Hey guys. It's been a while.
So I just got back from a long Fanfiction break, and while I did crank out some new stories, I thought I should give this little baby some attention, too. So how many readers do I still have? Anyways, if you're reading this story for the first time, hi! And if you're a reader from the good old days, welcome back!
She felt humiliated, embarrassed, deceived. Like they thought it was some big ol' joke. This Waka boy made her look like some obsessed freak. And her father, making that huge scene when the ship landed, locking her in the house, playing with her! It was so aggravating.
Meditation had never been so difficult. After being completely distracted by her father's "Royal Council" meeting, she decided to try to clear her mind in the orange tree grove. The beautiful, peaceful grove, filled with trees, flowers, wild life. It wasn't really working.
"Need some company, ma chérie?" Oh, how she didn't. She opened one eye and scowled a bit.
"As much as I'd love to chat, I really need to concentrate." She excused herself, crinkled her brow, and went back to pretending to ruminate.
"Wonderful, I'll join you." Amaterasu sighed, defeated. They sat there for about four minutes, both peeking occasionally to see what the other was doing, "Did I offend you, somehow?" Waka asked, legitimately, after a long silence.
"Just my pride…" She mumbled in response.
"Excusez-moi?"
"You made me look like a complete idiot in front of my father!"
"Me? You did that to yourself!"
"You could have just told me that- who- why you were here!" Some quail flew away at the sound of their yelling. She realized that now she was standing over him, fists clenched, breathing heavily. He stood to her level, met her eye line, and his amused smile disappeared.
And then he was kissing her.
She didn't know what to do. It was her first kiss; nothing, absolutely nothing like she expected. But it was amazing. She was so nervous, and excited, and worried, and- and offended. How dare he kiss her without asking? They had only met yesterday, for goodness' sakes! They hadn't even courted yet! And what would her father say! She could never be queen if she gave herself to the first boy who looked her way. Her mother would be so disappointed, and that decided it for her.
She pushed him off.
"I can't do this." He looked confused, and hurt. She didn't want to explain herself, so she turned and ran onto the gravel path that led deeper into the forest. It wasn't that she didn't like him… he was snarky and teasing and cute… but it could never happen. No one would approve. Amaterasu didn't approve.
She looked elegant in her mauve kimono, but there were tears streaming down her face which dampened her beauty. It wasn't Waka that made her cry. It was the impending fact that she knew in the end she would be forced into an arranged marriage. Her father hadn't enforced this rule yet, he told her it was her choice, but she knew that if she didn't find a suitable, wealthy nobleman by eighteen, her father would make the choice. That was her role, her mother's role, her grandmother's role… the royal women of the celestial plane mainly supported their husbands and looked pretty. They were basically housewives with the benefits of being rich. Amaterasu wanted more than a life of making dinners and housecleaning, she wanted adventure. And she couldn't do that if she belonged to someone.
She wiped her tears. Wussing out wouldn't help her now.
I'm way overthinking this kiss thing. She thought rationally. I mean, it's only a kiss. It's not like we're betrothed or anything. I should just go back to the castle, talk to Waka, and apologize.
She walked calmly through the brush and past the orange grove, staring at her feet most of the way. She was ashamed of her outburst. How unladylike! She kicked a stone down towards the Reflecting Pool, and expected to hear a sploosh! but there was only silence. Amaterasu walked in reverse, intrigued. She wasn't allowed near the pool, but… something was off. She slid down through the rocks and weeds and dirt until she hit the edge, wobbling to balance so she wouldn't topple in. She had never seen it up close before. It was beautiful, like liquid silver, dusted with starlight. Why was no one allowed near it? It was so peaceful, so… calming. But something was wrong. She was in a daze; she knew what was going on, but it felt like her eyelids were heavier, her head swam. Her fingers trailed through the water. It was slippery, like gel, but lighter. Softer. It slid through her digits. Almost… alive. She looked into the glossy surface to view herself. But it wasn't her. Well, it was, but something was off. The eyes. Where were the pupils? The dopplegänger looked empty; hollow.
And then it smiled.
And then it reached it's lifeless hands towards the princess.
And then she was gone.
Bum bum bum. Sorry to disappoint (Or excite? Depends on how much you like Waka.) but the next chapter will be from Waka's point of view.
Ammy: What about me?! I'm the one who got sucked into-
Anyways!
Just thought I'd let you know.
As you probably already know, five reviews equals brand new chapter! I know, I'm cruel. And I guess ten reviews would get a paragraph from Ammy's point of view, but that's a lot tah ask of you guys. Maybe a chibi picture of Waka on DeviantArt as a bonus?
P.S. I own this story and any original characters in future chapters. And also just drew an OKAMI chibi picture on my DeviantArt, so go check it out. Mah username on there is ChattyKat. See ya next time!
P.P.S. Celestials and Gods age differently. She may have lived for a long time, but still, in Celestial years, she's only seventeen.
~ChattyCat
