A/N: The fact that my legs hurt like hell from weight training class is making it hard to think of how to write Chapter 3. Either way, though, I've got an idea now, and here it is... so, enjoy!

Chapter 3

Now... he said to go get the Power Slash technique, I thought to myself, as I stopped before the river that was made of stardust. I had expected to see it already repaired... but unfortunately, for some reason, it wasn't. But... first, I have to repair the river in order to get there... and to do that, I have to use the Rejuvination technique. He told me that I already have it, but how the hell do I use it?!

I looked at what seemed to be my right hand's index “finger” – it was more like a claw – and studied the brush for a moment. It didn't end with any hair or anything, but rather the tip of the claw. After a moment, I sighed, and put that hand out, as if I was reaching to grab something. In that instant, time froze – or it seemed like it. A gasp escaped my lips as I watched the color immediantly drain from everything, leaving a beige colored canvas. Having played the game Okami, I knew what to do from here. Using nothing but my “brush” (was it really a brush? It certainly doesn't look like one!), I made as straight a line as possible that went straight to the other side of the river. As soon as my hand was back at my side, the canvas vanished, and the nearby stars formed the path that I had just painted.

I grinned ecstatically as I dove into the “water” and went to the other side, which, by the way, was really easy to do. As soon as I was out of the river, I flew through the gate, and towards the cave of Nagi. Within the stone confines of the cave, I found the statue, sword and all... and I could also see that the constellation for the Power Slash technique was gone. I sighed, and was about to leave, when another constellation suddenly appeared.

Hm? I thought, frowning, as I brought up the canvas once more. What constellation is this? It's certainly not Tachigami's Power Slash. As I connect the dots... it looks like... a hamster?!

As soon as I had connected the dots, I found myself in a large, wide open plain. There was a beautiful sunrise in the distance, and the hamster landed before me, with the same color scheme I had. Despite its small stature, it wielded an enormous katana. That thing was huge! It was what, five, six meters long? Holy crap that thing was big! Before I could do anything, the hamster looked up at my face, and smiled, as if it was pleased to see an old friend.

“Ahhh... Tomasu,” It began to say in a friendly manner. Its name suddenly clicked in my mind as Hamagami. “It is good to see you again. Long has it been since I have seen you. It seems that Amaterasu, mother of all that is good, needs your assistance once more. In that case, let the Blade return to the Etheral Brush!”

Before I could say a word, his physical form vanished, becoming a vague Japanese character that clicked deep in my memory as “Katana.” Soon enough, the character flew around me once, before slamming into my chest. As soon as it touched my scaley flesh, I felt an odd sense of warmth run through my draconic body... and my brush flashed white for a split second. After a moment, I realized that I was no longer in that plain – rather, I was back in the Cave of Nagi. Turning around, I found that the exit was blocked by a few wooden bars too close together to squeeze through. I had no choice but to use the Blade technique... whatever it was. Before I did that, I frowned at how the Japanese character had clicked in my mind. I didn't know any Japanese! Either way, I needed to leave.

Alright... according to what I remember – which odd, since I don't remember ever doing this before – I just have to draw a vague outline of a sword... I thought to myself, bringing forth that canvas once more. I simply drew a quick box, with a couple jut-outs for the hilt. As soon as everything returned to normal, a large katana – the very same one Hamagami had. Wait... isn't it supposed to swing itself, like Ammy's Power Slash?

I frowned at how the katana seemed to refuse to do anything, and after a moment, I sighed and grabbed the handle of the sword. It suddenly clicked in my mind that this was how I was supposed to use this brush technique; first, it summoned a powerful katana. Second, I had to actually grab the sword, and swing it myself. Third, I would be able to control it remotely, allowing me to use it even if it wasn't actually in my possession. As I held the sword hilt in my claw, I focused on the wall of wooden bars before me... and swung the blade as hard as I could.

Wow... I thought, watching as every piece of wood blocking the exit was cut down to size easily. That was actually... really easy...

I shrugged it off, and as I let go of my grip on the sword, it vanished. Probably for travelling convenience. As soon as I had gone a few yards out of the cave, a barrier suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I was surprised, and sort jumped, looking around sharply and quickly as a couple of odd-looking imp-like creatures appeared out of nowhere. They seemed to be in possession of some... flutes, which they ran around the area with, waving them at me, as if they planned to kill me with them. I raised an eyebrow, and I was about to summon the sword once more, but something suddenly appeared in an epic flash on my back and slashed at one of the imps. I jumped a little, and as a result, it stopped attacking, but not before it eliminated the last imp.

It looked similar to the katana that I had been about to summon, only it was a little larger, and its blade was colored red in the center, and the typical metal color in the outer edges. The hand guard looked similar to the one on Ichigo's Bankai sword (from Bleach), except it was colored white, while the handle was made of strong leather strips, all wrapped around the handle to make it more comfortable. As the blade started out from the hand guard, it widened slightly, where it had a blue circle there, with a cool T in its center, colored white. All of a sudden, the blade spoke directly to my mind, surprising me in the process... while the back of my mind told me that I knew this weapon... when I didn't remember it...

Honorable Tomasu, It began to say. I am Singing Light, and I am here to assist you in battle. Weild me as you wish.

With that, a sheath suddenly appeared on my back, as the katana placed itself in it. The hilt was jutting out over what could be called my shoulder, making it easy for me to reach. After a few moments of absorbing what had just happened, I shrugged and returned to the River of Heavens; as a result, I soon myself in Kamiki Village, once I had crossed through the river. The place... was completely restored, actually... and it was just as beautiful as I had thought it would be.

So... if this place is taken care of, what does Ammy need my help for? I thought to myself, frowning, as I turned around to find Sakuya looking at me, ready to speak. On her head was a familiar green dot...

“You're the replacement?” Asked the little dot. “It's about time you showed up! I'm Issun! Now that we've got that out of the way, let's go!”

Issun was quick to get onto my muzzle, but I ignored his demands to get moving, as Sakuya began to speak.

“Easy, Issun,” She said calmly. “He is still new to this world.”

“Yes, but she's dying!” Issun exclaimed, angrily, his aura becoming bright red. “We have to hurry!”

“...I'm sorry, Issun, but you'll have to wait a little while longer,” Sakuya said. “Don't worry. She'll be fine.”

As I watched them talk, I was left clueless, and waiting for an explanation...