Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Mononke or Ashitaka, or Lady Eboshi, or any of the others characters to apply. Miyazaki does.

Hey again. Sorry this update took a while but I was busy. About the names, I am not a Japanese speaker so if the names don't make sense please forgive me. :D So lets get started shall we.

Meaning of names:

Kazuki: "Harmonious hope."

Tsuki: "Moon"

Mysticbreeze327

Chapter 2:

Ashitaka stared at his friend, his mouth open, and eyes wide. "Kaya's dying?" "Of what?"

"Medicine woman doesn't know what the sickness is. It is something we have never seen before," Kazuki said solemnly. "She looks healthy, though pale, but she claims to feel as if her insides are on fire and then as cold as ice. That was when she could talk without to much trouble."

"I must go see her!" Ashitaka exclaimed, striding over to the door. Stopping himself he turned and bowed to the tall woman. "If Lady Eboshi allows."

Kazuki couldn't help notice that the girl with the stripes on her forehead and cheeks looked slightly angered at Ashitaka's quickness to go to Kaya's aid. Despite the current situation, he mentally grinned. "Had Ashitaka found himself a girl? Then I shall conveniently not tell her that Kaya is his sister. I want to see how far this goes."

Eboshi raised one long thin eyebrow. "You have been very rude Ashitaka." Despite her words, her voice was light and she wasn't angry. "I am Lady Eboshi, leader of Iron Town, and my companion is San, Princess of the spirit wolves of the forest, also known as Princess Mononke, and you obviously know Ashitaka. Prince you say?"

Kazuki bowed at each and said, "I am Kazuki, cousin of Ashitaka." He stared at the other two as they waited, obviously waiting for more information of where he came from. But his origin was a close guarded secret and only Ashitaka would have the right to tell. The Emishi people had hidden for hundreds of years, and he wasn't about to break that record. He glanced at Ashitaka, who subtlety shook his head, pointing at the walls. Kazuki, understanding his hints, turned to Eboshi. "Is there anywhere we can talk without being overheard?"

Nodding, Lady Eboshi rose and walked to the entrance. The rest of the group followed in single file, first Ashitaka, then Kazuki, and lastly San, who looked warily around, gripping her spear tightly. Tsuki was waiting patiently outside, her beautiful face gazing over to the east side of the village. Kazuki walked over and grabbed her reins and looked at Ashitaka, a question in his eyes.

Ashitaka grinned at him and carefully raising his fingers to his lips, blew. A shrill noise erupted from his fingers, and everyone except Tsuki and Kazuki jumped. A clatter of hooves against stone came from the east side of the plaza and Yakul appeared, without saddle or bridle, and trotted over to Ashitaka. Tsuki whinnied in joy at seeing him, and Yakul answered similarly. Only intense discipline stopped them from running to each other. Yakul trotted over to Ashitaka's side, where Ashitaka then started to stroke his muzzle absently. Murmuring quietly into Yakul's ear, Ashitaka released him, and he walked smoothly over to Tsuki, where they quickly rubbed muzzles.

Lady Eboshi started to grin, and beckoning to her companions (conveniently leaving the two red elks alone) she led them over to a small gate, which led to a garden.

San looked back and said to the two animals, "be safe," and steeped into the garden, closing the gate behind her.

The now fully healed lepers sat working, their nimble hands working on long light guns, which were now only used to protect Iron Town, not to kill the Gods of the forest. The flowers surrounding them were blossoming beautifully and the dawn light shimmered on the dew-covered petals. Shades of subtle blues and purples were surrounded by vibrant reds and oranges. A small grave lay in the middle, the headstone engraved simply with the name "Osa." The small group walked on a stone walkway and into a small wood cottage, which was furnished simply with a mat and a low table. Ashitaka and Kazuki sat in a similar crossed leg fashion while Eboshi sat Japanese style. San stood in the corner, her back straight and her hand clutching her spear tightly.

"So, why did we have to come here," Lady Eboshi asked. "Is there some secret you conveniently forgot to tell us Ashitaka?"
Both the men looked at each other reluctantly, the secret was so precious.

San growled impatiently and stepped forward. "They are both from the last Emishi village in Japan. Yakul told me, remember?"

Eboshi narrowed her eyes. "I thought the last of the Emishi people had been wiped out by the emperor 500 years ago. I guess I was wrong."

Ashitaka finally spoke. "Yes, Kazuki and I are both from the Emishi people. I would like to return home for a while to see Kaya, a girl in my village, who I deeply care about."

Kazuki winced. Now that just sounded bad. Did he want to get killed by San or something? She looked simply murderous.

Eboshi sighed. "You are needed her, but I can't say no really can I? You have done so much for Iron Town I really CAN'T say no. So I guess you may go."

Despite their training of hiding their emotions, Ashitaka grinned and after thanking Lady Eboshi, he turned to Kazuki. "So when shall we go?" clearing suggesting that they should leave now.

Kazuki grimaced. Despite being a seasoned rider, he was sore all over from his long ride. "How about tomorrow?"

Lady Eboshi rang a small bell, summoning one of the ex-lepers, whose name was Lily. After instructing Lily to bring Kazuki to one of the guest rooms, she excused herself and left the cottage. Gesturing to Kasuki, Lily led him out the door, leaving San and Ashitaka alone in the room.

"Soooo," San said, intentionally stressing the word. "Who is this Kaya?" She stroked her sword, the anger showing clearly in her face.

Even though he knew San would never kill him, Ashitaka paled. "It's not what you think San! You see Kaya's my—"

San cut him off, "Your girlfriend? Your fiancée? Just shut up and leave me alone." She walked out the door, her legs and shoulders tense, but her head high.

Ashitaka raced toward the entrance, but the door shut in his face, showering him with splinters. "Leave me alone." Her words echoed in his mind. "Fine I will," he muttered and settled down for some serious meditating.

Another chapter done! I really rushed this one, so it might suck. Sorry, life is very busy right now. For this story I have the beginning and the end all figured out, but the next few chapters are a bit fuzzy in my mind. Any constructive critism would be nice. Thank you!
Mysticbreeze327