Disclaimers: These fabulous characters do not belong to me. They belong to Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, and Miramax films. Anyone I left out, sorry! The only characters that belong to me, are any created characters that may pop up in the story, but there won't be many of them.

And now for a few notes. I know the story takes place in midieval Japan, but I'm not the best with names and things like that. So any liberties I take with locations, beliefs and names, they are not meant to reflect on that aspect, because I know very little about midieval Japan.

Also, I have given Moro's pups names, because I could not find any. If anyone knows their actual names please email me them, and I'll. . . I'll make you some free fanart. BUT ONLY IF THEY'RE REAL NAMES OF THE WOLVES!

Any lines in italics are the words of the animals, most commonly, the wolves.

With that out of the way, I hope you enjoy my story.

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Silence boy! How dare you speak to a god like that! I caught her human parents defiling my forest. They threw their baby at my feet as they ran away. Instead of eating her, I raised her as my own. Now my poor, ugly, BEAUTIFUL daughter is neither human nor wolf! How could you help her?

I don't know, but at least we might find a way to live.

MORO AND ASHITAKA, MONONOKE-HIME

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Chapter One: Anticipation

by Ritsuko

If she had a tail, it would have been flicking in anxiety. But she had to make do with nervously tapping her fingers against the rock she crouched on, waiting for him to walk unguarded through the leafy underbrush of the forest. Then she'd pounce, and reprimand him for being so late. But that might force him to tell her how beautiful he thought she was. The thought of those words coming from him made her feel giddy, and she tried to regain her hunter's calm. She had a hard time understanding most of the new feelings that he sent surging through her. Sighing, she stared intently at the forest path. Matters of the forest first, and then trivial matters.

Another five minutes passed, when half out of boredom, half out of worry, she started to chew her nails. One had hardly been in her mouth two seconds when a voice from behind chided her.

You know what Moro would have said if she saw you doing that. Bara intoned, as he scratched at a flea behind one of his ears with a hind leg. You're hindering one of your weapons.

San sighed and instantly went over to the large wolf, hands on her hips. "Well, Moro may not be here in body, but she is in spirit, and she hasn't said anything yet." She smiled, playfully scratching at Bara's hard to reach spot. The wolf replied by lolling his tongue and letting his eyes roll back in his head.

Oh, yes, that's the spot. . . A low satisfied growl resounded in Bara's throat, and San laughed.

"Well, you better be careful! Scratch it too much and you'll make it go raw!" On sudden impulse she hugged the wolf around the neck, and he shifted.

Is there something wrong, San? He pulled back, looking into her eyes. She halfway turned away, adjusting her cape of wolves fur. With it almost being summer, it was getting a little hot for it. San, please, you know that you can tell me and Tsaku anything. You are our little sister.

San smiled and turned. "Oh, Bara. . . " She turned back to him and stroked his nose. "The forest has recovered nicely, hasn't it?"

The wolf cocked his head to the side. You have said that many times, but I don't think that is what's on your mind. Bara nuzzled his cheek against her hand again. You're thinking of the humans, aren't you?

This time, she angrily stomped away, back to where she had previously waiting. Still seeing nothing, she paced back and forth from Bara to the spot, hoping for some glimpse, as Bara watched her lazily. Without realizing it, she started to play with the crystal dagger necklace around her neck.

"It's that damned Eboshi woman!" She snarled finally, picking up intensity in her stride. "It is true that the Iron Town and its inhabitants are not as bad as they once were, but now. . . to have to barter with her. . ." San shook her head angrily. "Mining the land, and then replanting the trees. And then doing it somewhere else. I still hear the trees cry. I still hear the anger of the homeless animals. And for what? I do not need their weapons. This whole valley doesn't. They should just go somewhere else!" She sighed, wondering if Moro had bitten the Eboshi woman's head off, this would all be over.

I feel the same way San, and so does Tsaku. The forest cries still, but some of those cries are the joys of new life being replanted. The Kodama have come back. And thankfully, you've only given her so much room. . . but if you wish to ride again against the humans, you know your brothers will follow you.

San stopped her pacing and smiled at the wolf. "There would be no point in that now would there. Hatred should not live. That is why I try my hardest not to hate them for the crimes they do. We have all seen what hatred can do." She murmured, and Bara's ears twitched.

You think of Ashitaka. He sniffed, streching out on the rock.

"He was the only one to see past our differences and try to help us, even with the demon inside him. He is the only thing that truly keeps that woman from trying to increase the land she takes." She said, finally giving in to the warm sun, taking her cloak off and laying down next to Bara. "He is my only friend among them. The only true friend of the forest in that place."

Bara licked at a paw and smirked. You do not think about him over just these matters.

Blushing, San playfully punched the wolf in the side. "I know how he feels. . . but I can't, Bara. I have a duty to the forest. To mother. I need to protect the wild from the humans. I will never fit in Ashitaka's world. I'm still a wolf, Bara."

And you always will be. Bara rolled over and licked her face. But even you deserve some happiness.

"I am happy!" San protested, wiping her face off. With a smirk, she tackled the wolf, as he playfully bared his teeth.

You are happy? Most young she-wolves I know want more. They want their mate. They want pups.

San started to blush even redder. "Bara!" She squealed, and tugged at his fur, as the young god laughed. She sat up on his stomach composing herself. "I don't need any of that! I have a family right now!"

Bara nipped at her, leering jovially. Even if Ashitaka wanted to m-

"QUIET!" She whispered loudly. "Sure, he's late, but he could be coming any minute! And I don't want you putting any ideas in his head!" The wolf just continued to laugh, sides heaving so hard that San tumbled off. "Oh you!" She fumed, and sat back down, against his stomach, as his laughter quieted.

It wasn't that she hadn't thought of spending the rest of her life with Ashitaka. But she couldn't bear the thought of being away from her brothers, and living confined in a human home. For Ashitaka could certainly not live with her. Who would watch the Eboshi woman. San sighed, and Bara knew what must be running through the girl's head.

Well, I guess the stress of renewal comes down on Tsaku and I. Bara stretched, again and nuzzled the girl's head with his nose. After all, Gyoni of the Black Wolf tribe should be arriving in around a week. I can't wait to see the pups that will come of her and Tsaku! The wolf smiled, as San stared into the distance.

"I can't wait to see if they accept me as their aunt." San worried, playing with the crystal dagger, and the wolf rolled his eyes.

Pups will listen to your authority. You have the way about you. But as for Gyoni herself. . . the wolf tapered off.

"She will treat me with due respect. I remember going with Mother to speak with her father Choki when I was a pup myself. If she has been taught well by her father, she will treat me how all wolves treat their royalty." San smiled, and looked up at the wolf's face. "Besides, I have my big brothers to protect me."

Bara could only smile. The girl truly had the heart of a wolf. You will make a fine aunt. And perhaps someday, a great mother. His ears pricked up and he smiled at her.He started to rise, shaking the dust from his coat. Your mate comes.

"He is not!" she whispered loudly again, and kicked his rump as he passed by. The wolf only responded by licking his lips.

Time to go say hello to Yakkul. I am very hungry.

"Touch Yakkul, and I cut off your tail." She called playfully, and the wolf smiled back at her. Then he was gone.

San sighed, and creeped back over to where she had begun her stakeout. She could hear Yakkul's hoofbeats now, and sure enough, Ashitaka appeared at the crest of a hill. She smiled, crouching lower, waiting for the games to begin.

Tread back. . .