Only one more week remained until San would be able to remove her splint and return home. She woke up with a smile on her face; not only because of the fact she could leave in only a few days, but because she and Ashitaka had made a decision on how they would live together.

The day after San told Ashitaka she loved him, neither wanted to waste time in figuring out how they could make their relationship work. They both agreed that San couldn't live in Irontown for several reasons: she felt it was too cramped, she still held a grudge against many of the humans, and many of the humans held a grudge against her. Ashitaka asked Toki for some advice after he returned from his daily forest patrol. She suggested that she move in with San at the wolves' den.

"I mean, I love having you around, but that's probably the best option," Toki said, "Besides, Irontown is back on its feet again. I know you're the best warrior around here, but you've pretty much been relegated to the forest. This way, you can be with that girl –excuse me, San– and you can come tell us if something is wrong in the forest. It seems like a win-win to me."

"I suppose that would work well enough," Ashitaka said, "I'll need to talk to San about it first. She'll probably need her brothers' approval, and I honestly have no idea what they think of me."

"You've never spoken with them?"

"The only time I ever met with them after the debacle with the Forest Spirit and Asano and Jigo was when Kenta and Misawa tried to..."

"Oh, I see. What did they say to you?"

"Not much, really. They didn't attack me, so I suppose that's a plus."

Toki chuckled, "You've been taking care of San well enough. I'm sure they'll allow you stay."

"Begrudgingly, maybe."

"Don't worry about it too much, Ashitaka. Who knows, even if they reject the idea, they may say yes some other time."

Ashitaka nodded. He decided that he would run the idea by San and, if San thought it would work, talk to Lady Eboshi. "Alright; thank you, Toki." The two said goodbye and Ashitaka headed home. He ran Toki's idea by San.

"I love that plan, but are you sure you'd give up your home for me?" San asked, "I may not think too highly of it, but you seem happy here. I also have to admit that it's much more comfortable to sleep on than a cave floor."

"If living with you means that I have to leave this house, I would do so gladly," Ashitaka replied, "I can adjust well enough in a short amount of time."

San smiled and licked Ashitaka's cheek, using her own way of showing her affection for him. It was unsettling at first, but he quickly realized that was likely how wolves expressed fondness for one another. He brushed her soft, now-shoulder length brown hair. The smile on his face reflected the uplifting joy in his heart. The only problem which bothered him was where San's brothers could be. In the nineteen weeks that San had been living with Ashitaka, he had not seen one sign of the wolves' presence. He and San were still confident that her brothers would return.

Even though he knew that San's brothers still needed to approve, Ashitaka decided it would be best to tell Lady Eboshi that he may be leaving. She received the news well and wished Ashitaka the best of luck.

"You've been a great deal of help, but it's time for you to go your own way," She said, "You'll always be welcome here in Irontown. I'll try to make it so that the Wolf Girl is given the same treatment."

Almost everything was going Ashitaka and San's way. The two could finally live together, San's leg was almost fully healed, and Lady Eboshi would try to have the half of Irontown which despised San change their views of the Wolf Girl they hated and feared. It seemed like nothing could go wrong. The joy that San and Ashitaka helped them forget the recent troubles they had been experiencing. Ashitaka was able to put the execution behind him and San no longer felt cramped and stressed inside the house. It seemed that everything would be perfect until later that night.

San had already fallen asleep by the time Ashitaka had come home. One arm sat at her side while the other lay across her torso. Ashitaka smiled at seeing San so peaceful. He tried to be as quiet as possible as he made his way to his room, not wanting to wake San. The shutters in his home were all shut. The only thing he could hear outside was the chirping of crickets, chiming one after the other. He was about to change into his nightclothes when he heard a knock at the door. He went to answer it and found Kuze, the man who replaced Kenji as scout, standing at the door.

"Ashitaka, I'm sorry to be at your house so late, but we have a problem," Kuze said, "Lady Eboshi is coming to speak with you."

Ashitaka could see and hear townspeople outside scrambling to grab their weapons. Every man had a spear in his home; some had instead had a naginata. The men who served as guards each carried a naginata; Gonza, who served as captain, had the longest. They were gathering at the center of town. At the front and center of the crowd stood Gonza and Lady Eboshi. Ashitaka decided to grab his sword, believing the town to be in danger. Kuze then led Ashitaka to Gonza and Eboshi before departing to retrieve his own weapon.

"What seems to be the problem, Milady?" Ashitaka asked.

"Kuze spotted the wolves while he was scouting," Lady Eboshi answered.

"They spotted Kuze and began to approach him before he took off," Gonza said, "Just before he returned to town, he spotted them again. He told some of the townspeople what had happened and now they're in a panic. Do you think you can try and talk to the wolves about the girl?"

Ashitaka moved closer to Eboshi and Gonza and asked them in a whisper if the townspeople knew about San.

"Not yet," Lady Eboshi replied in a hushed voice, "But if things come to a head, it may be best for you to tell them where the girl is."

Ashitaka nodded, scanning the mob as he did. He caught a glimpse of Kenta and Misawa, armed with a bow and spear, respectively.

Okami and Urufu approached the gates slowly, their eyes glowing in the dark of night. The humans standing on the ramparts fled at the sight of the two beasts to join the crowd. The wolves could smell the fear radiating off of each human. They could also smell their sister.

"Then she is there," Okami said, "What do you think they have done with her?"

"For their sake, she had best be unharmed," Urufu replied, "How do you think we should get in? Leap over the gate?"

"That seems well enough." The two wolves, harboring rage and hatred, leapt over the gates of Irontown, clearing it by only a few inches. The landed on their paws and glared at the crowd. Their teeth were barred and their growls resonated throughout the town. Two humans stood out to the wolves: the woman and the human that had helped them over a year ago. Ashitaka, they remembered him as, was the one closest to them. He was holding a sword in his right hand. When he saw the wolves, he cast his sword to the side, eliciting shocked gasps from the crowd.

"I have no desire to fight you," Ashitaka said, "I only wish to know what brings you here."

"You know what we're here for," Okami growled, "Where is San, our sister?"

Ashitaka's eyes moved to Kenta and Misawa for a brief moment before he replied, "I can't tell you."

"What do you mean you cannot tell us?" Urufu questioned, "What makes you believe that you can hide our sister from us? We know she is here. We can smell her, and her scent is on your body."

Ashitaka could hear the crowd begin to murmur and whisper. He could have sworn he saw Misawa and Kenta take a few steps towards his house, but that may have been his imagination.

"What is our sister doing in your town?" Okami asked, "Is she hurt?"

Ashitaka doubted that he would be able to lie to the wolves. "Yes, she suffered a broken leg and arm, but-"

"Wounds caused by you humans?"

Ashitaka drew in a sharp breath. "Yes, humans are the ones who injured her, but none of them-" Ashitaka pointed at the crowd, "-are the ones responsible."

Okami's head turned to Kenta and Misawa. "Are those the ones who tried to attack us earlier in the year?"

Ashitaka turned his head to where Okami was looking. "Yes, but even then, they didn't hurt San."

"Enough of this, human," Urufu barked, "Tell us where San is, or I will rip you to shreds."

Ashitaka, still concerned about what would happen if Kenta and Misawa heard where San was, silently began to inch closer to his house. It was close to the gates, only a few meters away. Yakul watched from the stables in anticipation as the wolves began to show more teeth.

"I grow tired of this!" Okami roared, "If you will not tell us where she is, then I will tear through your town and find her!" The wolf charged at Ashitaka and rammed his skull against the human. Ashitaka's ribs absorbed the blow as he smacked against the ground, crying out in pain. Urufu and Okami then stood side by side and glared at the humans. Kenta, who had been readying an arrow, dropped it out of fear. The bowstring twanged as it fired nothing.

The tension in the air caused the hairs on Ashitaka's arms to stand. Before he could say anything to try and calm the wolves, Okami and Urufu, having lost their patience weeks ago, both surged at Ashitaka. Their claws were ready to rip into his body and their jaws were open wide. Ashitaka, still stunned from the last blow, could only shut his eyes and hope the wolves showed mercy.

San had already begun to stir when she heard the shouting outside. She assumed that it was some petty human squabble that she need not pay attention to. However, she could detect two distinct scents, those of her brothers. Her already high spirits rose. Excitement filled her body, as she had been wanting to see them ever since she arrived in Irontown. Her excitement transformed into confusion when she heard them arguing with someone who sounded like Ashitaka. A few more words were exchanged, and she was sure it was him.

She wasn't sure why Ashitaka didn't simply tell her brothers where she was. For him to be putting himself at risk by angering them, he must have had a good reason to not tell them. Things seemed to be getting worse as she heard Ashitaka cry out after her brother issued a warning. They likely had no idea what he had done for her. She knew she had to act quickly before they seriously hurt Ashitaka, or worse, kill him. It would take too long for her to get up and use her crutch. Instead, she stood up, fighting the pain in her leg and made her way to the front door. She opened the door only a crack and peeked outside. She gasped when she saw her brothers charging towards a downed Ashitaka. The pain in her leg seemed to fade as she cast off her splint, threw the door open, and rushed to Ashitaka's side.

All at once, the pain in San's leg returned, making her leg give out from under her, Okami and Urufu skidded to a halt, and the townspeople's murmurs and whispers grew to astonished gasps and chatter. San tumbled towards Ashitaka's side and hastily positioned herself in between him and her brothers.

In the crowd, Eboshi whispered to Gonza to keep Kenta and Misawa away. Gonza nodded and looked for the two.

"Please, don't hurt him," San begged her brothers with a pained look on her face, "I know you two must be furious for what those other humans did to you, but Ashitaka has done no wrong."

Okami's gaze turned to San's leg, the one which she stumbled over. "Is something wrong with your leg?"

"I hurt it on the night that you two disappeared. Ashitaka found me and brought me here." San turned her head to the crowd to see if she could see Takahiro. The isha wasn't in the crowd. "One of the other humans helped me recover."

"These humans... helped you?" Urufu asked, bewildered, "What has happened in the time we were gone?"

"Not much," Ashitaka groaned as he tried –and failed– to sit up, "Jigo said that you were captured by humans."

"I know not who Jigo is, but yes, we were taken captive. The ones who tried to lock us in cages paid dearly."

San stood on her one good leg while she kept as much weight as possible off on the one which was still recovering. She helped Ashitaka to his feet. He was clutching his side, sure that a few of his ribs were either bruised or broken. The two helped keep each other standing.

"Ashitaka, are you okay?" San asked.

"Yes, I think I'll be fine," He replied, "I didn't tell your brothers where you were because I feared what some of the townspeople might have done." Ashitaka had almost forgotten about the others in his daze. The noise from the crowd had died down as they watched the wolves and Ashitaka. "I had no intention of hurting San or hiding her from you," He said to San's brothers, "I'm sorry for not saying anything beforehand." Ashitaka grunted as the pain in his ribcage suddenly jolted. He clutched his side and staggered, managing to stay up only because of San.

"Ashitaka!" Toki called from the crowd. Heads turned to see her coming through with Takahiro. "Ashitaka, are you alright?"

"Fine," He replied, "Hello, Takahiro."

The isha bowed to Ashitaka, then to the wolves. "Your sister was grievously hurt when I was brought to her," Takahiro said, "She should be fine now, though she shouldn't be running for at least another week. After that, she should start getting used to using her leg again."

The wolves nodded, still confused as to how much help San had received from humans. Takahiro told Ashitaka to come by his hut to see how badly he had been hurt. Ashitaka nodded and thanked Takahiro.

"Lady Eboshi, why not kill that woman while we have the chance?" One man whispered. San and her brothers had heard him. The three shot a burning look towards the man. Ashitaka noticed and simply stared at him with tired, disgusted eyes.

"I'm not going to kill her because of actions taken during a war," Eboshi hissed at the man, "Perhaps she killed one of your brothers or children or whoever else, but what we did to her is no different. I killed her mother with my own hand." Lady Eboshi grabbed the stump of her arm, reminding the townspeople of the price she had paid. "Badmouth the girl all you want, but if any of you so much as throw a stone at her, I will see to it that you are punished severely."

"Perhaps it really is best if I leave this place," Ashitaka whispered to San, "It would take too long for these people to accept you."

"Yes, but I still need to talk to my brothers about that," San whispered back, "Even if they say no, I'll try to see you as often as I can."

"What are you talking about San?" Okami asked, "What is it you want to discuss?"

"I want to talk about it while we're at home. I'll tell you once we're there." San stepped away from Ashitaka for a moment and stood before Toki and Takahiro. Along with Ashitaka, the two had treated her like a friend despite not knowing her. Normally, with her brothers watching, she would have simply mouthed thank you. Instead, she said nothing as she swallowed her pride and bowed to the two of them. "Thank you for the help you've given me."

"You don't need to thank me," Toki said, "There was no trouble at all."

"I was simply doing my duty," Takahiro said, "I wish you the best of luck."

The last person San turned to face was Lady Eboshi. Neither woman approached the other, and neither bowed their head or verbally exchanged thanks. Instead, they looked each other in the eye. San knew that the woman could have easily told the other humans where she was. That woman could have had rifles brought out to shoot Okami and Urufu. Instead, to San's shock, that woman stuck up for her. She still hated that woman for what she did to Moro, but the faintest glimmer of respect was in San's eyes. Lady Eboshi understood and nodded.

San then turned to Ashitaka and gave him one last hug and licked his cheek. Ashitaka gazed into San's gray eyes, unknowing of when he would see her again. He decided that he would show how humans showed affection and kissed her forehead. Some of the women in the crowd grew jealous. Okami and Urufu tilted their heads out of curiosity.

"Goodbye, San," Ashitaka said, "I hope we'll see each other soon."

"Goodbye, Ashitaka, and thank you for everything you've given me," San said with sincerity, "Come talk to me tomorrow if you're going to be in the forest. I should have my brothers' response by then."

"Response to what?" Both wolves asked in unison. San only smiled at them as she limped to Okami's side and asked if he could carry her to their home. The wolf nodded, and San pulled herself onto his back. Before they left, Okami and Urufu took one last look at Ashitaka. He was different from the others. They had known that ever since he helped return the Forest Spirit's head. Both had a small glint of admiration for him, and they showed it by bowing their heads before turning to the gates and leaping over them. Before San disappeared behind the walls, she gave Ashitaka a quick wave to say goodbye.

"Well, since that affair has been settled, let's get everything back to how it was," Lady Eboshi said, "Guards, return to your posts. Where's Gonza?"

"Right here, Milady," Gonza replied as he walked to her side, "You won't need to worry about Kenta or Misawa."

"What did you do with them?"

Gonza hid his bruised knuckles in his pocket and replied, "We came to an agreement."

"A well enough answer, I suppose." Eboshi turned to Ashitaka, who was picking up his sword from the ground. The crowd behind her was beginning to dissipate. "Are you well enough to be working tomorrow?"

"If I'm still in pain by the morning, I'll visit Takahiro," Ashitaka replied, "What do you think everyone's going to say? That I'm a traitor for helping San? That I harbored a murderer in my house?"

"It is likely and it is unfortunate. In time, they'll likely forgive her, to an extant, but now is not the time. I truly believe it would be best for you to live with her in the forest, where you can have peace." Lady Eboshi looked towards the distant mountains, where the once barren land was now covered in fresh grass from the early spring. "Good night, Ashitaka. Come talk to me once you've received a response from the wolves." Ashitaka nodded and bowed as much as he could. Lady Eboshi returned to her home with Gonza in tow.

Ashitaka watched the remaining townspeople in the crowd return to their homes. He wondered what they would think of him now, seeing as to how he deceived them all. He had no regrets about it. He would gladly have his reputation suffer if it meant protecting San. He returned home still clutching his ribs. He laid his sword on top of his dresser and collapsed onto his futon, not even bothering to change. He closed his eyes and began to drift to sleep, alone for the first time in weeks. Already, he missed San. One year ago, he would have never believed that he and San would have become this close. Now that they had spent time together, he wanted nothing more than to be by her side each and every day. He hoped that Okami and Urufu would approve of him living in their cave. The first thing he would do tomorrow, broken ribs or not, would be to bring Yakul out of the stables and ride to the wolves' den. There, he would stand outside and await San and her brothers.

He couldn't wait for morning.

The End

For Now

Much like my time in high school (I graduated on Friday), this story is complete! I know that it is a bit short when compared to my other stories, but from the reviews I've received, it seems less is more in this case. Thanks to those who reviewed this story, namely Castle-of-Dreams, Lady of the Spirit, cfpepperz, and the various guest reviews. You're the best and one of the main reasons I write.

Next story? Likely Princess Mononoke, as I'm still working out what I want to do for things like Hellsing and Ghost in the Shell. However, don't expect to see me here for a few months. I'm taking a break; not because I'm tired of writing, but because I feel like it would be a good idea for me to leave for a bit so that it doesn't feel like I'm overstaying my welcome or anything like that. As Jim Cornette once said, "We can't miss you if you don't go away."

So with that, I want to thank everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited this story. Again, I'm sorry that it is a bit short, at least in my standards, but I feel like this would have been the perfect time to end it. If you liked the story, or not, tell me in the review! Have you read my other stories? If not, go check them out and review those too. You may like them, even if they're a bit shaky on the writing. Oh, and Kuze is pronounced (koo-zay) not (kooz).

I'll see you all in a few weeks/couple months. Thank you all once again!

-BlackSabbath4Ever (a.k.a. Michael)