Alright, after like a year I finally cranked this baby out. I've been working on rewriting my other Okami story (which is connected to this one, but the new one will be much better, so you might want to wait to read it). Anyways, enjoy! We're back to Waka's point of view now, it might still be his POV next chapter too, but who even knows what's happening with Amaterasu at this point.
"Amaterasu?" Waka whispered, lightly knocking on her door. "Amaterasu, I just wanted to apologize, you know, about today." It was late, but Waka was eager to remove himself from Izanagi's range of rage, and figured he should leave the Celestial Plain that night. He was met by silence. He crossed his arms and leaned into the door, desperate to speak to her. "I'm really, really sorry, okay? Can you just come out?" Still, nothing. "Alright, I'll take the hint. I just wanted to tell you that I'm going back to my home today and wanted to say goodbye." He sighed. "Can't you even say adieu?" He joked, but earned nothing. He threw common decency to the wind and turned the doorknob cautiously, peering into Amaterasu's room through a small crack. He was surprised to hear no protest, no anger. He pushed it open fully and stepped in, but was surprised to find he had been talking to himself the whole time. Where could Amaterasu have been at that hour? Waka was panicked. Had she not returned yet? It was past midnight! Waka turned on his heels frantically and sprinted down the staircase, not caring if he woke up the whole palace. He forced open the main palace doors and leapt out into the night. Was she hurt? Where could she have gone?
Waka raced back to the Orange Grove, scanning every inch of it. He continued on after where Amaterasu had fled earlier, growing more and more concerned by the second. He spotted her footprints and followed them slowly, making sure not to overlook anything. His heart was about to beat out of his chest. Waka suddenly came upon a pool of dark, swirling water. Ominous steam rose in thick wafts off of the surface. Sitting at the water's edge were a slump of clothes, moist from the mist. Waka flushed a deep red. They were Amaterasu's clothes... Was she wandering out, alone, in the night... naked? Suddenly, the water started to quiver. Was she skinny-dipping? Waka moved forward, out of the trees, but he hesitated as the figure ascended. It wasn't Amaterasu, but an entirely unfamiliar creature. Water slid over the creature's black fur in waves, and red, red eyes stared into the clump of trees where Waka had retreated to. Did the creature notice him? Waka held his breath. The creature turned away, and Waka gasped in relief. Soon, another creature stepped out of the pool. And another. And another. Soon the pool was surrounded by grotesque, ape–like animals hissing and whispering to each other viciously. Waka stood frozen in the dark. What was he to do? He could stay, potentially be discovered, and then be mauled, or he could run and inform Izanagi of these things... and maybe escape. His eyes grew wide. What about Amaterasu? Had she been killed by these monsters? He became angry. What had they done to her?
I can fight them. He decided foolishly. He rolled his hands into fists and stepped forward, but he was caught, and a hand put over his mouth. He dried to yell but his assailant leaned in close to his ear.
"Be quiet, you idiot." Izanagi hissed. "Do you want to get everyone killed?" Waka stood absolutely still. "I will distract them. Go find Amaterasu and then warn the guards, but make absolutely sure that my daughter is safe." He released Waka, who turned to Izanagi in a terrified stare.
"But, sir, where do we go?" Waka cried.
"Get as many people as you can and gather them on your ship. If I'm not there in half an hour, leave. Travel back to the moon," Izanagi shuddered at the word, "and wait for my signal to return."
"But what if–" Waka tried.
"Just go! I'll make sure to contact you. And if I'm killed... Amaterasu is in charge. She will lead you. Now go!" He shoved Waka in the opposite direction of the ever-growing army of monsters, who ran towards the sound.
Waka bolted. He ran faster than he ever had in his life. He knew Amaterasu would not be at the Palace, but he had to save those innocent people. It was his responsibility now.
Please, please, please review! It really motivates me to write faster, e.g. Last time wasn't really motivating. :( Anyways, I'll try to get out the next chapter in a couple weeks, but we'll see what my schedule's like. Also, constructive criticism is appreciated too!
~ChattyCat
P.S. Thanks to everyone for the french notes, I actually took french this year so all I have to do is alter the past chapters! But who knows when I'll ever get to that.
