Issun gripped Ammy's snowy fur tightly as he stared at the Moon Cave. He was up for some monster bashing, but it was weird seeing the cave again. It had disappeared a year ago after he and Ammy had defeated Orochi. What on earth was it doing here again? It looked even more sinister than before. The black mouth gaped, as if daring them to enter, and the setting sun behind it was beginning to cast bloody shadows upon the slope leading down to it. Ammy seemed tense too and Issun knew she was just as uneasy as him.

Beside them, Susano puffed out his chest but Issun noticed that he was quivering slightly. Even so, he didn't try to make an excuse to leave. Poor Susano. He could be brave, but it was a shame he always trembled as well. It ruined the effect.

"Thank goodness, it's you! Amaterasu, mother to us all!" said Hayabusa, skidding to a halt and rubbing noses with Ammy. "You have to help. It's too quick for me!"

"All right, we'll take care of it. You stay put here," said Issun.

Hayabusa stared as if Issun was mad. He stood up straight. Issun had forgotten how muscular the canine warriors were and he suddenly noticed that Hayabusa wasn't even out of breath after his mad dash from the cave. "Uh, come to think of it, you're not such a bad fighter are you?" said Issun.

"I would never have become a canine warrior if I couldn't battle, but I'm also not afraid to say when I need help. I don't like that monster. Now hurry up. Mushi needs us."

"What's with that mutt?" muttered Susano, frowning as Hayabusa scrambled back to the cave.

Oh yeah, Susano couldn't hear animals could he? It was so normal for Issun that he always forgot. Humans didn't realise how disconnected from everything they were. "Nuthin'," he said hurriedly. "Let's go."

Ammy growled and Issun felt her flexing her muscles, preparing for the fight. She tensed, ready to hurtle forwards towards the cave, but then she froze. She gave one of her puzzled growls as she looked round quickly. Sniffing the air, she wagged her tail.

"Well, are we going?" said Susano.

"Dunno," said Issun. "What's up Ammy?"

She howled, as if she was calling to someone. Her tail wagged harder and she barked in excitement.

Issun stood on Ammy's head, but he couldn't see anyone. "Please say it's not that half-baked prophet coming to the rescue…" he muttered quietly.

There was an answering howl to Ammy's call. Issun frowned as another wolf emerged over the brow of the hill just ahead. Colours had become distorted in the sunset, but it was clear that the animal was no normal wolf. It was hard to see, but its fur looked… blue?

"Is that… Oki?" said Issun.

Ammy barked and howled again, calling for Oki to join them. The Oina warrior began to run as he saw them. He changed. As always, it was unsettling to watch as his skin writhed and quivered, but finally the change halted as he became a man again.

"W-what is that?" said Susano, staring uncertainly at the expressionless blue mask that hid Oki's face.

"A friend. Hey Oki! You're just in time for a rumble!"

Oki was panting so hard that he couldn't talk. His red hair was ruffled and he stank of sweat. He looked rough, as if he hadn't slept in days. How had he managed to make it from Kamui? He was too large to fit through the tunnel Ammy always used.

Bending over, Oki struggled to recover. Ammy licked his hand but her tail wasn't wagging any more. Issun could sense that she was concerned. Something was wrong with Oki. He wasn't hurt, but he seemed to be in pain. Issun had never seen him like this before. He was upset. Distraught.

"Hurry! Hurry!" Hayabusa called from the cave.

"We gotta go save a kid, Oki, but we'll be back," said Issun. "Hang tight!"

Ammy licked Oki's hand and then she sprang towards the cave. She moved so fast that Issun didn't have time to feel afraid as the mouth swallowed them. For a tiny moment everything was too black to see. In the darkness, Issun readied himself for what was to come. Maybe Orochi had somehow returned…

The narrow passage opened up into the cavern. Issun still couldn't see anything but he sensed the space around them. It smelt the same as he remembered… the dank earth and dusty rock, and even the lingering smell of Orochi, though it was fainter than before.

Orochi couldn't be back. It had been unbearably stifling in the cave when he had lived here and the heat had pasted the air with a cloying, charred taste that had always made Issun feel ill. Now, it was cold, as a cave should be. There was no sound, but Issun knew there was something here. Ammy growled.

"Amaterasu! You come!" a soft, almost inviting, voice called.

The cave lit up with a pale pink glow that stung Issun's eyes. Orochi and his lava pit were gone. Stalactites hung from the ceiling and in the middle of the stone cave a snake was curled around a weird, glowing pink crystal. It was a big snake, bigger than any Issun had ever seen, but it wasn't monstrous by any standards. It wouldn't even be half as long as Susano if he laid down beside it. The snake was an odd shape though. Its body was wider than its head or tail, but the skin didn't look swollen like it would if it had just eaten something. It seemed to be its natural shape.

"Where's Mushi?" snapped Hayabusa, looking around frantically.

"I ate him," said the snake. It didn't have the hissing voice that most snakes had, but the softness of it was disconcerting.

"You're not big enough to eat him," said Issun. "You're just an overly large worm."

"Mushi managed to climb onto a ledge before," whispered Hayabusa, staring up at the dark walls where the light of the crystal didn't quite reach.

The snake uncoiled itself. Issun stared at the round crystal. It wasn't big but he had never seen anything glow that brightly before. The light from it felt strange. It made the air fizz slightly, reminding Issun of the arrows from the Moon Tribe. They must have sent this creature too.

There was no sign of Mushi, though, and Hayabusa had started to tremble. "What have you done with him?"

"Not telling. What a pretty white wolf you are, Amaterasu. I bet you're pretty in human form. No wonder you have an admirer."

"Is this it?" said Susano. "Not much of a monster is it?"

Issun hadn't noticed Susano enter the cave. He was clutching his sword, and Issun was willing to bet that he had been terrified in the darkness of the passage, but now he looked as if he might laugh. Beside him was Oki. He was still panting, but he had his sword out ready for the fight.

"Ahaha!" said Susano. "Leave this to me!" He swung his sword dramatically and then rushed forward.

The snake moved and Issun felt his mouth gape. He'd never seen anything move that fast so effortlessly. It slid behind Susano and opened its mouth, baring long fangs.

Ammy hurtled forward, leaping onto Susano's back and knocking him away. Issun cringed, expecting the fangs to close around one of Ammy's legs, but instead the snake swung its head away. That was interesting… It was faster than her. It could have bitten her and yet it hadn't. It didn't want her dead. What was the Moon Tribe playing at?

Ammy growled and lunged to bite, but the snake danced away. Suddenly it was beside Oki.

"You shouldn't have bought your friends," said the snake. "You'll be all alone when I'm through with them.

Oki swung his sword as the snake prepared to bite. It looked as if he was going to hit it but the snake was too fast. It darted around him, suddenly appearing on Oki's other side.

Issun saw Ammy concentrating and in her mind he knew she was painting with her brush powers. The air turned misty and everything in the cavern turned cold and slow. Gradually the snake's mouth began to close about Oki's leg, but still Ammy didn't move. She concentrated for a moment more and then her power slashed across the snake, knocking it away.

"That's the way, Ammy!" said Issun.

The snake hissed as the power of the mist cleared. Issun thought it was going to leap at Ammy, but it seemed intent upon Oki. Again Ammy concentrated, trying to slow the snake and slash it again, but the speed of her powers weren't fast enough. By the time Ammy had called the mist, the snake's fangs had already sunk through one of Oki's thick boots.

The Oina warrior screamed and the only thing the mist succeeded in doing was making the initial pain of the bite last longer than it should. Issun had never heard a man howl like this before and he felt himself writhing inside at the sound of it. Painfully slowly, Oki's fingers loosened and his sword clattered uselessly to the ground. As the veil of mist cleared, the snake leapt away laughing. Oki's entire body seemed to have quiver before he collapsed to the ground gasping.

"Oki!" Issun screamed. Oki was still breathing, but there was also a hideous burbling noise coming from his mouth.

"The pitiful descendent of Nagi is next. Then the dog and then the flea that rides around on your back using you like a mule, Amaterasu," said the snake.

It was too fast, even for Ammy's powers. Issun felt a chill flood him. This was trouble.

"Susano, get climbing!" he snapped. "Up the cavern wall now! Hayabusa, get yourself out of the cave!"

For some reason it didn't want Ammy dead, but Issun knew it was serious about killing everyone else.

Hayabusa ran. Susano dropped his sword and moved to the wall, but the snake appeared in front of him, laughing in its cruelly soft voice. Ammy leapt in between it and Susano, barking, snapping and swiping with her massive paws. She moved faster than any other wolf could, but she wasn't fast enough. The snake slipped around every blow so easily that it made Ammy look pathetic. Issun could feel her getting angrier and angrier as her blows became more frantic.

The snake danced around her, appearing beside Susano again and bearing its fangs. Ammy leapt at it and thrashed wildly. Behind her, Issun watched as Susano started to climb. He was quivering and sweating and muttering to himself, and Issun begged him not to fall. Again the snake made it past Ammy. It leaned up, trying to bite Susano's foot, but he was already out of reach. Issun breathed a sigh of relief.

The snake hissed in annoyance. "Fine. I'll get the flea then."It jumped.

"Oh gods," said Issun.

It could leap through the air as high as Ammy could. No snake should be able to do that. Its jaws open as it prepared to snatch Issun from Ammy's back. Ammy growled furiously and delivered one of the strongest slashes Issun had ever seen. Most creatures would have been sliced into pieces, but all the snake did was give a small hiss of irritation.

"How do we fight this, Ammy? We're in trouble!" said Issun.

"Poor lost Amaterasu. You should have stayed on Takamagahala. Soon you'll be alone. The remaining celestials will be enslaved by the Moon Tribe and your mortal friends will fall to my venom. The blond one with the flute will die too. Though I suppose it doesn't matter if he dies since he's your enemy anyway. He betrayed you. Did you know that? He knew the monsters were in the ark all along. It was part of the plan."

Ammy stared. She made a faint whine that was loud enough only for Issun to hear.

"Furball, move! You can't freeze now!" cried Issun, tugging on her fur.

The snake leapt through the air. Issun felt Ammy tense, and he suddenly found out exactly why a human form was dangerous. She was frightened. Uncertain. He felt the emotions pouring from her, and he knew they came because she'd been human recently.

Issun buried himself in the fur close to her ear. "Ammy, please don't be scared. Just fight. It's all right. I'm here for you…" He lowered his head as he sensed the snake coming.

But the blow never came. Instead the snake screamed. Issun looked up.

Waka was fighting it with his green sword. He and the snake moved so quick that Issun couldn't even see what was happening. It was impressive that Waka could match its speed, but Issun hated himself as soon as the thought popped into his head. He hated Waka. He was such a show off. Trust him to show up now just so he could be a hero.

Though at the same time, he couldn't deny that he was relieved. The snake would have killed Issun, and there was no saying what would have happened to Ammy.

But why was he joining the fight now? Issun froze, just as Ammy had a moment ago. The snake had been talking about Waka. Waka had a flute and he had blond hair; Issun had noticed the fringe beneath that weird winged hood he wore. And the snake had talked about the ark… Issun hadn't know what it all meant, but Ammy certainly had. Darn it, why couldn't she speak?

"A little help, ma cherie!" Waka called.

Ammy shook herself. Concentrating, she drew the veil of mist in her mind, which immediately appeared in the air around the snake. As the creature slowed, Waka sliced it in half with his sword, spilling black blood across the dusty floor.

Standing back, Waka stared at the snake for a moment, as if to check it was dead. The green blade disappeared, turning once again into his flute.

He looked just as ridiculous as Issun remembered. His clothes were different to before but they still looked silly and baggy. Idiot. His wings had changed too; now they were gold. Tacky, thought Issun.

Waka turned to Ammy. "What on earth was that, ma cherie? You know I'm disappointed. Did that little fall from the moon make you fall below greatness again?"

"Bah! You slimy half-baked prophet!" Issun snapped, leaping onto Ammy's head. "What are you up to?"

Ammy whined as she ran to Waka. Issun wasn't quite prepared for the movement and he grunted as he fell off her head and hit the floor. Awkwardly he picked himself up. "Thanks for stopping to see if I'm all right, Ammy," he muttered to himself. She had her front paws on Waka's chest as she licked his face. Waka laughed as he hugged her. Ammy licked him harder.

"Gross!" said Issun. "Ammy, you traitor!"

Ammy jumped down from Waka quickly and hung her head, as if she was ashamed.

"I should think so too!" said Issun. He glared at Waka. Waka may have saved his life, but Issun still didn't trust him. He wouldn't forget what the snake had said, and he wouldn't forget about Oki. "You've got some nerve, you stupid prophet! You could have joined the fight before Oki got bit!"

Ammy seemed to have forgotten about Oki until now. Issun felt her guilt as she suddenly rushed over to the Oina warrior, frantically licking his hands and mask. Issun rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's it Ammy. Lick your bastard of a friend first and then attend to the friend who's dying!"

"Your opinion of me is inspiring," said Waka. "Do you really think I'm a monster? Here." He pulled a tiny bottle from the pouch at his side. "I've been tracking that creature for several days. I had this made up just in case. It's an antidote for the venom of the Tsuchinoko serpent. Your friend will be fine, or as fine as anyone can be with a blue face."

"Give it here then!" Issun leapt up to snatch the bottle, but Waka closed his fingers around it. Ignoring Issun, he walked to Oki. Behind him, Issun had to bite his tongue to stop himself from screaming. Ammy didn't do anything as Waka knelt beside him. Why was she OK with this? Why didn't she bite him? Waka could have prevented Oki from getting hurt in the first place! The antidote didn't make up for it.

Oki didn't seem to be conscious and his breathing sounded wet and haggard as his chest awkwardly rose and fell. Ammy nuzzled his face and barked urgently at Waka. Waka pulled Oki's boot away and inspected the tiny puncture holes on top of his foot. Carefully he poured the contents of the bottle, a thick red liquid, onto the tiny marks.

"That's it?" said Issun, bouncing forward.

"Oui. He'll wake in a few moments and be right as rain," said Waka standing.

"How do we know you haven't poisoned him? We all heard what that snake said about you. You're the enemy! Who are you anyway? You never did tell us."

"I'd forgotten how grumpy you could be. Amaterasu knows who I am and she trusts me. The snake was lying."

"Yeah right! If you're such a great pal then where were you when Ammy fell from the moon?"

"Slowing her fall. She's surprisingly heavy and it's quite difficult when you've fallen from the moon."

"She almost died!"

"Why are you trying to pick a fight with me, bug? All I have to do is step on you."

"You!" Susano roared.

Issun turned to see Susano scrambling unceremoniously down the cavern wall. Falling the last few feet, he grunted and then grabbed his sword and pointed it at Waka. "You! At last I shall avenge my defeat!"

Susano had said he'd won the fight with Waka before. Issun had known he'd been lying, and now would have been the perfect time to point it out, but he really wanted him to fight Waka. And win. Waka needed taking down about half a million notches.

"Oh, you again," said Waka. "Well, it'll have to wait. Unlike the rest of you, I haven't forgotten why you came here."

Waka spread his wings. A wind seemed to suddenly fill the cavern and Waka used it to lift himself off the ground and fly out of sight into the darkness beyond the light of the glowing orb.

Issun glanced at Ammy. Had she called the wind? It felt the same as the one she called. Or maybe she'd been passing on some of her tricks to Waka…

Issun knew she could sense what he was thinking and he noticed her looking guilty. Bah, how many other brush techniques had she taught Waka? It wasn't a good idea to just dish them out to anyone. He wished she was in human form so he could have a proper conversation with her. She had a lot of explaining to do.

Waka descended from the darkness, landing carefully on the ground. He was holding someone.

"Mushi! You're all right?" said Susano.

"Uh, yeah," Mushi rubbed his face frantically as Waka put him down. His eyes were red, and Issun knew he'd been crying, but he seemed desperate to cover it up. "Me and Hayabusa were exploring and then that snake appeared… This guy saved me after Hayabusa left to get help."

"Yeah, he's a real hero isn't he? Saves you and leaves the rest of us to face the music!" said Issun.

Ammy growled at him and Issun felt her thoughts. She wanted him to stop biting at Waka. Tough. He was enjoying himself. And it would teach her a lesson. Stupid wolf. Teaching him brush techniques. Licking him. Blech!

Waka tilted his head. "Well, I thought you could handle it. Let's see, one wolf, one dog, one bug, the Oina's self-proclaimed greatest warrior and the descendent of the legendary Nagi, versus one slightly overgrown worm. I really didn't expect to have to step in and steal all the glory."

That was the second time he'd called Issun bug. Issun drew his sword. "I'll teach you, you half-baked fruitcake!" He bounded forward, but Ammy stopped him with a paw. "Ow! You stupid lump of fur! You two deserve each other!"

"My, you certainly woke up on the wrong side of the bed. What has gotten into you today, my little bouncing friend?"

"I am not your friend!" Issun tried to leap forward again, but Ammy had him pressed beneath her paw. It wasn't hard enough to crush him but the pressure was firm enough to let him know that he wasn't going anywhere. Why wasn't she angry? Didn't she want to know what the snakey Tsuchithingy had been babbling about?

Issun caught her thoughts. She didn't care about the serpent because it had been lying. She was too trusting. He knew she heard his thought, but she ignored him.

"Your dog's waiting outside. He's been worried about you," said Waka. "I expect your mother must have been terrified too." He looked at Susano. "You're not much of a fighter but I'm sure you can help escort this boy back to his mother."

Susano clenched his fist. "I don't take orders from you, you… you arrogant… er… flappy boy."

"A wit fantastique, surely! Well, are you going to let this boy and his dog fend for themselves in Shinshu? I won't be going back to Kamiki and neither will Amaterasu. I'm not sure what the blue one intends to do, but it seems you're the only one going in that direction so you can take this little man with you."

Susano clenched his other fist, but then he glanced at Mushi. The boy looked very hard as if he was trying to be brave, but Issun knew he didn't want to go back to Kamiki alone.

"Susano, this idiot isn't worth stressing about. Thanks for you help but you should go home. Kushi will be worried about you," said Issun.

"Hmph."

"Seriously, he's not worth it. Go home and forget he exists."

Grumpily Susano sheathed his sword. "Let's go, Mushi."

Mushi patted Ammy on the head. "I think you did great, Snowy. Thanks for saving me. You too, Mr Waka."

Mushi scampered to the cave entrance. Susano gave Waka one last glare before he followed him, but Waka didn't seem to be paying attention. He'd walked over to the pink crystal that still stood in the centre of the cave. Carefully he prodded it with his flute and frowned. Approaching him, Ammy leaned forward to sniff it but Waka placed his hand on her neck.

"No, don't touch it, ma cherie." Cautiously he ran his fingers over the surface, as if he was expecting it to burn him.

"It's just a crystal," said Issun.

"I don't think so. I'll keep hold of this for now." He picked up.

"Stealing all the treasure?" said Issun.

"This is from the Moon Tribe. I'll get rid of it later."

"What is it?"

"More than a night light that's for sure." He tucked it under his arm, sending the shadows about the cavern spiralling. "Your friend is stirring." He pointed at Oki.

Ammy lunged forward, skidding to a halt in front of Oki. Groaning, Oki slid a hand under his mask and rubbed his face. He sat up and gingerly touched his ankle.

"You all right, pal?" said Issun, bouncing over to him.

"I think so. What happened to the snake?"

"Gone. We were worried about you."

Ammy whined as she nuzzled Oki's face. Oki smiled as he gently ran a hand through her fur. "I am happy to see you well, Amaterasu. I was…" He paused and Issun saw him staring at Waka. "You!"

"Bonjour," said Waka.

Oki staggered to his feet but then he groaned. Desperately he tried to stand, but Issun saw his legs wobbling and he could do nothing as the Oina warrior toppled over. Ammy licked his face.

"That man…" Oki pointed at Waka and swallowed. "He is my enemy."

"Well, you're great at making friends aren't you, Waka?" said Issun. "First Susano and now Oki. You're on a lot of people's death wish lists."

Waka smiled. "I'm used to it."

Again, Oki stood slowly, leaning against the cave wall for support. "He tricked me into removing Kutone and now I have been banished from Wep'Keer!" He drew his sword. The white blade of Kutone glimmered in the crystal's light. "I may have been almost killed, but I'll fight you with my dying breath."

"There's no need to be so dramatic," said Waka.

"Dramatic!" Oki snapped. He pointed his sword forward, but Ammy suddenly positioned herself between him and Waka. She stared at Oki.

"You defend him?" said Oki. "After all the pain he has caused me?"

Ammy nuzzled Oki's legs. Sighing, Oki rested his hand on her head and then looked at Waka. "Who are you? The goddess trusts you and yet you a troublemaker. What is going on?"

"I second that question," said Issun. "Start talking, pretty boy. What's the Moon Tribe up to?"

"Oh, that reminds me-" said Waka.

"No you don't! I know what you're going to do. You're going to change the subject in such a way that we forget that you haven't answered any of our questions. Well, I'm onto you, fruitcake! Talk! Who are you? What's your connection with Ammy and what the heck is going on? Why are the Moon Tribe suddenly after Ammy?"

Waka stared at his flute. Issun thought he was going to pretend that he hadn't heard anything, but then he looked straight at Issun. "All right, Issun, but what I have to say is for your ears only. I have a prophecy for you as well."

"Me?" Oops. Issun hadn't expected this. "I'm not going anywhere alone with you, you freak! And I don't want any more of your daft prophecies!"

Oki frowned. "I don't blame you, Issun, but he does appear to be a friend of Amaterasu's."

"I don't care!"

Ammy suddenly whacked Issun with her paw, sending him flying through the air before he landed at Waka's feet.

"Hey!" he snapped, bouncing furiously. "I am not-"

Ammy barked and Issun felt her determination. He groaned. "Oh, all right! You're the boss! But if he kills me then you'd better eat him!"

Waka laughed. "Shall we then?"

That's a loong chapter. And it's gonna be getting much more interesting soon. heh, isn't Issun the most ungrateful person in the world?

Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing, including the GAR. Lol, i'm honoured.