1Hey y'all
Disclaimer: Princess Mononoke does not belong to me (unfortunately) just the idea.
This fic will be rated for mature audiences. The romantic references will be weird for she is a wolf and does not know human nature so bear with me.
Toodles
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The forest that lay at the edge of Iron Town was making extremely slow progress compared to its neighbor town to rebuilt itself. What had once been a labyrinth of trees and rare flowers were long gone, leaving only bones and traces of what had been. The foundation was strong though, the grass full and lush, the few trees that had grown were growing strong and healthy, and a few animals had come back. However, as a young woman looked around her environment, crouched in a very animalistic way, she could see it was not the Forest spirit's forest. Perhaps, it would never fully be what it had been once. It would not keep her from trying though. Being raised by wolves, she had been taught to be stubborn. It was in her blood.
Her dark blue eyes swept over the landscape. She could see very far from the mountain she was currently residing in. The forest now belonged to her, San of Moro's clan. This beautiful, ugly and unfulfilled forest reminded San more and more of herself. There were times where she could barely raise her eyes to see what had been spawned out of nothing and death. Instead of being proud and overjoyed at the process her forest was making, she would feel a sense of emptiness and loneliness. It would crawl into her body, eat her insides and spit her out alive. This feeling was only intensified by other nagging feelings; nagging feelings brought by a human. A measly human, one that should mean nothing to her, one that should be less than dirt to her for his whole race had brought the end of her forest. They had killed a God and doomed her to bear the weight of responsibility. It was times like these that San became incredible selfish and hoped dearly that her mother had not died. Her mother would have protected her, saved her from these human emotions. But then again, she had been the one who had told her about his desire to spend his life with her. She had stirred San's feelings, made them surface and now... well, now she couldn't get rid of them.
It had been many sundowns since she had seen him last. She had not smelled him in a long time. His smell was of a human but it did not bother her for some reason. In fact, she relished in it. It awakened something in her that had been asleep for all her life.
Again, a repulsive feeling had taken over her, made her shiver with fear. But she wanted him. Her need for him was great and it now consumed her just as Ashitaka's curse had almost consumed him. But it was because of these feelings that she was happy he did not come to visit her. He would do nothing more than confuse her even more. She couldn't have this, not when the forest depended on her.
She sighed deeply.
A low growl had jerked her back to the present. She felt a hot burst of air from behind her and she quickly recognized it.
"San," said a low, guttural voice behind her.
"Hi, Kendo" came her reply.She turned to find her older wolf brother looking at her tentatively. He nuzzled his wet nose on her arm before borrowing under it. San smiled and scratched him between his eyes.
"What is bothering you this time, sister?" he growled softly.
Sighing, she shook her head.
"I'm not feeling well, that's all"
Kendo raised his green-eyes and looked at her curiously. He seemed to be thinking of how to talk to her delicately, something unheard of from a wolf god. But San had been moody since the forest fell, more ferocious than she had been before. Kendo had to admit that a ferocious human was more dangerous than a wolf at times. The many times San and her brothers would play to release some stress, the wolves would come out with many injuries and wounds. They truly did not mind, they could take it. As long as they knew their sister felt better, it really didn't matter to them. They had spent many moons together, from the times they were cubs and did not fully trust this human to when they could no longer see the difference between them. And so, to Kendo, to help his sister was his sole purpose at this moment. He knew, though, that to do this, he would have to tell her what she did not want to hear.
"Are you thinking of that human again, sister?" Kendo quietly asked, resting his head on her knees.
San growled fiercely.
"NO!" San shouted loudly, "I'm not going to waste my time on him. I'm thinking about this forest and how to make it better."
Kendo growled slightly but knew better than to drop it.
"It's alright if you are, you know," he started slowly, "You are my sister and you will always be...but you are still a human"
San gasped quietly, looking at her brother with a hurt expression.
"And what if I am?' she asked quietly, "It means nothing, it's just my human form. I'm still a wolf in spirit."
Kendo nodded.
"I will never deny that. However, you cannot refuse the fact that you have been pining for him to come back and visit you as he promised"
San scoffed. She glared at the shadow of what was Iron Town.
"He'd rather be with that wretched woman than with me, let it be so then,"she muttered angrily, "I have a forest to rebuilt and I cannot let anything get in my way."
He noticed her bitterness and thought about the human boy before he spoke. Ashitaka was not like the humans he met. He had a good heart and soul (though it did not necessarily meant that Kendo trusted him completely) and seemed to accept San for whatever she was. But he was taking a long time to visit her. He hadn't forgotten her, had he? He decided to drop the subject for now. He had to figure some things out first. Did he really want San and Ashitaka to be together? His reason to believe they should be together is that it made San happy. But so far, San had been troubled and sad. He looked out into the forest before speaking.
"The forest seems healthy", said Kendo.
San relaxed perceptively. She nodded but soon her eyebrows knitted together in worry.
"The ape tribe is yet to return, though"
"After what happened, it is reasonable"
San nodded but still seemed to be worried.
"Still, It's troubling. Without them, the trees will not come back and the ones already here will not develop properly"
"Do not trouble yourself," said Kendo as San laid back and burrowed in between her brother's fur, "They will return once they see what a beautiful forest you have helped develop."
San nodded but sleep was taking over. Kendo raised his head and let San get comfortable next to him. Once she stopped moving, he rested his head on her leg once more and fell asleep, his human sister next to him and a full moon glowing brightly in the sky.
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While the forest rested on a beautiful night, the women of iron town pumped the bellows to keep the fires going. The men were retiring for the night and the only sounds heard were those of the women's songs. Other than the women, few were awake. Lady Eboshi and Ashitaka were two of them. They were facing each other, faces serious as was their discussion.
"Iron Town is not reproducing as much iron as it once did," said Lady eboshi in her usual calm tone, "It's bothering me."
Ashitaka nodded, looking at the tallies that lay before her. His handsome face lighted by the fire in the room.
"You cannot expect to rise up so quickly," he said quietly as he looked at her. "The town is coming along great though. We finished the last house today, all we need to do is rebuilt the town market. The dealers are scurrying around everywhere, it's causing a big mess."
"Mmm, yes" was all Lady Eboshi said. She looked at the fire for a while, doing nothing else but thinking. Ashitaka looked at her, for she was truly beautiful and elegant. He had come to respect her for her strength and leadership skills. She could command the whole town to do her bidding with a single look. Her women followed her every word for she treated them well. The lepers were the same as the women. They were grateful to have found such a kind soul. Yet she had succeeded in killing the Forest spirit and destroyed a Forest without remorse. She was a strange woman, no doubt. She turned to face him, her face passive as always.
"How long has it been, Ashitaka, since you went to the forest?"
Her question took him by surprise. He knew the answer to the question immediately, though. He had counted every day.
"Seventeen days, My lady"
Eboshi nodded.
"What did you promise your wild princess, Ashitaka?"
Ashitaka's gaze wavered. His stormy eyes returned to the fire. He clearly remember his promise, a promise he had not kept.
"Once the town is built, I will visit her. For now, the town needs me more than she does"
Eboshi chuckled. His eyes returned to hers which were glittering with amusement.
"What makes you say that? Do you know this for sure? Do you really think she's that strong?". Lady Eboshi shook her head before continuing, her hair glittering like fish scales caught in the sun.
"She is also human. Her needs are the same as any other woman."
"What do you mean by this?" asked Ashitaka, his brows knitted together.
"I mean, you should visit her soon. That girl needs you more than you think--" she paused for a second before continuing, "and I think the same goes for you, perhaps even more."
Ashitaka looked at his hands, knowing what she said was true. He was in love with San, from the very first moment he had seen her, her mouth and hands covered in blood looking as a savage would. Her eyes had been dark and pure with concern for her mother, then with hatred as she looked at him. He had fallen in her eyes, entranced in them. They haunted his dreams, his days and afternoons. He missed her greatly but he also had a responsibility to Iron Town.
"Ashitaka" said Lady Eboshi quietly, "We can manage without you for a day or so. Visit her and stop moping around."
"And what brought this, Lady Eboshi?" His dark eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her.
She sighed.
"I do not pretend that I do not have feelings for you." she started slowly, "However, I know it is fruitless every time your gaze goes to the forest to where she lives."
She chuckled darkly.
"To tell you the truth, I need you to leave. I need some time, even if it's a day, to not be haunted by you."
Ashitaka said nothing and did nothing. Lady Eboshi looked at him intensely. Her eyes were sad and tired.
"Will you do this for me and leave for a day?"
Ashitaka nodded.
"I shall leave tomorrow morning, then." He raised himself to his feet and bowed slightly to her.
"Good night, Lady Eboshi"
"And to you, Ashitaka"
Her eyes never left him as he turned and left her chambers. She sighed quietly as the door shut and her eyes traveled to her window. The forest was quiet and dark. Somewhere there, a young woman slept and dreamed of her love just as Lady Eboshi so often did. The only difference was, her dreams would come true while Eboshi's would remain only dreams.
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Ashitaka walked back through the streets of Iron Town. Many of the women working waved at him and giggled. He smiled and waved back, walking towards them. He stopped in front of Kina, a young new arrival from yet another brothel in the city. She blushed slightly, her beautiful young face glowing.
"Do you know where Toki is, Kina?"
She nodded.
"Is she working?"
Kina shook her head.
"She's home?"
Again, she nodded.
"Thanks, Kina. Have a good night."
She smiled back at him and gave him a thumbs up. She had come a few days ago and they soon found out she was mute. It meant nothing to them, of course. She participated in the women's games against the men and fit in like the rest. Everyone saw she was beautiful but they also knew that outside Iron town, she'd have no place to fit in.
Ashitaka continued his journey and stopped in front of a nice looking house. The lights were on so he didn't have to worry about waking them. He could hear Toki's voice from all the way out there.
"Your arm better be healin', It's been a month already!"
"My little bumblebee," came Koroku's voice, as if trying to tame her rage, "Yesterday's injury did not help the recovery an—"
"If you'd be more careful, that wouldn't have happened. The Gods laugh at me for picking such a husband–"
Ashitaka laughed quietly. Toki was almost always angry at her husband. Yet, he had also seen how much she truly loved her "idiot" husband as she so often put it. She cared for him when he had been injured, showered him with love and kisses. It seemed they truly enjoyed each others presence. Many of the women joked that their fighting was their form of foreplay. Toki had blushed and said a few choice words that had left them rolling with laughter.
Ashitaka knocked on their door and it was quickly opened by Koroku, his face quite relieved to see him there.
"Ashitaka, welcome, welcome" he pulled him inside quickly, "My flower, look who's here."
"Ashitaka!"
Her face turned into a bright smile as she hugged him.
"Finally, a real man walks into my house," she quickly turned, picked up a jar of pickles and handed it to him.
"I can't open it and my weakling of HUSBAND here can't either"
Behind Ashitaka, Koroku gave a renounced sigh.
"My arm is still a bit tender, especially after yesterday's accident," explained Koroku quietly. Ashitaka nodded as he pried open the jar. He remembered the accident; a couple of loose tree barks had fallen off the house that stored the animals and threatened to hit some women who had been walking by. Many men, Koroku included, had burst in and saved them, getting hurt by the logs. He handed the jar back to a happier Toki.
"What brings you here, Ashi?"
Grimacing slightly at her nickname for him, he accepted the seat Koroku offered him. Koroku sat on the other side of the table.
"I'm leaving tomorrow, I'm going to the forest."
Toki, who had been preoccupied with her cooking, turned around in the middle of her chopping.
"Whatever for?" she asked, surprised, the leaves the had chopped still hanging on the knife.
"I'm gonna visit San,"said Ashitaka.
"The wolf girl?" Her eyes narrowed towards him, "Why?"
Ashitaka thought for a moment. Did he want her to know? Why should she not? She, along with her husband, were his closest friends.
"I promised to visit her as often as I could and so far, I haven't at all."
Toki began pouring the leaves into the boiling pot. She began stirring slowly, the fumes filling the house with a good scent of homemade food.
"You've fallen for her, Ashi?"
Ashitaka nodded.
"Isn't she a little bit...wild?" said Toki carefully, as to not upset him.
He was not but he thought for a minute.
"I suppose. She has been living with wolves her whole life." He paused as he fondly remembered how he had first laid eyes on her. Yes, she was wild. He would have known this even if she wasn't covered in blood, her eyes said everything.
"But she's also more human than some."
Toki picked up a bowl and filled it with food. She walked towards the table and stood in front of Ashitaka. Koroku groaned, no longer paying attention to what Ashitaka was saying, his arms outstretched towards the soup.
"Well, I wish nothing but the best for both of you. It doesn't take a wise woman to know you both have a long road ahead of you."
Koroku's groaning had become louder and Toki growled, sounding more like a wolf herself.
"Alright already" she handed him the bowl, "here!"
Koroku ate at lighting speed as Toki turned and walked back to the stove. She filled two more bowls and walked back to the table. She handed one to Ashitaka and sat down next to him. "You think she'll get along with us now?"
Ashitaka thought for a moment before he filled his mouth with food. He munched thoughtfully before swallowing.
"I don't think she knows Eboshi means no harm now." He filled his mouth again before continuing, "I should probably inform her."
Toki nodded.
"Maybe you should bring her over" said Koroku at last, his bowl empty and a satisfied smile on his face. Toki choked on her food before making an odd noise in the back of her throat.
"That's a stup—"
"No, that may actually help her trust us."
Toki looked at him, surprised. Ashitaka smiled at her expression for there weren't many times that Toki was left speechless.
After he finished, they talked loosely of the progress of Iron Town and what else they could do to make it better. The sun had already set and many insects had awoken, making many noises that sounded almost like a symphony. Ashitaka left Toki's house with many gifts to take on his journey. His mood was light and airy as he made his way to his hut just outside Iron Town. He spend the rest of the evening packing a few essentials such as his bowl, a change of clothes in case he stayed the night (which he doubted but it didn't hurt to be prepared) and the food Toki had given him. He slept soundly, longingly awaiting for the day to come.
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The next day the environment seemed to be in a good mood, the sun was shining brightly, the air was cool and clean, and the atmosphere was lively. Ashitaka prepared for his journey into the woods and left with Yakuul as soon as day broke. They made their way through a thin forest for many of the trees near the border had not come back yet. It was full of life, however. Many insect chirped and twirped with life and racoons and rats frolicked around bursting with energy. Ashitaka passed them all, happy at the fact that the forest was doing well. His joy grew as he saw many Kudamas running next to him and climbing the trees around them. The woodland was healthy he knew thanks to those who were helping.
He went deeper into the woods but he could see no trace of San or her brothers. By now, the sun was high in the sky and he decided to rest for a while. He dismounted Yakuul and fed him. Looking around, he remembered what San had said about the forest not being the same as the Forest Spirit's. He could see what she meant but he was an optimistic at heart. He knew she could make this into a better forest, not only because she loved it so much but because she was human. As a human, she could protect it in ways that animals could not. He only wished she could tell her that but so far he had yet to see any indication that she was near.
Lost in thought, he did not hear the rustling behind him until it was too late. He gasped loudly as large wolf jumped from behind him and faced him, his face ferocious.
"Human! What brings you into this forest?"
Once he saw who it was, Ashitaka settled himself though he did not let his guard down. He was about to speak before another wolf joined his brother, landing next to him with the utmost precision.
"Answer human!" barked the younger brother, Kanha.
"I'm here to see San" responded Ashitaka quietly, looking at the two wolves.
They growled deep in their throats.
"What for?" asked Kanha, coming closer to Ashitaka.
"I want to see her and keep my promise"
Kanha came closer still, smelled him carefully before retreating.
"And what if she does not wish to see you?"
Ashitaka thought for a second, briefly wondering why would she not want to see him. Had he done something wrong? Was it that he had taken so long to see her?
"Then I would like her to tell me herself" came his calm response.
Both brothers growled yet again.
"Very well. Stay and she will come"
Ashitaka nodded as they left. He sat down next to Yakuul who had not been as surprised as Ashitaka to see the wolves.
"You could have given a warning they were coming, you know"
Yakuul nuzzled his masters neck though Ashitaka had the feeling he was internally laughing.
San reluctantly climbed on her brother's back. They had told her about their encounter with Ashitaka and told her what had been spoken. She agreed to come with them though she did not make clear whether it was to tell him off or to be with him. They slowed their pace down as they came nearer and eventually stopped a few steps from where he was. San got off and told them to leave her with him. They said nothing but followed her wish. They ran off into the forest and left a very scared San behind. She took a breath and walked to where he was. She could see only his back, he was saying something to Yakuul and was not paying much attention to anything else. He was dressed in his usual clothes though she could see they were not the ones he had worn when she first met him. Those had probably been torn beyond belief after their last encounter with the forest spirit. Her clothes had been ripped as well and she had no choice but to sew them again. She must have looked raggedly but she did not care. Who did she had to impress? His clothes must have been made in Iron Town, probably by the command of that Eboshi lady.
She walked towards him and as if he sensed her, he turned around to face her. His passive face turned into a small smile, his stormy bluish grayish eyes shining. She did nothing but walk towards him until she was standing in front him.
"Hello San," said Ashitaka quietly, as if they were in a sacred temple.
She said nothing but patted Yakuul when he came to her. They stayed this way for some time. Finally, San spoke.
"Yakuul looks healthy" said San, not looking at the boy in front of her but she could feel his nod.
"He's been enjoying the grass around our hut"
San nodded but did not look up.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to keep my promise"
San scoffed slightly.
"A little late, aren't you?"
"But I'm here, right?" His hand reached for her arm but she stepped back. "San?"
"How's Iron Town coming along? I bet you're really helping out, huh."
Ashitaka stepped towards her only for her to step back.
"Yes. But I'm here to be with you now. My duties over there are almost done."
San finally looked up but only to glare at him.. He was reminded of her brother's own glares.
"We don't need your help here. You're just a human, you can't be of any help."
"You're helping and you're human."
Ashitaka instantly regretted saying this. Her eyes, the same color of the night sky, flashed dangerously.
"You are in my realm, Ashitaka" she said seriously, "be careful of what you say"
His eyes narrowed.
"What will you do, San?" He stepped closer and prevented her from stepping back by holding her arms.
She struggled for a second before staying put.
"What do you want?" she asked, defeated. He held her to his chest, her scent drifted to his nose, a scent of woods and leaves.
"Just to be here, with you"
She buried her face in his chest. She noticed how more toned he was, probably because of his work at Iron Town. His arms had become muscular, his chest as well. The human scent did not bother her, it was unique. Clean and clear.
"I wish to stay here for a day or so, if that's ok with you and your brothers"
San nodded.
"I'd also like to see how the forest is coming along."
San raised her head to look at him. He had a small smile on his lips which drew out her own.
"Come"
She turned to walk away but Ashitaka grabbed hold of her hand. She looked at him funny.
"What?"
"What?" he said back.
"Why are you grabbing my hand?"
Ashitaka chuckled.
"I forget you don't know human gestures," her eyes narrowed dangerously again but he just smiled sweetly.
"It's an intimate gesture. It shows closeness."
San nodded but said quickly, "I'm not human so why try this?"
"Well, You are dealing with a human so maybe you should get a little used to the human ways."
San growled.
"But I'm not hum—wait, Are you—? You're trying to turn me into one."
Ashitaka's mouth dropped in surprise.
"No, not at all. San—" but by then San had let go of his hand and began walking away. Ashitaka sighed deeply. He began to follow after her.
"San, I don't want to turn you into anything," he said to her back, "I love you for what you are."
That did the trick. San stopped so quickly that Ashitaka ran into her. He used this opportunity to turn her around and lift her chin. Her eyes met his and she knew he was not lying.
Mentally, she cursed her weakness for him. He could be using her and she was willingly falling for it. She knew this was not true but some part of her needed to lie to herself.
"Try to understand I don't want anything other than what you are," he continued quietly, "but I am human and I may try to show you my feelings through human ways, such as holding hands. Don't wolves have ways of showing affection?"
San nodded.
"We lick each other but I don't do it to my brothers. They're too furry."
And without thinking properly, San stood on her toes (for Ashitaka had grown taller over the past few weeks, she noticed) and licked his cheek. For his part, Ashitaka did nothing but stand there, surprised to say the least, as she licked him and turned, holding his hand and walking deeper into the forest. He could feel a huge smile forming on his face as he let himself be led by the wolf girl into her dominion, knowing he probably looked like a grinning idiot.
He found that he didn't care.
Tired after a day of walking around the big forest, San and Ashitaka returned to San's den. There, they ate what the two wolves had hunted down. Though San and her brothers ate the meat raw, Ashitaka decided to build a fire to cook the meat with. The wolves scoffed at him, teasing his human ways. He tried to convince them to taste it but they denied instantly. He did convince San to try it and to her surprise, she liked it. He had put many spices into the meat and her palette had melted in ecstasy. While they enjoyed the food, the sun was setting beyond the mountains. They stayed quiet while they watched the sun set, a truly magnificent sight. Soon, night took over and the insect came alive again. After an eventful day, San's brothers retired, leaving San and Ashitaka alone. Yakuul had fallen asleep hours ago and wouldn't wake up until the next day. Seeing this, the wolves growled a warning to Ashitaka.
"We will be near. Try anything and my jaws shall break your skull."
And so they left.
Ashitaka took their warning to heart though he didn't know exactly what they meant. His hand found San's and they laid back, watching the many constellations in the endless sky. He could not see these stars from Iron Town. The smoke often obstructed his view. Now, he could see many shooting stars, falling helplessly from the sky. He felt calm, a strange feeling of happiness and comfort. Sleep began to take over him when San spoke.
"You are to go back tomorrow?"
Ashitaka turned his head to look at her.
"Yes."
San kept looking at the stars.
"Will you come back?"
"Of course I will"
San sat up, hugging her knees and looking into the woods. He followed suit and stared at her. A cold breeze swept them, her skirt flying wildly around her legs. He did not remember ever feeling such a breeze in the forest. It was probably because of the many trees that were missing. He said so to San who did nothing but look sad and nod.
"What's wrong?"
Sh sighed tiredly.
"The forest is not coming back."
Ashitaka frowned. She had shown him the forest a few hours back. It looked healthy and fit.
"What makes you say that?"
"Look around you, Ashitaka. There are too few trees and many animals have not come back." She sighed once again, "The apes are not back yet."
Now he knew what worried her so. The Ape tribe were the ones who planted the trees, essentially they kept the forest alive.
"Haven't you planted some?"
"Well, of course. But they are the ones who do it more efficiently. They keep the trees healthy and well."
She shook her head.
"I can't do all that."
Ashitaka embraced her, slightly surprised when she leaned back against him. He did not know what to tell her other than words of comfort. They stayed that way for some time before she broke away from the embrace and crouched in front of him.
"Will you help me bring the forest back?"
Ashitaka looked at her and responded quickly.
"Of course"
A smile broke in her face and she laughed.
"Well then, stay! Don't go back"
"You know I have to, San."
Her face turned angry and she made a weird noise in the back of her throat.
"That woman, she's bewitching you."
Ashitaka struggled to bite back his laughter.
"No one's bewitching me. Well, at least not Eboshi."
San's eyes narrowed, trying to figure out what he meant. Ashitaka took this opportunity to snake his arm around her waist and bring her close to him. He could feel her breath on his face which speeded up at their closeness. Her eyes met his, the moonlight hitting her from behind, making her glow against him. He could not help but bring his lips to hers for there was a yearning to be near her and to be one with her. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the softness of her lips.
While he was enjoying this, San did nothing more than wonder what this was. Her eyes were wide with curiosity, taking a few seconds to see him so close and in such ecstasy. She was about to close her eyes, thinking it would help her understand this experience when he broke away.
They stared at each other for a few seconds before Ashitaka laughed.
"What's so funny?" demanded San angrily, it had not been her fault he had done something so stupid and strange.
"Nothing" he said, trying to calm himself.
Sighing, San asked, "What was that?"
"It's called a kiss"
San frowned.
"A kiss?" Ashitaka nodded. "What does it do?"
He thought for a second, trying to figure out how to explain it to her.
"It's an intimate gesture, like holding hands, except it's a lot more intimate than that"
San shook her head in disbelief.
"What's with you humans and intimate things?"
Ashitaka smiled. "It shows closeness and love. Did you not enjoy it?"
"I never said that. It was—strange"
Ashitaka chuckled.
"What do I have to do?"
"Well, I kiss you and you respond back"
"How?"
"Anyway you want, people have different ways, I guess"
Understanding, San nodded and leaned towards him, willing to try again.
Ashitaka touched his lips with hers, feeling a little weirder now that they had discussed what it takes to kiss someone. He expected very little from her since she's never done this before. He certainly did not expect what she was about to do.
San was not a very patient woman. She did not deny that the sensation of his lips on hers did not pleasure her but was that all there is to it? She remembered what he had said, 'people have different ways'. Well, she was a wolf and that was her way. Her tongue swept across his lips slowly and to San's surprise, he jerked back.
"Was that not a way to respond?" she asked a very taken back Ashitaka. He shook his head.
"No, you just surprised, that's all"
"Oh"
She leaned in again and repeated her gesture. Now it was her turn to be surprised for he copied her motion and their tongues met. Both of them were rather new to this but they went with the flow. His hands traveled down her arms, soft and smooth. He put the around his shoulders and ran down her sides and around her waist, pulling her closer still. They enjoyed each other for some times, the only sound was their hearts beating wildly.
San was sure the emotion she felt would eat her alive. It grew in the very pit of her stomach and traveled throughout her whole body. She felt nothing else but the kiss, overwhelming her quickly with feelings, both emotionally and physically she had never felt before. They frightened her but she did not want t o pull away. However, it grew past a point where she knew she had to pull away.
She jerked back from him, her lips swollen and eyes still closed.
"San?" said Ashitaka, hoarsely.
San buried her face in his neck, scared at what she was feeling. He put his arm around her and held her tight. He leaned back, one arm around San, the other behind his head. She listened to his heart, beating wildly matching her own. They stayed like this for what seemed an eternity.
The forest had been silent up to this point but soon the sound of the Kumadas clicking filled the air.
"They do that every night" said San sadly, "They still wait for the Forest spirit to appear before them."
His arm tightened its hold around her.
"It'll be ok, San. Trust me."
She said nothing but buried her face once more in his neck. The sounds of the Kudamas clicking hopefully carried them both to sleep.
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Hiya! I will try to continue the story as quickly as it's humanly possible (hopefully, I'll get good reviews)
Toodles