Author's Note: Hey guys, Haachi here! So sorry about the delay for chapter 26, but I'm dedicating most of my time now to bringing this story to a close. And just a warning, this chapter has some MAJOR AmmyxWaka fluff going on, so be prepared for that. Anyway, look forward to more chapters of Tengoku and don't forget to leave a quick review!

~ With love, Haachi ~

~ A Recap ~

"Ready to go, ma chérie?" Waka asked, and Ammy nodded as she stood in front of them and watched as Issun bounced forward.

"Remember, only Poncles can open this door," He said as he unsheathed Denkomaru and held it out in front of him. With a fierce cry, he jumped up and came down on the middle of the door with the blade, and all three of them watched in silent awe as the door opened slowly, revealing a bright white light that pierced all of their senses. As Ammy stepped forward, she almost felt comforted by the soft warmth that the entrance emanated, but she wouldn't let herself be fooled; after all, legends say that opening the Spirit Gate invites chaos and disaster.

With a deep breath Ammy straightened up, her dark gaze fixed determinedly on the opening as she took a few steps forward, not even bothering to think about it. She made her way into the light, her eyes closing as an odd sensation enveloped her, and when she opened them she knew something was different.

( Amaterasu's P.O.V. )

Amaterasu took a tentative step forward, instantly feeling an odd sensation that told her that this was not the normal world. She looked around, noticing that the gate had brought them back to the entrance of Yoshpet.

The Goddess turned to see Waka and Issun emerging from the gate behind her, and she took a moment to take in her surroundings a bit more; it was the same old Kamui, but there were no people to be seen…exactly how far back had the gate taken them?

"Come on, let's get up to the village," Ammy said, taking the lead as they made their way up the hill that led into Uep'keer.

As they entered the village, Amaterasu marveled at how mild the weather was; they must've been taken back to the summer months. There was only a light sprinkling of snow on the ground, and as they entered the village she saw what she had been hoping for.

The village bustled with activity, from little children running around in the village center to adults sitting outside and chatting happily. Ammy felt a smile come to her face as she looked around at the familiar faces; the boy with the otter mask and a few other of the village children were playing keep-away with a ball, their squeals of delight piercing the otherwise calm and content atmosphere, and Kemu and Tuskle were sitting near a fire together, watching the village happily.

"Yes, we made it," Ammy said happily as she took a few steps forward into the village, catching the children's attention. Otter Mask ran over, his eyes bright and happy behind his mask.

"Hi, welcome to our village," She said. "You know, you look kind of familiar…"

Just then, footsteps behind them caught both of their attention, and Ammy looked up to see the one face she had been especially hoping for; Oki stood proudly in front of them, his normally stern eyes softening at the sight before him.

"So, Amaterasu has returned to Kamui," He said, the corners of his eyes crinkling a little, indicating that he was smiling. Ammy smiled back and gave him a deep bow, which he returned.

"The last time we saw you was when you saved us from the Twin Demons," He said. "You have…changed."

"Well you haven't," Issun pointed out, and Oki tilted his head a little as he examined him.

"Issun? You've…" He cut off, unsure of the sight before him. "I don't understand how you've gotten so…ah…"

"Yeah, better not say anything pal," Issun threatened, his tiny hand moving to rest on Denkomaru's hilt.

"Calm down, Issun," Ammy scolded. "Anyway, it's a long story."

"Come with me," Oki said, patting Otter Mask on the head before walking back toward the village entrance. The three of them followed until they reached his little house outside the village, and Ammy ducked inside. The place was still the same, she guessed it just didn't change in here no matter what occurred on the outside, and for some reason it comforted her a bit.

"So, what brings you back to the Northern Lands?" Oki said as he threw some wood into the fire pit and lit it, the dried wood catching the flames instantly and blazing to life.

"I don't think I can tell you." Ammy said softly, her gaze fixed as she stared into the depths of the fire. She looked up and set her eyes on Oki's, her deep black gaze boring into red.

"I need to do this alone," She said. "But I must ask this…what happened after the Ark of Yamato vanished?"

Oki sat back, his eyes closing as he recollected it. "The Oina saw an era of peace," He said finally. "Lika has performed the Volcanic Incantation every year now for the last 20 years."

So, it's been 20 years since I left then, she thought. "What about the lake?"

"There's nothing there now," Oki said. "Although…"

"Although what?" She prodded, feeling an odd sensation in the pit of her stomach.

He hesitated before continuing. "…some of our villagers have reported an odd red glow coming from the very bottom of the lake that you can see through the ice."

Oh no… She stood quickly, turning on her heel and leaving Oki's little hut, making back toward the village. She ignored the calls of Oki, Waka and Issun as she picked up the pace, now running through the snow toward the village.

She rocketed up the hill and through Uep'keer, ignoring the confused cries of adults and children as she ran and ran, until she reached the gate that led to Laochi Lake.

The door was open; she assumed now that the Ark was gone, there was no danger to the villagers. She could feel it now though, there was definitely danger there.

Her breathing was heavy as she slowed to a walk, passing the altar that honored Ezofuji and Kutone, and looked out over the deserted lake; there wasn't a living thing in sight, and even the constant wind that blew here had died down, leaving only heavy silence.

She shivered as an unnatural chill went down her spine. She took a few cautious steps out onto the surface of the lake, the ice causing her to slip along as she made her way to the center of the lake. At this point Oki, Waka and Issun had caught up with her and were watching as she came closer and closer to the original resting place of the Ark.

Ammy inhaled sharply as she saw what Oki had mentioned; instead of just a subtle red glow like he had implied, there was a pulsing red fog that moved and churned beneath the surface of the ice.

The thing that was most intriguing about this sight was right beneath the transparent-looking fog, was an odd-looking artifact; it was plate-like and flat and had strange markings that glowed an opalescent blue. It was captivating, and Ammy didn't even notice that Waka had followed her out onto the surface of the lake.

"Hm…I recognize these symbols," Waka said as he examined them. "It's Moon Tribe writing."

Moon Tribe Writing? Ammy thought, puzzled as Waka's eyes narrowed.

"…It's some kind of sundial. Look," Waka beckoned to foreign markings all around the outer edge of the plate-like object. He then looked up at the sky, and his brow furrowed. Ammy looked up too to see what she had been dreading; the sun was unnaturally red, and a pitch black shadow was beginning to creep onto the edges.

"According to how this reads," He continued as he strained to read the strange, otherworldly markings. "We have three days."

"Three days?" Amaterasu said, her heart sinking as she gazed at the sun. She could already feel the darkness sapping her power. "That's it?"

Waka nodded, also looking up at the sun in dismay.

"But…how can I defeat Yami again when I don't even have all of the brush techniques?" She said, feeling defeated. She already felt useless, and yet there was still so much to be done.

"You already have 8 of them, ma chérie," Waka said, brushing a strand of Amaterasu's silvery hair away from her face. "Who says you can't find 5 more?"

"In three days?" She contradicted, her head low in despair. "It's hopeless."

She looked up at she felt Waka's warm hand come up beneath her chin, lifting her head so she would look at him. There was something in his crystal blue eyes that she had never seen before, and she automatically felt her cheeks grow warm.

"Don't talk like that," He said sternly, although his voice was gentle. "You are the strongest person I know, and if you lose hope…I lose hope."

His hand moved to her cheek, his fingertips slowly stroking the soft skin. Ammy closed her eyes and felt herself nuzzle into his palm a bit, and her hand came up to hold his there.

Her eyes opened to look at him, a small smile gracing her face.

"Waka…"

"Oui?"

"I just want you to know…I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here. You…you make me feel different. Than the others, I mean…I guess what I'm trying to say is…"

She felt butterflies arise in her stomach as she stopped, her eyes fixed on his, silently hoping he would pick up on what she was trying to say. He smiled softly, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Your heart shines brighter than the sun ever could, ma chérie," He said softly, and she closed her eyes as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Hey, what's going on over there?" They heard Issun shout from the edge of the lake. They separated, Ammy absentmindedly pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear as she smiled sheepishly at Waka. If only she had known the emotions that came with being human…

As the two of them made their way back to where Oki and Issun stood, Ammy tried to un-jumble her thoughts. Something about Waka made her feel something she had never felt before, like how her heart beat fast whenever he smiled at her or gazed at her with those clear, crystal eyes. For now, when everything was falling apart around her, she knew he would be there to comfort her, to help her through anything when she needed him. For once, now, as they rejoined Oki and Issun, the problems at hand were pushed out of her mind.

Maybe this feeling is what humans call…love.