This chapter is quite long, for me anyway, so there's my apology.
Nova Bucker I tried to do this sooner but writers blocks are not easy to beat.
Let's get on with the story shall we?
Canine Warriors
Rao was walking calmly back to Ankoku Temple after a tiring day at Sei-an city. Ever since the mist appeared she has been working tirelessly trying to help the people who are suffering. All her hard work was taking its toll on her but she refused to rest and let the mist kill the people of Sei-an. Queen Himiko locked herself up because she expects a big monster will come and try and kill her. Monsters have been able to get into Sei-an recently and the Tao Troopers are out of action. She is the only one who can keep the people's spirits up.
If Rao were to turn around now she would see a massive dark shadowy creature with nine tails. The creature roared to get Rao's attention and Rao did what came naturally…she ran. The monster giggled evilly and gave chase. The chase didn't last long as Rao was going to use her secret entrance behind her temple to escape but the monsters presence has closed the entrance up. She looked back to see the monster towering above her, knowing that she was trapped. Rao made a silent prayer for the people of Sei-an and the monster attacked.
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Amaterasu's powers had left her…for the moment. Kusa Village is on the verge of turning into a curse zone and it would be only a matter of time before it's too late. Amaterasu reached a house, which was quite high up and far away from other houses in Kusa Village, but it wasn't that that caught her attention. It was a woman who was sitting on the floor and crying that caught her attention.
This doesn't feel right. Amaterasu thought. This feels like a trap from the work of those demons but I can't leave her lying on the floor weeping. Amaterasu walked up to the woman and tried to get her attention. The woman mumbled something about losing hope and that was when a demon appeared! In normal circumstances Amaterasu would laugh at this challenge of fighting a blue imp flying around in the sky and having a couple of green imps to join the party. The problem was this wasn't under normal circumstances; Amaterasu didn't have her powers to assist her! Growling, Amaterasu readied herself for a tough battle.
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Waka was really annoyed now. When he finally stopped getting headaches from the evil lurking in Kusa Village he still had trouble finding the Shrine. The evil that was around Kusa Village had messed up his sense of direction (even prophets get lost if something happened to them) so he had no idea where to go. When he finally found the entrance to the Shrine, of course, Crimson Helm had to put a barrier so nobody could get pass. Waka really didn't need this! He wasn't just annoyed with the demons but with himself also. The Tao Troopers could've beaten Crimson Helm years ago if Waka had joined them instead of guarding the Moon Cave.
Waka felt someone was watching him but when he turned around he couldn't see anybody around. He turned to look back at the entrance of the Shrine and saw this ghost floating just in front of the entrance. He rubbed his eyes but it wasn't an illusion he really could see the ghost!
"I see ghosts now?" Waka thought aloud. The ghost looked at him startled by the fact someone has finally been able to see him after all this time.
"Who are you?" The ghost asked. "How is it you can see me?"
"Moi? I am the Tao Master Waka and I am as unsure as to how I can see you as you are." Waka knew the gods could see ghosts but he wasn't a god so how can he be seeing ghosts? Were the gods helping him? The gods wouldn't help me. Why should they? Waka pondered but he had to leave this stuff for later. "Who are you then ghost or who did you used to be?"
"I am Yatsu, the earthbound spirit who haunts this area." The ghost replied. "You shouldn't be here. Only evil lurks inside the Gale Shrine and ever since Crimson Helm has taken over the Shrine nobody can get inside."
"Which is why I am going in the other way." Waka replied. His sense of direction has come back now that the evil has lessened in Kusa Village.
"Other way? There is no other way into the Shrine."
"Where there's a will there's a way." Waka ran out to open air and considered how he was going to get to the Shrine. Amaterasu will find a way to get through the barrier and just walk through to the Gale Shrine easy but Waka must somehow find a way to get up to the Gale Shrine. It wasn't going to be easy but that was the only way to find the serpent crystal before Amaterasu. Knowing Amaterasu she would probably tease him with it and he really wasn't in the mood for being teased but maybe doing the teasing would cheer him up. Meeting Amaterasu would cheer him up but teasing her is something he has longed to do. Waka chuckled and made his way up to the Gale Shrine.
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Five Canine warriors have returned but three still remain. One in Sasa Sanctuary, one in Agata Forest and one in Kamiki Village. Sasa Sanctuary was now open thanks to Amaterasu for kicking the Cutters butts and rescuing Chun. Amaterasu needs to get to the bamboo garden but the door was closed and would only open if she can put some water in the giant bamboo. The problem is there was no water, the bathhouse's water has dried up but Amaterasu is an expert at digging. Issun was trying to calm the Sparrow who dances at the bathhouse but only succeeded in having the sparrow trying to commit suicide.
Great Issun. Amaterasu said. We can have fried sparrow after this. Wonder if lover boy wants some? It was at that moment that Mr Bamboo appeared with a big grin on his face. His love for bamboo seems to have returned since Sasa Sanctuary has opened back up. A small conversation went between Issun, Mr Bamboo and the sparrow that didn't interest Amaterasu until she heard one word: dig.
The digging was easy but Amaterasu didn't enjoy getting wet when she arrived at water. She landed back on solid ground and Issun jumped back on her head.
"Great job Ammy." Issun complimented.
I can be useful when I want. Amaterasu barked and had another meeting with a Brush God.
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Kokari had grown loads after only a few days. He loved fishing and wasn't scared of a challenge. Ume was glad but also worried he might get into trouble if he wasn't careful. It was odd, first he wanted Kokari to have some guts and do something daring but now he wants him to be more careful! Can't he make up his mind and stick to it? Kokari had caught another bite just like he normally does and it was the usual size but what happened that didn't before was that a giant fish had just jumped out and gobbled Ume up! Kokari turned to see what the racket was but he only saw the forest…and no Ume! He was there just a minute ago, so where had he gone?
Kokari started to look first at Hitoshio Spring but only a lady from Kamiki Village was there with a big barrel she needed to fill with water. Kokari figured he might as well ask.
"Um…excuse me." Kokari got the lady's attention. "Um…have you seen a dog around here? He is small, wears an orange scarf around his neck and has a pink sphere tied to his scarf."
"No I haven't I'm afraid, sorry." The lady replied. This was getting frustrating. Why does Ume do this? Kokari walked down and whistled for his dog. What came instead was a dog but not his dog. It was the white wolf with the little bug on his head that came instead.
"Oh hello doggie." Kokari said. "Have you seen my dog Ume? He was right by me when I was fishing a moment ago. You don't think he fell into the water do you?"
Oh c'mon the mutt can't be that stupid surely. Amaterasu thought.
"I asked the nice lady by Hitoshio Spring but she hasn't seen him. Maybe I could ask for her help."
"What nice lady I wonder." Issun thought aloud and Amaterasu knew meeting the lady should be the first thing to do. Amaterasu ran off towards Hitoshio Spring to meet Kushi trying to fill a big barrel of water.
You really think you can fill that barrel up by yourself!? Amaterasu thought. You are confident but silly. I'll do it for you shall I? Kushi watched as water just jumped into the barrel by itself!
"How wonderful!" She said as it filled up. "Now we can have sake for the festival. Now I just have to carry it all the way to the village." She didn't move much when a bongo flew straight at Amaterasu, which she dodged with ease. The monster appeared and attacked Kushi! The monster bounced off a barrier made by the water. It was that moment that Susano appeared and readied himself for battle. More monsters appeared but Susano stood his ground.
"Come any closer and I-it will b-be your last!" He said as a threat (a pathetic attempt but you gotta hand it to the guy). In reply more monsters appeared and Susano wasn't standing so tall anymore. He was shaking and even dropped his sword.
Oh for gods sake! Amaterasu thought. Out of all the warriors that could've been chosen to defeat Orochi, why him!? He can't even keep his sword in his hand for gods sake! Susano picked his sword up and attacked the monsters. Amaterasu used her power slash to make Susano think he really did slash all those monsters. At this time Amaterasu remembered the time she and Waka battled Orochi on the Celestial Plain. She risked herself for Waka's life but she was glad, at least he is still alive. She missed him more than ever but now is not the time. One day she will tell him that her sacrifice wasn't in vain, she may be a wolf now but nothing has changed between them. If anything they have grown even closer together. Amaterasu stopped as she heard Kokari cry out and ran off to meet a big fish.
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Hayabusa will not move from the spot nearby the turnip garden. He has been ignoring Mushi and hasn't dug any turnips in ages. He just lay there waiting for the right moment to act. Night time and Hayabusa spotted the white wolf that beat his record of digging up 10 turnips with getting a beating. This wolf was on a mission too, to take him back to Princess Fuse. The wolf would have to battle him if she wants the truth about why he will not move. Battle him she did and won (as usual).
"Ok doggie you have some explaining to do!" Issun said after the battle finished. "Why are you ignoring the princess's call to wait for the festival?"
"I am not the real Hayabusa." The not real Hayabusa said. "The real Hayabusa died with Mushi's father when demons attacked them. I happened to pass by at the time but I was too late. Hayabusa told me foresaw a white plumed arrow will fly from the sky and kill Mushi on the night of the festival."
That reminds me 100 years ago when the arrow flew into the house of the chosen maiden to be sacrificed by Orochi. Amaterasu thought. Which means Waka better find that Serpent Crystal fast and I can kick Orochi's ass and give Waka a wolf hug.
"That sounds just like the legend of Orochi." Issun said. "You don't think Mushi could be the chosen sacrifice?"
Don't be stupid! Does Mushi look like a girl!? Anyway the sacrificial robe would never fit him! Amaterasu said but of course Issun didn't understand her. They now had the three missing Satomi Power Orbs and it was time to kick Crimson Helm's flamin' butt!
I can't wait for the next chapter! Down with Crimson Helm!
I love the end of this story and I'm gonna tease you people about it MWAHAHA!!!
Aren't I evil? Anyway review please.