San lay awake, eyeing the top of the tent while the pain in her leg faded. Ashitaka was awake with a keen eye. He wanted to be sure that nothing would trouble San further. The wound she suffered was worse than they previously thought, and he decided to remain awake so he could help her if something seemed wrong. Sweat covered her body following the impromptu cauterization. Since then, she had calmed and came close to falling asleep. A cool breeze chilled her skin. She thanked Ashitaka when he closed the tent.
Thoughts of her past flooded San's mind while she and Ashitaka remained silent. Nothing brought repentance or shame. She didn't anguish over the people she slew; they were trying to do the same to her. No matter her and Lady Eboshi's current relations, she didn't regret clashing against her in battle. Though she had no regrets, she wasn't sure how much she would repeat.
"Ashitaka?" San said as she turned her head to face him.
"Hm?"
"Are you ever going back to Irontown?" She asked.
Ashitaka pondered the thought for a long while. He left Irontown because he felt that many townspeople resented him for helping San. Their anger was what made him leave, not safety concerns or personal issues. If they'd accept him back, there was a chance he would return. What kept him coming back was San. Lady Eboshi told him once that they wouldn't be so hostile to her, though they wouldn't be friendly either.
"I might," Ashitaka replied, "It depends on whether or not the others would welcome me back and if they'd be fine with you living there."
"I don't want to live there." San said.
"I didn't think so, but if they would accept you, it wouldn't be a pain for you to visit me if you wanted."
Morning broke six hours later, bringing warm sunlight and a bright clear sky. It was silent in the mountain pass, with not a single bird chirping nor a braying deer or goat. Yakul, naturally, was the first to awake. He nibbled what little grass grew from the crags. The bags containing his usual feed sat tied shut near Ashitaka and San's tent. Lady Eboshi was the next one up, smiling at the pleasant weather and cool air; it was a wonderful contrast to the storm they encountered several weeks ago. She was often not the first one awake. Most mornings saw San up while the sun had not yet risen. Her mind must have been as tired as her body.
Lady Eboshi paced back and forth while awaiting the other two. Thankful as she was that they found something to help San's brothers, a buzzing guilty feeling troubled her mind. The heavy burden vanished when she saw Ashitaka emerge.
"Good morning." Lady Eboshi greeted, "How's San feeling?"
"She's better, but I don't think she'll be walking the rest of the journey." Ashitaka replied.
San awoke half an hour later, helped to her feet by Ashitaka. She could walk a fair distance but not much further. Yakul carried she and Ashitaka as usual while Lady Eboshi led the group. They left the mountains after two days' travel, reaching the base as the sun set to bring dusk. Their next week was uneventful. Food and water weren't a problem; villages were close to the road and the forests had plenty to eat.
While traveling at noon, San recognized a scent she hadn't encountered in months. It was the smell of a man she hated, one she wouldn't forgive. He was responsible just as much as Eboshi for the destruction of her home, if not more so. Ashitaka noticed her scowl and asked what was wrong.
"Who is that one human who tried to steal the Forest Spirit's head?" San replied.
"Oh, you mean Jigo? What of him?" Ashitaka questioned.
"He's close by."
"He's right there." Lady Eboshi said as the round figure of the aging monk appeared. He noticed the group as well and gave a friendly wave.
"Fancy meeting you folk here," Jigo greeted as he strolled towards them, "I'm guessing you've already been to the temple?"
"Yes; we found what we were looking for as well." San responded, glaring at Jigo.
"That's good to hear, missy. Anyway, Lady Eboshi, I know you're probably wondering what I'm doing away from Irontown, but there's no need to worry. I've already told your friend Gonza that I'm leaving and heading elsewhere."
"Where exactly are you going?" Lady Eboshi asked.
"I know a few guys further up north, far away from Asano and the emperor. I'll be perfectly safe there. Oh, can I ask you about one thing in private?"
Lady Eboshi nodded and requested Ashitaka and San stay where they were. The two stayed back while Jigo and Eboshi left the road. They stopped when out of earshot from Ashitaka, though both were unsure if San would hear them or not.
"Is this about Asano or somebody else?" Lady Eboshi asked, keeping her voice at a whisper.
"I just want to know what you'll do when that girl tries to cure her brothers."
"She's already tested it on Ashitaka and he's fine. He was near death due to an illness and infection, yet she was able to restore his strength."
"That's good to hear, but that's not what I meant. She'll go berserk once she figures out that, first of all, you lied to her about there being a curse, and second, what's going to happen to her so-called brothers. Think about what will happen!"
Lady Eboshi silently pondered Jigo's warning, dreading the aftermath he predicted. It was something she anticipated preceding their departure. There wasn't much hope of San accepting the news, even if they were no longer enemies. Ashitaka could calm her. His presence alone comforted San, though she proved more than his company was needed to quell her temper. She wouldn't return to Irontown until she met San's brothers. This was partially her fault and she would face the consequences directly, even if it devolved and turned ugly.
"I thank you for your concern, Jigo, but I'll be fine. Good luck on your journey to... wherever it is you are going."
Jigo smirked and shook his head. Eboshi was walking into a dangerous path, head held high and confidence beaming. "Goodbye, Lady Eboshi. Perhaps we'll meet again if you survive whatever it is that crazy girl has in store for you."
The two parted ways with a bow, Jigo continuing north while Eboshi returned to Ashitaka and San.
"Let's hurry home," She ordered the others, "Your brothers don't have much time left and too much has been wasted throughout this journey already."
Okami and Urufu sat on their hind legs, eyes facing the horizon as they awaited their sister's return. Both wondered if she was successful. Despite journeying alongside two others, countless dangers could have befallen the group and halted their travel. Urufu hoped that he and his brother hadn't caused their sister's demise. Okami faced the wind so he could better smell the air. He sought his sister, her mate, and the woman they once battled. His mistrust hadn't waned and he was prepared to rip Eboshi apart, even if he was weakened.
Okami's eyes widened as four familiar scents wafted through the air. Urufu noticed his elder brother hop to his feet, the most activity either had performed in a month.
"What's going on?" Urufu asked as he struggled to stand.
"They're back," Okami replied.
Lady Eboshi breathed a heavy sigh when they saw the distant forest. A wide smile graced San's face. Her eyes brightened and turned glossy, reflecting the overwhelming joy which flooded her. Ashitaka was relieved to be home. His body ached and his feet were sore, but he felt it was worth the journey. They passed the bushes and trees while San directed them. She could smell her brothers and followed their scent, knowing they would stay home or visit the Forest Spirit's pond.
The group approached the wolves; Eboshi didn't step too close and remained distant while Ashitaka and San greeted them. Both bowed their heads. They wished that they could give San a more spirited welcome, but their strength wouldn't allow them. San understood and hugged both brothers by their massive necks. Urufu licked San's face as a show of affection. Okami glared past Ashitaka and San, a glower focused on Lady Eboshi.
"Don't mind her, she helped find this," San said as she showed them the bag of leaves, "And didn't do anything to harm Ashitaka or I."
Both were surprised, Okami more so than his brother.
"What is that?" Urufu asked as he sniffed the bag. The tea leaves smelled bitter.
"Some leaves used to make a drink that will help you. Give me some time to make it and you should regain your strength soon."
Okami and Urufu nodded, placing their trust in their sister. She hurried to the Forest Spirit's pond. Ashitaka, Lady Eboshi, and Yakul followed closely, matching her rapid pace.
"Are you not returning to Irontown?" Ashitaka asked Eboshi.
"Of course I am, but I wish to speak with San and her 'brothers' before I leave." Lady Eboshi replied, "There's one last thing I need to tell them."
"What is it?"
Lady Eboshi didn't respond immediately. She wondered how Ashitaka would react to what she had to say. Although he was usually tranquil, he could flip into a terrifying state of anger. It wasn't one where he would become a raging storm like San. Ashitaka would stare a hole through the person confronting him, fists clenched and body tense. Eboshi witnessed it once, when his arm had been cursed, and knew he wouldn't strike her on his own will. There was no doubt in her mind that he wouldn't harm her, though she couldn't say if he would forgive her.
San gathered enough water for her brothers from the pond. She wasted no time in returning to the wolves, sprinting back faster than earlier. Ashitaka and Lady Eboshi were panting by the time they arrived. They helped San prepare a fire. She boiled the water and mixed the water and tea together, creating a steaming brew which stung her brothers' noses. The two wolves reluctantly opened their jaws, groaning as San poured the tea into their mouths.
The two wolves swallowed the bitter mix. One minute passed, and Okami and Urufu felt their strength return to their bodies. Their muscles, which were sore and weak, regained their former power. Energy flowed through their veins. Both felt the fatigue which plagued them burn away.
Lady Eboshi watched, smiling as San rejoiced and hugged Okami, Urufu, and Ashitaka. Her heart weighed heavy as she stepped forward. San noticed her approach, turned to face her, and smiled. Eboshi stopped and couldn't believe that this young woman she once fought was smiling at her with sincere gratitude. It didn't make her task any easier, and she knew that San's joy would break.
"San, Ashitaka..." Lady Eboshi faced Okami and Urufu, "Before I return home, there is one last point I must mention."
"Of course," San said, "What is it?"
Lady Eboshi sighed, wishing that the weight on her shoulders would go away. Holding her head high, she faced the Ashitaka, San, and her brothers. "Your brothers are still dying, San."
The bright, jubilant expression on San's face switched to one of confusion. Okami and Urufu glanced at each other. Ashitaka looked back and forth between Lady Eboshi and San. Silence fell over the area as everybody except Lady Eboshi changed puzzled looks, broken when Ashitaka spoke.
"What do you mean?" He asked Lady Eboshi, "Are they not cured?"
"Their strength has been restored, but their weakness wasn't due to a curse or disease." Lady Eboshi replied, "What San found in the temple only extended their life."
"Then why are they still dying?"
Lady Eboshi turned to San and her brothers. San stared at Eboshi, her eyes reflecting disbelief. "I'm afraid that it's my fault."