Hi! Sorry about the silly spelling errors. I'm trying to get better about that. Again, thanks to all of you reviewers. You really are the best. I take what you say into account and try to get better. So please, review once more! Thank you, you really are the best!

Before Ashitaka could stop her, San had run. She had hitched up her spear, and took of at a sprint. He called out to her, and searched. He scoured the woods, checking the cave, the river where they first met, every place he could think. But his love was gone. And he knew she meant to kill Eboshi this time.

A day passed. And another. Ashitaka was sleepless, hungry, dirty, and lost. Night was falling quickly, and he didn't know what to do. He finally gave in and made his way back to iron town, back to his house. He remembered what the Lady had said, vaguely, "when the forest spirit is dead, these gods will just turn into mindless animals once more." It had come true. Slowly, the gods were turning back into small, dumb creatures again. He was scared.

He stumbled through his door, and collapsed onto the bed. He heard a shriek. Something wriggled beneath him, but he was gone, drifting into the endless world of dreams. His body fell through darkness, and he could not hear. Away, far away. He sighed.

When consciousness slowly came to him, so did the strong smell of tea. A hand rested in his cheek, cold and small. He breathed, and opened his eyes. His vision was blurred with sleep, and his mind spinning. After a few minutes, his eyes focused on the wooden beams above him. A pale face came into veiw. He almost cried out for joy when he recognized her as Princess Mononoke, his love. But with that joy, came a sinking, frozen feeling. Again on her face was the red war paint. She again went to battle. Beneath the desperately concerned expression which he almost trusted as true, was such burning hate, anger, anger and murderous fury. Fear curled inside him, for he knew only one thing came from such unyielding hate. Death.

"San," he rasped, his voice irritatingly weak. So tenderly, he ached to believe her, she whispered,

"Quiet, my dear, I am here for you." Ashitaka tried to sit up, but she pushed him back down, "I am sorry I caused you such anguish, I am sorry I left you. I-" she looked away, opening her mouth to continue, but no words coming forth. Ashitaka's hope fluttered, and fell, like petals off a wilting rose.

"I know-"he began, ignoring her shushing gestures, "I know Lady Eboshi shot the spirit, but-" he coughed, "she has changed. What she did was wrong, and now you are hurt, but you cannot punish her for it now, you can't-" he wheezed, and closed his eyes, hunger clawing at his stomach. San's eyes lit,

"It is her fault. I am alone. I am alone, for she has taken all my family from me. She killed my mother, and now she has taken my brothers from me. She cannot walk free. She is a murderer."

"She was. She was. San-" She looked down at him pityingly, with tears glistening in her eyes,

"I am alone, Ashitaka."

"No. No, I am here. You have me. Take me, and do not harm my Lady. Please, San. Please. Please." The anger in her eyes diminished into pity, and sadness. She fell forward and cried into his blankets as he stroked her back weakly.

"I know I am not alone. You are here for me, and I for you. I love you, Ashitaka. I will not leave you again."

Far in the forest a wolf howled to the crescent moon. A crash rang in the air as a tree crashed the ground, an axe embedded in its skin.