Here is my story following "Princess Mononoke." This is the prologue. More info will be revealed in the chapters to come!

They slowly made our way through the trees. The dying light only weakly penetrated the thick branches, illuminating the wolf's glossy black fur and glinting slightly on the sharply pointed tip of the spear hanging at his side. A fog was rolling lazily across the needle-covered ground and small mice and voles scampered away from his softly padding paws.

"We're close now Teru." The figure perched upon his tall back whispered.

"Yes, we are." He growled paused as the figure slipped off of his back. Her ebony hair caught the moonlight and glimmered slightly. The small crystal hanging around her neck chimed softly. They had reached the edge of the trees bordering a small meadow. A low bramble fence was between the trees and the open meadow. The dark shapes of cattle could almost be distinguished as they settled into the grass for the night. There were three white dogs also lying in the field. They were the guard dogs that were trained to protect the cattle from predators.

"Let's go Teru." A low whisper came from the dark and he growled in response.

"The mutts."

"Oh… how troublesome." Came the exasperated reply.

Teru heard the sharp click of an arrow being drawn and loaded into the bow. They crept closer to the clearing. And the dogs must have heard them for they have gotten up and are sniffing their way through the lowing cattle.

"We'll just have to give them something to think about."

"Careful Katsuye."

She has bent over to pick up a smooth flat stone. "Aren't I always?" She replies sarcastically before hurling the stone into the bushes on the far side of the field.

The rattle has distracted the dogs and they quickly sprint to where the stone landed.

"Show time." She brings the bow up to her face and points it into the meadow. Her arm pulls the string back carefully before releasing it. The wind whistles through the feathers at the end of the bow before it hits a cow straight in the back of the head.

Chaos erupts in the group and they quickly race in. Teru attacks a fleeing calf and Katsuye sends another arrow into the bull. The dogs have come racing back and one of them quickly locks his jaws on Katsuye's arm. She howls in pain before grabbing the knife in her belt and driving it into the dog's neck. Teru has taken care of the other two.

The rest of the herd has fled and the bodies of the dogs plus four cattle litter the once peaceful field.

"This should be enough to feed the pack." Katsuye says, prying the dog's teeth out of her forearm.

"Your mother won't be happy to see that."

"Well, she'll be happier that we're bringing home dinner. Now help me get these." She said, dragging the body of the calf out of the field.

"Call on the others. We'll need help."

Teru shook his head before raising his head to the clear sky and sounding a mournful cry into the still air.