Days passed.. Inaba was drowning in guilt, even as the clansmen letter had forbid her from doing so. He couldn't give herself a reason to live on, now that everyone who was dear to hear had now gone away. Despite that, her stomach still rumble, her throat still got parched, her whole existence screamed at her to survive. Filling her stomach, and gulping the water down, Inaba couldn't help but hate herself even more.

Everything was her fault, she thought. If only she had predicted the outcome of her rejection earlier.. If only she didn't anger the prince..

"Ah, I can't take this anymore.." she uttered with bitter smile in her face. In her mind, choices float. To survive, as her beloved clan member wished her to, or.. to follow in their footstep..

"Hahaha, how should I do it tho.. I hate pain.." said Inaba to herself with a pained laugh. She just couldn't find it within her, the will to survive, the will to get out..

Dragging her feet, Inaba stood and explored the hollowed cave, finding anything that might help her end her own suffering. In one corner of the cave, she found it, a sharp rock with obsidian edge. Expressionless, Inaba reached out towards the stone and pulled it closer to her throat. However, as she braced herself for the impact, her hand stopped itself.

"What are you doing.. They sacrificed their lives for you, and you're just going to waste it now?" she thought.

"But what use is life, if without purpose, if the only thing that's left is the reminder of my failure.." she thought.

"I.. couldn't save anyone.. I didn't understand them well enough.. I should have thought of what they might do upon my decision.. I should have known.. I.. don't deserve to survive.." tears welled in her eyes as pain filled her heart once more. With the pain, Inaba found a new determination and prepared the stone in her hands once more.

"That's enough.." A voice echoed within the cave, as golden light illuminated the rocks. Reflexively, Inaba brought her hand up to cover her eye, stopping her hand from ending her own life.

From the golden light, a figure emerged. Wavy hair, shining golden, floated through the air as if unaffected by the gravity akin to a burning flame. As the figure opened her eye, Inaba spotted the golden iris hidden behind the eyelid and gold coloured eyelashes. Mesmerized by the sudden appearance, Inaba dropped the stone in her hand as the figure dashed towards her and gave her a hug.

"I'm sorry.." she said, to Inaba's confusion.

"Because of my kin, you had suffered greatly. It might not mean much, but it was never my intention for this to happen.." she continued.

"Are you.. Amaterasu-sama?" Inaba whispered, as she caught the meaning behind the woman's word. Hearing her words, the woman pulled herself back to look at Inaba in her eyes.

"Yes, the descendant of my dearest brother, Tsukino Inaba. My name is Amaterasu, and I know about you. I've been watching you in my dream," she replied. Hearing her reply, complicated feelings rose up in Inaba's heart.

"I've only woke up from my slumber now, but during all those time, I had been watching.." she clarified. "You had done well, Inaba, amidst all difficulties and the hardship your long life had brought you. You have continued my brother's duty well, and for that, the exile will be no more.." Amaterasu said, apologetically. Somehow, her kind words only brought up anger inside Inaba's heart.

"Why.. why now? Why now of all time! If you had woken up a few days earlier, we.. we might have.." Inaba couldn't help but stutter as she uttered her words.

"I'm sorry.." said Amaterasu, as meaningless as she knew it was.

"What use is freedom, when.. No one is here.. anymore.." Inaba uttered slowly, choking on her own words.

"If.. If you need a purpose.. I will give you one.." wiping the tears on Inaba's face, Amaterasu continued, "I know you loved humanity, more than anyone, and I know you wished the best for everyone. This is something that only you can do, and I wish that it will fill you with a new sense of purpose.."

Hearing no reply, Amaterasu continued, "Because of the invader, the humanities will be placed in perilous situation in the future. As you have known, their coming had brought on a massive impact to our mortal's plane, as well as the loss of your parents. However I, the God of Creation, the chief of Takamagahara, had previously vowed to not interfere directly with my creations' directly anymore. For I love them equally, and sometimes for one to gain, the other had to lose.. It might not have been the best decision now that everything had turned this way for the humanities, but know that I did it for humanity's sake."

With doubtful look, Inaba returned Amaterasu's gaze, causing her to smile with guilt as she met Inaba's gaze.

"I have spent all I have blocking away the rest of the invaders for the time being before I fell into slumber. However.. One has planted their influence in our realm as of now. Innocent as she is now, she is not immune to hurt, pain, hate, and greed.. That's why, Inaba.."

"Take my brother's place," she continued, "Tsukuyomi had always been the one closer the the mortal realm, casting my reflection unto the earth, guiding people during the darkest of the night. In his absence, your clan has did well doing so. But now.. I need your help to do more. For our sake, for humanity's sake.."

The melancholy and guilt in Amaterasu's eye was sincere. That much, Inaba can tell. "She was really the all loving Goddess of Sun and creation," Inaba thought sadly. Deep within her, she knew that it was not Amaterasu's fault that things turned out the way it was. It was a sad series of coincidence. If only the Invasion didn't happen, if only she hadn't exhausted herself stopping the invader's entry, if only she had recovered a few days earlier…

And about his kin, Inaba knew more than anyone that Amaterasu couldn't be held responsible for that. In her long life, Inaba had seen life came and pass, generation change. Children turn against their parents, criminals turned over a new leaf. Humanities had always been filled with contradiction and possibilities, and for that, Inaba treasured them, and wished the best for them. So that they could lead the most fulfilling path of their life, was why Inaba took her job as a seer so seriously. As the moon was, she'd like to be able to guide them all, through the dark times, impartially.

"Was the one you meant, the one that your kin had taken in?" asked Inaba with concern in her eye. Hearing her question, Amaterasu nodded apologetically.

"I thought so.." Inaba muttered, as she shifted her gaze away from Amaterasu. She couldn't find it within her yet to completely forgive Amaterasu, as illogical as it was for her to hold it against her.

Silence covered the cave as both Inaba and Amaterasu uttered nothing. After a moment's hesitation, Inaba asked

"Then, what do you want me to do?"

Upon hearing Inaba's question, Amaterasu's eye sparkled in gratitude.

"Be my reflection, cast my light upon the humanity. This time, directly.."

Not understanding the meaning of Amaterasu's word, Inaba tilted her head.

"I'll pass you a part of my power, enough to make an impact and deal with her influence, yet not enough to shake the world to its core, therefore not forsaking my vow. And.. I'll return Tsukuyomi's divinity to you. It would give you better chance in dealing with her when the time is right. Take this as the gift of my gratitude, and my sincerest apology.."

Hearing her explanation, Inaba frowned. She was not completely sure about what Amaterasu meant yet. Then, Amaterasu continued,

"Please help the humanity, Inaba.. Help them through the difficult time, and when it's time, cut the problem from the core.. Be the exception of my vow.."

"How do I know if it's the right time?" asked Inaba with frown on her face. Answering her, Amaterasu smiled bitterly.

"Even I can't tell.. For that, let fate be your guide.."

In respond to Amaterasu's vague answer, Inaba smiled bitterly as doubt filled her eyes. Her recent failure had made her question her ability and decision. As Amaterasu saw Inaba's expression changed, she gave her a pat on the head.

"Whatever your decision will be, whatever action you will take, I will always be watching over you, praying over your success.." said Amaterasu lovingly. Seeing the sincerity in the Goddess's eye, and for her love of humanity, Inaba nodded, even if she was still doubting herself.

"I'll.. try my best.."

"And I'm thankful for that, Inaba.. From now on, I will consider you my own sister," said Amaterasu with smile on her face. Without a word, she put her hand upon her chest, before pulling it away once more, revealing an emblem made of light, depicting the crescent moon within the shining sun. Gently, Amaterasu blew upon the emblem, sending it towards Inaba's heart.

The moment the emblem touched her chest, the emblem merged with Inaba's body in a flash of light as it dyed Inaba's hair and eye golden, just like Amaterasu's, and transformed her Miko clothes into one depicting her emblem.

"From now on, you're Tsukuyomi, the Moon Goddess, my sister," said Amaterasu, smiling as Inaba took in the change within her.

With her newfound power, Inaba moved the pile of rock covering the cave she were trapped in easily, as if it was natural for her. Behind her, Amaterasu smiled proudly.

"Now that you've regained your divinity, you are immortal. No mortals shall be able to end your life. However, take care, your mortal body can still age and break, and you will still feel pain," Amaterasu explained gently as Inaba walked out of the cave unto the sunlight.

"Just because I won't die, doesn't mean I won't feel pain, or wither, is that so?" Inaba smiled bitterly.

"Not to worry, it's that special property of yours that allow you to interfere directly with the Gods and Mortals alike. It was what my brother Tsukuyomi had arranged the moment he decided to stay closer to humanity," Amaterasu smiled as she approached her newly appointed sister and gave her a gentle embrace.

"You can help the humanity however you'd like, Inaba. With my Authority, as you have demonstrated, the nature's energy will be on your side. Along with it, you will have the power to affect life, as I'm the daughter of Izanami and Izanagi, the Gods of Creation. However.."

"It seemed like I can no longer peer into the future. Does it include my own prophetic dream?" said Inaba, as she tried activating her seer power.

"That's correct.. As you will be able to affect the fate of beings around you greatly, you are no longer able to peer into your future, or those who are in contact with you directly."

To be honest, Inaba felt that it had made her duty harder somehow. She had always relied on her seer capability, picking the best possible outcome, and preventing the worst possible loss for anyone who had asked for her guidance. As for her own prophetic dream, after what happened the last time, Inaba felt like it was necessary for her to lose it. Because of her infallible faith in it, she failed to see the possibility of her current situation, even as she knew that fate had never been set in stone.

"It's ok, you will do just fine without them," said Amaterasu in an attempt of comfort.

Inaba turned her head to meet Amaterasu's confident gaze. Somehow, she felt like she wanted to believe what Amaterasu had seen within her, and cast her doubt away.

"I can help however I could huh, that would be great," she forced a smile as she answered Amaterasu's word of encouragement.

"However, Inaba, there are a few things that you have to keep in mind," said Amaterasu with a serious look on her face.

Author's note:

OK now that we have gotten this far, I'll throw in some information about Mitsuki's naming as well as the title's actual meaning!

Mitsuki's current name, which is just Mitsuki (ミツキ), without a surname, is given by Old Man Bocchon as a word play of water (mizu) and moon (tsuki), owing to the fact that apparently, the first time he met her was near the river, on a moonlit night

As for her past name, Tsukino Inaba, it means Tsuki (moon) no('s) Inaba. Inaba itself refers to the white hare inside two distinct Japanese myths, and both kinda ties in to the story somehow! The main one that was the reason for chosing the name is the Ise ga Naru version:

Long ago, when Japanese goddess Amaterasu and her entourage traveled around at the boundary of Yakami in Inaba, they were looking for a place for their temporary palace, suddenly a white hare appeared. The white hare bit Amaterasu's clothes and took her to an appropriate place for a temporary palace along Nakayama mountain and Reiseki mountain. About two hours' walk, accompanied by the white hare, Amaterasu reached a mountain top plain, which is now called Ise ga naru. Then, the white hare disappeared at Ise ga naru. (cited from Wikipedia)

Here, Inaba is portrayed to have a connection to Amaterasu, and brought her to her rightful place, assisting her. Which is exactly what Mitsuki (Inaba)'s role is after her pact with Amaterasu

Also for the other one that relates to the story, is about Oonamuchi, susanoo's descendant who saved a frail, white hare:

Oonamuchi, the one who saved a frail, white hare

It is said that Oonamuchi had many elder brother gods. On one occasion, Oonamuchi accompanied these gods on a trip to visit Princess Yakami, who was living in Inaba Province. Each of the brothers were hoping to gain her hand in marriage, and Oonamuchi carried all their bags. On their way there, they happened to see a white hare that was suffering after having its skin torn off because it had cheated a group of wanizame (a type of mythological shark or crocodile).

The elder brother gods didn't bother to listen to the hare's troubles, and they suggested a treatment that caused the hare even more suffering. Soon thereafter, Oonamuchi happened to come across the hare and told it a good method of treatment after carefully listening to its tale, and then the hare fully recovered. (cited from Kokugakuin University's media website)

How it's gonna play in relation to this story? Heheheheheh

Look forward to it!

Hehehe, lots of info! But next chapter, it's time for us to check on our beloved boy~