Isn't it interesting how, when you look back at things long past, you start to think about the thin strings you were walking on? Those steps, the tiniest of which would lead to certain disaster, that led you to where you are today? That's what I think about sometimes, especially lately. Here I am, with the most breathtaking person in the whole world standing by me, and I wake up at night in cold sweats because of dreams I have- dreams where she's not there anymore; horrible dreams that make me want to burst into tears. Dreams that make me want to fly into the forest to make sure she's still there…to caress her soft cheek while she sleeps, and tell myself that it was only my imagination. Perhaps it is, but something like that almost did happen, not too long ago. Let me tell you what happened…

     That day started out just like any other spring day. The sky was laced with silky white clouds, and the birds chirped merrily. On the sprawling meadow, you could see the vague outline of the brown deer peacefully chewing on the soft green grass. 

     As for myself, I was on my way into the town when one of the villagers (I can't remember her name exactly, although I know I've seen her many times before) matched pace with me and began talking.

     "Young boy, I here this summer's going to be a scorcher! What do you plan to do about it?"

     I shrugged my shoulders absent-mindedly. Indeed, certain indications gave proof to support her claims that the summer would be hot. One of the hottest summers since the time I've spent away from my tribe. In preparation, I had purchased dry seed that would do well in the harsh climate, so I wasn't exactly sure what the woman was getting at.

     "I've already bought everything I need, if that's what you mean," I informed her.

     But the woman shook her head. "I wasn't referring to your financial safety! I mean about your friend, the elk. You wouldn't happen to have a decent stable for him? Something to protect him from direct sunlight?"

     I wrinkled my eyebrows slightly and thought a moment before saying: "Yakuruu? I do have a shelter for him. It's not very professional, though, my skills in carpentry are somewhat lacking."

     The woman smiled broadly, displaying an astonishingly white set of teeth. "Good! I don't suppose you'd mind letting my husband tend to him?"

     I narrowed my eyes in thought. "So, you're the stableman's wife? I knew I had recognized you from somewhere! Why do you ask, though? Is business not good?"

     "Things could be better," she admitted reluctantly while brushing a small beetle off of her shoulder. "They're better than they used to be, that's for sure! I'm just helping my husband, uh…advertise!"

     "Well," I acceded, "you do make a good point. I built it, yes, albeit under duress. I wouldn't really trust it in extreme weather…how much would it cost?"

     The woman's eyes lit up excitedly. "Oh, hardly anything at all, young lad, nothing at all! All we need are two ounces of gold a week and your services!"

     "Wait a minute," I interjected. "I have to work for you, too?"

     The woman dismissed my comment with a snorting sound. "Don't worry, boy, it's not what you think, trust me. I'll tell you what, why don't you bring over Yakuruu and see if you like the place!"

     Smiling somewhat nervously, I accepted the woman's offer. After energetically shaking my hand, she scampered off into the crowd of people to find more customers, I presumed.

     At the time, I realized that there must have been some catch. With hard weather coming up, putting up animals would be very costly, and two ounces of gold a week hardly seemed enough. That meant that the woman was relying solely on the work I would do, if I, indeed, decided to stable Yakuruu there. All I could think about for the rest of that day was what it could possibly be.

     I arrived at the stables later that evening, just as the orange sun began setting in the sky. There was a slight drop in temperature and the wind blew, so I had put on my long shirt to keep warm.

     To my surprise (or was it dismay?), the same woman from this morning ran out to greet me. Obviously she had been anticipating my arrival for some time. After greeting her properly, she asked me to wait a moment.

     Before she left, I queried: "I'm sorry, I do not remember your name. Could you please tell it to me again?"

     The woman smiled. "It's no bother. My name is Hitori. Yours is Ashitaka, no?"

     "That's correct," I nodded.

     "Well, if you'll please excuse me. I still have to make supper for my husband. I'll send someone out to show you around."

     I bowed lowly as she left and passed the time by looking at the various utensils that littered the ground around the house. Forks, vices, grips, saddles, leather straps, and iron shoes- everything looked as though a strong wind had blown through. More than likely, everything I saw there was just leftovers. The used equipment was probably in the stable.

     Hearing the creak of a door, I glanced up to behold a small boy dancing down the stairs, his long hair swaying to match his erratic movements. When he approached me, he gave a quick bow and immediately grabbed my hand.

     "Come on!" he said excitedly. "You'll like it! I help daddy with the animals!"

     "Is that so?" I asked.

     "Yeah!" he responded. "I pet them and sometimes he even lets me brush them!"

     "Wow, sounds like a rough job," I said humorously.

     "No, not really."

     "What's your name, little one?" I asked as he let go of my hand.

     He quickly turned to face me. "I'm not little!" he protested. "I'm this many!" He held up his hand with some of his fingers, five upon closer inspection, raised into the air. "My name is Kato!"

     "Well, Kato, it looks like you're growing up pretty fast."

     The boy beamed and stood up a little straighter. He approached the large entryway to the stable and pushed one of the two doors open.

     Immediately, my nostrils were bombarded with the familiar scent of…well, animals. It wasn't overbearing, though, and it even added a warm, cozy feeling. I half listened to Kato as he talked about the 'aminals', instead focusing on the stable, itself. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was kept perfectly clean. My earlier premonition about the used tools being here were correct, for dozens of appliances decorated the walls of the building. The animals looked like they were fed regularly, and fresh water were in each of their stalls. To summarize: I liked the place considerably. Yakuruu would certainly feel the same way.

     "Hey!" Kato said, pulling on my sleeve, "Are you listening?"

     I looked down at him. "Yes, I heard you. Your family keeps a fine shelter, Kato. As a matter of fact, I think I'll let your father take care of my ride as well."

     "Really?" he said, his eyes lighting up. "I'm gonna go tell Mom!"

     I smiled as he ran away at a feverish pace.

     Incredible. The child was so cheerful, bright, and full of energy. Almost like myself when I was young. Seeing a youthful one such as this renewed my passion for children. For the longest time, I've desired to have one of my own, to love and to see grow up- a daughter to hold in my arms, or a son to go hunting and wrestle with. Perhaps one day my dream of starting a family would come true, but for now, I was content to be around other people's children, rare as the occasion was.

     I exited the stable, closing the door behind me. Night had fallen, but the lights of the city illuminated the darkness, making it almost as bright as it was in the daytime. Kato and Hitori were already waiting for me on the steps of their home.

     "My son tells me you like our little establishment!" Hitori said.

     "Yes, that's true," I replied. "I'll bring Yakuruu over by the end of this week. So tell me, what is this job you require of me?"

     "Well, it's not really a job, I suppose," she revealed. "It's more like a favor. You see, my husbands leg was ruined fighting in the late war."

     "I'm sorry," I consoled, bowing slowly.

     She waved it away. "It's no matter. What's done is done. Anyway, the leg is useless, so he hobbles around with a stick. Stable work is hard, but he manages to get by. Our problem, then, is that we need a fence. The last one was destroyed when the boars came. It doesn't have to be a big fence mind you, but one big enough to let the animals out for some exercise. Unfortunately, something like that would be impossible for my husband to do in his condition, so I was hoping that maybe you wouldn't mind helping us out?"

     I opened my mouth to speak, but she kept going before I had a chance to say anything.

     "I realize that it's hard work, and we'll make it worth your while. For as long as you're here, you can have meals (when the rest of the family eats, of course) and maybe we'll cut the price down on the stabling, too, eh? What do you think?"

     I tried to think quickly. A fence was a big task, and I still had farming to do. Of course, I couldn't just say no to someone in need of assistance. Still, the notion of her cutting her already ridiculous price even more sounded odd. Perhaps she did have an ulterior motive, but until I figured out what it was, it seemed only appropriate that I help her.

     "All right, I'll do it," I said. "When do you want me to start?"

     The woman was grinning from ear to ear. "Oh, whenever you want, Ashitaka! There's no hurry! Well, don't wait too long, but whenever you think you're ready!"

     The necessary arrangements were made, and I left that place very confused, but excited. My fingers were itching to get to work, and now it seemed that I would be busy for the next few weeks. I would have to tell San the good news if I saw her again.

     Come to think of it, I haven't really seen her lately. I wonder what she's up to? I decided to go and see her sometime tomorrow afternoon. She usually was out hunting with her brothers any time before that.

     Unfortunately, I shouldn't have gone to see her at all. Although I didn't know it at the time, Fate had a devious little trick she was about to play on me. I wished she would've picked on somebody else besides my loved ones, but then, that's what makes life interesting, isn't it?