Warning: SPOILER ALERT!!!
Mononoke-hime
PM Productions Presents
A Phillip Masters Fanfic
A Beautiful Thing
San awoke to the dull gray of a cavern wall. She sat up quickly,
taking in her surroundings with the economy of one who had spent her
entire life in the wild. The sun was peeking in through the entrance
of the cave, and the chill, moist morning air raised goosebumps on her
skin.
Her gaze fell on her companion, and a shiver went through her.
Whether from the wind, or the sight, she couldn't be sure. The curious
young human who laid beside her was an enigma at the very least. He had
saved her, and though she had returned the favor, he persisted in being
in her company. He insisted on fighting her fight... the forest's
fight.
Yet, at the same time, he didn't. He didn't believe in the killing
of another creature. His philosophy dealt with harmony between man and
beast, as well as man and himself. She furrowed her brow in confusion.
Didn't the human understand his own nature?
San rose from the hard rock and stretched the kinks from her
muscles. After spending another few moments looking at her guest, she
walked out onto the ledge that overlooked the entire forest. It covered
everything in sight, from the base of the mountain she stood upon, to
the very horizon itself. She crouched down and sighed deeply.
"What is on your mind, child?"
San jumped slightly, startled by the sudden strong voice which came
from behind her. She settled herself as she at once recognized the
source. "Nothing, mother...." Her sentence trailed off, hesitant and
unsure.
"Speak to me, daughter. Is it the human boy? I can kill him if
you wish." The seriousness of the words was marred by the slight jovial
edge they had.
"No!" San replied, quicker and harsher than she had wanted. She
stood up and turned to her mother. "I need to ask you something."
"You know you can ask me anything you wish." Moro assured, her eyes
sparkling in the morning sunlight.
San paused a moment, taking in the majesty of the Spirit beast
sitting atop the cave which she had slept in. Along with her knowing,
wild eyes her coat shone with a brilliant white that could almost blind.
"Mother...," she began hesitantly, "when you found me, why did you not
kill me?"
A moment of silence passed between the two figures, like a gentle
breeze. Then, the large wolf answered, "I did not find you, San. You
were given to me... a gift greater than any other."
"Given? By whom?" San asked.
"Shishi Gami," Moro said cryptically.
The young girl's brow furrowed in thought. "I don't understand."
A hint of laughter could be found in the wolf's voice as she
returned, "Neither do I." Then, in a more sorrowful tone, she added,
"The boy will be waking soon... perhaps you should prepare to leave."
"I'm ready," San shot back, leaving no doubt remaining.
"Then you should say goodbye." With that, Moro no Kimi padded her
way down the rock face a ways to allow San privacy.
The greatest warrior of the forest trembled slightly. She stared
into the cave, the light from the now fully bloomed sun showing his
still form. Making her way to him, she kneeled down at his bedside.
For the first time, she realized he had no cover. She was certain he
had one the previous night.
A quick scan of the cavern revealed its location... right where she
had been sleeping herself. Obviously, her thoughts when she had arose
had taken her attention off of it. That, and the fact that she probably
didn't feel it with her wolf headdress on.
Why would he do that? Her thoughts were furious... and something
else. She simply could not understand the human at all... the human at
all....
Her thoughts dwindled, thinking of Ashitaka's repeated claims that
she herself was human. Her mind rebelled at the concept. That she and
that destroyer of lands, Eboshi, were of one in the same spirit was
absolutely ludicrous.
Yet, here before her laid one who caused her to rethink her
position. She leaned down and caressed his hair, then brought her hand
up and felt her own. It was the same. She couldn't deny it, no matter
how hard she tried. After years and years of facing down her inner
truth, the walls were crumbled by something everything shared in
common... instinct.
The instinct to be with one of your own kind. To love, and to be
loved by another who knew you as you know yourself. It's a sacred and
noble instinct that has held the balance of nature since time began.
San knew, that she herself was as much a victim of this instinct as
any other creature... there was no cure, and no way to avoid it.
Eventually, it caught up with you... and San felt she perhaps had
stopped and allowed it to.
For, she may have the strong spirit of the forest within... but she
was human without. She was held together by her strength, her
compassion, her wild nature, and the love of the young man who laid
before her... of one exactly like herself.
San leaned down and kissed Ashitaka's cheek, checked his equipment
a last time, and ran out of the cave. A stray tear fell from her eye as
she realized he would return to her. However, she wasn't sure if it was
from happiness or sorrow.
The End
"There cannot be a happy ending to the fight between raging gods and
humans. However, in the middle of the hatred and killings, there are
things worth fighting for. A wonderful meeting, or a beautiful thing
can exist." - Hayao Miyazaki
Comments and criticism very much appreciated.
Thanks for reading,
PMasters (11-8-98)
"I'm only holding back the rain. So many raindrops, so many pains. I
want to find my train someday. As seasons go past the station." - Tokyo
Babylon OVA 1
/ E-mail at: PhilMasters@webtv.net /
Web page pending use of a computer!
"...has anyone ever used something alive for a coat of arms?" - The
Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea (Mishima Yukio, 1965) /
"You see, what you call a cat, we use as armor." - Rune (El-Hazard,
1994)
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