Light…

That was the last thing Oki remembered before everything turned dark. His consciousness slipped away. He could have sworn he was dead.

But then, everything slowly came back to him. He could see faint images swimming in the darkness that shrouded his vision. The memories of the past quickly reestablished themselves in his mind. Orochi, Ninetails, Amaterasu, the Canine Warriors…they were all dead, weren't they? Was he dead too?

With a gasp, Oki snapped awake. Pain shot through his ribs and he let out a small cry. His deep voice was that of a human, but that was to be expected. Whenever he passed out or weakened in battle, he would unwillingly return to this less powerful form.

There was a loud bark and a small white puppy came flying out of nowhere and landed in Oki's lap. He moaned as the wolf began to climb all over him, trying to reach his face.

"Hey, do ya mind?!" came an angry voice. Issun hopped into view and began yanking Chibiterasu back by his tail. "I worked forever on those bandages of his! I don't need you messing them up and neither does he, ya little runt!"

Chibi let out a small whine of protest, but backed off.

"Issun!" Oki said, in a daze. "What happened?" He looked around at his surroundings. He was in someone's house, in an unknown bed. His shirt was off, revealing that his chest had been wrapped in bandages. However, he still wore his trademark mask.

"I'll TELL ya what happened!" Issun said, turning red with anger. "What happened is that I missed the Kamiki Festival while you were out cold! No sake, no fireworks…I missed everything! I mean, maybe if you were a hot babe I wouldn't have minded so much, but-"

"Issun," Oki snapped, feeling frustrated. "What happened to Amaterasu and the Canine Warriors?!"

"Sheesh, calm down," Issun grouched, crossing his arms. "Do you see any mourning gowns around? Ammy is outside, trying to keep the Canine Warriors from sprinting in here to see you. We're in Susano's house by the way."

Oki let out a relieved sigh. "Ah…so everyone is safe…and Amaterasu shall keep them from seeing my human form…"

Issun sweatdropped. "Yeah…about that…after you killed Ninetails, you went unconscious and reverted to your human form. Then Ammy gained her powers back and healed everyone…and then everyone woke up, except for you."

Oki listened with a sinking feeling. He drew his knees up to his chest and lowered his head, dreading what the Canine Warriors' reaction had been.

"Aw, don't be so down about it!" Issun said, bouncing on Oki's knee. "If you hadn't turned back, most of your injuries wouldn't have healed! You're lucky you only came away with a few cracked ribs and some bruises! Er, well not that I'd call that lucky, but…well at least everyone's alive, right?"

Oki lifted his head. "I must turn back into a wolf and apologize to them," he declared with determination.

"Oh no ya don't! Not after I spent hours patching you up! Besides, it might worsen your injuries…"

"I'll be fine, Issun. Just watch…" Oki prepared to transform, but Issun began shrieking furiously.

"Don't you dare! Or else you'll have to face my trusty sword, Denkomaru!" He whipped out his blade, which was no bigger than a match.

Chibi cocked his head and let out a comical whine. Oki rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Issun, I don't want the warriors to see me like this! I don't know how they'll react…"

"You don't, huh?" Issun said with a mischievous smile. "Well then let's find out. Fetch, mutt!"

At Issun's word, Chibiterasu turned and dashed out of the room.

"No, don't!" Oki shouted, but his pleas went unheard. "Curse you, Issun…"

"I try," Issun said smugly.

As Chibiterasu barked out the news, there was a loud clamoring. Many voices filled the house, all recognizable ones that belonged to the eight warriors. Here they came, trampling down the steps into the basement. Ko nearly tripped and fell on his face, as one of his legs was still broken. As for the others, they still sported scars from the battle such as Tei's eye wound and Take's missing ear. Still, they couldn't have looked more excited.

But as soon as they spotted the strange human sitting on the bed, they skidded to a halt, eyes wide with shock. Oki stared at them, frozen. They just stared back.

Oki reached back to scratch at his head, searching for words. "…Um…"

Then Tei cried out joyously, "You're alive!" and sprang forward to greet his friend. The others swarmed after him, shouting, "Thank goodness! You had us worried, you great lump of fur!" "Wow, you're a human!" "I love humans!" "YAY! Can I lick your face?" "Pet me!" "Yeah Oki!" "Good to see you're okay."

Oki just sat there, at a loss for words as the eight dogs fussed over him. Each was practically crawling over one another to get to him. "Look, we got out Satomi orbs back!" "Oh, Oki, here's your sword!"

But Oki looked past them, distracted. There was Amaterasu standing in the doorway, her coat a brilliant white. Chibiterasu stood at her side, tail wagging, tongue lolling.

Warmth spread all the way to Oki's fingertips.

O, spirits of the air, earth, and sea…and great goddess Amaterasu…thank you.

Around midday, the Canine Warriors headed out to Shinshu Field, practically leaping for joy at their victory.

"Well, we did it," Tei bragged, strutting at the head of the pack. "We showed that Orochi! And Ninetails!"

Rei looked around the empty field, musing, "I thought we'd be famous by now! Where is everyone?"

"Probably sleeping off the sake from the festival…" Shin sighed, feeling alert for once in his life.

"Since we missed the festival, we should have our own!" Ume suggested.

"That's a great idea!" Hayabusa agreed. "We can have food, games…and a hole-digging contest!"

"And we can go swimming!"

"Yes!"

Amaterasu and Chibiterasu came padding up, looking excited at the idea. Issun, resting on top of Amaterasu's head, huffed, "You mutts are way too happy for nearly having been killed last night."

"Well, y'know, Ammy did heal everyone, aside from Ko's broken leg and a couple of scars," Ume pointed out.

Issun regarded Ume for a long moment. Then he said snidely, "Too bad she couldn't have done anything about your looks. You're still the ugliest dog ever. Heh!"

Suddenly, Chibiterasu let out a high-pitched yip and went rushing off towards an approaching figure.

"Oh!" Chi said, turning around. "Hi Oki!"

Oki came walking up, fully clothed, as a human. In his hand he clutched his faithful sword, Kutone. "I overheard your conversation and I must say I agree," He said in a deep voice. "You deserve to celebrate after working so hard. Some of you go out and hunt for a celebratory feast. I'd like to address everyone once we're ready."

"Okay!" Tei agreed, happy to obey. He took his pack and began to lead them off across the field, bursting with a youth he hadn't possessed in ages.

Ko remained behind, nursing his injury. "I wish I could go with them," he sighed.

"Don't worry," a kind voice said. "I'll keep you company."

He turned to see Chi padding up to him. She daintily sat herself in the grass beside him, her pelt brushing his.

Ko blushed slightly. "Oh! Um…about what happened at the Moon Cave…er…" He looked away. "I know how you feel about Oki so if you don't feel the same way about me, then…then that's okay."

With a small giggle, Chi nuzzled Ko under his chin, catching him by surprise. "Aw, Ko. Of course I feel the same way! Besides, with Oki…well, it was more like a fangirl crush than anything, really."

She drew her head back and looked across the field to where Oki stood with the two white wolves. Ko thought he could see a trace of regret in her eyes, but it instantly vanished. She smiled at him.

"Plus, it's kind of weird. He's a human! I would never stand a chance with him…especially since I think there's already someone in his life…but I don't mind! After all, you saved my life…and I'll never forget that."

Chi leaned forward and gently touched her nose to his. Ko smiled and closed his eyes, his body tingling with happiness. Together, the two fluffy warriors settled down to enjoy the day together.

While Hayabusa and Take were chasing a rabbit across the open space, Ume watched. He had already attempted to catch a young boar and failed. Now, he didn't really feel like hunting…

"Greetings, Ume."

Ume jumped a little bit, looking surprised. "Whoa! Um, hi Oki!"

"Why are you not with the others?" Oki asked, coming up to stand beside him.

Ume's ears drooped slightly. "I guess I'm just feeling a little down," he sighed.

Oki nodded wisely. "Ah. It's understandable. After all, you were betrayed by someone you trusted…"

"Yeah," Ume said. "And the worst part is I think he may have just told me he'd catch me a sparrow after the battle so he wouldn't have to!"

Oki blinked.

Ume let out another sigh and looked away morosely. "I really am gonna miss him, though. He was like a role model to me…well, not anymore. Jerk."

Oki knelt slightly, patting Ume on the head. "Everything is going to be all right now," he said comfortingly. Ume smiled a bit and wagged his tail once.

"Hey Oki!" someone howled across the plain. "We're ready to start!"

They turned to see the Canine Warriors dragging loads of prey towards them. Bunnies, boars, birds…they had even managed to bring down a deer.

"Excellent," Oki said briskly. "Shall we begin?"

They arranged the prey into a neat pile and circled around. Oki sat at the head of the feast, Amaterasu and Chibiterasu on either side of him.

"Before we start…I'd like to make a small speech," Oki said in a clear voice. "But I feel it would be rude of me to address a noble group such as this in an unfamiliar form…so I shall address you with a face you have grown to know over the past few days…"

"Hey, wait a second, Oki-!" Issun protested.

Oki leapt into the air, spinning. A blue aura radiated from his body and sparkles dotted the air around him. When he landed back on the ground, he was a wolf again. None of his injuries hindered him at all. The Canine Warriors cheered and howled for their comrade, wriggling with glee.

Amaterasu grinned and wagged her tail. Issun just rolled his eyes. "Grr…that Oki. Stubborn as ever."

Oki cleared his throat, sitting down to rest on his haunches. "As I was saying…I want you all to know how proud I am. Not only did you defeat Orochi, but you went above and beyond expectations when faced with a new enemy…Ninetails."

The warriors grew serious. A few of them looked away or appeared angry. Ume merely lowered his head, looking upset.

"There will be time to mourn the loss of…what could have been…a good friend," Oki said slowly, thinking of Ninetails's horrifying yet pitiful true form. "But now is not that time."

He rose to his feet.

"Now is the time to celebrate our victory! For you have truly lived up to what is inscribed on each of your Satomi orbs!

Brotherhood.

Honor.

Faith.

Knowledge.

Wisdom.

Duty.

Loyalty.

Justice.

Canine Warriors…for protecting this land…thank you."

Oki bowed his head, honoring the eight warriors. Amaterasu and Chibiterasu did the same. The eight dogs looked around in awe, as if they couldn't believe what was happening. This was truly the defining moment of their lives.

"C'mon, enough with the sappy stuff!" Issun interrupted. "We should be partying! Let's eat!"

Oki lifted his head, smiling. "Very well. But before we do…" He gazed past the warriors and nodded at something. "I have one last request."

All of the dogs turned around questionably. Behind them, a small twittering sparrow pecked at the grass. With joyous barking, the Canine Warriors began to chase it. The sparrow quickly flew out of reach, but they continued to run, just enjoying the feel of the wind in their fur and the grass beneath their feet.

Oki watched proudly as they grew smaller and smaller until they were just specks disappearing over the rise. Amaterasu moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

Together again, they closed their eyes and reveled in the warmth of the sun.

~The End~