Princess Monoke is property of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyasaki, this work has no kind of relation with the owners of the original product and it doesn't intend to do so, it's purely made for recreative purpuses and entertainment.

Chapter one: From the ground up

We must live. Living and dying in peace with one and the surrounding things is what the Great Spirit leaved behind as its ultimate message, for everyone to understand, opening our eyes and giving us a second chance for improving. My deep conciousness tells me that this is the truth, my forebears have been living in constant respect for nature since ancient times because they knew we were bonded with it forever, we are part of it, just like grass, wind, dirt, rain, the beasts, stones and whatever the soil has given shape to.

My mind and soul will constantly keep these rules alive, letting me hear their teachings whenever my heart beats.

Tonight, we were still working to save the most we could from what was left of Iron Town. We have found many guns and cannons in the remains, but the village has no more interest in keeping these possetions, instead, they are casting them aside. We are taking the last iron there is and planning on getting rid of most of it, and using some to create tools and traditional weapons for hunting, not exterminating. Sadly, there have been huge structural losses and many of our friends have died, obviously things here will never be the same. Life will bring these people hardships, but I firmly believe that it's never for the worst; hardships only get rid of the blight and preserve the good things.

One big surprise was that a lot of food and Lady Eboshi's secret garden were still there, like if we got a favour and a sign of good faith due to the change of path Iron Town has taken. Someone wishes these people good luck.

Yakul and I have been working since the very morning helping the town recover, we all have made a huge effort to win a good night of sleep, but it can't really be like that, can it?. A celebration has started in the largest hall of the town, the destroyed foundry. The villagers are celebrating the good things, the people who is still around and also the people who isn't. It's shocking to see how this place is so much more bibrant and full of life now than ever before, they are just as thankfull for life as I am of seeing them be, from afar. I'm not really partying with them, I'm outside the hall because well… I am not really a man of bustle.

-All this singing and dancing almost made me believe you would finally be relaxing with the rest of us… but I guess there is no chance for you to relax and have a good time even just for a bit, is there, Ashitaka?- I hear from behind me.

-You see Eboshi, I don't want to creep anybody by being joyfull and loud, that doesn't sound too much like me anyway- I answer to her, slowly turning around.

-You are right, but I am happy to see that you're actually having a good time- continues -after all you have quite a cute pair of smiling eyes right there-

Lady Eboshi had been injured in the forest, by getting her entire right arm ripped by Moro. It's been a week since that happened

-How are you feeling?- I ask.

-For someone who's entire arm has been ripped off, I feel increadibly fine! not that it doesn't hurt anymore but… I feel way more lighter than before- She laughs -Huh, it's like I really had pending accounts to be resolved-

-I'm glad to hear so-

-Come on Ashitaka, let's get in for some cups of Sake, that may help my wound to feel better-

-I really appreciate your invitation, but I'll pass on that one for now-

-Really? that's a shame, now I'll have to go and leave you out here, so you can think about whatever crossed your head… Oh! by the way, have you thinked about my offer from early today?-

Lady Eboshi offered me to live here in Iron Town as some sort of heroic figure or champion, or to replace Gonza as her second in charge, maybe she was joking with the last part, but she wants me to live here, being in a high possition, out of gratitude.

-I've been thinking about it, and I think I'd be better living outside, in the mountains- I answer -just like I am already used to.-

-Well, however you want, my dear friend, but be aware that once we finish to recover this place, you are always going to be welcome here- She ads -I'm seeing you later, when you don't find that beloved wolf girl of yours that you are surely going to search right now-

-I guess that there's no helping it, is it?- I shook my head, feeling busted for her comment. Is it that obvious what I'm up to?

-Eboshi, we still have work to do, I'll be back tomorrow, just take care of Yakul while I'm out, please-

-The people here already care a lot for Yakul, so you can be sure no one is harming him while you're out.-

Eboshi goes back in with the rest, while wishing me luck in my trip.

Trying my best to not drive the attention of any villager, I head out of what is the new Iron Town, to search for her… out there in the wild.

Equiped with my cape and lether, I embrace the solitude once more in the night, trying my best to hear her voice through the wind. Everything is so dark, I can barely see anything in front of me, but the air is so fresh around here, I didn't even noticed that until my vision wasn't yet adapted to the new setting, I didn't leave Iron Town in days. The wind feels moist and runs faster as I walk. Slowly, I can now begin to identify the objects, the ground, the plants and mountains. I remain silently walking through the high grass, having fun with my own thoughts. What could have happened if my tribe wasn't atacked by Nago? I wouldn't have had the need of leaving my home and who knows what could've been of these lands and… San and I wouldn't have met.

San, the human princess of the Wolfs, full of novelty and courage, just like a wild animal, beautiful in all aspects there are. She's a reminder of what our human species was in the oldest of times, her primal nature is so calling but intimidating… the day I met with her, I couldn't believe my eyes, how could there be such a being? I learned a lot of her just by sight, her grace and beauty was so heavily contrasted with her furious look and face covered in blood. But I learned way more than that by being with her, understanding her motivations, her feelings, from compassion to weakness, fear to trust, and hate to love. I was instantly bounded with her for life, the burden upon me was only a way destiny had for me to be here with San, to free ourselves from the curses we had. But even with this, we're separated, she choosed to live in the forest and I choosed to help the town going back to normality, I choosed to help humanity, even with how much I wanted to stay by her side. I promised I would visit her every now and then, so I just hope that she actually wants to see me.

My heart beats faster by thinking of her, I try to calm myself by taking deep breaths, but I just can't help it. Visiting this forest again is so exciting, I can almost feel her presence, and I put all my senses into trying to identify her from the rest of the animals.

I close my eyes and sit down over the grass, pulling a flute I carved myself and start playing a slow song, trying to mimic the howling of wolfs with it. This is the first time I put it to use, so I'll just play it hoping for it to work.

~

After a while of playing my song, I start feeling the presence of a huge animal coming towards me.

-How are you doing that sound?- I hear a very deep voice coming from the dark.

I suddenly stop playing, get up in my feet and answer -I'm making it with a special flute, to call upon the forest's gods.-

-And why do you think the forest gods will answer your calling?-

-Because my intentions are pure, I came here to fulfill a promise with an inhabitant of these lands-

From the dark, a large white wolf comes out, it was one of San's adoptive brothers walking towards me.

-We thought you were helping the rest of the humans-

-I am, and we've made a huge progress there, I just took the time to come visit you and San-

-I see. listen, for a human, I consider you someone who I can call a friend, and you've become an important part of my sister's life, so I might do you one favour-

-Really? what kind of favour?-

-Saving you time, of course- he says -Play with me your melody and San will know that the music comes from a friend of the wolves-

Following his instruction, I sit back again on the ground and wet my lips, while my musical companion comes near by me and lays down as well, we both started playing our song to the wind, hoping that San would come…

San… I really want to see you again.