Author's Note: Ahaha. Slow isn't an adequate word for the pace I'm going, I know. However, I hope it's reassuring that I do intend to stick with the story and have the next chapters planned out in my head. Life is hectic, and I try to wheedle in as much time for writing as possible.
To the lovely, lovely people who have reviewed so far, I thank you with the fiery passion of a thousand suns. It's always nice to get feedback. It's fantastic to get positive feedback. Knowing that people are waiting for that next update is what keeps me typing through the long hours of the night
Sidenote: I watched Princess Mononoke for the first time in Japanese (Sad, I know). I love San's voice actress. Claire Dane's wasn't bad, but the Japanese VA has such a softer tone.
Sidenote II: Tweaked the previous chapters. Shall never again post without reading thoroughly for format changes.
Sidenote III: Mega brownie points to whomever figures out what San's other brother will be named.
My gracious appreciation once again to my attentive beta Danyu.
Kisetsu
Chapter Three: Children and Fairytales
"Wait for me!"
Seiichi glanced back at his sister and rolled his eyes. Ahead of him, their brother, Tomo, snickered.
"Hurry up, Aiko!" Seiichi called, "You're such a slug!"
Aiko bared her teeth at him as she carefully picked her way downhill. A raggedy, stuffed cow lay nestled in the crook of her arm. The rusty bell around its neck jingled with each of her hesitant steps.
Her brothers navigated down the hillside expertly, sliding through the muddy trail with ease. With a splash, they landed into a puddle that had collected at the base. Both boys laughed delightedly, taking the opportunity to splash each other.
Meanwhile, Aiko closed in steadily, gathering the hem of her skirt up in a hopeless attempt to keep it from dragging along the ground.
"You should ditch the stupid cow," Tomo said. He yelped as his brother shoved a ball of mud down the back of his shirt.
Aiko clung tighter to her doll. "Mou Mou doesn't like the mud!" she protested.
"I don't know about that." Tomo gestured furtively to Seiichi. His twin winked back and buried his fist into the wet earth, scooping up a handful. "He might just have to get used to it!"
Together, they barraged their sister with their gooey ammunition.
Aiko let out a horrified shriek. "I'm telling mom on you!" she squawked, shielding herself with her doll.
The boys retaliated by hurling more mud. A clod flew through the air and hit Aiko square in the face. The boys whooped as she was knocked onto her rear.
"Run for it!" Seiichi cried.
The twins bolted, sprinting across the beaten dirt road and into the meadow. They crushed new grass shoots under flying feet, mud sucking noisily in their wake. It didn't take them long to reach the first barrier of trees. They stopped to catch their breaths.
"Do you think we lost her?" Seiichi asked hopefully.
"I think so," Tomo wheezed, hunched over with exertion. When he recovered, he grinned toothily. "Can you believe we got here? Mom will kill us if she knows."
"Nah," Seiichi waved a hand dismissively, "She's too busy with the wedding stuff. She won't know that we're out of town for hours."
"Then we better hurry up," Tomo advised.
They were about to depart when a muddy ball of a nine-year old hurtled out of the field and into Tomo. They both fell over with a considerable thump.
"We're not… supposed… to be… here," Aiko panted.
"Getteroffme!" Tomo yelled. Seiichi stepped in and untangled his siblings.
"Let's go home," Aiko pleaded, "We not allowed near the forest. Mama says it's dangerous. There are wolves, and boars, and other—other things inside."
"Aw, don't be such a coward." Tomo brushed himself off and gave her a stern look of disapproval. "You said you wanted to play hide-and-seek. All the grown-ups in town are acting crazy because of Lady Eboshi's wedding. We can't play there without getting yelled at. So Seiichi and I brought you here."
"But I don't want to play here!" Aiko cried tearfully. She hid her face behind her doll, clutching him so hard Seiichi was surprised his remaining button-eye didn't pop off. "It's scary here," she whispered. Her eyes darted around as if the trees were conspiring against her.
"Don't be such a baby," Seiichi rebuked, "You don't really believe all those stories Dad tells you. Do you?" Aiko sniffled.
"Well if that's the case, then—you're it! Lean up against this tree, close your eyes, and count to twenty. We won't be too far, so it won't be hard to find us."
"But I'll get lost! I don't know how to—"
Her brothers had turned and darted into the forest before she could utter another word.
"How mad do you think mom will get at us for ditching her?" Tomo asked as he wove through trees and side-stepping roots and branches.
"Plenty," Seiichi replied, sprinting beside him. "But you know Aiko. She'll just sit there and cry. Besides, it's not like there's anything dangerous that—"
A shrill scream pierced the air. The boys froze.
"That sounded like—"
"Aiko," Seiichi gasped. He saw his own horror mirrored in Tomo's eyes.
"I feel ridiculous," Ashitaka said sulkily.
"Oh, quit being such a grump." Toki cheerfully smeared more paint across his cheeks. "I think blue makes you look rather dashing."
Ashitaka sighed. He was beginning to doubt the virtue of Eboshi's suggestion. She had suggested that Toki could toughen up his appearance. She never mentioned submitting to a full-body paint job.
Toki stepped back, hands placed on her hips, and surveyed her work. "Not bad, if I do say so myself. Let's ask the others what they think." She cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled, "Girls!"
On cue, about a dozen women poured into the warehouse. They practically seeped through the floorboards, swarming around Ashitaka like a flies on honey.
"Ooooh, nice going, Toki!'
"The blue is definitely a nice touch."
"I think we should line his eyes in black. Make it more dramatic."
"He still looks too 'nice' though."
"I bet you'd like to fix that."
Ashitaka struggled to breathe as the crushing wall of women around him broke into a round of raucous laughter.
"Maybe we should rip up some clothes. It'll make him look more rugged and savage."
"Better yet, let's strip him. Now that will make him look barbaric."
"Yeah! Let's start with the shirt."
"What? Wait!" Ashitaka protested. To his infinite distress, a vast multitude of hands began seizing and tugging at his clothing.
When Gonza arrived on the scene, he didn't appear to be at all surprised to find Ashitaka in various states of undress with a room full of women.
"Ladies," he said, calling for attention. The women paused in their siege. It gave Ashitaka the chance to pry away the hands that lingered on his person and a few that were sliding intrusively southwards. "Lady Eboshi requests an immediate audience with Ashitaka."
There were sounds of disappointment heard all around. Ashitaka breathed a sigh of relief as the women dispersed and made their exodus. As they filed out, several winked coyly and blew kisses in his direction.
Refastening his belt, Ashitaka shot Toki a glare. She was grinning rather peevishly.
"Come on, Ashitaka," Toki said, grabbing his hand, "It's time to see what Eboshi makes of my work."
Her cackle was not at all reassuring.
Eboshi was not in her private quarters. Instead, Toki, Gonza, and Ashitaka walked more towards the central portion of town, to a stately-looking lodge not far from the main gate. It was where she usually greeted her guests and conducted business affairs.
When they entered, Eboshi was deep in conversation with four or five harassed-looking women—no doubt making preparations for the next day.
Eboshi caught sight of them. When her narrowed eyes flickered over Ashitaka, she smiled, slow and cat-like.
"Why, Ashitaka," she purred. "Isn't this a change?"
The women around Eboshi scattered as she rose. She circled Ashitaka once, then twice. He felt vaguely uncomfortable as her eyes raked calculatingly over his body.
Eboshi traced a finger delicately along his bicep and smirked when her fingertip came away blue.
"My, this is quite extraordinary."
Toki sniggered, "I couldn't help it milady. It had to be done."
Ashitaka shifted restlessly. He was covered in a whirlwind of blue, black, and white. Paint streaked across his chest in broad, diagonal stripes and spiraled down both his arms. Soot and dirt had been layered on top of that, enough so that it looked as if personal hygiene was a rather vague concept to him. His shirt was a bit shredded from being assaulted by Iron Town's women, and Toki had spent an inordinate amount of time making sure his hair was correctly tousled.
"Good work, Toki," Eboshi said, taking in Ashitaka's face, "I like what you did here. Very fierce."
"I hope so." Toki preened. "It was hard work getting him to look anything but gorgeous."
The women in the room broke into giggles. Even Ashitaka cracked a shy, flustered smile.
"How do you feel about it, Ashitaka?" Eboshi inquired.
"I guess it's alright." Ashitaka peered down at himself. "Um, will it wash off?"
Eboshi laughed. Toki smacked him on the back indignantly. "Of course it will! What kind of question is that?"
"Well, I'm very pleased. You've far exceeded my expectations." Eboshi's features tightened into a more serious expression as she turned to Toki. "I want you to have everything ready for tomorrow."
"Yes, milady," Toki replied with all the diligence of a soldier saluting a general.
"And Ashitaka, you'll need to arrive early."
"I understand," he said.
"Well then, now that that's settled." Eboshi grinned wickedly. "I'm curious what our dear Lord Asano will think."
Yakul did not take kindly to Ashitaka's transformation. She reared, hooves flying and nostrils flared in a panic, as he approached.
"Settle down." Ashitaka extended his arm, offering his hand up for inspection. "See? It's me."
Yakul took a moment to sniff him suspiciously before nickering in recognition and licking his fingers. Upon tasting the acrid paint, she snorted disgustedly.
"I know. I know," Ashitaka crooned, scratching her underneath her chin, "I don't like it much either."
It took Ashitaka an entire trough full of water to scrub off all the paint. By the time he was finished, the water was cloudy, and his skin felt raw and abused.
"Are you ready to go home?" Ashitaka asked as he prepared to mount. Yakul's ears pricked in interest.
Outside, the air was heavy and sweet with the cool, balmy breath of spring. It had begun to sprinkle lightly. Here and there, Iron Town's citizens were scurrying for cover.
"Ashitaka!"
A frantic-looking woman rushed through the street towards him. He reined Yakul in to a standstill.
"Ashitaka," she panted, "have you seen my children?"
Ashitaka recognized her as the mother of the Miwa twins. He shook his head apologetically. "I'm sorry. I haven't seen them."
The furrows of distress written across her face deepened. She bowed and thanked him before leaving hurriedly.
The gatekeepers were yelling, telling people to hurry inside. The rain was getting heavier by the moment. It pelted down mercilessly as a whip-crack of lightning hastened everyone's steps. Yakul trotted faithfully through the mud, eager to return home to dry, warm shelter. The deep, rolling boom of thunder echoed through the valley.
By the time Ashitaka arrived home, his bangs were matted to his forehead, and his clothing clung to him like a second skin. He dismounted and Yakul did the service of soaking him even more by shaking her long coat vigorously. She quietly entered her stall and he clicked the lock shut. As he rounded the corner of his house, the sound of voices drifted to him above the din of the rain.
He froze in mid-step, muscles tensing.
"We should go home."
"Don't be stupid. It's no use going anywhere with the weather like this."
They were children's voices. Bewildered, Ashitaka peeked around the corner. It took him a moment to register the three small masses huddled around his front door—one of which was holding an abused-looking stuffed cow.
"Aiko?" Ashitaka called out.
Aiko's head snapped up, her dirty face brightening the moment she recognized him. Then, just as quickly, her expression fell, and her features crumpled like paper. She held out her arms beseechingly as Ashitaka came forth. He scooped her up in his arms and held her as she burst into tears.
"Ashitaka!" she cried as if he was her eternal savior. She abandoned her doll on the ground, preferring to grab hold of his shirt and tuck her tear-streaked face under his chin.
"Shhh. It's alright," he said. With his free hand, he pried open the door. "Seiichi. Tomo. Get inside."
The twins shuffled silently through the threshold.
After the room was lit, Ashitaka gathered all the children together. They dripped water all over the floor and were gritty with dirt and mud.
"What happened to all of you?" Ashitaka asked incredulously.
Aiko pointed accusingly at her brothers. "Them! They are the stupidest boys in the entire world!" Ashitaka winced as she beat her tiny fists vehemently against his chest. "I went with them to the forest. Even though we're not supposed to be there! But before that, they threw mud at me! And Mou Mou! And then they left me alone in the forest when I could have been eaten by boars. Instead wolves showed up with Princess Mononoke and—"
"Princess Mononoke?" Ashitaka's voice broke through Aiko's rambling tirade. He cupped her chin and tilted her dirty face towards him. She was caught off guard by the flashing blue of his eyes. "Was it a girl around my age? With a crystal dagger around her neck?"
"Y-yes," Aiko stammered, her tears stymied momentarily. "She was going to take us home. But she brought us here because of the r-rain."
Ashitaka felt a pure, overwhelming tide of joy washed through him.
San was home.
Aiko curiously observed the lopsided grin that overtook his face. "Are you okay?" she inquired meekly.
Ashitaka blinked, snapping out of his reverie, and smiled brilliantly at her.
"Much better now, thanks to you." Aiko was befuddled as he pressed a grateful kiss against her temple. Setting her down, he brought the end of his sleeve up to wipe away her remaining tears.
"I'm very glad that you're safe." He hugged her tightly. When he released her, he shot her brothers a stern look. "I ran across your mother today. She was looking everywhere for you."
The twins' heads drooped. They fidgeted nervously.
"We're sorry," Seiichi said, scuffling his feet. "We didn't mean to make her worry, or to bother you." Tomo nodded beside him in silent agreement.
"You should save your apologies for your mother. You've caused her a lot of unnecessary trouble," Ashitaka reprimanded. He took note of how pitifully they were shivering in their wet clothes, and his voice gentled. "Come on. I'll get you cleaned up first and put you in some dry clothes. Mine are too big, but it looks like there's no other options."
"How will we get home?" Seiichi asked worriedly.
Ashitaka frowned as he raked his hand through his wet hair. He could hear the wind screaming and rattling at his door.
"I guess you all better spend the night," he sighed.
"Really?" Tomo perked up, suddenly vibrant with excitement.
Ashitaka smiled. "Yes, the rain sounds like it won't let up until morning. You better stay." He watched as the brothers exchanged jubilant expressions.
A loud growl rumbled from the pit of Aiko's stomach. She covered her mouth with her hands and blushed.
"Oops," she giggled.
Ashitaka grinned. "I guess after you change, you'll want dinner."
Tomo and Seiichi's bellies echoed in sentiment.
Ashitaka felt sorry that he didn't have much of a meal to offer. No matter, the children ate ravenously and were all sated and sleepy-eyed when they were finished. The twins stumbled over their long, borrowed leggings to the futon in Ashitaka's room, where they collapsed and were asleep in a matter of seconds. Aiko, however, needed to be thoroughly tucked in before she allowed him to leave her vicinity.
Ashitaka's feet whispered across the bare floor as he walked over to his make-shift bed. He curled up on top of his blankets and lay there, wide-awake and still.
The scream of the wind had died down to a whistle, and the rain had muted to a soft, patter on the rooftop. Slowly, the noise of crickets, owls, and other night dwellers reemerged.
Ashitaka closed his eyes and listened.
Soon enough, it came—the low, mournful sound of a wolf's howl rising through the darkness. A breath's pause and another howl, more distant than the first, came in reply. Together, the two wolves wove a melancholy night-song. The silvery notes of their voices mended the frayed edges of Ashitaka's nerves. The tight ball of tension that had been building all winter suddenly unraveled. He began to slide easily into the realm of dreams.
The sound of the door jarred him back awake. Soft, scuffling footsteps approached.
He looked up and found Aiko rubbing her eyes blearily. She was clothed in one of his old shirts. It swamped her small frame, puddling around her ankles.
Ashitaka raised himself on his elbows. "What's the matter?"
"Tomo snores," Aiko said, muffling a yawn. "Can I sleep with you?"
Before he could reply, she was already crawling underneath the covers and wriggling in beside him. Ashitaka scooted aside to make room as she snuggled against his chest, leeching warmth. He rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles, and her eyelids began to droop.
"It's not raining anymore," she mumbled absently.
"Yes," Ashitaka confirmed, "I'll be able take your brothers and you home in the morning."
Outside, the howling deteriorated into a series of sharp yips and barks. The distance between the two voices had closed. The wolves had found each other; their calls were celebratory.
Ashitaka noticed Aiko suppress a small shiver beside him.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," he assured.
Aiko buried her face against Ashitaka's chest. "It sounds creepy. I wonder what they're saying."
"Probably good-bye," Ashitaka said pensively.
"Good-bye?" Aiko shifted and looked questioningly at Ashitaka.
"They're leaving soon," Ashitaka explained. "They have their own territories, other mountains to return to."
A new voice interrupted the duet. This one was different, higher and flatter than the previous two. It seemed unable to reach the range or the variety of tone the others possessed.
"That one is San," Ashitaka whispered.
"San? Princess Mononoke?" She listened again. "I thought it sounded kind of different."
It was a somber, strange melody, one human and two lupine voices echoing through the mountains.
"Doesn't it scare you, Ashitaka?" Aiko inquired curiously.
"No." Ashitaka thought about San's light, lilting voice. He ached to hear her speak again.
"You're not scared of anything," Aiko stated rather huffily.
Ashitaka smiled. "You'd be surprised. It's just when I hear the wolves are like this at night, it reminds me that San is somewhere nearby."
"She was rather nice," Aiko admitted sleepily, her eyes drifting shut.
Ashitaka was almost sure that she had been lulled to sleep until he heard her voice chirp up once more.
"Ashitaka, is San the reason why you can't marry me?"
When Aiko finally did fall asleep, it was with her ear pressed against Ashitaka's chest, listening to the deep resounding echoes of his laughter.
"Aiko!" Tomo screamed.
Seiichi ran hard, feeling as if his heart would burst with the blood pumping through his body. His brother sprinted alongside him. Branches whipped at their bare faces and limbs as they hurtled through the forest undergrowth. As they neared the clearing, they screeched to a halt.
"Aiko!" Tomo's voice echoed across the empty field. A flock of birds nestled in the trees became unsettled and took to the air.
No answer.
Seiichi cupped his hands together. "Aiko!" he called. "Where are you?"
"This isn't funny!" Tomo added, unable to keep his voice from cracking with panic.
They approached the tree where they had left her. No one was there.
Tomo spotted a dark, irregular lump among the tangle of roots. Tenderly, he picked up the mud-caked object and turned it over in his hands.
It was Mou Mou.
"She'd never leave without him," Seiichi said, fighting the lump of fear surging in his throat, "She always said that Mou Mou gets lonely without her."
Nearby, Seiichi spotted a flurry of track-marks embedded in the soft earth. He recognized his own and Tomo's. Mixed among them were Aiko's smaller, daintier footsteps. They led away from the spot, splattered and sloppy as if she had been running. Then the impressions became clearer as she slowed, and her footprints joined the track-marks of something else.
"Tomo," Seiichi whispered, "Look over here."
He traced a finger over the outer edge of the print. There were four digits, each as big as his fist, fanned out around a deep indentation in the middle.
It was a paw print.
Seiichi swallowed dryly. "Do you remember the stories that Dad used to tell us? The ones about Mononoke and how she could change people into animals?"
"We never believed that," Tomo replied shakily.
Seiichi stared at the spot where Aiko's footprints melted into nothingness.
"Tomo," Seiichi said quietly, "I'm not so sure anymore."
Tomo hugged the ratty toy fiercely to his chest and trembled.
"No, no, no, no, no," he whispered, rocking back and forth. He choked out a muffled, broken sob. "It's all my fault. What if we can't find her? What if—"
"Shhh!" Seiichi clapped a hand over his brother's mouth. "Did you hear that?"
They stilled. A raven cawed. The wind whistled through the trees. Seiichi could hear his own rattled breathing and the rabbit-quick beats of his heart.
There was a rustle, leaves and branches being pushed aside by something moving through the forest. Something big.
"It's coming back," Seiichi murmured, "Whatever it is."
He dragged Tomo to his feet and urged him up. They ran for the clearing. The sharp snap of twigs cracked at their heel like bullets.
They barely broke a few yards before they were eclipsed by an immense shadoe—something huge sailing over their heads. The ground shook as hundreds of pounds of lithe, sinewy muscle made impact with the earth. Tomo and Seiichi screamed as they were knocked over. When they recollected their senses, they found themselves being scrutinized by a pair of impassive, golden eyes.
Wolf eyes.
Seiichi could feel his brother's hand quivering between his own, the nails digging crescent shapes into his palm.
At the end of the long, white muzzle, the black nose crinkled, as if in distaste.
"You stink of fear."
Seiichi couldn't decipher if it was a voice or a growl. The sound reached into the marrow of his bones and rattled up his spine.
The wolf placed one massive paw forward. And then another. Its steps formed small craters in the earth, and its mouth was held slightly ajar, displaying two rows of pointed, yellowed teeth. Hooked on one of the lower fangs was a scrap of fabric, its light color stark against black gums.
It was the same color Aiko had been wearing.
A wave of dread hit Seiichi. His gut twisted in fear.
Tomo must have come to the same realization, for suddenly, he snatched up a nearby stick and brandished it in a sword-like fashion.
"It was you!" he bellowed, "You took our sister! You monster!" He jabbed the stick forward, at one of the wolf's golden eyes.
It didn't go very far. With a deft snap of its jaws, the wolf shattered their only defense into a series of splinters. Seiichi wondered if his bones would make a similar crunch.
Irritated, the wolf emitted a rumbling snarl and opened up its cavernous maw.
Seiichi reached out for his brother's hand. It was clammy with sweat. They held on tightly to each other, huddled pitifully against their inevitable death.
"Wait! Stop!"
Puzzled at why he wasn't dead, Seiichi cracked open an eye. To his utter confusion and amazement, his sister stepped out of the woods. Her clothes were a little more tattered and her face streaked heavily mud. Other than that, she was whole, healthy, and unmistakably alive.
"A-Aiko?" Tomo stammered.
Aiko tread over to the wolf and laid her tiny hand against its muzzle, stroking the downy fur. The snarls died down, fading into a low, rolling growl. Her brothers watched dumbstruck as the wolf's tail began to whip back and forth. Its pink tongue lolled out of its mouth as it panted. Aiko spoke soothingly to the wolf, as if it was nothing more than a giant puppy.
"What's going on?" Tomo demanded. "What happened? Aiko, get away from that thing!"
The wolf snarled. Tomo cringed and took a hasty step backwards.
Aiko gave her brother an affronted look. "Don't be so rude," she admonished.
"Rude?" Tomo blurted, the color rising in his cheeks. "Aiko, you scared us to death! We thought you had gotten killed!"
"Then maybe you shouldn't have left me!" Aiko shot back saucily. "I might as well have been if she hadn't found me."
"She?" Seiichi echoed, confused. "Who are you talking about?"
"Me."
The twins jumped at the voice, their eyes darting toward the line of trees that guarded the forest depths.
Like smoke, another enormous white wolf melted out of the shadows. Only this one carried a figure astride.
Seiichi's breath caught in his throat.
He remembered the rainy days spent gathered with his siblings before the hearth. He remembered the flames causing shadows to lick their upturned faces as their father's slow, steady voice wove together tales of nightmare and fantasy. Of gods and wolves and a woman who was somehow in between.
Seiichi took in the sight of the figure before him—a fairy tale come to life—and remembered with startling clarity everything he had been told.
The painted mask.
"Beneath it her eyes are the color of a night without stars. It's because she's lost her soul to the wolf-gods of the mountain. A single glance is enough to drain your spirit from your body, leaving behind nothing but a dried husk—neither living nor dead."
The white, flowing headdress.
"A pack stole her from her parents when she was still in the cradle. When she grew old enough, she ripped apart the alpha with her bare hands. She wears his skin now as a reminder of her dominion over the forest."
The necklace of fangs.
"When children stray too close to the forest, she lures them in and peels away their soul with her magic. She wears one fang for every child's soul she steals and turns into a wolf."
The crystal dagger.
"It belonged to a man once. She loved him, but when he refused her, she tore open his chest and ate his beating heart."
"Princess Mononoke," Tomo whispered reverently.
Seiichi's hand shot out and gripped his brother's arm. He yanked them downwards until their noses scraped the earth.
"Princess Mononoke, we beg most humbly for your pardon. Forgive us for trespassing onto your forest. If you let us take our sister and go, we promise never ever to return." The words issued from Seiichi's lips in a single, rushed breath.
Silence hung thick and palpable in the air. Then the quiet was disrupted by a strange sound. The wolves were emitting a husky, deep-throated chuffing sound. As if they were laughing.
Seiichi's eyes darted upwards just as Mononoke reached up and pushed back her mask.
To Seiichi's surprise, he was not struck dead upon the sight of her face. There were no boils, warts, no hooked nose or other monstrous, grotesques features to behold. Instead, there was the face of a young woman, one unlike any he had ever seen before.
He couldn't place it at first, what it was about her that struck him as so eerie, so different.
She was beautiful, something he recognized instinctually. However, the term was too loose, too ill-fitted for what he saw. Beautiful was a weak word, like saying a river was wet or that fire was hot. Her features were comely enough—a dainty nose, thin, straight brows, a sweet, heart-shaped face. The bright triangles of paint across her cheeks and forehead withstanding, she looked almost normal. However, at the same time, she completely eluded any semblance of normalcy. There was something else, something primitive, raw, and elemental in her face.
Seiichi eyes flickered upward and met her gaze. Realization swept over him.
Her eyes were blue, but a cold blue, like the color lay trapped beneath a thick filament of ice. They were the feral grey-blue of a river, powerful and untamed. Her stare was wide, naked, penetrating; it unnerved him how deeply and unabashedly she probed him.
Like an animal. Like a wolf.
"Wow," Tomo breathed, "You're really pretty,"
Seiichi smacked his brother. "Shut up!" he hissed.
When he looked back up, Mononoke was smiling faintly. It softened her eyes considerably and made Seiichi's stomach tie itself into nervous knots. He felt faint as she deftly dismounted and approached.
"Get up." Her voice was gentle but brusque.
The twins scrambled to their feet.
"You don't have to act so frightened." She quirked an eyebrow in amusement. "No one is going to get eaten."
"S-so, you're not going to turn us into w-wolves?" Tomo stuttered.
Princess Mononoke cocked head in a distinctly dog-like fashion, a smile broadening across her features. "I don't think you two would make very good wolves."
"They don't make very good brothers either," Aiko informed.
"Is that so?" Mononoke pursed her lips sympathetically.
"Aiko!" Seiichi hissed warningly. His sister stuck her tongue at him.
"You three should head home," Mononoke advised, "There's a storm coming in."
As she spoke, a fat rain drop splattered against Seiichi's forehead. He noted with distress that it was beginning to sprinkle lightly.
"Tsume," Princess Mononoke called softly.
The wolf that had terrorized the twins earlier stepped forward. Its tail caught Seiichi in the face as it strode by and stopped in front of Mononoke.
"We should take these children home," she crooned, scratching his chin affectionately.
"Ugh." Tsume gave Tomo a cursory sniff and snorted disgustedly. "They smell."
"They're just pups," she remarked. "They're human. They can't help it."
Tsume made a sound that resembled a resigned groan and lowered himself to the ground.
"You." With a start, Seiichi realized that Mononoke was addressing him. "You'll ride with me. Tsume will carry your brother and sister."
Aiko nodded and grabbed a rather stunned Tomo's hand, leading him over to where Tsume waited. The wolf winced as Aiko tugged rather sharply on a pointed ear. They both clambered on.
The other wolf sidled up next to Seiichi, startling him. He was obedient as Mononoke ushered him aboard, seating herself behind and hooking an arm securely around his waist. Seiichi fought to temper the blush coloring his face.
"Hang on," she cautioned as underneath them, the wolf rose to its feet. The other rose as well.
A bolt of lightning tore across the sky. The crack of thunder was quick to follow.
"If the rain gets too heavy, I'll have to drop you off at a friend's house," Mononoke told Seiichi, "He'll take care of you."
"Oh. Do you mean Ashitaka?" Seiichi asked shyly.
His stomach flip-flopped, and the tips of his ear turned pink as Mononoke's face lit up with the brightest smile he'd ever seen.
"Yes, Ashitaka is a good friend of mine," she replied softly.
For some reason, she touched the crystal dagger at her breast. Even in the dim light, it glittered between her fingers.
Another flash of lightning streaked through the sky.
She shook her head, the flat disk-like earrings framing her face making an eerie, musical sound.
"Let's go."
Without another moment's pause, the wolves lurched forward.