San was in the forest once more, panting heavily and sweat running down her back but she cared very little. She could smell her brothers on either side of her, their panting in rhythm with hers and the sound of their paws hitting the ground echoed around her. She picked up speed when they reached the small clearing in the middle of the forest, a scar as San liked to call it since no trees grew here for some reason and only the grass flourished. It was a small patch but it spread in the form of a path around the East side of the forest.

Her brothers picked up speed too but San was not about to lose. Once bad thing about being both human and wolf was how much stubbornness was within you. She clenched her teeth and ran faster, her legs crying out with the stress but she paid no attention. The waterfalls were near, she knew for she could hear them clearly. That was their destination. Whoever reached there first would be looked upon with respect and hold in high esteem— as well as not be thrown into the river which was the most important thing. San laughed as she jumped into the trees, swinging around like a monkey and gained an advantage over the two wolves. She could hear their growls of annoyance from below her but she just laughed. The goal was in sight, the rushing water was pounding in her ears...

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Her ears were pounding but not in the good way (if there was a good way, of course).

"Stay still," commanded Ashitaka while San wiggled beside him. She gave a grunt of annoyance but did as was told. Ashitaka kneeled over her and told her to lean her head.

"It hurts," she said angrily but Ashitaka ignored her, took her head in his hands, and leaned her face to one side. Mumbling obscenities, San clenched her eyes closed as Ashitaka poured down the black powder down her ear. He murmured comforting nonsense which did help her calm down a little. The powder itched and she had half a mind to stick her finger in her ear until it pieced her eardrum and scratch to her heart's content. She knew Ashitaka would get angry at her, though, so she decided against it.

"I told you not to stay down in the water for too long," Ashitaka reprimanded her quietly, sitting in front of her on the forest floor, "You never listen to me."

"Yes I do," she told him childishly, grimacing at him sideways, "Just not all the time."

Ashitaka scoffed at her comment but said nothing. She looked like she was in pain and in all honesty, she probably was. Her eyes were tearing because of the powder made of various plants in her forest. In a few minutes, she would feel better, if only for moment. They had to repeat this process every two hours. Ashitaka decided she was suffering enough and began talking about something else.

"You want to come over my home today? It's cleaner than it was a couple of days ago..."

It had only been a couple of days of pleading and annoying San but at last, she had accepted his offer to stay over his home, if only for a day.

"No, I am not trying to change you into a human," Ashitaka had deadpanned before she could even speak a word, "And I am not trying to trick you into anything human-like."

San had pouted at his correct interpretation of her stance which told him that she was getting ready to argue with him. However, he knew her too well to give her a reason to say no to him. So he took matter into his own hands.

"Well—" she muttered, "That misses the point com—"

She sighed, knowing he would keep bothering as he had done all three days he had been with her. Still, it was important to him, she realized, if he kept asking so much.

"On three conditions, Ashitaka," said San clearly, jutting her hip out and holding three fingers in front of him, "One, I will not go into the village."

Ashitaka nodded, snaking his arms around her waist and leaning against the tree behind him, bringing her with him. She gave him a small glare for trying to distract her (and succeding for a moment, but a very small moment) and continued.

"Two, I will not mingle with any humans."

He nodded once more, his face maintaining a semi-serious expression as he caressed her back, making her eyes flutter which only made her annoyed at him. He chuckled before she continued.

"And three, you must cook for me."

He laughed for real then for she he knew she really liked his cooking. She had told him privately that she liked it more than raw meat but she would never say that with her brothers around. She already felt like she was becoming more like the humans than she would have liked. She couldn't help it, though. Ashitaka added some wonderful spices and delicious herbs that made the meat burst with flavor inside her mouth and made her moan in pleasure, so much that Ashitaka had told her he got quite jealous of the meat...

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"You know, the meat gets more of a reaction than I do,"

San laughed, her legs crossed under her as she devoured her food. The meal had all been served in large platters Ashitaka had acquired form town. San hated using the chopsticks, calling them 'ridiculous' and 'useless'. She preferred her bare hands, even when it meant dipping her fingers into the sauces that Ashitaka made. He grimaced every time she did but let her be. She was not used to human manners and he was no one to try to convert her. Besides, he didn't care if she ate this way, he was just not used to seeing a woman eat with her bare hands. She was making a mess around her but suddenly, he found he didn't care. Her face was totally worth the mess she was making. For San, it felt like a religious experience. Everything made her mouth water, the rice tasted exquisite, the meat was bursting with juice, and the side dishes were scrumptious. Her hands seemed to multiply as she tried to get all the food inside her mouth. Ashitaka laughed softly, making San mock-glare at him before continuing her search for more food.

"You would think you hadn't eaten in months, San," he said jokingly.

"Shuttp," mumbled San incomprehensibly, her mouth full of food. Ashitaka handed her a cup of homemade juice, her favorite kind to which she received gratefully. San could not think of a better way to start her stay with Ashitaka and for the most part, San was excited. Her brothers had given her very little resistance, only telling her to be careful and all of that brotherly advice. They had said one more thing to her, one thing that had confused her for a long time. She remembered she had heard this word before, she also remembered wondering what it meant.

Relations...

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"Relations? How do you not know?"

Toki sat cross-legged in front of San, the wind playfully caressing the young woman's hair, whipping it backwards and forward. Though San had insisted in having no contact with anyone else but Ashitaka, she did not mind when Toki came over to say hello. She liked the woman from the moment she met her, liked how she spoke, and how strong she was. Now, Toki could help her with a riddle that had confused San for months.

"Well----–How do I explain?" Toki looked around, as if she could find the definition of relations in the air. Her gaze went to the forest and with a curious expression, she turned to San.

"Don't the animals in the forest— you know—"

San shook her head, utterly confused.

"No, what?"

Toki sighed, reddening a little at the words she spoke next.

"Procreate?"

"Ohh," said San knowingly, "Yes, they d----"

Suddenly her eyes went wide and she gasped slightly.

"That's what relations mean?"

Toki nodded, giggling at San's expression. San reddened but she was not embarrassed by her ignorance but rather by the thought. She would be lying if she hadn't had feeling of lust toward Ashitaka but to have her brothers tell her outright to be careful...

"So I take it you and Ashitaka have not had relations?" said Toki coyly.

San shook her head, her eyes looking somewhere past Toki's shoulder. Ashitaka was in Iron Town at the moment, he had been called to help with some of the plantations who were running low on workers. The days were colder so they weren't growing too much but the soil had to be kept free of too much water from the snow. Toki had volunteered to stay with San that day since San would have gone back to the forest if left by herself. San missed Ashitaka while he was gone but Toki was a fun substitute.

"Why not?" Toki asked curiously, her eyes shining at the thought of having girl talk with San out of all girls.

San shrugged, her eyes finally focusing on Toki.

"He just doesn't want to."

Toki scoffed, her eyes rolling, annoyed.

"That's not it, San, believe me," said Toki wisely, "Maybe he's just waiting for the right moment. You know, no offense but the forest is not the most romantic place to do it in."

San frowned, her eyes becoming worried.

"Well, where would the right place be in?"

Toki laughed, her whole lit with her smile.

"A comfortable place with a futon or something."

Suddenly, San gasped. She thrust herself unto her knees and leaned over to Toki who leaned back in order to not collide with San's head.

"Is that why he invited me over?" she asked quietly, as if saying it too loud would make it true—or make it false.

Toki grimaced slightly, then shook her head.

"You know Ashitaka is better than that," said Toki with another shake of her head. San's face fell as she went back to her sitting position. She took the animal skin that Ashitaka had lent her and draped it around her shoulders. It smelled like him, a strong husky smell of trees which drove San crazy. She laid on her side, on top of the wet grass and looked up at Toki as she spoke.

"Wait,"started Toki, confused, "Are you happy or sad that he's not trying to get all hot and heavy with you?"

"What's 'hot' an–"

"Relations, San," interrupted Toki quickly, wanting an answer.

"Oh—I don't know," she sighed heavily, "It's so strange to be thinking of this, talking about this is strange enough."

"Well," said Toki after a short pause, "Do you at least know how to protect yourself?"

"Against what?"

Toki gave a frustrated growl and fell back, her back making contact with the grass.

"Against pregnancy, San."

San stared at the sky, filled with threatening gray clouds and she could see a few stars winking weakly at her.

"Why should I protect myself from that?"

"Well," Toki started slowly, "sometimes there is no space in life for children yet and a woman should make sure that once she has children, that they will be able to receive all the time and attention from their mother and father."

San thought about it for a moment. After all the time she lived in her forest, having relations obviously meants that you were ready for cubs. Humans had different methods, she realized, and again, the conversation she had once with Chandra came to mind.

"I understand," said San slowly though the idea of being able to control pregnancy was quite astounding to her. It was because of curiosity that made her ask Toki of the ways to prevent pregnancy.

Toki stared at the same sky, thinking of what she did with Koroku after they had their own 'relations'.

"Well, are your monthly bleedings predictable?"

"Uh---- what?"

"San," said Toki tiredly, "Stay with me here. Your monthly bleeds—"

"I don't have them."

Toki frowned at the sky before pulling herself up into a sitting position once more. San was not looking at Toki but rather, tracing patterns in the sky.

"What do you mean you don't have them?"

San shrugged, her extended hand making a round circle in the air.

"I mean, I bleed sometimes but those times are rare. I only bleed for a day and then it vanishes for a long while."

Toki continued to frown, trying to comprehend what San was saying.

"You don't keep track, though?"

San shook her head, her arm tiring out and flopping down on top of her stomach. She cast an eye on the human woman and saw her worried face.

"What does it mean?" asked San curiously but she could feel it was not something she wanted to hear.

"I don't know exactly but San–" she paused, trying to collect her thoughts, "You need your monthly bleeds to have a child."

San continued to stare at Toki who spoke very seriously for the first time she had come to visit her.

"I mean, there might be some sort of remedy or at least something to help you get it. I need to go do some research on it."

San nodded but her stomach did a flip flop. Maybe she wasn't meant to have children. Why else would she be the way she was? Toki made it sound as if every other woman had their monthly bleed and she remembered that Chandra had asked her the same thing. What would Ashitaka say about it? As a human man, he must have the urges to reproduce at a certain time in his life. He couldn't do so with her so where would she be left once he got those urges?

"Don't worry so much, San" said Toki in a warm voice, interrupting the train wreck of thoughts she was having, "Ashitaka will not leave you so easily."

San nodded sadly but the thoughts remained. Her eyes closed, not wanting to look at the thunderous sky any longer. All hell was about to break loose at any moment...

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All hell broke loose that night. The wind was harsh and bitter, forcing everyone into retreat. San and her wolf brothers sought shelter in their cave, escaping the biting winds and harsh rain falling from the sky. San burrowed in between her brothers for warmth since their fur had gotten thicker, an excellent thing to have during Winter. She had been caught in the rain for some time, checking that every creature knew that a storm was coming and that they were safe in their shelters. Her brothers had huddled against her to give her their warmth and so, she was trapped between the two massive wolves, happily purring.

"Kendo has found a potential mate," said Kanha teasingly, his voice full of giddiness at the sight of new material to tease Kendo with.

"Truly, brother?" asked San incredulously.

The large wolf nodded, his fur shaking as he did.

"That is exciting news, brother, but are you not supposed to find one in the next season?"

Before Kendo could answer, Kanha gave a short laugh and quickly spoke for his brother.

"Kendo here couldn't wait that long. He is incredebly entranced by the female, aren't you?"

"I'll bite your tongue off for that, Kanha," threatened Kendo angrily though San could see he was more angry toward his younger brother's teasing than by what he said. Kanha laughed it off again, with a certain nonchalant attitude that younger siblings usually have.

"Have I met her, Kendo?" asked San curiously, turning her head to look at her brother. Wolves were not known for being shy or emotional and he was not an exception. He spoke with a certain clarity and certainness that made San slightly jealous of him.

"I believe you have met her but I am not sure. Nonetheless, we have decided to wait until the warmer season to be together, it's not like we can do much in this weather."

Kanha let out a snort but Kendo paid no attention to it (or at least tried not to). Kendo turned his gaze to San and inquired her about her own mate.

"Oh, I don't know. It's getting colder so he might not be visiting that much. Humans aren't too happy with the weather at the moment."

Kendo nodded, moving closer to her when he noticed she shivered slightly. She smiled at him, resting comfortably between them. She was a bit squished but she did not mind at all. It was a comfortable position to be in, especially when the wind outside was moaning like a long-forgotten spirit seeking revenge. Her eyes started to close, the sound o f her brother speaking (she couldn't tell which one at the moment) lulled her to sleep for she could feel the low vibrations coming through his fur and into her own body. Her other brother responded, menacingly and then laughed suddenly at some joke or mannerism he had just witnessed. In a space between sleep and awareness, San felt happy and warm, her necklace nudged somewhere in her chest, almost painfully but the touch of it soothed her nonetheless. It gave off a strange warmth that comforted her, made her feel that for now, everything would be ok. She felt slight beads of sweat forming on her forehead but made no move to wipe them away, she couldn't even if she wanted to. She did not feel like moving, especially since her hands were somewhere buried under her...

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Her hands were tied, the blood running down her face, and she couldn't feel any part of her body at all. The numbness she felt was due to the cold, the freezing winds and light rain that fell on top of her as well as the fact that she was losing a lot of blood. Her eyes began to close and darkness threatened to take over her. She did not hear the high pitched howl that echoed throughout the air around her, a searching mournful sound that would have stirred her soul any other moment. Now, she did not even recognize it. The two wild wolves, a light blue in color, flew above the wooden gates that surrounded the Skin Hunter's cabin and landed gracefully, quickly followed by another wolf. They growled dangerously, showing their razor sharp fangs and a deathly glint sparked in their green eyes. Growling loudly and vehemently, they pounced on the men standing back, scared at the sight of the two angry and rather large wolves. The wolves did not hold back their fury as they slaughtered the two men. The rifles they held and the bullets they shot did not hit their fast moving targets. They met their deaths in the steely teeth of the two carnivores, found themselves being torn apart gruesomely.

The man with the green eyes had already called in reinforcements, more scared of the fact that the wolves had their sights in the young naked woman being hung from the crossbars than of his own fate. At least a dozen men came in to defend the Skin Hunter but by then, the larger wolf had already jumped with amazing agility and snapped the cords that held San. She fell badly to the ground but that was the least of her problems. The smallest of the two wolves stood in front of his brother and the girl, growling at anyone who came near while the other tried to awaken the fallen girl. He succeeded after a while and it seemed as if he said something to her. To the strange man, it seemed as if she understood and nodded at him, crawling to get her kimono and sash which he had thrown on the ground carelessly. She managed to dress herself but with much effort since everything seemed to spin around her, her hands felt numb, and she couldn't see thanks to the blood that stained her face and eyes. Still, she managed somehow and because of the two wolves, she managed to get out of the cabin somehow.

San could not see, she could not smell anything other than her own blood, and the world spun rapidly. She did not even know she was outside until she saw part of her forest. It had been closer than she realized and the first thing that ran through her mind was that if she were to die, she would die in her home. With renewed strength, San ran towards the lovely trees that beckoned to her. She wasn't sure how long she ran or where she was headed to but she did not know that she was not alone. Shots went off around her and she was sure that at least one of the hit her directly but she couldn't be sure. She just ran as if her very life depended on it (in all honesty, it probably did). She heard the sound of rushing water and instantly thought back of a long time ago, with a certain someone at a certain time in her life when everything was all right and peaceful. She followed the rushing water, comforted by the strange thought of meeting him there, maybe, and then being saved from all this pain that was slowly spreading throughout her body.

She managed to evade her captors by jumping on the small rocky path that led to the very edge of the waterfalls. She stood there, precariously close to the edge and turned to face the predators that chased her to her wits end. The awful, green eyed man was there, saying something to her, his eyes nervously shifting from her to the edge of the water fall. Her feet were wet from the water rushing past her, her ears filled with the sound of water crashing down on top of the jagged rocks that lay at the very bottom of the waterfall. The man continued to reason with her and from somewhere behind her, she saw her brothers and...there he was. A strange figure she had seen before, someone who brought her great comfort as well as great pain at the same time, a man whom had been watching her from behind a fallen log and had been entranced by her from the very beginning— just as she had been entranced by him as well.

The green eyed man came closer to her, slowly and deliberately. She caught a couple fo words he said, from somewhere in the back of her mind.

"There is nowhere to go, dear. You are cornered."

San suddenly smiled, baring her own feral soul at the man through her dark blue eyes and raised her arms. She closed her eyes and felt herself being pulled back. As she fell, the water suddenly hushed, the water did not feel cold against her skin and her mind was set in sleep mode.

She smiled.

No one cornered a wolf.

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dun dun dun--

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