I dunno how many people actually read any Mononoke fanfics but I love wolves so I wrote it anyway. Please let me know if anything needs to be changed or edited; I accept constructive criticism.
Disclaimer: I do not own Mononoke Hime. I did, however, name the wolf brothers.
Moro sat watching her two cubs, born three days earlier, sleep. She could already tell that they would be strong. Still, a feeling of dread rippled through her. Moro thought back to her last pup. The pup had been tough and intelligent, her precious little girl. They had a comfortable life in the forest, that is, until Moro's mate was killed by humans. He had died trying to protect his family, quite a worthy death, deserving respect from all gods and spirits.
And yet, Moro growled internally, she went off and- no, she must not think of that now. I must forget the past and move on. No point in lamenting about what has long happened. Some memories were better left forgotten, lest the pain would get to her.
The massive wolf stretched out her limbs and slowly lifted herself up, her two tails twitching. It was about time to make her daily rounds. Moro looked up at the towering trees, basking in the warm sunlight filtering through the leaves. She set out at a brisk trot to patrol the forest.
山犬 犬神 山犬 犬神 山犬 犬神 山犬
As per usual, the forest was serene, not a thing out of place. Not many humans ever dared to venture past there village into the spirit woods after all. They feared they would invoke the wrath of one of the gods that called that place their home.
The wind shifted, rustling the trees. Moro lifted her head and sniffed. What was that smell? As the wind changed directions again, her blood-shot eyes widened. Her hackles bristled and she growled involuntarily. Though it had been a while since she last ran across it, the stench was unmistakable.
"Humans!" Moro snarled. She leapt forward, following the scent. At last, she found the clearing where a couple stood setting up a camp. To her fury, the male was breaking off branches without permission from the tree, intending to create a fire.
With a blood-curdling roar, Moro burst out of the brush and charged toward the two humans. The female gave a high-pitched shriek and stumbled backwards. Her mate grabbed her hand and dragged her towards him, but not without throwing a bundle at Moro's feet.
"Take the child and leave us be!" he pleaded. "We've done nothing wrong!"
"Impudent humans," Moro growled. "Your death was decided the moment you stepped foot in the forest." They scrambled back, tripping over themselves to get away from the furious goddess. Terror was written all over their faces, too petrified for tears. Moro stalked them, immense paws padding silently despite her gargantuan size.
"The child, take it, take the chi-" their desperate pleas were silenced in a single snap.
Moro curled her lip in disgust. Humans taste just as bad as they smell. She padded toward the baby wrapped in blankets. To think that its parents would abandon it so easily. No matter, it would join its parents soon. She licked her lips in savage anticipation.
A sharp wail pierced the air. Moro flinched back in shock, ears pressed back. The sound reminded her of her own pups. She shook herself and crouched back down, inching toward the pile of cloth. This was a human; it couldn't be compared to one of her own!
"Mama!" it wailed again. The child caught sight of the gigantic wolf. "Mama!" it squealed, this time happily. Moro's heart melted. It was a little girl, just a child; she had done nothing wrong but to be born to the wrong species. She dragged the girl closer and nuzzled her. Moro thought back to her sons waiting back at the den. Tarou, Jirou, and now, San. Eldest son, second son, and three. She had made her decision.
As Moro gently carried the baby to her den, she wondered how the other spirits would react. The boar god, Nago no Mori, would certainly be enraged, as well as his successor, Okotto Nushi. Perhaps I should appeal to the Shishigami first, she mused. A soft, faint clicking sound tore through her thoughts, ears flicking up.
The sound had come from a kodama, its head spinning erratically. Moro looked at it, amused, as more and more of them appeared, teeming around the wolf goddess. They gestured wildly, curious as to what was in her maw.
Moro set the baby down, glancing wearily at the tiny spirits that crawled towards it. San gazed at them in awe, a hand outstretched as if to catch one. The kodama gently patted her head in approval. Moro felt relief wash over her. If they approved of San, then no one could judge her; the kodama only reside in forests that were healthy.
They suddenly froze and looked past her shoulder. One of them pointed, prompting Moro to glance back. Her heart nearly stopped. The Shishigami stood, a few ways behind. It gave the slightest of nods and the feeling returned to Moro's paws. She made her way to her den with renewed vigor, striding into her cave to meet her cubs.
Moro was met with a squeaking howl. She chuckled as she set the human child down next to her pups, watching fondly over them. "Tarou, Jirou, meet your new sister, San. She may be a human, but I expect you all to treat her equally."
The other gods may scorn her, but the joy she felt as San nestled beside her adoptive brothers was worth it. If one of them ever even harmed a hair on San's head, she would shred them apart. Let them try, Moro sneered to herself. As if they could ever defy me. She curled up next to her precious cubs, and slowly drifted off to sleep.
山犬 犬神 山犬 犬神 山犬 犬神 山犬
A young woman perched up at the top of the trees, watching the wolf clan. Her head of long brown hair was encircled by a black headband; on her arms were matching bands. Her face bore three crimson, fang-shaped marks. A white cloak made of a wolf's pelt hung off her shoulders, held by a string of fangs, with two red, ear-like attachments.
The woman smiled softly, a slight look of longing tinting her face as she looked over at the sleeping family. A kodama materialized on her shoulder, head spinning, and glanced up. It reached out and tugged at her hair, encouraging her to follow. More of them stood farther out in the woods, waiting.
The woman understood and leapt from tree to tree, following their path. She took one last glimpse of the wolves and slipped back into the forest, pulling a blood red mask over her face, earrings glinting in the fading light.
Yay~! First chapter is finally done! After a lot of pestering from someone else of course. Speaking of which, you better update! Please? (You know who you are.) I apologize for any mistakes or inconsistent tenses.
Beta'ed by I am in Loki's Army.