HELLO! I'm back! It seems like this is going to be a rather sporadic story overall, so please bear with me... perhaps I'll have a spurt of inspiration sometime and upload more frequently. As it is, writing has been a bit of a grind with school picking up for me. Anyways. This chapter isn't very long, as I reached a point and went, "Hey, that sounds like a good place to end."

I also should mention that I got a new reviewer and that prompted me as well. Reviews are the best part of being a writer on here. Good ones, that is. A big thank you to HikariNoTenshi-San for reviewing and encouraging me!

DISCLAIMER: I don't, and never will, own Okami. I don't profit off of this material (scoff) and... yeah.

(Author's notes end)

After some shopping, Jenna had acquired several of each of the different kinds of feedbags on the recommendation of Issun. She had also been told to get some Steel Fist and Steel Soul Sake, a request which she had promptly denied, despite Issun's exhortations that they made you stronger. She did purchase a few Exorcism Slips, a Traveler's Charm, and some Holy Bones.

They went to Susano's house. The house at first glance appeared to be empty. Jenna frowned. The snoring was really, really loud. Who was sleeping so late in the afternoon? And where was he? She walked further in as Ammy sniffed the ground. The snoring seemed to be coming from below a large jar-urn thing. She drew her throwing feathers cautiously, debating whether or not to smash it. Amaterasu beat her to it, however, smashing her head straight into the urn without a moment's hesitation and jumping down the hole that was uncovered.

"Uh..." said Jenna, unsure of the morality of breaking people's stuff. But she followed after a moment to find Ammy sniffing and poking a man. He had a hero's face, but he snored like a bear. Issun grunted as Ammy kept poking and licking him in an attempt to wake him. "Yeah. He's out cold, as usual. We'll have to try something stronger..."

As soon as Issun said that, Amaterasu headbutted Susano. Jenna gasped and started, but she didn't have any time to try to stop her. She sighed. Amaterasu and Issun were clearly bent on doing what they wanted. They'd probably be fine... but what about her, hm? She was a girl who was traveling with them. By association, she might be deemed responsible for their actions, which was stupid. But he did wake up.

She was astonished that his only reaction was to stand up in a stretch and fold his arms. "Ah, I'm so well rested! I planned to meditate underground, but fell fast asleep!" He noticed her standing next to Amaterasu. "Huh? Who are you?" He continued self-righteously, "And what business do you have with Susano, the greatest warrior ever?"

Jenna managed to avoid flinching as words worked their way into her head. The Great Warrior- Susano, they informed her.

She hesitated before speaking. "Uh, sir, we've come to ask your help for a merchant. He wants you to help him near the entrance."

Susano waved away her request. "The Great Susano has no time for such matters. Go away, and do not interrupt my meditations." He turned away and sat down.

Jenna stared at him. "Um, there's a giant boulder blocking the entrance to the village-"

Susano whirled as he stood up. "Silence! The Great Susano does as he wishes! I will aid you in due time." He sat back down. She heard him mutter, "Just leave me alone."

Jenna frowned. She looked at Ammy, who tilted her head. Issun popped up onto Jenna's shoulder and whispered to her. Jenna thought, sighed, and nodded to him. Issun bounced excitedly and returned to Amaterasu. He tugged back one of her ears, and she tilted her head as she listened. She started panting and wagging her tail, though that could easily have been because she had thought of something cheerful. Susano glanced back at them. "Haven't I told you already? Leave now, or invoke my wrath!" Amaterasu nodded, though not to him. Jenna turned, climbed the steps and started climbing the ladder out.

Issun bounced. "Come on, pops." Amaterasu leapt forward and pulled Susano onto her back. "Put me down this instant! What will the neighbors think?" he exclaimed. Jenna was already walking out of his home when Amaterasu caught up, carrying a shaking, nervous Susano. He was glancing about in a paranoid fashion, and as Amaterasu took off towards the entrance of Kamiki he flopped backwards and frantically waved his arms, trying to keep his balance.

Jenna sighed and smiled. It wasn't the most diplomatic, but she had to admit that Issun's rather direct plans had a tendency to work.

As Amaterasu dropped Susano at the entrance to the village, Jenna walked up and stood next to her. Susano turned around and stomped his feet. Jenna could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears. "What do you think you're doing? Can't you keep that dog under control?"

Jenna shrugged. "Firstly, she's not a dog, she's a wolf." Susano flinched. Jenna continued. "Secondly, she's very smart, and she will very well do whatever she wants!"

The merchant noticed them. He hurried up to them, and Susano noticed him and looked surprised. The merchant asked, "You're the legendary Susano?" Susano faced him. "Yep! None other than Susano, the greatest warrior who ever lived!"

The merchant sighed in relief. "I've got a favor to ask you. This huge boulder blocking the path is really getting in my way. Can't you do something about it?" Susano looked a little panicked. "What?" He fell silent.

The merchant looked worried. "Come on! Please! I mean, you are Nagi's descendent, aren't you? Surely one stone's no match for your mighty skills... right?"

"Hm..." Susano looked flustered. He hadn't been expecting this. He coughed. "It certainly is not beyond my ability."

The merchant looked excited. "Really? Great! Ok then, no time like the present. Go for it!" He began to bustle out of the way. Susano jumped. "Wait!" The merchant paused. "A boulder of this size is not very easy even for me. This will require my utmost focus to magnify the power of my sword. I shall retire to the training grounds to make preparations. Wait for my return," Susano said and he hurried away quickly. Jenna exchanged glances with Issun. They looked back after Susano. "Hm... I wonder," said Issun. "I've never seen that guy train seriously... ever."

Jenna shrugged. "Whatever, it's getting late. Maybe we should find someplace to rest." Issun glanced at her. "You do know that we have the sun goddess with us, right? We could just make it morning again." Jenna stared at him. "Are you not tired?"

"Not particularly," Issun confessed.

Jenna huffed. "Well, I'm tired. And what about the villagers, huh? Even if you could take a nap, it's easier to sleep at night."

Issun snorted. "Fine, we'll find someplace. Gods."

"That's better."

Ammy panted happily, oblivious.

(Chapter ends)

Jenna: Hey! I thought we were going to run around and talk to people!
Meta: That part got cut, Jen.
Jenna: That SUCKS!
Issun: I'm going to have to agree with Jen, that completely SUCKS!
Meta: Yeah well whatever. Both of you shut up, shut up. Now. Go away.
Jenna + Issun: YOU'RE MEAN!
Meta: I'm the author, it's for the good of both of you, blah blah go away please and stop making noise so I can write. Besides, be patient, and we might rewind and do that in a blooper or something.

Next chapter: The gang rests and hopefully Susano gets us out of this village!