School officially sucks!


There was very little Ashitaka could do as he saw San, battered and bleeding most profusely, smile almost suicidally at the man cornering her before falling backwards, nearly angelically, to join the rushing waters around her. He felt himself say her name, not a scream or a shout, not even a whisper. Perhaps he had just mouthed her name, as if reminding himself that she was named San. Whatever it was, he stood there, frozen in time and watched as she fell. Her brothers acted immediately, rushing down the bank of the river and jumping from the precarious height to the bottom. San's younger brother, always thoughtful as ever, nudged Ashitaka, telling him to get on. Ashitaka thought he was having an out-of-body experience as he got on the wolf, holding on tightly as they jumped off the cliff, the wind rushing past him, whipping him on the face as if to tell him to wake up. He did.

The two wolves and the human boy began their search at the very banks where Ashitaka had first met San. The fallen log was no longer there, the surrounding had changed from what it had once been but the memory was there. It was almost as if the memory had been captured there, in the very air particles that had witnessed their first meeting and repeating history over and over again. Crystal clear, he was there, entranced as he saw this human girl with striking eyes and a soul to match help her mother with her wound. Fearless and strong, she stood there, seizing him with harsh eyes that he helped softened as time went by. Here, in the bank of the very spot they met, lay San. Her clothes were a mess, torn and ripped but they were nothing compared to San herself.

Her brothers went to her, sniffing her with apprehension. Ashitaka kneeled at her side, examining her chest which to his great relief was moving but ever so slightly. He did not know whether to move her or not for she had many bruises and cuts. He took off his shirt and dipped it in the strong currents that had carried San here. With the wet cloth, he gently wiped the blood away from her face and neck, only to reveal that it was caked for a good reason. It was not allowing any more blood to flow from the deep and nasty cut she had a little below her chin. Ashitaka recoiled slightly at the sight, feeling more horrible as the seconds passed by.

This was his fault, he felt ashamedly, all of it.

Her arm was broken, he concluded, as he inspected her carefully. After he made sure he knew where all of her bad wounds were, he gently wrapped her in his shirt. He could not help but feel as if she would die at any given moment. She was barely breathing as it was and it could be that any second he did not look, she would cease to be. He carried her on his back, aware of the broken arm, leg and couple of rib cages she had broken, and walked slowly, making sure that her body did not bob too much. H started back toward her home. He didn't know why he decided to take her there, could not be sure of anything at the moment really. The more time he took, he felt, the closer she was to dying. Little by little, he felt her leave him and the feeling was not helping his anxiety.

The cold was increasing as they walked, he began shivering against the harsh winds that hit his uncovered chest. Feeling colder inside, he continued his trek. At the moment, he was in a torrent of emotion that he did not notice that somehow, they had gotten to their destination. Ashitaka put her down gently, taking his time to make sure she was somewhat comfortable before speaking to her brothers.

"I'm going to go get help," he announced quietly, his voice sounding unaffected by all that had happened. The wolves nodded, their sad eyes stayed on their sister. He nodded, more to himself and made his way back. To his surprise, he found Yakuul at the bottom of San's home and called out to him for help. The elk willingly came and offered his back to his human friend. Ashitaka thanked him and told him to return to Iron Town. The elk gave him no fight against this and followed the orders. The ride was short and quick but in the small amount of time, Ashitaka had managed to come up with a plan. The only people he knew would help him without hesitation were Toki and Koroku. They may not be the most competent in medicine but they were the only ones he truly trusted nowadays. At the edge of the forest, Ashitaka got off Yakuul, thanking his friend for getting him there. He left his friend safely in the forest while he made his way to the underground passage Eboshi had created. It took very little time to get to his destination, to his surprise. He was thankful, however, that he did not spot Eboshi there. It seemed as if Eboshi had not been there in some time. The futon she had occupied was gone and there were no signs of anyone living there. He did not know what to make of it which was just as well since he did not want to. He had bigger things to do, far more important at the moment. He had given his time and dedication to Iron Town. Now San needed his help.

He climbed up to the roof, crouched, and moved slowly to the watch post. He had to be careful because as soon as he got closer, he could hear the samurai speaking.

"Yes, Lord Asano is quite disturbed–" one of them said in a low voice.

"The woman is sneakier than we thought, that concubine—"

Ashitaka listened for a second before continuing. Hopefully, Eboshi had done nothing stupid and had gotten caught. It was getting dark and night was steadily approaching. Though Ashitaka could not count on the shadow of night to help him out, he knew how to stay out of the prying eye. Besides, Toki's home was one of the first few near the entrance of Iron Town.

He did not know how long it took, nor how he managed to get there for there were a lot of samurai patrolling the village. With patience and agility, Ashitaka had managed to get to Toki's home. Knowing better than to use her front door, he let himself in through one of the windows. Toki's home was not big or grandiose but it was very homely. Some candles were lighting her house, sending dark shadows across her rooms. He quickly realized that he was in her bedroom and made his way to the doorway. He halted when he heard voices not belonging to Toki or Koroku. Yet, he immediately stepped through the doorway when he realized who it was.

"Eboshi!"

"Ashitaka," squealed Toki, her hands flying to her lips as she said this, "what are you doing here?"

"I am in need of assistance," he replied, nodding at Koroku who nodded back, then turned to face Eboshi, "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting," Eboshi replied, almost sarcastically though Ashitaka could not be sure, "I am hiding until my plan gets put into action."

Ashitaka raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He walked over to Toki and Koroku and requested some private words. They nodded and followed him to their bedroom.

"San is seriously injured, I need you to help me get some medicine for her."

Toki's face darkened.

"What happened?"

"I'll tell you later. I need your help, though."

"Don't worry, Ashitaka," said Koroku confidently, "We're here to help." He looked at Toki who nodded and him. Koroku walked over to his bed and kneeled. He pulled out a small box, opened it, and began rifling through the papers that lay inside.

"She's bleeding a lot?" he asked. Ashitaka confirmed this and Koroku took out a leaf of paper.

"Is she sick as well?"

Ashitaka thought about it for a moment and decided that she was. The water was bound to give her pneumonia. He also added that she needed something for her broken arm and leg. Koroku nodded and continued to search through the paper. Ashitaka turned to Toki, who looked at him seriously.

"What happened, Ashitaka?" she asked, very serious. Ashitaka sighed and gave her the basics. He saw Toki's eyes go from disbelief to anger and back to disbelief. Perhaps toward what happened or it could be toward Eboshi's actions. She shook her head sadly as Koroku got up and held up the papers.

"Most of these herbs are in the forest and the rest we have here. One of us has to remain here, though."

Toki nodded at her husband and volunteered to go. Before Koroku could say something, she took the papers, gave him a kiss on the lips, and turned.

"I'm getting something warm. I'll be out in a few minutes."

Ashitaka nodded and led the way out, a very confused Koroku walked by his side. When Eboshi asked what was the matter, Koroku told her Toki was leaving. Eboshi asked no questions and Ashitaka did not look at her. Standing in the very room with her was excruciating. He could feel the anger bubbling inside of him again. He now realized how animalistic he had become, for the feeling he so strongly felt was not anything he had experienced before. This feeling was brought out by San as well but with her, it was not anger but a much more raw feeling.

Toki announced she was ready, dressed in a fur that protected her from the bitter cold. She said nothing to Eboshi as she walked out with Ashitaka, leaving her with a silent Koroku. She climbed out the window carefully, trying very hard not to make too much noise. Ashitaka followed and made their journey back.

---

Toki gasped when she saw San. Her eyes welled with tears as she inspected her more carefully. Toki treated her as if she was a rag doll, perhaps she too felt as if San could die at any given moment. The herbs she had acquired, both from her house and from San's forest served their purpose. Ashitaka waited outside with the two wolves, sitting in silence as Toki did her job. The two brothers kept their heads bowed but Ashitaka stared straight ahead, at the darkened tree tops and at the shiny stars that lend their light to the world. He sighed, a small white puff of air escaped from his lips and disappeared instantly. His chest felt tight, his heart was beating quickly, and it seemed as if exhaustion was catching up with him.

"You will collapse if you continue at this rate, human," said Kendo lightly. His voice was not concerned but it was not malicious either. It was just an observation, nothing more. Ashitaka merely nodded and turned to look back. As Toki bandaged San, he could feel the tightness in him subside little by little. So far, San was still alive. So far, it seemed she could make it. Kanha read his expression and said softly,

"San is strong. She would not let go so quickly. Besides, " he added as an afterthought, "mother would not allow it."

Ashitaka actually chuckled at the last comment. It did give him comfort to think that there was somebody out there who had the power to help San live. After some time, Toki announced she was done, or at least, she had done her best.

"She probably won't wake up for some time but hopefully, in a few days, she'll regain consciousness."

Ashitaka nodded and thanked her, offering to help her get back home. She thanked him and agreed. He did not need to tell the wolves to look after San or that he was coming back. He loved Iron Town but he also loved San as well. For once, he thought darkly, hating himself for thinking this now, she would come first, not Iron Town.

Ashitaka isolated himself from any contact with human civilization for days. The war over Iron Town could have started but Ashitaka would have had no clue. He stayed next to San, watching over her, taking care of her, feeding her, and tending to everything she needed. She still had not awoken and many days had long since passed. He felt the fear crawl up his spine as he lay beside her, his watchful eyes always over her and capturing her every move, every breath, every moan she let out. Her bruises and cuts healed quickly, all except for the gash that rested on the lower part of her jaw. The cut was still raw and though Ashitaka followed Toki's instructions on how to care for the injury, it seemed to him that nothing worked. Her brothers had allowed Ashitaka to stay and care for their sister but it was not like they had a choice anyway. He rarely spoke to them, if at all. He looked numb most of the time or when he looked at her, his face would fall, as if ashamed that he had let this happen.

Ashitaka didn't know how long it had been until San exhibited signs of life but it warmed his heart to be there when she opened her eyes. Groggily, she moaned and lifted her left arm

to rub her eyes. Ashitaka was lying beside her, trying to fall asleep (and had barely succeeded) when San had moaned and awoken him. Her eyes were strangely focused as she looked around her, trying to figure out what had happened. She spotted her brothers sleeping by her feet and of course, Ashitaka who towered over her, his eyes showing signs of sleepiness, weariness, and relief to see her awake. She tried to speak but her tongue felt as if it was stuck to the roof of her mouth. She gave up for the moment and noticed several shooting pains throughout her body. She groaned again which made Ashitaka realize she might want water. He had a bowl ready next to him (just in she woke up) and offered it to her. He helped her drink, being extremely careful with her, almost at if he were treating an expensive porcelain doll. She sighed as she rested her head back down and looked around once more. Her brothers had awoken and were by her side instantly. They spoke to her but she made no comments. She had just spotted her right arm which was being held by pieces of wood bandaged around it.

"Can't feel–" she mumbled groggily and proceeded to poke her arm with her good left arm.

"Woah, there," said Ashitaka, taking her hand in his and holding it to his chest, "You don't want to make your injury worse, right?"

"Why can't I fell my arm— or leg?"

Noticing her panicked voice, Ashitaka soothingly stroked her hair.

"They're broken but you're healing quickly so don't worry too much about it."

"Oh..." she mumbled, leaning her head into his caress and closing her eyes. Suddenly, her eyes napped open and to his surprise, they turned a deep blue, full of anger once more.

"I thought I told you to never set foot in this forest again, human," she said vehemently, trying to sit up but the effort caused her to groan and flop back down. Ashitaka rolled his eyes but made sure she didn't see it. He pushed the unruly hair away from her face which only made her glare at him.

"I know what you told me, it's kind of hard to forget," he said patiently, as her two brothers laid beside her and began nudging her face gently, "I couldn't just leave you. You were hurt and—"

"It didn't stop you before," she said quietly though the bitterness seethed through every word. Ashitaka felt his heart collapse, his breath hitched for a moment, and this was evident in his face. San's wolf brothers merely looked up at him though their expressions were of surprise. Perhaps they hadn't known just how strained their relationship was but it was out in the open now. San refused to look at him, too interested in the cave ceiling but all Ashitaka could do was look at her. Finally, she spoke once more, this time coldly, detached from him.

"You can leave now. My brothers will nurse me back to full health," she turned to give him a glance, "I appreciate your help but you are no longer needed here."

She turned once more to stare at the cave ceiling, not because she didn't want to see his hurt expression but because she didn't want him to see her eyes begin to water. The words had left her lips before she could control them but she did not apologize. Maybe she had wanted to hurt him, push him away as she had done so often before. She felt something clog her throat and for a moment she couldn't breathe. The tears were threatening to fall but she was stubborn and she commanded her body to listen to her. She would not cry, not over a human, especially one who didn't care about her.

She expected to hear him get up, perhaps the sound of the leaves crunching as he left the nest that made her bed. But no, the only thing she heard was the sound of her brothers' breathing near her ear. She waited a couple of more minutes but heard nothing. She turned her head slowly to see him laying beside her, his eyes half-closed and a few pieces of his long hair falling on his face. He was laying on his side, facing her, his face peaceful----no, relief was more like it. San honestly did not know what to do. It was not as if she could force him out, she was in no condition to get up. She thought about having her brothers drag him out but—damn, she couldn't. The feelings were still there, even if they were mixed with betrayal and hurt. Besides, he looked tired. He must not have gotten much sleep. Her eyes had dried by then but she was very dumbfounded. Had her words meant nothing to him? Suddenly, without reason, her hand flew to his face, albeit it hurt her a little but her left arm was the least damaged and the action did not cause her unbearable pain. Still, the back of her fingers brushed against his forehead and her nimble fingers drew back the messy locks that hid his eyes. Ashitaka opened his eyes a little, just enough to get a peek of blue from behind his eyelashes. He smiled at her, totally ignoring her recent comment and they both knew it.

"Very well," said San in a dignified voice, "You may rest for tonight. Tomorrow, however, you shall leave this place."

Ashitaka nodded, his expression looked serious but there was a sparkle in his eyes that made her scowl.

"I'm serious," she said angrily, but he nodded once more and searched for her hand. When he found it, he took it in his own and brought it up to his lips to kiss it.

"All right," he mumbled and closed his eyes. San gave a soft growl and tried to snatch her hand away but he held it tight in his own. She felt his breath tickle her knuckles and found herself staring at him. She was supposed to be mad, angry, betrayed—he had betrayed her, for god's sake. Yet, here she was letting him take advantage of her weakness. For that's all that it was, she was too weak to argue. Comforted by that thought, San returned to look at the ceiling. His breath was becoming slower, more relaxed. She did not dare look at him, knowing very well what he did to her.

"Has he slept at all?" she asked her brothers quietly. They both looked at the human boy before returning their gaze to their sister. They shook their heads.

San sighed quietly.

"Is there anything new I should know about?"

"We don't know," said Kanha, preoccupied, "We've been here most of the time and the boy has not returned to Town, not once."

San frowned. Her eyes returned to the human boy once more, more preoccupied than she had been before.

"Go tomorrow with him and find out what's happening. It is not good for us to be in the dark when there's a war going on."

Her brothers nodded and rested their heads against hers. Her eyes did not leave Ashitaka's as sleep slowly overcame her.

Ashitaka put up quite a fight the next day, one that might have amused San if she had not been angry at him.

"Go, Ashitaka," she yelled angrily as he tried to feed her, "Leave me be!"

She could sit up but only if she leaned against something and she soon found that suddenly becoming left handed was not easy.

"You have to eat something," he reprimanded her, bringing the wooden spoon toward her mouth. He had made her a simple meal since she was still injured and her stomach couldn't handle too much.

"Did I not order you to leave yesterday?" asked San incredulously, trying to sound angry but for some reason she could not muster the energy. She had awoken to find herself feeling worse than yesterday and she hoped it would only last for a while. She needed to get better quickly, the forest depended on her and she couldn't leave her forest unprotected just because she was sick.

"Yes, you did," he said nonchalantly, withdrawing the spoon and casting a serious look on her, "You need to get better. I have no idea what's going on outside of here so we have to be ready for anything."

San rolled her eyes at him.

"If you're so worried, why don't you go and save your people from—gods forbid—destruction."

Noticing her sarcastic tone, Ashitaka waved it away and tried to feed her again, earning an angry glare and a proud 'humph'.

Her brothers had been watching th e small dialogue between them and could not help but feel relieved that they were on better terms, somehow. The boy had done little to earn forgiveness from San, whom they knew held grudges, especially when she felt betrayed. However, he had nursed her back to health and he was still here nursing her, wasn't he? The two brothers glanced at each other for a moment before Kendo spoke.

"You really should eat something, sister. You need to recuperate, for your own sake—and the forest's."

San stared at her brother for a second. Her shoulders slumped, her face fell slightly, and she gave a defeated sigh.

Ashitaka smiled as he extended the spoon back to her mouth. She scoffed and took the spoon from him.

"I'm quite capable of feeding myself, thank you."

His smile widened.

---

He announced later that day that he was, in fact, going to check out what was happening in Town. San gave no fight against it, rather, she turned the other way and paid him no attention. He told her he'd be back as soon as he could but again, all he got in response was silence. Her brothers had gone out hunting a few minutes ago and would return late with food but until then, she would be left alone. He had asked her if she was going to be ok to which she retorted that she was not a cub any longer and id not need supervision. For some reason, Ashitaka grew tired of her responses and took the chance that she was too injured to cause him any pain for what he was going to say. He leaned in close to her face and whispered to her quite fiercely,

"By the way that you are acting, you could have surely fooled me,"

Her expression was priceless. Her mouth fell open and her eyes bugged open. She stuttered a few words before sighing angrily. He laughed softly.

"Stop it," she said quietly, almost as if she was hurt, "It's not funny."

"What's the matter?" he asked curiously, hoping they would try to patch things up. Though she was tolerating him, there were moments he caught the bitterness in her voice when speaking to him or felt the anger in her gaze. He took all of this only because he was so happy that she was doing so well. Her body had been so damaged, her silky skin suddenly had bruises interrupting the softness and she had been seen as a prize, not human or even an animal. The very thought of it sent a surge of anger throughout his body which he tried not to show to her since he was so close to her. San, being as receptive as ever, saw his eyes spark suddenly and frowned.

"You are the matter, Ashitaka. You hurt me, betray me, leave me for the humans----and yet, I am still letting you govern over me."

She shook her head, her eyes closing in confusion, her eyelashes gently brushing against her soft cheek.

"What am I to do?" she raised her head to look at him, her eyes beaming with confusion, "Should I forgive you so easily?"

"I have not forgiven myself, San. I doubt you can do the same."

A pause settled over them.

"So..?"

"I am not sure," he said honestly, "but I have realized my mistakes and you can be sure they will not be repeated. Perhaps it is time for you to be the priority over anything else, the town, the people, everything."

San scowled.

"Well, that's not very fair. You need to be with your people just as I need to be with mine."

Ashitaka nodded, sighing as he tried to explain what he meant.

"Yes, you're right. Yet, they seem to bring out the worst in me, quite the opposite from you. I am done with that side of me, I fear what will happen if I lose control of my anger, to the town and to you."

San said nothing. The mark had all but disappeared from his being but it seemed as if a seed had been planted into him and it took roots with his strongest feelings. Most of the time, it had been pure anger or even betrayal, as it had happened with Eboshi. Yet, there were other emotions that grabbed him the same way that anger took hold of him but this was a new form of it. It was like an animal had been unleashed from within, not particularly dangerous but animalistic to the core. A raw feeling, pure of any other emotions, and it only happened with San. She brought that out in him but unlike its inverse, he did not fear it but lavished in it. Perhaps that's why he had so much trouble controlling himself when with her.

"You may be human, Ashitaka but you are by far the strangest and the strongest human I have ever met. You know what is right and what is wrong, do not doubt yourself. You will be alright."

He smiled at her and tested his luck by leaning in for a kiss. Though she backed away at the beginning, she leaned in toward him. He laughed softly and she felt the soft explosion of air against her lips. The struggle between her two opposite forces inside her head had stopped for now, either of them too tired to put up any good arguments. She stopped thinking with her head and for once, went with what her heart told her.

Knowing very well he had to leave, she grabbed a fistful of his shirt and held him closer, half trying to convince him to stay and half trying to push him away. He decided it for her by cupping her face and kissing her fiercely.

"Insolent human..."


Next chapter will be the action packed one and probably the second to last chapter. The end is near...