Chapter 4
The next morning Ashitaka woke up and saw San packing up her belongings. He got up and folded up the fur blankets and got onto one of the pups. Soon they were on their way again riding through the forest as fast as the pups could carry them.
"San how much further?" Ashitaka called
"We're getting closer, by the next morning we should be right outside Iron Town." She replied.
By midday they stopped by another river and ate some left over raw meat San had kept in her pouch. As they ate some tree spirits appeared sitting on the branches of some large trees rattling their heads.
"Good luck through the forest huh?" San asked
"Yes, they must know what we are doing for the forest." Ashitaka replied with a grin.
Suddenly clouds began to form in the sky, covering up the sun's bright light. Soon it began to rain and it came down hard. Both Ashitaka, San and the pups ran into a near by cave until the rain stopped.
"Maybe we're not having such good luck." She sighed and began to ring out her clothes.
"Don't worry San it'll stop soon." He reassured her.
"Do you remember that shiny thing you gave me? I never got to thank you for it, it's pretty." holding it up off her neck
"You're welcome." he replied
The rain kept pouring until night fell on the forest. They left the cave and decided to travel by night. As the pups ran through the forest, San began to think about what her mother said to her. There was something else she sensed Moro had to say, but she couldn't figure out what it was.
Suddenly the pups stopped outside to large wooden gates. Ashitaka looked up and saw it was Iron Town. San got off her brother and put her mask and cape on, she disappeared jumping onto a roof top.
"San wait!" Ashitaka called; "Now what am I supposed to do?" he thought
"Ashitaka is that you?" a voice called from a platform behind the gate
"Toki? Yes can I come in." he shouted
"Open the gate, he's a friend of mine and my husbands." she told the guards
The gates slowly opened and Ashitaka and the pup went inside. All the women of Iron gathered to see Ashitaka come riding in. They called his name and smiled at him as he got off the pup and walked over to Toki.
"It's been a long time, but what brings you to Iron Town?" she asked beginning to walk
"I have come to Iron Town to speak to Lady Eboshi. It's about the forest." he began walking along side her
Toki seemed silent, but then smiled and took him further into the village. They came to a large building and went inside. As both walked in Lady Eboshi sat in a chair enjoying some cooked soup and savoring each taste.
"Lady Eboshi, Prince Ashitaka to see you majesty." Toki left them to talk
"Ashitaka what brings you to Iron Town?" she smiled putting her cup down
"I've come along with the Wolf Girl to demand you stop cutting down the trees. The Ape Clan has become angry with you because you've destroyed what trees they've planted. " he paused
"I can't do that. We need the trees to make our new guns, besides the iron to make our bullets. I'm sorry we can't do that." she smirked
