Kariudo returned to Iron town under the cover of darkness. "The deed is done," He said to Lady Eboshi, then returned to his room.
Inside, he took a look at himself. What are you doing, Kariudo? He asked himself. Why are you helping them with their problems? You must destroy the demon king. That is your purpose now, not to help them with their personal problems.
Sighing, he walked outside after changing into more casual gear. He kept the red marks on his face, then, taking his dagger with him, he went into the forest.
Sometimes he wished he was a wolf again, hunting animals among his fellow kind and playing with his brothers. This was one of those times, and now, he replied to the calling.
Sprinting into the night, Kariudo the wolf listened intently to any animal noises. Then, drawing closer, he pounced on an unsuspecting deer.
Grabbing it, he tore the creature apart, then, using his dagger, cut it open and bit into the flesh. He felt alive again, fully energized after taking the deer. After a reasonably delicious meal (For a wolf, anyway), Kariudo sped deeper into the forest. His nose was on the hunt for any strange scent, and sooner than later he found one.
The other animal found him as well, but she looked awfully…Wolf! She was a wolf!
Both wolves circled around each other like predators, slowly, cautiously. Without warning, they both charged.
Kariudo was obviously the stronger one, and he took advantage quickly. They rolled over on the ground a few times, snapping and fighting each other, but he stood up and charged her again. Stunned, the female wolf stepped back, in fear. And to his surprise, it spoke. "Kariudo?"
At once, Kariudo the human resumed dominance. "San? What are you doing, this late?" Damn! Stupid question!
"I should be asking you the same thing!" She snapped. "I always thought you were another filthy human, yet you move and think…and smell like a wolf!"
"For a moment, I thought you were my enemy."
"Mine, too." Frowning, San spoke again. "Kariudo…Are you a wolf?"
Kariudo's expression became tortured. "I was once of a wolf clan. We were dominant. We were powerful." His hand turned into a fist. "We were free!"
"Then what happened?"
"Then humans happened, that's what. They came and massacred my family, took me away from them, and raised me as a human!" He bared his teeth in anger.
"Look, Kariudo…" For once (Make that twice) in her life, San felt sympathy for a human. "I'm sorry. I'd hate to feel what it was like."
"Don't." He turned into the forest and left. "Don't show any sympathy. You're a wolf, not a human."
-----
The demon king slowly approached Iron Town.
Clad in red armour, and with a massive iron hammer at his side, he knew the time had come for him to seize power.
He had sent his servants ahead of him a few months ago. That would have crippled them. Now, it would be all-out war on all things.
He raised his head to look up at the skies. Not even the gods will stop me. The king signaled to some of his servants. "Once all my armies are in place, burn the forest first to stop the humans getting supplies and to cripple the animals. Then we shall have no difficulty in taking Iron Town."
The servants bowed. "Yes, your Highness."
Kilometres away, Ashitaka was discussing things at hand with Lady Eboshi. "If what the hunter says is true, then we will not survive an all-out attack by the demon armies. Please, milady, we must unite with the animals of the forest!"
"I'm sorry, Ashitaka, but we cannot." The Lady replied. "I see the strategic bonuses of such an alliance, but it would not be built on trust. The animals cannot trust us."
"Lady Eboshi! Let me through, Gonzo…Lady Eboshi!"
She turned. "What is it?"
"Milady, the forest is burning down!"
"What?" She ran outside, through the town and out to the open gate. He had told the truth. The forest was indeed burning. Trees were falling down, and animals screamed as their homes were destroyed.
"Lady, why would they do this?" Ashitaka ran up beside her. "Why would they burn it?"
Suddenly, she realised what the demon king was planning. "He plans to turn the animals against us!" It was such a devious plan. The forest would be burnt, therefore making the animals blame the humans. Then, they would attack, crippling both forces. The demon king would then have no trouble taking Iron Town.
"Milady." Kariudo stepped beside them. "It is just as I feared. I must go and warn the animals of the approaching danger, as well as telling them it wasn't your fault." And with that, he left. Ashitaka ran to follow.
Speeding along, Ashitaka got on his wood-elk, Yukaal, and gave Kariudo a hand up. They galloped into the woods, evading burning branches and fallen logs.
"Don't worry about the animals," Kariudo instructed. "They used to deal with this all the time, right? Then they can help themselves. What is most important now is getting to the Forest Spirit's old pond."
"Why there?"
"The animals all know where it is and I have an idea."