.: Brighter Tomorrow アシタカ :.
The moment his feet crossed the creek that marked the entrance to the bowels of the forest, Ashitaka's dark eyes narrowed. In the morning gloom, he made out the massive, brushy outlines of the dying trees overhead. The first rays of the sun barely pierced the organic walls of this immense canopy fortress, which he suspected still ached ever since the felling of the Forest Spirit. Young green shoots were sprouting again from the bark ravaged by deadly contact with the thick blood of the dying god, who had faded into the light of daybreak several weeks ago now. It was same light which today gave a glimmer of fragile hope to the relative peace that had settled between Men and Nature.
Like he did every morning since the end of that bloody battle which had pitted humans against the gods of nature, Ashitaka contemplated the majesty of this untamed forest. Even though he knew the forest well by now, he always felt the same trouble that quivered under his skin and knotted his stomach when he approached its edge. It was that impression of ancestral wisdom, which emanated from the ground until it touched the sky, that made him feel incredibly small and miserable. The forest was like a savage and almost cruel beauty who had measured herself against the greedy fire of Men and who was now healing her mortal wounds.
San's face rose unbidden to the forefront of his mind before he uncomfortably waved the image away to concentrate on his footing.
Ashitaka walked along the stream for a few meters before perching on a white rock placed at the foot of a rocky slope. He knew he couldn't go any further without breaking the unspoken oath that had been concluded between the humans and the animals of the forest. He sat cross-legged on the cold stone and waited in silence. Like every day since he had settled in the village of Iron Town, he knew that she would come to him here at the unspoken border. For a few minutes at a time, a few seconds maybe. For a greeting. Or for news. She was the sole judge, and he couldn't begrudge her that when he was beholden to her for allowing him to meet her from the start.
The flicker of dew on the trees caught his eye and clung to his lashes when the sun's rays finally stretched far enough to caress the bark. The song of the birds, timid until then, became bolder. Under the raw light of the early morning, the young Emishi recognized the colors, both dark and invigorating, which had first caught his eye when he had regained consciousness on the small secret islet nestled in the heart of the forest. He remembered the shine of the leaves and the wind that made the ripples shiver. He remembered the still blurred silhouette of San leaning attentively over him, listening for his breath and watching for the opening of his misty eyes, soothing the anguish that had gripped him when he realized the cursed stain was eating deeper at his arm. Today, the scar left by the stain was nothing more than a vestige of hatred that could only be guessed at from under his linen gauntlet, reminding him every day how fragile the hearts of men, like those of the gods, were.
A cool breeze rustled the leaves and sent a shiver down his back, and soon the sunlight was veiled by cloud. He recognized the coupled human and animal silhouette that towered over him from the top of the rocky rise in front of him. The powerful paws of a large white wolf landed on the edge of the stone, without a sound. Ashitaka, on the other hand, heard the muffled beating of his heart while his wide-open eyes focused on the human figure perched on the animal's back. Under her white fur cape, San looked at him intently. With eyes that had the color of forest wood. Ashitaka stood up, tense, and stretched a hand toward the great beast who still leaned over him.
"San," he whispered under his breath, like a greeting, to the wolf girl atop her companion. She sketched a faint smile on her lips while the white wolf rolled up his chops under the furtive caress of his hand.
"You're still here," she said.
"I promised you that I would come to see you. And I will every day, as long as you want me to."
San's smile widened, and she looked at him with a calmer gaze. Ashitaka had proven to her many times that some humans' words could be trusted. He was, however, the only one she valued.
"What's the news from the mountain?" the young man asked after a few moments of silence, barely disturbed by the panting breath of the wolf.
"There is no trace of the great apes anymore. The animals are scarce, and the last gods are disappearing. The great forest is dying in its recovery, Ashitaka. Nothing will ever be the same again."
San's voice sounded painful. There was less anger than there was sadness.
"Yes... I haven't heard the Kodama since the Forest Spirit disappeared," Ashitaka observed with an uncertain tone.
He knew that this conflict had broken the last balance between humans and wild gods. Although peace seemed to reign again, it remained fragile and threatened to break at any moment. Without the protection of the animal deities, San's forest kingdom was condemned to bend under the greed of men. He deplored this but preferred to cherish the promise of a peaceful future. This conviction to which he clung had already saved his life, just as it had helped him to put an end to the battle, the war of which was only beginning. It was also through this hope that he had appeased San's anger. So it couldn't be totally meaningless.
"I'm glad to see you," he said with a wistful smile, in a kind attempt to change the subject.
"Y-yes... Me too." San stammered, still looking troubled by the simplicity with which Ashitaka shared his affection. Always with simple words and a sparkle in his eyes. "Me too... But I can't stay for long today."
"I understand. I still have a lot to do in the village myself. Maybe we can see each other for a while longer… tomorrow?"
"Yeah, maybe," San replied, regaining a slight smile. She smiled that way only with him.
Ashitaka nodded in a final salute and prepared to turn away. He could stay in the company of the enigmatic wolf girl for far longer but always perceived the moment when he should leave. And right now, he understood San needed to be alone. As he jumped off the rock to return to the brook, San's clear voice rang out at his back:
"Ashitaka!"
The young man turned slowly, his eyes bright and lively. San hadn't moved. She raised her hands to cup them around her mouth.
"Tomorrow," she called after him. "I promise tomorrow… I would love to!"
He smiled fondly, and the wolf turned peacefully toward the trees, the wild girl clutching the fur on his back. He watched this beautiful vision of a better future disappear. A complicated future, certainly, but a fierce one—one that promised a brighter tomorrow.
"Ashitaka," アシタカ — Meaning: "brighter tomorrow"
A/N: Thank you so much for taking the time to read my antics. As always, reviews are greatly treasured and are replied to. Or, if you'd prefer to comment or critique more privately, feel free to shoot me a PM. Cheers, + KVP
