The Okami Legacy 1.1 - "Sunset Valley"

THE OKAMI LEGACY - 1.1 "Sunset Valley"

As the fog around Amaterasu dispensed, she found herself in a large park and just so happening to Love The Outdoors, Amaterasu smiled and enjoyed it. It was especially nice to get out once you've been spending a hundred years resting in the darkness of death.

Suddenly, Amaterasu blinked. She didn't realize she was so hungry. Not having anything on her lot and very little money, she went to the picnic table to grab a (free) hamburger and saw ...

... A man sitting all by himself. Noticing an opportunity, she went to go introduce herself.

"Hi there ... I'm kinda new here. My name is Amaterasu Okami, but you can call me Ammy ... if you want," she added that last part hastily.

"Hello! I am Xander Clavell, and welcome to Sunset Valley! This is a small, quaint little town, so it's nice to see some new faces." He smiled, and Amaterasu relaxed a little.

Time passed, and the two were already great friends, because only a true friend would embarrass themself in public with you. Amaterasu however, had no romantic interest in Xander whatsoever, and decided that the two of them would just be friends.

Suddenly, Xander and Ammy shared an amormous hug, closer than Amaterasu was hoping to get. She blushed and then quickly said goodbye and tried to head out of the park afterward.

"Wait." That single word hit Amaterasu like she had just dived headfirst into ice-cold water. She stood silently while Xander walked up to her and grabbed her hands.

Before Xander could get any deeper than that however, his mother called and demanded him to return home. To Ammy's relief, Xander got in his car and drove home. He invited Ammy over, but she knew what would happen if she accepted the offer. So she spent the night at the park instead, sleeping on a bench near the fountain.

When Amaterasu woke up later that day, she decided to go to the beach and get something to eat. Unfortunately her attempt at grilling hot dogs was not a successful one.

However, it is told that if you're the chef making the food, the taste increases dramatically according to your tongue. This was the case for Amaterasu. She was happy to chomp into the first meal she cooked in her time here, and smiled as she ate, looking like she was having the time of her life.

After she ate her meal, Amaterasu sat in a chair and enjoyed the fresh air, sea-salty smell of the beach, but most of all, the sunshine. Amaterasu did mean "sun" and "heaven" in Japanese after all, and Ammy was no exception.

However, she had gotten little sleep the night before, and the wooden park bench was not comfortable and even gave her a splinter. She began to nod off, and after a few mintues fell completely asleep, not caring that anyone was watching her.

Then, Amaterasu woke up after a few hours. It was almost dark out. She did not realize she had been sleeping for so long. Suddenly, she felt the prescence of someone next to her, and looked up to see ...

Xander was standing right next to her, watching her sleep. Ammy was so shocked, she jumped nearly up ten feet in the air. He saw her wake up, then stalked over the bar. Ammy however, followed him, preparing a lecture.

"What are YOU doing here?!" she nearly screeched. Xander and her were good friends, but it was just so creepy and stalkerish that he had followed her to the beach and watched her sleep.
Xander fluttered his eyelashes. "I thought it would be a nice surprised for you," he said charmingly, but Ammy just rolled her eyes and walked to the beach. Xander followed.

Xander then (against Amaterasu's will) cupped her face in his hands. The light of the moon which had just begun to show shined down on them, and the stars twinkled, looking beautiful mirrored against the reflected ocean. "Amaterasu ..." Xander softly whispered, and Amaterasu kept her mouth shut.

Suddenly, Xander saw the opportunity, leaned forward and gently kissed Amaterasu. Amaterasu remained standing, frozen, and not reacting at all. She could not believe what was happening right now. She quickly pulled apart and started to go home like she did the other night, but Xander offered her a ride home, promising he wouldn't try anything else. Reluctantly, Amaterasu agreed.

The ride back to Ammy's house - or should I say, living lawn - was awkward and silent. Ammy just looked out the window the whole time, her mind blank. Finally, she turned and looked at Xander who was busy driving, and was shocked to find herself (slightly) attracted to him. She looked away at the window again, but this time with Xander on her mind.

"Thanks for the ride," Amaterasu thanked Xander. "Uh ... no problem." Xander then turned to leave, but this time Ammy was the one to stop him.

She surprised both Xander and herself by giving him a kiss. When they were done, they were both breathing hard. Ammy was especially spooked (but in a good way) how she had gone from unattracted to kissing Xander within a day.

"There's something you should know, Xander," Amaterasu whispered into Xander's ear since it was very late out. "If we can be together ... this is the only way."

"What's the only way?" Xander asked, puzzled, but his question was followed by an action that certainly spoke louder than words.

"I know you have Commitment Issues, Xander, so if we're going to work, this is the only way I know I can trust you ..."

In a flash, Xander said yes and was jumping up and down in glee. Amaterasu felt a wave of relief wash over her; she had almost convinced herself that Xander would refuse. She slipped the ring on his finger, and both rejoiced in a hug.

Then, they put good use to the bed that was on the lot.

The next morning, Amaterasu went to the Science Lab. She hoped to get a job as money was tight and since reaching Level 9 in the Science career track was her ambition in life, she decided to go for it. Later she found out she got the job, and was overjoyed.

When Amaterasu saw that she needed Gardening skill in order to advance in her career, she immediately went to the library and cracked open a Gardening book. Money was tight, so she couldn't afford one of her own. She was so into the book and so oblivious to her other surroundings, she didn't even notice her stomach starting to turn over and over again, until it got bad. Amaterasu suddenly felt the need to vomit.

She made it just in time and let it all out.

After brushing all traces of the icky material out of her mouth, Amaterasu stared at her reflection in the mirror. What was becoming of her? Was this one of Orochi's doings? Shaking her head, Amaterasu grabbed the Gardening book and read it until the library had to close.

In the middle of the night, Amaterasu woke up (by the way, you like that bathrobe sleepwear I picked out? There's also matching slippers. I figured it gets cold in that field of hers.) in the middle of the night. Thinking about what else than food.

She spun into maternity wear, and it was confirmed. She was pregnant.

She would tell Xander in the morning. She was afraid to how he would react, since he had Commitment Issues. But she figured that if he had the guts to marry her, he would also accept a baby. Still, Ammy tended her new garden to relax her and keep the stress temporarily away from her mind, and afterwards, went back to sleep.

When Ammy woke up the next day, she called Xander, and it turned out he would be doing whatever Xanders do until 4. So she went to the park, met a new friend, and even let her rub her belly.

"What did you say your name was again, dear?" (<--- Ammy)

"Bella Bachelor!" (<--- Bella, of course)

"Wait ... that name ... hmm ..."

"Uhh -"

"... is really nice!"

"Oh. Phew!"

She even caught a butterfly, and named her Jessica.

And then caught a few fish, which she later used for fertilizer for her little garden.

Finally, Xander returned from whatever he was doing. Amaterasu invited him to the *cough* living lawn, then greeted him (to her dismay) with a kiss.

"Honey, I have some news. I'm pregnant ..."

Xander gave her a single thumbs-up. No hug-attack, no happy faces. Just a pathetic thumbs up. Amaterasu however, wasn't surprised. She wasn't expecting Xander to be too excited about the news.

"Hey, honey, why don't we get married tonight?" Ammy suggested.

"T-tonight?"

"Sure! Our lives are short, after all ... and what with the baby on the way ..."

It was settled - Amaterasu and Xander would be joined together later that night. With the little funds she had, Ammy bought a nice rose arrangement. She then threw a party and invited the only two people she knew, which was her boss and Bella Bachelor. She then got into her wedding dress. Because of Xander's Inappropriate trait, he was going to get married in his everyday outfit. Classy, Xander.

The ceremony began, and Amaterasu knew from the bottom of her heart that even though she was attracted to Xander, she truly did not love him. The only thing on her mind as the event pressed on was the funds that he would bring in, and the life in her tummy that would soon help to save her dear Kimiki Village. So, with an uncertain lump in her throat, Amaterasu said her vows and binded herself to the man which she did not want to spend the rest of her life and beyond with.

It was done. Whether she liked it or not, Amaterasu had portrayed all the love she showed for Xander Okami, which really did not exist deep in Amaterasu's heart.

I leave you with this picture of Xander mooching some money off of Boyd Wainwright, Ammy's boss (good impression, huh ...).

When we come back, a house will be built, Xander will get a makeover (YAY!) and a baby will be born! Stay tuned for 1.2!