Author's Note: Hello, all of my faithful readers! I'm sorry it's taken awhile to update. I've just been so busy with school and everything that I haven't really gotten time to update. But anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this latest addition of Tengoku no hi. Remember to leave a quick review to let me know how I'm doing~!
~With love always, Haachi ~
~ A Recap ~
"Even though my wife has passed, Sei-an city will be at peace now. I can go on to be a mighty ruler as I know Tamamo wanted me to. She will be by my side forever and always, and her spirit and memory will live on inside of my heart until the day I join her in the heavens."
With this, he dropped into a kowtow, making her take a step back. She looked around and saw Miura and Kaede, who both did the same thing.
The Emperor rose first and looked down at Tamamo one last time. "I must arrange a proper funeral for my beloved," He said, looking to Miura, who nodded and left the room with Kaede at his side to find Kazusa. "Until then, let us go back to the city. I must also make some arrangements for a statue to be built in your memory."
Ammy started to object, but thought better of it; instead, she wrapped Konoe's arm around her shoulder so she could assist him back to the city. As they turned to walk out the door and back outside, Amaterasu looked back at the form of Tamamo.
"Thank you…Tamamo…"
( Amaterasu's P.O.V. )
After Ninetails was defeated a second time in 200 years, Sei-an city prospered under the rule of Emperor Konoe, who made a successful recovery. As was mentioned, Konoe had a statue erected in the city square so all could behold their benevolent savior. Amaterasu was known all over the capital now, but she was slowly learning to accept it. Waka, Issun and Kaede had recovered without a hitch, and all was peaceful in the capital.
Almost two weeks later, Amaterasu, Issun, and Konoe all stood behind the palace entrance, where Himiko's grave and, now beside it, Tamamo's grave rose magnificently out of the misty lake waters. It was a particularly foggy morning, but the warm mist near the grave prevented the chill from reaching them.
Ammy smiled as Konoe looked at her genuinely, the colour returned to his face, his eyes holding a certain sparkle that hadn't been there before. He stood tall and bowed to her, and she returned the gesture.
"Amaterasu," He said, his voice stronger now and reverberating through the stillness. "I must thank you from the bottom of my heart once again. You truly have saved this city." As he said this, his eyes turned to look out over the water at the two graves beside each other. A hint of sadness dulled the brightness of his eyes.
"Even though this nation has seen many great tragedies," He said softly, not taking his eyes off of the monument. "Every blow only makes us stronger."
"That's how it will always be," She replied with a kind smile. "We are faced with challenges, but every time we overcome something we become stronger and step up to our next obstacle."
He nodded and let out a deep sigh, whether of sadness or relief, Ammy didn't know. But he turned his head and smiled sadly at her. "I miss my beloved wife terribly," He went on. "But I know she's right here with me, urging me to go on." He lifted his hand and rested it over his heart. Ammy smiled once more at the Emperor's strength and courage. I know Sei-an is in good hands, She thought, gazing out over the calm lake waters to Tamamo's grave. Sacrifices must always be made, but they are always for the best.
She was pulled out of her thoughts by the Emperor. "So where will you go now?" He asked her. Issun, who had been sitting quietly, for once, on her shoulder, stood up and pulled out Denkomaru in a flash.
"Oh, Nippon's not safe yet!" He said. "We still have a lot of work to do, right Ammy?"
She giggled and reached over to pat his head. "Slow down, Issun. Actually, there is something that's been bothering me…"
Issun sheathed his tiny sword, his bright green aura dimming. "Remember what Waka told us about the Oina?" She said, her mind wandering back to that horrible sadness that had crushed her when Waka had told her that the ancient race had been totally wiped out. "I…I think we need to go to Kamui and find out exactly what happened to them," She continued, her bright black eyes dulling with sadness. I have to, for Oki…
"You're right," Issun said, his aura dulling more and more until it was a grayish-green colour. "I lived in Uep'keer for a long time. I'm worried about my village as well," He said. "I haven't been around to lead them, so who knows what kind of trouble they're getting into?"
"I wish you the best of luck in your travels," Konoe said. "If you're heading to the Northern Lands, I highly recommend that you are prepared. There's no civilization there anymore."
Once again, Ammy bowed to the Emperor. "Thank you for everything, Your Excellency," She said. "We'll be sure to stop in and visit."
With this, Amaterasu and Issun left the Emperor and headed back to the Commoners' Quarter. The bustling activity of the commoners was almost overwhelming next to the peaceful serenity of the Aristocrats' Quarter. Ammy wove her way through the people, smiling at people who praised her and bowed to her as she walked by.
"Geez, you're quite the celebrity now," Issun commented as they walked. "How's it feel to have everyone know who you are?"
She shrugged, still pretty uncomfortable with the fact that everyone in this huge city knew who and what she was. She sighed and kept walking until she finally arrived at the Konohana Inn.
As she walked in, she was greeted by that warm smell of brewing sake and the hominess of the little inn. She took a deep breath of the rich, fragrant air and looked around until she found Kaede behind the bar, talking happily to Miura. Her eye had been restored, the curse lifted, and the two of them sparkled brightly.
"Kaede, Miura," She said as she approached the bar and took a seat next to the warrior. "How are things?"
"Wonderful," Kaede said in reply, a smile coming to her face that Ammy was surprised to see on the usually passive innkeeper. "You've done so much for our city, you know."
She smiled and dipped her head. "I couldn't have done it without you two. Thank you both, so much." As she said this, she let her hands rest on top of both of theirs and gave them a grateful smile.
"So where are you headed now?" Miura asked.
"We're going to the Northern Land," Amaterasu replied. "We have to investigate the disappearance of the Oina. The eclipse wasn't supposed to come again for another one hundred years, and it worries me."
"We'll keep our prayers with you," Kaede said, setting down the rag she had been using to clean a few cups. "Do you need anything before you leave?"
After buying as many supplies as she could carry, Amaterasu huffed as she set her heavy satchel on the floor by her chair. "So, what about you, Kaede? What will you do next? Your inn is booming, your curse is gone – Now's your chance to really make a living here."
As she said this, she watched as Kaede and Miura exchanged a look. "Actually," She said, her eyes glittering. "Miura and I are going to head back to Kamiki and live there."
Ammy looked on in surprise as Miura continued. "We both favor the country life," He explained. "And after what Kaede's told me about the place, what better way to liven it up than with a nice little inn and sake house?"
"I'm following in my grandmother's footsteps," Kaede said blissfully. "And besides, I may finally have somewhere to wear those kimonos." With this, she looked sideways at Miura, her cheeks flushing red.
"I'm so happy for both of you," Ammy said, standing and giving Kaede a tight embrace. "I wish you both good fortune in your new life together."
"Let's get going, Ammy!" Issun cried. Ammy waved in farewell to Kaede and Miura, and exited the inn.
Just as the wooden door closed behind them, the sound of a flute could be heard and Waka flew toward them on a trail of sparkles from the direction of the palace.
"Waka," Ammy said with a smile. "Feeling better?"
He nodded and flipped a strand of his golden blonde hair over his shoulder. "If not for you, cherie, I probably wouldn't be here. That fox would have done a lot worse to me."
"Please, let's not talk about that," Issun cut in, rubbing his head. "My head still aches just thinking about it."
"Anyway," Ammy said. "We're heading to Kamui to investigate. Care to come with us, or do you have things to do here in the city?"
Waka shook his head. "Not anymore. The Emperor is no longer in need of his fabulous advisor. Ever since he recovered, that man has been more vibrant than ever~!"
He laughed, but his eyes were serious. "About Kamui," He continued, every trace of happiness from his voice gone. "Do not get your hopes up, Amaterasu. The Oina have been gone for a hundred years."
Ammy felt her heart sink again, and she nodded. "I know," She said softly. "But I have to try."
Waka gave her a small smile and reached up to tuck a strand of her snowy white hair behind her ear. She let her eyes find his face, and she felt a warm sensation in her cheeks.
"Uh…I think I'm gonna go grab one last drink before we head out," Issun said, bouncing off of Ammy's shoulder and heading in the direction of the Konohana Inn. Amaterasu watched him go, but warmth on her jaw brought her back to Waka's face. His thumb stroked the line of her jaw lightly, and she felt a shiver go down her spine.
"You have been so strong through all of this, Amaterasu," He said, his eyes holding something that Ammy couldn't recognize. "You must keep going. Your journey is far from over, but just know that I will always be here."
As she listened to these softly spoken words, her eyes widened a little as Waka wrapped his strong arms around her and held her to his chest. She relaxed into the curve of his body, closing her eyes as his sweet, unearthly scent overwhelmed her and threatened to make her fall asleep.
But as soon as it had happened, it was over. The Tao Master pulled away, and Ammy felt a sudden empty sensation inside of her chest. She hid her disappointment at the briefness of it, and instead gave him a sad smile.
"Thank you, Waka," She said, her hand coming up to wrap a strand of her hair around her finger. "I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't have you here with me."
"I know, ma chérie," He said with a cheeky smile. "You were always so lost the last time. What would you have done without the Gods' Gift to Man, after all~?" His sapphire-blue eyes glittered mischievously, and he winked.
Ammy rolled her eyes at his cockiness, but inside her heart she knew what he said was true; she would have never been able to save Nippon the first time without his help. Even though he had gone about some things the wrong way, she knew now that he had wholeheartedly been trying to help them.
"Well then," He continued. "Where's that bug? The entrance in Shinshu Field to Kamui was destroyed a long time ago, so I suppose the only way to get there is for me to fly you there~!"
Ammy felt her stomach turn at the thought of her feet leaving the ground again, but she realized that there wasn't any other way to get to Kamui than the Shinshu entrance, and that wasn't exactly an option anymore. She sighed and, running into the Konohana to grab Issun, met Waka back outside.
"Ugh, let's get this over with," She groaned as Waka held out his hand. She squeezed her eyes shut as she put her hand in his, and as they lifted off she cried out when her eyes opened and she saw the earth spinning below them.
"Ugh…sake's comin' back up," Issun said; as he leaned over Ammy's shoulder, a minuscule stream of vomit was whisked into the air. Ammy clung tighter to Waka and buried her head into his silky, sweet-smelling clothes.
"You'll get used to it eventually," Waka called to her over the roar of the wind. "It actually becomes quite fun." As he said this, he did a graceful backflip in the air, causing Amaterasu and Issun both to scream. He laughed happily and continued on, the landscape flying by below them as they crossed over Taka Pass and Agata Forest.
"You're gonna get it when we land," Ammy grumbled, her voice muffled through his clothes. "I've never doing this again."
He ignored these words, simply kept laughing, as they soared over Shinshu Field and over the stretch of land that separated it from the Northern Land of Kamui. As they flew, the flat, green expanse of the plains gradually became whiter and rougher, and Ammy began shivering. Finally the land below was completely white, snowflakes flew toward them in the air, and the sky went from brilliant blue to a dark slate grey.
"We're here," Waka called. Amaterasu had pressed herself as closely to Waka as she possibly could as the temperature had gradually dropped as they went farther North. She opened her eyes and exhaled, her breath coming out in a cloud as Waka began the descent to the earth.
"Brrr!" Issun shivered and jumped off of Ammy's shoulder to burrow down into her kimono. She sighed and hugged herself as Waka let her down, landing gracefully on top of the snow beside her.
"It's never been this cold in Kamui," She said as she looked around at the bleak landscape; there didn't seem to be a single living soul within miles of where they were. "The sky's so dark…"
She looked up to the cloudy sky, and she felt an unnatural chill go down her spine that had nothing to do with the subzero temperatures. Something about the deep darkness of the clouds and the particularly chilling wind unnerved her.
"Something's definitely wrong," She said. "I can feel the evil in the air. It's so strong, it's making me feel sick…"
She reached up to rub her temples, her mind willing the awful throbbing in her head to go away. "Come on," She said once the pain had dulled a little. "Let's head up the path to Uep'keer."