(Author's Note—I am SO sorry this took so long, but I had finals to study for and THEN my mom didn't let me use the laptop for two weeks because I got in trouble for being mean to my brother and stuff. Thank you for being so patient!)

Recap of Chapter Five: After Amaterasu and Waka make it out of the burning Agata Forest, they head to Taka pass, which is covered in a Cursed Zone. As they try to make it up the cliff to the Guardian Sapling to bring it back to life, Amaterasu's front leg—which was injured in the fire—gives out. Waka, who was also badly injured during the fire, does not have the strength to carry her the rest of the way. And Issun sure wouldn't be able to do it. They are stranded on a ledge, surrounded by a Cursed Zone. What will happen next?

LAST TIME:::

Amaterasu walked around, trying to find the way to get to the sapling. Once she found the way, she began to head toward it. She, followed by Waka, leapt up onto a ledge. She collapsed on the ledge.

"What is it?" asked Waka.

My front leg…it's not very strong right now because of the injury…it hurts a lot, replied Amaterasu.

"Ammy, what's wrong?" asked a concerned Issun.

"Can you walk?" wondered Waka pretty much indifferently.

Not sure yet…It's worse than it was earlier.

"Well, my knee has been killing me this whole trip, so I can't carry you," warned Waka.

Now Amaterasu was immobilized and they were all surrounded by a Cursed Zone. This was just great. Why were they always so lucky?

Chapter Six: Striped Danger

Waka and Issun stood there helplessly. Issun began to jump up and down on the wolf's back. "Come on, Ammy!" Issun begged. "Get up!" She sighed and looked around.

I'll try, she concluded. Slowly but surely, she lifted herself to her paws, careful to keep the injured one off the ground. Now it's just a matter of getting up the ledges.

Practically as slow as a tortoise, Amaterasu made it up all of the outcrops and to the Guardian Sapling. It was all withered.

"Okay Ammy, work your magic!" Issun exclaimed. Amaterasu used the Bloom technique and the tree went into full bloom.

"Wonderful," Waka said sarcastically, looking behind him.

What's wrong? Amaterasu wanted to know. She turned and saw what was the problem.

As I have already told you, Waka, Amaterasu, and Issun are very lucky. In fact, they are so lucky that there were two snarling tigers closing in on them, bloodlust in their eyes.

Issun bounced onto Amaterasu's snout and pulled out his little black sword. He looked at Waka and said, "These tigers might be a problem for you, but not THE GREAT ISSUN!!! Fear not, for I—" Before he could say any more, the sun goddess snatched the little ponacle into her mouth and looked for a way to escape.

As the tigers inched closer, their chances of escape lessened. "Hmm…" Waka said loudly, making sure Issun could hear him. "We could always feed Issun to these tigers so they would leave us alone…Oh! Did I say that out loud?" His voice was taunting. Then, he said thoughtfully, "Never mind. Issun is much too small." Waka smiled mentally as he heard Issun's muffled shouts at him from inside the wolf's mouth.

Just then, Waka had an idea. He ignored the pain in his knee as he ran past the tigers and jumped off the cliff. He landed not-so-gracefully, but he was still alive.

Amaterasu got the idea and limped past the tigers. They pounced, but she dodged them and the tigers ended up ramming into each other. Ammy jumped, Issun still in her mouth. They had escaped!

To be continued…

I'm sorry this chapter was so short, but I need to figure out what will happen to the trio next. I know this chapter wasn't my best, but I hope you enjoyed it somewhat anyway. I will try to get chapter 7 up as soon as possible, but I will be going up to a very northern part of the world soon for two weeks and there will be no internet there. So sorry if there is a sort-of long delay. As always, review!!!

-Ratt9