And where is she, anyway? I don't see any sign of her! She didn't kick the bucket, did she!?" Issun asked, worried.
Amaterasu frowns before Tails place a hand on her shoulder. Both were starting to worry if they were too late.
"The tree came back to life, so where's Sakuya? She didn't die, did she, furballs!? Say it ain't so!" Issun said, hopping around.
Tails snatch him out of the air and took a breath.
"Look, we can't give up yet! I believe there's something we're missing. Panicking and worrying are going to get us nowhere! If you got time to worry, then run!" He said, blinking.
'Wait, where have I heard those words before?' He thought, surprised.
Amaterasu smiles and nods.
"You're right Tails. We need to head back to Mr. Orange. He might know something." She said.
Issun freed himself from Tails's hand and hops on his head.
"I heard ya, Fox Boy! Let's go save Sakuya!" Issun said.
The three ran back to Mr. Orange, who was still trying to dance.
"If only... If only I could harness the power of the earth!" He said, panting.
"The power of earth?" Issun asked.
"I think it has something to do with the trees in the village." Tails said, making Amaterasu think.
"I have noticed that none of the trees in the village have bloomed. Maybe if we use the Bloom Brush, we can help Mr. Orange." Tails added.
"You might be right. We should spit up. We can cover more ground that way." Amaterasu said.
Tails nodded and the two spit all over the village, using the Bloom ability to revive all the trees. They soon met back up and return to Mr. Orange as the leaves turned pink. The two just stood there, enjoying the view. What they didn't know is that their hands touched, causing them to both looked away and blushed.
"Sorry!" They said, not looking at each other.
"At last..."
They looked back at Mr. Orange, who was smiling.
"At last, the answer to all my prayers! All the village's trees have sprung back to life! It is time to harness the power that dwells within the good earth. Yes! It is time for the Konohana Shuffle! I shall summon back the spirit of the divine tree Konohana!" He said before pulling out a jug.
"But first, I must break my vow of temperance. I shall gingerly sip this sake, and soon we shall see blossoms!" He said, drinking it.
Tails and Amaterasu watched as Mr. Orange started to act differently before the orange on his head grew twice in size.
"Hey gramps, you OK? You got a real weird look in your eyes!" Issun asked, worried.
"Snowball! Fox! Issun! What you're about to see is the stuff of legends! Behold, the secret of secrets! I give you...the Konohana Shuffle!" He said and started dancing.
"Amaterasu! Bloom!" Tails told her.
She nodded and the two started to bloom the buds Mr. Orange pointed at. Soon the entire tree was in full bloom, and Mr. Orange passed out. Before they could check if he was alright, Sakyua appear, only dressed a bit differently. Tails blushed when he released that her new clothes showed more of her chest and tries not to stare at them.
"Ah... Great Amaterasu. Wise Tails." She said.
"S-Sakuya!? You're alive!? And you, um, look very nice!" Issun said, in the same boat as Tails.
"Little bug friend, I see you are full of spunk as always. I also owe this elderly gentleman my deepest thanks. What bravery! Mere words cannot express the depth of my gratitude. Thanks to you all, I have been restored and re-energized!" Sakuya said, happily.
Issun gulps as Tails nods, keeping his eyes on the ground. Amaterasu smiles as she gave a small bow.
"Of course, the one who deserves my thanks and respects the most is none other than the glorious god Amaterasu! Praise be to you!" She said, hugging the she-wolf.
"As well as you, Wise Tails." She added, hugging him as well.
'CLEAN THOUGHTS! CLEAN THOUGHTS!' Tails shouted in his mind as he tries to stop himself from having a nosebleed.
She soon broke the hug and floated back.
I cannot guarantee that it will mean salvation for all of Nippon, but if you restore the Guardian Saplings spread about the land, you too will benefit from the power that results. I will remain in Kamiki, praying for your mission's success. How I look forward to gazing upon you again! May the fresh scent of flowers protect you always!" She said before disappearing.
Tails sigh in relief before something shines in the sky.
"Oh, what now?" Issun asked.
They both looked up and saw another constellation. Amaterasu filled in the missing stars and soon a monkey that looked just like the first came down, only holding a different instrument.
"Ah, Amaterasu. Origin of all that is good and mother to us all. Long have I hidden myself here among the nature of Kamiki. But the time has come for I, Hasugami, a proud member of the Hanagami trio of flora gods, to reveal myself. May my power be of assistance on your grave quest." He said, turning into a symbol and enters Amaterasu.
This time, Tails notice that some of the symbol power had also transported over to him. He saw the tip of his tails turn black before fading back to white.
"Holy smokes! That was Hasugami! With the Water Lily power, you can create lily pads on water! You can use them to cross any body of water! Let's try it out! C'mon! This way, Ammy!" Issun said before leaning the two to a different part of the village.
"I've been eyeing that treasure chest out there for some time. Why don't you create some lily pads here? Make 'em like stepping stones all the way to the islet. The Water Lily brush technique creates lily pads on water. All ya gotta do is draw circles on the water! C'mon, furball! Lemme see ya work wonders with that brush of yours!" He said.
"Um, Issun? Did you forget I can fly? I could have flowed there myself." Tails said, shaking his head.
"Sorry, foxy boy, but since everyone sees you as a normal fox, they would freak out if they saw a fox floating in the sky," Issun said.
Tails sigh as Amaterasu patted his shoulder.
"It's okay, Tails. I'm sure you don't want to tire yourself out." She said.
Tails blinked. He had a strong feeling Amaterasu was right. She then started to draw lily pads on the water before hopping across. She reaches the chest and opens it.
Though Tails was still on the other side, he could see Issun hopping up and down, talking to the she-wolf. As she started jumping back, Tails started to notice how graceful her jumps were and how her brush-like hair flowed in the wind. It made her look...
"Beautiful."
"What?" Amaterasu asked, reaching the shore.
"Err!" Tails blush, not knowing he said that out loud.
However, Issun saves him by speaking up.
"Our little Sakuya is back to her old peppy self, but there are still lots of Guardian Saplings that haven't blossomed!" He said.
"R-R-Right! Let's go find them!" Tails said, walking away.
"What's with him?" Issun asked.
Amaterasu shrugs and followed Tails. She happened to notice that Tails was acting differently since they saved Sakuya. She also noticed how red his face got when she heard him say something. She was worried for her friend, but decide not to make a big deal out of it.
Okay, making this short for a reason. It turns out that the Agata Forest is next, and it has the first mini-boss battle as it might be called. So tell me, did any of you have trouble using the bloom ability during the Konohana Shuffle in your first playthrough? I sure did! Even when I thought I had it, the game said I fail. It's the same with the Power Slash with Susanoo during his parts. The Digging Mini-game was different, but I'll save that for later. Oh, and I'm disappointed about the reviews on the last chapter. Just one person? That's not enough. I want to see at least three reviews on this one before I start on the next chapter.