Tails and Amaterasu reach back outside the tree and look at the fruit that was still hanging on. Amaterasu took out her brush before a sound of slicing fill the air and the fruit fell and landed on the ground. No sooner than it did, all live return to the land, and both Tails and Amaterasu lookout, feeling the beauty of the land.
Issun looks out the land and gasped.
"Wow! The village's been restored! Saykuya came through big time! She really was protecting the village! But I sure wish I coulda spent some more time in her kimono, if ya know what I mean! Heh heh heh heh heh!" He said.
Amaterasu looked annoyed at Issun as Tails just shook his head.
"But seriously, with monsters runnin' round and all. The village could still be in danger. Let's go see how they're all doing down there." Issun said.
"Right, something is very wrong here," Amaterasu said, whispering the last part to herself.
"I'm worried too. I hope everyone is alright." Tails added.
They both decide to run this time and Amaterasu unknowingly left a trail of growing grass behind them as they follow the path. They reach a two-way path and saw a statue of what appears to be a person.
"What in the world? I don't remember there being a statue here. Well, whatever. Let's go talk to the villagers!" Issun said before telling the others.
Both Tails and Amaterasu nodded. Something was very wrong and they didn't like it. They run into the Village and found another statue of a person.
"Hey, there's a statue here, too. It's like the villagers have turned to stone or something." Issun said, confused.
"Turn into Stone?" Amaterasu asked.
"But how is that possible?" Tails added.
Then the roar was heard again making Tails and Amaterasu stood ready for an attack.
"Not again!? That's not one of those smaller monsters that are lurking about. A roar like that's gotta belong to something much bigger. Let's hurry up and find somebody with a pulse around here!" Issun said, getting scared.
Both Tails and Amaterasu didn't argue. They ran to another person but saw it too was a statue.
"No good. This one's not movin'. Everyone here was perfectly fine just a few hours ago! There's definitely something strange goin' on around here. The village is back, but what's up with this dark sky? Maybe it's dark outside the village, too!? Let's find some high ground so we can take a look!" Issun said, and look up into the sky.
When Amaterasu heard Issun say the sky was black, she felt something was missing, something that was supposed to be there. Tails couldn't shake the evil feeling he was getting and was wondering if it was infected him too. The two then ran back to the first statue and saw the other path.
"There's definitely something strange going on. Let's find some high ground so we can take a look!" Issun said, trying to calm down.
"I don't like this. There's something strange here." Tails said, looking around.
"What do you mean?" Amaterasu asked.
"It feels like someone or something is watching us. Something evil." Tails said, making Amaterasu nod in agreement.
They ran up the hill and came to a lookout. They could see all of Kamiki Village, but it was quiet, too quiet. Amaterasu looks up in the sky and felt a little weak. Tails couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched by something in the shadows. They were snapped out of it when Issun spoke up.
"This is bad. The sun's not even shining. It's as black as night as far as the eye can see. And not a single villager can move a muscle. Is it some kind of curse? Did a monster do this? It's not gonna stay like this forever, is it? If only the sun were out to light our way. If you could draw a circle in the sky, we'd have ourselves a sun! But I guess that'd be impossible, even for a god-like you. Maybe we better seek out another brush god for help. Of course, if you had that kind of power from the start, that'd be a different story." Issun said, getting every more worry.
However, Amaterasu took out her brush and paint a circle in the sky. Once it was done, the sun appear and shine on the land. Amaterasu smiled as Tails felt the evil fade a lot more but still felt something there.
"Wh-Wh-What the!? Hm, come to think of it, your name IS Amaterasu! That's the name of the sun god! So, it'd follow that you had the sunrise technique from the start. With it, you could even turn night into day. Wow! You're no run-of-the-mill god, that's for sure! The flowing brush is like music from the heavens. That's a line from one of my grandfather's poems. He felt a skilled artist was like a musician of shape and color. Since you're such a great artist yourself, why don't we name your brushwork after that poem of his? It's called Celestial Brush! After all, your brush did bring out the sun! Well, Ammy, let's go back to the village! We gotta see if the villagers are back to normal now." Issun said, shocked before remembering something he was told.
You're a god? Strange, I don't think I met a god before? You know not counting Yomigami and Tachigami. It just that...well..." Tails try to explain.
"It's okay, Tails. I understand you're confused due to your memory loss. I'm sure you might have met some gods before me before you lost them." Amaterasu said, not to hurt what Tails said.
Tails smile, glad she understands. They both jump a little when they heard a voice behind them.
"Hm? Who are you!?"
An old man with orange on the top of his head, walk up to them. He had a bald head and a long, white beard. He also dons a blue robe and carries a wooden staff to support his frail old self. Also, he has a rope tied around his neck, significantly resembling a shimenawa with two shide on the sides of the central knot.
Village Elder, Mr. Orange,
"A white wolf!? Not the one who fought that terrible creature with Nagi!? You couldn't possibly be the legendary Shiranui! No, it can't be. That story is 100 years old. Still, you look a lot like that statue of Shiranui. On the other hand, you don't look quite as smart." Mr. Orange said, shocked.
Tails was confused why the old man didn't see the markings on Amaterasu, while she growl at him for calling her stupid.
"Wh-Wh-Whoa! No need to growl like that. Can you really understand what I'm saying? Well, I'm not one to mince words. I just state the facts. I've never seen a Kitsune out here before. Where did you come from?" Mr. Orange said then asked Tails.
Tails was about to answer when he spotted Green Imps on a cliff close by. They jump down, and Mr. Orange felt something strange.
"Hm? What's this sudden chill down my spine?" He said.
"Green Imps!" Tails said, growling like Amaterasu.
"Here they come, furballs. Those are the monsters that have been plaguing these lands. They sneak into villages and cause all sorts of trouble! Step aside, furballs! This is a job for my trusty sword, Denkomaru!" Issun said, and drew his sword.
The Green Imps leap for Mr. Orange, but Amaterasu grabs him and uses him to knock the Green Imps away before throwing Mr. Orange away making sure he was safe before doing so.
"Come on Amaterasu, let's stop them before someone gets hurt!" Tails said and charge at the Green Imps.
"Indeed! I will not let them get away from attacking this land!" Amaterasu agreed and charge at them as well.
Tails reach the first Green Imp and punch it away, making the other two turn to him. That gave Amaterasu an opening. She grabs her Divine Instrument and slashes both of them. Tails then dodge the wooden pipe that it tries to attack him before kicking the Imp away. Then he spins around and hit it with his tails. He then notices his tails let off some black ink, and he heard the Power Slash being formed. He looks at his tails, confused, then turns to see Amaterasu fighting off two Green Imps at once.
Amaterasu just slashes the Green Imps with her Divine Instrument before they turn black and white. Acting fast, she took out her brush and use the Power Slash to cut them in half. Once the Green Imps disappear into flowers, a nearby spring is restored. Some symbols appear and Amaterasu absorbs them. Tails walk over to her and place a hand on her shoulder. Amaterasu turns to Tails and smiles.
'Wow! For Goddess, she's feisty. Strange, it reminds me of someone that I didn't want to make mad.' Tails thought.
"Wow! You really get aggressive when you're mad, don't ya? Hey, you got yourself some Praise. And look! See how that dried-up spring began flowing again? That's because ridding an area of monsters restores the gods' power to the land. People call it Divine Intervention. The more you restore the land to its natural beauty, the more Praise you'll get. It's the source of your power. Few people believe in gods these days, and that may weaken you, but if you try real hard, your true power just might shine through! But boy, there's sure been a lotta monsters around lately. And that Mr. Orange you tossed around up on the sacred deck. Looks like he thinks you're a regular wolf. Seems the gods have grown so weak people can't see them anymore. Oh, uh, Anyway, I'll show you around the village. I have a feeling we're in for an epic adventure! This should be fun, furball!" Issun said.
"But if he thinks you're just a white wolf, then why can I see your marks?" Tails asked, confused.
"It might be because you still believe in gods. I mean you have met a few already." Issun said thinking about it.
Amaterasu then thought back to Tails's other form. Could Tails be a god too? It was the only thing that made sense to her. Before she could ask Tails about it, she notices a treasure chest. She went over to it, and bash it open, finding a bag of seeds.
"Why you little devil! Look at this sweet grub you found! Hey, wait, this is animal food! Still, we could save it to give to animals. Let's use it when we try to approach animals later. Something good might come outta using it the right way! I know gods aren't supposed to use creatures in this manner. But, what the heck! Let's make an exception this time! Oh, I almost forgot! Here was something I wanted to tell you! Whenever you wanna check the items you've obtained just open your Fan. While your Fan is open, you can check and use the items you have. There're other things you can do there, too! Your Fan is your key to a successful adventure!" Issun explains.
Tails then notice some birds, and took the bag of seeds, and feed the birds. Amaterasu smiled as she saw the birds fly around him and land on his arms as he held out the seeds. She thought he look cute feeding the birds.
'Wait did I just call Tails cute? But he's a Kitsune and I'm a Wolf. There no way that I'm...can I?' Amaterasu thought.
Once the birds ate all the seeds Tails look over at Amaterasu and smiled.
'You know for a wolf goddess she is pretty. But I don't have a chance with her. After all, I'm a, what I am call again? Oh yeah, a Kitsune.' Tails thought.
The two look at each other and blush before turning away. They soon started to follow the path back down and saw Mr. Orange.
"Ah, Great Shiranui. Oh no," He mumbles.
"I think you threw him a little too hard." Tails said, with a sweatdrop.
Amaterasu and Issun just sweatdrop as well and then walk in Kamiki Village. They saw a few houses and some people out doing everything like working or for the kids, playing. As Amaterasu and Tails walk they didn't know that they were seeing a normal white wolf and a normal orange kitsune walking through the village.
It wasn't long until they spotted a woman working in a field with some rice plants. She wore a yellow and red kimono patterned with rice grains on the sleeves, as well as a red hakama. Her long kimono sleeves are tied at the bottoms. She wears three bales of rice on her head to mark her status as a sake maker. She spotted them and went over them.
"Well, what a fine-looking wolf and kitsune! What are your names? Mine's Kushi. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said, petting both of them.
Sake Brewer, Kushi,
"Working in the fields again, are ya?" Issun asked as both Amaterasu and Tails enjoy the petting they were getting.
"Issun! Are you and the wolf and kitsune together? This is where I grow the rice for making my sake, you know. But I have to manage the harvest all on my own. It's hard work. Maybe I should have Susano give me a hand again this year. Oh, listen to me blabbering on! I just can't help chatting to you!" Kushi said, surprised then explain.
Amaterasu and Tails wonder what sake was.
"Why, Ammy, Fox Boy, I think you found a friend here! You'll meet many people who want to talk to you like this. You should talk to them two or even three times. Being a god and all, you can actually tell when to talk because you'll see a triangle above their head. That means they still have something to say. It might even be valuable information sometimes! They may just be muttering to themselves, but it pays to listen!" Issun told them.
Amaterasu looked above Kushi's head and did see something hovering over her. She then heard Kushi speaking again.
"Susano's a neighbor of mine. He's a little unusual, but... He goes around with a huge sword slung over his shoulder. He's always practicing with it. They say he's a direct descendant of our legendary hero, Nagi. And he loves his sake, too. He often pops around here to buy it." Kushi said when Amaterasu and Tails asked who Susano was.
"Make sure to say hello when you see Susano. He could use a friend, I should think. He's always on his own." She said before Amaterasu and Tails left her to her work.
They end up talking to more people and helping them with their powers. When it calls for Amaterasu brush powers, Tails would keep them busy as she uses them, thinking it was better to avoid questions she really can't answer to. Soon they reach another house that was far bigger than the other houses. They could even hear someone snoring.
"Sheesh! He's always snoring like a bear. This is the home of the two-bit, middle-aged warrior, Susano. He goes around claiming to be a descendant of Nagi. He's famous around here for his lineage, but he's awfully lazy and too off-the-wall to be a descendant of a legendary hero." Issun explains.
"Hey, didn't Kushi say that he need a friend? Maybe we can help him." Tails said, thinking.
"Sound like an idea. Good thinking Tails." Amaterasu said, making Tails blush.
They enter his house and saw a scroll with Kushi on it.
"Looks like an etching of that Kushi girl. I wonder if this guy actually trains at all," Issun said, looking at it.
Then everyone turns to the sound of snoring coming from a jug.
"Hey, is it just me, or can you hear snoring from underneath this jug?" Issun asked.
"It's not just you, I heard it too," Amaterasu said.
"Me too." Tails added.
The two bash the jug and saw a ladder heading down into a basement. They soon found Susano sleeping. The top of his head is bald and is framed by black hair that sticks up on either side, he has a full beard that connects to his large, single eyebrow. Susano had a prominent red nose and beady, white eyes, with three lashes on each, though they were close because he was sleeping. He wore a simple, sleeveless, purple outfit with a red belt and simple black shoes. Around his neck is a necklace sporting a large, green magatama. Susano had short, stubby legs, large, hairy forearms and hands, and small biceps. His sword is a simple wooden sword with a little twig adorning a leaf on it.
"Zzzzzz...I...am the...greatest...Zzzzzz...Oh...Kushi...Let's..." He said in his sleep.
Both Tails and Amaterasu look at him confused.
"Whoa! Looks like he ain't waking up anytime soon. He's out cold." Issun told them.
They both try to wake him by shaking him first but, he didn't wake up. Then Amaterasu headbutt him but got a grunting noise.
"If that didn't wake him, nothing will. Let's just leave him for a while and find somethin' else to do." Issun said before deciding to leave him alone for now.
The two nod in agreement and left for now.
Okay, stopping here. This is the part where they meet two of the imported characters, and I threw in something else for Tails to remember. I didn't think about this when I first wrote this years ago, but Tails is much older than he is in the games. He's about 18 in this story. If you're wondering how Tails came to the world of Okami, I'm working on that. I have an idea in mind but it might take a while to work it out. And no, I don't have the Okami HD. I only have the Wii version. By the way, can you guys leave a review, please? Three chapters in and not a single review.
