"First story about Princess Mononoke. Reviews are really helpful and encouraging.
"Chapter 1: Into the Forest ( I do not own Princess Mononoke- wish I did)

It had taken three years and with improved fortifications and more living space, it was a sight to behold. In the eyes of all but one it was perfect. Iron Town was a newer, better was not dissatisfied with it, in fact quite the opposite. The new Iron Town was everything he had hoped it would be… but it wasn't home.

For the past three years Ashitaka had yearned to return to the forest and reunite with San, but building the settlement had taken up every waking minute and he had vowed to himself that day that he would not leave Irontown until it was complete.

Ashitaka sat near the edge of one of the spiked outer walls overlooking the lake and forest. Every night he would stare out at the dense trees. They had grown so quickly.

Scratching his jaw, Ashitaka nimbly leapt to his feet and climbed down into the main square Construction was over. It was time to leave. It was dark by the time Ashitaka had passed the gates and made it into the that he and Yakul would soon be lost, he stopped momentarily and surveyed his surroundings. He needed to find a Kodama, and soon.

Ashitaka spent a few minutes peering through the shadows, trying to catch sight of one but to no avail. He was about to give up when he noticed a flash of white in his peripheral vision. Peering up, Ashitaka saw the little spirit sitting on a branch, looking at him expectantly. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "Hello little guy! You and your brothers have helped and lead the way for me before; do you think you could do it again? I'd very grateful as the forest is no longer light and I need to find San."

The little Kodama rattled his head in response and began hopping from one tree branch to another before stopping and beckoning for Ashitaka to follow.

They had reached the center of the forest and were approaching the forest spirit's pool, when suddenly, the Kodama stopped and turned, staring at Ashitaka and rattling it's head incessantly before turning and running away until it evaporated from sight. That was weird. Ashitaka thought as he jumped down from Yakul and turned around.

The man standing behind him had a sword in his hand; he was the same height as Ashitaka and probably a little older than him. The man had chestnut hair and was heavily muscled like Ashitaka. He had hard, dark eyes and was handsome despite the thin, white scar that spliced his eyebrow and ran downwards, narrowly avoiding his eye, to the center of his tanned cheek.

Ashitaka hardly had a second to blink before the stranger sliced through his shirt and skin, carving a long straight, diagonal line across his torso, from his left pectoral down to his lower abdomen, slicing through the waist of his trousers. Ashitaka fell to his knees wincing. He was never vocal with his pain, that would be a sign of weakness. Ashitaka wasn't weak.

"If you're going to kill an unarmed man, then do it." Ashitaka balled his fists at his sides. "Plunge your sword into my heart and strike hard stranger."

The man chuckled before speaking slowly and softly. " I have no intention of killing you, but I know who you are and I have heard about your interest in the wolf girl. Leave her alone."

With that he blew a dart at him.

Looking down, Ashitaka could see the object buried in his chest, his head was going fuzzy and darkness was clouding his vision.

He slumped to the ground silently.