Between Men and Wolves

By Arlia'Devi

Disclaimer: I do not own The Princess Mononoke in any respect; all rights go to Hayao Miyazaki and associates. I make no money from this.

Between Men and Wolves

By Arlia'Devi

11. Eboshi

Ashitaka entered Eboshi's quarters and found her sitting at a desk, writing an Iron tally. The ink on the brush moved fluidly as she wrote down symbols and stacked iron for packing. For a moment, she didn't notice Ashitaka and he revelled in the moment to watch her.

Eboshi's shoulder was bandaged as it usually was, still healing from Moro's bite which took her arm. She wore a soft pink kimono with a scarlet undershirt and green haori. Her hair was pinned back as it usually was. Eventually Ashitaka approached the middle of the room, her already being notified of her presence from a guard and bowed.

Eboshi looked up from her desk with surprise. "Ashitaka," she said slowly. "I wondered when you would show up."

"Forgive me, Lady Eboshi," he replied. "The few days have been trying, and you did leave for Shinji on the day I was going to see you. How did the trip go, if I may ask?"

Eboshi caught onto his tricks instantly. "Fine, thank you, Ashitaka." She put the brush down and asked, "So, what have you come to me for?"

Ashitaka replied, not beating around the bush, "San's back."

"Oh the wolf girl," she replied, and did not seem all that surprised at the announcement. "Is that her name? Yes, well, I was rather sure she would show up sooner or later. It's been two years, so I suppose it was later."

"She's mine. San is my wife."

"Really?" Eboshi replied with a chuckle. "My, the village women will be disappointed Ashitaka. Tell me, how was it? Did she bite you? Was it rough?"

Ashitaka frowned, "Don't play with me, Eboshi."

Eboshi laughed. "What do you want me to do, Ashitaka? What you're running is some sort of joke. The girl may live in Iron Town, but she'll never be accepted by the people – even you know that." She smiled, but made no move to get up from behind the desk. "And if I told you she could not live here, I know you would leave as well and Iron Town just can't have that. You're the best young warrior – one hundred times better than the jokes they call samurais around here."

Eboshi shrugged then and gave a little sigh. "So what am I supposed to do? She can't work with the furnaces but she's quite a skilled fighter. Maybe she can join the watch like you, Ashitaka."

"Thank you," Ashitaka nodded. "That would suit."

"Tell me," Eboshi implored. "You believe this could work?"

"I do," replied Ashitaka. "San has much to learn, but she's willing and determined. Toki will teach her what women need to know. The rest I will help her with. I only ask she be treated with respect in the community. She is not, or will ever be a normal woman; there will always be a wolf inside her."

"I felt her in the forest going to Shinji. I know you know we walked through there," Eboshi replied. "And I apologise for deceiving you. She was there, wasn't she? Watching us?"

"Yes," Ashitaka nodded once.

"How long has she been in the village?"

"Two weeks."

Eboshi sighed like she had expected it all along and looked down to her tally. "And this is what you want?"

"It is," Ashitaka said confidently.

"Alright," Eboshi stood from behind her desk. She touched the shoulder of her amputated arm. "Her mother left a scar on me; a wolf will always bite – she is no exception. If the villagers treat her badly, then more fool them. I am not as foolish to make the same mistake twice." She moved towards the exit of her office. "Come now, where is she?"

San was in the foyer as Ashitaka talked in a room down the hall. She couldn't hear what was being said, and for once wished she was more like her brothers instead of having weak human ears. At least then she'd understand what was going on. She thought she'd be able to hear if Ashitaka was yelling, or if he and Eboshi were arguing, but she wasn't too sure.

Her hands were trembling where she sat and San looked down at her clothes – a blue yukata. They weren't her clothes; they weren't the clothes of the wolves. She didn't have her fur, or her mask, her dagger or spear… they were all back at Ashitaka's, hidden in a chest in the corner of his room.

This yukata was not hers - it fit her a little awkwardly and was too clean and uncomfortable. Her dress was old and worn, with patches mended where she'd ripped it on a branch or sharp rock. Her old dress was stained with the mud on the banks of the sacred lake, rubbed with the fur of her brothers, dripped on from the juice of the forest fruits as they ran down her chin. Her dresses smelt like her family, this yukata only smelt of human.

San sniffed and looked up. Outside, daylight filtered through the reed mat that hung in the doorway. She saw the shadows of the two men who guarded the entryway.

"She's waiting in the foyer," Ashitaka replied as Eboshi walked past him and out of her office.

Calmly Eboshi walked down the small hallway before coming to the foyer. Smoothing the reed matting out of her way, she stepped into the small greeting room at the front of the hut and frowned.

"There's no one here, Ashitaka," Eboshi replied as the man rounded his side.

"Huh?" he frowned, running past her and into the middle of the room. "San?" Her shoes had disappeared from the doorway. "She's gone!"

This chapter is super short, so I'm sorry about that, but I'd like to thank the people who reviewed the last chapter. They were:

DeathBeNoMore, Naleastie, WhiteTiger, Have a Nice Dream, Aurora Shadowglen, Ringleader, bakasaru264, FlutterbyBella, Pyro, Sokka2Me, taskarrthetwisted, Leon The Bulletproof, and Kilo 'E' Prowers.

Thanks to all those guys! We're so close to 100 reviews? Can we make it? (yes we can!)

Promise to update very very soon.

~ Arlia'Devi