Tails and Amaterasu looked around the forest, glad to see it back to normal.

However, Amaterasu was still thinking about Waka. The man was strange and yet, familiar. But she didn't like how he tried to attack Tails, twice! She could easily tell that he had some anger towards him and those attacks looked as if they could cause serious injury to him. But then there was the hurt look in his eyes after they stop fighting. She didn't understand it. Why did he attack Tails? Why did he look so down when he left? It didn't make much sense.

Tails was also thinking about Waka. He didn't like how he attacked him and how he call Amaterasu weak. Sure, she might not be what she use to be, but that doesn't mean she couldn't get stronger. But there was something about him that rubbed him the wrong way. Tails wasn't sure, but something told him he needs to stay on guard the next time they meet him.

"Tails?"

He heard his name and turns to Amaterasu.

"Yeah?" He answered.

"Does the forest remind you of anything?" She asked.

Tails blink. He looks out of the forest and tries to place something together. Sadly, nothing came to mind.

"No, sorry." He said, sighing.

Amaterasu softly his hand and smiles.

"It's fine. Even if you don't remember everything, I'm still glad to meet you." She said.

Tails blushed before Amaterasu place her head under Tails. Tails smile as he hugs Amaterasu. Both Fox and Wolf felt something familiar about this but before they could think on it, Issun spoke up.

"Look, there's a place to rest here. I bet travelers used to use it back when the ferry used to run." He said.

Both of them move away from each and saw Issun was right. As they walked over to the hut, Amaterasu spotted something. She walks over to a plant that didn't bloom from the sunlight.

"That's a Giant Bud. It's a strange plant that engulfs buried treasure 'n brings it up. But no one's ever been able to open one of these things. It's said that only the gods know the special way to make it open. You wouldn't happen to know, would ya?" Issun explains.

Amaterasu used her Bloom ability and the bud release the treasure. Knowing they will find a merchant later, SHe put it away before they spotted someone near the hut.

"Oh! How funny! I don't think I've seen a white wolf before. What's your name?" He said.

"What?" Issun asked, confused.

"Come on! Tell me your name! You may only be a wolf, but manners are manners!" He said.

'Um did he forget that we look like normal animals to him? They can't even hear us talk, let alone tell him our names. ' Tails thought.

"The name's Issun! And this furball here is Amaterasu! And that's Tails!" Issun spoke for them.

"That's a bit of a mouthful. Let's go with Chalky, shall we? As for me, I'm the infamous fang trader. Yes, I am the great Kiba!" The Man said, cheerfully.

"This guy is full of himself." Tails whisper to Amaterasu, who nodded.

"Now then, Chalky, you know about monster leftovers, right? You know, what you get when you defeat a monster. I'm talking about the Demon Fangs!" Kiba said.

"Demon Fangs?" Everyone asked, though only Issun was understood.

"All you need to do is tan those monsters' hides, and they drop a demon fang just before they disappear. The aristocrats love to have them as a symbol of power. They'll pay any price you care to ask! So then, Chalky, got any of them on you? Heh heh. Naturally, I don't expect you to give them to me for free! I, the great Kiba, have collected treasures from all over Nippon. We can do a swap!" He said.

"Did we get any fangs?" Tails asked.

"Don't think so," Amaterasu answered.

"One thing to bear in mind, Chalky, I won't do you a swap for just one measly fang! Go out and defeat lots of monsters and bring me back plenty of fangs! Then I'll let you get your paws on my precious treasures!" Kiba added.

Nodding, the three soon move away. They found a merchant and stole the treasures they had, and brought a few things they might need. After that, they headed toward the sound of roaring and came to a river. The merchant told them that the bridge was destroyed by a storm and spotted someone else they knew.

"Hm!? Not you again, Fido! Tsk tsk, why must you always dog my footsteps? I'm busy practicing a new secret technique. You see, a terrible monster lurks in Taka Pass beyond this forest. It goes by the name Crimson something or other. And it's rumored to have 100 followers!" Susano said.

"Whaddya mean Crimson something or other?" Issun asked.

"The name's slipped my mind, that's all! Anyway, I must rid Taka Pass of that terrible monster, before it harms anyone else. But first, I must practice my ultimate secret technique. Then again, the bridge to Taka Pass is out, so why rush? But have no fear, once I master that technique, I shall venture forth to slay the beast, even if I have to swim those turbid waters! Now leave me be, you cur! I have some serious training to do!" Susano told them, going back to his training.

Tails didn't believe him for a second. He wasn't blind. He wasn't trying to find another way across the river, he was running. Running from something he didn't want to confront. He felt Amaterasu touch his shoulder and sigh.

They walked back to the forest before they heard some crying. They followed the sound until they saw a young boy, holding a rod.

"Oh, poor, Ume. I wonder if he's OK? Oh, hello there, doggies. You all alone, too? I'm Kokari. Pleased to meet you." He said, noticing them.

Tails walked up and looks at the rod, noticing it was missing a few things.

"What, this? This is my fishing pole. Actually, there's no fishing line or hook on it right now. But there's a reason for that." Kokari said, thinking Tails was curious about his fishing rod.

"My dog, Ume and I were exploring a secret place the other day. An ancient building known as the Tsuta Ruins. We'd never been able to get into the ruins until we found a key deep in the forest. But when we went in, we heard a horrible roar from deep within. I didn't waste any time getting out of there! I locked the entrance to the ruins and hightailed it home. I thought Ume had followed me, but he was nowhere to be found! I bet he's trapped back at those ruins! He must be crying, all scared and alone." Kokari said, sadly.

"If you know where he is, then why don't you go rescue him? This is no time to be fishing!" Issun asked.

Tails and Amaterasu nodded. They knew this boy was worried about his friend, and they would go with him to save his dog.

"Yes, well, there's a reason for that. You see, on my way home from the ruins, I fell near the water's edge and in went the key! I've tried my hardest to fish it back out, but... I've lost all my lines and hooks! All I have now is this pole! WAAAAAA!" Kokari said before crying.

"Man, this kid's a crybaby. Give 'em a good headbutt, Ammy! Maybe that'll straighten him out!" Issun said.

However, Amaterasu didn't want to hurt the kid. So, she walked up and hugged him. Kokari was surprised before Tails joined. Kokari was surprised to see a wolf and fox hug him, but they helped him calm down.

"There's nothin' I hate more than a crybaby! You were the one who left your dog in those dangerous ruins. So you gotta do whatever it takes to get the key and go help him!" Issun said.

"B-B-But..." Kokari started.

"Listen here, kid, fishing's all about attitude. Attitude! There's nothing you can't catch with the right attitude! Fish, babes, or whatever. It all can be yours! Go ahead! Act like you're having fun. We'll watch." Issun said.

Tails and Amaterasu rolled their eyes. But they could tell that Issun was helping in his own way.

"Boy, this murky water sure gives me the creeps," Issun said, looking at the water.

"People call it Deep Abyss because they can't see the bottom. But that's not why these waters are famous. Legend has it a humongous fish swallowed the moon reflected on the surface of the water. No one knows if the legend is true. But to this day, the moon never rises here in Agata Forest." Kokari explains.

Both Tails and Amaterasu looked at each other. They couldn't help but think something was wrong.

"Give the fairytales a rest, will ya kid? They're so gloomy. Think more positive. Have fun, fun!" Issun told him before turning to the two.

"Okay, furballs, Let's use that Celestial Brush of yours to help him out. There should be some fishing line on his pole, but there's not, well, just make some by drawing a line from the pole to a fish!" He told them.

"Nice thinking, Issun." Tails said as Amaterasu drew the line with her brush.

"Whoa, did I actually get a bite!?" Kokari asked, surprised.

"Careful now, kid! Don't pull with all your might. You'll just wear yourself out. Just reel it in nice and slow!" Issun warns him.

Tails stood ready, in case Kokari was going to get pulled into the water. However, he was able to pull a large fish out of the water and it spits something out.

"Wow, that's a big one! Hm? Hey! Th-That's the Ruins Key! It popped right outta the mouth of that big ol' fish! Now I can go save Ume over at the ruins. I'm gonna go all the way in this time! No running away for me now!" Kokari said, jumping up and down happily.

However, Amaterasu thought about it and picks up the key before Kokari could.

"Sorry, but it's too dangerous for you." She said, walking away.

"Hey, give that back!" Kokari shouted, surprised.

"Heh heh, good move, Ammy! We can't have the kid getting hurt on your watch! Well, whadda we waitin' for! We got a lost dog to find in Tsuta Ruins!" Issun said.

"Don't worry, we'll bring back your dog." Tails said, following after his friends.

"COME BACK HERE!" Kokari shouted.

A bit later,

Tails, Amaterasu, and Issun stood in front of a large door. Amaterasu walks up and places the key in the door, causing it to open. Tails felt his fur stick up and had a bad feeling about this.

"Well, let's go look for that kid's dog. I'm actually hoping we might find something more. Nobody's entered these ruins for ages, right? Just think about it. There could be a fabulous treasure hoard hidden in there! Heh heh heh. But enough talk. Let's start looking!" Issun said.

However, Amaterasu notices how Tails looked and grew worried.

"Tails?" She asked, touching his shoulder.

"I don't like this, Amaterasu. Something feels off about these ruins." Tails said, partly growling under his breath.

Amaterasu looks into the doorway, thinking about Tails's words. She didn't sense anything, but she could tell something was off as well. She grabs his hand before they walked into the ruins.


And stopping here. Well, a bit more exploring in the forest, meeting some characters both old and new, but I didn't cover every character because I didn't want to make this too long. A small change with Kokari, but not too much. And for those that find the story too close to the game, let me remind you that it's taking place in Okami's World, not Sonic's.

So, the next chapter will cover the first dungeon of the game. It might take a while since I'm covering the whole dungeon in one chapter. There are some characters that they will meet, but it mostly going to about Tails and Amaterasu.