From above the canopy of the forest, San could see that the sun had now fully risen. From its current position, she determined that they hadn't been asleep too long, but from this point forward, every second counted.
While they were resting (and as so often happens when people rest) they had changed positions so that Ashitaka was no longer sitting against the tree, but lying alongside it. San, likewise, had drifted from Ashitaka's grasp and had somehow managed to curl up into a tiny ball in a pile of leaves a few meters away. Now that she was awake, though, she slowly made her way back to her friend.
"Ashitaka," she cooed softly, shaking him lightly with her hands.
Ashitaka's eyes blinked open, and he sat up suddenly, brushing the leaves out of his hair. "How long were we asleep?" he asked loudly.
"It's okay," San answered, "we weren't asleep that long. I thought it would be about time to get moving, though," she added. "If we have to be over the mountains in a few days, we're going to have to really move. Luckily, we're only a few hours away from their base."
Ashitaka nodded. "Right. Now I know that you probably don't have any trouble running long distance, but you won't be carrying anything, so make sure you don't leave me behind, okay?" he asked.
San grinned widely. "You know I'm not going to leave you behind!" she said, punching him on the arm.
Ashitaka ignored her playful attitude and picked up the few possessions they had left to them. All in all, it amounted to only a weeks supply of food, some equipment to make a tent, or at least a semi-decent shelter, and the weapons, which both Ashitaka and San always carried with them. Aside from the weapons, all of it had been conveniently packaged into one, large case that could be slung around the shoulder.
Once they started running, Ashitaka noticed that San no longer ran ahead of him, as she seemed obliged to have done for the many days they had been traveling. Now, she ran right beside him, so close that if he were to misstep, he would probably fall into her. He didn't see that happening anytime soon, though. As they got closer to the mountain, the trees began to disappear, and were replaced by open spaces and a few large boulders.
"Once we get to the base, we might be able to find a trail of some sort," San shouted over the wind as they ran. "If we can find that, it'll make it a lot easier to get over."
Ashitaka shifted the case over his neck so he could use both of his hands to run. "Do you think there will even be one?" he asked.
"There must be," San pointed out. "These are the mountains that Lord Okkoto would've had to cross to get here."
"What makes you so sure?" Ashitaka queried.
"In the wolf tribe, these mountains are called The Kyoukaisen. In your tongue, I think it means border. These mountains mark the end of the Wolf Clan's territory. They make up a chain of mountains that forms a sort of semi-circle around the Clan's province."
"You're saying that Okkoto's jurisdiction is on the other side of these mountains?" Ashitaka seemed to vaguely recall a conversation Moro and Okkoto had had while he was laying by the Forest Spirit's pool. Okkoto had mentioned that they had traveled, coming from a different mountain. Could there be more mountains that laced the countryside beyond the ones that he saw right now, in front of him?
"Yes, exactly. The only other mountains he could have come from are from the south, and those are littered with human villages," San said, putting emphasis on littered.
Ashitaka grinned. He would've counterattacked her verbal cut on his species, but all this talking was making it difficult to breathe and run at the same time. So, if these truly were the same mountains Okkoto had used, would he have to have taken a trail? That seemed most likely. From what he could recall, Okkoto had been very old and weak- so much so that cavorting over a mountain would've been extremely difficult. But where would they even start looking for a trail?
"Do you suppose there's a valley of some sort that runs through the mountains?" Ashitaka asked San. "Perhaps it cuts right between them so that we won't have to do any climbing at all."
"I'd thought of that already," San remarked, "but what if it rains? Or if there's a landslide?"
Ashitaka winced. You really didn't want either of those if you were in a valley surrounded by tall mountains. "Won't you be able to tell if it's going to rain?" he asked. "If there is a valley, it would cut a lot of time."
"Yes, I suppose," San said thoughtfully, looking up at the sky. "It doesn't look like it's going to rain anytime soon. I suppose if there is a valley, we should take it."
"All…right," Ashitaka winced. All of this running and talking had now taken its toll on him- he had a terrible stitch in his side, and he was forced to reduce his speed to a brisk walk.
"Hm…" San commented. "Not bad for human standards. You've run a very long distance, and carrying something, too. Not to mention all the talking we did," she added.
"You're not tired at all?" Ashitaka asked, looking up at her face. "Well, I guess I should know better than to ask something like that. You can probably run forever…but even if you were tired, you'd be too proud to tell me, wouldn't you?" Ashitaka said with a quick smirk.
San waved his comment away with her hand. "So what did you do different that makes you so strong and agile? I mean, most of the other humans I've come across couldn't run half as far as you did."
"Well," Ashitaka began, "being the future leader of a clan does have its advantages. Since I was very little, physical and mental exercises took up a large part of my day. I suppose that because of my situation, it was my duty to be the most fit, in stamina and perception."
"So you were trained to be the best?" San asked slyly.
"Yes, and it paid off, too!" After a few moments, he added, "Now I can proudly stand in the shadow of the Mononoke!" It was intended to be only half serious, but San seemed to take it to heart. Her eyes lit up like jewels, and she held her head up and puffed her chest out proudly.
"You don't have to stand beneath me," San replied. "I don't want you to, either. You are…my equal," she said hesitantly. Then with more certainty: "Yes, you are my equal! We are on the same level! All that I do and say mirrors you, and it goes the other way around, too!"
Ashitaka was a bit shaken by this. He was her equal? Did she know the weight of what she was saying? Perhaps she was putting herself on too high a pedestal (but why not? She was raised to be that way, after all), because in her mind, she was a god. Hence, for her to say that he was her equal, she was saying that either he had ascended to godhood…or she had come off of that pedestal, recognizing that there was someone else out there, a human no less, that could stand up to her without shame. Since a human could never be a god, he was more inclined to believe it was the second reason. She had effectively lowered herself to human standards for his sake.
"San, I…" Ashitaka stammered. "I don't know what to say! I am honored! You mustn't so flatter one as unworthy as I."
San sighed. "Must I repeat myself, or did I not just hear the word 'unworthy' escape from your lips? Yes, Ashitaka, you are worthy. It is really I who am unworthy of you," she added softly. "I was blinded by my hate and rage passed down to me from my mother. You saw beyond hate, on both sides, and you tried to make amends so that the forest and the humans could live together peacefully. Perhaps it is an impossible wish, but at least you tried! I did not even try…I was only interested in protecting our forest. I allowed my anger to get the better of me, while you remained pure." San turned her head the other way so Ashitaka couldn't look at her.
"No, San! What are you saying?" Ashitaka said, stopping to grip San's shoulders to make her look at him. "It wasn't hatred that made you kill humans! Perhaps it was part of it for the injustices they did to you, but I think that what it really was was a lack of understanding! You could only see one side of the story because you only knew one side! San, you did the only thing you knew to do! As a wolf defends it's territory, so you did, too! You cannot be held responsible for something that would come naturally to someone placed in a situation similar to yours!" San's lower lip quivered as he spoke. "San, my hands are stained with human blood, as well," Ashitaka continued. "No one is perfect. If you feel that for some reason you don't deserve companionship because you're too evil, then no one could be together!"
The look that she gave him froze him mid speech. It was as if she was resigned to something- as if she was standing on a wire, and was about to fall, but to which side? "Do I even desire companionship?" San put simply.
Ashitaka hesitated, trying to think of the best thing to say. Apparently, San had been shook up about this for a long time. "I desire it," Ashitaka said, releasing his hands from her shoulders and lowering his eyes. Now it was reversed, he thought sourly. Only a few minutes ago, it had been San that was unable to look him in the eyes.
"Do you?" San asked further. "With whom?"
Ashitaka lifted his eyes to look directly into San's. Everything was riding on what he said next. There would be no turning back afterwards, and that feeling made both Ashitaka and San's hearts quicken. The burden of the decision was heavy, but hopefully he would be able to say what they both wanted to hear.
"I-" Ashitaka began, taking a deep breath. The commitment would be sealed after this moment, but he no longer cared. All he knew was that he loved San, and that he wanted to be with her forever. "I desire it with you," he finished, letting out a low sigh and casting his eyes down again.
San smiled gently, all the worry leaving her eyes. "I desire your companionship, too," she said, reaching out to hold his hand in her own. His fingers clasped around hers as soon as she did so.
There was no more need for words. As the feeling had begun last night, now the hole had been completely filled- the hole that every person carries in their heart until they find that special person.
As if their minds were connected, they both turned and started running towards the mountain's base. Sure enough, there was a low valley that would hopefully lead them straight to the other side…to their future…together. They did not unclasp their hands as they ran, and the sensation made them feel as if they could run forever. Their hearts were so light.
"San," Ashitaka said as they ran, "I want you to promise me something."
"What?" San asked, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
"I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, you stay right next to me so I can protect you. I know I won't be around forever, but…while I am here, I want you to feel like you can rely on me for anything you need."
"Ashitaka, I already rely on you for everything!" San laughed. "You've saved my life so many times, I don't know how I can ever repay you. Hopefully, someday I'll be able to make it up to you."
"Why would you need to make it up to me?" Ashitaka countered. "I love you. I don't need to keep a tally with you," he said, chuckling.
"Well, I want you to promise me something, then," San said abruptly. "I want you to promise me that you will try your hardest to live a life that makes you happy. I still refuse to accept the fact that you'll die soon, but I know that you will die someday, as every living creature does. Up until that time, I want you to promise me that you take whatever path you've set for yourself, in the past, and in the future."
"I will," he said solemnly. "And I'll try my very hardest to succeed on that path, so that my love will be worthy of you."
"Oh, you!" San said, releasing his hand to give him a playful shove. "You know just how to spoil a moment, bringing up something like that!"
"Okay, okay," Ashitaka grinned. "Hey, I'll bet I can beat you to the mountain!" he said as he suddenly darted off.
"Hey, that's cheating!" San called after him. "Well, I suppose I should give you a head start, anyway!" she added.
After she waited a few more seconds, she took off like a bolt of lightning. She had only come close to pushing herself as hard as she could while she was either fighting or training. After all, it wasn't good to run out of energy in the middle of battle, but this time she decided to give every ounce of strength in her body so that she could show off to her new mate. She wanted to make him proud of her.
Gritting her teeth, she worked her legs even faster. Ashitaka was carrying something, so maybe that's why he seemed to be moving so slow to her, but still, she tore past him so quickly that he let out a startled cry of surprise. To him, she looked like a white blur- a barely visible figure that ran as fast as the winds of heaven!
Not bothering to stop, San slammed into a protruding rock, and immediately turned around, her mouth opened wide with a giddy laughter. She had gone so fast that she actually stood there and waited for Ashitaka for at least another ten seconds before he finally came to a halt in front of her. His eyes and dropped jaw very obviously portrayed a sense of awe, to which San gave him a smug grin.
"You ran…uh, pretty fast," Ashitaka said stupidly, scratching his head. "You still have to keep your promise to me and teach me how to run and hunt like you do, you know."
"Well, now that we're together," San said, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the mouth of the valley, "we have all the time in the world! But let's not let all of these…events," she said for lack of a better term, "make us forget about our current situation. Right now, we have to figure out a way to make it to the other side without anyone finding us. Perhaps we would make better time if we jogged slowly instead of walking or running?"
"Makes sense to me," Ashitaka shrugged. "Ladies first," he said, gesturing his arm to the valley, bowing slightly.
"I don't think so," San said timidly, wrapping her arm around his own, dragging him along next to her. "I want to jog with you, not in front of you!"
It actually turned out to be a very smooth run at first. As they progressed further on, however, the valley became narrower and narrower, forcing them to run single file in some places.
They desperately hoped the valley would last at least until nightfall. As long as it was there, it was like an arrow pointing to them which way to go (not to mention the fact that trying to maneuver on a mountainside at dark is practically suicide).
Luck, it seemed, was still on there side. After darkness had come, the valley was still guiding them, and as they had been running most of the day, Ashitaka and San were now more than willing to make a quick camp and rest for the evening.
"Would you like to help?" Ashitaka asked, offering San one of the edges of the light blanket that would now serve as a cover for their shelter.
"Sure!" San said, more than happy to get the tent set up faster.
"You must be tired," Ashitaka chuckled.
"Oh?" San answered sarcastically. "I wonder why?"
Their conversation did not improve in substance from there. By the time the tent was fully erect, Ashitaka and San were so sleepy they could barely see.
Slowly, Ashitaka bent down and crawled inside, while San took her usual place curling up outside- only this time, she did so right in front of the opening, as if she were guarding over him. Touched by her dedication, Ashitaka tried to repay her in the only way he knew how to at the moment- he removed his bright orange hood and rolled it up into a soft ball.
"Here," he said, offering it to her as she looked up at him. "Use it to rest your head on. I'm sure it's much more comfortable than the rocks."
"Thank you," San said, smiling dreamily up at him. She took the hood and practically wrapped her face in it as she laid her head back down. "Good night," she whispered hazily.
Ashitaka smiled softly. "Good night, love."
San, of course, was already asleep.
* * *
Three days
and three nights have passed since that time. For the duration of that period,
Ashitaka and San ran on, hand in hand, occasionally stopping to either break or
eat enough to keep their energy up.
Those days
were relatively uneventful, other than the relatively few conversations
Ashitaka and San shared while the two of them were running. At night, as
always, Ashitaka slept under the cover of a makeshift canopy, while San guarded
him from the outside.
Because of
the fact that they were running, and also because they were unhindered (by
human or otherwise), they managed to make good time, and near the end of the
third day, the ending stretch of the valley would have been visible if they
would have only cared to climb up the steep sides of the mountains to look.
However, they
knew that the end must be near, and all the better. San's sensitivity to nature
had proved it's worth yet again, warning them that winter was fast on its way.
As if to verify the circumstance, the past few nights had dropped in
temperature considerably, though not so much as to notice unless you were
paying close attention.
And so near
dusk on the fourth day, Ashitaka and San suddenly found themselves no longer in
a valley, but a rocky ground exactly like the kind they had traveled through on
the side of the mountain they had just come from. Unfortunately, few trees
could be seen nearby, making the journey this strange, new forest at least
another day's venture. At first, this had given Ashitaka cause for worry- the food
that had been given to them by Kiron would only last at least three more days,
and that was only if they stretched it, like they had been doing so for the
past four.
As luck would
have it, though, they happened by a small tenant farmer, who was more than
happy to trade a few more days worth of food for a small fortune in gold, most
of which Ashitaka had taken with him when he left his Imishi village. Ashitaka
still had a little reserve left over, though, so that if worst came to worst,
he would always be able to buy more food from local villages (if they happened
along more of them on their travels). Still, with San beside him, Ashitaka was
confident that they wouldn't have any trouble, as far as food was concerned.
Relieved from
their burden of a lack of food, Ashitaka broke tradition and let San have a
small fruit of her choice, rather than letting her have her pick while they
rested at night (although he knew that if she asked him for another one at any
time, he wouldn't be able to refuse her). San seemed aware of this, however,
and made an effort not to put Ashitaka in a situation like that, more than well
enough aware that they needed their food supply to last as long as it possibly
could.
So now, as
night was finally upon them, Ashitaka wearily staggered into the underbrush of
the new forest (which he and San had affectionately named, "Horizon"), sleep
being the only thing on his mind. San, on the other hand, became eager, like
she was entering a new den. All of the new sights, sounds, and smells made her
senses tingle excitingly so that she ran on ahead, the first time she had done
so since that night four days ago.
Soon, she
reappeared with a stern look on her face. In one hand, she was holding a
delicate white flower, and in the other…an almost eerily familiar looking red
pouch…
* * *
"San?" Ashitaka asked cautiously. "Is everything okay? And where did you get that pouch? It looks exactly like the one I used to have."
Face unmoving, San replied, "It is the one you used to have. When I went looking for you after your injury, I found this lying on the ground."
"Then why didn't you-" Ashitaka started.
"Because I wanted to give it to you when I felt the time was right," San interrupted. "You said that it contained a gift for me. I have not yet opened it, because I wanted us to be together when I did so. Someplace special, where we could appreciate it more. I know you have cause to be upset, but…" she trailed off.
"It's all right, San," Ashitaka said gently. "I understand that you have your reasons, and I won't hold it against you." Ashitaka's face brightened. "Still, I'm happy you found it! My mother gave that pouch to me on my twelfth birthday! I really hated the idea of losing it, but I didn't think I'd ever find it!"
San grinned broadly. "Well, what do you say we open this now so I can give it back to you, eh?"
"Are you sure? I mean you want to open it now?" Ashitaka asked.
San's nose twitched. "I can't think of a better time. We're in a new forest- in a new place. It's like we're starting all over again, at the beginning. It would almost be like a ceremony, don't you think?" she said, giving him the white flower.
"What's this for?" Ashitaka asked, looking at it curiously. He sniffed it, and instantly his eyes became teary, and he had to blink several times to focus. "Whoa, what is it?! It's very…potent," he managed, carefully wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
"In the wolf tribe, that flower is a symbol of rebirth," San explained. "If you dissolve it in water, it almost makes it like a rejuvenate. I've never tried it myself, but it's supposed to make you feel years younger, if only for a little while. In the wolf order, two wolves drink from the same pool that's been dipped with this flower as an official sign of their bond." She narrowed her eyes as Ashitaka cocked his eyebrows at her. "Don't go getting the wrong idea! I'm not saying we have to drink from the same bowl or anything! I just got it so you could drink it. I'd rather save my taste of it until I am bonded...it's kind of like a tradition."
"I see," Ashitaka said, examining the flower, but being careful not to bring it near his face. "Well, I think I should save this for when I need it, huh?" he said thoughtfully. "If one of us starts getting sick, a sip of this stuff will cure us in no time! Well, are you going to open it?" Ashitaka asked, gesturing to the red pouch San was holding.
As he did so, San saw a giddy look come into his eyes that she hadn't seen in some time. It was like he was a little boy again, giving a gift to his childhood friend.
More than happy to oblige, San nodded and carefully pulled the string that zippered the pouch shut. She pulled the material aside to reach her hand in. Whatever was in there felt very smooth, but textured somehow, as if it had been cut.
She raised her hand up, and slowly opened her fingers.
San gasped softly.
In her hand rested a miniature wolf that looked as if it had been carved with an elaborate wood. It stood on its hind legs, neck extended, howling to a moon that wasn't even there. As if the beauty of the trinket wasn't enough, the detail only added to it. Bringing it close to her face so that she could examine it in the dim light, she could see the tiny strokes that marked fur creases on the coat. She could barely discern two tiny eyes and primitive teeth that made up the face of the beast as it howled.
"…Pretty," San remarked, her hand instinctively coming up to grab the crystal dagger that hung under the fabric of her clothes. "Thank you, Ashitaka," she said, looking up at him. "First your dagger, and now this? You shouldn't be so good to me."
"You're very welcome, and hey- it was nothing!" Ashitaka said, stepping up next to San to admire his own handiwork. "I tried perfecting the design for at least a week. I must've carved hundreds of those little things trying to get one that was just right for you," he said. "But anyway, it was the least I could do after all you've done for me."
San snorted. "Oh, please. I haven't done anything for you. I haven't even made you anything!" she said sadly.
"That's not true! You gave me this," he said, patting the skin that was wrapped around his shoulders. "Besides, you don't have to make me anything!" Ashitaka remarked, smiling down at her. "Besides, I think being the only human to ever travel alongside the Mononoke is a rather appropriate gift, don't you think?"
San didn't say anything. She merely stepped up to him, keeping her head down. Ashitaka accepted her invitation and embraced her warmly, though she didn't embrace him back.
"Hey," Ashitaka soothed, "it's all right. If you want, I won't make you any more gifts okay?" he teased. "Here, let me take this," he said, reaching for the small pouch. Gingerly, he wrapped the vine of the flower around itself so that it was now small enough to fit inside. After he was done, he fastened it to his belt and held out his arms for San to examine him. "See? Don't I look better? I knew there was something missing! It just didn't feel right for it not to be hanging there," he chuckled, gazing down at the pouch fondly.
Then he moved on to begin making his bed, and San helped him.
After a time, San asked, "You say your mother made that pouch? What was she like? I don't hear you talking about her often."
Ashitaka grinned, albeit with great effort. "Yes, she's the one who made it for me. After my father died in war, my mother had to raise Kaiya and me by herself. She worked hard, and was very brave- she never gave up. But I guess the stress of living alone; the burden of lovingly raising children, and the grief of having lost my father were too much for her to bear. A few months after I became fourteen, she just collapsed while working in the fields…two days later, she died…" Ashitaka trailed off thoughtfully. Whenever he remembered his mother, he always did so fondly. He had stopped crying over her after he'd finally realized that she, wherever she was, was in a better place, and probably with her husband, as well. That alone made up for the sadness he'd once felt over her death.
San nodded understandingly. From the way he'd told her, she determined that he wasn't the type for emotional outbursts, so she then felt that over-reactive apologies were unnecessary.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know," she said simply. "She must have been a very strong woman."
"Oh, she was, very," Ashitaka answered. Apparently he hadn't given second thought to San's relatively cool response, and this pleased her. She'd made the right decision by not making a scene about something that didn't bother him. "I'll never forget the time when me and Kaiya were playing on the hills, and Kaiya fell and sort of twisted her foot." Ashitaka chuckled. "Kaiya was strong, too- she didn't cry. Anyway, my mother soon came to help. Whispering softly to make Kaiya feel better, she slowly picked her up and walked back to the town. Most of the other mothers would probably have been in tears to see their little girl hurt, but not my mother. She was composed in even the most dire situations."
"Hm," San responded. "It seems your mother and mine had a lot in common. She was very controlled as well."
By now, the tent had been built and Ashitaka had crawled in, but he was lying so that he could face San, with his chin in his hands.
"What about Moro?" Ashitaka asked. "Before all of those bad times, what was she like?"
San raised her eyebrows in thought. After a moment, she replied, "If there was ever a more gentle, loving, and nurturing creature on the earth than my mother, I wouldn't have believed in its existence. Her voice was soft, and when she looked at you, it was like you could see what she was thinking. Her eyes spoke of nothing but love for me and my brothers, and she never hesitated to go out of her way to show that love for us. Not that she was constantly doting on us, no. It was more like…she only sometimes showed it on the outside, but we could always see that the love was there on the inside."
Ashitaka closed his eyes, listening to San speak. To him, San's voice was like a melody that was constantly being played. "You must have loved her a lot," Ashitaka said. "I'm glad you had that, at least."
"Yeah," San sighed, looking up at the sky that could barely be seen through the tree's cover. The stars were very beautiful. "I guess…goodnight," she said simply, looking back down to smile at Ashitaka.
"Goodnight," came the reply, as he gave San's hand a reassuring squeeze before he retreated to the inside of his tent.
"Ashitaka!" San's voice gasped in his head.
Instantly, Ashitaka's eyes flew open and he sat up. "What is it?" he asked.
"There are some people approaching! I think they're on horses!" came San's reply.
"Oh, great," Ashitaka muttered to himself. "Have they already caught up with us?" he asked, grabbing his sword and jumping out of the tent.
San shook her head. "It's hard to say- they may not be after us at all." She glanced up at the sky, growled lowly when she saw that clouds covered the stars and the moon. "If it was a little brighter, I may be able to spot them."
"Well, it's okay, we can use the dark to our advantage," Ashitaka whispered. "We'll leave our stuff for now and come back for it later. Right now we need to find someplace to hide."
"What for?" San said, waving her spear around menacingly. "I think we can take them out."
"Oh?" Ashitaka said, peering into the woods for some sign of movement. "I don't suppose you could tell how many there were, could you?"
"Well, no, but-"
"Well there you are! There might be a small army after us! I say we just wait and see who it is before we think about fighting."
San's temper was rising, but she decided to go along with that idea.
Leaving their camp behind, the pair stealthily crept through the darkened woods, but paranoia was always right behind. Ashitaka couldn't help but occasionally look back, half expecting to see some shady figure charging at him with a sword! The thought gave him the impulse to run, but he knew that would be the worst thing to do, because then they would be able to hear him, but simply restraining was almost driving him mad…his heart was beating, and a lump began to form in his throat.
Every rustle of the leaves; every time the wind blew through the trees, causing a cacophony of noise, it made Ashitaka's spine tingle.
Control, he told himself firmly. He had to stay calm. Why the hell was he having so much trouble focusing?!
San was ahead of him, constantly on the move, her feet moving deftly through the rocks and leaves, not leaving a sound behind her. Her heart, too, was racing, but not out of panic- it was more like anxiety. The underbrush was getting steadily thicker, and soon she could only see a few feet in front of her.
"Okay," Ashitaka said softly, "I think we're far enough away for now. Let's see if they're still coming."
"Right," San said, crouching down on the ground. She hadn't missed the strain that was in Ashitaka's voice, and she couldn't help but wonder if something could be bothering him. Surely he wasn't afraid of a few samurai? He'd fought against many things, least of which were human. But now was not the time to think of such things. Focus on the moment…
They sat there in complete silence for what seemed like hours. Soon they imagined they could hear their own hearts beating, for the woods had gone oddly silent. The creatures of the night had taken refuge, but from what?
Peering, Ashitaka and San scanned panoramically about them, but to no avail. In the end, they had only San's acute sense of hearing to rely on, but there was something more…warriors' instinct. After having fought so much, the couple had developed a good mind for second-guessing what was about to happen. They would have to put that to use now, more than anything.
Now, again, silence; a silence that seemed to penetrate the body and soul, driving its victims into a whirling mass of oblivion. They felt the darkness creeping in on them, and it seemed as if the trees itself were closing in around them, trying to block their senses. Something was definitely wrong…the warriors' instinct?
"SAN, GET DOWN!" Ashitaka screamed. Something had burst inside him- all of the tension seemed to focus, and then explode into a spiraling jumble of emotions.
Everything happened so fast.
Ashitaka remembered seeing San spring to her feet in a low position, her spear held out in front of her. Ashitaka had drawn his sword and prepared for an attack.
There was a whirring sound, and Ashitaka's left arm suddenly flared in pain. Teeth clenched in pain, he had dropped to the ground, clutching his arm. He'd been struck with an arrow, and it rendered his ligament useless.
Bracing himself, his right hand closed around the shaft, and with a cry of extreme pain, he pulled it from the lifeless arm.
Now he stood again, left arm hanging limply at his side, right arm clutching his sword. Where was San? Was she all right?
"Bastards!" San suddenly screamed, piercing the silence with her cry. She thrust her spear at something, and Ashitaka heard a voice gurgle and groan, and then die. Yes, she was definitely all right.
"San, they're going to try and surround us- we have to get out of here!" Ashitaka yelled. He still couldn't see a damn thing! Why was it so hard to breathe?! Where was the enemy?!
Growling menacingly, San jumped back to her companion's side, holding her spear out defensively. "Do you fight under cover of darkness?" San taunted. "Show yourselves!"
At first, there was no sound, but then out from the darkness seemed to step at least ten looming figures, all of them swords drawn and armor donned. San's eyes narrowed. "Humans," she said, hissing. "I'll teach you to mess with a wolf!" she screamed, lunging at the nearest one.
"San, no!" Ashitaka said weakly. "These men aren't like the ones at Iron Town!"
But it was too late- the crowd began to close in on them, and Ashitaka had to bring his attention to bear on the rising figure in front of him.
Getting so dark…can't see…
Ashitaka's left arm made it difficult to fight, but he desperately tried to hold off the attacker, as he gave powerful blow after blow.
Trying to surprise the enemy, Ashitaka backpedaled, and then V-stepped to the side as it slashed at him, but the opponent was too quick, and he brought his own blade around to block Ashitaka's descending blow.
Ashitaka's vision began to blur, and he had to blink. No, why now?! He thought desperately.
Feet refused to cooperate, and Ashitaka dizzily lowered his sword and dropped to his knees. He thought he felt something sharp pierce his side, but he couldn't feel anything anymore. He couldn't even see anything anymore.
He heard San's startled cry as she dropped her weapon and darted to his side as he fell. The last thing he remembered was San's gentle, yet firm touch as she cradled his lifeless body in her arms…
So cold…stop
touching…me. Get your hands off of me!
Ashitaka began to struggle against the thing that was holding him down.
"Stop moving, you idiot!" a loud voice commanded. "You're lucky enough to be alive as it is! I'm trying to clean your sword wound, so lay there! If the emperor hadn't wanted to see you, himself, you'd be dead now! Same thing goes for your friend, too."
San…
"W-wh…" Ashitaka's lips refused to cooperate. His body did not respond to his commands. "Whe…re?"
The man snorted contemptuously. "Don't worry, she's with the village women right now. Won't be for long, though. As soon as I'm finished with you, this establishment will be heading back to Kyoto for your…personal interview with the Emperor." He chuckled evilly to himself.
Ashitaka winced as the man began to stitch the wound in his side.
"Y'know, that girl you had- she your wife or something? Don't see many pretty girls like that around lately."
"N-no," Ashitaka fumbled with the words. "F…riend."
"Oh? Well, you must be something special to have a girl like that love you. Took nearly three of our men to just keep the damn thing from tearing the whole place apart! She kept screaming that she wanted to know where you were. Got so much trouble, we just had to knock her out. Y'know, you should consider that's all the got knocked out of her," he laughed. "If the emperor hadn't specifically told us to leave you two alone, well," he paused. "Let's just say she wouldn't be with the other women right now, if you catch my drift. But who knows? Maybe after the Emperor's done with you two, he'll give her to us, eh?"
Anger welled up in Ashitaka, and he feebly struggled at his bonds again.
"Oh, soft spot, eh? Seems to me she's more then just your 'friend'."
"I…kill you," Ashitaka threatened, "if…you…ever spe…bout her like tha agen," he said, gasping for breath after he finished.
But the man only laughed and took less care of Ashitaka's stitching, causing him to wince in pain again. "I don't think you're in a position to make threats, young man, but I admire you for that. Not many men would have to courage to say something like that when they were captured, and you're only a boy! Must have some spirit in there. I can see why the Emperor's so interested in you."
So, Ashitaka thought, nobody else knows why the Emperor really wanted to see them. Just as well, though. The less these people knew about him, the harder it would be for them to find him again once he and San had escaped.
Numbly, he tested his bonds again, and then sighed inwardly. Escape was looking like a distant option, for he felt he was too weak to even hold up a sword, much less run away.
"Oh, by the way," the man said, "while I was fixing up your insides, I noticed a rather strange looking thing lodged on the outside of your gut- almost like a pod. Wasn't sure what the hell it was, so I took it out. Just in time, too- it was shaking all over the place, like it was about to hatch. I hope it wasn't a valuable of yours, was it?" he said sarcastically.
Pod? The virus?! Could it was all over just like that?! And it was about to hatch? That would explain the fuzzy feeling in his head that prevented him from defending himself last night…or however long it'd been since that night.
The man must've seen the relieved look on Ashitaka's face. "You get a nice nap, kid? You look really…light headed," he said. "Well, no matter. Okay, we're done here. C'mon, get up," came the command. Ashitaka didn't take it literally, though. The man knew just as well as he did that movement was impossible.
A bit later, a hand undid the bonds and a strong grip lifted Ashitaka painfully off of the mattress he was lying on.
"We'll give you a few days to rest," a new voice said. "No point in you dying while we're on our way to the capital."
Rest…good. Hopefully he would be able to see San so he could tell her the good news! She would be so happy! If they ever got out of this mess, they could go back to their own forest and live happily for the rest of their lives!
But as he wearily opened his eyes, squinting in the sunlight, his light mood quickly fell. They must have been very important to the Emperor…he had sent at least two hundred soldiers after them. Even if his arm did heal, and his strength did return, how could he and San ever hope to escape?
Gloomily, he closed his eyes and tried not to think of such things. They would manage…somehow.
