The Way Things Were: Chapter Three

Chapter 3


    The moon was high in the sky over Kamiki when the dark figure landed beside the sacred tree. “Good evening ma cherie.” Waka said, striding over to statue of the goddess and seating himself at its base. “My apologizes for the extent of time between my visits, but you’ll be happy to hear that I have keep myself busy. I’ve setup my own little group in the capital city, sworn to the service of the king and queen. But enough about that, I believe I was telling a story.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The blond youth picked at his excessively long hair in the mirror. His face was scrunched up in the most unattractive way as he glowered at his reflection. The pre-teen was clad in sleeveless pink top with a single puffball on the front. Its ends were tucked into a pair of purple shorts that were fastened to his waist by a white belt. But the cloths were not the issue; it was his long golden hair that brushed past his elbows.  Though his hair was at an annoying and almost feminine length Waka didn’t have the heart to cut it. Sighing, the boy tore his gaze away from the mirror. He turned to clean off his work space from the scraps of pink and purple fabric left over from constructing the new clothes. As he was disposing of the execs material, the head of his closest friend popped up in the window opposite the work table. “Hey Waka, what’s going on?” the young goddess asked, hosting herself up to sit on the windows ledge. Waka glanced over at the girl as he continued to tidy up. “Not much, mon amine. I’m simply tidying up from my work. As he straightened up he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror once more and a disgruntled look crossed his fair features. This did not go unnoticed by the goddess. “What’s that look for?” Shaking his head, Waka crossed the small room and hopped up onto the ledge beside his friend. “It is my hair. It’s so long I can hardly stand it but I cannot bring myself to cut it. I should simply chop it short like your brothers do.” Amaterasu rolled her eyes at this. “But your hair is so beautiful, it’d be a shame to cut it all off.” She began twirling the ends of his golden hair. The boy let out a huff of air through his nose. “It is such a pain to maintain, and it makes me look even more feminine…” Waka was teased about looking like a girl constantly by the flora gods. He was tall and thin, physic not yet altered by puberty so his shoulders were still rather narrow.  His facial features were very fine and dainty, as was common among his people, and were made even more pronounced by his long, straight, blond hair. “So? I think it looks nice on you. Done!”  This snapped Waka out of sullen thoughts. His hands immediately went to his head, long fingers grasping at his now braided hair. “See? If your hair was short I wouldn’t be able to braid it.” Amaterasu giggled “Now you REALLY look like a girl.” “Horribles fille!” he shouted, whipping around to grab her but she had already leapt from her perch and was now sprinting away, laughing all the while. “Revenir ici vous petit diable!” he yelled as he raced after her, too enraged to translate.  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Waka’s red sandal clad feet pounded against the earth as he sprinted as fast as his long legs would go. “Merde” he panted as he ran “merde merde merde merde merde MERDE!” He was late, AGAIN, and this time he wasn’t sure they would go easy on him. He nearly knocked over Kasegami as he ran. “Désolé!” he shouted but didn’t stop or even turn to see if the mist goddess was alright.  He raced across the open plain and slowly his destination came into view, two figures standing in a dirt arena. “Wait! Wait! I’m here! Wait!” Waka skidded to a halt in the small arena than doubled over, out of breath. He glanced over at Amaterasu who was trying (And failing miserably) not to laugh. “And where were you?” the rumbling voice of Gekigami inquired. The young boy glanced up at the lightning god. He was tall and well-built with lightning bolt shaped crimson markings. He was wearing fitted, sleeveless black shirt and puffy white pants. His short white hair was spiked up. The tiger god’s bright gold eyes hinted Waka to his displeasure. The lunar boy hastily straightened up “I was- studying, in the library and I lost track of time.” Gekigami shock his head “Same problem, different excuse.” He thrust a sword into Waka grasp. “Get in your positions for sparing.” Waka sent a pleading look at his friend who simply shot him a cheeky smile.


   “That’s a far run might I remind you.” The adult Waka commented. “Almost the length of the entire island. To be honest, I fell I got all the exercise I needed that day.” There was an extended pause before Waka remembered he was talking to a statue that wouldn’t give him an unamused look for that pathetic excuse for a “joke”. “*Ahem* Anyway….”


    The fourteen year old faced the young goddess from across the arena, clenching his katana. Amaterasu was equipped with the large jade Blade of Kusanagi, the swirling sacred wind rolling over its surface. “Ready, set, begin!” Amaterasu made the first move, lunging forward with incredible speed. Waka side- stepped out of the way a moment before the blade sliced through his shirt. But the dodge had left him off balance and the girl used this to her advantage. She whipped out her brush and slashed the air. Waka felt the surge of energy hit him in the chest, not hard enough to cut into his flesh but it was certainly strong enough to knock the air out of him. He barely had the chance to catch his breath when the goddess lunged at him again. Waka leapt up onto the absurdly large blade of the sword as it swung at him and ran up its length in two bounds. At the hilt he sprang into the air and flipped over the goddess, who had been left stunned by his less than conventional tactic. He used the lowered defense of his opponent to his advantage, slashing her back the moment his feet touched the sand of the arena. The blade slashed through Amaterasu’s dress leaving a thin line of dark red on her pale skin, she cringed away from the biting steel of the blade. The goddess swung around, smacking Waka in the side of the face with the broad side of her sword. Dazed, the young boy staggered to the side. Amaterasu advanced on him, swinging her blade in quick skilled movements that kept him on the defensive.  While hopping about, looking like a fool, he had come up with a move; all he needed now was an opening. The sliver haired girl’s combo ended and Waka got his chance to attack. He charged forward, swinging the katana as him spun and leapt about. The randomness of the tactic had left her off guard and Waka managed to land three square hits before Amaterasu moved out of the way. But due to his momentum, the boy found himself unable to stop and when he did he was far too dizzy to plan another move. Moving quickly, the goddess got behind him and kicked him in the center of his back, sending him sprawling across the dirt where he did NOT make any attempt to get back to his feet.  Over the ringing in his ears Waka could hear the thunderous voice of Gekegami say “Spar over, Amaterasu is the winner” blinking dirt out of his eyes he could see said winners legs sauntering over to him. “Still haven’t beaten me yet hu?” he stuck his face into the dry earth “Just leave me here…” came his muffled reply. “Whatever you say blondie” there was a momentary coolness on his skin as her shadow passed across his face “Also, you owe me a new dress.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Tack Tack Tack

   The distinct sound of something hard hitting the wall jostled Waka awake. As his luminescent blue eyes adjusted to the darkness he scanned his room for the source of the noise. It didn’t take long; he spotted it as it flew through the window. The small, dark shape of a rock soared through the glassless opening and hit the wall above his head. Tracking its progress, Waka failed to notice the second, larger rock. “Ow!” the pebble smacked him in the side of his face. “Sorry!” a familiar voice whisper-called from outside. Tossing the sheets from himself, he swung his legs off the bed and made his way over to the window.  Amaterasu was crouched in the tall blue-tinted grass in a lame attempt to conceal herself, which was proving ineffective seeing that her sliver hair practical glow in the pale moonlight. “Amaterasu? What are you doing?” he called quietly to her. Her lovely gold eyes shimmered with mischief in the darkness. “Come with me, I wanna show you something.” With that, the young goddess turned and ran off towards the forest that circled the base of the mountain. Not wanting to be left behind, Waka hoisted himself through the opening after the sliver glow.

   He followed her across the moon washed field and into the thin trees the made up the forest. He could only caught glimpses of Amaterasu as they weaved through the foliage. Eventually he lost sight of her completely. He paused “Amaterasu?” he called, not too loud; just loud enough to be hear within a few feet of himself. “Waka, over here.” The voice was coming from his left. He pushed his way past the branches into a clearing with a small pond in the center. Amaterasu’s head was bobbing in the center, hair soaked and wolf ears pointed happily in his direction. Waka also noted the white fabric of a dress hanging from a nearby branch.

    The boy said a silent prayer to the moon goddess for the inky blackness of this particular night as it concealed the brilliant scarlet color his face no doubt was. Slapping a hand over his eyes he began to shout “What in heaven are you doing!” “Swimming” the goddess replied, without a hint of embarrassment. “Come on, what are you waiting for. The water’s great.” Waka was honestly shocked at the girl’s genuine obliviousness to the situation she had just put them in. “I can’t do that!” Waka protested, peaking though his fingers. Amaterasu had a very confused expression on her face. “Why not?” Did she really not understand? “B-because that would be improper!” Her expression was blank and innocent. “I don’t get it but whatever, you don’t have to swim if you don’t want too” with that she submerged herself under the glassy surface of the pond.


      She swam about for a while, splashing and gliding though the water. Waka had settled himself near the edge of the pond. He had slowly become more comfortable with the situation and had even removed his shoes to dip his toes in the water.  As he sat there he watched her (‘Not in a creepy way’ he assured himself) and pondered her open nature. Honestly it was a refreshing change from the conservatisms of his long desecrated home. He couldn't help but admire this quality in her. Still …. That didn't mean he was going in the water…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waka bit the thin, silvery thread in half and tied it off. “Finished!” he stated, holding up his latest masterpiece with a satisfied smirk. It was for the goddess, shimmery sheets of white and red flowing silk woven together to form a dress. It was meant to fall off her shoulders and it was long enough that it would sweep the ground when she’d walk. Kasegami looked up for her mending and smiled. “It’s lovely, but I think you’ll be hard pressed to get her to wear it.” She sighed, exasperated at her sister’s lack of feminism no doubt. “But, you never know. You mind as well take it to her and see. Who knows, maybe she’ll wear it if it’s from you.” With that, she returned to her work. So, upon the mist goddess’ advice, the blond youth made his way to the towering, marble Sun Temple. The moment he entered the cavernous entryway, Waka was nearly bowled over by a white blur. Said blur was now clinging to the sixteen year’s back. “Waka, oh thank myself” this was a phrase she had picked up on recently, she found it hilarious. “They’re trying to wrap me up like sushi again.” The ‘they’ she was referring to came flying, literally, around the corridor holding the mangled remains of a dress in her hand. Waka had seen Celestials before yet every time he was struck with awe. The young girl had pale golden skin and hair. The fine wisps of hair were styled in a short bob. Her eyes were the most brilliant shade of emerald green. From her temples sprouted magnificent golden wings that jostled the light fabric of her gown as they flapped. “Lady Amaterasu, there you are.” The young goddess shrank behind Waka’s back. “Please m’lady, you must get dressed. You cannot run around in your undergarments.” The only response the goddess gave was burring her face deeper into her companions back. The Celestial girl sighed and hung her head. “Waka, I hate to impose upon you but, do you think you could help. She listens to you more than anyone else.” The teen nodded curtly. “It’s no problem” he grabbed the goddess’ hand before she could protest and began dragging her towards her ready- room.



    “Amaterasu come out from behind there.” Waka called towards the shadow splayed against the paper of the divider, becoming more annoyed by the minute. “No! This dress is awful. I can’t believe I let you talk me into it.” The blond rubbed his forehead. “For the sake of the whole island, just please come out from back there.” There was a low growl from the other side. “Fine…”  She stepped out from behind the paper screen. As he had suspected, the dress fit her perfect. Everything about her was absolutely beautiful and radiant, except for that unbecoming grimace etched on her face. Waka beamed, reveling a row of perfectly straight, white teeth. “Why do you look so sour ma cherie? You look as dazzling as the morning sun.” the girl ducked her head, but her bangs weren’t able to cover the flustered blush that had come to her cheeks. Waka laughed, striding over and wrapping an arm around Amaterasu’s shoulder. “Come along sunshine, let us show you off.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That one there” Waka said, pointing a slender finger in the sky “That’s Verseau”  he and the teenaged goddess lay on their backs, staring up at the inky sky dotted with glittering stars. Waka was pointing some out to her in his own language. “And there” he moved his hand to the west “That’s le lièvre.” “No, that’s Yumi’s constellation.” Amaterasu interrupted. “If ever anything were to happen to me, my siblings would take refuge in their constellations until my return.” A moment of comfortable silence hung over them in the cool midnight air
Suddenly, a flash of brilliant scarlet obscured his vision. He rocketed upright, obvious to his physical surroundings. A series of images darted through is mind: a large tree snapped in half by something thick and scaly, houses ablaze, a mob of people running past him in a blur of golds. The crying and shouting was almost defining. Two Celestial children huddled together, blinking up at him with huge, scared emerald eyes. The raging inferno outside caused flickers of red and orange to dance across their battered, dirty wings. His hand extended towards the little boy and girl ‘Come with me.’      
The images dissipated from his vision and he rocked forward onto his knees, taking in a sharp breath that sounded like a wheeze. It took a minute for the ringing in his ears to stop, allowing his to hear the worried calls of his friend. She grabbed his shoulder and gave it a sharp shake “Waka!” he needed to catch his breath before he could answer. He had defiantly just had a prophecy. He had been studying in a monastery before the destruction of his tribe. He hadn't, for that reason, finished his training. This meant he was unable to control when he got them. He hadn’t told anyone and had only recently confided his strange ability in his friend. “Waka, are you alright?” he glance over at her concern-filled eyes. He didn't want to worry her. “I’m fine, you know that my lack of experience causes my visions to come to me quite violently.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh really? What was it about?” her worry was replaced with excitement. “Uhhh…” he needed to think of something fast. “I saw you giving me your dumplings tomorrow.” He flashed her a cheeky smile. Amaterasu rolled her amber eyes and lightly punched him in the shoulder. “Haha, yeah right. Like I’d ever give up my food.” The two lay back down but Waka couldn't push away the feeling of dread that had made a home in the pit of his stomach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fully grown Waka yawned, rubbing the purple bags under his eyes. “I would love to continue reminiscing with you ma cherie, but I have much work to attend to tomorrow.” he leapt up  and rode away on the next gust of wind.