Even though everyone knew the prognosis, it was customary Emishi practice for the dying to be visited at least once by the doctor. Ame-san took one look at Ashitaka's body, marked by the telltale signs of purple underneath his robe, and went "Holy Shishigami, that one's a doozy."
Ashitaka tried to smile. "That's one way of putting it."
"That is some curse the Boar God put on you, huh? Luckily our children will never have to face that wrath. And it's all because of you." Ame-san rested her hand on the silk of his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ouji-sama. You lived so well."
"Yes, Ame-san. Thank you."
"In the meantime, while you're still here, we have some things to figure out. You're the last remaining heir to the throne, am I correct?"
He nodded once.
"Nobody else is set to take your place?"
"No one. I was an only child. Kaya and I… we never… "
The prince was choking up, so the doctor had to finish for him. "Never had the chance to marry. Have children. Well, I hate to make you feel worse, but this puts us in quite the predicament. We didn't get this far on our own, you know."
Ashitaka rolled onto his side. It may have sounded callous or cold the way she said it, but the only (and perhaps the last) doctor in the Emishi village didn't have the time or luxury of getting emotional.
"However, don't you worry bout a thing," she continued. "We're Emishi - we're strong. We've existed for over two hundred years; the gods can't be rid of us that easily." Ame-san rubbed his back. "You're not to worry, okay?"
Ashitaka didn't respond. And having nothing else to say, the doctor took her cue to go.