Long, long ago, A tiny hamlet known as Kamiki lay nestled in a grove of proud and beautiful cherry blossoms. Each and every tree around the quiet burg was honored as a god. However, the village was not without its dark secrets.
To satiate the appetite of Orochi, a fearsome cave-dwelling beast, a young maiden was offered as a sacrifice at the annual festival. With a body like a mountain and 8 heads mounted on necks the size of tree trunks, its blood-red eyes alone were said to curse anyone who gazed into them. No one dared disobey the horrific beast.
When the night of the sacrifice drew near, A mysterious white wolf appeared outside the village. This wolf, its coat as brilliant as snow, was dubbed Shiranui. The wolf kept a watchful eye on anyone who ventured outside the village, and made a habit of patrolling the streets at night. People assumed the wolf to be a familiar of Orochi.
One villager took it upon himself to face the fearsome Shiranui. The warrior Nagi attempted many times to challenge the wolf. But his attempts were thwarted by Shiranui's swift movements.
Before long, the night of the accursed festival had arrived. A white plumed arrow heralded the coming sacrifice. Piercing the sky, the arrow sunk its shaft squarely into the home of Nami, the village's most beautiful maiden. Nagi, harboring a secret love for Nami, was enraged by this sign.
Determined to put an end to Orochi once and for all, Nagi traveled to the beast's cave in place of his beloved.
The Moon Cave, a place as dark as evil itself, served as Orochi's home. As Nagi stood bravely before the entrance, a beast appeared, eyes glowing crimson upon 8 thrashing necks. Orochi stood tall before him, anxious for another sacrifice. Nagi leaps with incredible grace, swinging his blade valiantly. On and on he sliced, well into the moonless night, but Orochi's hide was like steel. The blade left nary a scratch.
At long last, Nagi, his energy spent from the intense battle, dropped to his knees, fatigued and gasping for breath. He knew he was staring death in the face. It was then that the wolf appeared. As if to protect Nagi, it stood its ground before Orochi. In the darkness of the cave, the wolf's coat shone brilliantly. Alas, it was Shiranui, the wolf that dwelled outside the village.
Baring its fearsome fangs, Shiranui leaps toward Orochi. Orochi reared its terrifying heads, readying its fangs for battle. The beasts struggled wildly, thrashing in the darkness.
Mysterious and terrifying, the spectacle continued. Shiranui summoned gusts of divine wind to counter Orochi's flames.
As Orochi closed in on Shiranui, sharpened claws glistening, a gigantic tree suddenly sprouted forth, shielding the wolf. Shiranui fought gallantly to gain the upper hand. However, Orochi, protected by a mystical power, was not easily bested. Shiranui, covered in gashes, majestic coat dyed crimson, stood exhausted before the mighty Orochi. Orochi saw a chance to strike what would be the final blow. But Shiranui refused to give in. With its last ounce of strength, the majestic wolf gazed heavenward and unleashed a mighty howl. Suddenly, the black clouds overhead dissipated. The light from above glinted off Nagi's sword as a beacon of hope.
Guided by his sword, Nagi, who had been taking shelter in the shadows, stood proudly to face his adversary. Channeling all his strength into his scarred and battered arms, he leap ferociously toward Orochi, his sword poised high. The golden sword danced in his hands like a puppet on a string. One by one, Orochi's fearsome heads separated from their owner.
Orochi's broken body collapsed in a lake of its own blood. In that instant, the curse that plagued the villagers was lifted. As the battle subsided, the sun shone once again in the sky. Shiranui had succumbed to Orochi's poison and struggled to breathe. Nagi scooped the wolf into his arms and returned to Kamiki.
When they reached the village, Shiranui was no longer moving. The village elder gently stroked the wolf's head. In response, Shiranui let out a hoarse and pitiful bark, then closed its eyes and drifted off as if into slumber.
Peace had at last returned to Kamiki Village. In honor of Shiranui's heroic exploits, the villagers erected a shrine and placed a statue of the wolf within it.
Nagi's sword was christened "Tsukuyomi" and placed inside the Moon Cave. The villagers all looked forward to an age of endless peace. However, this is not the end of the story. There is more to this tale than most people know. 100 years had passed since Nagi and Shiranui's heroic exploits. It happened so quickly that no one in the village even took notice.
Moon Cave, 100 years later,
A shadow of a man walk up to the area that held the power of an ancient sword called the Tsukuyomi. He looks at it before asking himself, "Is this the legendary sword? Is this Tsukuyomi, the sword that banished the dreaded Orochi? No, it couldn't be. It's just a legend! Nothing but a fairy tale!"
He sighs and grabs the sword in his hands and pulls it out. As soon as he did, he saw sixteen eyes and each one belonged to one head. He drops the sword and back away as eight heads appear and look at him.
"O, he who seeks power. He who has broken my bonds. Speak the words, "I wish darkness unto the world." Utter that prayer unto me, and unleash my power." One of the heads spoke.
But the man was so scared he couldn't say anything. The only thing he could do was get up and run, feeling like a fool for not believing the legend.
The beast unleash its power and soon everything was covered in darkness. However, there was one village that seemed to escape the terrible curse. The tiny settlement of Kamiki Village enjoyed the protection of a sacred tree.
As the dark winds blew across the sky, a rock started to head for the statue of Shiranui, but a spirit fairly tall and accompanied by a purple aura wearing a pink kimono and a purple wrap that reveals the top of her chest, her back and her rear, appear and destroy the rock before it reaches it.
Wood Sprite, Sakuya,
"How troublesome! This is just like the ancient prophecy of doom. What has transpired to bring about such calamity? We must act quickly! There is no time to lose! My power has diminished over the years I've spent protecting this area. I don't have much time left in this world. Amaterasu, now is the time. We have never needed your power more. Shine your divine light upon this broken and polluted world. Let your heavenly rays become our hope as you guide us all!" She said and turn to the statue.
She soon held out a green disk and toss it into the air, it floated away a bit before moving back and landing on the back of the statue, releasing small flames. In no time, the stone faded away, and in its place was a white wolf with red markings on her cheeks and on the center of her bangs. Her long white hair slowly fade into black at the end fell to her waist, with a calligraphy brush-like tail, and she was wearing a white kimono that fall above her knees with shoulder cuts to reveal her bare shoulders with red marks, markings on the long sleeves of her kimono, a red orb around her waist with a bow on the back, knee-high stockings, and black sandals. The wolf land on the ground and yawned as if it was awakened from a long nap.
Ōkami Amaterasu,
"Ah! Such divine white light! Such beauty and grace! The only one capable of such a wondrous spectacle is none other than our mother and the origin of all that is, Amaterasu! How delightful to see that the savior whose brave sacrifice sealed away the evil demon so many years ago has not changed one bit. Seeing you emerge after so many years spent as a statue brings happiness to my heart!" The spirit said, smiling, and started to cry.
Amaterasu yawned again and suddenly heard someone groan behind her. Both of the turn to see what happens to be an orange Kitsune with two tails, that had white on the tip of its tails, it also had red and white shoes on, with three of its hair sticking out. With another groan, it pick itself self up and shook its head, opening its eyes to show that it was blue.
"Oh? And where did you come from?" Sakuya asked the Kitsune.
"I'm not sure. I don't even know where I am." The Kitsune said.
"Strange," Sakuya said.
Amaterasu looks at the Kitsune before placing a hand on his shoulder. The Kitsune looked up to the green eyes of the white and red wolf before looking away, blushing. Amaterasu looked confused before looking over the Kitsune to make it wasn't hurt. As she did, the Kitsune remain still and was thinking. Then his eyes widen as if he remembers something.
"Tails." He said, confusing the two.
"My name, it's Tails, I think." He said.
Kitsune, Tails,
It's nice to meet you Tails." Amaterasu said, smiling.
Sakuya watched them for a bit, then remember why she had brought Amaterasu back to life.
"Amaterasu, gaze above you and take in the condition of the sky. Since your untimely departure from our midst, the world has succumbed to devious and vicious beasts. They have ravaged our fine and bountiful country. But never have the circumstances been worse than they are at this very moment. Please use your powers to banish the darkness and punish those who would do us harm." She said.
Both the Kitsune and Wolf look towards the dark sky and could feel some evil power at work. Before they could ask, Sakuya started to look over herself.
"Hm? Eh? What is this? Has something stolen its way into my kimono?" She asked before she started laughing.
After a while, something hops off her kimono and she sighs in relief. She looks at what came out and sighs.
"You again?" She asked.
"Ow ow ow ow ow! Are you nuts? Boy, for a little thing, you sure make a big fuss! I was just tryin' to make the conversation a bit more interesting, that's all." said what appears to be a bug.
"Were you napping in my kimono again, bug?" Sakuya asks.
"Bug? I told you a thousand times not to call me that! I'm a wandering artist. The name's Issun!" It said.
Wandering Artist, Issun,
"I'll show you just how great I am and it won't be long till you're bowing before my great brush!" He said and pull out a scroll and threw it in Amaterasu's face.
Tails took the scroll off her face and look at it. Sure enough, it was a drawing of Sakuya.
"Well, whaddya think? Even cuter than the real thing, no?" Issun asked.
Amaterasu looked at the scroll before Issun hopped on her nose.
"What's with you, mutt? You look kinda down in the dumps. Actually, you look kinda familiar. Got it! You look just like that statue of Shiranui!" Issun asks before noticing something about her.
"Mutt?!" Amaterasu yells before shaking her head, making Issun fall into her mouth.
Tails just watch as Amaterasu's face turns into shock before spiting Issun back out.
"Whoa! Whaddya think you're doin'!? Are you crazy? A handsome guy like me should never be covered in wolf slobber! You'll regret messin' with the great Issun! Don't make me use my prized sword, Denkomaru against you!" He said before a loud roar was heard.
Everyone was shocked to hear it and look around trying to find the source.
"Wh-Wh-What's that growling sound? And why's it so dark, anyway?" Issun asked, getting on Tails's head this time.
"Not sure, but I don't like it." Tails said, sounding with a mix of fear and curiosity in his voice.
"O, great god Amaterasu," Sakuya spoke up, "I've used all the power I have to protect Kamiki Village. The village lives on. Their spirits lie encased in my fruit. Cut it free, and the village will be reborn! I trust in you. I know that you will lead us down the right path. Only your awesome power can restore life to the world."
After Sakuya said that, a giant tree appear bare with no leaves but had one single huge fruit. Amaterasu turn back to Sakuya, but she was gone.
"What is this place?" Tails voice out loud.
"The tree's returned to normal, huh? That Sakuya sure said some weird stuff. The villagers' spirits are being kept inside the fruit," Issun said and looked at the fruit.
"That's the fruit, Sakuya said that if you cut it down, the village will be restored. But it's awfully high up there. If you don't use some kind of special power, there's no way you're gonna reach it. This darkness is really gettin' to me, too. A lot can happen while you're taking a nap." He added, thinking on how they were going to cut it down.
Amaterasu started to walk towards the tree before noticing Tails wasn't following her.
"Tails? Are you coming?" She asked him.
"Are you sure? I mean, I don't even know what's going on. I don't remember how I got here." He said.
"I understand. I don't remember much myself. But I'm sure we can figure it out as long as we work together." Amaterasu said, smiling.
Tails smile back and both of them walk into the tree.
Okay, I'm redoing this story. Some of the chapters were quite long and there were many mistakes when I first wrote this. I know there still are some mistakes, but I can't catch everything. So, this is a crossover of Okami and Sonic the Hedgehog. I actually started writing after reading another fanfiction just like this, only it had both Sonic and Tails, while mine just had Tails. I put Amaterasu as a female wolf.
For those that don't know what Okami is, Okami is a game made by Capcom, basing it on Japanese Mythology and Folktale. You play as a wolf named Amaterasu, who is based on the Japanese Sun Goddess. The game takes place in ancient Japan, and the whole game is made like a drawing. It's also really long. It's been a few years since I last played it, so I think it has around 3 main stories in the game. I could be wrong. As I said, it's been a few years since I last played the game.
Anyway, the next chapter is coming soon. I already got most of the old story done. Even though I only have three chapters when I first did it. Once I get caught up, I'm taking the old story down.