~ A Recap ~
"Tata for now, you two~ And don't forget to tell me what you think~!" He called to them as he disappeared in a shower of sparkles.
The Goddess looked toward the gate that led back into Kamiki Village. "Well, should we go see what he's up to?" She said, addressing a still very flustered Issun.
"Bah, I don't care anymore. That prophet always finds a way to irritate me, whether he's on our side or not!"
Ammy laughed and picked him up, plopping him down on her shoulder. "I know you don't like Waka, but I'm curious. If you don't wanna go with me, you can always pay a visit to Sakuya~"
She could almost feel the heat start to come off him at the mention of the busty Tree Sprite. "I may just take you up on that offer…" He said, sounding slightly dazed. She nodded and, making sure the love-struck Poncle didn't fall off her shoulder, took off at top speed back toward Kamiki Village.
( Amaterasu's P.O.V. )
The fog that had plagued Kamiki had vanished, and although the Sun shone now, the village was still as depressing as it had been earlier. Amaterasu walked slowly along the stone path, parts of it still stained by blood. She closed her eyes as she walked by the girl they had come across earlier.
"I wish I could do something for you…" She said quietly as she passed the corpse. "But my power has waned. Forgive me," She sniffled a little as she proceeded up the path that led to Konohana.
The Sacred Tree produced a Heavenly glow from the base of the roots as Amaterasu approached it, Issun sitting quietly on her shoulder. As they drew closer, Sakuya emerged, beckoning the two of them with her arms open.
"Mother Amaterasu, you have returned once again, and I see you've brought…the bug…"
Issun fumed from where he sat. "Damnit woman, what's it gonna take to get it through your head that I am not a bug!"
Sakuya rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Anyway, why have you returned, Amaterasu? Is there something you seek here?"
The Goddess nodded and beckoned to the glowing portal among the roots. "Waka said I would find something here…and I was wondering if you could keep an eye on Issun while I'm inside?"
The Tree Sprite glanced painfully at Issun. "Er, of course, Amaterasu…" She mumbled, clearly displeased. Issun hopped off of Ammy's shoulder and right into the crack of Sakuya's bust.
"Ahh~ I missed riding in these…" He said lovingly as he nestled down further. "No offense Ammy, but you're a little flat-chested compared to my little flower here."
Sakuya and Amaterasu gave him a disgusted look in unison as Amaterasu walked through the gate and to the portal that led to the River of the Heavens.
"I owe you one, Sakuya," She said. "Issun can be a handful."
"Oh, I know~" The Sprite said, looking down irritably at the Poncle.
The voices of the two got quieter and quieter as Amaterasu proceeded into the cavern, emerging from the dark onto the beautiful banks of the River of the Heavens. At least this place is untouched… She thought, relieved.
The Goddess walked slowly along the sparkling banks as an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia came over her, and she sighed deeply as she looked around. If only things were as simple as they used to be, She thought as she crossed over the bridge that arched over the river of Stardust. As she emerged into the open, she looked up to see the constellation of Yomigami, the God of Rejuvenation, sparkling in the constant night sky.
She smiled as she climbed up the small hill to get closer to him, and watched in awe as he flew down to greet her, without her having to complete the constellation at all.
"Well that's new," She said aloud as Yomigami's magnificent Dragon form hovered above the ground in a loose coil. He dipped his head in greeting to her.
"Ah, Amaterasu…Origin of all that is good and mother to us all…" His deep, powerful voice rumbled as he spoke. "It's been one-hundred years since our last meeting."
Amaterasu bowed her head to the mighty dragon. "I have missed the time when we last spoke, Yomigami."
"Ah, and you have indeed returned…" He blinked his fierce eyes as he stared at her. "Nippon is in darkness once again, and it is your job to restore balance, Mother Amaterasu. I'll bestow upon you the power of Rejuvenation once more; use it to restore all that has been lost."
The Goddess bowed once more as he focused his power, and a sense of peace came over her; the same that she always felt whenever she regained a brush technique.
"We are all counting on you, Amaterasu…" Yomigami rumbled as he flew back up into the Heavens.
Once Yomigami was gone, Amaterasu made her way down to where she had to cross the Stardust river, and drew a little bridge across, having not really improved on her swimming skills. She laughed when she thought of that; going through the canal to get into Agata forest, swimming through the sea with Rao on her back. The feeling of nostalgia was almost enough to bring tears to her eyes.
She crossed the River and walked along the stone path that cut through the trees, until she finally reached the Cave of Nagi. There was a peaceful silence as she entered, her footsteps echoing off the smooth stone ground. She looked around for whatever Waka had planned, but could see nothing out of the ordinary; a second later, the same flute song Waka had played earlier echoed throughout the cave.
Amaterasu shielded her eyes from the blinding light that erupted within the cave, bathing everything in a Heavenly glow; when she could finally open her eyes, she gasped.
Five Heavenly Beings surrounded her, each emitting a luminescent glow that warmed Amaterasu's skin. She smiled around at all of them, her eyes brimming with tears again at the sight of such familiar faces: Susano, Kushi, Himiko, Rao, and Oki hovered in a circle around her.
"Amaterasu…" Himiko said, her sweet voice echoing slightly. "It has been 100 long years since Nippon has been graced with your presence. We were summoned here to aide you in your new quest."
The Goddess was at a loss for words; she simply stood there and stared at all of them in awe. Finally she managed to speak. "I have ached for all of you so much in these past years. It is truly an honor to speak with you again."
Susano drew closer to her, a smile appearing on his gruff face. "I can tell you have grown in these past years, my comrade. It fills me with hope to know that Nippon's fate is in your hands."
When he had finished saying this, Kushi went to stand beside her husband. "We raised a strong family with you in our thoughts, Snowy. Our granddaughter is a healthy young woman living in Sei-an City, and we would be truly grateful if you would watch over her for us."
Amaterasu nodded as they went back to join the others. Rao approached her next, a peaceful smile on her delicate features.
"Okami Amaterasu. I was never graced with your presence in my life on Earth, being killed and my body possessed by the evil demon, Ninetails. But I have heard many tales of your good deeds from Queen Himiko, and I give you my blessing. Please, protect Nippon for the future generations."
She hovered back to stand beside Himiko, who remained silent as lastly, Oki approached her.
"Amaterasu, we went through much together when you arrived in Kamui all those years ago. You helped me to realize that there is much more to justice than just spilling blood, and I am eternally grateful for that. But," He paused, studying her behind his wolf mask. "The time to spill Demon Blood has come again. When you defeated Yami 100 years ago, the pure hatred and evil that emanated from his broken form rose and spread over the Northern Lands, turning them into a frozen wasteland. When the Day of Darkness came again, poor Lika was too weak to perform the Volcanic Incantation, and we fell to the harsh cold. So now, I beg of you, Amaterasu. Avenge my fallen people. Vanquish the evil that plagues these lands for good, in hopes that the Oina may rise again someday and create a new age of eternal peace."
The Goddess felt tears spring to her eyes as she listened to what all of them had to say. "I will do everything in my power to restore Nippon to the peaceful land you all once knew. You have my word."
The five all nodded approvingly as they gazed upon her. A moment later, Himiko spoke again: "Keep in mind, Amaterasu; this journey will not be as easy as the first. You face unimaginable new threats and challenges, but we all have faith that you will save Nippon once again." She blinked slowly and smiled at Ammy as the fire that burned on her crown emitted a Heavenly warm glow. "Just remember this: whenever you are in doubt, look deep inside your heart to find the answers you seek. There, you will find that the light shining inside of you will always triumph over the obstacles you face."
Amaterasu nodded, but her eyes still showed concern. "But where do I start? Nippon is covered in darkness. I can't possibly conquer it all at once."
It was Susano who stepped forward. "Do you remember when you and I faced Orochi all those years ago? Take one step at a time, my sister. Have faith in your abilities, and know that I will always be watching over you when you go to face your adversaries."
"And remember," Kushi added. "Things are not always as they seem. Darkness can be found in the least likely of places if it is strong enough."
Amaterasu thought for a moment. "It makes sense…the village, the disappearances…that girl..!"
Kushi nodded sadly. "No one blames you for what you had to do, Snowy. There is a horrible darkness spreading throughout Eastern Nippon, and it's your job to free all of those who have been taken by it."
"I understand. Thank you for your help, everyone," The Goddess looked around at all of them gratefully. "I now know that there is still light in the world for me to count on."
Himiko smiled kindly as the five of them began to slowly fade away. "There will always be light to guide you, Amaterasu. Never forget that."
She was blessed by kind smiles as they faded into a faint shower of sparkles that floated upward toward the Heavens. She closed her eyes and held her hands over her heart.
"Thank you." She whispered with a smile on her face as the last faint beams of light disappeared.