Chapter 2; Tresspassers

San and Ashitaka rode hard on the backs of her two wolf brothers, who were as agitated that someone would tresspass on their territory as San and Ashitaka.

"They're close," growled the eldest, his lips curled back to reveal his razor sharp fangs.

"Yes, we should confront them soon..." murmured San, as a great black wolf erupted from the brush infront of them. The black wolf snarled at the four of them, as a girl wearing an outfit extremely similar to Ashitaka's, sat on his broad back. Blue triangles were tatooed on her face, a chain of wolf claws were strung around her neck holding on a short cape of black wolf fur. Strapped around her shoulders was a sheath with a short sword in it, along with a dagger in her belt that looked hand crafted, and a bow was slung around her shoulders with a quiver of arrows on her side. Her eyes widdened when she looked upon Ashitaka, and she choaked out his name, "Ashi...taka..." she leaped off the big wolf and raced foreward, stopping only at a rapid snap of the youngest wolf brothers jaws. Her eyes flashed and she glared at the wolf, standing to her full height and baring her teeth like fangs. Ashitaka looked upon the girl who looked very familiar to him, but he couldn't place it.

"Who are you? Why do you tresspass on our lands?" growled Ashitaka, getting off the wolf to walk up to the girl, as San leaped off her brother's back and came around to stand beside Ashitaka.

"My name is Than, and I come to ask the Forest Spirit for help... but he is not here. I do not feel his presence. Tell me, where is the forest spirit??" she asked, bewildered, her eyes wide with fear.

"The Great Forest Spirit is dead." replied San harshly, her upper lip curled.

"No! This cannot be!" Than turned back around to face the black wolf, who was a bit bigger than Moro had been. "Where is Moro, the guardian of this forest?" asked the black wolf, his golden eyes gleaming, and not in the least frightened of the two humans and smaller pups.

"My mother, is also dead." replied San, looking up at the big wolf.

"What? You say your mother, ah, I understand now. You are Moro's human pup. I am the guardian of the Great Forest far to the east of here... I have adopted Than, because her people have been killed by a great demon."

"Her people? To the east...?" Ashitaka's people, the Emishi lived far to the east of here. "Tell me, are you of... of the Emishi?"

"Yes! My village was entirely destroyed by the demon! I came to ask help of the guardian of this forest, but I see that she is dead..." Than trailed off and peered up at Ashitaka, "tell me, what is your name?"

San jumped foreward and growled, "It is none of your business! You should turn your tail and leave our territory before my dagger finds your flesh!"

"San, becareful, they don't seem to mean any harm." whispered Ashitaka.

"What does that matter? You do not know enough of our customs yet human," barked San's eldest brother, and Ashitaka was taken aback, he had not been called 'human' by the great wolf brother for many winters.

"No, in true wolf custom, I could do battle with the leader of your pack, and should I win, I would be the leader." growled the black wolf god, who still had not revealed his name.

"Hmmph, I could tear out your throat before you knew what hit you old timer," growled the young one.

"I would enjoy seeing you try. You are but a pup, and know nothing of true strength." replied the wolf, glaring at the younder wolf with his gleaming golden eyes.

"Enough! If you have come here seeking aid, you will not find any here, sorry." muttered Ashitaka, glancing over at the girl. "You say that... the Emishi have been totally destroyed but you, why were you not killed as well?"

"She was with me and my pack," growled the black god. "What business is it of yours to know her affairs?"

"Father, enough. He was just asking." whispered Than, swinging herself up onto his large back. "If we will not find help from you, then we will look else where."

"Yes! Get out of here before my fangs find you!" growled the eldest wolf.

"Do shut up. I came here seeking aid, not looking for a fight." snapped Than.

"Do not talk to my brother in that way girl!" snarled San, stepping foreward.

"I will talk to your brother any way I wish," replied Than, leaping off to land infront of San.

"Fool. I have been a wolf longer than you, and know more ways of fighting than you ever will. Do you challenge me?" growled San lightly, her hand on the hilt of her dagger.

"Yes! For the sake of my pack, I will try and defeat you, so that they may roam these lands!" she snapped, baring her teeth and slashing foreward with her dagger. San dodged quickly to the side and drew her dagger, stabbing downward quickly. Than reached up and parried, slipping her moccassined foot under to trip San. San fell with a loud thump, but quickly rolled to the side and slashed across Than's back as she plunged her dagger into the ground. Than's head whipped up and pain raced arcoss her features, but yancked her dagger out of the ground and sliced San's arm open, then punched her in the gut with a quick sweep. San went down, but quickly parried another slash of Than's dagger with her own, and lashed out with her foot, but Than was nimble and dashed to the side, avoiding the swift kick that would have contacted her chest. San flipped onto her feet, eyes flashing violently.

The two circled eachother as Ashitaka watched, worry etched in his features. The two wolf brothers watched with amuzement as this black wolf pup tried to take on their San. The Black God gazed on the battle, his face not showing emotion.

Than had had enough of this game of dodging and parrying, so she ran in and tackled San to the ground, as San's dagger flew from her hand at the unexpected motion. Than brought her dagger down and stopped mere inches from San's throat as she straddled San, pinning her down.

"I have won this battle." she stated clearly, and San whimpered in defeat. Than stood, and sheathed her dagger as blood dribbled down her back. San sood and retrieved her dagger, slipping it into her sheath. The eldest of San's brother raced forward and snapped his massive jaws at Than, who dodged to the side and leaped up, landing firmly on his back. She clung to his shaggy pelt as he bucked and snarled, trying to dislodge her. However, Than would not be thrown and she mastered the wolf. She climbed off slowly, showing her domination. Ashitaka stared at her, and the recognition clicked into place. "Kaiya...?" he whispered and stepped foreward after checking his mate's injuries. Than's eyes widdened and she stepped back, "How do you know that name?! Who are you?" she demanded, snarling.

"I am Ashitaka.. your brother."

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Okay, so I'm *not* the best writer in history, and whether you like of not, please review! *begs wif 'er little wolfy eyes*