Because I have nothing better to do over spring break, here is my fourth Princess Mononoke story! To those who follow me, I believe I promised this one at the end of my third. To those who haven't read any of my other Princess Mononoke stories before, this one is totally separate from them, so you don't need to read them. Please review the story if you have the time.

With every clop of Yakul's hooves, Ashitaka's worry continued mounting. The dirt path leading to Irontown seemed to stretch on forever as he traveled to the forest. He knew that tensions might still have been high, but he never expected a situation he would have to personally defuse. His eyes watched the still-growing trees, ever wary of vengeful spirits that may have been created in the battle between the humans and the forest. Thanks to the lingering mistrust between the two sides, he wondered if he would have to worry about San and her brothers as well.

Only three months had passed since the death of the Forest Spirit rocked the forest and decimated Irontown. The mountainside adjacent to the town had changed from brown to green. The forest had also begun to return, though it would take much longer than a few months for the centuries-old trees to return to full size. Even with the Forest Spirit's healing boon, many trees were still saplings. The rebuilding of Irontown had been going strong. The lepers had been cured of their disease and were now able to work alongside more able-bodied and healthy folk. Still, it didn't entirely make up for the townspeople who had been killed by the black ooze dripping from the dying Forest Spirit.

Ashitaka had been helping with constructing new houses for the townspeople. At first, Lady Eboshi thought of using the old ironworks to house those without families. She decided against it when she learned the structural damage done to the building was too great. When she saw the building, grass was growing on the walls and long, winding vines were coming out of every crevice. Gonza and several of Irontown's strongest used hammers to demolish the structure, creating more room in the town. She also had the spikes surrounding the outer walls removed. What could be recycled was used, what couldn't was put aside as kindling. Whatever iron was leftover was put to use in making nails and tools. Lady Eboshi had only a few rifles kept but smelted down none of the iron bullets. She saw them as too good a defensive weapon to destroy entirely. As for food, much of the rice the town traded for had been scattered by the cyclone created by the Forest Spirit. Instead, they fished in the lake.

In the three months after the Forest Spirit's death, the inner and outer walls of Irontown had been repaired. Ashitaka had been surprised with a house of his own, a gift for his role in helping the town. It was a touching gesture, one which he repaid by helping others rebuild their homes. The work was tiring, tedious, and ceaseless, but he felt it was the least he could do. It was less dull whenever he worked with Toki and Kohroku; watching them bicker was amusing, if only for Kohroku's reactions. It was their house which he had been living in until his own had been built.

The day began like any other: Ashitaka awoke, ate a quick breakfast, and left to go help repair the town. When he went outside, there was a buzz going around Irontown. Some townspeople were whispering to one another. Others were loudly talking over the sound of nails being hammered into wood. Before Ashitaka could make out what they were saying, he was approached by Gonza. He walked with his fists clenched and his face distorted into a scowl.

"You, Ashitaka, come with me," He demanded.

"Hello to you too, Gonza," Ashitaka cracked, "What's wrong?"

"Those wolves and that girl took one of the men captive and almost killed another." Ashitaka flinched; he figured that San and her brothers weren't the most forgiving, but he didn't expect them to act with such hostility. "The man who got away, Kenta, he's getting his wounds treated. Speak to him, see if you can find out what happened with the other man." Ashitaka nodded and made his way to the isha's hut. On his way, he began to wonder what Kenta and the other man had done to make the wolves want to attack them. As far as he knew, they never strayed close to Irontown. He hadn't spoken to either of the three since they returned home; work in Irontown wouldn't allow it.

The isha's hut sat behind the inner walls of Irontown. A brief walk from the inner gate brought Ashitaka to the small house. Takahiro, the only man in Irontown who practiced medicine, was inking a block of wood when Ashitaka knocked at the front door. The greeted each other at the door before he invited Ashitaka inside. He was a tall, elderly man with thinning gray hair and long, thin fingers that were smooth compared to many men of his age. His wife had passed away several years ago, though his daughter would sometimes stop by to keep him company and help with his work.

"Is it Gonza who sent you?" Takahiro asked, "He told me he was going to fetch you."

"Yes, he said that Kenta and somebody else had a bit of encounter with San and her brothers," Ashitaka replied, "He wants me to find out where Kenta and the other man were going."

"Who is San?"

"The Wolf Girl." Ashitaka forgot that that almost none of the townspeople knew San's actual name. The often referred to her as Princess Mononoke or Wolf Girl.

"Oh, I see. Yes, he was pretty badly shaken when he arrived; had a nasty bite on his left leg that required two layers of bandages. He's over in that room," Takahiro said as he pointed to the door behind him, "He woke up a few minutes ago, so you should be able to speak with him."

"Thank you. When did he arrive?"

"Late last night. Some of the townspeople saw him running here after the gates were opened for him." Takahiro returned to his previous task as Ashitaka stepped into the room where Kenta was resting. Ashitaka recognized Kenta as one of the ox drivers. His left leg was covered in red-stained bandages. He kept his leg fully extended.

"I remember you; you're that outsider, Ashitaka," Kenta said groggily, "You're friends with that girl who lives in the forest, aren't you?"

Ashitaka nodded in response. "Can you tell me what happened? Where your friend might have gone?"

Kenta angled himself to see if anybody was outside the door. Takahiro was there was his back turned and didn't seem to be paying any attention. Still, he was fearful. He squirmed a little as his discomfort grew. "I could get in trouble for what Misawa and I tried to pull."

"What happened?"

Kenta groaned and said, "I suppose Lady Eboshi will find out one way or another. Misawa and I were out in the forest... hunting."

"Really? I don't think that would provoke San or her brothers."

"Yes, well, the thing is we were using... guns to hunt... them." Kenta glanced away from Ashitaka with each pause, feeling like he was admitting to murder.

Ashitaka's eyes grew wide. "Why were you trying to kill them?"

"It wasn't my idea, I swear! It was Misawa's plan; he wanted the wolves dead for what they did to his son. Do you remember when you first came here with Kohroku and the other man?"

Ashitaka nodded.

"Did you notice the train of oxen walking into the gates before you entered?"

Ashitaka nodded again.

"They were attacked by the wolves while they were near a steep cliff. Misawa's son was one of those who fell."

Ashitaka remembered now; there was a man who asked Kohroku if they came back with his son when Ashitaka brought him to shore. "I'm sorry this happened to you."

"Yeah, well, I shouldn't have agreed to help him anyway, I guess."

"Do you remember where you two were attacked? Do you know where he may be now?"

"Eh, we weren't the ones who were attacked, really, we... fired first. All I remember is that we found the wolves and the girl outside some really high cave. Misawa took aim and fired, but his bullet struck the cliff. The wolves immediately came down at us. We took off, but they were much faster than either of us. The girl and one of the other wolves went after Misawa. The other one came after me and managed to nearly rip my leg off, but stopped after I played dead for a while. It helps that I hit my head on the ground when I tripped. I suppose I'm lucky they didn't eat me, right?"

"Very lucky." Ashitaka was sure he knew which cave Kenta was talking about. He remembered waking up there after he passed out at the pond. He still remembered where it was. "Thank you. I'm going to find your friend, all right?"

"He's probably dead. Can you at least bring back his body? I fear what his spirit will become if he isn't given a proper burial."

The trees were beginning to grow thicker as Ashitaka made his way to the wolves' den. These were the trees that weren't touched by Irontown or destroyed by the Forest Spirit. They reached towards the sun, standing on ancient tree trunks and rooted deep into the forest floor. Several kodama were sitting on the branches above. Others were walking up and down the tree trunks and disappearing into the wood. Yakul briefly recoiled when a rabbit suddenly came dashing out of the thick bushes. Ashitaka stifled a laugh as they continued on.

When they reached the wolves' den, Ashitaka could see one of San's brothers glaring down at him from the cave. They must have picked up his scent long before he arrived. He dismounted Yakul and told him to stay.

"You're the one the humans sent?" The wolf called down to Ashitaka, "I shouldn't be surprised."

"Is it okay if I come up?" Ashitaka asked, "I just want to bring Misawa back to Irontown."

"That's his name? Hm. Let me speak with my siblings." The wolf disappeared into the cave. Ashitaka waited patiently beside Yakul, brushing the elk's muzzle. When the wolf reappeared, his brother, San, and Misawa were standing by his side. Misawa wore a crimson mask of dried blood over his face. San had her half-face mask pulled over, making it so Ashitaka could only see her frown. She nudged at Misawa with her spear. He nodded several times as he tried to walk down the slope leading to the cave. Another nudge from San's spear caused him to tumble to the ground. The two wolves flanked him and began to growl. Misawa quickly picked himself up and hurried over to Ashitaka.

"Thank goodness you're here!" He cried as he stumbled over to Ashitaka, "I can't tha-"

"Return to Irontown," Ashitaka coldly ordered, "I'm going back in a minute and I'm going to inform Lady Eboshi of what you and Kenta were planning." Misawa nodded and shrunk away. He walked back to Irontown with his head down. Ashitaka turned back to the wolves and San. Her frown lightened as Misawa walked away. "I'm sorry for what he tried to do. Nobody else in town knew about it."

San said nothing. She walked over to Ashitaka and handed him a small, cloth bag. Inside were four iron bullets. "He used one already. My brothers and I destroyed the guns they brought." She said. The tone in her voice made it clear she was holding back her rage.

"I'm sorry," Ashitaka said once more as he pocketed the bullets, "Lady Eboshi will make sure Misawa is properly dealt with."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

"Very well," She pulled back her mask to reveal her flint-gray eyes, "It was nice to see you, Ashitaka, but I want you to leave for now."

Ashitaka's heart sank a little. This was the first time he had visited San since they parted ways after the battle. "Alright. I can still visit you when I have the time."

"Not right now. Just keep that human and his friend away from the forest. The only reason they are still alive is because I asked my brothers not to kill them. I knew you would probably want them back." She growled in her throat and said, "Ashitaka, if I want to meet with you again, I'll bring one of my brothers to the wall. Whatever human is there will probably call for you."

"That would be fine."

"Goodbye, Ashitaka." San and her brothers returned to the cave. Ashitaka didn't stay to watch them leave. He mounted Yakul and began to make his way back to Irontown. Despite the fact he was able to find Misawa safe, he felt dejected on his trip back. The burning in San's eyes was all he had to see to know that she still hated humans, possibly more because of Kenta and Misawa. She had once told him that he meant much to her. Now, he wondered if that was still the case.