They both step out of the village and into a field. However, they saw that most of the land was covered in some kind of darkness and the air had a sense of evil in it. Amaterasu didn't like it and Tails felt the fur on the back of his neck stick up.
"Huh? You probably know this already, Ammy, but this here is Shinshu Field, the most beautiful field in Nippon. At least it's supposed to be." Issun said, looking around.
"But ever since that incident, I've been getting a bad vibe. We better watch where we're going. You can look at the map that you have. Let's pay attention to the map as we push ahead." He added.
"Wait, when did we have a map?" Tails asked, confused.
Amaterasu shrugs and pulls the map out. The map looks just like what they saw in the field. After looking at it, the two started to head for the Guardian Sapling ahead of them. They ended up fighting some more Imps but dealt with them quickly. They ran up to the Guardian Sapling and saw that it was withering.
"Wow, this tree looks like it's seen better days." Tails said, feeling bad for it.
"Ammy, Tails, that's the first Guardian Sapling marked on our map! It's supposed to be a place for travelers to rest and recuperate, but just look at it! It looks like it could fall over at any moment! This place is definitely cursed from the looks of it! Places where evil has taken hold, luring monsters from far and wide, are known as cursed zones. But I've never seen one this big. It's withered all the plant life in the area, even the big tree! It'd take a monster with powers beyond even a god to do this!" Issun said, shocked.
"That tree's an offshoot of Sakuya. It protects nature in the area. Maybe the natural beauty here would return if we revived it. But how the heck could we do that, anyway?" He asked.
"We might need to find another brush god. Maybe he/she could help us." Tails said, thinking.
"Agree. We have another Guardian Sapling on the map. Let's head over there." Amaterasu said.
Tails nod and the two follow the map. They follow the path, taking care of more imps along the way, and soon found themselves in Hana Valley, but it too had the same feeling as Shinshu Field. The two nod and follow the path. It wasn't long before they came to some more imps. It look like they were playing music and drinking. When they notice Tails and Amaterasu, they attack them. They dealt with the imps and saw some of the land appear but was forced away as soon as it appear.
"Huh? We got rid of the monsters, so why did the gods' power disappear? Guess the curse on the gods of these lands must be really strong. They can't intervene till we do something about this stagnant air." Issun said.
"Yeah." Tails agreed, getting the feeling something was watching them again.
Amaterasu didn't like it. Hearing that this curse was keeping away the god's powers made her upset. Tails touch her shoulder and she looks at him. He, too, didn't like what was going on and wanted to help. Amaterasu nodded and they continued until they saw a moving tree.
"Hey, check out that tree! It's moving! Better be careful, you two," Issun said before the tree threw its fruit at them.
Amaterasu wasted no time in Power Slashing it back, stunning the tree.
"Ammy! Did you just do what I think you did!? Did you use Power Slash to hit the tree's fruit right back at it?" Issun asked, shocked.
"I think she did!" Tails said, surprised.
"Heh heh... It's wearing a taste of its own medicine! Let's pass on by this creepy old tree while we can!" Issun said, smirking.
They run past the cursed tree and fought off more. It wasn't long before they found two Green Imps and they started playing. Soon they saw something move underground and pop up to show it was another Imp but bigger than the Green Imps. The Imp has a sickly yellow color of its flesh and body. It also has monkey-like hands and feet and moves in a manner similar to simians. It wears tattered clothing of varying shades of yellow, from a light color to a dark earth-like saturation. Like all imps, it wears a paper mask on its face and depicts a kana unique from other imps.
"This one looks bigger!" Tails said.
"And it digs underground. We need to watch our feet!" Amaterasu said.
The Yellow Imp retreated back underground and the two Green Imps fought back. Tails and Amaterasu dealt with the Green Imps with ease. They waited as the Yellow Imp move around underground. It then pops up behind Amaterasu, ready to attack her.
"Amaterasu, look out!" Tails shouted, and before he knew it, he curl into a ball and started spinning.
He then shot off and hit the Imp which flinches from the hit. Amaterasu try to attack it as well, but the Imp stood its ground (while in the ground). It being to bang its drum and both Tails and Amaterasu had a bad feeling about it. They saw the Yellow Imp bang on its drum hard and made a shock wave that hit both of them. The Yellow Imp let a noise out like it was laughing and retreated back underground.
"You ok, Amaterasu? Tails asked her.
"I'm fine. We need to stop that Imp." Amaterasu said.
"Hmm, maybe we can surprise it! Follow me." Tails said, thinking.
Tails started to fly and carry Amaterasu into the air. They waited until the Yellow Imp pop back up and saw no sign of them. That made the Yellow Imp confuse. It turns black and white, and Tails let Amaterasu go. Once Amaterasu landed on the ground, she use the power slash to weaken it. She started to attack it, and Tails join her after landing back on the ground. The two finish the Yellow Imp in no time, and it disappears into flowers. The fight caught the attention of Susano, who was trying to push on a rock.
"Hm? What's all that racket?" He asked, turning around to see Tails, Amaterasu, and Issun.
"Oh, it's you, mutts! What're you doing here? Go home! I already told you I'm not looking for apprentices. Anyway, Hana Valley is no place for mutts like you. Beyond this point lies my secret training ground. It's the perfect place to hide..." Susano said.
"HUH?!" Tails and Amaterasu asked, surprised.
"Err...I mean, to train! Now scoot! Be off with ya!" Susano said, clearing his throat before swinging his sword at them.
Both Tails and Amaterasu jumps back before Susano went back to pushing the rock again.
"Jezz, I can tell he doesn't want to train at all." Tails said.
"Indeed. Something is wrong here. We need to find that Guardian Sapling, but this rock this in the way." Amaterasu said.
"Wow! Check out that wall painting. It's said that a crystal sphere that makes trees grow is enshrined somewhere around here. Based on this painting here, I'd say the rumor must be true. Still, something's not right. Don't you think there's something missing from this painting?" Issun said, making the two turn to him to see the painting he was talking about.
They both saw some people bowing to a tree as if they were worshipping it.
"Looks like a painting of a ritual for making a tree grow, but don't you think there's something missing from this painting? I know! The sun! That's what's missing! Doesn't it just make you wanna draw it in yourself!?" Issun said, looking a the painting some more.
Amaterasu could see what Issun was talking about and painted the sun in the painting. Once it was done, the painting glowed and the rock in front of Susano was destroyed.
"What in heaven's name!? How did that happen? Well, now I can go hide...Err...I mean, now I can go train!" Susano said, running in laughing.
"What an idiot." Tails said, making Amaterasu nod in agreement.
The two follow after him, and soon came to a small green sapling in the ground.
"What's up with this tiny sapling? Hm? I smell a faint scent like Sakuya's coming from this sapling! Why would a Guardian Sapling be so tiny like this? I mean, that wall painting had a huge, magnificent tree in it! Maybe the monsters' evil is keeping its power at bay." Issun said, looking over the plant.
"Strange," Amaterasu said, kneeling down.
"Maybe we can help it grow. If I can recall, plants need lots of sunshine and water." Tails said, thinking.
"I see someone know a green thumb." Amaterasu smiles.
"Not really, it's just that, for some reason, I feel upset to see it in a bad shape. Like someone was trying to stop it from growing." Tails said.
"Sound like some of your memories are coming back," Amaterasu said.
"I guess. For some reason, I can't stop thinking about a human that shaped like an egg." Tails said.
"Shaped like an egg? Your memories sound are making things up." Issun said.
Tails said nothing else. He didn't get it. Who was that human, why did he make him so mad? And why did he see something blue pass him each time? It confused Tails to no end. Amaterasu grew worried for Tails and plan her hand on his shoulders.
"Remember, don't rush it." She said.
Tails calm down and nod. They turn to see a wooden gate blocking their path, but a quick Power Slash from Amaterasu's brush removes the problem. They follow the tunnel and soon came across Susano again.
"Rawrrrr!" He growls.
"What now!?" Issun shouted as the two run up to him.
"You...You foul beast! How did you get in here!?" Susano asked angrily.
"Foul beast?" Issun asked.
They turn to see a bear, fast asleep, standing on a crystal sphere.
"Is that a bear?" Tails asked.
"Yes, but it's asleep," Amaterasu said.
"You have some nerve sneaking into my private training ground. Now you shall get a taste of my new secret technique!" Susano said and started to draw his sword.
"Your "foul beast" looks like an ordinary sleepy bear to me, pops," Issun said, trying to stop him.
"Enough talk! My blade thirsts for battle! Here goes nothing!" Susano said and started to attack the touches around the bear first.
"Susano-Style SUSANO! SU! SA! NO! SUSANO!" He said, cutting each one with Amaterasu helping him secretly.
Once he was done with the touches he turn to the bear.
"Now for Susano-Style...Exploding Implosion!" He said and slash the bear.
Amaterasu use less power for the slash so she didn't hurt the bear. The bear snap awake and fell off the crystal sphere before falling back asleep. Everyone just stares at the bear confuse. Tails and Amaterasu step up and look at Susano, who was just as confused as them.
"Um...uh...Rest in peace, foul beast. The great warrior Susano condemns the offense, not the offender. Anyway, there are other monsters I must deal with! Aha ha ha ha ha ha!" He said and ran off, making Tails and Amaterasu sweat drop again.
"Wow! He beat a sleeping bear. He really is the greatest warrior." Tails said with little impressiveness.
Amaterasu just laughs before they turn to the sphere that was lying in front of them.
"This crystal sphere is filled with leaves. Is this sphere used in a ritual for a good harvest or something? Hey, didn't that wall painting have a sphere-like object in it?" Issun said before remembering the painting back outside.
"Hey, it does!" Tails said, looking at it.
"Hmm, let's get it back to the other room. Tails help me push it." Amaterasu said.
Working together, the two push the sphere back into the room with the little sapling. They pass it up a hill and into the puddle of water they saw. Once it was in, the puddle made it float up.
"Wow, someone had a lotta time on their hands to think all this up. So this WAS that sphere in that wall painting! I bet this sphere here is magic or something!" Issun said, shocked.
Tails thought back to the painting and remember something it showed. He wasn't sure if he could, but he took his tail and drew the sun. To his and Amaterasu's surprise, it worked! The sun shined on the sphere, and the small sapling grew into the Guardian Sapling.
"Tails, you just use my brush power. How?!" Amaterasu asked, shocked.
"I don't know. I didn't even know it was going to work." Tails said, looking at his tail that was dripping ink.
"Hey, is this a Guardian Sapling!? It's all withered like the others. What the!? Who turned out the lights? Oh... It's another constellation, Ammy!" Issun said before noticing the sky.
They look up to see something appear in the sky. Amaterasu fill in the missing stars and they saw a monkey with a Shinto priest hat and kimono, both colored a pale blue, with a white haori and dark blue hakama. He also had an shō and the same markings as Amaterasu.
"Ah, Amaterasu. Origin of all that is good and mother to us all. My gratitude for releasing my body from its slumber. Please accept my humble thanks in return for your great kindness. I am Sakigami, one of the triumvirates of flora gods known as the Hanagami. My brethren and I have been entrusted with the brush techniques known collectively as Greensprout. I now grant my humble power to you. Use it wisely. And I have something for you Father Kitsune." Sakigami said before turning into a symbol and united with Amaterasu.
Amaterasu knew she had relearned the Bloom ability. Tails turn to see a uniform on the ground and pick it up. It was just like Amaterasu's, but instead of a kimono, it was a hakama. He was confused but put it on. He found a hole for his tails and slip them through. He then turns to Amaterasu, who blushes a little.
"Wow, Fox Boy. If you had white fur and red markings, you might pass off as another brush god." Issun said.
Amaterasu remembers Tails's other look. He could be a Celestial God, but she doesn't remember there being a fox along with the gods she found so far. They were snapped out of it when Issun spoke up again.
"Anyways, That was Sakigami, one of the gods of flora! Apparently, the Bloom brush technique can make flowers blossom simply by drawing a circle on a withered tree. Hey! Maybe it'll make the withered Guardian Sapling blossom, too!" He said.
Seeing his point, Amaterasu turn to the tree and painted a circle around the Guardian Sapling. The tree bloomed into cherry blossoms that started to wash over Hana Village, getting rid of the Cuse Zone.
"Wow! Look at how everything grew back so quick! Sakuya wasn't kidding about the power of the Guardian Saplings! So this is what Hana Valley's supposed to look like. Seems Sakuya's Guardian Sapling has lifted the evil curse. I'm not sure how weak the gods have become recently. But it must've taken some wickedly strong power to suppress this magnificent Guardian Sapling. Even if you are Shiranui reborn, we might be up against more than we bargained for! Hey, Ammy! What about that withered Guardian Sapling outside? I bet you could revive it like you did this one! And by bringing that Guardian Sapling back to life, we might be able to lift the curse there, too! What are we waiting for? Leap before you think, right!?" Issun said.
"Sounds like I can," Amaterasu said.
Tails just smile at the sight. He knew he and Amaterasu were far from done.
And I'm all caught up! I already have the next chapter ready, and it will be up soon as well. I just need to look it over first. So Tails got an outfit like Amaterasu's, only I made it a bit different. It also appears that Grammarly doesn't understand Japanese words. There have been a few times it marks the words as incorrect spelling. I have to add them in order to make them as correct. Well, I see you all in the next chapter. And don't try to find my old one. I took it down.
