Princess Mononoke Continuation Fic
By Danny N.
Chapter Two
The maiden girl San, known as Princess Mononoke, rode on the back of a giant white wolf, one of her brothers, through the depths of the lush green forest that surrounded Iron Town and the mountains around it. Her long spear shaft rested across the wolf's shaggy back. She wore a simple cloth dress with ragged edges and a white wolf pelt on her back, with soft leather shoes on her small feet. Her short brown hair was crudely cut, as though by a knife, and her hard, piercing blue eyes surveyed the glades and tree canopy like a vigilant eagle. Her silver, disc-shaped earrings and wolf fang necklace clinked and tinkled in rhythm to the wolf's rambling gait. Also around her neck was a purplish-blue shard of crystal in the shape of a dagger. Its many facets caught and reflected the sunlight that filtered down through the leaves of the trees, sparkling beautifully.
A cool breeze blew through the trees, rustling the leaves and making them whisper with raspy voices. A chattering bird somewhere in the treetops sang its repetitive song, combining in harmony to the sounds of running water in the brook. A red squirrel, clinging upside down to the rough bark of a pine tree, looked at her and screeched shrilly. San smiled at it and watched as it scurried back up into the safe branches of the tree. This was her forest. It knew her, and she loved it. She was its ruler and guardian, the princess of the spirits of beasts, ghouls, and ancient gods.
The forest melted and ran by in a haze of greens, browns, and grays of all shades. As her wolf brother loped down the familiar deer trails, San relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. The forest was green and healthy again. A year ago, when the humans invaded and killed the animal gods, including the Forest Spirit, the land had become desolate and lifeless. For that Princess Mononoke would never forgive them. But a miracle had saved the forest. The life energy of the Forest Spirit spread out and returned to the land, giving hope back to the mountains and woods. But now that the Forest Spirit was gone, there was no one to protect it from invaders except her and her two wolf brothers--the last of their tribe.
Every now and then, San thought she could feel the presence of the old gods, like forgotten tales that are told and remembered. Sometimes she could almost see the spirit of her adopted mother, Moro, running in the wind and weaving through the trees, magnificent and graceful.
Her wolf brother slowed to a walk and stopped to rest in a small glade surrounded by pale, slim aspens. San dismounted, taking her spear with her and knelt beside a clean, shimmering pool in the center of it. She buried the tip of her weapon in the loam by the base of the trees and knelt down before the pool, sticking a hand into the clear water. It felt cold and refreshing against her skin. She scooped up a few handfuls and drank the sweet water. The huge wolf trotted over to the other side and lapped it up with his huge pink tongue. San gazed at the image of herself in the water. It was distorted and wavering, but when the ripples smoothed themselves out, she could see her reflection clearly. She didn't see herself often, and she didn't like what she saw. Standing in sharp contrast to her light pink skin were three blade-shaped red marks-- one on each cheek and one down the center of her forehead. The tattoos had been on her face for as long as San could remember. It was one of the few ties that linked her to the human race. A mark of the forgotten tribe from whence she came. She loathed those blood red marks. It was a cruel reminder that she was not a wolf like her brothers and mother, but human. The same as those creatures she had grown up despising. When Moro had first told her about them and her human parents who had abandoned their child to the wilderness, San had fled from their home cave into the night, running towards the river by their home as fast as her infant feet could carry her. She had tried vigorously for an hour to scrub off the hated red marks, but without success. When Moro came for her, she found the little girl crying, completely soaked, and shivering in the chilly night air.
"San," came the deep, gruff voice of her brother. San looked up, distracted.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
"There is the scent of a human in the air. Not far from here, but heading deeper into the woods."
"A human?" San mused thoughtfully, automatically reaching for her spear.
"Yes," answered the wolf. "And an elk."
San's stern expression melted into a smile. "Let's go meet him, then," she said gladly, hopping onto his back. Together she and the wolf set out at an easy, loping run, back down the deer trails, into the never- ending trees.
Chapter Two
The maiden girl San, known as Princess Mononoke, rode on the back of a giant white wolf, one of her brothers, through the depths of the lush green forest that surrounded Iron Town and the mountains around it. Her long spear shaft rested across the wolf's shaggy back. She wore a simple cloth dress with ragged edges and a white wolf pelt on her back, with soft leather shoes on her small feet. Her short brown hair was crudely cut, as though by a knife, and her hard, piercing blue eyes surveyed the glades and tree canopy like a vigilant eagle. Her silver, disc-shaped earrings and wolf fang necklace clinked and tinkled in rhythm to the wolf's rambling gait. Also around her neck was a purplish-blue shard of crystal in the shape of a dagger. Its many facets caught and reflected the sunlight that filtered down through the leaves of the trees, sparkling beautifully.
A cool breeze blew through the trees, rustling the leaves and making them whisper with raspy voices. A chattering bird somewhere in the treetops sang its repetitive song, combining in harmony to the sounds of running water in the brook. A red squirrel, clinging upside down to the rough bark of a pine tree, looked at her and screeched shrilly. San smiled at it and watched as it scurried back up into the safe branches of the tree. This was her forest. It knew her, and she loved it. She was its ruler and guardian, the princess of the spirits of beasts, ghouls, and ancient gods.
The forest melted and ran by in a haze of greens, browns, and grays of all shades. As her wolf brother loped down the familiar deer trails, San relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. The forest was green and healthy again. A year ago, when the humans invaded and killed the animal gods, including the Forest Spirit, the land had become desolate and lifeless. For that Princess Mononoke would never forgive them. But a miracle had saved the forest. The life energy of the Forest Spirit spread out and returned to the land, giving hope back to the mountains and woods. But now that the Forest Spirit was gone, there was no one to protect it from invaders except her and her two wolf brothers--the last of their tribe.
Every now and then, San thought she could feel the presence of the old gods, like forgotten tales that are told and remembered. Sometimes she could almost see the spirit of her adopted mother, Moro, running in the wind and weaving through the trees, magnificent and graceful.
Her wolf brother slowed to a walk and stopped to rest in a small glade surrounded by pale, slim aspens. San dismounted, taking her spear with her and knelt beside a clean, shimmering pool in the center of it. She buried the tip of her weapon in the loam by the base of the trees and knelt down before the pool, sticking a hand into the clear water. It felt cold and refreshing against her skin. She scooped up a few handfuls and drank the sweet water. The huge wolf trotted over to the other side and lapped it up with his huge pink tongue. San gazed at the image of herself in the water. It was distorted and wavering, but when the ripples smoothed themselves out, she could see her reflection clearly. She didn't see herself often, and she didn't like what she saw. Standing in sharp contrast to her light pink skin were three blade-shaped red marks-- one on each cheek and one down the center of her forehead. The tattoos had been on her face for as long as San could remember. It was one of the few ties that linked her to the human race. A mark of the forgotten tribe from whence she came. She loathed those blood red marks. It was a cruel reminder that she was not a wolf like her brothers and mother, but human. The same as those creatures she had grown up despising. When Moro had first told her about them and her human parents who had abandoned their child to the wilderness, San had fled from their home cave into the night, running towards the river by their home as fast as her infant feet could carry her. She had tried vigorously for an hour to scrub off the hated red marks, but without success. When Moro came for her, she found the little girl crying, completely soaked, and shivering in the chilly night air.
"San," came the deep, gruff voice of her brother. San looked up, distracted.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
"There is the scent of a human in the air. Not far from here, but heading deeper into the woods."
"A human?" San mused thoughtfully, automatically reaching for her spear.
"Yes," answered the wolf. "And an elk."
San's stern expression melted into a smile. "Let's go meet him, then," she said gladly, hopping onto his back. Together she and the wolf set out at an easy, loping run, back down the deer trails, into the never- ending trees.
