Okay, as you can see, How I Became Ayame has cover art! That picture, originally a sketch I was making out of boredom and decided to ink and color when it got detailed, is actually the inspiration to do this story. So, enjoy my doodles and strangely-drawn bamboo borders, and thank you for reading!
Chapter 9: Back to Business, but First Some Flowers
Iris had thought that the restoration of Kamiki Village was the most beautiful thing she would ever see in her life. She was wrong. As the Guardian Sapling sprung into bloom, a warm light surrounded it, closing in on the center of the tree. Then, after a split second of glowing in a sphere of energy, the light exploded, sending waves of life through the whole area. The curse zone peeled away, and flora rippled through the black and sludge, replacing it with fresh green and clear water. Oxygen, sweet and clean oxygen, filled Iris's lungs, and she drew in a long breath as she watched Hana Valley become warm and clean once more.
"Wow! So this is what Hana Valley actually looks like!" Issun said as Amaterasu wagged her tail. "Not bad, Ammy! Okay, this area's cleared up, let's head back to Shinshu Field!"
"…Huh? Did you say something?" Iris didn't look away from the tree, now vibrant and radiating pure life. She felt warm, and energetic and happy in its presence – she felt like a child again. The entire area was sprawling with beauty, and for a moment, she felt completely at peace.
"Focus, girly! We still have work to do!" Issun yelled, pulling Iris out of the serene trance she'd been in. Iris shook her head for a moment before looking at them.
"Right. Let's get to Shinshu Field."
The team headed back down the path, and Amaterasu made good use of her new skill by blooming everything that could be bloomed, from evil trees to clovers. Iris picked up a scroll that was lying on the ground and put it in her bag, along with some fruit for the astral pouch (and some for herself) and, in one chest, something that Issun called a Sun Fragment. Iris simply shrugged after inspecting the dull jade, and put it away. After Amaterasu had her fill of finding and digging up all sorts of knick-knacks (what were the stray beads for?) and food, Amaterasu and Iris left Hana Valley, into the corrupted Shinshu Field.
Not again! Iris stifled a cough as the choking air re-filled her lungs, and quickly clasped her hands back over her mouth. Ammy made a beeline for the wilted Sapling, and Iris followed, lungs screaming for clean air. Amaterasu stopped in front of the tree, and drew another circle.
Would wonders never cease? As the energy from before circled around the tree, Iris could feel the curse zone retreating before the magic even took effect. The energy burst, and like before, shockwaves went through the area and the curse zone peeled away, replaced with warm sunlight and fresh grass, and the river became clear and brimming with healthy fish. Another chest appeared in front of the Guardian Sapling, and Amaterasu quickly opened it – another scroll, this one on fleeing battle.
"Here's a tip we'll never want to use," Iris said as she stuffed it in the bag. "Now that that' done, what's next?"
"Shinshu Field has a lot to explore! Let's take a look around!" Issun said, and Iris took out the map. He jumped onto it as Iris unrolled the scroll, and circled a few locations. "Let's head for the dojo first!" Ammy took one look at the map, and ran off in the direction of the dojo. Iris scrambled to catch up, map still in her hand.
The dojo was a decent building, being held captive by a Demon Gate – nasty little hut that radiated evil – on the front lawn. Iris and Amaterasu made quick work of the imps inside, and when the last one fell, (6 Demon Fangs collected from that bunch), a small pond and a bridge took its place. Iris and Amaterasu walked into the dojo, where they were greeted by a kindly man who called himself Onigiri Sensei.
Iris had to politely decline a martial arts lesson when the man offered before they moved on to continue exploring. As Iris unrolled the map again, Amaterasu jumped up and down to get a look.
"Okay, the entrance to Agata forest is already near… how about the Moon Cave?" Iris asked, looking up. "…Guys? Dang it!" Iris took off after the wolf, who'd dashed toward a hill. "Guys, this isn't funny anymore!"
Iris followed Ammy down the path, up to a large gate that stood in the middle of the large lake ahead. Amaterasu didn't stop running, and vanished the instant she went through the gate. Iris stared for a moment, before shaking off her surprise and chasing after the wolf into the gate.
The world was different here, that Iris could tell immediately. It was dark and ethereal, but not in the warm way that Sakuya was. This place radiated evil, sleeping, waiting to awaken. As they approached the cave, chills went up her skin, and she felt goose-bumps on the backs of her arms.
Amaterasu stopped at the entrance of the cave, and lifted her paw up against it. A barrier appeared, forcing it back, and the wolf growled.
"Something's in there… something that needs to be kept in," Iris muttered.
"Or maybe this is meant to keep poor idiots who don't know any better out," Issun said. "This is the lair of that monster I was telling you about!"
"Let's get out of here," Iris muttered, and Amaterasu started walking away. "I feel the creeps even being this close."
"She's right, let's go, furball," Issun agreed. They went back through the gate, and headed for the last place on the map.
"Tama the Pyrotechnist?" Iris asked, reading the sign. Night had crawled up without her even noticing, and the group now stood in front of the house of Tama the Flaming Pyrotechnist. Amaterasu didn't seem as confused as Iris was, and simply walked in. Iris followed a moment later.
Tama was an odd man, with frizzy hair and a manic look. As he talked about his formula, Iris glanced at the fireworks strewn across his house. Iris glanced at Amaterasu, who kept listening and eventually began drawing something in the air – a circle with a line. It looked almost like a…
Uh-oh.
Iris dashed out just in time to evade the bomb's explosion, and looked up at the night sky as the fireworks shot up in the air and exploded into numerous bright shapes. Amaterasu ran after Iris, and barked happily at the sight. As soon as it cleared, Ammy glanced at the sky.
"Another constellation!" Issun said, and Iris looked up at the glowing stars. Ammy painted the missing dots in.
A warthog on a bomb followed by six more- now I've seen everything, Iris thought as it began speaking to Amaterasu. It described how it had been waiting in slumber, and how Amaterasu had freed it at last. Everyone here talks a lot.
"I give you the power of Cherry Bomb!" The warthog said before fading away, and Iris looked at the wolf. Issun began jumping up and down again.
"Alright, another brush down, and two Guardian Saplings restored! Let's go check on the village!" Issun said, and Amaterasu barked before running off.
"Not this time!" Iris said as she followed. "I'm not letting you guys run off without me again!"