The three continued to travel on the road during the day while sleeping away from the path at night. They stopped only to hunt or gather water, though on occasion they would stray from the road so soldiers could pass. San studied their faces as they marched by. Many of them looked no stronger than the humans at Irontown; some appeared to be weaker. Most had scrawny limbs, thin waists, and dark, sullen eyes. They carried spears and bows, wearing only their tunics and shoes. There would sometimes be a larger man traveling with the group, clad in plate armor and carrying up to four different weapons on his person. Their faces were hidden by helmets and masks. They masks made them look like demons; even their eyes were hidden from view.

During the night, Eboshi would try to speak with San, hoping to get at least a few words out of her. The Wolf Girl would either remain silent or grumble a short response. Ashitaka would be much more responsive, talking at length with her. A constant glower was etched in San's face, fading only when she and Ashitaka were together. The two were only alone when they were gathering food. They had decided to stop hunting larger animals since they couldn't carry most of the meat from their kill. What they did carry would quickly become rotten. Instead, they gathered berries and small game. Neither were familiar with the area, making their searches difficult. The two made a game out of this obstacle, competing to see who could gather more food.

On one night, Ashitaka had managed to gather two bags full of white berries. He had never seen them before. They were a type that didn't grow near the Emishi village or the forest where he and San called home. He ate a handful before returning to San. They tasted like blackberries, only more sour. He filled two leather bags and returned to the spot where he and San had split.

The two met at the side of a pond carrying bags of food over their shoulders. San had managed to kill several squirrels and birds.

"How did you manage to get those birds with only a knife and spear?" Ashitaka asked.

"I threw rocks at them," San replied, "That's how I catch any sort of prey that I can't chase down."

"Well, I think we can call ourselves even this time." Ashitaka opened one of the sacks and showed San the white berries. She took one out of curiosity and made a small slit with her knife. The juice was a translucent green color.

"Are you sure these aren't poisonous?" San asked, "I don't think I've ever seen these before."

Ashitaka froze when he realized she may have made a mistake. He tensed up and began to sweat. "Let's go back to the camp."

"Are you sure these aren't poisonous?" San repeated.

"I'm not sure, Should I throw them out?"

"That'd probably be best. We shouldn't eat them if they can make us sick."

Ashitaka nodded and dumped the berries behind a nearby bush. He hoped that they weren't poisonous, partly because he feared that he may slow the trio. He didn't feel any pain in his stomach, had no sign of a fever, and he could see clearly. He didn't know what it felt like to have poison flowing through his veins, knowing its symptoms only through stories. He had been taught as a young man to ensure the food he gathered was safe. He tried to put the thought out of his mind as he and San returned to their camp.

Ashitaka helped San and Eboshi with skinning and gutting what San had hunted. He was shocked by how well Eboshi was able to control her sword with one hand only. He knew that she had been training to use her left hand, but he was surprised at how far she had come along. San's hands were naturally steady as she worked. His hands, however, couldn't seem to stop shaking.

"What's wrong, Ashitaka?" Eboshi asked.

"I don't know," Ashitaka replied as he finished skinning the squirrel, "Maybe I'm just tired."

"You should probably get some rest. The path doesn't get any easier from here; we'll soon be traveling through the mountains."


It was impossible for Ashitaka to sleep with the burning pain in his stomach. His hands hadn't stopped quivering; rather, they had begun to shake more violently. Everything around him seemed to move around and spin, causing his eyes to follow without choice. He breathed in deep, heavy breaths. He was sure that it was because of the fruit he had eaten. A low groan escaped his throat. He felt like he was on a ship that was being tossed about in a storm, his head throbbing in pain. The pain wasn't only in his head and stomach; his arms and legs burned like fire.

His stomach suddenly lurched as though he had been kicked in the gut. He stifled another groan and managed to crawl out of the tent. He got to his feet, feeling his stomach heave again. He accidentally stumbled into the ashes of the long-dead campfire. A brittle piece of charred wood crumbled into dust as he kicked it away. A third jolt in his gut forced him to his knees. His breathing became erratic, quickening with every passing second.

San was awoken by noise from outside the tent. At first she thought it might have been a wild animal, possibly a wolf that had been attracted by the scent of their food. She discovered that Ashitaka was gone; he would normally be lying close to her with an arm draped around her. Perhaps it was him that was making the commotion outside, though she didn't think he would be up at this time of the night. She wondered if he was well. He seemed to have been more than just tired when he fell asleep. When she heard him cough and gag outside, she scurried out of the tent.

"Ashitaka?" She called, "Are you okay?"

"San..." San managed before his body heaved. The worst of it was over. He spat to the side and staggered towards her. He almost collapsed but was held up by San.

"What's wrong, Ashitaka?" San asked.

"Those berries I showed you earlier... I ate some before I came to you, before you said that they may have been poisonous."

Ashitaka tried to stand on his own, only to find that his legs wouldn't keep steady. San caught him before he could fall. Nothing around him seemed to stay still despite the fact he wasn't moving. He thought he might throw up again, managing to stay together by breathing slowly and deeply.

"I'll go into the forest and see if I can find something to help you," San said, "It shouldn't take me too long."

"I believe we should take him to a proper doctor," Lady Eboshi suggested, "While I'm sure you're competent in creating medicine, we don't know exactly what he needs."

"If he has been poisoned by a plant, I can make several antidotes for him. I just need to find the right ingredients."

"How long do you think that will take you? Do you even know if what you're looking for is in the forest?"

"I can find everything I need before the sun is up!" San boasted, "How far away is the nearest village? How do you know they will even have a doctor?"

"Most villages include a person who practices medicine. The village is a long walk away. If we left in the morning, we would probably arrive by dusk. However, he is your 'mate' so I'll let you decide what is best. Perhaps you may even be able to find what you need for an antidote." Eboshi was about to return to her tent, but she glanced over to San before saying, "Just know that if anything happens to him, I will not be the one to blame."

San wanted to spit at Eboshi and tell her she was wrong, but she couldn't ignore a sinking feeling that told her Eboshi may be right. She knew the location of every plant, rock, and feather in the forest she called home. The nearby forest was unexplored territory, just as foreign to her as a human town. If she and Ashitaka were home, she could easily find what she needed to rid his body of its poison. For all she knew, none of the ingredients she needed could be found in the area.

"San?" Ashitaka groaned, "Can you put me down for a minute? I need to lie down."

San nodded and brought Ashitaka back to their tent, setting him down on his back. His eyes were screwed shut in pain. One of his clutched his burning stomach, the other applied pressure to his head in an attempt to end his nausea. San wondered if the pain he was feeling was anything like what her brothers were going through. She couldn't imagine losing Ashitaka and her brothers. Enough time had been wasted, she had to make a decision. She took a deep breath, swallowing her pride as she went to Lady Eboshi's tent. She tapped on the bamboo poles and stepped back. Her fists were clenched and her jaw was tightened.

"Yes, San?" Eboshi asked, still inside her tent.

"Where is the village you mentioned?" San replied with her jaw still shut.

"Ask me nicely and say please." Eboshi answered as she poked her head out of the tent, an impish grin spread across her face.

San's left eye twitched.


The village of Nejikomi was saddled in a deep valley, surrounded by a thick forest and two towering mountains. The villagers rarely left their hometown, leaving the valley only if it was absolutely necessary. The mountains were believed to be cursed, named the Demon's Fangs due to the numerous disappearances. Despite their notoriety, most of the village's water flowed from the streams coming down the slopes. Lady Eboshi had heard of the mountains many years ago. She believed that there was nothing supernatural surrounding the disappearances. It would be easy for one to get lost in a forest so dense, for one to become fatigued by continuously climbing the steep bends, for one to mistake a toxic flower for an edible plant, for one to be attacked by a wolf or worse. Of course, she had battled against Gods and spirits before, so perhaps something she had never encountered indeed dwell in those hills.

The villagers were helpful when the three arrived on horse (and elk) back. They had left long before the break of dawn and managed to reach Nejikomi late in the morning. Along the way, Ashitaka's condition continued to worsen. At one point he suffered a minor seizure, forcing the group to stop for a moment. Ashitaka was brought to an ishi while the two beasts of burden were led to a stable. San went with Ashitaka while Eboshi spoke with the villagers. Many of them had never seen a woman of her stature before. Samurai were the highest figure of authority that passed through the village.


Unbeknownst to the villagers, they would be receiving more visitors. Two legions of soldiers, one approaching from the south and the other from the west, were approaching Nejikomi. The village was a part of a region owned by Lord Ichigai. Most of his soldiers were busy protecting larger settlements, sparing only a hundred for Nejikomi. A rival warlord, Lord Hashigo, was looking to slowly bring down Ichigai. Nejikomi was the first target of his invasion, primed to serve as a base for his soldiers while he continued to build his army. He wanted to send a small force, roughly three hundred men, to make sure that he didn't draw too much attention. Hashigo's orders were simple; exterminate the populace and replace them with his own soldiers. It was a risky plan, but he was sure that it would pay off in the end. All his men had to do was ensure that not one living soul escaped the village.