Amaterasu did not intend on waking up. But she did anyway, and the first thing she saw was Oki's face - or rather, his mask. "Oh no, don't tell me you died, too, Oki," she whimpered.

He cocked his head at her, confused. "Hmm, last time I checked I was alive," he commented.

"Then it must be that the gods have allowed me to speak with you one last time before I go. I'm sorry, Oki," she said, and then realized that she couldn't sit up. Blood caked her fur, and she was sore all over. "You would think that when I die that I wouldn't look like I did when I was killed," she mumbled.

Oki chuckled. "There's a simple explanation for that. You're not dead."

"Oki, I appreciate it that you didn't want me to die, but those words won't bring me back," she said, sighing.

"No, I mean you really aren't dead, Amaterasu," he said. "See, I can touch you, right? If you were merely an image, your spirit ascending to the heavens, I wouldn't be able to do this," he said, petting her head.

"There's probably some sad explanation for that as well," she moaned.

He facepalmed. "Look, you're not dead, because I saved you from the demons, brought you back to the village, had Kai treat your wounds, and now you're awake," he said calmly, though she could tell he was both relieved and worried.

"So I'm not dead then?" She asked.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"Wait, are you saying yes that I am dead, or are you confirming that I'm not dead?"

He sighed. "What do you think?"

"Must be alive, then."

"You guessed it."

Just then, Chibi walked in with Issun bouncing on his head. "Hey! You're alive, Mom!" He yipped excitedly, licking her face.

"Yes, after a long time confirming that," Oki grumbled.

"What?" Issun asked.

"You don't want to know."

"Okay."

They chatted for a little while before Kai came in with a wet cloth. "Here," she said, handing the cloth to Oki. "I'm going to collect some herbs, I'll be right back," she stated, turning to leave the hut.

"What do I do with this?" Oki called after her, holding up the cloth.

"Focus on the task at hand," she responded, then left.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He wondered aloud.

"I think," said Chibi, "She means she wants you to wash the blood out of Mom's fur."

"Oh," he said. He placed the wet cloth over the four claw marks Amaterasu had endured. As soon as the cloth touched her, she yelped in pain. "What?!" Oki exclaimed, immediately pulling the cloth away. "Did I do something? Are you okay?"

She looked at him for a minute. She imagined a worried look behind that mask. Then she laughed.

"What? What are you laughing at?" He asked, crossing his arms.

"Oh, nothing," she said with a smirk. "Just making sure you were paying attention."

"Paying attention to what?"

"Nevermind."

He sighed and placed the cloth back on her wound. She flinched at the cold touch, but sighed as he gently washed away the blood.

"Thanks," she said, yawning. "Give Kai my thanks as well, her efforts are appreciated," she mumbled, curling up in a ball. Soon flowers started to sprout from underneath her, and her scars shrank until they were completely covered by her fur. She woke up as soon as the process was complete.

Oki stared in surprise at her. "If you can do that, then Kai just completely wasted her herbs on you," he growled.

She looked at him. "That's not true. Being unconscious isn't exactly the same as sleeping for me. Had I been sleeping, it would have been different. I would've died while being unconscious in a gravely injured state, but Kai saved me from that fate."

He took a moment to comprehend it, then said: "I knew that."

"You never admit to anything, do you?"

"No."

She giggled. "Nah, I know you too well. Just like I know you'd never admit that you like me, either," she said under her breath.

"What was that?" Oki asked, not picking up the last thing she had said.

"Nothing. I'm gonna go get some fresh air real quick. I'll be back," she said, then left Kai's hut.

Oki looked at Chibi. "What did she say? Tell me, and I will know if you are lying or not."

Chibi grinned. "She said she knew you would never admit that you like her," he woofed quietly.

He was silent for a few seconds. "Who in the world ever said that I liked her? She's a goddess. There's nothing I can do about that." Chibi and Issun just looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously, it's obvious, you thick-headed beast. It's so obvious that a demon could see it. A blind one. And a deaf one, too," Issun commented.

He sighed. "I'm going to get a breather with Amaterasu," he growled, turning into a wolf.

"You said 'with Amaterasu' and you didn't deny that it was obvious! That makes it triple the obvious!" Issun yelled after him.

Chibi wagged his tail. "Man, I didn't know you were so good at getting on people's nerves. We need to team up some time," he woofed happily.

"Hey, Oki," Amaterasu said as Oki padded up behind her. "I knew it was you because you sound like a bear when you walk. Seriously, you need to work on stealth."

"You tell me I need to work on stealth? Hey, I've caught a good amount of food for this village back in the day," he said, shouldering her playfully. "And will in the future, too." But do I really sound like a bear?

"Yup," she said.

I didn't even say anything!

"In your mind you did."

How are you doing that?

I'm a goddess. Do you expect anything less of me? She asked, her voice now in his head.

You decide to reveal this now? It would've helped a lot in Yoshpet, don't you think?

I only just discovered it now. Not that I would've asked you for help anyway, ya big furball.

Look who's talking.

Have you looked in mirror lately? You're like... three times the size of me. Hey, I'll be little furball, you be big furball! How about that?

I beg to differ.

Speaking of being three times the size of me... it's quite amazing how easily I beat you that time in Kamui. And you had two chances!

Alright, now you're just being mean, he joked.

I was simply implying that you should train more. Perhaps we can take a stroll to the dojo?

Now?

Whenever you want, I guess.

Whenever I want sounds good to me.

So you want to go now?

You tell me.

Yes, we'll go now. Wait, have you ever wanted to travel anywhere else in the world?

I've never really thought about it. Why?

I don't know... maybe you'd wanna go with me to... this place I hear rumors of.

And what place would that be?

Ever heard of America?