Chapter 2: Chance Reunion
As Ashitaka truddled along the rocky path towards the cliff on the other side of the forest, he lay down to rest for a while. He began to doze off and was interrupted by the rustling of trees. His eyes opened wide right away knowing this forest was infamous for dangerous animals and...humans. Stray Monks would linger around in packs like bandits who oppose the people of Iron town. afraid to admit that was Ashitaka, the server of his justice. Although he was very alert on all occasions, now he was too tired to care who it was, but nonetheless he was somewhat alert now.
Ashitaka got up to take a look around while Eboshi lay propped against the stump of a tree with her brow furrowed hard as she was now in an endless nightmare she would never wake up from if Ashitaka never found the plant. He looked toawrds the sky in thought, he determined it was around mid afternoon. Around 9 hours had gone by, so about 15 hours was left. The worst, he would be left with a body, this could be avoided, he just needed some help.
Help was on the way as the water from the river nearby was being muffled by something coming near. Out pounced a white wolf that nearly bit off Ashitaka's head. The Wolf glimmered in the sunshine that surpassed the dark and gloomy trees. It was impossible to determine its rider. A human? An Ape? No, it was definitely human. Ashitaka need not have thought as long as he had because it hit him as only one person he knew rode a wolf steed and had facepaint in the designs and shapes that symbolize the wolf. It was San! She looked much the same as she always had, just her hair. Her hair, as white as the Wolf she sat upon flowed down the back of her neck to her waist. In front of me, she pulled out her usual dagger that Ashitaka remembered from earlier occasions and she cut her hair down to shoulder's length.
"What was the point of THAT?" Ashitaka wondered and said aloud.
"The point of THAT was to be able to see YOU" She said shifting her weight from one side to the other as she always did to get off.
"You look, you look-" Ashitaka was interrupted
"Different? I suppose so, it has been a while since our last meeting. So, howya been Ashitaka?
Ashitaka was quite surprised by her casuality as he kew she never felt this comfortable around him since she had a lover for him for a while and even had a brief chance to show it before he and she divided to live with their kind.
"I've been great, I just didn't know you felt comfortab-" Again, interrupted rudely by San.
"WHAT'S SHE DOING HERE! Ashitaka! Tell me! I want to know why! She killed my mother!" San allowed her eyes to wander to Eboshi's missing arm and even made a loud "Hmph" noise when she did.
"She needs our help, San. Her soul was taken by the Forest Spirit when she tried to kill her 2 years ago, remember? Well she has been having dreams that kept coming back. The last dream she had, she never woke up from. We need your help. Please, San." Ashitaka looked quite innocent if you could imagine and San felt a bit sorry for his demeanor and for the predicament he was in as well.
"Well, is she going to die?" San asked
"Yes. That is, if we do not help her within 13 hours." Ashitaka reluctantly told her about his journey thus far and the Matzamuto plant and how she needed it to awaken herself.
"So, that's it? A plant? Matzamuto? Sure, easy, no problem, too non-complicated. Where is it?"
"San, i thought you knew. You live in the forest." San said
"Well, yes, but NO, I don't know any plant by that name at all, I will look though, my mother showed it to me before I think. I'll take you to my place for a rest. Obviously that's what you need since I had awoken you earlier, heh heh." San gave out a short snort and spit out a large wad of mucus.
Ashitaka and San both traded off carying Eboshi since her weight was quite overwhelming. Eventually San called for another Wolf to place her upon and the party was soon off towards the cliff face. Rustles in the trees were repeatedly heard throughout the little trudge onward, what came next was quite unexpected.