Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Monoke; Hayao Miazaki and Studio Ghibli own it

So, this is my first Princess Monoke fanfic, so please r&r and tell me what you think!

A Shadow on the Horizon

It had been a month since the destruction of Iron -Town and the death of the Great Forest Spirit. Reconstruction of Iron-Town was well underway, and it was progressing far faster than expected, though several months were still need before it was complete. This was mainly due to the presence and help of Ashitaka, the young warrior that had come to the town not to long before. Even though his curse had been lifted, he still retained part of his demon-strength, and so he stayed, true to his word, to help rebuild. Also with the help of Ashitaka, Iron-Town no longer collected and refined Iron. They had converted to more environmentally conscious work, such as farming and fishing.

This particular day, Ashitaka was on guard duty. Though Iron-Town no longer needed to fear to Gods, as a truce had been made, samurai and Demons were still a threat.

~ASHITAKA'S POV~

I stared into the forest, deep in thought. I wonder where San is, and what she is doing? I'll have to visit her again soon. He was so deeply engrossed in thought that he failed to notice a lone figure make it's way out of the forest.

Another of the guards ran up to him. "Young Master, who is that coming out of the forest?" He asked. I snapped out of it. Turning toward where the man was pointing, I squinted my eyes against the bright sun, trying to make out the figure.

"I don't know… Gonza!" I called, making my way down out of the watchtower.

"What?" Gonza replied irritably.

"Open the gate. I am going to go see who approaches. I cannot make them out from this distance." I responded. I gave a short whistle, and Yakuul trotted towards me from the direction of the stables. Soon we was galloping toward the figure. Who could it be?

~SAN'S POV~

It was a beautiful day. Kenta, Juan and I were out hunting near the outskirts of the forest, close to Iron-town. I think they suspected the real reason for hunting out this way; the possibility of encountering Ashitaka. Whenever he is away, I find myself more irritable and short-tempered. And that fact usually make me even more irritated, and so I usually end up taking it out on my brothers. I would feel bad, but all I have to do is remember all the times they have teased me and I don't feel bad anymore.

Suddenly, Kenta, whom I am riding, halted. "Do you smell that?" He asked Juan and I. I sniffed the air warily. A sharp scent soon hit my nostrils. I curled my lip, half in disgust, half in worry.

"Blood" I replied.

Juan nodded in agreement. "Lots of it, and nearby." He stated. The three of us stealthily crept towards the source. As we got closer, I could feel the waves of agony rolling off whatever was ahead of us. Whatever it was, it was in a lot of pain.

We soon were able to spot to origin of the blood. A human was making it's way out of the forest. It seemed to be limping heavily, and we could all see the trail of blood it was leaving. We made our way cautiously closer. I suddenly noticed a rider making his way towards us; a rider on a red elk. Ashitaka.

~UNKNOWN POV~

Pain. That is all I can feel. Emerging from the forest, I relished the feeling of the sun on my face. In that distance I spotted a town. Maybe I can make it there… maybe there's still time.. No. It was a useless hope. I knew I could never make it there, and even if I did, they couldn't save me. I only barely felt myself collapse, sinking onto my knees. So this is how it all ends?… As my vision started to fade I saw a rider approaching me. Too late… I thought ruefully. I wasn't even aware as hands tenderly turned me onto my back. That's interesting, when did I end up on my stomach in the first place? Oh well. Is someone talking to me? I can't hear them. I can barely see. I'm sorry. Goodbye. And with that thought, my world faded completely to black.

~GENERAL POV~

As Ashitaka neared the strange figure, he saw San and her brothers emerge from the forest. Waving them over, the dismounted and walked to the person. He had watched them collapse as he neared, and they were now laying on their front, a pool of blood beginning to form around the body. He knelt by the stranger and tenderly turned them over. They were wearing a set of clothes very similar to his own, except in shades of green and black. A black mask was covering the lower half of the face, and a sword, also very similar to his own hung on the left hip. A warrior… he realized. He looked up as he heard footsteps. San knelt beside him. Turning back, he carefully remove the mask, curious. They both gasped as they viewed the face. Or, rather, her face.

"She doesn't look as though she could be any older than sixteen years old." Ashitaka said. San decided to examine the source of the blood; a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. "It looks like the bullet went right through her shoulder." San told Ashitaka. He placed his ear against her chest. There… A faint beating. She was still alive. Barely. He looked at her face. For some reason, he felt like he should know her. He shook the feeling. But as he watched her, fighting for her life as she slowly bled to death, he came to a decision.

"San, I need you and your brothers to help me bring her to pool of the forest spirit." He said urgently. He knew that even though the Great Forest Spirit's physical body was killed, he still resided in everything, and the sacred pool possessed incredible healing powers.

"What? No!" San took a step back from him. "We don't even know who she is!" She argued vehemently.

"I know, but I'm not going to just sit here and watch her die without trying to help!" Ashitaka countered. "And…" He paused. "I feel like… I should know her… like we've met before." He said quietly. San stared at him. Finally, she came to a decision. Sighing ,she slipped her arms under the girl's legs. "Help me get her onto Kenta. I will ride him and you can ride Juan. They will be faster than Yakuul." She said.

Ashitaka gave her a look of gratitude, then grabbed her upper body and lifted her onto Kenta before turning to Yakuul. "Wait here, I'll be back for you" He said. He climbed onto Juan. He had barely sat down when the wolves took off at top speed. They knew the urgency. They could feel the girl's life slipping away by the minute.

They raced through the forest, soon coming to the edge of the pool. Ashitaka and San carefully slipped the girl off Kenta and waded through the pool. Once they reached the island, they rested he head and neck on the island, leaving the rest of her body in the water. They carefully stepped off the island. Standing hip-deep in the water, they bowed their heads and prayed. Please, heal her Great Spirit. She is so young, and I wish to know why she seems so familiar. Ashitaka prayed. Opening his eyes, he stared in wonder at what he saw. Her body started to glow with a faint blue light, ruffling the surface of the water, and as he watch, the cloud of blood flowing from her shoulder slowed, then ceased altogether. Color began to return to her face, and soon had filled her face with life. Then, just as suddenly as it started, the blue glow faded away, and the water was still once more.

Ashitaka exchanged glances with San, then they made there way once more to the island. As they crouched over her, her eyes slowly began to open. Ashitaka gazed at them; They were a startling bright aqua color. He felt as though he was drowning in the bottomless depths of a sparkling sea. He smiled reassuringly at her. "Don't worry, you will be alright"

Suddenly, those eyes gained a sharpness, and her look became one of disbelief.

"Ashitaka?"

Yay! First chapter done! BTW, Kenta is the elder one, and Juan is the younger one.

Please R&R, I really want to know how I did!