The Forest Cries Again
In a time of gods, gods of forest, land, and water, a long treasured bond would be threatened, pushing a family to the limits, testing just how thick blood is. A war would be forged over the devastating murder of one small child, a girl who would have grown up in a world where she could have been both human and wolf.
A small girl that appeared to be about six or seven was wondering through her forest home. It started out as any other day, but it wouldn't end that way.
Her name was Kaiya, she was the first, and at the moment only child of San and Ashitaka of the wolf clan. The only three 'humans' to be considered wolves. They lived in these woods and protected them, like all wolves they were territorial.
Kaiya has always been allowed to wander for there has never been any danger for her here. Today though something was different, there was the scent of strange wolves at the edge of her home. Filled with innocent curiosity she went towards this scent.
At the edge of the woods there was a clearing were the smell was coming from. There were large wolves, midnight black in contrast to the snow white wolves of her family. While that wasn't much of a surprise to Kaiya, the camp of humans mingling amongst the wolves was.
From her hiding place she could see straight down the hillside to Iron Town. Years ago before she was born that place was a threat to her home, now the wolves and humans lived in a peace where they all got a little of what they wanted. Kaiya had some friends there and always pondered why her parents, and her were wolves and they were not.
As she sat there pondering she failed to notice the largest of the black wolves approach her from the right, or it's rider easily accept it's request for a snack, she didn't know until it had her in it's jaws.
A gorilla had been watching Kaiya upon Ashitaka's request, seeing the attack launched it's own on the offending wolf, freeing Kaiya's body, but she was already dead. The gorilla took to the trees holding fast to Kaiya's limp body rushing to San and Ashitaka. The wolf appeared undaunted, yet did not pursue.
When reaching the home of the wolf clan the gorilla went straight to San.
At first san was smiling at the sight of the gorilla and her daughter, but then seeing blood panicked. Running to meet the two half way, she immediately started to question the gorilla.
"What happened, how did, who, gods she not breathing, I . . . no." San's words were coming fast and the gorilla could barely make out what she was saying.
"San I was watching from afar and there were these wolves, black as night. A camp filled with humans, one girl was questioned by the largest wolf and she told him to do as he pleased. He killed Kaiya, and that girl allowed it without feeling or remorse." The gorilla's hair was on end; his anger rising with each word he spoke. "I went after him, I tried to help, but your daughter was already dead. I'm sorry, I should have been watching more closely."
"Don't blame yourself; we knew those wolves had been at the edge of our territory for at least a month now. We should have been more careful. I'll go find Ashitaka." San said through sobs. She took her daughter from the gorilla's arms, telling him again that it was not his fault, and he should return to his family.
San slowly made her way back to the cave that was her home; she had no idea what she would say. At first San had been afraid to lose her daughter to humans, technically Kaiya was human, and with Ashitaka's bond to the humans in iron Town, she thought she would loss Kaiya to that world. San had been raised by wolves and believed her children, if any, would be too. Yet Ashitaka was Kaiya's father, human raised, and bonded to the human race, though was now a part of the wolf clan. San was afraid that Kaiya would become just human, and forget, or abandon her wolf heritage. San thought she would have a strong bond with the humans, and that was okay, as long as she was still a part of the clan. Kaiya had turned out perfect in San's eyes. Equally wolf and human, Kaiya loved it all. Things seemed so perfect, why did this have to happen to her daughter, her family. And who were these humans and these wolves that would so casually kill a small child, she didn't do anything. Even if she did, she'd young they should have understood she did not know better. From what the gorilla said, when they saw her they attacked, without reason, completely unprovoked.
San finally reached her home; she could see Ashitaka, with one of her wolf brothers. They weren't facing her, but watching the sun rise. She did not want to disturb them, and she didn't have to. Ashitaka turned to face her. At the sight of their daughter, his smile vanished and his eyes grew wide with fear.
"San, what h-happened?" His eyes pleading for an answer.
"Wolves on the outskirts killed her." San recited calmly, even with all her raging emotions inside.
San's brother Kuso's growl could be heard from the front of the cave. "Why? What reason could they have, we've done nothing." His voice grew louder with each breath.
"I know. The gorilla explained it appeared random, and they were not provoked." Venom leaked into San's calm composure.
"This is insane! There is no reason for this." Ashitaka's own anger surfacing.
"He's right. This is our land; they have no right to kill one of ours." Kuso spoke out again.
"Let's go." Ashitaka stated, surprising San, for he was not one to fight unless he had too. "Let's go see there wolves, find their reason for this outrageous, and uncalled for attack."
San nodded, Ashitaka was right. It would be best if they made everything perfectly clear. Those wolves had crossed a line, and were now treading on paper thin ice.
San laid her daughter's body down covering it with a thick blanket of fur. Ashitaka was already on Jagar's back, another of San's wolf brothers. San armed herself and took to Kuso's back, calling for the other wolves to join them. These black wolves, which were playing dangerous games, would soon learn Moro's tribe was not their prey.
Lee was riding the small black wolf Otaku when she spotted blurs of white in the forest. The flashes came faster and bigger until she could see wolves rushing toward her. Otaku's muscle's tensed beneath her; he was ready and willing to fight. Lee's hand went to her sword. That's when she saw him, Prince Ashitaka. He didn't look any different except he was wearing a white fur pelt. The wolves came to a stop surrounding her, but she did not release Otaku from his position.
"Prince Ashitaka, why are here?" Lee questioned softly, seeing the anger in his eyes.
San looked from this girl to her husband, not sure what to say.
"I could ask you the same, your people belong to the Far East." He stated not denying what she had called him, which worried San.
"Our home land has been destroyed, we headed west and the wolves saved us from starving. We've continued this way looking for you. We've been praying you were not dead prince. The others will be overjoyed that you're alive." She explained.
"As far as you're concerned I'm dead." Ashitaka did not bother to hide his anger.
Lee was taken aback, "But we've dropped our old laws, we're creating a new home-"
Ashitaka didn't let her finish. "Where is your princess?"
"But-"
"Where is she?" Ashitaka demanded. The coldness in his voice shocked Lee, but she still did as he said. She turned Otaku with an invisible signal, and headed for camp. Lee didn't know what she would say when she got there. Princess Kaiya was Prince Ashitaka's little sister, she thought their reunion would be joyous, but Ashitaka seemed so cold, full of rage. She knew wolves were territorial, but that couldn't be what had angered him so.
The center tent came into view, Lee's princess was inside San knew that, what San didn't know, or understand was where this new found rage that consumed Ashitaka was coming from. Ashitaka knew this Lee woman, the girl even claimed he was their prince, but wouldn't that mean that this princess was his wife. San had believed whole heartedly that Ashitaka had never lied to her, but now she wasn't so sure. She would wait to see how this meeting went, and then question Ashitaka.
Swinging off Jagar's back Ashitaka stood waiting for Lee to tell him to enter the tent. Looking to San he waved for her to follow. He knew she had to be there, she had to know. Then together they followed Lee inside. Sitting at a makeshift chair next to a large black wolf was Kaiya. Ashitaka didn't greet her, for fear he would explode and start screaming at her.
Kaiya's eyes rose to see who had come to see her after she had asked to be alone. She met Ashitaka's deadly glare and gasped. Jumping from her chair she ran to hug him. She released him as her happiness was not returned.
"Ashitaka, what's wrong it's me." Kaiya said confused.
"I'm not so sure anymore." Was his only reply, further confusing his sister.
"What do you mean? True we've changed our laws, and home, but I'm no different now then I was then." She looked at him with sad eyes, only to see he was full of rage.
"No, you aren't. You became a killer today." Ashitaka could barely keep the emotion from his voice.
"What!?" Her sad eyes became wide and bewildered. "How could you say that? I didn't kill anyone."
"The blood is still on your hands, you allowed a wolf to kill a little girl today." Ashitaka was very close to his breaking point by now.
Kaiya briefly recalled the encounter she and Cain had earlier this morning, just before dawn. The wolves and people her were close to starving and Cain had spotted a young human girl, and asked if he could use her to feed his new cubs. Kaiya who was attached to the wolves and knew they needed meat allowed it.
"Ashitaka, the wolves need food, meat! They can not survive on plants alone!" Kaiya yelled now getting angry herself. Her protest was followed by Cain's growl from his place behind them.
"It would have been better to hunt on our lands, then to kill our daughter!" San screamed unable to take this anymore.
"Your daughter." Kaiya whispered, looking from her brother to this new woman, she didn't know. "Oh, Ashitaka, I didn't know. I never-"
"It doesn't matter; she had no way to protect herself against a full grown wolf. She didn't have a chance." Ashitaka was no longer looking at Kaiya, but instead had closed his eyes. He couldn't believe how easy it was for her to justify killing a defenseless child. He and San had raised their daughter to be comfortable around wolves; she most likely didn't even try and run until it was too late. Tears of rage, and sadness streaking down his face. "Kaiya."
"Ashitaka I -"Kaiya began again.
"Kaiya, I will not start a war, not here, not now. But if you enter our lands, or attack the people of Iron Town, I will fight you." Ashitaka said opening his eyes. Kaiya could see he was serious, and it scared her. Ashitaka turned to leave with San following.
Kaiya followed them outside. "Ashitaka, this isn't fair. The wolves, the people are starving. I had no idea she was you daughter. You must believe me." Kaiya begged. She hated to see him so mad at her.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER! SHE COULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE'S DAUGHTER! THERE ARE DEER, RABBITS, AND BOAR, ALL OVER THE MOUNTAIN, THAT CAN AT LEAST DEFEND THEMSELVES! SHE WAS GIVEN NO REASON TO FEAR WOLVES! YOU HAD NO RIGHT, SO STAY OFF OUR LANDS! Ashitaka screamed at her, not able to control his anger at all. He whirled around and mounted Jagar. They headed for the forest. He stopped briefly to throw a small item at Kaiya's feet. It was the small crystal dagger she had given him years ago. A gift so he would never forget his little sister, wherever he went. This was the breaking point. Years ago he had been cursed fighting a demon to protect her, forced to leave their home, never to return. He went in search of why the boar god of the forest became an enraged demon. Even if he found a cure to the fatal curse, by the laws of his people, the Emishi, he could never go back. He was dead to them forever. She had lost her brother twice now.
Kaiya had always prayed for his safety, and happiness. Now she had taken that from him. Kaiya was completely aware of the worried and bewildered looks she was receiving, but she did not care. She stood there lost in her mind; all these crazy thoughts and feelings were running through her head. Then she hit rage, she had wanted to help the wolves keep them from starving. What right did he have to deny his heritage, and then tell her what to do? Iron Town, she knew where that was. She would show Ashitaka he could not tell her what to do. They would attack the Iron Town traders returning home, they wouldn't make it within a mile of what they called home, if Kaiya attacked now. That's exactly what she would do. "Ashitaka?" San whispered.
"Yes, I know, her name is Kaiya. She's the sister I begged you to name our daughter after." He answered exhausted.
"If you are their prince, why did you not return after being cured?" San asked not able to hold back her curiosity.
"Their laws forbid it, when I left there was no going back. Beside they don't need me, they have Kaiya, and I'm happy here with you." Ashitaka said his harsh words melting into smooth soft ones. "Gods, I'm just so . . ."
"Furious." Kuso snapped.
"Yes, furious." Ashitaka smiled weakly.
"What are you going to do about Kaiya, your sister, after the shock wears off, she might be furious and-" San never finished her sentence. She was cut off by sudden shouts, and gunfire in the distance.
"Iron Town!" Ashitaka's eyes went wide with realization.
In a time of gods, gods of forest, land, and water, a long treasured bond would be threatened, pushing a family to the limits, testing just how thick blood is. A war would be forged over the devastating murder of one small child, a girl who would have grown up in a world where she could have been both human and wolf.
A small girl that appeared to be about six or seven was wondering through her forest home. It started out as any other day, but it wouldn't end that way.
Her name was Kaiya, she was the first, and at the moment only child of San and Ashitaka of the wolf clan. The only three 'humans' to be considered wolves. They lived in these woods and protected them, like all wolves they were territorial.
Kaiya has always been allowed to wander for there has never been any danger for her here. Today though something was different, there was the scent of strange wolves at the edge of her home. Filled with innocent curiosity she went towards this scent.
At the edge of the woods there was a clearing were the smell was coming from. There were large wolves, midnight black in contrast to the snow white wolves of her family. While that wasn't much of a surprise to Kaiya, the camp of humans mingling amongst the wolves was.
From her hiding place she could see straight down the hillside to Iron Town. Years ago before she was born that place was a threat to her home, now the wolves and humans lived in a peace where they all got a little of what they wanted. Kaiya had some friends there and always pondered why her parents, and her were wolves and they were not.
As she sat there pondering she failed to notice the largest of the black wolves approach her from the right, or it's rider easily accept it's request for a snack, she didn't know until it had her in it's jaws.
A gorilla had been watching Kaiya upon Ashitaka's request, seeing the attack launched it's own on the offending wolf, freeing Kaiya's body, but she was already dead. The gorilla took to the trees holding fast to Kaiya's limp body rushing to San and Ashitaka. The wolf appeared undaunted, yet did not pursue.
When reaching the home of the wolf clan the gorilla went straight to San.
At first san was smiling at the sight of the gorilla and her daughter, but then seeing blood panicked. Running to meet the two half way, she immediately started to question the gorilla.
"What happened, how did, who, gods she not breathing, I . . . no." San's words were coming fast and the gorilla could barely make out what she was saying.
"San I was watching from afar and there were these wolves, black as night. A camp filled with humans, one girl was questioned by the largest wolf and she told him to do as he pleased. He killed Kaiya, and that girl allowed it without feeling or remorse." The gorilla's hair was on end; his anger rising with each word he spoke. "I went after him, I tried to help, but your daughter was already dead. I'm sorry, I should have been watching more closely."
"Don't blame yourself; we knew those wolves had been at the edge of our territory for at least a month now. We should have been more careful. I'll go find Ashitaka." San said through sobs. She took her daughter from the gorilla's arms, telling him again that it was not his fault, and he should return to his family.
San slowly made her way back to the cave that was her home; she had no idea what she would say. At first San had been afraid to lose her daughter to humans, technically Kaiya was human, and with Ashitaka's bond to the humans in iron Town, she thought she would loss Kaiya to that world. San had been raised by wolves and believed her children, if any, would be too. Yet Ashitaka was Kaiya's father, human raised, and bonded to the human race, though was now a part of the wolf clan. San was afraid that Kaiya would become just human, and forget, or abandon her wolf heritage. San thought she would have a strong bond with the humans, and that was okay, as long as she was still a part of the clan. Kaiya had turned out perfect in San's eyes. Equally wolf and human, Kaiya loved it all. Things seemed so perfect, why did this have to happen to her daughter, her family. And who were these humans and these wolves that would so casually kill a small child, she didn't do anything. Even if she did, she'd young they should have understood she did not know better. From what the gorilla said, when they saw her they attacked, without reason, completely unprovoked.
San finally reached her home; she could see Ashitaka, with one of her wolf brothers. They weren't facing her, but watching the sun rise. She did not want to disturb them, and she didn't have to. Ashitaka turned to face her. At the sight of their daughter, his smile vanished and his eyes grew wide with fear.
"San, what h-happened?" His eyes pleading for an answer.
"Wolves on the outskirts killed her." San recited calmly, even with all her raging emotions inside.
San's brother Kuso's growl could be heard from the front of the cave. "Why? What reason could they have, we've done nothing." His voice grew louder with each breath.
"I know. The gorilla explained it appeared random, and they were not provoked." Venom leaked into San's calm composure.
"This is insane! There is no reason for this." Ashitaka's own anger surfacing.
"He's right. This is our land; they have no right to kill one of ours." Kuso spoke out again.
"Let's go." Ashitaka stated, surprising San, for he was not one to fight unless he had too. "Let's go see there wolves, find their reason for this outrageous, and uncalled for attack."
San nodded, Ashitaka was right. It would be best if they made everything perfectly clear. Those wolves had crossed a line, and were now treading on paper thin ice.
San laid her daughter's body down covering it with a thick blanket of fur. Ashitaka was already on Jagar's back, another of San's wolf brothers. San armed herself and took to Kuso's back, calling for the other wolves to join them. These black wolves, which were playing dangerous games, would soon learn Moro's tribe was not their prey.
Lee was riding the small black wolf Otaku when she spotted blurs of white in the forest. The flashes came faster and bigger until she could see wolves rushing toward her. Otaku's muscle's tensed beneath her; he was ready and willing to fight. Lee's hand went to her sword. That's when she saw him, Prince Ashitaka. He didn't look any different except he was wearing a white fur pelt. The wolves came to a stop surrounding her, but she did not release Otaku from his position.
"Prince Ashitaka, why are here?" Lee questioned softly, seeing the anger in his eyes.
San looked from this girl to her husband, not sure what to say.
"I could ask you the same, your people belong to the Far East." He stated not denying what she had called him, which worried San.
"Our home land has been destroyed, we headed west and the wolves saved us from starving. We've continued this way looking for you. We've been praying you were not dead prince. The others will be overjoyed that you're alive." She explained.
"As far as you're concerned I'm dead." Ashitaka did not bother to hide his anger.
Lee was taken aback, "But we've dropped our old laws, we're creating a new home-"
Ashitaka didn't let her finish. "Where is your princess?"
"But-"
"Where is she?" Ashitaka demanded. The coldness in his voice shocked Lee, but she still did as he said. She turned Otaku with an invisible signal, and headed for camp. Lee didn't know what she would say when she got there. Princess Kaiya was Prince Ashitaka's little sister, she thought their reunion would be joyous, but Ashitaka seemed so cold, full of rage. She knew wolves were territorial, but that couldn't be what had angered him so.
The center tent came into view, Lee's princess was inside San knew that, what San didn't know, or understand was where this new found rage that consumed Ashitaka was coming from. Ashitaka knew this Lee woman, the girl even claimed he was their prince, but wouldn't that mean that this princess was his wife. San had believed whole heartedly that Ashitaka had never lied to her, but now she wasn't so sure. She would wait to see how this meeting went, and then question Ashitaka.
Swinging off Jagar's back Ashitaka stood waiting for Lee to tell him to enter the tent. Looking to San he waved for her to follow. He knew she had to be there, she had to know. Then together they followed Lee inside. Sitting at a makeshift chair next to a large black wolf was Kaiya. Ashitaka didn't greet her, for fear he would explode and start screaming at her.
Kaiya's eyes rose to see who had come to see her after she had asked to be alone. She met Ashitaka's deadly glare and gasped. Jumping from her chair she ran to hug him. She released him as her happiness was not returned.
"Ashitaka, what's wrong it's me." Kaiya said confused.
"I'm not so sure anymore." Was his only reply, further confusing his sister.
"What do you mean? True we've changed our laws, and home, but I'm no different now then I was then." She looked at him with sad eyes, only to see he was full of rage.
"No, you aren't. You became a killer today." Ashitaka could barely keep the emotion from his voice.
"What!?" Her sad eyes became wide and bewildered. "How could you say that? I didn't kill anyone."
"The blood is still on your hands, you allowed a wolf to kill a little girl today." Ashitaka was very close to his breaking point by now.
Kaiya briefly recalled the encounter she and Cain had earlier this morning, just before dawn. The wolves and people her were close to starving and Cain had spotted a young human girl, and asked if he could use her to feed his new cubs. Kaiya who was attached to the wolves and knew they needed meat allowed it.
"Ashitaka, the wolves need food, meat! They can not survive on plants alone!" Kaiya yelled now getting angry herself. Her protest was followed by Cain's growl from his place behind them.
"It would have been better to hunt on our lands, then to kill our daughter!" San screamed unable to take this anymore.
"Your daughter." Kaiya whispered, looking from her brother to this new woman, she didn't know. "Oh, Ashitaka, I didn't know. I never-"
"It doesn't matter; she had no way to protect herself against a full grown wolf. She didn't have a chance." Ashitaka was no longer looking at Kaiya, but instead had closed his eyes. He couldn't believe how easy it was for her to justify killing a defenseless child. He and San had raised their daughter to be comfortable around wolves; she most likely didn't even try and run until it was too late. Tears of rage, and sadness streaking down his face. "Kaiya."
"Ashitaka I -"Kaiya began again.
"Kaiya, I will not start a war, not here, not now. But if you enter our lands, or attack the people of Iron Town, I will fight you." Ashitaka said opening his eyes. Kaiya could see he was serious, and it scared her. Ashitaka turned to leave with San following.
Kaiya followed them outside. "Ashitaka, this isn't fair. The wolves, the people are starving. I had no idea she was you daughter. You must believe me." Kaiya begged. She hated to see him so mad at her.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER! SHE COULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE'S DAUGHTER! THERE ARE DEER, RABBITS, AND BOAR, ALL OVER THE MOUNTAIN, THAT CAN AT LEAST DEFEND THEMSELVES! SHE WAS GIVEN NO REASON TO FEAR WOLVES! YOU HAD NO RIGHT, SO STAY OFF OUR LANDS! Ashitaka screamed at her, not able to control his anger at all. He whirled around and mounted Jagar. They headed for the forest. He stopped briefly to throw a small item at Kaiya's feet. It was the small crystal dagger she had given him years ago. A gift so he would never forget his little sister, wherever he went. This was the breaking point. Years ago he had been cursed fighting a demon to protect her, forced to leave their home, never to return. He went in search of why the boar god of the forest became an enraged demon. Even if he found a cure to the fatal curse, by the laws of his people, the Emishi, he could never go back. He was dead to them forever. She had lost her brother twice now.
Kaiya had always prayed for his safety, and happiness. Now she had taken that from him. Kaiya was completely aware of the worried and bewildered looks she was receiving, but she did not care. She stood there lost in her mind; all these crazy thoughts and feelings were running through her head. Then she hit rage, she had wanted to help the wolves keep them from starving. What right did he have to deny his heritage, and then tell her what to do? Iron Town, she knew where that was. She would show Ashitaka he could not tell her what to do. They would attack the Iron Town traders returning home, they wouldn't make it within a mile of what they called home, if Kaiya attacked now. That's exactly what she would do. "Ashitaka?" San whispered.
"Yes, I know, her name is Kaiya. She's the sister I begged you to name our daughter after." He answered exhausted.
"If you are their prince, why did you not return after being cured?" San asked not able to hold back her curiosity.
"Their laws forbid it, when I left there was no going back. Beside they don't need me, they have Kaiya, and I'm happy here with you." Ashitaka said his harsh words melting into smooth soft ones. "Gods, I'm just so . . ."
"Furious." Kuso snapped.
"Yes, furious." Ashitaka smiled weakly.
"What are you going to do about Kaiya, your sister, after the shock wears off, she might be furious and-" San never finished her sentence. She was cut off by sudden shouts, and gunfire in the distance.
"Iron Town!" Ashitaka's eyes went wide with realization.