Chapter 6

Ashitaka stood with Taro and Jiro looking critically at him. "I don't think this is going to work," he said, looking doubtfully at himself.

"Of course it will," Taro said, wolf-grinning and showing all of his teeth. "You look perfect."

Ashitaka looked at himself again and shook his head. Taro and Jiro's plan had been to make him resemble San and introduce him to the Emperor in an open challenge, asserting that he was the Prince Mononoke and San's mate. In order to make him look like San, Ashitaka had had to find a white tunic like San's and blue trousers to match. It had been a bit of work to make a pair of shoes like San's, and head and arm bands were the occupation of a few hours. Once properly dressed, there was the matter of face markings.

"How did San get hers?" Ashitaka asked.

Jiro considered this. "Mother gave them to her, to mark her as part of the Wolf Tribe," he explained. "Since Mother was a god, and we are her pups, we ought to be able to do the same thing. Hold still."

It took all of Ashitaka's self-control to stay in one spot as Jiro and Taro came forward. He knew the two wolves would never hurt him because of San, but it was still pretty frightening to have two wolves that put horses to shame looming over you. Ashitaka put this thought aside as the wolves began their work. Taro licked the right side of Ashitaka's face while Jiro licked the left. As one, they licked his forehead. They backed away, studying a much wetter Ashitaka.

"They're there," Taro said, sounding pleased. "You look just like San."

"But without the jewelry," Jiro pointed out. "We have San's knife, so you can wear that to complete the look."

"So, the more I resemble her, the more believable I'll be as her mate?" Ashitaka asked, returning to the present.

"That's the idea," Jiro said, looking down at the palace.

"We just have the priest to worry about now," Taro said, licking his chops.

"It's most likely that he'll think that you and San have really mated," Jiro growled. "That filthy monk."

Ashitaka didn't know if that was a comment about him or not.

"Now listen, Ashitaka," Taro said as Ashitaka climbed onto his back after settling Yakul in a tiny clearing to wait for them. "You'll have to act like San—you can't be a peacemaker, and you'll have to let them see your anger and contempt. You are the Prince Mononoke, so make sure you act like it."

"I will," Ashitaka promised as they headed towards the city.

Space

Pandemonium reigned in the city's main street as two large wolves headed towards the palace. Two large white wolves that were bigger than a shed were unusual enough, but the young man riding on the back of one of the wolves was enough to shock everyone into astounded silence. He was handsome, but there was a hard glint in his eyes that frightened most people. He seemed as wild as the wolves themselves.

Guards surrounded the palace as they drew near and shouted a challenge. The wolves stopped, snarling at the guards that were challenging them.

Ashitaka, remembering what Taro had said about acting like a prince, drew himself up to his full height and allowed his scorn to show. "I am the Prince Mononoke, and I am here to reclaim my mate, the Princess Mononoke! We have followed her scent here, and I demand her release!"

More than one guard stared at him in surprise, but none of them moved.

Ashitaka tried again. "I demand to have my mate! You will return her to me!"

On a balcony above the main gates a man appeared. Ashitaka studied him, and he could tell right away that this was the Emperor. He stood up proudly, held himself as if he were unruffled by anything, and surveyed Ashitaka with a cool and discerning eye. Ashitaka was surprised when he actually spoke.

"What is it you want, young man? Who are you?"

As if I haven't been shouting that for the last ten minutes, Ashitaka thought, gritting his teeth. "I am the Prince of Beasts, and I have come to take back my mate, the Princess Mononoke!" he called up to the older man. "We have followed her scent here, and you will not keep her from us!"

"A Prince of Beasts, Jigo?" the Emperor said, turning to the monk who stood in the shadows behind him. "You didn't mention anything about him."

Jigo walked forward and looked down at Ashitaka. "Well, I'll be shocked," he said, playing the jovial monk once again. "Your Majesty, that boy wasn't the Prince Mononoke when I last saw him. He was just an ordinary boy, but I think that becoming the Princess' mate has changed him. As you can see from his face, he's been touched by the spirits, just like the girl."

The Emperor nodded as he thought about this. "Do you think we should invite him in and have him as our guest?"

Jigo considered this. "Well, you'd have the two of them at your court, and the wolves will stick around. You'll be the envy of everyone with a royal spirit coupleand giant wolves in your home. The boy and girl can stay together, and the wolves could stay in one of the gardens or a stable, or something like that. Yes, I think it would be a wise idea, Your Wisdom."

The Emperor smiled, pleased at Jigo's flattery. Calling down to Ashitaka, he said, "I welcome you, Prince Mononoke, and I extend an invitation to you to be a guest within my home. Your brothers are welcome also."

Ashitaka blinked in surprise. "Taro," he whispered. "Jiro. What do you think?"

"I say we do it, but be ready for trouble," Taro whispered back. "This may be a trap."

Ashitaka nodded. "We accept your invitation!" he called up to the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded and gave the order for the gates to be opened. Not without misgivings, Ashitaka, Taro, and Jiro entered the palace courtyard.