Irontown had gotten its name from its purpose: to dig up iron, change it to steel, and make top-quality weapons. And everyone who lived and worked there had grown used to - maybe even loved - the work they did daily. And Ashitaka had promised Eboshi he would stay there with her and work as well; promising himself he would forget about San. San, who had told him that even though she loved him, she could not forgive the humans for what they had done to the forest. And he had had to respect her decision, because that was what she wanted. But he had loved her then, and still loved her now.
San had returned to the forest, and he remained within Irontown, and it had been implied that the two would maintain contact despite living in separate worlds. But he had been busy, and her, well, he didn't know. But in the end they had become silent to each other. But it didn't stop Ashitaka from thinking of San everyday, in the beginning always, now not so much. But she was there, in his mind, and in his heart. And he eventually couldn't hide the pain that was weighing him down.
Askitaka eyed the ishibiya gun that was cradled in his arms and let out a sigh, somewhat subconsciously. The gun was a cross between a musket and a grenade launcher, and it was something to be marveled at. But Ashitaka had remained unimpressed since the day he laid eyes on it, and especially now in which he could hardly concentrate on what it was he was supposed to be doing with it. Whatever that was. He was thinking about the last time he had seen San, a scene that came now frequently to his mind. He had promised her he would come to the wilderness and visit her whenever he could. But he hadn't, so she probably had forgotten about him, figuring he simply "couldn't come", or maybe that he had forgotten her as well. And right then and there he had the deepest desire to tell her, somehow, that that wasn't true.
Eboshi entered through the door some feet behind where Ashitaka sat. The room glowed with the light of a small candle in the corner, and she peered at the back of his head, smiling slightly. She was a very strong and caring woman, older than Ashitaka; she knew things beyond her years because she had been through much in her life. She was a former prostitute and had killed her master and freed herself, and for that she was admired by Ashitaka for being a very strong woman indeed.
"Ashitaka," her voice broke the small silence and Ashitaka turned to look at her, his grip around the gun loosening and a small, weak smile forming his lips.
"Eboshi." He stood up and bowed his head to her before placing the gun to the side. "This is a strange hour for you to be visiting," he added. And it was true, around this time she should be consulting her workers down powering the smelter or visiting the lepers; she rarely came to him at this time. "Is there anything wrong, my Lady?"
Eboshi settled her eyes on him as she smirked slowly. "I was just about to ask you the same thing, Ashitaka." She shifted towards him. "You've been here all day. I became worried when you didn't come down to check on the girls at the usual time. What is it, Ashitaka? I know something is up, or something's on your mind, isn't it?"
Ashitaka sighed and nodded as he went to sit down by the single wooden table to his left, motioning for Eboshi to join him. "Yes, something has been on my mind. But I've been very busy, I-
"Is it San, Ashitaka?"
His eyes widened slightly and he raised a brow before sighing harshly and nodding at her. Of course it was, and she didn't need him to tell her that. "Yes, my Lady. You know that I promised I'd visit her. And I haven't, not once. And I've been busy, but..." He looked up at her, his pale eyes gleaming, "I miss her, my Lady. So very much." He bowed his head.
Eboshi smiled her kind, understanding smile at him. "Of course you do, Ashitaka. You love her."
"Yes..."
"Are you afraid she's forgotten about you?"
"I don't like to think she would, my Lady. But honestly, the day we parted I feared this would happen. She didn't want to stay with me, did she...?" He bowed his head once more, hiding a frown.
Eboshi shook her head. "You know yourself it had nothing to do with you. She hates our kind with a passion, she simply could not stay here in the midst of us humans. But you don't need me to tell you that, do you?"
"No, my lady." He lifted his head to look at her, peering into the sincerity in her eyes. He nodded. "Then it's my fault. I broke my promise to her. What should I do now?"
"She's still waiting for you, Ashitaka. Go find her. Let her know you haven't forgotten her."
He nodded. "I will, my Lady. I hope she hasn't forgotten me."
Eboshi smiled at him and shook her head. "She hasn't. She's out there, Ashitaka, and she's waiting."