Author's Note: Ah, I must say I'm quite proud of this chapter! I'm also happy that I've made it to 20! About Tamamo and Ninetails and all of that, if any of my readers have ever heard the legend of Tamamo-no-Mae, you'll know where the names and events come from. I know that the first encounter with Ninetails in the first game is an obvious reference to this legend, but I definitely wanted to bring Ninetails back in this story, and why not do it by the original tale? So please, let me know how I'm doing! Leave a quick review, critiques are more than welcome! I can always use room to improve.
~ With love, Haachi ~
~ A Recap ~
She stopped, her eyes staring unfocused at the wooden surface of the bar. "Waka would have died for me that night, I know it. He almost did. Would he even be here with us this time around if he didn't care? No. I don't want to hear anybody talking badly about him anymore, especially you, Issun."
Issun didn't say anything to this, simply sat down on his bowl and dulled his green aura to almost nothing. There was an awkward silence, and Kaede felt extremely uncomfortable. Just as she was about to get up and leave, Amaterasu beat her to it. She stood and, without a word, left the inn, the wooden door creaking as she shut it behind her.
( Waka's P.O.V. )
Finally, the day of the festival came.
After three weeks' planning, the city was ready to celebrate; paper lanterns were hung on trees and strings tied between houses, the huge torches throughout the city roared with their fires, and the whole city bustled as people from all around Sei-an mingled and celebrated.
Waka, Kaede, and Issun all stood off to the side of the street as the parade began. People clapped, children squealed excitedly from atop their fathers' shoulders as a line of Taiko drummers slowly entered through the huge gates that led to Gojo Bridge and began parading down the street. Dancers and performers followed, some waving ribbons in elaborate patterns, others walking on their hands to show off their skill.
Waka couldn't help but smile at the festiveness of the city. Even though this festival was to honor the gods, people had welcomed the idea of such a great time in these dark days.
The parade continued, but Waka was anticipating the biggest attraction: the "Brush Gods" would be making a very special appearance today, and who else could play Amaterasu but the Sun Goddess herself?
More lines of drummers, Geishas, and Samurais passed. Children screamed and laughed at how the samurai warriors slashed their katanas at invisible demons, and the Geisha ladies twirled their fans and batted their eyelashes.
And then, finally, Waka could see it; 13 dancing, whirling figures clad in white and red, holding giant paintbrushes, weaving through the crowds on the sidelines. As the marvel passed through the main square, each of the personified Brush Gods could be seen; Yomigami, with his dragon headdress as he jumped in graceful circles, the three gods of Flora, banging their traditional instruments, Yumigami, pounding mochi with her mallet, Kabegami prowling through the crowd like a feline, Nuregami, waving blue ribbons and making slithering motions, Moegami, smoking a flaming pipe, Gekigami, shooting electrified arrows in high arcs above the crowds, Kazegami, flowing with the breeze, Kasugami, merrily drinking sake, Bakugami rolling expertly through the crowd on a makeshift bomb, and Itegami rushing through the crowds, throwing handfuls of fake snow.
As the thirteen Brush Gods wove and ran through the crowd, two palanquins could be seen following closely, the one in front much less elaborate than the one behind it. The first one was decorated beautifully, with expertly carved lacquerware in the shapes of suns.
"Everyone show proper respect," called two drummers who marched on either side of the palanquin. "For our Mother Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess!"
Everyone in the crowd kowtowed, then resumed cheering as Amaterasu perched on the palanquin, waving and smiling, her radiance glowing from her; Her hair was looped into an elaborate queue, along with a traditional white and red kimono. She had red markings painted onto her face and arms, and she wore a golden headdress that symbolized the rising sun of Nippon. Waka felt his heart flutter just looking at her in her grace and power.
Amaterasu continued passing through the crowd, the 13 Brush Gods weaving and bouncing around her palanquin. The next to pass through was none other than Emperor Konoe, whose palanquin was much larger and flashier than hers. It was surrounded by Imperial guards, but the Emperor could be seen through the sheer curtain that the palanquin was covered by. Waka felt his heart sink a little seeing the empty seat next to him, where Tamamo should have been. Being the Emperor's advisor, he had seen the raw sorrow and loneliness that plagued his heart and only made him sicker.
"This is amazing!" The Kamiki girl, Kaede, commented as the parade continued to pass. "Don't you think so, Mr. Waka?"
Waka nodded and gave her a smile. "Oui," He said. "Amaterasu really outdid herself with the festival, and it's only just begun!"
He waved happily as Konoe's palanquin disappeared with the bustle of the crowd. Commoners and Aristocrats alike grew more excited as the parade came to a close, and the sound of the drummers faded into the distance as the line of performers left through the entrance to the city.
The festival continued, none of the merriment leaving with the parade. Music continued to play, people danced in the streets and bustled through the many food and trinket stands set up to sell souvenirs. It wasn't until Waka had spent about an hour wandering around the festival that he finally caught sight of Amaterasu again.
She was still in her goddess outfit, the pure white of her kimono and her hair reflecting brilliantly in the sunlight. She smiled and waved at Waka over the heads of others and finally made it over to him.
"Ah, Amaterasu," Waka said happily. "This festival has turned out to be a great success so far, no?"
She nodded, still looking a little flustered by all of the activity as people continued to push past them. "I think it might actually be working," She said, her face aglow with happiness. "Outside of the city, there is a huge line leading to Ankoku Temple. People are making offerings, sending prayers, performing rituals. I think the faith is beginning to be restored."
"All thanks to you, ma chérie," The prophet replied. "Without you, none of this would have been possible. You should feel very proud of yourself."
There was that smile again; bashful, but he could tell that she knew he was right. "Why don't you go find your bug and the Kamiki girl," He said after a moment. "I'm sure they're dying to congratulate you."
She nodded and turned to go, and he watched as she was whisked away by a crowd of starstruck townspeople. As he turned to find the Emperor, he smiled again. Amaterasu was finally returning to her former self.
( Amaterasu's P.O.V. )
It was awhile before Ammy found Kaede. She found her in the town square, browsing in one of the stands. She put a gentle hand on Kaede's shoulder, and the innkeeper spun around with a smile on her face.
"This is all so amazing," She said. "In all of my years here, this is the most extravagant festival Sei-an's had in a long time."
She smiled and pulled out a paper fan to cool down under the hot summer sun. "Where's Issun?" She asked, although she already knew the answer.
"He bounced off to Yama's a little while ago. Haven't seen him since," Kaede replied, picking up a ceramic figurine of Amaterasu in her past form. "Wow, this is what you used to look like?"
Ammy nodded. "Yes. Sometimes I miss being a wolf," She said with a laugh. "Although it is nice being able to talk to people and have them understand me."
Kaede laughed and set the figurine back down. Ammy fanned herself, shielding her eyes against the unforgiving sun to look around. People danced, men drank and talked, women sat on blankets under the shade of the cherry blossom trees and gossiped. It really was just like it had been all those years ago.
A tug on the bottom of her kimono pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked down to see a commoner boy of about 8, holding a cherry blossom in his hand.
"Mother Amaterasu, I think you're really pretty," He said shyly. Ammy smiled kindly and knelt down to ruffle the boy's hair. He smiled back and put the flower in her hair, then took her hand and began tugging her toward the center of the square, where people were dancing as Shamisen players and Taiko drummers sat and played their instruments.
She giggled and motioned to Kaede that she would be back, then allowed the boy to lead her to the dance floor. The tune that was playing was very upbeat, and the two grasped hands and leaped around in circles. Ammy laughed joyfully; she couldn't remember the last time she had had this much fun.
She was breathing hard from the movement and excitement of the dance by the time the song was over. The little boy had a giant smile on his face, having just danced with the Sun Goddess, the prettiest and fairest of all maidens. Ammy kneeled down and the boy smiled even bigger as she pulled him in for a hug.
"Now, you be good," She said, adjusting the flower in her hair. "Remember, as long as the Sun is shining, I'll be watching you."
The boy nodded eagerly and ran off, and she straightened up. "Wow, the people really love you," She heard Kaede say from behind her. She turned and smiled.
"I'm just so glad the people's faith in me has been restored," She replied. "I can feel my power flowing back through me already."
Kaede smiled and held out her arm, and Ammy looped hers through. "Come, let's go explore," She said. Ammy nodded, and the two disappeared into the crowd.
Night fell on Sei-an City, but the festival continued on. By now the paper lanterns were lit, and fireflies hovered over the canals, creating an absolute wonderland throughout the city. Ammy was exhausted from walking all day, but she wasn't ready for this day to end yet. There was still the lantern ceremony.
Issun had joined the two girls a few hours ago, a little tipsy, but he still had his wits about him. The three had spent the rest of the day exploring the many stands and festival activities throughout the city, and they hadn't even gotten all the way through. This, however, was what Ammy had been most excited about.
Everyone gathered on Gojo Bridge, holding their paper lanterns with prayers written on them to pass on to their ancestors. A small platform had been raised for Amaterasu to stand on, who would light the first lantern and send it adrift onto the lake. She stood, raised above everyone else, her red lantern held high above her head.
"Listen, everyone," She called. The crowd hushed into respectful silence. "We have gathered on the bridge to perform this lantern ceremony, so that our ancestors may hear our prayers and bring us good tidings for years to come. So please, listen to me when I say that the Gods will hear you in your pleas. Never give up your faith, for it is this that will keep us strong in the worst of situations."
With this, her lantern lit on its own, and as if it was a trigger, every single lantern on the bridge brightened into a ball of eternal energy. Amaterasu turned and delicately let go of the lantern, watching as the light object floated down to touch the surface of the lake, creating a layer of perfect ripples.
The crowd ooh'd and ahh'd, and one by one lanterns followed Ammy's and caressed the surface of the still water. Amaterasu turned and watched as everyone let go of their lanterns, sending their prayers across the water. She watched children with their parents, windows, and nobles all alike. As she looked, however, there was one that stood out to her: the Emperor, supported by Waka.
They stood on the same side of the bridge as her, and Waka laid a supportive hand on Konoe's shoulder as he let his lantern drift onto the water, his eyes brimming with sadness. Amaterasu slowly stepped off of the platform and over to the two, just as Konoe straightened.
"Your Excellency," She said with a respectful bow.
"Ah, Amaterasu," He said, returning the gesture. "Such moving words. I truly believe that because of you my Tamamo will hear my pleas for her to return. For this, I thank you. You have restored faith here in Sei-an city, as well as the hope of the people. I am in eternal debt to you."
He dropped into a low bow, but just as he did he collapsed into an extremely violent coughing fit, dark red droplets of blood spraying onto the ground. Waka ushered the people away as Amaterasu knelt down to see if he was alright. As she was helping him up, she looked over to the surface of the lake.
"Waka…w-what is that?" She said as she squinted to see past the glow of the lanterns. It almost looked as if a ghostly figure was hovering over the surface of the lake…but that wasn't possible, was it?
The Tao master straightened up and narrowed his crystal blue eyes, and she saw the light of realization come into them. "No, it can't be…"
He was distracted again by the Emperor, who had slumped over onto his side, unconscious. Ammy knelt down to roll him over onto his back as the crowd cleared away from them, heading back toward their quarters. Streams of blood ran down the corners of Konoe's mouth, and as far as Ammy could tell he was barely breathing.
"We have to get him back to the palace," Waka said. "Amaterasu, hurry to the palace and fetch the Emperor's doctor. But please, hurry!"
Ammy nodded and weaved expertly through the crowd, not bothering with the guards as she ran through them and into the palace. Luckily Konoe's doctor was easy to find, standing near the elevator sorting out herbs.
"Please, you have to come with me," She panted desperately. "The Emperor…"
He had looked confused for a moment, but as soon as she mentioned the Emperor, he sprung up, ready for anything. "What's happened?"
"Just follow me," Ammy said, turning and running out of the palace with the doctor close behind. They made it back to where the Emperor was in record time, and as the doctor tended to Konoe, Amaterasu looked out over the water again. But as the lanterns scattered themselves over the water and settled, she could tell that whatever she had seen was gone.
"Waka," She said quietly as the doctor busied himself with Konoe. Waka stood and the two of them detached themselves from the unconscious Emperor.
"What was that?" The Goddess asked in a hushed voice. "I know you know."
Waka's eyes darkened and he looked out over the water again. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. "I'm almost positive that it was Tamamo," He said. "It had to be. The Emperor wouldn't have just keeled over like that."
Ammy's eyes widened a little in disbelief. "But Tamamo is his wife, isn't she?"
Waka nodded solemnly. "Yes, but I've come to believe that…she's not human anymore. She's become something to be feared, and I think her presence is what made the Emperor break into such a terrible fit."
Amaterasu let this sink in for a moment before speaking again. "It is exactly how…"
She cut off, her mind wandering to what Rao's ghost had said: Follow the signs and I'm sure you will find what you are looking for…
It all made sense now. Tamamo's body had been inhabited by Ninetails, just like Rao. That was the reason that the Emperor kept getting sicker, and why she had disappeared…
"Amaterasu?"
Ammy looked over at Waka, the light of discovery shining in her eyes. "Waka, go with the Emperor. Let me know as soon as he regains consciousness. I have to find Issun."
With that she turned and began running toward the Commoners' Quarter without looking back.