"Speaking of Divine Intervention..."
Takara Shrine, located thirty minutes outside Mitakihara...
Takara Shrine, located thirty minutes outside Mitakihara...
Speaking of Divine Intervention... (PMMM/Okami)
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Part 1
"Speaking of Divine Intervention..."
Takara Shrine, located thirty minutes outside Mitakihara was regarded by many to be a popular tourist trap, as well as a source of pride for the denizens of the city. Dating to the Yayoi period the shrine itself had been rebuilt and destroyed so many times it is said the attached museum contains artifacts from every period of Japan's history. As one of the most rapid growing economic hubs in Japan, countless funds had been spent by the city on the upkeep of the Shrine, leading to the construction of one of the largest complexes ever built for a Shinto shrine in the world.
That pride plus the focus on expanding the city's downtown and residential some claimed came at the cost of the abandonment of the industrial sector, and other religious institutions, forcing the costs onto the owners with funds redirected "elsewhere." These claims however were swiftly squashed in the face of the prosperity Mitakihara and its surrounding countryside enjoyed. Takara Shrine and Hana national park serving as only one of many examples to this good fortune, the cultural artifacts merely adding a historical base to the movement against those dissenting voices.
Most interesting of those artifacts was the pride of Takara shrine, a large bronze mirror. Originally found during the construction of the museum it rapidly took its place as the centre of any tour. Though never properly verified it was believed to have been made by an unknown artist during the 17th century as a homage to the Yata no Kagami held in Ise Grand Shrine. The stylized flames that encircle its edge a reference to the fire that nearly consumed the sacred mirror in 1040.
A myth though had developed with the Takara Mirror, despite its status as a mere piece of art. Those who stared into the mirror's polished depths would sometimes catch themselves as healthy, surrounded by wealth and prosperity, or the face of their true love. Lovers who looked in would see themselves older but happy, still as much in love as they were when they first looked in. Families would see themselves together, their woes gone or their number's grown. These premonitions would always come true, the myth went. A good luck charm that perfectly mirrored the city which had claimed it as its own.
However, not everyone was interested in staring into the mirror's depths to try and see one of these visions. To some, there were far more interesting things than myths.
"No mirror, no mirror! Want outside! Outside!" Tatsuya Kaname squirmed in his mother's grip, trying to wriggle himself free.
"Tatsuya...Honey, please." His mother practically begged as tiny little hands scrabbled at her face. What had been intended as a weekend trip had proven less than entertaining for the youngest member of the Kaname household, something Junko could hardly fault her son for. The 'recommended' paid tour had seemed to have doubled back on itself several times, delaying the real reason many had come here until the last moment.
It certainly didn't help the mirror was only allowed to be viewed by tour groups.
"I can walk Tatsuya around the shrine." Madoka offered, relieving her mother of the squirming toddler.
"Are you sure Madoka? You were looking forward to seeing if that myth was real." Her father asked, remembering how his daughter had talked endlessly the night before about the various "true stories" surrounding the mirror.
"It's alright Papa, Tatsuya is more important than any mirror. Even a lucky one." Madoka said, to which Tatsuya heartily agreed with a cheerful "Outside! Outside!"
Arranging to meet back at their car when the tour was done Madoka carried Tatsuya out of the museum, strolling onto the carefully manicured paths that lead into Hana national park. Flowers of all shapes flanked the edges of the paths, their sweet scent carried by the gentle breeze that moved through the ancient woods that surrounded the Shrine. With the midday sun high in the sky there was an almost serene feeling to the woods, a feeling of peace that even left young Tatsuya silent though observant, who had taken to following Madoka by the hand.
"It's just like an enchanted forest, where the heroine meets a magical spirit." Madoka thought to herself with a giggle. "Maybe that's why the shrines so old, it was made to honour a forest god, or a guardian spirit who protects these enchanted woods~" She didn't really believe that, of course, but something in the air lifted her spirits and drove her feet forward. The supposed enchanted quality of something so close to her normal life had lead her to asking to come here in the first place. Somewhere she could pretend that there was something more than the mundane, if only for a short while. And it wasn't like she would share those draw-
"Doggy!"
Tatsuya's cry snapped her out of her daydreaming as he pointed frantically to something off the trail, hidden between the ancient tree trunks that surrounded them. Madoka looked around, while not lost she had wandered farther than she intended, had she been so focused on her musing that she hadn't paid attention to where they were walking? "Tatsuya, we're alone. I don't see any dog."
Tatsuya started pulling at her hand, trying to get closer to the "Doggy" he spotted. Madoka squinted, following her brother's finger. There, just a short ways off the path was a statue, covered in veins and moss. It depicted a wolf, it's features carved to give it an air of nobility still visible under the detritus of time and neglect, sitting on its haunches. It was obvious it had long been forgotten, ignored by many if not all the renovations that the Shrine and park had gone through.
"It's just a statue Tatsu-H-hey wait a second!" Madoka managed as Tatsuya pulled himself from her grip and ran forwards faster than she could catch him. She stumbled trying to catch up, but Tatsuya had only ran to the Statue's base. Gazing up at the wolf's visage he let out a quiet sound of awe. "Tatsuya you shouldn't run off like that." Madoka chided her brother, before taking a closer look at the statue. Up close the neglect was more obvious, yet somehow the stonework underneath the flora that had grown upon it by some miracle had been preserved.
"Poor thing, how long have you been forgotten here?" Madoka sighed as she pulled an errant patch of moss from the wolf's face. "Lonely?" Tatsuya asked, looking up at his sibling. "Mmm." Madoka said, carefully removing a creeper. "Probably very lonely. I know, why don't we remove these vines? That way people might see her from the trail and stop by to say hello." Tatsuya beamed at his sister, and started tearing at the vines with all the gusto a toddler can muster. The work passed surprisingly quickly, brother and sister doing their best to delicately remove the vines without damaging the stonework underneath and when they were done the proud visage of the wolf was clear even from the trail.
Unfortunately, it was time to meet back at the car and thus say farewell to their new friend. "Bye Bye Doggy!" Tatsuya cheerfully said, giving the statue a few good pats before running back on the trail. Madoka followed her brother's example, giving the statue a couple pats before chasing after the errant toddler. "Goodbye sta-doggy, I hope we'll meet again soon!"
The trip back to the Shrines parking lot passed remarkably quickly, their encounter with the wolf statue giving brother and sister a new found energy. They had parked as far away from the main crowd as possible, close to the woods. Both to avoid the swell of people and keep their car out of the suns heat. The elder Kaname's however were nowhere in sight, the tour having not ended.
"I guess it's a good thing we got out when we did Tatsuya." Madoka laughed, but something had caught Tatsuya's eye. He pointed into the woods and shouted in surprise "Doggy!"
"Tatsuya do you see another one of those sta-" Her words died in her throat, replaced by a shriek as a gigantic mass of fur and teeth barreled out of the woods.
__________________________________________________
Special thanks to my beta's for helping me with this. This story would be utterly rather than mostly unreadable without you guys.
Unexpected but watched.
Feng Lengshun
Z-Program Researcher
- Location
- Indonesia
Okay, this might be interesting... will this be continued?
Part 2
Yes, it will be soon. Like say... Right now.
________________________________________________________________________________
"They walk us around for three hours and then tell us to leave due to 'maintenance issues.' We should have went with Madoka and Tatsuya." Junko fumed, as her husband sighed behind her. It really was a disaster. Hopefully their children at least had managed to find something of note at the shrine to enterta-
Junko's phone chose that moment to buzz. Figuring it must be a text from Madoka she pulled it out. She tapped at it for a bit, looking more and more frantic. Tomohisa peaked over his wife, taking a peek at the conversation.
>Come Quick
> Car
Madoka<
What's wrong?<
Madoka<
Answer<
Madoka Please<
> Car
Madoka<
What's wrong?<
Madoka<
Answer<
Madoka Please<
Parental worry and panic gripped both of them. Junko and Tomohisa spared only a second glance before they took off running to their car, knocking a few wayward guests aside in their mad dash.
When they arrived however the sight that greeted them stopped them in their tracks.
There, prowling around their car was something no one would have expected to see. A wolf, the largest either of the two adults had ever even heard about. It's brilliant white fur, blindingly apparent in the afternoon sun, doing little to hide its predatory features. They were transfixed by the wolf's striking gaze as it turned towards them. It's tongue darted out, licking its red-stained jaw. There was no fear in it's eyes from the approaching humans, no caution or tensing of muscles. Only a calm observation.
But the sight of the predator wasn't what stopped them short, nor the sheer size of it. It was what was seated on the Wolf's back, riding it as easy as any pony.
"Doggy! Doggy!" Tatsuya called, waving at his parents from the beast's back as his sister tried to steady him.
"Mama, Papa! Look! Isn't she amazing? She's so kind and gentle, and trained too!" Madoka explained excitedly as she hopped off her rather unique mount, before plucking Tatsuya from it. The Wolf sat on its haunches, tongue lolling out in an expression of joy that contrasted sharply with the frighteningly large teeth in its jaw.
Madoka walked in front of the wolf, making it rather obvious it easily matched her in height. "Look see, shake!" She said, holding her hand out. The wolf responded by placing a massive paw in Madoka's tiny hand. "Now roll over!" Following the girls command the wolf tumbled over, lying on its back. It's obedience rewarded with belly-rubs.
"Fetch!" Tatsuya called out, joining in the fun. The wolf barely had time to spare the boy a glance before she was brained by the far too large stick the toddler had chosen to throw.
An exaggerated yelp and floundering however was her only response before she flopped back onto her stomach, the same happy expression plastered on her face.
It was around this time the adult Kaname's brains registered what they were seeing.
Junko looked sternly at Madoka, who wilted a bit at her mother's glare "Why didn't you tell us you were playing with your new friend? Your father and I thought you had gotten hurt or worse!"
"W-well I wanted it to be a pleasant surprise since you were taking so long and we were having so much fun I kinda… forgot…"
Junko sighed, she couldn't stay mad at her daughter. "Alright, but please tell us next time something like this happens." Madoka nodded.
Tomohisa meanwhile was inspecting their new friend "Why is her mouth so red? Is that… juice?"
"Oh, Tatsuya was thirsty so I got a juice box for him. But he gave it to her and she bit into it. She was very shocked, I don't think she expected it to have juice in it."
"Dumb doggy! She silly!" Tatsuya elaborated to everyone's laughter as the wolf looked mildly offended.
"Well, silly or not she is quite lovely, where did you come from girl? Did someone abandon you here?" Junko said as she scratched the wolf's jaw.
"Ummm…" Tatsuya said, suddenly unsure as his father lifted him up. "What is it Tatsuya?"
"Keep doggy?"
"I dunno, a pet is a big responsibility." Tomohisa responded to his son, though anyone around could tell he was considering it. "We do have a big enough lot for her to run around in, and the woods are close enough to here she wouldn't be too out of place." His wife countered, considering it as well.
Madoka meanwhile was shocked. She had been certain her parents would be nervous around the wolf, which was partly why she had hopped onto her back after Tatsuya had climbed on. Considering to actually keep the wolf was nearly unthinkable, it was almost like they didn't see the wolf as she was. Yet part of her was ecstatic at the thought. A wolf as large and gentle as the one in front of her was unique, special. Something someone only found in novels and Anime. Something someone like her would never meet.
"Why don't we ask her? Do you want to come with us? Junko asked, lighting pushing the wolfs head to look her in the eyes after it had been distracted by a butterfly. The wolf slobber that covered her face from the resulting lick answered her question, though in a manner she would not have prefered. The wolf excitedly ran and jumped around the car, waiting for a chance to climb in.
"Haha, guess that's a yes." Tomohisa laughed as he helped his wife clean her face. Tatsuya meanwhile had ran forward with a cheer. With supreme gentleness despite her great size she stopped on a dime as the toddler caught her in a hug. "Yay! Doggy coming home!"
"So, what should we call her?"
"Ammy." Madoka responded automatically to her mother's question in a slight daze. I can't believe this is actually happening. Me, owning a wolf! And everyone being fine with it! She thought as Tatsuya excitedly repeated the name.
"Well alright then Ammy, lets take you to your new home." And with that the back door of the Kaname family's car opened, letting Ammy the white wolf climb in. Though it was a tight fit everyone else managed to pile in.
"Oh, she'll have to sleep downstairs until we can get her an appointment with a vet." Junko suddenly said, followed by a confused whine from Ammy. "She'll need to get her shots."
Despite the growing look of horror on Ammy's face the ride home was happy, not a single person in that car regretted accepting one more member into their little family.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
This site needs more Okami stuff. I wholly support this endeavor and hope to see more great stuff come from you in the near future.
obssesednuker
Commander of 10 Million Men
- Location
- In the Kremlin, activating Perimtr.
Oh my god... this is going to result in Kyuubey trying to get Amaterasu to become a magical (wolf) girl without the slightest awareness of her actual divinity (except for dat giant magical potential), isn't it?
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Part 3
Ammy was not normal, Madoka concluded. It had been a week since they had adopted her. Enough to make it impossible to remember a time without the white wolf. And while Ammy was everything Madoka had ever wanted in a pet she couldn't deny what was happening any longer. From the moment Ammy stepped into the Kaname household strange occurrences had followed her every movement.
It had started with her father's tomatoes, they had always been carefully tended to and prospered under his care. But all the careful tending in the world wouldn't make them double in size overnight. Yet her parents strangely enough, barely even noticed.
From there though her whole property had blossomed into flowers of every stripe. The few dead trees in the wooded area behind Madoka's home had come alive, looking healthier than they had ever done so in her life. This sudden explosion of life had somehow attracted a forests worth of animals to their estate, some she had never even seen near Mitakihara. She remembered her father had sworn he saw a deer the other day in the woods. Something her mother had deemed impossible until they looked out this morning. A small herd passing near their home as they moved into the tree's, Ammy standing in the middle of them. A few deer even nuzzling her before they went on their way.
This alone would have raised suspicions were Ammy's pacism not something they were used to. Every animal they witnessed seemed to fall in love with her and she in turn never lifted a paw to hurt them. Her father had claimed it was because they fed her so well but something did not sit right with that explanation. Especially when Madoka spotted Ammy sneaking her dinner to a small family of foxes that had recently moved in.
Then there were the small miracles. Clothes mended without explanation. Broken toys and electronics suddenly working perfectly. Missing objects back in their proper place. An endless supply of good fortune, even minor accidents averted often due to Ammy's timely interference.
And finally, there was Ammy herself. Her personality itself, though lovely as a pet, did not seem to fit a wolf. Kind, gentle with a slight tendency to be… well she figured out the sliding doors were made of glass eventually. But Madoka could not help but notice a spark of intelligence in Ammy's golden eyes, a cleverness hidden under the dopey expression she constantly wore. And if that was it she'd almost be ready to pass it off as her imagination.
But a white wolf as tall as she was? Hitomi had postulated that Ammy had a form of Gigantism and Albinism that lead to her massive size and unique white fur, but that explanation almost seemed too mundane. Unbefitting for something as different as Ammy, who by all other accounts was a healthy, normal wolf. And as Madoka had found out while researching how best to care for Ammy, the last wolf in Japan had died over a hundred years ago. So where had she come from?
Sayaka had come up with the theory that Ammy was an "exotic pet" some yakuza had bred and when she had gotten too large had released poor Ammy into the woods to starve. It had taken ages to calm Sayaka down from ranting about all the bad traits of her imaginary Yakuza exotic pet dealer and how they should get a police investigation going to bring him to justice. And despite the story Sayaka attached to it her entire family agreed that was likely the case, that Ammy was simply a crossbreed, bred for size and status and then released when she proved too big.
She had not told either of them how Ammy had appeared after she had cleaned the wolf statue.
How could she? Even she knew it was far-fetched. Her family had come up with plenty of mundane explanations for the happenings going on around her. Yet the longer she thought about it the less it seemed like a coincidence. And more and more she thought back to the mirror, the one that was said to reflect good fortune onto all who peered into it. She'd never looked into it yet here she was, her unspoken prayer answered, fortune smiling on her family. Was it not the mirror but… "something" in those woods that lead to that myth? Something Ammy was related to? Was there something ma-
"Madoka! I've got some good news!"
Madoka started at her mother's voice, followed by another flinch as Ammy's head smacked into the table the wolf was sleeping under with an audible thump.
"Ammy's been given a clean bill of health! Not only that but the license for her was fast tracked through. She's not just part of the family in spirit anymore."
Madoka's eyes widened, even with Ammy's strangeness she had been worried they couldn't keep her or there was some problem with her. "That's… that's great!" Ammy also seemed ecstatic at the news, and bolted out from under the table to Junko for the head-scratches that soon followed.
"Haha, you were fretting as much as Madoka was, weren't you girl? That's why you were keeping her company."
The wolf answered with a happy bark, it's tail swishing back and forth in glee.
"Tatsuya has something to mark the occasion." Tomohisa called from behind them, entering the room with the Toddler at his feet.
"TADA!" Tatsuya called, revealing his marker-drawn masterpiece. It was a picture of Ammy, interpreted as best a three year old can manage (with some added flame decals coming out of her back), standing in front of a red circle.
Mother, daughter and wolf rushed over to gush at the drawing as Tatsuya looked infinitely pleased with himself. Soon the family was having a mini celebration, Ammy getting snuck more than a few choice cuts. Or in Tatsuya's case all his vegetables.
But the celebration could not last forever as Tatsuya started nodding off in his chair. With school the next day Madoka was also ready to hit the hay. After offering to put Tatsuya to bed she made her way upstairs, the muffled sounds from the news report her parents were watching just carrying to her.
"-still baffled as no leads have been found to the disappearance of the Takara's shrine famous mirror. City officials have promised-"
"Oh how horrible, someone stealing that." She said with a yawn, a barely audible chuckle following her from downstairs.
After tucking Tatsuya in and getting ready herself Madoka crawled into bed, repositioning only a few of her stuffed animals. Before she drifted off she thought of school, the one place untouched by the strange miracles happening around her.
But who had ever heard of something strange happening at Mitakihara middle school? At least, Ammy showed no interest in following her there.
It had started with her father's tomatoes, they had always been carefully tended to and prospered under his care. But all the careful tending in the world wouldn't make them double in size overnight. Yet her parents strangely enough, barely even noticed.
From there though her whole property had blossomed into flowers of every stripe. The few dead trees in the wooded area behind Madoka's home had come alive, looking healthier than they had ever done so in her life. This sudden explosion of life had somehow attracted a forests worth of animals to their estate, some she had never even seen near Mitakihara. She remembered her father had sworn he saw a deer the other day in the woods. Something her mother had deemed impossible until they looked out this morning. A small herd passing near their home as they moved into the tree's, Ammy standing in the middle of them. A few deer even nuzzling her before they went on their way.
This alone would have raised suspicions were Ammy's pacism not something they were used to. Every animal they witnessed seemed to fall in love with her and she in turn never lifted a paw to hurt them. Her father had claimed it was because they fed her so well but something did not sit right with that explanation. Especially when Madoka spotted Ammy sneaking her dinner to a small family of foxes that had recently moved in.
Then there were the small miracles. Clothes mended without explanation. Broken toys and electronics suddenly working perfectly. Missing objects back in their proper place. An endless supply of good fortune, even minor accidents averted often due to Ammy's timely interference.
And finally, there was Ammy herself. Her personality itself, though lovely as a pet, did not seem to fit a wolf. Kind, gentle with a slight tendency to be… well she figured out the sliding doors were made of glass eventually. But Madoka could not help but notice a spark of intelligence in Ammy's golden eyes, a cleverness hidden under the dopey expression she constantly wore. And if that was it she'd almost be ready to pass it off as her imagination.
But a white wolf as tall as she was? Hitomi had postulated that Ammy had a form of Gigantism and Albinism that lead to her massive size and unique white fur, but that explanation almost seemed too mundane. Unbefitting for something as different as Ammy, who by all other accounts was a healthy, normal wolf. And as Madoka had found out while researching how best to care for Ammy, the last wolf in Japan had died over a hundred years ago. So where had she come from?
Sayaka had come up with the theory that Ammy was an "exotic pet" some yakuza had bred and when she had gotten too large had released poor Ammy into the woods to starve. It had taken ages to calm Sayaka down from ranting about all the bad traits of her imaginary Yakuza exotic pet dealer and how they should get a police investigation going to bring him to justice. And despite the story Sayaka attached to it her entire family agreed that was likely the case, that Ammy was simply a crossbreed, bred for size and status and then released when she proved too big.
She had not told either of them how Ammy had appeared after she had cleaned the wolf statue.
How could she? Even she knew it was far-fetched. Her family had come up with plenty of mundane explanations for the happenings going on around her. Yet the longer she thought about it the less it seemed like a coincidence. And more and more she thought back to the mirror, the one that was said to reflect good fortune onto all who peered into it. She'd never looked into it yet here she was, her unspoken prayer answered, fortune smiling on her family. Was it not the mirror but… "something" in those woods that lead to that myth? Something Ammy was related to? Was there something ma-
"Madoka! I've got some good news!"
Madoka started at her mother's voice, followed by another flinch as Ammy's head smacked into the table the wolf was sleeping under with an audible thump.
"Ammy's been given a clean bill of health! Not only that but the license for her was fast tracked through. She's not just part of the family in spirit anymore."
Madoka's eyes widened, even with Ammy's strangeness she had been worried they couldn't keep her or there was some problem with her. "That's… that's great!" Ammy also seemed ecstatic at the news, and bolted out from under the table to Junko for the head-scratches that soon followed.
"Haha, you were fretting as much as Madoka was, weren't you girl? That's why you were keeping her company."
The wolf answered with a happy bark, it's tail swishing back and forth in glee.
"Tatsuya has something to mark the occasion." Tomohisa called from behind them, entering the room with the Toddler at his feet.
"TADA!" Tatsuya called, revealing his marker-drawn masterpiece. It was a picture of Ammy, interpreted as best a three year old can manage (with some added flame decals coming out of her back), standing in front of a red circle.
Mother, daughter and wolf rushed over to gush at the drawing as Tatsuya looked infinitely pleased with himself. Soon the family was having a mini celebration, Ammy getting snuck more than a few choice cuts. Or in Tatsuya's case all his vegetables.
But the celebration could not last forever as Tatsuya started nodding off in his chair. With school the next day Madoka was also ready to hit the hay. After offering to put Tatsuya to bed she made her way upstairs, the muffled sounds from the news report her parents were watching just carrying to her.
"-still baffled as no leads have been found to the disappearance of the Takara's shrine famous mirror. City officials have promised-"
"Oh how horrible, someone stealing that." She said with a yawn, a barely audible chuckle following her from downstairs.
After tucking Tatsuya in and getting ready herself Madoka crawled into bed, repositioning only a few of her stuffed animals. Before she drifted off she thought of school, the one place untouched by the strange miracles happening around her.
But who had ever heard of something strange happening at Mitakihara middle school? At least, Ammy showed no interest in following her there.
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HymnOfRagnarok
Let's Rock
One of the best things about Okami is how Ammy makes life better. It's not just the big saving the world deals, but all the small ways she just makes people smile. Life is just a little brighter with her around.
You've nailed that feeling exactly.
You've nailed that feeling exactly.
Feng Lengshun
Z-Program Researcher
- Location
- Indonesia
Yep. She doesn't spend her time teaching and lecturing people like many gods, she simply acted and showed through example. She saves the world but she still doesn't forget how important the small things are. It's interesting how her being a wolf, not a humanoid and thus cannot speak, makes her pretty unique as far as gods in fiction goes. Man, I really love Okami, everything about it is just so lovely. I wish it could have a higher level of difficulty to account for adult gamers, but otherwise it really was great...
Part 4
"EEEEEEEEE, why didn't you tell us she was so fluffy Madoka?" Sayaka asked from somewhere in Ammy's fur. Hitomi gave a slight chuckle, having had a far more dignified response than a flying hug upon seeing the white wolf.
"She's quite tame isn't she? From how you described her I expected Ammy to be all over the place." Hitomi said, scratching behind the wolf's ears.
Madoka could only sigh though. She hadn't even noticed the wolf had followed her until she felt a cold wet nose on the back of her neck. Thankfully Sayaka had forgotten about her shriek to tackle the wolf, who was looking immensely pleased with the attention she was getting.
She wasn't even sure why no one was raising a panic over the appearance of Ammy, let alone sparing her more than a glance. Part of her was thankful though, what would happen if someone called the police or Animal control-
"Ma-do-ka~ You're spacing out. Come on, you should want to ride Ammy everywhere~!" Sayaka said, having finally extracted herself from Ammy's fur. "Looking around all panicked is waaaaay more suspicious than Ammy right now."
"I-I guess you're right. But it's strange, no one seems to really care she's a wolf. It's like they don't even see her..."
"Oh? Are you saying she's messing with people's minds? Maybe she's some sort of spirit or alien. You never know~" Sayaka teased, flustering Madoka.
"Well she's quiet, gentle and even with her size never looks threatening. You can tell at a glance she wouldn't hurt a fly. I think people aren't raising a fuss because they can tell there's no need to." Hitomi said thoughtfully, stopping her scratching of Ammy's ears.
"Yeah, you're just the cutest thing in the world Ammy!" Sayaka said as she returned to hugging the massive canine.
"I know but…"
"No buts, only pets." Sayaka said sagely, to which Ammy barked in agreement.
"We should probably hurry before we're late though." Hitomi pointed out.
"Gah you're right!" Sayaka practically shouted before taking off towards the school. Midway through her sprint she turned around, waving behind her "Bye Am-Ammy?!" She practically shouted as she nearly tripped over her own feet.
Madoka whirled around and her eyes widened at the sight before her. Or rather what was missing.
Ammy was gone.
"W-when did she disappear?" Sayaka shouted as she raced back over.
"We looked away for a second. How did she…?" In fact, how did she sneak up behind them in the first place, Madoka thought.
"L-look, she probably went back home to your place Madoka. We need to hurry though or we'll be late." Hitomi said, but even she looked a bit astonished by Ammy's disappearing act to which Madoka nodded, still too shocked to really argue the point.
Hopefully Ammy was safe.
Morning classes passed relatively quickly. Ms. Saotome being more focused on gushing about her boyfriend than really teaching anything. It was almost enough to keep one distracted from the strangeness that had entered their life.
Almost. As the trio made their way up to the school roof for lunch Madoka could not help but wonder where Ammy had got too. Did she go home? Or did something happen to her? Could she have been hurt? She couldn't bare the thought, Ammy hurt and her more worried about Ammy's stran-
"AMMY?!" Sayaka shouted from the entranceway to the roof. Her mind rebelling at the possibility Madoka ran past her gaping friend to see for herself. There, waiting patiently, was Ammy and judging by how she was eyeing their lunches she had been waiting for one reason and one reason only.
"How?! How did she get up here?! WHEN DID SHE GET UP HERE?!" Sayaka shouted from the door as Ammy gave a confused whine.
"Maybe someone let her into the school? There's probably plenty that would." Hitomi said, though there was a hint of uncertainty to her voice.
"But why is she on the ro- Hey!" Madoka shouted as Ammy, tired of not being spoiled had wandered over and started sniffing her lunch, trying to get at it.
The sheer strangeness of the situation rapidly became a secondary concern as Ammy begged for food, eventually the trio managed to placate the wolf with a few tossed treats. Though as they ate the question remained. How had she gotten up here? When did she? Had Ammy been up here since this morning when she disappeared?
That question though remained unanswered as a more pressing concern rapidly became apparent.
"How are going to get Ammy out of here?" Hitomi asked.
"We could try to sneak her out, go when everyone is in class so no one spots her." Sayaka offered.
"Every wall is made of glass Sayaka. They'll spot her a mile away. And besides, we'll all get in trouble for being late."
"I never understood the glass walls, is there like an educational reason they're there or-"
"I'll take her out myself and explain she snuck in." Madoka interrupted.
"Eh? Madoka, you might get in serious trouble!" Sayaka said, worry apparent in her voice.
Madoka shook her head. "It doesn't matter, if Ammy's caught by herself they might take her away or hurt her. Ammy's far more important than risking that."
"If you're sure Madoka, we'll stand by yo-SERIOUSLY AGAIN?!" Sayaka shouted for the fourth time today. Madoka and Hitomi whirled on where she was pointing, towards the spot Ammy had been sunbathing. "Been" being the key word as once again the wolf had disappeared without a trace.
"How does she even DO that!?" Though as Sayaka continued to throw a fit over the impossibility of it Hitomi looked relieved. "Ammy must have heard what you were willing to do for her Madoka and snuck off when we weren't looking to keep you from getting in trouble."
"B-but-"
"I know you're worried but I'm sure she'll be fine. She got up here okay after all."
Madoka reluctantly agreed "A-alright if you say so Hitomi. Come on Sayaka, we should get to class."
"-itchcraft I tell you! It's wi- OH YEAH RIGHT!"
In contrast to the morning the rest of the day passed agonisingly slowly. Madoka couldn't help but stare at the clock, waiting to escape and rush home. She couldn't even text her father, as he had taken Tatsuya out for the day. When the day finally ended she practically ran out of the school, giving Sayaka and Hitomi a hurried goodbye as she raced past them.
Getting home faster than she had ever done before she tore open her front door. And was greeted immediately by Ammy's dopey expression. She sank into the doorframe, relief flooding over her. Ammy padded over to her, nuzzling Madoka's head as she gave a concerned whine.
"It's okay Ammy, it's nothing. I was just worried since you disappeared so suddenly." Madoka said as she stroked the wolf's neck. Ammy didn't buy it though, continuing to nuzzle her. They stayed like that for awhile, before Madoka remembered she had to get things ready for when her parents came home.
She did not mention what had happened at school to them. In fact she barely talked at all, just saying she was tired when her mother asked what was wrong. Like the night before she went to bed early, only staying up long enough to do some homework.
As she lay in bed she heard soft-footfalls and shuffling, Ammy had entered her room and curled up on her floor. A few quiet moments passed, before Madoka spoke up.
"You're not a normal wolf, are you Ammy?"
Ammy didn't respond, though a slight rustling of fur told Madoka she was listening.
"Ever since you came here there's been nothing but strange miracles. The tomatoes, the animals, everything seemed like it was touched by something extraordinary. I thought I was going crazy, seeing things no one else did. But today proved it. A-and I can feel it in my heart you're related to that statue. I don't know if it summoned you or if you're some spirit or alien or something but…"
Ammy let out a concerned whine then, giving Madoka pause for a moment before she continued.
"But I still love you Ammy. Even if I can't explain what you're doing nothing will change that. You're family, and always will be."
She heard the telltale swishing of Ammy's tail as a happy bark answered her.
Madoka giggled. "Hehe, goodnight Ammy. I'll see you in the morning."
Madoka sleepily clutched at her stuffed animal before sighing. "It was a dream?" It had been so vivid. A sleepy yawn came from her floor. "Oh… Good morning Am...my?" Madoka's eyes widened, her jaw worked as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing. She had to still be dreaming.
She had to be.
The Takara Mirror, polished to a mirror sheen floated in front of her. The stylized flames around it's edge had become real, torrents of fire dancing around it's rim but no heat could be felt from it. Everything, from her furniture to Ammy's fur was untouched by the flames that burned with such intensity near them.
Ammy's fur itself though had taken on a new texture. Tufts of fur emerged from her feet and shoulders that shifted and moved like they were made of clouds, the shadows they casted moving like swirls of ink. As Ammy's bushy tail swished back and forth when she stretched Madoka saw that it too bore that appearance, the end tapering to a blackened point as though it had been dipped in ink.
Red markings covered Ammy's face and body, seemingly mundane in comparison to the cloud like fur yet they only added to the otherworldly appearance Ammy now bore. A calming radiance seemed to emerge from her, a feeling of power and supreme benevolence that followed her every movement.
A few moments passed as Madoka tried desperately to say something, anything. In the end though she could only ask "Ammy, what… what is-"
"BARK!" Was Ammy's only explanation.
"She's quite tame isn't she? From how you described her I expected Ammy to be all over the place." Hitomi said, scratching behind the wolf's ears.
Madoka could only sigh though. She hadn't even noticed the wolf had followed her until she felt a cold wet nose on the back of her neck. Thankfully Sayaka had forgotten about her shriek to tackle the wolf, who was looking immensely pleased with the attention she was getting.
She wasn't even sure why no one was raising a panic over the appearance of Ammy, let alone sparing her more than a glance. Part of her was thankful though, what would happen if someone called the police or Animal control-
"Ma-do-ka~ You're spacing out. Come on, you should want to ride Ammy everywhere~!" Sayaka said, having finally extracted herself from Ammy's fur. "Looking around all panicked is waaaaay more suspicious than Ammy right now."
"I-I guess you're right. But it's strange, no one seems to really care she's a wolf. It's like they don't even see her..."
"Oh? Are you saying she's messing with people's minds? Maybe she's some sort of spirit or alien. You never know~" Sayaka teased, flustering Madoka.
"Well she's quiet, gentle and even with her size never looks threatening. You can tell at a glance she wouldn't hurt a fly. I think people aren't raising a fuss because they can tell there's no need to." Hitomi said thoughtfully, stopping her scratching of Ammy's ears.
"Yeah, you're just the cutest thing in the world Ammy!" Sayaka said as she returned to hugging the massive canine.
"I know but…"
"No buts, only pets." Sayaka said sagely, to which Ammy barked in agreement.
"We should probably hurry before we're late though." Hitomi pointed out.
"Gah you're right!" Sayaka practically shouted before taking off towards the school. Midway through her sprint she turned around, waving behind her "Bye Am-Ammy?!" She practically shouted as she nearly tripped over her own feet.
Madoka whirled around and her eyes widened at the sight before her. Or rather what was missing.
Ammy was gone.
"W-when did she disappear?" Sayaka shouted as she raced back over.
"We looked away for a second. How did she…?" In fact, how did she sneak up behind them in the first place, Madoka thought.
"L-look, she probably went back home to your place Madoka. We need to hurry though or we'll be late." Hitomi said, but even she looked a bit astonished by Ammy's disappearing act to which Madoka nodded, still too shocked to really argue the point.
Hopefully Ammy was safe.
Morning classes passed relatively quickly. Ms. Saotome being more focused on gushing about her boyfriend than really teaching anything. It was almost enough to keep one distracted from the strangeness that had entered their life.
Almost. As the trio made their way up to the school roof for lunch Madoka could not help but wonder where Ammy had got too. Did she go home? Or did something happen to her? Could she have been hurt? She couldn't bare the thought, Ammy hurt and her more worried about Ammy's stran-
"AMMY?!" Sayaka shouted from the entranceway to the roof. Her mind rebelling at the possibility Madoka ran past her gaping friend to see for herself. There, waiting patiently, was Ammy and judging by how she was eyeing their lunches she had been waiting for one reason and one reason only.
"How?! How did she get up here?! WHEN DID SHE GET UP HERE?!" Sayaka shouted from the door as Ammy gave a confused whine.
"Maybe someone let her into the school? There's probably plenty that would." Hitomi said, though there was a hint of uncertainty to her voice.
"But why is she on the ro- Hey!" Madoka shouted as Ammy, tired of not being spoiled had wandered over and started sniffing her lunch, trying to get at it.
The sheer strangeness of the situation rapidly became a secondary concern as Ammy begged for food, eventually the trio managed to placate the wolf with a few tossed treats. Though as they ate the question remained. How had she gotten up here? When did she? Had Ammy been up here since this morning when she disappeared?
That question though remained unanswered as a more pressing concern rapidly became apparent.
"How are going to get Ammy out of here?" Hitomi asked.
"We could try to sneak her out, go when everyone is in class so no one spots her." Sayaka offered.
"Every wall is made of glass Sayaka. They'll spot her a mile away. And besides, we'll all get in trouble for being late."
"I never understood the glass walls, is there like an educational reason they're there or-"
"I'll take her out myself and explain she snuck in." Madoka interrupted.
"Eh? Madoka, you might get in serious trouble!" Sayaka said, worry apparent in her voice.
Madoka shook her head. "It doesn't matter, if Ammy's caught by herself they might take her away or hurt her. Ammy's far more important than risking that."
"If you're sure Madoka, we'll stand by yo-SERIOUSLY AGAIN?!" Sayaka shouted for the fourth time today. Madoka and Hitomi whirled on where she was pointing, towards the spot Ammy had been sunbathing. "Been" being the key word as once again the wolf had disappeared without a trace.
"How does she even DO that!?" Though as Sayaka continued to throw a fit over the impossibility of it Hitomi looked relieved. "Ammy must have heard what you were willing to do for her Madoka and snuck off when we weren't looking to keep you from getting in trouble."
"B-but-"
"I know you're worried but I'm sure she'll be fine. She got up here okay after all."
Madoka reluctantly agreed "A-alright if you say so Hitomi. Come on Sayaka, we should get to class."
"-itchcraft I tell you! It's wi- OH YEAH RIGHT!"
In contrast to the morning the rest of the day passed agonisingly slowly. Madoka couldn't help but stare at the clock, waiting to escape and rush home. She couldn't even text her father, as he had taken Tatsuya out for the day. When the day finally ended she practically ran out of the school, giving Sayaka and Hitomi a hurried goodbye as she raced past them.
Getting home faster than she had ever done before she tore open her front door. And was greeted immediately by Ammy's dopey expression. She sank into the doorframe, relief flooding over her. Ammy padded over to her, nuzzling Madoka's head as she gave a concerned whine.
"It's okay Ammy, it's nothing. I was just worried since you disappeared so suddenly." Madoka said as she stroked the wolf's neck. Ammy didn't buy it though, continuing to nuzzle her. They stayed like that for awhile, before Madoka remembered she had to get things ready for when her parents came home.
She did not mention what had happened at school to them. In fact she barely talked at all, just saying she was tired when her mother asked what was wrong. Like the night before she went to bed early, only staying up long enough to do some homework.
As she lay in bed she heard soft-footfalls and shuffling, Ammy had entered her room and curled up on her floor. A few quiet moments passed, before Madoka spoke up.
"You're not a normal wolf, are you Ammy?"
Ammy didn't respond, though a slight rustling of fur told Madoka she was listening.
"Ever since you came here there's been nothing but strange miracles. The tomatoes, the animals, everything seemed like it was touched by something extraordinary. I thought I was going crazy, seeing things no one else did. But today proved it. A-and I can feel it in my heart you're related to that statue. I don't know if it summoned you or if you're some spirit or alien or something but…"
Ammy let out a concerned whine then, giving Madoka pause for a moment before she continued.
"But I still love you Ammy. Even if I can't explain what you're doing nothing will change that. You're family, and always will be."
She heard the telltale swishing of Ammy's tail as a happy bark answered her.
Madoka giggled. "Hehe, goodnight Ammy. I'll see you in the morning."
___________________________________________________________________________
Madoka sleepily clutched at her stuffed animal before sighing. "It was a dream?" It had been so vivid. A sleepy yawn came from her floor. "Oh… Good morning Am...my?" Madoka's eyes widened, her jaw worked as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing. She had to still be dreaming.
She had to be.
The Takara Mirror, polished to a mirror sheen floated in front of her. The stylized flames around it's edge had become real, torrents of fire dancing around it's rim but no heat could be felt from it. Everything, from her furniture to Ammy's fur was untouched by the flames that burned with such intensity near them.
Ammy's fur itself though had taken on a new texture. Tufts of fur emerged from her feet and shoulders that shifted and moved like they were made of clouds, the shadows they casted moving like swirls of ink. As Ammy's bushy tail swished back and forth when she stretched Madoka saw that it too bore that appearance, the end tapering to a blackened point as though it had been dipped in ink.
Red markings covered Ammy's face and body, seemingly mundane in comparison to the cloud like fur yet they only added to the otherworldly appearance Ammy now bore. A calming radiance seemed to emerge from her, a feeling of power and supreme benevolence that followed her every movement.
A few moments passed as Madoka tried desperately to say something, anything. In the end though she could only ask "Ammy, what… what is-"
"BARK!" Was Ammy's only explanation.
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HymnOfRagnarok
Let's Rock
:lol
Ammy don't need to explain diddly-squat!
That music was very well chosen, god I love the soundtrack for Okami so much. You are definitely successful in portraying Ammy's as Origin Of All That Is Good And Mother To Us All....while still being kind of a spaz. It's adorable, and you clearly know not to take it too seriously. A. Ammy certainly doesn't take herself too seriously, and B. that makes the moments when Ammy is serious all the more striking.
Ammy don't need to explain diddly-squat!
That music was very well chosen, god I love the soundtrack for Okami so much. You are definitely successful in portraying Ammy's as Origin Of All That Is Good And Mother To Us All....while still being kind of a spaz. It's adorable, and you clearly know not to take it too seriously. A. Ammy certainly doesn't take herself too seriously, and B. that makes the moments when Ammy is serious all the more striking.
Part 5
A small hand reached out to touch the metal disk, passing through flames that did not burn. It was warm to the touch, though not like any warmth she felt before. It seeped through her fingers, spreading through her body. The drowsiness that clouded her mind dispelled in an instant like fog in the morning sun.
Her hand dropped from the mirror, passing over brilliant fur until it reached the ethereal tufts at the wolf's shoulder. She ran her fingers through it, feeling the fur flow impossibly around her hand like water, pushed by a current that shouldn't exist. She watched as the swirls shifted, coursing around the obstruction until she withdrew her arm and it returned to how it was.
"I-it's real. It's all real." Madoka managed.
Ammy did not move, only waited as the girl in front of the wolf calmed herself. Suddenly, Madoka bolted from her bed, running out the door from her room. Ever the faithful companion Ammy followed closely behind her.
She tore through the house, stopping only when she reached her father preparing breakfast with some of the tomatoes from his garden.
"Heh, noticed you slept in Madoka?" Her father laughed, mistaking the panic on his daughter's face for something else.
"Ammy… she… she's not… look at her!" Madoka practically shouted.
Tomohisa tilted his head, looking at the wolf waiting behind Madoka. "She looks fine? Madoka, are you feeling alright?"
"B-but the fire! The mirror! The fur I-I can't… you can't see it." She said, realization hitting her. She sank into a chair, the full gravity of the situation weighing on her. Ammy walked up to her, putting her head in Madoka's lap, the same warmth from before flowing into Madoka from the impossible wolf.
She felt her father's hand place itself upon her forehead. "Well, you aren't feverish. Are you feeling tired or nauseous?"
"N-no, I...I had a nightmare. The c-city, everything was destroyed. T-there was a girl and Ammy… A-ammy is-was on fire a-and..."
"Shh, it's alright. It was just a dream Madoka. Everything's alright." Her father said, wrapping his arms around her. He hugged her for a few moments before letting go, and Madoka took some deep breaths to calm herself.
"I'll wake up your mother, if you still feel up for school you can get ready. And Ammy? Stay with her girl." He asked, giving the wolf's back a rub, his hand passing through the mirror.
She sat there for a moment, hand unconsciously drifting to the wolf' head. "Ammy… I'm the only one here who can see what you look like now, aren't I?" She practically whispered.
A quiet bark answered her, but she understood it well enough.
"This is like something out of an anime. Oh Ammy, what made you think someone like me deserved to meet something as amazing as you are?" She asked, uncertainty twisting her words. Ammy she now knew was something truly beyond her. Was Ammy some spirit that had bound itself to her when she cleaned it's statue, getting stuck with her over other better candidat-
Her self-doubt was cut short as a long tongue licked the side of her face, covering it in slobber.
A few moments of sputtering followed as she desperately tried to wipe the drool from her face, followed by pouting. "Well, that hasn't changed about you Ammy."
She sighed, before starting her morning routine. Despite Ammy's rather disgusting reassurance she just wanted to go somewhere normal today.
But more and more she wondered what Ammy was. That wolf statue was ancient, it's history lost to the mists of time. There was no information anywhere on what the statue was for or who placed it. The mirror people thought was made in the 17th century, but there was no local wolf iconography from that time. And didn't people say it was a copy of the Yata no Kagami? So that was a dead end, it's real history must have been completely subsumed by associating it with that sacred mirror.
"The red one's suit you better." Her mother said, causing her to jump. She'd been staring at the ribbons for a while now, lost in thought as her mother had got ready beside her.
"Are you sure you're alright Madoka? I can call in for you if you want to stay home."
Madoka shook her head. "N-no it's alright Mama. I think it'd be best if I just had a normal day at school today."
"If you say so Madoka…" There was a pause, before her mother said "You know, Ammy frets about you too."
"What do you mean?" Papa must have told Mama about how I rushed downstairs, Madoka thought.
"Your father always tells me how she knows the moment you're about to arrive from school, and whenever you look down she always stays close to you. Even if it means missing meals."
Now that Madoka thought about it, whenever she was worried about what Ammy was or if something would happened to her Ammy would soon be nearby. Even if the location was seemingly impossible for her to reach…
"Call it a mother's intuition but she loves you Madoka, like you were her own child. You two have a special bond, so it's only natural to get scared about the idea of something happening to either of you. We don't mention it but you should hear about the dreams your father and I have about you and Tatsuya sometime." Her mother said with a small laugh.
A bark of agreement came from behind them as a furry face pushed itself between mother and daughter.
"Haha, see? She agree's with me."
Madoka giggled, feeling much better. Hopefully after a brief day at school she would truly be prepared for whatever miraculous adventure Ammy had in store for her.
Her hand dropped from the mirror, passing over brilliant fur until it reached the ethereal tufts at the wolf's shoulder. She ran her fingers through it, feeling the fur flow impossibly around her hand like water, pushed by a current that shouldn't exist. She watched as the swirls shifted, coursing around the obstruction until she withdrew her arm and it returned to how it was.
"I-it's real. It's all real." Madoka managed.
Ammy did not move, only waited as the girl in front of the wolf calmed herself. Suddenly, Madoka bolted from her bed, running out the door from her room. Ever the faithful companion Ammy followed closely behind her.
She tore through the house, stopping only when she reached her father preparing breakfast with some of the tomatoes from his garden.
"Heh, noticed you slept in Madoka?" Her father laughed, mistaking the panic on his daughter's face for something else.
"Ammy… she… she's not… look at her!" Madoka practically shouted.
Tomohisa tilted his head, looking at the wolf waiting behind Madoka. "She looks fine? Madoka, are you feeling alright?"
"B-but the fire! The mirror! The fur I-I can't… you can't see it." She said, realization hitting her. She sank into a chair, the full gravity of the situation weighing on her. Ammy walked up to her, putting her head in Madoka's lap, the same warmth from before flowing into Madoka from the impossible wolf.
She felt her father's hand place itself upon her forehead. "Well, you aren't feverish. Are you feeling tired or nauseous?"
"N-no, I...I had a nightmare. The c-city, everything was destroyed. T-there was a girl and Ammy… A-ammy is-was on fire a-and..."
"Shh, it's alright. It was just a dream Madoka. Everything's alright." Her father said, wrapping his arms around her. He hugged her for a few moments before letting go, and Madoka took some deep breaths to calm herself.
"I'll wake up your mother, if you still feel up for school you can get ready. And Ammy? Stay with her girl." He asked, giving the wolf's back a rub, his hand passing through the mirror.
She sat there for a moment, hand unconsciously drifting to the wolf' head. "Ammy… I'm the only one here who can see what you look like now, aren't I?" She practically whispered.
A quiet bark answered her, but she understood it well enough.
"This is like something out of an anime. Oh Ammy, what made you think someone like me deserved to meet something as amazing as you are?" She asked, uncertainty twisting her words. Ammy she now knew was something truly beyond her. Was Ammy some spirit that had bound itself to her when she cleaned it's statue, getting stuck with her over other better candidat-
Her self-doubt was cut short as a long tongue licked the side of her face, covering it in slobber.
A few moments of sputtering followed as she desperately tried to wipe the drool from her face, followed by pouting. "Well, that hasn't changed about you Ammy."
She sighed, before starting her morning routine. Despite Ammy's rather disgusting reassurance she just wanted to go somewhere normal today.
But more and more she wondered what Ammy was. That wolf statue was ancient, it's history lost to the mists of time. There was no information anywhere on what the statue was for or who placed it. The mirror people thought was made in the 17th century, but there was no local wolf iconography from that time. And didn't people say it was a copy of the Yata no Kagami? So that was a dead end, it's real history must have been completely subsumed by associating it with that sacred mirror.
"The red one's suit you better." Her mother said, causing her to jump. She'd been staring at the ribbons for a while now, lost in thought as her mother had got ready beside her.
"Are you sure you're alright Madoka? I can call in for you if you want to stay home."
Madoka shook her head. "N-no it's alright Mama. I think it'd be best if I just had a normal day at school today."
"If you say so Madoka…" There was a pause, before her mother said "You know, Ammy frets about you too."
"What do you mean?" Papa must have told Mama about how I rushed downstairs, Madoka thought.
"Your father always tells me how she knows the moment you're about to arrive from school, and whenever you look down she always stays close to you. Even if it means missing meals."
Now that Madoka thought about it, whenever she was worried about what Ammy was or if something would happened to her Ammy would soon be nearby. Even if the location was seemingly impossible for her to reach…
"Call it a mother's intuition but she loves you Madoka, like you were her own child. You two have a special bond, so it's only natural to get scared about the idea of something happening to either of you. We don't mention it but you should hear about the dreams your father and I have about you and Tatsuya sometime." Her mother said with a small laugh.
A bark of agreement came from behind them as a furry face pushed itself between mother and daughter.
"Haha, see? She agree's with me."
Madoka giggled, feeling much better. Hopefully after a brief day at school she would truly be prepared for whatever miraculous adventure Ammy had in store for her.
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Part 6
Her first indication that something was wrong was that only Hitomi was waiting for her at their usual meeting spot.
"Good Morning Hitomi, is Sayaka late?" She asked.
"Morning Madoka and… I don't know. I can't reach her at all, she's not responding to any texts. I think she's sick."
"Sick?"
"Yeah, yesterday as soon as you left she was talking about how dehydrated she felt. She was texting me all night about how parched she was."
Madoka was stunned. Sayaka had gotten sick? She seemed fine when Madoka last saw her. And with Sayaka's parents away there was no one to take care of her. Yet she could not shake the feeling something else was in play. Was it related to what happened to Ammy?
"I'll check on her after school. If it's really bad she can stay with me until she's better." She said resolutely, she wouldn't let Sayaka be alone while she was sick.
"Madoka, are you alright though? You seem… different today." Hitomi asked.
She shook her head. "It's alright Hitomi, just… had a strange dream last night. I'm fine now though."
Hitomi didn't look convinced, but she let it drop as they made their way to class.
School started normally, Ms. Saotome ranting about her relationship, eggs and picking on poor Nakazawa. Yet Madoka couldn't really pay attention. Sayaka's absence weighed on her thoughts, the sheer coincidence that she would get sick the day Ammy appeared as she did. She snuck a few text's to Sayaka while Ms. Saotome was ranting, hopefully she would respond and it really was just an illness keeping Sayaka from school. She could not bare it if it was something seri-
"Also, I'd like to introduce all of you to a new transfer student that'll be joining us." Ms. Saotome suddenly announced. "Okay, Ms. Akemi come in!"
Madoka's heart stopped.
Gasps followed as a girl made her way into the classroom, voices complimenting her looks and "cool" air. Yet the same thought kept chasing itself around Madoka's head.
"N-no way… she can't be…"
"My name is Homura Akemi, it is nice to meet you all."
Madoka for her part tried to make conversation with the mysterious girl, but between her stammering and the awkward pauses Homura kept giving her Madoka was certain she was only annoying the girl.
Then, when they out of sight of the other students Homura whirled on her.
"Madoka Kaname, do you value your current way of life? Your family, your friends… Do you think dearly of them?"
"I uh...I do. My family… my friends… Ammy… I love them. They really mean a lot to me." Madoka said, smiling.
"A-Amy?" For a moment the mask had slipped, Homura's eyes darting to Madoka's hands before just as quickly her face returned to its neutral look.
"Y-yes. My… pet dog." She couldn't tell Homura what Ammy really was when she was so unsure of it herself.
A flicker of confusion appeared for only an instant in Homura's eyes before she continued as though she had never been stopped short.
"Madoka, you mustn't ever think of trying to become someone else. If you do, you'll lose everything. You just need to stay Madoka Kaname, like you have so far."
And with that Homura turned on her heel and walked off, leaving Madoka to stare after the girl.
She… she knows something. Madoka thought. Is it about Ammy? But… Homura seemed confused when I mentioned her. What's going on? What did she mean?
Am I in danger?
Homura did not speak to Madoka for the rest of the day, but she continued to draw the admiration of everyone around her. Whatever task she was given Homura excelled at. Yet no matter how much people cheered her on Homura continually glanced over to Madoka, barely acknowledging her admirer's presence. Madoka wilted under these looks, hiding behind Hitomi.
Finally school ended, and after saying goodbye to Hitomi (who unfortunately had Tea ceremony practice) she started to make her way to Sayaka's home, putting Homura out of her mind to focus on her friend.
She had only just made it out of view of the school when a warm breeze suddenly blew past her, carrying errant petals and the smell of flowers. She didn't even need to turn to look to know who had appeared as the magical wolf casually strolled in front of her.
"A-Ammy, what are you doing here?" She asked, just as her phone buzzed. Realizing it was Sayaka she hurriedly pulled it out.
And then almost dropped it when Sayaka replied to her.
"Good Morning Hitomi, is Sayaka late?" She asked.
"Morning Madoka and… I don't know. I can't reach her at all, she's not responding to any texts. I think she's sick."
"Sick?"
"Yeah, yesterday as soon as you left she was talking about how dehydrated she felt. She was texting me all night about how parched she was."
Madoka was stunned. Sayaka had gotten sick? She seemed fine when Madoka last saw her. And with Sayaka's parents away there was no one to take care of her. Yet she could not shake the feeling something else was in play. Was it related to what happened to Ammy?
"I'll check on her after school. If it's really bad she can stay with me until she's better." She said resolutely, she wouldn't let Sayaka be alone while she was sick.
"Madoka, are you alright though? You seem… different today." Hitomi asked.
She shook her head. "It's alright Hitomi, just… had a strange dream last night. I'm fine now though."
Hitomi didn't look convinced, but she let it drop as they made their way to class.
School started normally, Ms. Saotome ranting about her relationship, eggs and picking on poor Nakazawa. Yet Madoka couldn't really pay attention. Sayaka's absence weighed on her thoughts, the sheer coincidence that she would get sick the day Ammy appeared as she did. She snuck a few text's to Sayaka while Ms. Saotome was ranting, hopefully she would respond and it really was just an illness keeping Sayaka from school. She could not bare it if it was something seri-
"Also, I'd like to introduce all of you to a new transfer student that'll be joining us." Ms. Saotome suddenly announced. "Okay, Ms. Akemi come in!"
Madoka's heart stopped.
Gasps followed as a girl made her way into the classroom, voices complimenting her looks and "cool" air. Yet the same thought kept chasing itself around Madoka's head.
"N-no way… she can't be…"
"My name is Homura Akemi, it is nice to meet you all."
__________________________________________________________________
Homura proved quite popular with the other girls in the class, being swarmed and asked every question from where she was from to what kind of shampoo she used. Yet the entire time Madoka noticed Homura kept looking at her. More shocking was when Homura asked for her to take her to the nurse yet instead practically lead Madoka through the school. Everywhere she walked Homura seemed to draw the eye of everyone.Madoka for her part tried to make conversation with the mysterious girl, but between her stammering and the awkward pauses Homura kept giving her Madoka was certain she was only annoying the girl.
Then, when they out of sight of the other students Homura whirled on her.
"Madoka Kaname, do you value your current way of life? Your family, your friends… Do you think dearly of them?"
"I uh...I do. My family… my friends… Ammy… I love them. They really mean a lot to me." Madoka said, smiling.
"A-Amy?" For a moment the mask had slipped, Homura's eyes darting to Madoka's hands before just as quickly her face returned to its neutral look.
"Y-yes. My… pet dog." She couldn't tell Homura what Ammy really was when she was so unsure of it herself.
A flicker of confusion appeared for only an instant in Homura's eyes before she continued as though she had never been stopped short.
"Madoka, you mustn't ever think of trying to become someone else. If you do, you'll lose everything. You just need to stay Madoka Kaname, like you have so far."
And with that Homura turned on her heel and walked off, leaving Madoka to stare after the girl.
She… she knows something. Madoka thought. Is it about Ammy? But… Homura seemed confused when I mentioned her. What's going on? What did she mean?
Am I in danger?
Homura did not speak to Madoka for the rest of the day, but she continued to draw the admiration of everyone around her. Whatever task she was given Homura excelled at. Yet no matter how much people cheered her on Homura continually glanced over to Madoka, barely acknowledging her admirer's presence. Madoka wilted under these looks, hiding behind Hitomi.
Finally school ended, and after saying goodbye to Hitomi (who unfortunately had Tea ceremony practice) she started to make her way to Sayaka's home, putting Homura out of her mind to focus on her friend.
She had only just made it out of view of the school when a warm breeze suddenly blew past her, carrying errant petals and the smell of flowers. She didn't even need to turn to look to know who had appeared as the magical wolf casually strolled in front of her.
"A-Ammy, what are you doing here?" She asked, just as her phone buzzed. Realizing it was Sayaka she hurriedly pulled it out.
And then almost dropped it when Sayaka replied to her.
Sayaka<
Hitomi said you were sick<
Do you need help?<
>Not sick
>Madoka
>Help
>Please
>U hav 2 help me
>This is seruss
What's wrong<
>My legs r gone
__________________________________________________________________
Hitomi said you were sick<
Do you need help?<
>Not sick
>Madoka
>Help
>Please
>U hav 2 help me
>This is seruss
What's wrong<
>My legs r gone
__________________________________________________________________
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TheMagister
Lord Magus
You see this? This is what happens when a God sees something it doesn't like and thinks "Nope, changing that".
- Location
- A friendly desert community
>mfw I remembered the chat logs and thought I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH SAYAKA
- Location
- Portugal
- Pronouns
- Her Graciousness
It's hard to take Sayaka seriously when she writes in textspeak. I'm going to guess that there's a joke going on, since that+ the gif does not a dramatic cliffhanger make.
I like this, Okami was my favourite game on the PS2 (RIP Clover studios) and there's a distinct lack of good fanfiction for it. And now, criticism!
I thought that the sequence with Ammy disappearing and reappearing was drawn out a bit longer than it should have been. That entire chapter felt like filler, actually. No offence intended. The dream sequence would have had more impact imo if you had left out the final line.
You could have had Homura notice that Sayaka was missing (she's usually there on the first day). I have vague memories of Sakura trees on the school grounds (though that may be me mixing up my anime clichés) and some attention could be drawn to those-- by the classmates that gather around Homura and start pestering her or something.
Why does Madoka react the way she does when Homura enters the classroom? There was no dream this time unless you've decided to skip over it and assume that we know why she's surprised (which by the way I don't).
I like this, Okami was my favourite game on the PS2 (RIP Clover studios) and there's a distinct lack of good fanfiction for it. And now, criticism!
I thought that the sequence with Ammy disappearing and reappearing was drawn out a bit longer than it should have been. That entire chapter felt like filler, actually. No offence intended. The dream sequence would have had more impact imo if you had left out the final line.
You could have had Homura notice that Sayaka was missing (she's usually there on the first day). I have vague memories of Sakura trees on the school grounds (though that may be me mixing up my anime clichés) and some attention could be drawn to those-- by the classmates that gather around Homura and start pestering her or something.
Why does Madoka react the way she does when Homura enters the classroom? There was no dream this time unless you've decided to skip over it and assume that we know why she's surprised (which by the way I don't).
A Living Person
Installing BB.exe
- Location
- Chaldea
I'm lost, what happened?
TheGreatFluffy
Dapper Avian.
- Location
- Somewhere
She DID have the dream, see this line:
And this line:
- Location
- Portugal
- Pronouns
- Her Graciousness
Right, but what that dream was has been given next to no indication, and that still doesn't address the absolute absence of context to why Madoka reacts the way she does-- even a simple 'It was the girl from my dreams!' would have made it clear enough and not waste too much time in explanation.
TheGreatFluffy
Dapper Avian.
- Location
- Somewhere
This line:
Works well enough in my opinion.
Plus the fact that what other dream could it possibly be? Anyone who's seen the first episode of PMMM would know what that means.
Also, regarding this:
Why would you think she DIDN'T notice? Bare in mind that this isn't Homura's point of view, it's Madoka's.