3: A New Life, A New Beginning
Now it was 6 years after Ashitaka had visited, and Moro was 11. She had grown her hair a little longer now, and it was in a nice braid down to her shoulders.
"Dad's gonna visit right Mama?" Moro asked.
"Yes. He should be coming soon." San replied. When Ashitaka came, San left and Ashitaka spent the day with Moro. This time though, San was ready to take action against Eboshi.
"It's almost time Moro. Two more years and then you will live with me for a while in Iron Town. Do you think you'll be prepared?" Ashitaka asked.
"I'm not sure dad...maybe. I'll try my best but I won't be certain." Moro replied. The two were staring at the clouds again, and Moro only breathed in heavily, and then back out again and looked at Yakul who wanted to be fed. She gave him some good grass and flowers, and he happily ate them from her hands. She smiled and the hugged the great elk.
"Moro, you're growing up so fast. It's almost a wonder how you grew so much taller." Ashitaka smiled.
"Haha. I'm still growing dad to become...the next leader." Moro said and sighed, her tone filled with a little sadness. Suddenly, the wolf brother-in-law's ears went into alert mode, and he thought he heard a ruccuss at Iron Town. Soon enough, and before Ashitaka could say anything back to Moro, a gunshot rang through and the four ran to Iron Town where the blast was heard.
"Get out." Eboshi said calmly, her rifle in her hand. She had learned to use her mouth to help her wield her own creation
"I just want to speak and come to terms witch." San replied. She took Ashitaka's advice at trying being peaceful, and already she didn't like the result at all. She wasn't hit, but she was grazed in the cheek.
"Speak. Before I blow your head off." Eboshi said and San's brother growled fiercely. San quieted him down.
"I want you to stop killing the boars. If they ever try to hurt you I will stop them, I do not want you to cause anymore bloodshed." San said calmly.
"Why should I believe you?" Eboshi asked.
"Believe what you want. I'm telling you the truth. I just don't want anymore fighting. No more blood." San replied.
"Hm..." Eboshi thought.
"Don't believe her Lady Eboshi! She's one of them not one of us!" a woman cried behind her.
"Yeah! She's tried to kill you many times too! How do we know this isn't a trick!" a man cried. San gritted her teeth and clensed a fist.
"Look! She's trying to pick a fight with Lady Eboshi!" another cried.
"All I want is peace no more fighting!" San cried.
"You sound like Ashitaka now." Eboshi said calmly.
"Don't do anything she says mother!" Enishi cried from out of the blue, his friends trying to hold him back. He was 11 now as well, and his black hair grew until he had a short ponytail in the back.
"Stop Enishi! You're too hard to control!" Aoshi struggled. He now had longer dark brown hair that was in a high ponytail like his fathers.
"Enishi-san!" Ares cried holding his arms. She had grown her hair down that it was in two braids that were smooth going down to her back. As hard as they tried, they finally lost grip as Enishi ran forward to San. He punched and kicked, and she dodged all of them, not fighting back.
"Enishi stop this foolishness now!" Eboshi cried. Enishi did not stop though, and San finally had to take action. She knocked him out and said, "Here. Take your foolish son back. He's full of too much pride. What have you taught him?" as she returned Enishi to Eboshi. Everyone was speechless of what just happened, and all of a sudden more cries came. "THERE'S ANOTHER WOLF COMING!" someone cried.
"Mama! San!" both Ashitaka and Moro cried. As the two got by the guards who jumped out of the way from being eaten, they stopped at San's feet.
"Mama! Mama what happened are you okay! What'd they do to you?" Moro cried as she saw her mother's injury.
"San are you all right?" Ashitaka asked and she nodded as she comforted her daughter. Everyone was speechless. Enishi awoke again and tried to attack San again but then saw Ashitaka and another girl his age, 11. He stared at Moro who stared at him curiously. He then stopped staring at her and looked at Ashitaka.
"Sir Ashitaka why are you with that wolf woman? She's my mother's enemy! Her mother took away my mother's arm! Why are you siding with her!" Enishi cried.
"Enishi-sama, please calm down. I am not siding with anyone. She is my wife and she is my daughter." Ashitaka replied when he pointed to both San and Moro. Enishi was silenced at this, and growled. He rushed forward pulling out a hidden sword under his shirt to San and cried, "I HATE YOU FOR TAKING MY MOTHER'S ARM AWAY!" but was stopped by Moro as her dagger blocked the blow.
"Don't come any closer human!" she cried. Enishi stepped back and positioned himself for another attack. Moro had her dagger at hand, and another one in her mouth if she needed an extra.
"Moro don't do this." San said.
"Bring it on wolf girl! If you're with that witch then you're my enemy!" Enishi cried.
"DON'T CALL MY MOTHER A WITCH!" Moro cried and rushed forward. As the two fought, San noticed something different with Moro. Her eyes changed. To pure yellow, the eyes of a wolf's. Enishi fought hard against Moro, and vice versa with Moro.
"You animals are all so cruel! What have we humans ever done to you?" Enishi cried.
"You humans are worse! You're savages! Killing innocent animals in our forest when we have done nothing wrong! What have we ever done to you?" Moro cried, her voice was combined with the deceased Moro. "Mother!" San thought and gasped. As Eboshi was watching, she was getting ready to fire.
"Enishi my son get out of the way!" Eboshi cried. As Enishi quickly ran off, Moro had no time to react, and was shot in the waist. She fell down to the ground and she yelped in pain. This did not stop her though, and even with her injury she continued to fight against Enishi who had to fight back.
"Moro stop this! You'll kill yourself if you continue!" San cried.
"Listen to your mother! Stop this foolishness before it's too late!" Ashitaka added. Moro had to stop, she began to sway and lose her balance.
"Now Enishi! Strike her while she is down! Remember what those beasts have done to us!" Eboshi cried.
"NO!" both Ashitaka and San cried. Enishi was ready to strike with his sword, but then stopped when he saw an image flicker, a little girl that was about 4 saying, "Eni-chan!". He was shocked at this, and did not want to strike. He put his sword away, and looked down at Moro, whos eyes had gone back to brown as they slowly closed. 'They changed...What's going on?..' Enishi wondered.
". . .Instead of killing her, I want her to be my servant. I..I've always wanted one. This will be an exchange for her life. Would that be a fair exchange mother?" Enishi asked.
"NO! I WON'T LET YOU TAKE MY DAUGHTER AWAY! SHE IS TO BECOME TO NEXT IN LINE! I WILL NOT LET HER BE A SLAVE TO A HUMAN!" San cried as she ran to her daughter's side, Ashitaka following close behind. Moro was still concious at that time, and heard every word.
"San we have to take her to the lake." Ashitaka said.
"Stop! Put my servant down! How do I know that you'll return!" Enishi cried.
"You can come with us Enishi-sama." Ashitaka replied as he rode on his wolf brother, with San and Moro on another. Enishi took a rifle and his sword with him, and rode on Yakul. As the six headed out to the lake of the once great Shishigami, Eboshi wondered if Ashitaka could be trusted anymore as one of them.
"We have to hurry. Do you think you can pick up the pace?" San asked her brother.
"We'll try." they replied and ran faster, Yakul running to catch up. As they reached their destination, they hoped that it wasn't too late.
"Come on Ashitaka. You! Boy! Stay there where I can see you! You two, keep an eye on that boy." San cried to Enishi, and then whispered to her wolf brothers. As the two helped Moro swim over, Enishi stayed where he was, not moving a muscle, but preparing his rifle just in case. As he watched silently, he saw Ashitaka hold Moro's head up when they reached the little island. San ran up to them with a plant and placed it in the soil. She then bowed and prayed, then looked at Moro. She came to her daughter, and pressed her hand lightly on her wound. Moro winced a little at the pain, but then it all subsided. A light was seen, and in a flash Moro's wound was healed before Enishi's eyes.
"B..but how?" Enishi asked in awe.
"Silence boy. This is a sacred place. We normally don't allow you humans to come, all with the exception of Prince Ashitaka." the older wolf growled, already his fur standing on end.
"Please Enishi, give her a few minutes to rest up, and then we will come back." Ashitaka said to him.
"No! I saw with my own eyes and she's healed! I expect that the three of us now return to Iron Town, and those three can return to where they belong." Enishi replied. He could see Moro awakening slowly, looking at her surroundings carefully before she got up.
"Do not treat us like dirt boy! We are more powerful than you can ever imagine. Why, even right now we could bite off your head and end your pathetic human life!" the younger one said and barked threateningly.
"St-stay back!" Enishi cried and pointed his rifle at them, struggling. He didn't realize how heavy it was.
"Do you honestly think mere weapons can hurt us, boy?" the older wolf asked teasingly. Enishi started to shake out of fear.
"See? He is nothing but a coward. A boy with fear building. He is not worth our time. Let's just end his miserable life." the older wolf laughed.
"I MEAN IT! STAY BACK YOU FILTHY, DIRTY MUTTS!" Enishi cried. This made the wolf brothers angered, and they began to rush forward toward him. "NOOOO! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" a scream rang out.
Back in Iron Town, Eboshi began to worry. She wondered if her son was in good hands. Whether he had died by now, or if Ashitaka and the others got him lost. She was deep in thought, and did not even hear someone calling her name.
"Ma'am?" the 'someone' called again.
"Hm? Oh it's only you Seiryu." Eboshi sighed and summoned him over.
"We heard a scream in the forest. Some of the men went to check it out. We were wondering if you wanted to check it out with us." Seiryu said. Instinctively Eboshi got out her weapons and replied, "Let's head out now!" for she was worried now more than ever.
"Let's move out men! Enishi might be in trouble!" Seiryu cried.
"Let us come too!" Aoshi and Ares cried.
"You're too young. Don't worry I'll bring Enishi back." Eboshi said. "I knew it! Why did I let him go with them? How foolish of me!" she thought and everyone stormed off into the woods, calling out Enishi's name.
"STOP!" Moro cried, and the two brothers looked at their niece.
"No more! No more! I'll do whatever you say boy." Moro said, and slowly swam up to Enishi, who now was holding his head and his eyes were closed shut.
"Boy? Hello? Are you awake? Or still acting like a scared little mouse?" Moro asked curiously.
"I'm not a mouse! And yes I'm fine! Who even asked you wolf girl!" Enishi cried.
"You sure are...stubborn." Moro said and sighed.
"STUBBORN? WHATEVER! You are coming back with me to Iron Town." Enishi replied, finally lowering his voice.
"Fine. Just don't hurt my family or the animals of this forest anymore. I'll only come with you willingly if you stop this bloodshed and stop killing the boars for meat." Moro said, her eyes changing to yellow wolf's eyes.
"I'll try. I will ask my mother when we get back." Enishi replied, a little scared.
"Don't try. Do it. I won't be your servant unless it's decreed that no more boars will die just to feed your people." Moro said, her voice now colliding with the deceased Moro. Again, San felt her mother's presence.
"Fine. I will ask, and make my mother say yes. Now, can we go?" Enishi asked. Moro nodded, and looked at her mother. "I'll come back to become the next leader, I promise." she said to San reassuringly who only nodded at her daughter's courage. She only hoped that Moro would not become a human. As Ashitaka also bid his wife farewell, he promised San that Moro would be safe. As the group went their seperate ways, San and her brothers went back to the cave, while Ashitaka, Yakul, Enishi, and Moro went back to Iron Town.
"ENISHI! You're all right!" Enishi heard his mother cry when they saw a group of villagers run up to them.
"Of course I'm all right mother." Enishi replied, and was startled by his mother's reaction. She rushed over to him and hugged him tightly, he never thought his mother would show him that much love in his life.
"Thank goodness. We heard you scream, and I thought that they killed you. Oh I'm so glad that you're alive!" Eboshi sobbed and Enishi was pleased to hear this.
"I'm fine now mother. Moro said that she would become my servant on one condition. For us to stop killing the boars to eat them." Enishi explained.
"Enishi, you know we can't do that. What will we do for food?" Eboshi asked.
"You will hunt fish. Or you can make food. Just no more killing. I will not be your son's servant unless you fulfill my wish." Moro said calmly.
"Then you will just have to go." Eboshi said and readied her men to fire.
"No Eboshi! Taking her life away will fulfill nothing but more hatred!" Ashitaka cried and protected his daughter. Eboshi thought about this for a while, and then sighed. She told them to stand down, and lookd at Moro. She looked at Eboshi with angered eyes, full of hatred.
"You. You have the same eyes as your mother. Full of hate. You hate me. You want to kill me. And yet, you hold back that hatred so there will be no war. Truly you are the daughter of San and Ashitaka." Eboshi said to her and sighed. "Fine. We won't hunt the boars." she said and Moro kept her expression the same, making sure Eboshi would be true to her word. She finally let go, and smiled with relief. As the group headed back to Iron Town, from afar Moro's uncles heard everything.
"Should we trust Eboshi that she will not kill the boars?" the older wolf asked.
"I'm not sure right now. Let us warn the boars though just in case. The humans can always hunt them at night." San replied.
"We should have eaten that boy when we had the chance. I think it would have been better than selling Moro's soul to that devil and her child." the younger brother replied and growled.
"There's nothing we can do now. And if you did kill him, only more war would come. And nothing would be right." San replied, and the three ran off to the new leader of the boar tribe.
"All right. We're home. Well, I am. This will be your new home so get used to it." Enishi said to her. She only had no expression, but was ready to serve Enishi.
"Enishi-sama. I will not let Moro live with you. She will live with me at night." Ashitaka said to him.
"She's my servant now Sir Ashitaka. She swore her loyalty to me." Enishi said.
"That she did. But she is my daughter, and I am your elder. You will let Moro sleep with me." Ashitaka replied.
"Fine. She will sleep with you but then early in the morning will come straight back." Enishi said. Moro only nodded silently, and waited for her master's command.
"You will work with the other women in this town, and then do my chores that I must do around the house." Enishi said to her selfishly. Moro only nodded and followed Enishi to where the other women worked. Ashitaka followed close behind, just in case something were to occur. Most of the town's people stared as Moro and Enishi went to where the other women worked. Moro heard many voices singing when they came. It was peaceful, and she thought that this wasn't that bad.
"Why hello there Enishi-sama. What brings you here?" Toki asked and then saw Moro and looked at her sternly.
"Hello Toki-san. I was hoping that you would let Moro work with you and the others. Seeing that this and doing my chores is the only way to spare her of death." Enishi replied. The other women looked at Moro, who only looked at them back. Seeing her made them go back to work, and continue singing.
"Of course. But what can she do? She's been raised by wolves." Toki asked.
"Filthy ones too!" a woman addded and the others laughed. Moro tried to sustain her anger, and quietly clenched a fist.
"What do they teach her up there anyway?" another asked.
"Probably something stupid. After all, animals are said to be in that department." another added and laughter roared again. This made Moro snap, and her eyes changed and she started to run toward the women. They screamed, and many of the men rushed over to help. Thankfully, Ashitaka was able to stop her from her rampage, and all Moro could do was cry and growl. How was she going to live here? Taking all of these insults. It was too much for her, and she wondered if she was really up to this.
"Please ladies, when Moro is working with you, try not to make her angered. We want her to feel at home now don't we?" Ashitaka said to them.
"Yes. After all, Moro will be staying here and living here for a long time." Enishi added. As Moro's rage subsided, her eyes changed back and she watched what the others were doing. That was what she was supposed to do. Watch, wait, and then go back to Enishi to do his chores. After that, go with Ashitaka to get a good night's rest. At least, for the first day. Who knew what was to come the following years.
"How long will I have to serve Enishi? He's a spoiled pup." Moro asked.
"Not long. At least...maybe a couple of years.." Ashitaka said quietly.
"I'm not meant for this. Daddy...I'm not meant to live here. I'm meant to live with Mama and the others. I want to go home.." Moro whimpered and shook all over in her bed.
"I know Moro..I know..." Ashitaka replied and patted her softly.
"I'm different here. I'm not who I am. I need to go back to Mama and train to become the next wolf leader..." Moro said.
"Yes. And soon you will be back with her, and things will be the way they were before this ever happened." Ashitaka replied.
"Good...I hope things change soon..At least the boars are not being slaughtered anymore.." Moro said with a sigh.
"Yes..that is why you made this sacrifice. I am very proud of you Moro." Ashitaka said and kissed her on the forehead. She finally calmed down, and fell fast asleep. Ashitaka only smiled and whispered, "Good night, my beautiful daughter." and he blew the candle's flame out. As he got into his own bed, he thought, 'This is not what I wanted when I asked Moro to live me in Iron Town...'
"San, how long do you plan to sulk? You need your rest and your strength if you are to survive through this. Don't worry about Moro. She will be fine. She has the strength of her grandmother, and the courage of her mother." San's older brother said and rubbed his fur against her lovingly.
"How can I not sulk? She's my daughter and I let them take her away. I just hope that this isn't tearing her apart. I don't want that to happen. She is to become the next in line, and I cannot teach her if she doesn't return soon." San said.
"Don't worry San. You still have us, and you will see her soon I'm sure of it. Moro is strong, she will do fine. In no time you will see her again." her younger brother said to her reassuringly and licked her on the cheek.
"Yes...true. But still I can't help but feel that I let her down. My only child, now in the hands of my enemy...what to do.." San wondered and burried her face in her brothers fur, her other brother nuzzling her gently, comfortingly.
A/N: Don't own Princess Mononoke. Give it all to Miyazaki! Sorry if it's gettin on ur nerves by typing this on every chappie! (Maybe...)