Chapter Four: Shinshu Field and Agato Forest

“… I still don’t understand… Why did you come back?” Issun said, poking his little head out from between his friend’s breasts.

Amaterasu Okami glanced down at the little sprite and replied, “I told you. The Celestial Plain is a very un-amusing place. I grew bored with it, so I decided to come back down to Nippon and have some fun.”

“… Are you sure you’re not just down here to play “Hero” again?” Issun grumbled.

Okami growled, “If I did come down here to do that, I would not have reunited with you, Issun.”

The sprite flushed, “What are you saying?”

The lupine goddess flicked her tail, ink splattering in the grass and creating small bundles of flowers, “Nothing, other than you are a sinful creature in which no true hero will ally with…”

The sprite snarled, “Well, then that means you’re no hero if you have me with you! You’re just as bad!”

“Why you little-,” Amaterasu barked.

“… Papa, why is that girl talking to her chest?” a small voice piped up.

Okami glanced up at the small voice, her ears flicking forward with alarm. She caught sight of a little girl pointing at her, almond shaped eyes wide with curiosity. The little girl was trying to get the attention of a man kneeling by a smoldering oven, tugging desperately at his loin cloth. The man paid no heed to the child, concentrating intently on the fire before him. He added several sticks and leaves here and there, regulating the temperature to create the perfect fired vases. Amaterasu slowly crossed the bridge, approaching the girl and her father with great caution.

“… Papa, that strange girl is coming over here!” the girl squeaked, watching Okami approach with alarmed wonder.

“Hm…” the father replied, tossing a little dirt in to calm the blaze.

“B-But, Papa!” the girl wailed.

The man sighed and stood up, finally heeding his daughter, “Alright. Alright.” He turned to greet the new visitor.

“Good afternoon, sir.” Okami said, bowing her fair head to the man.

The vase maker flushed at the polite yet rather arousing greeting, “G-Good afternoon.”

“If I may ask, what is it that you are doing this fine afternoon?”

The man scratched the back of his head meekly, “I am firing up the clay vases. Regulation of the fire is the key to making the perfect vase.”

“Oh. And is your daughter helping you?” Okami gave the girl a smile.

The little child squeaked and scurried behind her father, hiding between his legs. She dared to peek only once before disappearing behind him once more.

“Ah, this little one?” the man patted the girl’s dark head, “No. Vase making passes down from father to son. She will not learn the trade.”

A look of what seemed like devastation flickered on the girl’s face at this. Once more Amaterasu felt a longing sensation course through her body. She felt a great desire to reach for that child, cradle her, and comfort her. Yet, she resisted, shaking her head gently to dash the feeling away. The father was boasting proudly of how he would soon get an apprentice and send the little girl off to marry a noble lad in the East. He did not witness his daughter’s sadness and the single tear that crept down her cheek.

“It has been a while since I had anyone to speak to at an adult level.” The man said, “You are a traveler, no?”

Okami nodded, keeping her eyes locked on the girl, “Yes.”

“Well, then maybe you can help me!” the man grinned from ear to ear, “I am trying to spread my product far and wide through Nippon. If you do not mind, will you take several of these vases and sell them to worthy merchants along your travels? I wish to make a good profit and get my name out!” he watched Okami hopefully.

The goddess sighed, “It will be my pleasure.”

“Excellent! Please, before you leave, come by to pick up the vases! This is most wonderful!” the man then turned back to the fire, throwing several more sticks into it.

Amaterasu shook her head and began to move away from the family, moving up the path towards the dojo at the top. As she passed the Guardian Sapling she had Bloomed years ago, a soft crunch sounded behind her. Amaterasu stopped and turned, her sharp blue eyes searching for her follower. She caught sight of a small figure disappearing into a small bush. Okami raised an eyebrow and an amused smile flickered on her face. She turned and began walking back up the hill. Again, she heard movement and swiveled around. She was not surprised to see the vase maker’s daughter duck behind a boulder.

“There’s no need to hide, little one.” Okami said, waiting patiently for the little girl to come out.

The vase maker’s daughter peeked out from behind the rock and blushed when her eyes locked with Amaterasu’s. With a shaky sigh, the girl moved out from behind the rock and slowly made her way to the lupine goddess’s side, bowing her head respectfully at the elder girl.

“… Where are you going, ma’m?” she whispered, watching Okami through her thick hair.

Okami smiled and replied, “I will be traveling to the North eventually. At this moment I am heading towards the forest in the east…”

The girl looked up with wonder, “… Are you going to Himiko’s palace?”

Amaterasu stopped and stared at the child, “Himiko? You know Lady Himiko?”

The girl flushed, “Her palace is where Papa wants to send me to work. After that, I go to find a boy…” her eyes glittered with bitter sweet longing, “… I want to find a kind boy who will love me and who I will feed and love too…”

Amaterasu growled, “Is that what you want? To tend to a man’s needs?”

The girl sighed, “Papa told me it was my job. I have to…”

Okami again felt that longing. Her body ached to hold that child and strip away the lies of her father. She wanted to reassure the girl that she did not have to live that life. But, it was not her place to intervene. She had no right in the human’s traditions. So, she flicked her tail again and sent ink flying, flowers popping up randomly and making the girl jump.

“The flowers are happy today.” The girl mused, unable to see the true magic behind the apparition.

That was all that was said between the two females. The sky began to darken and soon the urge to howl at the moon was strong for Okami. With great care, the goddess stood and offered a guiding hand to the girl. Drunk with exhaustion, the girl gratefully took the pale hand and allowed herself to be taken home. At the vase maker’s house, Okami set the little girl down in her patched cot and bundled up the six vases she was to sell on her journey. Sharing some farewells with the father, Okami turned and left the little hut.

“… Ammy… You think we’ll see her again?”

“… Yes… In the East we will meet again…”

000ooo000

“Hurry up you idiots! It’s getting away!” a man screeched, waving his men forward.

The group of hunters and hounds hurried ahead, spears, arrows, and swords waving madly in the moonlight. Their eyes were set upon the prize, a blue and red wolf streaking ahead. The men set the dogs loose and spread out. The hounds were quick to catch up with the fleeing wolf, their triumphant howls echoing in the field. The wolf hurried on, its wheezy breaths indicating its failing body. The disoriented animal was easily herded around by the dogs, its vision swimming and mind becoming confused. The dogs neared the beast, snapping and snarling dangerously. The wolf bared its teeth, ears flattening against its head. The dogs seemed to chuckle amongst themselves, knowing full well that the ill animal could not fight. They pushed the wolf back with their growls. The animal bumped into a wall of a cliff, glancing back to curse at it. The dogs grinned maliciously, howling and barking with excitement. The men drew nearer, their swords and arrows ready to fight the animal. The wolf panted heavily, its heart beating crazily in its chest. It gave a mournful howl to the moon, as if praying to escape. The hunters laughed and ordered the dogs to attack. The hounds leapt upon the ill beast, sinking their teeth into thin flesh and bringing the wolf down with ease. The beast yelped and screamed in agony, feebly trying to fight the animals off. Still, the wolf was brought down and entered unconsciousness, much to the delight of the hunters.

“… Bring him into the light.” The leader growled, his eyes shining with delight.

The men did as they were told, dragging the limp body into the moon light. Whispers of delight instantly ran through the crowd at the sight of the huge wolf. It was a red and blue wolf with a thick winter coat uncommon with the stragglers in the area. It had upon its back a large, silver sword and its face almost had the marking of a mask. The men agreed that the wolf must have been a beauty before, but the animal was now very ill. Its body was thin with malnutrition and its coat was not as sleek and shiny as it could have been. Its paw pads were red and raw and a large wound was found on his left leg. Still, the beast was tied up and thrown into a cart, the hunters heading home.

“… Master Nii will be pleased…”

000ooo000

Amaterasu Okami sat silently at the edge of a large lake, her eyes staring into the deep waters. In her hand she held a fishing rod, the inked bobber floating lazily in the water. The goddess watched a silvery fish dart across the mirrored surface, disturbing the water into thick ripples. With a sigh, the lupine slowly began to real in the fishing line. A soft, sad whine sounded to her right and Okami turned. Uma, one of the Eight Canine Warriors, sat at her side. The dog flattened her ears on her head and leaned in, nuzzling the she-wolf gently on her jaw line. Amaterasu forced a laugh and cuddled the canine’s head, scratching the beast sweetly behind the ears. Uma licked the girl’s cheek, being rewarded with a genuine giggle.

“How is it that you are a deadly Canine Warrior, yet you still act like a playful puppy?” Okami scolded mockingly.

The dog just barked in response, tail wagging madly. The dog then suddenly perked up, its ears directing forward with alertness. The canine then got to its feet, giving Okami a lick on the cheek before prancing off deeper into the Agato Forest. Amaterasu watched the dog go, having hear Uma’s master’s call from afar as well. With a sigh, the Celestial goddess turned back to the water at her feet. To her surprise, a large brown eye was staring at her from below. Okami gaped as the pupil of the eye dilated in response. She then watched as a large fish head surfaced. The Whopper, the biggest fish Okami had ever had the pleasure to catch, reared forth, its brown eyes locked on the seated figure. Its large maw opened and the lupine girl braced herself for an impact. However, none came. The crescent moon, high in the sky, shined down on the fish, making its scales sparkle eerily.

“Amaterasu Okami…” a voice boomed from the fish’s maw.

Okami blinked up at The Whopper, her blue eyes wide with fright.

“It is I, Yomigami, god of the moon!”

Amaterasu glared at the enormous fish, “Yomigami! You dancing fool!” She stood and pointed at the fish, “Have you ever thought of coming to me in a more familiar form…? Like a rabbit!?”

The giant fish lowered its head, “… But… That would be no fun on my part…”

The lupine goddess snarled, “What do you want, you fishing dolt!”

The possessed fish slowly descended to Okami’s level, “The Gods at the Celestial Plain wanted to check on you… We also have several questions to ask…”

The wolf girl sighed, “… Alright… What is it?”

“… Amaterasu… Are you seeking copulation?”

A bright, pink blush spread over Okami’s cheeks at the question. Her tail wagged in an embarrassed manner and the female had to turn away, trying to cool her face with her cold hands. The fish seemed to smirk as the female god turned back and leered at him.

“… Why do you ask such an obscene question?”

Yomigami chuckled, “So it is true. You are seeking a mate.”

Okami screeched, “Get to the point!”

The rabbit god huffed, “We then need to warn you about the dangers.”

“What dangers? Have you not all come down to mate with the humans and left your offspring here on Earth?”

“… This is true… But, listen to me carefully, Mother Okami… If you do mate, you cannot return to the Celestial Plain as a goddess… You must die as a human, and then may you return.”

Okami snarled, “Is that so? Do think me a fool?! I know this!”

“… Do you know that the Northern Warrior Oki is in danger?”

The goddess paled at the words, “Oki…?”

A pair of eyes watched from afar as a strange white girl spoke to a giant fish. A smile curled onto evil lips.