So I dabble in the ghibli film fandoms, Princess Mononoke being a favourite of mine. However, I decided to give a sequel to my last fic. I hope you enjoy
San growled low under her breath, gritting her teeth and biting back her whines of agony, she wished she could make it stop, that this could all be over. If she had known it would hurt this much maybe she would have talked herself out of it, yet she wanted this so much. The happiness of knowing she and Ashitaka were bound to one another, she couldn't express it in words alone. She was not yet due to give birth but the changes in her body were becoming difficult to bear, she wished her mother was here to give guidance and support, but instead she had to rely on Ashitaka and her siblings. She had formed a bigger family, whatever future lay ahead she knew she wouldn't be facing it alone. Ashitaka had wrapped her in furs so she didn't become cold and she was comfortable, burying herself as deep into them as she could. Hiding herself in a cocoon of warmth and safety, curling into the fetal position, trying to focus on anything but the pain. She couldn't help reminiscing of all the changes that had happened in the past year, she never would have believed it, but fate was funny like that. It had been so long since then, Ashitaka had chosen to leave Iron town, he had never been one to stay in one place too long. The villagers who had welcomed him with open arms, warm smiles and asked him to remain in their home, the women who had fawned over him, many who wished to marry him, the men whom had come to respect him, admire him and wished to make him one of them. Lady Eboshi had warmed up to him, formed respect for him and grown new roots. Ashitaka and San had saved her life and the remaining villagers, they could make life anew. Instead Ashitaka had found peace in the forest, he had been redeemed by the forest spirit and his curse was lifted, he could no longer live among people. Choosing to live alongside the princess of the forest. Reminding him of the home he had been forced to abandon to protect his people.
San wore the crystal dagger he gifted her, proof of his feelings for her and being chosen as her mate, she treasured it with every fibre of her being. A wedding gift to a future bride from a husband, the depths of his feelings. He was gifted a wolf fang necklace with San, beads and other decorations bound into it. Their mating ceremony solidified their marriage and consummated their love for one another. Ashitaka had the protection of the guardian of the forest and the wolf tribe, so long as Ashitaka had friends in iron town, she was protected by him. Nobody would bother them ever again. Ashitaka had been nervous, though he had an ex fiance back in his village, Kaya, the first person he had ever given his heart to. She had most likely moved on, forgotten him and found a new husband, she had been his first love and potential future wife as prince. Before he had been cursed by the gods of the forest. But San was his wife now, she was the woman he had chosen and fallen in love with. He knew from the moment they met, the moment they locked eyes and he saw her nursing her mothers wounds. She was unlike any woman he had ever met before, wild, free and passionate. The pain she had felt from losing her virginity had pained him, he held her close, promising it be over, holding himself back. But San was stronger than she looked, she bit back at him not to coddle her but he kissed away her tears, apologising to her. Ashitaka's kind heart prevented him from pushing San more than she could bear, he tended to her and made sure she wasn't in any pain. Now here they were months later and she was carrying his child, she was four months along, though she had a noticeable bump, it was still small enough to be hidden from view, her body changing to adapt to raising a life. After the passing of Moro, the previous great wolf of the forest, San became the protector after her, she guarded the forest her mother had loved so dearly. Driving any anyone who dared to harm it or destroy it once again. The new sprouts of life coming back stronger than ever. San protected her wolf pup siblings, now they protected Ashitaka too, understanding he was now a member of their pack and an ally. He was no threat to her nor was he a threat to them. The spirit of the forest had died, but she would continue to protect the forest in his name, soon their future child would protect their home too. A huge responsibility would be passed onto them, but one of honour.
She couldn't help but wonder of what their infant would look like, the person they would grow up to be. She would be infamous, the daughter of the wolf princess. Would it be a boy, with her dark brown hair, harbouring Ashitaka's calm and devoted nature, his ability to lead and wisdom? His same pure heart. Carrying her wild heart and compassionate nature? Or would it be a girl with Ashitaka's dark brown hair, his same charm and mysterious air, her fiery passionate soul, but also her fathers determinedness, his curious nature and peaceful soul. No matter what, their child would be a wolf, their child would be a child of the forest. Their child would be told stories of how they saved the forest, San regained her humanity and learned to form a peacefulness with the villagers. San heard someone coming but she didn't budge, she knew his scent, she knew his footsteps from memory. She knew he would never hurt her, he would never put her in danger. She was suffering terribly from mood swings, she had lashed out at Ashitaka so many times but he never got upset with her, allowing her to vent her feelings and taking care of her as best he could. He had faced her rage before and it didn't frighten him, he wasn't afraid of her, he loved her dearly. Doing what he could to appease her insomnia, nausea and other ailments. Both of them were scared, stressed and excited, this was their first child and step into parenthood.
Ashitaka entered the cave, Yakul nearby, enjoying the taste of grass and other foods he could eat. He had continued to keep his companion, wishing for him to live peacefully in the forest, to roam and explore as he wished. When Ashitaka had to wander, San kept him company and talked with him. San's wolves had befriended him and become protective of the elk, scaring off any predator whom would attempt to eat him. He remained loyal to Ashitaka and hadn't once left his side. Ashitaka removed his mask, laying his cloak on the cave floor and smiled fondly at his wife, she grew lovelier as days passed, his feelings for her only grew stronger. He never thought he would meet someone who would become so precious to him. He had been on a hunt, one of the wolves had come with him to help, the other guarding San. He had found meat, the wolves could eat and they would be able to dry and roast it to be consumed. It would last a long time and he wouldn't need to hunt for a while. He knelt by her side, placing his hand gently on her shape "Are you feeling better?" he soothed. If she wished to be alone for a while he would respect that, leaving her in peace until she wanted companionship.
San rolled over to face him, her expression sulky and filled with anger, she wished to be alone but she didn't want him to leave. Ashitaka was the only person she liked, the only person she trusted "The baby is making me sick" she mumbled. She hated feeling this weakened, she hated all of her senses being heightened, her body refusing and demanding certain foods. Why did she have to go through this? At least he was back now so she wouldn't have to suffer alone.
Ashitaka softened, thanks to his village he had learned all of the ways to support women during labour and pregnancy. Had he married Kaya, he would have supported her the same way, their child being the next royal of the village. He would do what he could to make San's pregnancy as smooth as possible. The forest had been generous and he found what he needed "I gathered some herbs on my hunt, I can boil them into a tea for you" he could add some berries and roots to make it sweeter, as to null the bitterness of the herbs. San softened, he was always thinking of her in small ways and it meant so much, she nodded weakly, still hiding in the furs.
San sipped the tea quietly, she had later learned Ashitaka was a member of the Emishi people, knowing he had been forced to abandon his people due to the curse Eboshi inflicted upon him. The boar she shot roamed into his village and disturbed his peace, causing him to distance himself from his culture and family. The Emishi people lived peacefully among nature, living amongst themselves and rarely letting outsiders in, living peacefully and never disturbed from the outside world. People had long since believed that the Emishi people had died out, instead living in secrecy after being driven away. San couldn't imagine how hard that had to have been for Ashitaka, abandoning his family, his friends, his loved ones. Leaving behind his community and knowledge of the world around him. After Lady Eboshi welcomed him into Iron town, the truth of his identity had slowly leaked out, where he came from, who his people were, but nobody knew the location of his village. Only that the curse he endured had forced him to leave and he could never return home, Ashitaka was an outcast, estranged from his home and forced to form new roots. People showed empathy and sadness towards his hardships, his people would never know what became of him or where his life led. Only that he had died after being cursed. Which is why he belonged in the forest, he could form a new life, the spirits of the forest welcomed him and saw him as an ally. His knowledge of herbs and medicine had come in handy, easing her sickness and the baby liked it. She could perhaps even stomach some food.
Ashitaka sat nearby, watching her patiently "I'm sorry I left you alone for so long, I didn't predict the hunt would become so strenuous" he apologised. He had searched profusely for food as to assure he wouldn't come home empty handed. San had been on his mind the entire time, knowing she was safe and yet he hated thinking of her alone. Crying and suffering in pain and all the symptoms that came with it. Trying to come back as quickly as possible, aware of any dangers. The cave was filled with the scent of meat, making both their stomachs growl and reminding them of their hunger.
San softened, he had been worried about her "My mother told me that childbirth doesn't come easy, I helped her birth my brothers, my body may suffer for it, just as she did. But... I'm eager to become a mother, I'm happy to meet our child" she responded nervously. Bringing life into the world was a sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears of forming a new life. Nurturing and caring for this baby, making sure it was loved and healthy. She could tolerate this pain, as she knew it would be worth it. This new pack member would be protected and safe. The baby of the man she loved so dearly.
Ashitaka smiled, he knew that Iron town would be surprised when they learned San was pregnant, let alone that they were expecting a baby. A rare union of the Emishi people and the forest gods, two cultures combined. Their child would know where they came from and how their parents met. It was only natural that someday they would become curious and explore the world around them. Iron town would be wary of their child, but they had warmed up to San, they wouldn't ostracise their child, she would be welcomed and seen as a friend. "I don't doubt our baby will be loved" he smiled. He approached her, squeezing her hand affectionately, his eyes warm and tender "You are normal to feel afraid San, after everything we've been through together. What happened to your home, now to become a new mother, a mere year later at seventeen. You have every right to feel afraid" he soothed. San's home was destroyed thanks to Eboshi and Iron town, the forest ripped apart and formed into something new. She was terrified of losing it all over again, that her home would be ripped from her. She would fight to protect what she loved, she didn't fear death and she never had.
San softened, gazing into his eyes made her feel such peace, any anger, sadness or fear she felt melted away like fresh snow. She wished she could meet his people, know of their culture and way of life. Would she have been welcomed in his village? Would her wolves? She forgot that Ashitaka wasn't much older than her, due to his maturity he always seemed older than his age. How he had stood by her all this time, when the forest spirit died to protect their home, when Ashitaka moved to Iron town, when he made a house and befriended the people of the village. She turned sixteen when Ashitaka chose to live in the forest with her, now she was his wife, so much of her life had changed so drastically, wondering if their meeting had been fate. "Ashitaka, I trust you more than any human I have ever met, you mean so much to me. To imagine you no longer being part of my life, it scares me, terrifies me. But... this is new to me, motherhood, pregnancy, a family" she mumbled.
Ashitaka approached, wrapping her into his arms and nuzzling her affectionately, San had always had an issue showing vulnerability. Embracing her humanity after discarding it for so long, feeling her ease into his embrace. "Our pup, our child, they will be loved, more than any child before. I know how scared you are San, but I know how much you love this baby, how much we love this baby. I know of the amazing person they will become" he reminisced. Their child would be part wolf and part human, their child would bring humans and the forest together again, a symbol of harmony and love. They would have excellent teachers in the form of their parents.
San blushed, gazing up at him with an intense gaze, leaning towards him to kiss him softly. She had never felt such an intense connection and fondness for someone before. Ashitaka had become irreplaceable in her heart, she had learned so much because of him. The guidance he would show their child would help them understand the world around them "our baby will be lucky to have you as a father" she hummed, and she meant every word.
