~ A Recap ~
Amaterasu gave Saburo a courtly bow. "Thank you very much," She said as he exchanged the gesture. "My friend and I are truly grateful."
"Of course, m'dear," He said happily. He pulled out a small scroll and a brush, along with an ink stone and an Imperial Seal. "Just give this to the guards at the gate that leads to Gojo Bridge tomorrow and they will happily give you an escort."
As he finished writing out the request and marked it with the Imperial seal, he blew on the ink and then rolled it up, holding it out to her. She took it and placed it in her satchel carefully.
"Now, if you'll excuse me I have business back in the city. I will be seeing you soon, hm?"
Ammy nodded and couldn't help but smile at the man's bubbly nature. She let her hand run over the small bulge of the scroll in the bag as he walked away, a bounce in his step.
"Lady Luck must be smiling on me," She said quietly to herself. With that, she began making her own way back to the city to deliver the good news to Kaede and Issun.
( Kaede's P.O.V. )
The innkeeper was still feeling slightly overwhelmed by her conversation with who she now knew as Amaterasu earlier. Her thoughts still whirled, but the initial shock had died down. Maybe it had been fate that had brought the long-lost goddess to her? She had no clue. But what she did know was that all of her beliefs were in a huge jumble.
As she leaned up against the counter in the deserted tavern, the light of a single candle casting long shadows throughout the room, she couldn't help but begin to worry. She supposed she should trust Amaterasu, but how were they to make people believe in the gods again? Kaede felt her stomach flutter with doubt.
Just then, there was a faint creaking as the wooden door of the inn opened a crack to reveal Amaterasu sliding through. She shut the door quietly behind her and looked around, noticing Kaede after a moment.
"Ah, Kaede," She said, approaching the bar. "I have good news."
Kaede looked up eagerly as Amaterasu took a seat across from her. "We have a way to get into the palace."
"Woah, really?" The innkeeper replied. Boy, she works fast…
Amaterasu nodded. As she told Kaede what had happened on Ryoshima with Saburo, Kaede couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement at the news that they would be getting a first-class escort to the palace.
"So when do we see him?" Kaede asked.
"Tomorrow," The Goddess replied. "The advisor gave me a scroll with the Imperial seal on it, so we're in the clear."
The innkeeper leaned back a little and crossed her arms loosely over her chest. "So I imagine you won't be staying here anymore, then?"
A look of mild surprise appeared on Amaterasu's face. "What do you mean? You're coming with us! I couldn't have gotten this far without you."
Kaede tilted her head a little at this. "But, what have I done to help? Surely I'd just be a burden to you on your quest…"
"Nonsense! I need the help of my comrades to get through this task. There's no way I could've saved the world last time without their prayers."
The innkeeper felt her cheeks flush and she gave Ammy a crooked smile. "Alright, but if we're to see the Emperor tomorrow, we should probably be a bit better dressed."
She beckoned for Amaterasu to follow her as she slid out from behind the counter and into one of the first-floor rooms. She crossed to the other side and opened a small wardrobe which contained a few of her nicer ensembles. She busied herself picking out just the right outfits for the two, and finally settled on a long white kimono with red trim and koi fish designs on it for Amaterasu, and an earthy green one with gold trimmings for herself.
"Oh, those are beautiful," Amaterasu commented as she laid them out on her bedroll. "Where on earth did you get them?"
"Grandmother Kushi made them for me before she died," Kaede responded, smiling slightly as she thought back to those days of sewing with her grandmother when all of the rice chores were done, dreaming about wearing these beautiful kimonos to her wedding someday. Of course, that day had never come and probably never would.
"These are my only belongings that I didn't sell to go toward this inn," She continued, running her fingertips lightly over the silky fabric. "They were the only thing I had left of my grandmother, and I couldn't bear to part with them. They were going to be for my married life someday, but since that probably won't come…"
"What are you talking about? Your beauty is incomparable, just like hers was," Amaterasu interrupted. "You're sure we can wear these for him?"
Kaede gave her a small smile and nodded once. "I figure, they must see some use in my life. After all, I probably won't have children or grandchildren to pass them on to."
She watched as Ammy sighed softly and gently ran her fingers along the trim of her kimono. "If you're sure. Thank you, Kaede."
She nodded and made a waving-off motion with her hand. "Now, get to bed. You need your sleep, and I'm going to have to call on someone to watch the place for me tomorrow."
Amaterasu smiled and nodded before turning toward the door. "See you in the morning then."
"Good night," Kaede replied as Amaterasu left the room. She turned her black gaze from the door back to the kimonos, feeling the silk one last time before she turned and left the room as well.
( Amaterasu's P.O.V. )
The next morning, Ammy woke at the crack of dawn and left, careful not to wake Issun, to get some fresh morning air. She stretched as the early-morning sun warmed her face, and she smiled. At least the sun was still shining; one less thing for her to worry about for the time being.
She turned around as she heard the front door of the inn open, and Kaede emerged. She smiled at the innkeeper, happy to see that she seemed to have gotten some sleep.
"You ready to do this?" Kaede asked her. She nodded, although she wasn't entirely sure on the inside.
"The outfits are ready for us," She continued. "And I convinced the manager of the fabric store over on the west side of town to watch the inn today."
Amaterasu nodded once more. "We'd better get changed before the line gets too long," She said as Kaede nodded and turned to head back inside.
A few minutes later, Amaterasu stepped out from behind the changing screen in Kaede's room, wearing her kimono. Kaede smiled in satisfaction as she stepped out, and she pointed Ammy to a mirror that stood in the corner of the room. She walked over, and breathed in at her reflection. The kimono slid over her slender shape perfectly, accentuating just the right areas. The red obi sash that was cinched around her narrow waist tied together into a huge bow in the back. Her long silvery hair had been pinned in an elaborate twist that hung down her back. She smiled at the image of the Goddess in the mirror.
"Mother Amaterasu, returned to her former glory," Kaede commented as she came up behind her and made some last-minute adjustments to the outfit. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you," She replied graciously. "Now, let's get you dressed."
By the time the sun was just over the tops of the buildings, they were both ready; Kaede's kimono slimmed her broad shoulders and barrel chest, and hung down in a long train. The swatch that had covered her eye had been replaced with a gold veil that hung graciously down her face, and her hair had been pulled up into a simple up-do.
"I think we're ready," Kaede commented as they looked at themselves in the mirror. Ammy nodded and crossed the room to pull their scroll of Imperial consent out of her satchel that sat with the rest of her clothes.
"Hey, Furball, One-eye! Wait for me!"
The two women looked toward the inn's staircase as Issun came bouncing down. "You didn't seriously think I'd let you two go the palace alone, did ya?"
Ammy blinked in mild surprise. "Issun, how did you-"
Issun shook his head. "You can't hide anything from me! Besides, I was listening to you guys talk last night at the foot of the stairs."
"I should've known," She said with a knowing smile, and Kaede giggled. "Well come on then, allknowing one. We have an appointment with the Emperor."
His bright green aura pulsing, he hopped into the small gap that separated Ammy's sash from her kimono. He nestled in and his green glow was lost in the folds of fabric.
Taking a deep breath, Ammy looped her arm through Kaede's and the two made their way out of the inn and across town to the big gate that separated the Commoners' Quarter from the Aristocrats' Quarter. The two guards standing on either side of the gate were automatically drawn to the two girls; one of them smiled and winked at Kaede.
"Excuse me," Amaterasu said in a singsong voice. "We're not from around here, and we traveled here to meet with the Emperor…I have consent from a trusted advisor of his, Saburo. He's a very important figure in my family."
The guard smiled at her as he opened the scroll and scanned down it. "Hmm…hey, come look at this," The guard said after a moment. The other guard, a bit of a huskier man, strutted over and looked over his shoulder to see what was written.
"Hmm, meeting with the Emperor, eh?" He said, letting his eyes wander along the two girls. "Well, they seem pretty professional. It's impossible for commoners to be this pretty."
They both gave the men shy smiles, hoping that their act was working and that Issun wouldn't open his mouth and ruin the whole thing. After a few more minutes of the guards reading the scroll and whispering to each other, the first guard shut the scroll.
"Right this way, my dears," He said, beckoning them through the gate. "Allow us to escort two beautiful young ladies to the palace."
Himiko's old palace shone in all of its magnificence and glory as Amaterasu and Kaede were led through the giant mass of people on Gojo Bridge. The crowd parted like the Red Sea as the guards pushed and shoved their way through the moving mass of bodies.
"Outta the way, move! Can't you see two gorgeous Aristocrats are trying to get through!"
Finally, the crowd thinned out at the opposite end of Gojo Bridge, where Rao's home still stood as a separator between the two halves of Sei-an city. They went through, where the guards parted with them, and as they walked through to the other side Ammy was greeted with that same peace and tranquility she had felt everytime she had been in the Aristocratic Quarter a century ago.
She turned to look at Kaede, who stood in awe of the majestic buildings shrouded in peaceful mist. "I-it's beautiful…"
Ammy smiled and nodded. "I remember this place all too well," She reminisced. "Taking naps under the trees, playing with the children of the Aristocrats, trading with the old Emperor…"
She smiled softly at the memories of this place and beckoned for Kaede to follow her. "Come," She said. "The palace guards will escort us in."
Himiko's old palace was just as beautiful and dignified on the inside as it was on the outside, even if the rafters were beginning to rot with old age and the place had taken on a musty scent under all of the mesmerizing incense. The two walked slowly behind the palace guards, who, so far, were a lot more respectful than the last pair had been.
As the four approached the elevator on the first landing, Amaterasu called out for Rao and Himiko's guidance. She could do this…couldn't she?
The wooden landing inside the elevator lurched upward, and Kaede's arm tightened where it was looped through hers. A few minutes later the platform stopped, and the four of them stepped out onto a carpeted floor; Amaterasu guessed they had taken out the lava a long time ago.
The audience chamber towered before them, right through the many screens that lined the hallway. The guards parted every one for them, until finally they reached the entrance to the chamber.
"Remember, ladies," One of the guards said. "The Emperor is ill and lacking his most trusted advisor, his wife Tamamo. Please, don't say anything to upset him."
They nodded, and the other guard slid open the entrance. "Your Excellency, Emperor Konoe," He called out in a strong, formal voice. "Visitors for you."
With a kowtow, the two guards backed out of the chamber, closing the door behind them. Amaterasu straightened and began the long walk across the massive expanse that made up Queen Himiko's audience chamber. There was that same screen, and behind it, she could see the form of the Emperor sitting on a cushion. Next to him, she guessed, was an advisor of his, who would most likely be speaking on his behalf.
As they approached, Ammy standing tall, Kaede cowering slightly behind her, the long rice screen slowly began to rise.
"State your names and business with His Excellency," came a very familiar voice. Amaterasu felt her heart sink.
"Believe me when I state that I am Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun, seeking the Emperor's help," She said strongly. "I have with me my trusted companion, Kaede, and my Celestial Envoy, Issun."
As the screen continued to rise, she could see Konoe's face clearly now; he was tall and must've been strong and well-built at one time, but sickness had withered him away to a little more than skin and bones. His wise, inquisitive eyes were bright, but underneath were bags that sunk his whole face. His long black hair was pulled up into a style that Royalty normally wore, twisted and coiled around his headdress.
"Ah, it has been awhile since I've had visitors," Konoe said, his voice cracking a little. He cleared his throat before going on. "And the Goddess herself, no less. I remember Queen Himiko, empress of the past and my beloved grandmother, spoke of you often before her tragic death."
He stood slowly, and Ammy saw the full magnificence of this new Emperor; he was tall and muscular, with a broad chest and broad shoulders. His narrow waist angled down into the sharp flair of his hips underneath his elaborately designed gold kimono: a truly beautiful young ruler, the spitting image of Himiko. They both kowtowed as he returned to his seat.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly," He continued as they finished bowing. "I am Emperor Konoe, heir to the throne and rightful ruler of Sei-an city. And this," He beckoned to his right, where Ammy saw a flash of blonde hair as the screen came up more. "Is one of my most trusted advisors, Waka."
Amaterasu's eyes widened in shock as, sure enough, Waka waved at the two and blew them a kiss. "Bonjour, ladies," He said in that dramatic tone of his. "Good to see you again, mah cherie."