Tails and Amaterasu made their back to the lookout when they saw Mr. Orange there, having recovered from Amaterasu's throw.

"Ah! You're that unruly white wolf! That was quite a toss you gave me. Well, white one, I respect animals and their customs, but anyone who causes trouble in this village shall be dealt with harshly. You are a spunky little thing, aren't you?" Mr. Orange asked her.

"Err, sir, she didn't that to get you away from some Imps." Tails said.

"I see you're still traveling with an orange kitsune. It rare to see one this far in the village." Mr. Orange said, not seeming to hear Tails.

"Hello, Mr. Orange. Still full of vim and vigor, I see." Issun spoke up.

"Say... Aren't you that little troublemaker, Issun? If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times... Aw, never mind. I've got better things to do." Mr. Orange mumbled.

"Why didn't hear me?" Tails asked, surprised.

"I think it's because they see you as a normal Kitsune. Like they see Ammy here as a white wolf. Humans also can't understand animals." Issun told him.

Tails look down at the ground. He didn't know why, but it bother him that no one can understand him. For some reason, he was used to being able to talk to people.

"Tails, it's okay. I'm a little sad about it too. But don't let it get to you." Amaterasu said.

Tails nods and Amaterasu notices he was a bit sad. She might have known him for a short time but she knew he needed a friend.

"Did you notice the sacred tree up on the hill in the village? She's known as Konohana. She's been worshiped as our guardian deity for ages now. But her flowers and fruit withered quite some time ago. What's more, I had a dreadful dream last night. A giant monster appeared and swallowed up the whole village. Might it be a sign of even worse things to come? I sure would like to see Konohana restored to her former glory. Oh well, troublemakers like you couldn't possibly understand." Mr. Orange said.

"Is that Sakuya's tree?" Tails asked, looking at the Tree.

"Yeah! It is." Amaterasu agrees.

"I visit Konohana daily, hoping that she will grow strong again. You three ought to do so too!" Mr. Orange told them.

"Better come back here later." Tails said, thinking.

Amaterasu nodded, and the two started to walk back through the village. They soon spotted a huge boulder blocking the way out of the village.

"Heave! Heave!" A person said, trying to move the rock.

Thinking he might need some help, Tails and Amaterasu rush up to him. However, Amaterasu was starting to feel some evil energy around the man and started to look around.

"This is weird! My mind really wants to shift this rock, but my body won't cooperate. It's like I'm made of lead! Could this be a case of demonic possession? I sure hope not!" The Man said as Tails tried to ask to help.

Then an appearance of a monkey-like creature, whose flabby skin and muscle are a crimson color. The creature has bare hands and feet, tipped with vicious-looking claws. On its body is a red vest with noticeable shoulder pads; on the demon's wrists, the skin there actually sags and extends to become the fluttering "sleeves" of the demon, often mistaken as the long sleeves of a robe underneath the vest. On its head, it has a single horn; on its face is a paper mask like other demons of the Imps category, with the unique katakana. For a weapon, it wields a wooden shamisen painted with red and yellow on the front and green on the back.

Red Imp

"More Imps!" Amaterasu said, glowing.

"Let's get them away from this man!" Tails said, and they rush at them.

The Red Imps were much different than the Green Imps, they sometimes jump in the air and use their shamisen to try to attack Amaterasu and Tails from the air, but the two dodge. Both Tails and Amaterasu attack the Red Imps until they turn black and white and held up their shamisen to block any other attacks. It was then Amaterasu took out her brush and use the power slash, making the shamisen be destroyed by it. Once it was gone, Tails and Amaterasu defeated the Red Imps. Once the last Red Imps was defeated, some praise appear, and Amaterasu absorb the symbols.

"Whoa, Ammy! You suddenly started glowing! That means your Divine Attributes can be enhanced!" Issun said, noticing she was glowing a bit.

Amaterasu looked at her hands, which were indeed glowing. She could feel something was trying to get stronger.

"Well, you sure look excited. Here, I'll show you what I mean. Let's take a stab at enhancing your Divine Attributes! I'm gonna open your Fan where you'll see your Divine Attributes. Use the Praise you've accumulated to enhance any attribute you want!" Issun said, then explain.

Tails stood back, watching as Amaterasu looked through her powers. He turns away from them and started to think to himself.

'This is so strange. I have no idea how I got here, and I barely remember anything. At least Amaterasu is letting me stay with her. I have to admit, for a sun goddess, she still is pretty.' He thought.

'Ack! What am I thinking?! This isn't the time for that! But, she doesn't remember everything either. She's helping me and I haven't done anything for her.' He added.

"Well? Is it all coming back to you or what!? Huh? It's hard to notice such a small enhancement? Oh, lighten up, furball! This is one big step for the new and improved Amaterasu! Keep up the good work! Oh, I almost forgot! We better check in on that dude!" Issun spoke up.

As they turn to check on him, Amaterasu notices that Tails looked a bit down. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but decide to wait as the man started to speak.

"Ah! I feel as light as a feather now! Sadly, that doesn't make it any easier to shift this boulder. Who went and blocked the only path out of here anyway? There's no way I can get back to the city now. Say, pup and cub, your owner lives here in the village, right? So you must know that guy, Susano. Can you get him to come here? They say he's the descendant of the legendary hero, Nagi. If anyone can do something about this rock, it's him." He said.

"That's strange, this boulder wasn't here before," Issun said, confused.

"It doesn't look like I can fly over this." Tails said, looking over the boulder.

"I could slash it, but..." Amaterasu said, thinking.

"You want to get out of here, too, do you, pup and cub? Then go fetch that guy called Susano for me!" The Merchant said.

Seeing no other choice, they walked back to Susano's house, where they heard him snoring as loud as ever.

"Sheesh... He's always snoring like a bear." Issun said.

"Well, seeing we just saw him before this huge boulder problem, he going to have to wake up no matter what." Tails said as Amaterasu nods in agreement.

They walk back to the basement, where he was sleeping, and once more try to wake him up.

"Zzzzzz...I...am the...greatest...Zzzzzz...Oh...Kushi...Let's..." He mumbled.

"Let's wake this guy up!" Issun said.

Both Tails and Amaterasu bash him, making him joint awake.

"What the!? Huh? Ah! I feel so well rested! I planned to meditate underground but fell fast asleep!" He said before noticing Amaterasu and Tails.

"Huh? Who are you? And what business do you have with Susano, the greatest warrior ever?" He said, standing proud.

The Great Warrior, Susano,

"Do even the beasts know of my great exploits now? Well, Fido, I'm not looking for apprentices. Go back to the mountains and play with your monkey friends. How dare a mangy mutt like you interrupt my meditation!" He added.

"Fido?!" Amaterasu said in anger.

"Oh boy. I can't believe this guy!" Tails growls.

"Get a load of this guy. All brawn and no brains. Quit messin' around and come with us!" Issun said, making Susano notice him.

"Hm? You snuck in here again!? Quit bugging me you...you...bug!" He told him.

"I told you, don't call me a bug! C'mon, Ammy and Fox Boy, We're taking him with us!" Issun said.

Both Tails and Amaterasu grab Susano before he could do anything. They held him up so he couldn't run if he escape.

"What do you think you're doing!? Put me down this instant! What will the neighbors think?" Susano said.

Both Amaterasu and Tails ignore him, and carried him over to the giant boulder. Once they reach there, they set him down.

"You mangy mutts! You brought me all the way here just to test yourself against me? Then prepare to taste the wrath of my trusty blade, Tohenboku!" He shouted and started to draw his sword.

"Now I'm being called a mutt too?!" Tails asked angrily.

Just before a fight could break out the Merchant spoke up.

"H-Hold on a minute! You're the legendary Susano?" He asked.

Susano turns to him and answers, "Yep! None other than Susano, the greatest warrior who ever lived! And by the way, never interrupt warriors engaged in battle!"

Both Amaterasu and Tails roll their eyes. They could see he was full of hot air.

"But I've got a favor to ask you. This huge boulder blocking the path is really getting in my way. Can't you do something about it?" The Merchant asked him.

"What?!" Susano asked. shocked.

"Come on! Please? I mean, you are Nagi's descendant, aren't you? Surely one stone's no match for your mighty skills...right?" The Merchant said then asked him.

"Hm...It is certainly not beyond my ability." Susano said, looking at the boulder.

"Really? Great! OK, then! No time like the present. Go for it!" The Merchant said, wanting to see him in action.

"Wait! A boulder of this size is not very easy even for me. This will require my utmost focus to magnify the power of my sword. I shall retire to the training grounds to make preparations. Wait for my return." Susano said and ran off.

Amaterasu, Tails, and Issun watch him before Issun spoke.

"Hm...I wonder...I've never seen the guy train seriously ever." He said.

Both Tails and Amaterasu sigh. For some reason, Tails was reminded of someone else he knew was filled with hot air at times. But he also at feeling this person could back up his word, unlike Susano.

They both walked back to his hut and headed for the back. It was filled with old swords and a few scarecrows. They both sigh again when they saw Susano, who wasn't training at all. He was laying on the ground, drinking sake.

They both walked up to him, and Amaterasu taps her foot as she cross her arms. Susano notices them and the looks he was getting before taking another swing.

"I know I told that merchant I could help, but a boulder of that size? I don't care if I'm of a legendary bloodline, it's just too big! Hm? Oh no! I can't believe I've run out of sake at a time like this! This won't do one bit. That's it for today. I'll just have to train tomorrow." He said before throwing his empty jug away.

Both Tails and Amaterasu shooked their heads. They didn't get him.

"I can't train without sake to fuel the fire! Training will just have to wait till tomorrow. "Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?" That's doing things the Susano way! Hah ha ha ha!" Susano laughs.

"I'm still wondering what sake is," Amaterasu asked.

"I think it's a drink from what we've seen." Tails said, thinking.

It also seems to be a really popular drink from what they heard so far.

"Sake!? Hm...Oh yeah! This village has a sake brewing girl, doesn't it?" Issun spoke up, remembering something.

The two nod and remember that Kushi had a problem with the Mill. The waterwheel had broke and she couldn't make anymore. They walk over to the Mill and Amaterasu started to get her blush out when Tails notices that one of his tails was dripping in black ink. He rise it and started to use the brush power of Rejuvenation and fix it. The act shocked Amaterasu and Issun. Then Kushi steps up, hearing the waterwheel turn.

"What's this? The mill's been mended! Who on earth did that? I'd completely given up on the idea of making my sake. But now I can get on with polishing the rice. Well! No time like the present! I better get started." She said before getting to work.

Once she enters the Mill, Amaterasu and Issun turn to tails.

"OK, what was that Fox Boy? How can you use the Celestial Brush powers?" Issun asked.

"I don't know. It happened before when fighting the Green Imps. I use the Power Slash on one of them." Tails said, still not sure how he can use Amaterasu's powers.

'He used the Power Slash?! But how?! Wait! The form he took inside the tree. Could that be the reason he's able to use the brush powers? Just who are you, Tails?' Amaterasu thought.

"We'll think on it later. We better get the sake." Tails said, rubbing his head.

Amaterasu nodded seeing that Tails's head was hurting. They enter the Mill and saw the rice get pounded by the logs that were moved by the water wheel. They walk up to Kushi, who pets them again.

'I never knew being petting was this nice!' The two thought.

"You're interested in how to brew sake, are you, Snowy and Foxy? Well, this thing here's for polishing the rice, you see. Oh, I'll tell you what. I've got something I think you'll like. Hee hee. It's just some leftover stock from the store, but I made it myself! It's called Vista of the Gods! Oh, but are you even old enough to drink, Snowy and Foxy?" Kushi said, then gave them the Vista of the Gods.

Both of them took a sniff and learn it had a strong smell to it. As much as they wanted to take a sip, they remember about Susano. Tails let Amaterasu carry the jag as they walked back to Susano's.

Once there, they saw him still laying on the ground before Amaterasu hands him the jag.

"Hm? Hold it right there, Fido! That smell...Is that Kushi's famous home-brewed sake? F-F-Fido, my friend! Did you bring me some of Kushi's sake? Oh, what a glorious day!" He said, taking the jag and drinking it.

"Ah!Good ol' sake! A man without drink is like a warrior without his trusty sword! In fact, it is said that Nagi himself relied on the power of sake in his battle with the dreaded Orochi. It's all so clear now! Let the training begin!" Susano said and drew his sword.

Amaterasu blinks as heard that. The Great Nagi used sake to defeat Orochi? Sound, familiar for some reason.

"I'll just try a bit of my usual routine. OK, here I come! Feast your eyes on this! Susano-Style...Exploding Implosion! Huh!? Hiyaaaaaaah!" He said, slashing at the dummy.

"Amaterasu, he's way off. He going to miss." Tails whispers to her.

She looks up and saw Tails was right. Taking her brush, she slashes the dummy just as Susano did. It was cut in half and Susano started to slash at each dummy before turning to a rock. Amaterasu helped him slash through it before He looked a bit confused. However, Suasno shook his head and went to the boulder with Tails and Amaterasu following after him.

"Susano-Style...Exploding Implosion!" He shouted and slashed at the boulder.

Amaterasu slashed with him, cutting the boulder in half. Susano was completely shocked, looking over his sword in confusion.

"Th-Th-That's amazing! You sliced that huge rock clean in half! You really are something!" The Merchant said, shocked.

"Wow! I didn't think ya could do it, pops!" Issun praises him.

Tails and Amaterasu remain quiet. They knew the truth but thought it was best if Susano gets the praise for it.

"Me either." He said before noticing what he just said.

"Err...I mean, of course, I could! After all, I am Susano, the greatest warrior ever!" Susano said, recomposing himself.

"You weren't just showing off when you said you're Nagi's descendant! Someone like you'd have no trouble fighting monsters off, huh? Well anyway, thanks a lot. Now I can start doing business again." The Merchant said before heading to the spot where the boulder was.

Susano started to sweat a bit when he heard the word Monster.

"Did you say, m-m-monsters? Oh, uh...Of course, no problem. This is a job for the most skilled warrior in all of Nippon! Yes! I shall rid these lands of their vile presence! Just sit back and watch the great Susano work his magic! Aha ha ha ha ha ha!" Susano said before laughing as he ran out of the village.

Tails and Amaterasu just watch him run off with a sweatdrop appearing.

"He shouldn't get all puffed up. He's nothing without us. Think he'll be OK? The monsters outside the village are nasty." Issun said, worried.

Both Tails and Amaterasu weren't sure. But it did sound like Susano could use all the help he could get.

"Ah...Glorious Amaterasu...What a pleasure to witness your heroic deeds! I am in awe. When you cleaved the boulder into two, my heart skipped a beat. To see your skills with the brush is to be witness to great art." Sakuya said as she appeared.

Amaterasu smiles and bows a little to the spirit. Sakuya then turns to Tails, who flinch a bit as he tries not to stare at her chest.

"I see that you have some powers of your own, Wise Tails." She said.

"Um, thanks!" Tails blushed.

"Yeah? So do we get a reward or something, lady?" Issun spoke up with some ideas in his mind.

"I hardly think your participation had any impact, little bug," Sakuya told him.

"It's Issun! Issun, Issun, Issun! Stop calling me a bug! I'll crawl back into your kimono if you say that again!" Issun shouted.

"My word!" Sakuya said trying to cover herself.

"Aw relax, lady. Fuzzballs here are more comfy anyway. Let's get back to that reward thing you were talking about. C'mon, Ammy. Put your paw up or something. Go on, shake!" Issun said, getting on the ground.

Amaterasu, on the other hand, just steps on him to hold him down as Tails shook his head.

"I must apologize. I would like to reward you, but I'm afraid I haven't the power. I can barely muster enough strength to make a flower bloom. Though my body stands firmly here within the confines of the village, my roots spread far and wide, protecting remote areas outside. These parts of me are known as Guardian Saplings. They collect the praise and adoration that gives me strength. The recent evil is eroding the Guardian Saplings. If this continues, I will wilt away as well, and my power will vanish. Worse yet, the dark power grows stronger with each passing day. Life as we know it will be consumed utterly in no time." Sakuya explains to them.

They all looked at the tree and saw it was looking a bit weaker.

"Aw, man...This is gettin' heavy." Issun said, worried.

"Great and powerful Amaterasu and Wise Tails! Could I be so bold as to request your assistance in rejuvenating these Guardian Saplings by lifting the curse that enslaves them? I shall mark the locations of nearby saplings on your map. I have grown tired. I haven't even the strength to speak now. I hope that my request has not fallen on deaf ears. Amaterasu...May the fresh scent of flowers protect you always!" She added before fading away.

Amaterasu nods. There was something evil going on and she had a strong feeling she needs to find it and stop it. Tails was a bit unsure, but he couldn't turn down the request for help.

"Bah...I'm always itchin' for a good fight, but I sure don't wanna poke my nose into this mess! Still, I'm stuck with furball here till I get all the brush skills. Anyway, Ammy's a god and all...What could possibly go wrong?" Issun said to himself.

Hey, did you listen to her, furball? You get the rest of the brush techniques to save the world, and I'll steal and learn 'em! Yeah, that's the ticket! At any rate, let's start by following those marks on the map!" Issun said before smiling.

"I heard her, Issun. And I'm warning you. Steal my powers, and I will get back at you!" She told him with a growl.

She then turned to Tails, who was still in thought.

"Tails? If you don't want to come along, I understand." She told him.

"It's not that Amaterasu. It's just we've talked to everyone here and no one seems to know about me. I think my memories could be out of the village, so I'm going to travel with you and see what I can learn." Tails said.

Amaterasu smiled, glad he was going to continue to travel with her. She wasn't sure why though.


And done with this one. A little more time in the village before entering the fields. And at long last, I finally get a review for this rewrite! Really? Why isn't anyone reviewing this? Guys, remember, I'm one of the types of writers that think Reviews are just as important as Fans and Followers. I understand that a lot of you don't review at all, due to some of you telling me before, but I know there are a few people I know that do leave a review. Even if you're not a Sonic Fan or never head of Okami, could you at least tell me what you think of the story? And I'm almost caught up to my old version. I stopped at the part where Amaterasu gets the Bloom ability, one of the three powers known as Greensprout together. I did start on the chapter after that before deciding to rewrite this. Remember, I'm taking the old version down once I'm done with the rewritten chapter.