Chapter 28

"Wake up, Uncle." I groaned as my sleep was interrupted by Amaya's voice, and one of her moccasined feet jabbing into my flank. She was now sixteen, tall and rangy, her hair down to her waist. She was the spitting image of her mother, and she was proud of it!

"Bugger off, little snipe," I growled, whining as she prodded me again.

"Get up, you old hound. It's negotiating time. The Gun Bitch is back, and she needs more land."

I rose, growling. "Old, is it? I can still tear your pretty head off, you jumped-up little shit! And you tell Eboshi to sod off!"

She snorted, and rolled her eyes. "I've heard that before, and you know what Mother says about your language. Now that you are awake, let's get moving. Mother's already in one of her moods."

I groaned as I stretched. "Cheeky little blighter!"

She nuzzled me. "And don't you forget it, Ogi (Uncle) Jon!"

My heart melted instantly, as it tended to do when she did and said things like that. "Wasn't I supposed to be angry at you?"

She giggled. "I'm sure you were, but not anymore."

"Where have you been? You're ten minutes late!" San asked, her temper not diminishing in her mid-thirties. If anything, it got even more potent. "And if you tell me 'I'm too old for this' one more time, I'll make you feel twice as old as you are now!"

I wheezed out a laugh. "What's the matter, little sister? Is it that time of the month?"

San swelled with fury, but before she could start on me, Rin cut in. "Must we go through this tiresome ritual every day? Let us go."

Even though Rin was in her mid forties, she was still at the peak of her health, and her mind was as sharp as ever. In the early years, San would have told her to keep her mouth shut. But now, she merely grunted and nodded.

When we had reached the appointed place, Eboshi waited for us, carrying no weapons, as we did not. It had been at least a decade since the Wolf Tribe had met her, and her slightly greying hair and somewhat wrinkled face spoke of the years that had passed. Her eyes retained their sharpness, as Rin's did.

"I see the Tribe has grown a great deal since we last met, Wolf Girl," Eboshi said, nodding to all those that she had not previously met.

San met her gaze. "The human with the mask is Rin of the Shinobi, that is my daughter Amaya, and these pups are my brother's," she said, pointing to each in turn.

Amaya nodded, her gaze hard. "My mother has told me much of you, Lady, and none of it good."

Eboshi smiled dryly. "You look and speak like her, at least, little one. How charming!" Amaya sent her a cold look, but said nothing.

Eboshi turned back to San. "At least she knows when to hold her tongue. Now, shall we start the negotiations?"

San smiled, and gestured to me. "Speak to him, as he has been our leader for years, when I became a mother."

Eboshi raised an eyebrow. "I do not recognize him, nor have I seen him before. Such a thing is surprising, considering his size. What do I call you, Beast?"

I snorted. "Beast? Really? I may not be in my human body anymore, but I'm still my gorgeous self!"

I enjoyed the look of shock on her face. "How fucking stupid do you feel now?"

A few seconds later, her face become cold and dry. "Well, isn't this interesting. At last, the body reflects the monster within!"

Ashitaka had to stop San from advancing, while Rin had to do the same with Amaya.

I was unaffected. "Listen to the pot calling the kettle black. You're not setting me much of an example!"

Eboshi's eyes hardened. "Fair enough, but we do what we have to do. You and I are still not so different from the other."

I panted, amused. "And you still told my sister to polish me off. Mind you, I was tempted to fall on my sword for a short time, but that would've been the coward's way out. Consider yourself dumped!"

Eboshi folded her arms over her chest. "Are you expecting me to apologize?"

"That wouldn't be your style, would it?" I asked, sneering.

She sniffed. "Not at all. Now, to buisness. I need five acres for my farms."

I let out a sniff of my own. "Yeah, I'm sure you would! You'll be lucky to get two out of us, yeah?"

She let out a derisive laugh. "Come now, Old Wolf. I have a business to maintain, and people to feed. I need at least four!"

"One and a half!"

"Three!"

"Two and a half!"

She paused, and then nodded, smirking. I realized then that two and a half acres was all that she had wanted. "Done!"

I let out a wheeze of a chuckle. "You could have said so in the first place!"

She smiled. "I always like a good negotiation." She turned to Ashitaka. "I wonder if we might speak. Privatley, just the two of us?"

San shook her head, but it was Amaya who spoke. "In your dreams! Whatever you have to say to him, you can bloody well say it in front of us."

Rin cleared her throat. "If this woman meant Ashitaka any harm, she would have brought more of her soldiers and brought her rifle. She can do nothing to him here."

Eboshi raised her eyebrow at Rin. "Thank the gods you can talk some sense into these beasts."

Rin gave her a cold look. "Beast? At least they are genuine and easy to understand. You are not. I've watched you and your people for years, and although you seem to care for them, you are also perfectly willing to use their devotion to your selfish ends. You arm hunters and poachers, and think that I do not notice, and you do so for personal gain. You are as much, if not more a monster, than any of those that I aide, and you should think yourself fortunate that I do not open your stomach on general principle. Now, speak your piece to my friend, and begone!"

Eboshi held her gaze for a moment, and then smiled. "Just for that, Shinobi, I'll take to him in front of you all. It's rare someone reads me with such accuracy."

She turned to Ashitaka. "Ashitaka, as you can see, I am getting on in years."

Ashitaka nodded. "I can say the same for you, Lady Eboshi!" He said, sending a quelling look to his wife and daughter, who sniggered at the Gun Woman's expense.

Ignoring the two women, Eboshi continued. "It is with some regret that I tell that I have not born an heir to continue my operations in Iron Town, through no fault of my own," she finished, sending me a scathing look.

I merely snorted. "Save it for the stage, why don't you?"

Eboshi grimaced, turning back to Ashitaka. "I have spoken to my people, who have made it overwhelmingly clear that they want you to lead them when I am gone."

There was a long silence, each of my friends too shocked to speak. Ashitaka, oddly, appeared to be calm and thoughtful.

"You're crazy! There's no way that's going to happen!" San shrieked.

Eboshi huffed. "I was not speaking to you, or anyone else, for that matter. My offer is for Ashitaka, and Ashitaka alone."

Before anyone else could speak, Ashitaka spoke. "I will give you my answer in a week's time."

Eboshi nodded. "I expect nothing less. I will meet you here a week from now."

San could barely wait until we got back home before rounding on Ashitaka, but she managed. "I can't believe you are actually considering this!"

Ashitaka sighed. "San, I'm not doing this out of obligation to her, but to those in Iron Town. The people will need a leader when she is gone."

Amaya watched on, conflicted, as San snorted. "Damn them! They've caused us nothing but trouble."

Ashitaka shook his head. "Not under me. If I become their leader, the Wolf Tribe and Iron Town will have ensure alliance between the Forest and humans that will last for years, perhaps generations, to come."

The two female wolves and Rin exchanged a grin. Ashitaka was being cleverer than usual!

He moved forward, and took San's face in both of his hands. "Think, San! We would have peace, and we would be able to live without fear of imminent danger."

San bit her lip. "But you would have to leave me." Amaya nodded. "We'd only get to see each other on rare occasions. Neither Mother nor I would be able to be with you in Iron Town."

Ashitaka moved that each hand rested on one of his girl's cheeks. "Perhaps not, but I will certainly come by when I can, and I shall always be near."

San and Amaya exchanged a look before the latter spoke. "For once, we have something in common with that bitch: we both have some thinking to do."

Kaya cleared her throat. "So do we all. Now, the sun has set, and we'd best get some sleep."

The next morning, we went on our usual hunts.

The hunt was the same as ever, but with more full grown wolves at our disposal, it was easier than ever as well! What happened after the hunt wouldn't be so normal.

Fittingly, everything started just after we had finished: BANG! The telltale sound of a rifle being fired made everyone jump.

"What was that?" Ashitaka asked.

I was already on my paws, charging towards the sound, using my enhanced senses to smell the gunpowder, and guide my way to where the gun was fired. After a short run, I came upon a single man holding a rifle from Iron Town, who was being attacked by a crowd of rock-throwing apes.

"Pack it in, and piss off!" I roared at the apes.

The terrified man turned to me, and fired. I looked down at my chest, and saw a gaping bleeding wound at the center of my chest, only a foot from my neck. "Oh, bugger it all!" I said, and then collapsed.

"No!" The cries came from Archie and Tommy's wives, who arrived at the scene first. Before the man could reload, he was torn apart by a pack of very pissed off wolves.

"Ogi!" Amaya was there, followed by Kaya and Rin. "Ogi, you're hurt!"

I let out a wheezing breath, pain overwhelming everything. "Just a scratch." But I knew it wasn't, and there was no Lucy to heal me. I knew I was buggered.

San was there less than a minute later. "John, you're going to be all right. I just have to stop the bleeding." There was fear in her voice, pain as well, as if she knew what was coming.

Ashitaka, who was right behind her, was struck with sorrow, knowing that his close friend did not have long.

My vision swam, and I could feel my body going numb. "San, I would never have stayed in the Forest if it wasn't for you. You've been a right blessing, you have. I love you so much, but I have to go away for a little bit."

San shook her head, tears of anger and grief in her eyes. "No! Don't you dare talk like this is the end! I refuse to believe that this is how it ends!"

I let out a breath, and licked her tears away. "It's not, little sister. It's only the end of the beginning."

San let out a cry, and hugged me, and I did my best to return the embrace. "I'll see you soon, Brother!" She cried, her face buried into my fur.

I nodded. "Aye, you will."

Turning to my other loved ones, I tried to smile. "I love you all, and I want you all to live long and happy lives. Brothers and sisters, grow your Packs and protect them," I said to the four wolves and their pups, who hunkered close to me as well, whining and wheezing in grief.

Amaya burst into tears, and hugged me as well. "I can't let you go!"

I sighed, and licked her tears away as well. "I don't want to go, but we all have to go sooner or later. I'm just happy I got to live to see you grow and become what you are now, and I'm proud of you. I'm going to die with my family, and that's the best way for me to go."

Rin's voice shook as she spoke. "I'll watch over them, for you. Safety and peace, Brother."

I nodded. "You always knew the right thing to say. You take care, yeah? Safety and peace, Sister."

Ashitaka laid a hand on my head. "I am grieved that we should part like this, old friend."

I shrugged my shoulders weakly. "It was going to happen sooner or later. I'm chuffed to have known you, and I know you will make the right choice. You always have."

I felt my eyelids drooping, and knew it was time. "I'll have loads of fun being your guardian spirit, chaps. See you again, yeah?" I was able to say, before darkness closed over me.

The Wolf Tribe let out a combined howl of grief that seemed to shake the whole Forest, as John breathed his last, his eyes closing for good.

It was only after a great deal of tear-shedding before San was able to speak. "Take his fur. He won't need it anymore, but we will."

She knew that the body that she looked at wasn't John anymore, merely a shell, a fleshy contraption that had held John's spirit. That spirit had left it, rendering the husk useless except for it's fur.

Rin turned away, as the skinning began between most of the Tribe, unable to watch the proceedings. She looked down at the rifle, expecting and fearing it to be one of Eboshi's creations, but it wasn't.

"This came from the Emperor's city," she announced, picking up the rifle.

San only answered after the fur had been taken, and the remaining husk buried by the combined Tribe on the spot. "It isn't? That's surprising."

She felt the grief, but was not shattered, comforted from the angel's promise to her that she and John would meet again.

Rin grimaced. "Aye, it is. I'm sure you wish it wasn't."

San shrugged, feeling numb. All her tears had been shed, leaving shock behind. "Maybe. It's not Eboshi that worries me now, but how that rifle got here."

Her brothers walked over, as their mates and pack moved for the Den, strips of black fur in their mouths. Kaya and Ashitaka joined them, carrying most of the fur on Yakkul. "How came that human by this weapon?" Tommy asked.

Rin shook her head. "I don't know, but I will find out."

Archie joined in. "We shall carry you there, and teach that filthy city what it means to fear the Wolf Tribe. If it is war those humans want, it is war they shall get!"

Rin shook her head again. "Nay to both of your suggestions, Brother. I shall steal a horse from Iron Town, and attacking the Emperor's city is suicide. I shall go, and go alone."

Amaya shook her head in return worriedly. "No, you won't go alone! We can't lose both you and John so soon!"

Rin smiled, and touched Amaya's cheek, the latter wet with fresh tears. "Worry not, little Wolf. I'm too good at my job to let some fool to kill me. I give you my word I shall be home soon."

Amaya sighed, and hugged her mentor. "I'll hold you to that promise!"

San paused, and then joined in the hug. "As will I, Sister."

Rin paused, then returned the hugs. "I always keep my promises." She turned, and walked away until she disappeared into the trees.

When all had returned to the Den, Ashitaka hugged his two girls, Kaya joining in the hug. "There was nothing any of us could have done. Somethings are just meant to be."

San nodded. "We know. What will you do, Ashitaka?"

Ashitaka reply came after a pause, but held an air of finality. "I intend to do my duty both to the Forest, and to the people of Iron Town."

Amaya nodded, pained but adoring the fact that her father cared so much for so many. "I thought you would say that. But we shall make the best of the time we have left with you. Even if you will rule that filthy town, you will visit us."

San nodded in agreement with her daughter. "Aye, and we'll have plenty to do here. John will be watching over us too."

Ashitaka frowned. "But he is not here."

San smiled. "Oh, he is, and always will be. Just because you can't see him doesn't me he's not gone!"

Epilogue

It took only a few years for Ashitaka to fulfill his promise to Eboshi. Being older than even John, her health deteriorated, and Ashitaka took over her duties. She remained as an advisor, but only in business matters, as Ashitaka proved himself to be a better leader of Iron Town than even she had been. She passed a decade after Ashitaka's regime began, comforted with the fact that her legacy would live on through him.

Ashitaka, as had been stated above, grew into a great leader, much beloved by the people of Iron Town. Although he upheld his agreement with Eboshi, he always made sure the Forest benefitted from his rule.

He banned the use of rifles, except in the cases of last resort, and refused to allow any poachers in either Iron Town or the Forest.

He took every opportunity to visit his family, which happened more often than even he or his family had anticipated.

Under his rule, both Iron Town and the Forest prospered and maintained their distance from each other while looking out for the other, should the need arose. And arose it did. The Emperor's son, out for revenge, set his sights on Iron Town. The conflict was resolved with one final battle, where the Emperor's son perished, but not before wounding Ashitaka to the extent that he was forced to leave Iron Town in the care of others as San and his daughter took him into the depths of the Forest for healing.

Rin, who had returned from her mission to warn her Tribe and Ashitaka of the threat, perished slaying the Emperor's son and protecting a wounded Ashitaka. She had arrived to inform them with enough time for them to prepare for the invasion, and she died happy, knowing that she had done what she had promised John she would do.

Ashitaka, although weakened by age and his wounds, lived long enough to see Amaya have children of her own alongside his beloved wife. Said wife was very chagrined that Amaya's mate happened to be from Iron Town, but the youth was the son of Koroku and Toki, whom she met and grew to trust, so even she admitted that he was not such a bad choice for her daughter.

Oshobi, the youth in question, was a shy but strong young man, very respectful of the Wolf Tribe and very eager to prove himself to them. He had his father's shy and goofy nature, but had the sharp temper and strong confidence in his abilities of his mother.

It took time, but he eventually earned their trust, and became a regular sight at the Den. He was there to comfort her after the loss of Rin, which sealed the Tribe's affection for him, and eventually left Iron Town to stay with said Tribe. Amaya and Oshobi, like San and Ashitaka, became life-long partners and parents of several children.

Ashitaka, weakened as he was, survived San, who passed from old age, surrounded by her family, her brother's name and then Ashitaka's on her lips with her last breath. However, he only survived her by a few weeks, before he passed on too, his wife's name on his lips.

Kaya continued Rin's legacy of Guardianship of the Tribe, and lived to be a devoted Cousin and caretaker of Amaya's children. She never took a man, but was too preoccupied to have any regrets about it, her tasks too frequent and engaging for her to think on such things. She survived Ashitaka and San for a few years before passing on herself, content and fulfilled, regretting nothing.

Archie and Tommy outlived their human family, blessed the gift of long life, as their mother had before them. They outlived their mates as well, but they were able to have enough pups before then so that this tragedy did not affect them so much. They thrilled and awed their children and descendants with the tales of their human family, and the Wolf Tribe grew to such an extent that they became the dominant Tribe in the Forest in only a few decade's time, so numerous were their offspring.

I, John, Vessel of Gabriel, can conclude that all those who lived and died lived happily ever after. I welcomed each of my family from that universe into the Spiritual World myself as they came, until my next mission arrived.

But that, my friends, is another story!

Cut, check the gate! There's an end to another story of mine. I enjoyed writing this story, and thank you all for your past and future support.

My next story concerning John will be much longer, spanning all three Red Alerts, and will be quite the epic!

Until then, my duckies, read and review!