Four days passed before San and Ashitaka visited Takahiro, Irontown's isha. He scolded both for not visiting earlier, as San's injuries worsened each passing day. San shrugged one shoulder and Ashitaka apologized for not arriving sooner. Takahiro nevertheless treated San's injuries, providing her a sling for her arm and bandages around her leg and ribs. Lastly, he advised San relax for two months, if not more. Ashitaka and San thanked him and departed.

Dozens of men and women stared while Ashitaka and San returned to the stables. Their reactions were the same when Ashitaka and San first arrived. San paid no attention, ignoring the onlookers as they gawked. She hated that they saw her limping, her body hunched, and one arm useless. Ashitaka laid a hand on her shoulder when he noticed her annoyance. None of the townspeople appeared hostile, a thankful change. Even if they seemed friendlier, Ashitaka wasn't quite ready to return. He wanted to spend more time alongside San and her brothers in the forest. It was a peaceful place, even if it was a shadow of its former self.

Both Ashitaka and San noticed the change in the forest when they returned. The kodama hadn't shown up ever since they got back from their journey. Ashitaka never saw one while hunting with Okami and Urufu, even at the Forest Spirit's pond. San went out of her way to visit the Ape Tribe one day, something she hadn't done in years. They weren't home when she arrived. She waited an hour before leaving; they would have noticed if somebody entered their territory. Her heart stung on the way home. There were no other spirits she could visit; the boars all died in the fight against the humans and most others left long before.

"They weren't there?" Ashitaka asked after San relaxed onto her bedding.

"No." San replied, shaking her head, "The kodama are gone, too."

"I'm sorry." Ashitaka said. Even though it wasn't his home first, he felt the same burdening sorrow as San. No amount of trees and animals made the forest seem less empty. The Forest Spirit's vestige faded fast. Only Okami and Urufu's life helped preserve it, and even then it wouldn't last forever. It brought a tear to their eyes, knowing that the magic was gone. To make matters worse, Ashitaka worried about conflicts lingering beyond the horizon. Lady Eboshi confided that Lord Asano was recruiting more soldiers. He also wasn't sure if the Emperor was done trying to achieve immortality, a goal which cost dozens of lives already.

Okami and Urufu returned to the cave, a deer carcass in the elder's jaws. San smiled at their arrival, but noticed something change in the way they moved. They were slower than usual and their legs had less spring. It was nothing compared to their condition a few days ago, but it still dampened San's spirits. She hated watching her clan dwindle away. Only she would remain of the wolves and she didn't even look like her brothers. Ten years, at most, remained for them. For all San knew, they might not make it another year.

The pale light of the moon bathed Ashitaka and San's skin. They sat on the edge of the cave, overlooking the forest. Moonlight made it appear beautiful, but to San and Ashitaka, it was a shell. Ashitaka was sure to adjust, but San wasn't as certain. She lived in the forest for twenty years, and to see such a sudden change sapped any bit of solace from her.

"Was this how it was like for you?" She asked Ashitaka.

"What do you mean?" He replied.

"When you left your home, what did it feel like?"

Ashitaka gazed towards the distant mountains. The Emishi people lay beyond those peaks, almost one thousand miles away from Irontown. He knew he would never see them again. Making another journey would be pointless; to them, he was long-dead from his curse. For a moment, he forgot the question San asked and wondered how they were doing. Kaya was set to become their new leader and he was sure she was fine.

"Ashitaka?" San called, snapping him back to the present.

"Oh? Sorry, I must have lost myself. Anyway... it was heartbreaking for the first few days. I wasn't sure where I was going or what I was supposed to do. On top of that, I missed all of my friends, my sister... it was difficult. Still, I had to move on or else I wouldn't get anywhere."

Move on. San gazed at the stars while the words rang in her head. She couldn't say that it was easier for Ashitaka; she and her brothers lived fighting and remained united that way. Ashitaka and his people were forced to remain in hiding. His people stuck together to remain out of the Emperor's eyes. They lived in fear of being found; San and her brothers knew where their enemy was. He and his village didn't have the same strength San and her brothers possessed, and they couldn't battle as many people if attacked. The two situations were different, yet San found them relatable.

"Sorry, Ashitaka, I shouldn't have brought it up." San apologized as she saw his eyes become glassy.

"You don't have to be," Ashitaka said, smiling, "It's good for me to remember them."

After two months passed, San and Ashitaka returned to Takahiro to check on San's injuries. San felt that her shoulder was fine, and her ribs no longer ached. The isha confirmed that she was healed, but he asked her to take better care of herself. Both thanked him before leaving. This time, San was able to hold her head high and glare away the curious looks she was given. Her first wish was to go hunting with her brothers, a joy she thoroughly missed.

Okami and Urufu weren't home when Ashitaka and San returned. They had been gone since the previous night, patrolling the forest to keep away humans. Yakul was asleep by the base of the cave. The morning was young and the air was cool. San had remained inside the cave for most of the time she was hurt. It had been long since she roamed the forest for more than an hour; her walks while injured were short, as her side would spike in pain if she was up too long. Ashitaka suggested they go to the Forest Spirit's pond.

The pond was a fair distance from the wolves' cave, a near two-hour walk at a normal pace. Along the way, they listened for the kodama, who had not been seen over the past two months. Again they were absent. San didn't want to believe they were gone, but a painful feeling her heart swelled told her they wouldn't return. She kept the thought out for the meantime. Slowly, she was coming to terms with the changes around her. It would take longer than two months, but she was starting to adjust.

Moss covered the stones breaking the pond's surface. San hopped from one to another. Ashitaka followed closely, arms outwards to maintain his balance. They reached the island in the center. Aside from a few bushes and a towering tree, the two were alone. White flowers bloomed on the lush emerald bramble. Birds flew overhead, visible through the gaps between the leaves. Okami and Urufu's scents were picked up by San, though she could tell they weren't nearby. Their scent steadily dulled until it evaporated completely. She sighed as she and Ashitaka sat by the pond's edge.

"San?" Ashitaka said.

"Yes, Ashitaka?" She replied.

"Do you consider us to be mates?"

"Of course I do. Why are you asking?"

Ashitaka gazed at the shimmering water's surface. Traditionally, his people held a ceremony to cement a union between two people. San had no such ways as far as he knew.

"Nothing important." Ashitaka replied, "It's just that my people would conduct a ritual when two people were married, or as you might say, become mates."

"I think you asked me about that a few weeks ago."

Ashitaka nodded.

"What would they do?" San asked.

"I can't remember. Only a few were done while I was still prince, most of which were when I was a child."

"We can do something of the sort right now if you want."

Ashitaka paused to ponder the idea. He couldn't recall any of the ceremonies occurring so spontaneously. Still, this might the only time soon San would bring it up. With a smile, he turned to her and nodded.

Their ceremony was short, lasting under half an hour. Ashitaka was unsure of the proper rites and made do with what they had. He plucked several flowers from the bush and decorated San's hair. She traced the petals and smiled. San expected something elaborate from a human-made ceremony, but was pleasantly surprised by its simplicity. The two sat in front one another, their fingers interlocking and raised. With a tear in his eye, Ashitaka asked San to be his wife. His overwhelming joy flooded into San's heart as she replied,

"Yes."

Ashitaka returned home with a few squirrels strung together. Four months had passed since he and San returned to the forest. Last week, they visited Takahiro, as San had seemingly fallen ill. Takahiro's daughter recognized the symptoms and informed the two what was affecting San. Their eyes widened when they heard her diagnosis, and Takahiro chuckled when he realized he failed to see something obvious: San was pregnant.

When the two returned home that day, they agreed to have San settle down for a bit. Okami and Urufu weren't stunned or surprised. Both expected San to bear children when they learned of her and Ashitaka's newfound relationship. They were happy for her and the fact that their clan would continue. San told them that she wouldn't be able to hunt alongside them as often, at least until her child was born. The wolves understood and told her to relax.

San helped Ashitaka prepare the squirrels he caught. She didn't change very much physically, although Ashitaka noticed a slight bump in her stomach. He hoped they would be able to raise their child well in the forest. Ashitaka considered raising him or her in Irontown, though he knew San wouldn't be as comfortable there, and he didn't want to split their time together. One advantage Irontown had was less danger. Despite the possible threats, San vowed to protect their child as long as they were in the forest.

After they ate dinner, San and Ashitaka relaxed inside the cave. Her brothers were above, Okami asleep while Urufu scanned the forest. Ashitaka and San slept close together under a blanket of bear fur, their legs intertwined and faces touching at their noses.

"I hope there aren't too many problems when our child is born." Ashitaka remarked, "Things never seem to settle down in this land."

"What are you worried about?" San asked, "I know what's happening with my brothers, but there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong."

"It's Lord Asano, one of Lady Eboshi's enemies, could do something, the Emperor is probably angry. They're both powerful men, as well."

San brushed her cheek against his, telling him to not worry. They didn't need to get involved with the humans' affairs anymore. Ashitaka understood, though he wondered if he would help Irontown if things became dangerous. A conflict could affect the forest as well. If that were to happen, San would probably ready for battle. That didn't matter in the present. She didn't want Ashitaka to worry now, when everything was close to perfect.

"We'll be fine, Ashitaka." San assured, "You and I don't have to fight anything anymore. It should remain that way for our pup, son or daughter."

Ashitaka felt that San was right. It would be best for their child if they remained out of battles. He smiled and embraced San, enjoying her warmth as she returned his cradle. Drowsiness washed over them, and slowly they began to sleep. A bright spark remained in their eyes until they fell asleep. In their hearts burned a bright feeling of joy. Wishes of peace prevailed in their minds, hopeful for their future.

The End

For Now

Not a whole lot I want to say for this last closing. I have to say, I felt this took me too long to write and isn't as good as some of the others I've done, and I think the reason is because I honestly didn't have a whole lot for the middle section. I usually have a more developed middle, but not this time; I just had a beginning and end, and even the end got changed. I was always going to do another story after this, but I'm going to spend more time fleshing it out. It's going to remain in the Irontown area. I've also thought of pre-writing the entire thing and then releasing each chapter weekly or so. I dunno, what to do will come around to me eventually. Until then, thank you all for reading! If you liked the story, or not and want to tell me why, please leave a review!

See You Until Then,

BlackSabbath4Ever (a.k.a. Michael)