Author's Notes: I am SOOOO sorry to my readers and reviewers for the delayed updates! I have tons of excuses, but I'm not going to bore you with them. All I can say is it isn't going to take this long for the next chapter. Promise.
Story Notes: Things are going somewhere. And who is this mysterious guy at the end?!
Ashitaka gathered what items he felt would be most necessary for the journey ahead of them. They were sensible things, of course: his sword, a change of clothes, three blankets, and all of the gold he had, stored in a small pouch that hung from his belt. He headed over to the store house, filling two bags with rice and dried meats.
After leaving the store house, he went to the stable where he would find Yakkul. He stopped short, surprised when he saw San sitting on a box, rubbing his loyal red elk's snout gently, talking to him in a low, familiar murmur. He nuzzled into her neck and she smiled up at him.
"San," Ashitaka said to catch her attention, dropping his bags beside her. "You're earlier than I thought."
"I finished things quickly," she answered quickly, turning her head from him. She was dressed in her war gear with her white wolf fur cape draped over her shoulders, dagger tucked into her belt, and spear sticking out of the ground beside her. There was a brown sack on the ground as well, old and worn from use.
He nodded in response, rubbing Yakkul down from head to rump. He pulled the reins from his bag, sliding them over the elk's head before grabbing a saddle from the stable. "We require your assistance, old friend," he whispered into the elk's perked ear. He arranged his bags, attaching them to the saddle in varies places, before piling the three blankets on Yakkul's back.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, looking back at San. "You don't-"
"Don't try to talk me out of it," she interrupted. "I have made my decision. My brothers will look out for the forest while we are away. I'm not worried about it."
He nodded, trying to hide a smile. He was glad to have her along, glad that she wanted to come with him, even if her reasons were not the same as his. What mattered was she was coming with him.
"Ashitaka!" His head turned to see Adara making her way towards them, practically running up the dirt path. "I'm ready to leave, whenever you are." She had a pack on her back and was clutching a blanket in her hand.
"Are you positive? There will be no turning back, once we start." He felt they each had to know that it wasn't too late to stop. He knew he'd be asking the same question when they reached the coast.
She nodded, looking determined. "I came here knowing that already. I've never been in one place for long, not after...well...not after everything. You're not backing out, are you?"
"Ashitaka wouldn't do that," San said quickly, holding back a growl. "When he makes a stand, he sees it through to the end." There was something not quite readable in her words when she said it. Ashitaka glanced back at her, the smile he had been trying to hide showing through. She had more faith in him than anyone.
Adara opened her mouth, like she wanted to say something in response, but closed it again, turning her back on them. "I'm ready to go." Her voice was stoic, neutral again. But at least it wasn't angry-sounding.
They made their way towards the front gate of Tatara Ba. Eboshi was waiting for them, seated in the saddle of her own private horse, a chestnut mare. She was holding the reigns with her left hand, the hand of the remaining arm. She had adjusted well to being one-armed over the last year, and it seemed almost second nature to her. There was a small pack on the horse's saddle.
"Eboshi?" Ashitaka asked, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the older woman on a horse, and obviously prepared to travel.
"You didn't think I would send you off on your own, did you? Besides, I haven't seen this friend in some time. I may have to remind him how important this favor is, and exactly how much it is he owes me." Her tone made it obvious that she wasn't about to take any argument from any of them. Not that Ashitaka was going to try. She would probably make things less complicated.
"How far will you go with us then?" he asked.
"Just to the coast, and long enough to see you sailing away." She motioned to two guards who were standing by, erect and silent. "We'd better get going; the sooner we leave the better."
"We're all ready."
The beginning of the trip was tense. The forest wasn't particular difficult to traverse, not with San in the lead, but Eboshi's horse wasn't used to the terrain. Despite all of the time that had passed since the war between humans and the forest, the guards were still weary of anything and everything. Nothing tried to hinder them. It was clear enough the Wolf Princess gave sanction. Nothing else mattered.
After emerging from the forest a few hours later, the mountain trail was visible. Ashitaka knew they could have taken the mountain trail to begin with, but it would taken half a day more at least. They were making good time.
Ashitaka glanced at San. She had moved to his side now that they were outside of the forest. She seemed content allowing Eboshi to take the lead now that they were on the trail. Adara was walking off to the side, her face lowered to the ground. She hadn't said more than three words since they'd left. He was starting to wonder if the weight of her decision to leave was sinking in. He would give her another chance soon enough to return to her people.
"How long until we reach the coast?" Ashitaka asked.
Eboshi glanced back at him. "It'll be night before we make it there. We'll make camp and continue from in the morning. Tomorrow afternoon is my estimation."
"We'll get there faster if we don't stop," San said.
Ashitaka's eyes immediately went to Adara. She had kept up with the silent routine, but he could tell she was tired and weary just from the way she walked and held herself. She had tensed at San's words, catching quick glanced in their direction from the corner of her eyes.
"I think it would be a good idea if we did break camp. We'll have a fresh start in the morning," he said.
San looked at him sideways, frowning, before her eyes followed his line of vision to Adara. Understanding flashed across her face and she frowned. "Fine then. Whatever you want."
He smiled gratefully. "It's settled then."
San could smell salt on the air. It seemed thicker than anything she was used to, and it overran her senses at first. Eboshi had been right about the timing. It was just after noon when they came within sight of the coast. They stopped on a bluff overlooking the ocean, peering out at the endless expanse of blue. No one spoke. The scene that stretched out before them was amazing and breathtaking. Neither San or Ashitaka had ever seen the ocean before.
"It's so...immense," San breathed out, in awe despite herself. She knew that what her eyes could see was something far larger than her beloved forest. It was endless.
"I have heard, but never seen for myself," Ashitaka said, sounding just as amazed. "It's beautiful."
"And deadly," Eboshi said, her voice sounding respectful. There was a hidden warning in her words, a warning San could respect.
Adara mumbled something under her breath that none of them could catch. San stared at the girl. Her back was to them, facing off to the side, not quite looking at the ocean. She seemed somewhat fearful, too apprehensive. All San could think was the girl was more of a liability than an asset on their journey. It would be good for all of them if she returned to Tatara Ba with Eboshi.
"We should be going," the gun woman instructed. She was no longer riding her horse; one of her silent guards was leading it at the back of the group. She motioned to the side of the bluff to where a small trail lead down towards the rocky coast below. The coast line curved a few miles down, forming a sort of C. San could see a village or town of some sort on the outside middle of the C. She assumed that was their destination. The idea of more people made her hesitate a moment until she saw Ashitaka take the lead down the trail. She followed right behind.
The trail was this, barely large enough for the horse to traverse safely. Eboshi's men were familiar enough with leading animals along small mountains trails, so there was little reason to worry. Ashitaka tested each portion of the path carefully before continuing. The very edge of the trail crumbled away to the beach below whenever a foot touched it.
Adara was right behind San. She kept both hands on the cliff face, careful to step everywhere that San and Ashitaka had before her. She didn't look scared, just determined not to fall.
They reached the beach in twenty minutes time. San stepped off of the rocky path, nearly stepping back as her foot sunk into the strange grainy earth. It wasn't deep, but it shifted strangely beneath her feet, more like shifted earth piles or mud than solid ground.
"It's sand," Eboshi explained. Ashitaka was staring down at it as well. He bent down, taking up a handful and letting it fall through his fingers.
"You people don't get out often, do you?" Adara asked, cynicism lacing her words.
"There was no reason to leave my forest before your people showed up," San pointed out in a growl.
"Let's continue," Eboshi interrupted quickly, walking between the two young women, followed by her two guards and horse.
San turned away, refusing the let the girl get to her. She was determined to get through their journey without killing the incompetent foreigner girl.
They walked the next hour across the beach. The small, coastal town loomed ever closer, growing larger and larger as they neared. The town wasn't exactly on the beach, though close enough. It was built up on the more solid, rocky land. It was roughly three the size of Tatara Ba. There were several long, wooden-planked, platforms leading out into the water that Eboshi referred to as a dock. There were large, boat-like objects in the water, far larger than the ones she was used to seeing in Tatara Ba.
"You'll likely be taking one of those," the gun woman declared, pointing at the large wooden thing.
"Those boats are too small," Adara said, shaking her head. "The one we came on was twice the size of the largest and it was nearly smashed to pieces in a storm."
"I suppose you have a better suggestion then?" Eboshi asked, one eyebrow raised in questioning. She smiled in satisfaction when Adara didn't respond, motioning for them to follow her. "Come now."
They stepped up to a pathway leading into the town. A man emerged, blocking their path with his wide girth. "Welcome, strangers, what is your purpose for coming here?"
Eboshi took the center of the group, stepping past Ashitaka. "I come here to speak with your village head."
"What business do you have with him?" the man asked suspiciously, crossing his arms over his chest.
Eboshi's guards stepped up closer, flanking the sides of the group. "I'm merely an old friend, coming to capitalize on an old promise."
"And what name should I give him?" the man asked, his gaze never leaving the gun woman's face.
"Eboshi."
The man's eyes grew wide with surprise. "Eboshi? The Lady Eboshi?"
"I see your people still know of me then," she answered, though there was no surprise in her words. "But yes, the one and only."
The man bowed low. "Please forgive me, milady. If you would have stated your name at the first instant, there would have been no need for pointless questionings. Allow me to escort you and your party to the Head's home now." He turned, instantly stepped between the buildings that formed a path into the town.
Eboshi turned back and smiled to everyone. "Mind your manners, children."
Ashitaka stepped back beside San. Adara dropped to the back of the group, looking uncomfortable.
"Can we trust them?" San whispered to Ashitaka, her eyes never leaving their guide's back.
"I don't see why not," he answered, linking arms with her so they could talk without leaning over. It wasn't a completely unfamiliar gesture, but it wasn't one he had ever down around other people. She suddenly felt self-conscious and pleased all at once. "Are you getting bad vibes?"
She frowned, looking around. The village was quaint and the buildings were well-constructed. There were quite a few people walking along the dirt road, parting out of the way as the group moved deeper and deeper into the settlement. Aside from curious looks, she saw nothing threatening or out of place. "No."
He smiled, nodding his satisfaction. "Me neither."
She was glad to know that he felt the need to ask her opinion, even if it might have been in disagreement with his own. What she said mattered to him, and that mattered to her.
They came to a stop at the front of a two story building. It was hard to tell if it was a house or a public building from the outside, but it was the only one she had seen in the town that was so tall. It rested on a large patch of mossy grass that looked well-tended and in stark contrast to the dirt everywhere else.
"Please remain here until I can inform the Head," the guide requested, bowing once more before quickly walking up the three stairs and in through the front door.
No one said anything. All eyes were on the door, waiting tensely to see if whoever Eboshi's 'friend' was would show. A moment later and the door opened. A young man stepped out. He looked far too young to be the head of anything, closer to Eboshi's age than the man who had guided them to the Head's home. He had dark hair and even darker eyes. His face was hairless, adding to his youthful appearance. And he was, in a strange way, handsome, at least by human standards.
"Well, isn't this a most unexpectedly pleasant surprise," the man said, stepped forward slowly, his hands folded at the small of his back, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "I hadn't expected to see you again for some time."
"Neither did I, Takahiro Asano."
Further notes: *gasp* Who's that masked man! Wait...there wasn't a masked man, but that name sure sounds familiar.... Please review!
