"Look around the forest, even try listening to it, and tell me if something feels different." Lady Eboshi requested.
Ashitaka scanned the gaps between the trees, the branches high above, and the light piercing the leaves. Nothing appeared odd about the forest. It was quiet; the only sounds he could hear were birds singing and the occasional rustle of a bush as a lizard, squirrel, or rabbit ran through. He noticed that the kodama were still in the trees they called home. Had they been wandering around, their rattling heads would have echoed throughout the forest.
San, however, noticed that the forest felt different. It seemed less winsome, as though it lost something which made it a home to spirits and deities. Her mind thought back to the last few weeks she and Ashitaka spent at home before leaving with Lady Eboshi. They hunted alongside her brothers without trouble. Hundreds of animals scurried through the forest. Boars were a rare sight following the final battle versus the humans, and those which remained couldn't be called Gods. The only area they kept away from was the Ape Tribe's home. Even after the battle, they were contentious at best. Fortunately, they never strayed far from their territory. She couldn't remember the last time she saw an ape.
"She is right." Okami rumbled, "The forest itself feels... empty, almost."
"Jigo explained to me what was likely wrong," Lady Eboshi said, "There is no curse on this forest, but the blessing which once graced it is gone."
"What are you talking about?" Ashitaka asked.
"Those were Jigo's own words, though he explained it further. San, your brothers' immortality came from the power of the Forest Spirit. Many others in the forest existed because of his presence. Do you see any of those little white creatures around here? What about other great spirits such as your brothers, San?"
The realization hit San and caused her to freeze. Okami and Urufu snarled; they knew Lady Eboshi was correct. It was the Forest Spirit who gave power to their home and made it a land of spirits. His death slowly took away what he gave. Her brothers were ancient, their life preserved by the Forest Spirit. Ashitaka remained silent. He was lost in thought, staring blankly at the ground while he put together what Lady Eboshi was saying. San's brothers, though relieved of their crippling weakness, were still dying. Both wolves accepted their fate. They knew the Forest Spirit's death would have a profound effect on the forest, and this result was one they feared.
"And there's nothing we can do?" Ashitaka asked.
"Jigo told me that nothing short of resurrecting that Deer God will save them or the other spirits in this forest." Lady Eboshi replied, "I wish there was something that could be done, but at the moment, it doesn't seem possible."
San felt her legs begin failing, though she maintained her balance. Okami and Urufu glared at Eboshi, fire burning in their eyes. Ashitaka stood motionless, unsure of what would happen. The wolf brothers were just as still. They studied Lady Eboshi, a woman seemingly repentant. Only San was showing movement, her hands shaking and an eye prone to twitching. All eyes turned to see her reach for her dagger.
"You knew about this the entire time?" San asked, her bloodshot eyes staring wide at Eboshi.
"I led you to the temple and undertook this journey to help your brothers." Lady Eboshi explained, "They shall live on for several more years, maybe a decade, but won't feel such dire effects on their bodies."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought it would be best if we gathered it anyway, so that your brothers wouldn't be in pain."
"I still would have gone if you had told me what was wrong!"
"I feared you wouldn't have had the same drive if you knew there was no hope in keeping them alive forever."
San approached Lady Eboshi, knife trembling in her hand. "You lied. There was no curse."
"I'm sorry; I know that a large part of this is my fault."
San came to a halt, ten meters between her and Lady Eboshi. Lady Eboshi's hand rested on her katana's handle as she prepared to counter a possible attack.
"Ashitaka, did you know this?" San asked.
"No, this is news to me as well." Ashitaka replied, "I still would have gone to help you if you wanted to make the journey."
San couldn't take another step. Her knees gave way beneath her, and the wounds which plagued her body erupted in pain. She collapsed to her knees, dropping her knife and covering her face. A heavy, aching feeling in her heart swelled and made her mind break. Part of her demanded she slaughter Eboshi for lying to her and condemning her brothers. Something else pulled her away from that idea; she couldn't tell why she held herself back.
"I suppose we would have to pass one way or another." Urufu grumbled, "Even our mother met her fate after living through an eon of time."
Okami resigned his fate. He hadn't expected an eternal life, though he expected his death to occur in battle. The desire to attack Lady Eboshi was weak. Perhaps because she helped San find the cure to he and his brother's weakness, he didn't think to strike. A sigh and he turned away. San faced he and Urufu, wondering what they would do. She and Ashitaka couldn't believe Okami and Urufu's placidity.
"Leave our home and never return." Okami ordered Lady Eboshi, "Thankful as we are that you've helped San, your actions are the cause of our impending demise."
Lady Eboshi understood. She bowed to the wolves, to San, and Ashitaka. "I'll be in Irontown if you wish to see me, Ashitaka. San, if you still wish to treat your injuries, you're welcome to the town as well." Eboshi headed in the direction of Irontown, relieved the meeting ended as well as possible. Banishment from the forest was a mercy. She didn't long to return any time soon, although she wondered if San would return to her savage ways. That was her biggest fear; it would undo what she built during their journey.
San almost bolted after Lady Eboshi to cut her neck atwain. The strength in her body was too weak to carry her there. A burning sting strained her shoulder, leg, and ribs. She threw away the idea of treating the wounds she sustained, preferring to remain hurt than visit that woman's settlement. Tears began flowing, chipping away her ferocious demeanor. Ashitaka wrapped his arms over her shoulders, comforting her somewhat.
"Do not cry, San." Okami said, "Urufu and I are still alive and well for the moment, and I don't believe either of us expected to live forever."
Urufu nodded. "You must remain strong. After our passing, whenever that will be, you will be the last of our clan."
San gazed at her two elder brothers, two beings she never expected to die such a banal death. Aside from their mother, they were the most powerful beasts she knew. She believed they would never meet their demise if the fighting concluded. It didn't seem fair. A mix of anger, depression, and denial swirled within her mind. The world became black and white while all sound turned silent. Warmth from Ashitaka's arms faded. Her brain wouldn't register the scents she could smell. A lick from Urufu brought her out of her trance.
"Perhaps you should rest for now." Urufu advised, "You haven't been home for weeks and you look tired."
Ashitaka helped San to the cave they called home, much to her embarrassment. Her brothers, tired and hungry, went hunting, promising to bring she and Ashitaka something to eat. Yakul was allowed to wander the forest. His saddle and reins remained at the front of the cave. The sun hung high in the sky, warming the ground and tree tops. San longed to hunt alongside Okami and Urufu. She cursed the injuries breaking her body and decided she would visit Irontown's isha sometime soon. In the meantime, she lay on the heavy fur blankets, much more comfortable than the thin covers she and Ashitaka slept on while traveling.
"How are you doing?" Ashitaka asked while laying next to San.
"I'm not sure." San answered honestly, "While I'm happy to be home, what's happened with my brothers..."
Ashitaka brushed her cheek, unable to hold her normally without causing her pain. His finger tickled and made San smile for a brief second. She turned to face him, the most she could do with her broken ribs. He had a warm yet solemn solemn smile. San's mood improved as she realized how fortunate she was that Ashitaka survived the flooded river. The thought of living alone once her brothers passed terrified her, as she always had somebody by her side.
"I wish I could do something about it." Ashitaka said, his smile vanishing, "Even the curse on my arm had a remedy."
"Okami and Urufu don't seem bothered. I thought they would attack Eboshi."
Ashitaka was also surprised that San's brothers were calm, considering how close they were to Lady Eboshi. He wondered if the elixir had a tranquilizing side-effect on the wolves. Then again, they seemed anxious to hunt again. "Maybe they didn't want to cause more problems with Irontown's residents."
"Since when do they care about those humans?"
"Well, they don't know exactly how long they have left to live, and if they killed Eboshi, Irontown may have blamed you and done something drastic."
San silently thanked her absent brothers; they demonstrated a better level of control than she. Tomorrow wouldn't be the day she visited Takahiro to treat her injuries. It would take longer than a day before she set foot into Irontown, partly to stay away from Eboshi. Despite having made amends with each other during the journey, she felt it unravel when Eboshi revealed she lied. She couldn't forgive her, not yet.
"When do you want to visit Takahiro?" Ashitaka asked as he noticed San wince. She must have aggravated her side further. "We should probably go tomorrow."
"We can go some other day. I refuse to go to that place."
"San, you really shouldn't postpone-"
"I'm not going anywhere near that woman."
"She won't be-"
"I should have killed her!" San exclaimed, sitting up suddenly and causing her ribs to grate. She gasped and flopped back down, cringing and writhing in pain. Ashitaka tried to help her relax, applying some pressure to her aching side. Her body stopped convulsing and her face twisted in anger. "That woman killed my mother, murdered the Forest Spirit, destroyed the forest I call home, and my brothers are dying because of her. Do you honestly expect me to forgive her now?!"
Ashitaka gave no response. He didn't blame San for her refusal to accept Lady Eboshi's apologies. They seemed destined life-long rivals, nothing able to coalesce them permanently. If one issue was solved, another would arise to take its place. The cycle was vicious and unending. There didn't seem to be a conclusion in sight. Not even a near-death adventure brought the two closer in the end.
"There has to be some way..." San muttered under her breath.
"If there isn't, at least we have more time to spend with them." Ashitaka said, trying to
ease San's mind.
"I suppose."
Ashitaka shifter closer to San, resting his head on her arm. San ran her fingers through his hair. She smiled solemnly, turning her gaze from the stone ceiling to Ashitaka. He reassured her that he would remain by her side. They awaited her brothers silently, enjoying each other's company in bliss. While he lay beside her, San traced the scar below Ashitaka's eye. It was one of the few regrets she had. Her mind returned to the day she attacked Irontown alone, her life threatened by gunmen and a sword-wielding Lady Eboshi. Were it not for Ashitaka, she wondered if she would have survived.
A sudden bout of drowsiness fell over San. She couldn't tell why she felt tired. Perhaps it was her hunger, or the lack of sleep she suffered during the journey.
"Ashitaka, I going to sleep." San mumbled, "Can you wake me up when my brothers come back?"
"Of course." Ashitaka replied. San smiled and closed her eyes, falling into slumber. Although Ashitaka felt like sleeping, he said he would wake San. He sat up and peered towards the forest canopy. Beside him, San slept peacefully. The forest around them was quiet, respecting San's wish for a quiet rest.