~ A Recap ~
"The Emperor's gotten sick recently," He explained. "No one knows why. Not even the Empress knows, and she's the smartest in Sei-an. Some even say she's the smartest and wisest human being in all of Nippon."
The Goddess's brow furrowed as she mulled this over. The Emperor had mysteriously fallen ill? It sounded pretty familiar to her.
"He's been calling all kinds of different doctors and Priests to help him," He continued. "But none of them have been able to diagnose him with anything. I've heard it's causing a lot of trouble here in the city."
"Hmm…" Amaterasu set down her sake cup and stood, grabbing the drunk Poncle out of his own glass. "Sorry, but we have to go."
The man nodded and raised his glass to her. "Good luck," He called as they left.
Once outside, Ammy held Issun up by his scruff, watching as he lazily swung at her.
"Hey, what're ya…ugh…"
"Snap out of it, Issun," She said sternly. "Sounds like I may have an idea of where that evil was coming from."
She stared out into space for a moment, trying to push the fears out of her mind…what if Blight, the evil sword that had shrouded Sei-an in toxic mist all those years ago, had somehow returned? It didn't make sense though…the city would be covered in the same foul fog, wouldn't it? She shook her head a little. The only way to confirm her fears would be to visit the Emperor and see for herself.
"Come on, Tiger," She said, stuffing Issun into her kimono. He catcalled at her and nestled into her cleavage. "We've gotta find out what's going on."
( Amaterasu's P.O.V. )
Amaterasu tapped her foot against the cobblestone. Why was it taking so long to get in to see the Emperor? They weren't even halfway across Gojo Bridge and they had been standing there for at least two hours. Ammy could see why; apparently she wasn't the only one seeking council with the Emperor. At this point, she didn't even care if she saw the Emperor in the flesh or not. Someone who represented the Imperial Family would be good enough. But no. She had to wait in a line of people for hours on end to even catch a glimpse of the Palace. For once she wished that everyone knew who she was so she wouldn't have to wait around so much.
But as far as every citizen of Sei-an knew, she was just a regular traveler. Nothing special. She grunted impatiently.
"Ohhh…." Issun moaned from inside her kimono. The effects of the alcohol were wearing off, and Ammy guessed he was feeling a bit hung over. "Never again. I swear by the gods, never again!"
"And what have we learned?" She teased him. He simply groaned again in reply.
"Ammy, can't we just go find somewhere to kick back for the night? I need to sleep for the next fifty years." He leaned over the hem of her kimono and vomited a miniscule stream of partially-digested sake. Ammy wrinkled her nose at the surprisingly strong smell of alcohol on him.
Looking back at the massive line, she sighed. "Well, it's obvious that we're not getting in to see the Emperor today," She said after a moment. "I'll find us a place to stay."
Turning, she began to push and shove her way through the crowd until she finally reached the gates that led back to the Commoners' Quarter. She let out a sigh of relief, looking back at the massive crowd of citizens.
"The Emperor was never this popular before…" She commented. "I wonder what's so special about his heir…?"
Issun gave a halfhearted shrug. "Who cares? I need a hot bath."
With one last glance at the restless waiting crowd, Ammy pushed open the gate to the Commoners' Quarter and shut it behind her to see the familiar sight of Imperial Guards standing on either side of it. She nodded politely to them and walked slowly down the cobblestone street, looking for any sign of an inn.
"What about there?" Issun pointed out; a little inn across the small bridge over the canal that read "Konohana Inn". Curious, Amaterasu crossed the arching bridge over the crystal-clear water and studied the small building. A warm, thick scent entered her nose as she drew closer to the inn; the smell of freshly brewed sake.
"Is that Kushi's sake I smell?" Issun said as he sniffed the air. Ammy rolled her eyes and, ignoring the Poncle, walked through the sliding paper doors of the inn.
The inside of the Konohana Inn presented a very homey atmosphere; it was warm, the perfect temperature as the air cooled with the setting sun. The smell of the sake was stronger in here, and sweet-smelling steam hung in the air from the fresh sweet buns being made.
As Ammy walked past the many scrolls on the walls portraying Konohana in all its glory, she took a moment to examine what was going on around her. There weren't many customers, just a few travelers sitting at a table, enjoying themselves. It was a nice change of pace from the bustling activity of Yama's Restaurant.
"Can I help you?"
Ammy turned at the sound of a voice. She saw a woman standing there with a tray in her hands, a crooked smile gracing her slightly rugged features. Ammy noticed a white piece of cloth that completely covered the girl's right eye.
"Yes actually, we were hoping to get a room for the night," She said politely. The girl looked over her shoulder toward a set of stairs that Ammy guessed led up to the rooms.
"Alright, fine," She said with a tired sigh. "Hold on."
She hurriedly dropped off a few mugs of tea at one of the tables, setting the tray down on a vacant table before returning to them.
"Follow me," She said, her voice not at all courteous. Amaterasu didn't complain though, and simply followed after her as she hurried up the stairs, her wooden zori sandals clicking on the steps.
"Here." The girl pushed open a wooden door on the right side of the hallway and stepped back to let her in. "Hope it suits you."
From her tone, Amaterasu didn't really want to ask anything of her, whether the room suited her or not. "It's fine, thank you," She said with a hasty bow. For some reason, she felt kind of uncomfortable around this girl, like anything she said would be wrong.
The girl began scurrying around the room, making the bed, checking that everything was in order. After a moment of watching her do this in silence, Amaterasu decided to say something.
"…Say, are you, by any chance, from Kamiki Village?" She asked curiously. She watched as her pace slowed ever so slightly in recognition, then picked right back up again.
"Yeah," She said finally. "But that place doesn't really hold the greatest of memories for me."
The Goddess noticed a small frown crease her face. The girl's hand reached up subconsciously to the white patch of cloth that covered her eye, then hastily lowered.
Fearful that she was prying, Amaterasu didn't say anything more. A few minutes later the room was in top shape, and the innkeeper brushed off her simple work kimono.
"There you are," She said. "If you need anything, let me know."
With a small bow, Ammy reached into her pouch and pulled out 200 Yen. "For your courtesy," She said with a smile. The girl took it hesitantly, and a small smile appeared on her features.
"Thanks," She said, her feet shifting rather uncomfortably. "We don't get much business here, so it means a lot."
"No problem," Ammy replied, letting her eyes scan over the girl's appearance; she was of average height, slender, with a long neck and graceful limbs. Her eyes were sharp and angular, but there was a certain gentleness to them…it seemed familiar to Ammy.
"I'm Ama…Amaya," Ammy said finally, trying to get used to using a different name with regular people. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The name's Kaede," She replied. "Pleasure's mine."
Ammy smiled again at her, but she still couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity about this girl…something about the gentle demeanor hidden underneath the slightly rough exterior, her sing-song voice…and that name, Konohana Inn.
"Hey Sweetcheeks, mind bringing up a mug of that brew?" Issun piped up. Ammy glared down at him and plucked him out of her kimono.
"Sorry about him," She apologized as Kaede gazed curiously at him. "He can be quite rude. Just ignore him."
"I've never seen one of these before…" Kaede muttered as she reached up and prodded the Poncle gently with her fingertip. Issun's green aura showed hints of red.
"Hey, no touchy!" He snapped, swinging his tiny fists wildly. Ammy rolled her eyes and held him at arm's length in between her index and middle finger.
Kaede drew back a little in mild surprise, her left eye blinking. "How interesting," She said as she continued to examine him from afar. A few moments later, she shook her head, and was back to business.
"Erm," She muttered, turning to leave. A hint of a troubled look appeared in her left eye. "I'll get that sake for you."
Once she had left, the door creaking shut behind her, Ammy turned to look around the room; a simple resting mat was laid out in the corner, a few potted plants on a low-set table, and several more wall scrolls depicted the Sacred Tree Sprite that lived inside Konohana. Ammy smiled at the thought of Sakuya.
"Ugh," Issun groaned, hopping over to the bed. "I feel horrible, but that sake smells so much like Kushi's…"
"It does, doesn't it?" Amaterasu pondered, and her mind went back to her heavenly meeting with her five comrades, and Kushi's words rang in her ears:
"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…"
A spark of realization made Ammy look back toward the door. No wonder Kaede had seemed so familiar…
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Amaterasu opened it, and there was Kaede, holding a tray with two steaming mugs of Kushi's World-Famous Sake. Issun, smelling the deep, strong brew, bounced happily over to her and right into the mug.
"Again? Really?" Ammy scolded him, but he wasn't listening; she could tell why. Kushi's artisan sake was well-known as the best sake in Nippon. It was inevitable now; Kaede had to be Kushi's granddaughter.
"Thank you," She said, snapping out of her thoughts and taking the Poncle-free mug. She took a sip of the fresh brew, and it hit her; that wave of nostalgia as the strong liquid glided down her throat.
"No problem," Kaede replied. "I hope the sake's good."
Ammy nodded, and after a moment of silence decided to confirm her suspicions. "It's so robust," She commented, gazing into the rippling surface. "Is it your own recipe?"
Kaede shook her head, her pleated jet-black hair shaking around her shoulders. "It's my grandmother's," She said, obviously not afraid of hiding her pride in her heritage. "I could never make it as well as she did, though."
Once again, that troubled, sad look darkened her visible eye. She cleared her throat and gave the two of them a quick bow, setting the other mug down on the low table.
"If you need anything else, just let me know." She said, all hints of warmness in her voice gone. Ammy nodded, and she hastily left the room.
As the door clicked shut behind Kaede once again, Ammy walked over to the bed and sat down, cross-legged. If she could get to know Kaede a little bit better in the time they were in Sei-an city, she would be able to find out why exactly she left Kamiki, and her grandmother, behind. But as she sat and thought, Issun swimming around in his sake, she couldn't help but feel like whatever was to come, she would need Kaede's help.