7 Dandelion of The Forest

THE SEA of yellow flowers under the shade of the oak tree looks like a sun on earth. The brightness of the yellow gave life to the stillness of the forest. And as Dandy dances with the wind and the flowers, Amaterasu was just watching, sitting at the roots of the oak. She silently wished that it would stay like that for a long time. But one would only wish for so much.

Then a loud sound of drums made her smile disappear. She knew what was that, she knew who was that. Her small paradise went away just like that. She looked back at Dandy who was still playing now with a few hares and butterflies.

"Dandy," she called and the little girl look back at her and ran with echoing laughter.

Her golden hair swayed as her blue eyes twinkle as the sun shone at her. She was like a little sunshine. The little Amaterasu.

{I wish I could take this with me.} "My little me," Amaterasu whispered as she welcomed Dandy in her arms.

"Mama!" she exclaimed with laughter as the butterflies still flying around her.

"Are you happy, Dandy?"

"Uh-ha!" she beamed at Amaterasu. "It's so bright. It's so wonderful. The wind sings, can you hear it, mama? And... And… look," Dandy pointed at the sky. "I can see that."

Amaterasu chuckled and held Dandy's face. "Yes, It's the same color as your eyes."

Dandy's eyes grew larger as she looked back at the sky. And a mixture of 'wow' and 'amazing' was all the little girl can say.

Then she heard the drums again. Amaterasu's entourage would be soon here. She needed to go back to Takamagahara. Painful as it may, she needed to leave Dandy. She then closed her eyes and controlled what she was feeling. But can she really?

"Listen, Dandy" she called out. "I want you to understand why you are called as Dandelion of the Forest."

Dandy's big innocent eyes looked at Amaterasu. She was so small yet given with a big burden. And Amaterasu was so worried that she just hugged her.

"Father let you reincarnated earlier than you were supposed to and be in exchange for one thing," she said as she brushed Dandy's hair. "father wanted you to take care of this mountain. Did you remember where I first found you?"

Dandy nods her head and pointed to the north-westward of where they are. "The wind told me that there was a cave near where we are. He said that was where he remembered my presence was."

Amaterasu smiled and nod agreed to what she said. "It's true, little one. And I want you to take care of this mountain as that cave is a part of it. If…if this mountain would be tainted by dark forces and be destroyed, I don't know if there would be a safe haven for my people."

"But you can take care of it, right? You are powerful. I remember how you gave me warmth and gave me the power to live longer than I should." Dandy said with animated winging of hands, body, and feet.

She almost even fell from Amaterasu's hold when she jumped from where she was sitting. "Oh, Dandy," she ruffled her hair. "I can. But like what happened to you, I can't keep track of everything. And I don't want that to happen again. That why I chose you," she tapped her nose and made her giggle. "You, who knows how to give light and warmth. You, who understand how to be in the dark. And I assume that you don't want that to happen to anyone."

When Dandy heard that, she immediately climbed down from Amaterasu and stand on her two feet with a straight back. She then held her hands to her two hands to her heart.

"Yes, Mama, I would protect this mountain! I would protect it for you!"

Amaterasu can't help but smile at Dandy's enthusiasm. {But this girl, would she still be laughing if she knew what will happen to her?}

She then sighed. Amaterasu knew what her future holds. But she doesn't have the power to stop it. She can take precautions for it but she won't be able to tell anyone what would happen. Specially to this girl. And she was warned by the oracle that if she would say it to this girl, everything would be out of balance. All she could do is to watch and pray for her.

"Dandy, I want you to guard this place not only because I said that you should." She continued as the girl was still standing in front of her. "Dandy, please guard this forest for your own reason. Not because of me, not because you know that it is precious to me. Do you understand?"

Dandy's face was washed with a question. But how could she explain it to her? When Dandy all had was her. Dandy grew up inside of the cave and knew nothing of the world. And as if cruelty doesn't end at that, now she has a new life. But would be left alone, burdened by a big responsibility.

"You will understand someday, Dandy." {And I hope you do, my sweet flower.}

With confusion, Dandy bowed her head as if looking for an answer. Amaterasu waited for her to speak. Dandy looked back at her when she lifted her head.

"If I still don't understand, I will just ask you. We will be together, right?"

For the first time, Amaterasu's world seemed to stop. Wish she could stop and skip everything. She wishes that she could skip all the hardship. Or she could be with this little soul as she traverses the future. But she may be the Goddess of the Goddess, but her hands are tied, too. The future is something she cannot touch.

She avoided Dandy's stare and slowly shakes her head.

"I'm so sorry, little one," sad was laced on her voice as bitterness can be tasted in her mouth. "But I cannot stay with you. Gods and goddesses are forbidden to stay longer than we should in the Human realm. We are ancient and we do not hold a human body to stay here. Our lives are connected to Takamagahara. If we left our homes for far too long, we will grow weaker and die. People would be exposed to darkness. And you do know what will happen if darkness will prevail? Death. Death of the creation that my mother and father built."

"I'm so sorry, my Dandy," Amaterasu continued. "How can I tell you that everything would be alright? That I might not be by your side but if you call, I would hear you. A seed from your Dandelion wish would be enough for me to run to you, my dear. I would always do everything I could just to answer you."

Dandy just looked at her. Sad. Betrayed. Afraid. Emotions that Amaterasu avoided. She didn't want any of those for Dandy but how. How could she avoid something that she needed?

She needed to understand those feelings. She needed to feel what humans feel so she could serve the people of this prefecture.

"Listen, Dandy," she held her at arm's length. "You may be alone, but every life form in this forest is here for you. See how the wind blows, how the water runs, how these grass moves, and those animals play with you. They are here. They are your family."

"But I want you, Mama," she finally said. Tears are threatening to fall.

"I will still be here," she pointed at Dandy's heart. "In here, too," she now pointed at her head. "and up there. Listening to your every laugh and your every song. I will answer you in a way that you would understand that it is me. Just remember that I will be with you."

Dandy was still not smiling but Amaterasu thought Dandy was still processing everything she just said. And hoping that it would help her.

"Dandy," she held her face in her palm. "I told you how I cannot leave the mountain, right?" Dandy responded with a nod. "Like me, you are not to leave this mountain, too"

"Is there any other place outside of this mountain? Why couldn't I leave? How am I supposed to go to you if I cannot leave? What if I—"

"Silly," she tapped her nose again. "Everything you need is in this forest. Leaving this mountain would make this vulnerable to darkness. Death would come to all the living being. And soon, to you."

"No!" she exclaimed and hugged Amaterasu. "I don't want that. Bunny would die. No!"

"So, don't leave this mountain, Dandy," Amaterasu said strictly. "And protect your flower bed. If anyone, just anyone hurt your flowers, it would also hurt you. Once these flowers die, it'll be your end, too."

"No!" Dandy shook her head furuiously and closed her ears by her hand.

"So protect the land and in return, they would also protect you."

Dandy nodded as fear still can be seen in her eyes.

"That was a little scary for the child, Amako."

Amaterasu slightly laughed and looked back at the lady. Wearing her blue kimono adorned with pink Sakura flowers at the lining and tied with a pink obi that was too loose. Thus, made her show her shoulders and legs. Amaterasu thought it was the most decent as she could get. There are times that Ame-no-Uzume was only wearing a golden hakama and dance to the tune of her drums.

"Uzume," Amaterasu acknowledges.

"Your entourage is here. We need to get you back at Takamagahara." She said as she tapped her with her fan.

"Mama?" Dandy then called as she hid in her robe and held on to her.

"Dandy, I need to leave."

Dandy shakes her head and started to cry.

Amaterasu looked back at Uzume asking for help. Uzume just sighed and sadly sang a song.

Tears started to fall when Dandy was lulled to sleep. She would be leaving her again. Cradled in her arms, she slowly removed her robes where Dandy clung. Wrapped her small body and tucked her under the oak tree.

Fast asleep. Tears dried in her checks. A frown was drawn on her forehead.

"Sleep well, my child," she whispered. "I'll be taking your pain now. Live well and be happy with the new life you've been given. Protect this land with your small hands. Help will come if needed. Pray well so you will be heard."

Amaterasu gave her a little kiss before standing up. She looked up at the tree and the surroundings. With a firm voice, she announced, "I leave you your deity. Protect her."

She then turns her back and walked behind Uzume who was still playing her tune. She never dared to look back. She never dared to wipe the new set of tears as she tore her heart away from Dandy.

{Goodbye, for now, my child. We will meet again when the son meets the flower.}

***END OF CHAPTER***

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