Kaya Sees the World, Chap. 12
Kaya paused beside her best friend's grave, a bouquet of starflowers from the forest in her hands. She was never quite sure what to say, although she had come many times in the past.
"We're going to restore Irontown to the way it was, before Gonza took over," she told Lady Eboshi. "We haven't quite decided on a new leader yet, but Toki keeps saying that she'll only accept a female leader. The whole experience with Gonza has only strengthened their belief that 'men cannot be trusted'."
Kaya laid the starflowers down and smoothed out her kimono. "I'll come back soon," she promised, and hurried back to the feast.
Nobody had seen or heard from Gonza in the week since the wolves had mercilessly dragged him off. Needless to say, no one really cared very much, either.
San had been residing in Irontown with Ashitaka and Kaya temporarily, but Kaya knew that sooner or later she would have to return to the forest. She could never thrive in a human community. Some of the villagers had been reluctant to let her take part in their festivities at first, but after the true story was out, everyone welcomed her with open arms.
It wasn't until three weeks after Gonza's disappearance that the celebrating finally began to die down and the villagers began to return to their work. At this time San declined Ashitaka's fervent invitation for her to stay, saying that she had to return.
"I'll come back whenever I can," she promised, "and Kaya, please come visit me soon."
"I will," Kaya promised with a smile.
Rumors were circulating now, about Gonza's status and whereabouts. Some were quite possible; others had Kaya and Ashitaka rolling on the floor and laughing hysterically. After the villagers had discovered the real cause for Lady Eboshi's death, hatred against Gonza mounted. Toki declared that she hoped the wolves had eaten him. Some of the men thought that he was lost somewhere in the forest, perhaps destined to wander forever looking for home.
San returned a few days later with the true story. Her wolf brothers had finally returned, informing her that they had been merciful and not killed Gonza (causing San to groan). However, they had dragged him several hundred miles off to the west, leaving him on the outskirts of some foreign village.
"I don't think it'll be a problem," she told Ashitaka. "The chances of his returning are slim. He got knocked out shortly after they dragged him out of our sight, so he probably has no idea where he got taken and why."
Ashitaka drew her close to him. "I'm very glad," he said.
Kaya sat about ten feet behind them on a log, a bowl of rice in her hand. She watched Ashitaka slip his arm around San, and San put her head on his shoulder.
Toki came over and sat down beside Kaya. "They certainly do make a cute couple, don't they," she commented.
Kaya laughed. It felt so good to laugh freely again, without the constant fear of Gonza breathing down her back.
Toki took a bite of rice. "You know, Kaya, Lady Eboshi would be very proud of what Irontown is today, due to everything you've done," she said earnestly, and quietly added, "Thank you, Kaya."
Kaya said nothing and only smiled. The sun cast beautiful rays of gold and crimson and violet, and she knew that Lady Eboshi was up there, watching over them above the curtain of sunset colors.
Kaya paused beside her best friend's grave, a bouquet of starflowers from the forest in her hands. She was never quite sure what to say, although she had come many times in the past.
"We're going to restore Irontown to the way it was, before Gonza took over," she told Lady Eboshi. "We haven't quite decided on a new leader yet, but Toki keeps saying that she'll only accept a female leader. The whole experience with Gonza has only strengthened their belief that 'men cannot be trusted'."
Kaya laid the starflowers down and smoothed out her kimono. "I'll come back soon," she promised, and hurried back to the feast.
Nobody had seen or heard from Gonza in the week since the wolves had mercilessly dragged him off. Needless to say, no one really cared very much, either.
San had been residing in Irontown with Ashitaka and Kaya temporarily, but Kaya knew that sooner or later she would have to return to the forest. She could never thrive in a human community. Some of the villagers had been reluctant to let her take part in their festivities at first, but after the true story was out, everyone welcomed her with open arms.
It wasn't until three weeks after Gonza's disappearance that the celebrating finally began to die down and the villagers began to return to their work. At this time San declined Ashitaka's fervent invitation for her to stay, saying that she had to return.
"I'll come back whenever I can," she promised, "and Kaya, please come visit me soon."
"I will," Kaya promised with a smile.
Rumors were circulating now, about Gonza's status and whereabouts. Some were quite possible; others had Kaya and Ashitaka rolling on the floor and laughing hysterically. After the villagers had discovered the real cause for Lady Eboshi's death, hatred against Gonza mounted. Toki declared that she hoped the wolves had eaten him. Some of the men thought that he was lost somewhere in the forest, perhaps destined to wander forever looking for home.
San returned a few days later with the true story. Her wolf brothers had finally returned, informing her that they had been merciful and not killed Gonza (causing San to groan). However, they had dragged him several hundred miles off to the west, leaving him on the outskirts of some foreign village.
"I don't think it'll be a problem," she told Ashitaka. "The chances of his returning are slim. He got knocked out shortly after they dragged him out of our sight, so he probably has no idea where he got taken and why."
Ashitaka drew her close to him. "I'm very glad," he said.
Kaya sat about ten feet behind them on a log, a bowl of rice in her hand. She watched Ashitaka slip his arm around San, and San put her head on his shoulder.
Toki came over and sat down beside Kaya. "They certainly do make a cute couple, don't they," she commented.
Kaya laughed. It felt so good to laugh freely again, without the constant fear of Gonza breathing down her back.
Toki took a bite of rice. "You know, Kaya, Lady Eboshi would be very proud of what Irontown is today, due to everything you've done," she said earnestly, and quietly added, "Thank you, Kaya."
Kaya said nothing and only smiled. The sun cast beautiful rays of gold and crimson and violet, and she knew that Lady Eboshi was up there, watching over them above the curtain of sunset colors.