Unselfish Wish

Chapter 6- The Trip to see Amaterasu

After hearing Fumiko was leaving, Tsukiyomi had traveled to see his sister, since for all intents and purposes, she ruled over the gods, and he would need her help and guidance to make Fumiko his bride. He had decided this was the only choice for him. The palace was the same as ever, glittering and bright with annoying people and annoying traditions. The required formal attire chafed at him. His reception was pleasant, everyone clambering to welcome him.

Except of course, for Amaterasu.

He could understand, since they had quite a history, having been married once and at odds for thousands of years. That was all in the past, and they had reconciled even if contact was infrequent and strained. But to be fair, their marriage was one of obligation and while they held each other in affection, it could not be called romantic love, so it was no surprise things had not worked out. To his mind, anyone thinking that forcing siblings to wed was okay had issues. Back then it was common, and he was so happy it was no longer in practice.

Tsukiyomi had already been at the palace for a week, and sat having tea with his brother, Susano'o. Amaterasu had yet to appear, and he was getting grumpy.

"Brother, why is our sister so stubborn? She always pulls these sorts of pranks like the time she hid in that cave. So annoying." His face was like a storm cloud. Susano'o laughed.

"Well, she's always been so, and she still hasn't completely forgiven you for killing the food goddess." He raised an eyebrow.

"But really, such a disgusting display. How could she even call herself a goddess. Ugh." He swirled his tea, growing gloomier. "I apologized later, but she wouldn't see my side."

"And that is exactly why I refused to see you for so long. You're as bad as a child, Tsukiyomi." He leapt up, turning in surprise. "Always pouting when you don't get your way."

"Amaterasu! Finally! I must speak with you.." He was clearly in a rush, full of dominating insistence. She raised a hand.

"Clearly, or you would never have bothered to come, since you hate the palace. I will forgive you for the other incident, since it's been over a thousand years." She darted a look to see if was acknowledging her benevolence. Apparently not... He was barely paying attention to her at all.

"Sister, you must help me!" He moved right into his request. Again, she raised a hand.

"Tsukiyomi, I understand that you need my help, but there is such a thing as procedure and manners. Though you are my brother, I am still the ruler of the gods."

"But-"

"No. Stop right there. Follow protocol and see me in my chambers for your official request. Now is my personal time." She sat down and closed her eyes. "Today was quite busy and I'm very tired."

"Are you taking care of yourself?" He asked, shifting on his feet as he tried to be patient. She wanted to laugh, but wisely did not.

"Of course. I can sense your impatience, brother." She exhaustedly waved a hand. "Fine, tell me what's bothering you." She eyed him carefully. "You have the look of a man desperately in love." He blushed.

"Well, yes." She sat up at his admission, her full attention on him. He had strongly avoided remarriage after theirs had come to its natural conclusion. All of her attempts at matchmaking him other goddesses had been disastrous, though he'd refrained from killing them, at least.

"Hmm? And who is the lucky goddess after so long unattached?" He looked very uncomfortable with this question.

"Err, no, well....she-" He was avoiding eye contact and looked incredibly nervous.

"Don't tell me it's a human.... you know that doesn't end well, since they die so quickly." She sighed. "It's not that I don't understand, I've met many splendid humans. But their time with us is so short... Ah, I see now why you were so impatient. Well, tell me about her." She patted his head, now in his hands as his elbows rested on his knees. He looked up, and she smiled. She was powerful, but not heartless. Even if she was perhaps enjoying his discomfort, just a little.

"Well, to start her parents are half deity. Apparently Ryuujin is her grandfather on her father's side, and Fuujin is her grandfather on her mother's side."

"WHAT!" She stood, shocked. "That Ryuujin... and Fuujin.... what a pair of philanderers. Well, it does happen on occasion. So she is half deity, at least?" He nodded.

"You can easily see her divine aura- she looks like she's glowing, especially when she is happy. Thankfully, humans can't see it or I'd have my hands full." He sighed, plowing his hands through his hair.

"That will be the case either way- her divinity will cause both humans and non-humans to be drawn to her. The demons are the problem, they'll want to devour her to absorb her power. However, with someone like you near they wouldn't dare." He considered this information.

"So that is why her father asked for my help." She nodded at him.

"Yes, it's very likely that his relationship with Ryuujin is strained, as he resides primarily under the sea and rarely visits the mainland. A man has it much easier than a woman when comes to self-defense, and with his half status, he probably has some unique powers of his own. So how long have you been watching over her?"

"Nine years." Amaterasu, ever elegant an composed, actually spat out her tea.

"NINE YEARS!" She stood up, looking down at him. "You know it will be impossible to do anything but love her if you have stayed with her so long. Why have you waited to act?"

"Well, she is only 15 years old, and I want to court her properly and marry her. I'm fairly sure I can get her father's blessing, but..." Amaterasu's face was flabbergasted, but she genuinely wanted to help her little brother. After so long, if this girl was necessary as well as the reason he had chosen to rejoin his family, she had to be up front with him.

"Listen to me very carefully, Tsukiyomi. She must come to this palace and receive my blessing of immortality BEFORE she turns eighteen. Not the day of or after or there will be little chance of success. Since you plan to marry her, that must be done or you will mourn her loss forever. I can tell." She gently stroked his cheek. "You, yourself, are so pure of heart that love really will only come once. I won't give you my approval just yet, but I will watch and see. If she is everything you think her to be, then I will support you."

"Thank you sister. I will stay a while longer to visit, then make my preparations. She is moving to Tokyo, and I must live as a human to woo her."

"Why? Her parents know about you. Are you saying that as a deity you are not enough for her?" She was a proud goddess, and it would be unacceptable of any human to think her brother wasn't good enough. Her aura crackled around her.

"I have already shown myself to her that way, and I think she will need time to accept me for who I am. I know she loves me as a deity, and is devoted, but that is not the same as the partership that I seek." Amaterasu smacked her forehead.

"Seriously, Tsukiyomi, why did you do that? It just creates misunderstandings..."

"She never had a friend at all.... I watched as her classmates torture her every day and I just wanted to give her that." She laid a hand on his cheek.

"Yeah, you've got it bad. Ugh. Now I really want to meet this girl, for her to have you in such a state. Perhaps I should also descend and help you out?"

"No-no, it's fine." He looked a bit nervous. Amaterasu getting directly involved was not a good idea. Her attempts at helping often landed someone in trouble or danger, or both. "Besides, don't you have a lot of work here?"

She sighed. "Yes, that's true. Susano'o, you've been awfully quiet over there." Susano'o startled. He had rather been enjoying the interchange between his siblings.

"Er, yes, I'm just surprised, is all. I really never thought that Anniki would fall in love. Certainly not with a human, even if she's part deity. But that's his business, as long as he's happy." He shrugged. She huffed at his cavalier attitude.

"Then how about this." She smiled, in a rather scary way. Both gods began to get nervous. "You will go too with Tsukiyomi. But later, after we finished our current projects. And none of your tricks this time- allow him to court her without interfering, okay?" Susano’o squirmed slightly. Being trickster was just what he did. The urge was hard to resist.

"Ah, you know me so well. Alright, I promise. Is that alright Tsukiyomi?" Susano'o looked to his brother, unsure of how this news would be received. To be honest, he had enough to worry about without interfering in the love lives of others. He had a hard time fighting his natural instinct to pull his sister's hair. Figuratively. Hmm, even better in the bedroom. And as her closest confidante and advisor, that was not allowed. Yet. He smiled a little to himself. He'd wear her down eventually. It wasn't uncommon among the gods of course, but her experience with Tsukiyomi made her hesitate to engage with another sibling.

"Who am I to go against Oneechan?" All three laughed. It's been so long since we were able to be like this, Tsukiyomi thought- is it because of Fumiko? Perhaps I have been changed by her, too.