This is a sequel to my previous story, Catch the Rainbow. If you haven't read it yet, this is going to be a very confusing first chapter. Anyway, to those who did read the last one and read that I would be taking a break for a couple months... well, I came back early. As usual, I do not own Princess Mononoke, its characters, plot, etc. Please review this story; the feedback helps and means quite a bit.

Ashitaka sat alone in his house, half-awake as the sun set. His eyelids felt as though they had been lined with lead, constantly wavering as he tried to keep them open. He gave up after he decided to rest them for what he intended to be a few minutes. The sky had been painted pink-orange by the setting sun dipping behind the mountains. When Ashitaka opened his eyes, he could see thousands of stars dotting the heavens outside his window. He sighed heavily and retired to his bedroom to change his clothes and go to sleep.

For the past several weeks, Ashitaka hadn't been sleeping as often as he was used to. The day after San left, he was making his way to her home in the forest only to be met by her first. She explained that she hadn't yet asked her brothers if he could live with them. They were still irate because of what they had gone through over the past several months. Ashitaka understood, finding it wiser that they be spoken with while in a more pleasant mood. She recommended that he stay out of the forest until her brothers were ready to talk. Before he returned home, she informed him that she would come to his house when she finally had an answer.

Ashitaka had been waiting for San's answer, staying up into the late hours of the night to see if she would arrive. He didn't leave his house often, as he was unsure of his current reputation with the townspeople. The only times he did leave was to let Yakul outside of the stable and to bring him back in at night. Whenever he was in Irontown, he felt as though he was unwelcome, with some people glaring at him and others spitting as he passed. An outsider would find it hard to believe that Ashitaka was once considered a hero only a year ago. Ashitaka knew that there were those who wouldn't forgive him for helping San, especially those who had lost someone while fighting the Forest Gods. It was those sorts of people who made him hope San's brothers would allow him to live with them. He could see why they would harbor a grudge against San, but it was a reaction caused by the destruction they brought upon the forest. The fighting was over, the war against the forest having ended and a time of peace potentially beginning. However, they were still in the awkward transitional period of limbo, where neither side trusted the other and old wounds still stung. If salt were to be poured upon those wounds, the pain would relight and further grief would arise. What Ashitaka wanted to do was keep that from happening. It wouldn't be an easy path. Obstacles of all sorts would block his way, and the ever present threat of war in the land didn't make it any easier.

In the few hours Ashitaka had spent outside his house since San returned home, he had heard of wars and rumors of wars erupting around Japan. Amidst the small skirmishes over lands being fought over by the daimyo, was a much larger war, one which, depending on who was talking, threatened to plunge Japan into an age of tyranny or unify the nation under a single, strong ruler. It was all very foreign to Ashitaka. He had almost no knowledge concerning the politics in Japan, and what little he did know made it sound cutthroat. He hoped that he and the rest of the people in Irontown wouldn't get caught up in it. He very much doubted that San or any other creatures dwelling in the forest would care. The only reason they would take an interest in the people leading Japan was if they were somehow threatened.

Outside of Ashitaka's house, Irontown was almost completely silent. He wondered if he had fallen asleep for much longer than he guessed or if the town was just very quiet for some other reason. It was likely the latter; the men had left Irontown with most of the oxen. They were going to collect rice that had been traded for fish brought from the lake surrounding the town. Kohroku had gone with them, as did a few individuals who didn't care so much for Ashitaka anymore. Without the noise the men made nightly, the crickets chirping outside could be heard as if the walls around Ashitaka's house had vanished. Because he lived so close to the outer wall, he could hear the footsteps of the guards walking on the ramparts. It was a steady pace that never seemed to change tempo or change in rhythm, though at one point it sounded like a man dropped the butt of his spear on the wood. Ashitaka was relieved that he was never assigned to such a tedious, boring task. Ever since he told Lady Eboshi that he may be leaving Irontown, she told him that he wouldn't need to continue patrolling the forest unless he would indeed be staying.

Ashitaka's last sight before falling asleep was the light of the full moon bathing the wall opposite to him as it flowed through his shutters. The silver edge of the mirror on his wall was graced by a sliver of pale moonlight. The mirror had been a personal gift of thanks from Lady Eboshi. Ashitaka hadn't much use for it, but it made a good decorative piece. It glimmered as he closed his eyes to rest, creating tiny specks of light that danced around the reflective glass.

A sudden bump from somewhere in Ashitaka's house startled him awake. He got up from his futon and found that a window in his main room had been opened. It was likely one that he hadn't closed, though he didn't recall ever opening one earlier in the day since it was cold. He dismissed it as him being forgetful, closed the window, and returned to sleep. Only moments after he lay down and closed his eyes, he reopened them when he heard a light thump. A red face with black hollow eyes staring down at him greeted his sight. Ashitaka shouted several cursed words which mixed into one loud grunt as he scrambled away from the demonic-looking visage. However, once the figure stood in the moonlight, Ashitaka saw that the red face was on a background of white. The figure was slender with strong arms and legs. A cape-like headdress of white wolf's fur was hung past her shoulders.

"San? Is that you?" Ashitaka asked as his rapidly beating heart began to calm.

"Hello, Ashitaka," San greeted as she pulled over her mask, revealing a wide grin, "Did I scare you?"

Ashitaka's heart was still slowing its beat when he replied, "Yes! You do know I have a front door, right?"

San giggled and responded, "Yes, but it was locked."

"You could have knocked," Ashitaka said as he stood to meet her.

"Ashitaka, I didn't come here to discuss how I entered your home, I came to tell you that my brothers have allowed you to stay with us."

Ashitaka's eyes went wide and a smile spread across his face. "Really?"

San nodded her head in response. "I asked them only a few hours ago. I wanted to wait until they were in a good mood and we had just gone out hunting, so it seemed like the best time to ask. Even then, it still took me a while to convince them."

Ashitaka wrapped his arms around San and embraced her tightly. San returned his hug with one of her own. When the two released each other, they sat down on Ashitaka's futon to talk about the past few weeks.

"How's your leg been feeling?" Ashitaka asked, "I hope it hasn't been bothering you."

"It took me a few days to get used to walking on it again," San replied, "After that, it hasn't pained me in any way, so I suppose that means it's been healed." Ashitaka was relieved to hear that San's leg was fine. The last time he saw her, she was still limping and couldn't put much weight on it. "How have you been?"

"I've been well, but I haven't been outside much. Some of the townspeople have been more than happy to say what they thought of me and how I helped you. Fortunately, most of those people have gone away for a few weeks." Ashitaka knew that deep down inside, those townsfolk were good people. They simply couldn't let go of the past and couldn't forgive San, her brothers, or the other inhabitants of the forest for the suffering they endured. Ashitaka knew that it was extremely hard for them to forgive the ones who killed their friends and family, but they had done the same to their enemies. Ashitaka knew it wasn't black and white when it came to situations such as this. Each side had a valid reason for their enmity towards the other, and each side was firm in their beliefs and why they thought they were right. He was sure that both sides would forgive the other one day, but not anytime soon. He knew it could take years before such an event occurred.

"Do you think I should go now or in the morning?" Ashitaka asked.

"I told my brothers where I was going and that I'd likely be back in the morning, so I can stay here for the night."

Ashitaka smiled and helped San put away her weapons, cloak, and her two necklaces: the red-roped crystal necklace and her stringed-together wolf's teeth. She slipped off her cloth shoes and set them at the foot of the futon. Ashitaka kissed the top of her head as the two lay down next to each other. San asked Ashitaka what the gesture meant, as he had done it before but never explained what it was. Ashitaka's explanation was that it was similar to how wolves show affection.

The scent of the forest was captured by San's hair and clothes. Her hair smelled of the leaves of a tree that had fallen into a calmly flowing stream. Her clothes smelled of freshly crushed grass, possibly from rolling down hills and laying down on the ground so often. With how ragged her clothes were and how roughly her hair was cut, San's skin was surprisingly smooth to the touch like silk. The warmth of her body helped to combat the frigid early-winter air. San knew that snow would soon fall again, possibly arriving tomorrow. She had endured nineteen previous winters; a twentieth wouldn't be so bad. For now, she kept the impending arrival of the winter season in the back of her mind as she drifted away to sleep in Ashitaka's arms. He had fallen asleep soon after the two had laid down. She guessed that he wasn't used to staying up for so long. However, his soft, quiet, soothing breathing as he slept began to make her tired as well. He appeared so relaxed and at peace that San couldn't help but slip into slumber.

Upon the arrival of morning and the advent of the rising sun, the two woke up almost simultaneously. Ashitaka ran a hand through San's hair, as if to ensure that he wasn't dreaming. San, in response, licked Ashitaka's cheek, ridding him of any delusions that this was a dream.

"Good morning," Ashitaka whispered as he shifted on to his side, "How was your sleep?"

"Wonderful," San replied in a half-yawn, half-groan, "I will admit that one thing you humans get right is comfort." San rolled out from under the covers and hopped to her feet. "Still, I would much rather live in my den then in such a small space."

"Then it's a good thing we're headed there, isn't it?" As Ashitaka was getting out of bed, he wondered if he would really need anything besides his weapons and clothes. He wouldn't need food, as it would be bountiful in the forest, and there was no need or space for furniture. "It shouldn't take me too long to gather my things."

Ashitaka slung his bow over one shoulder and his quiver over the other. He sheathed his sword in its leather scabbard. He put on his hood and cloak, deciding it would be easier to wear them than carry them all the way to the cave. He looked around briefly to see if he would need anything else. There were some things he could use whenever he was in Irontown, but nothing that would be of great importance while in the forest.

Before he and San departed, Ashitaka took the time to write a note explaining where he had gone, why he had left, and to inform Lady Eboshi of his departure. He nailed the message to his front door, the words facing outwards for all to see.

"Are you sure you have everything you need?" San asked.

"Yes," Ashitaka replied, "Let's go get Yakul."

Okami and Urufu were both still asleep when Ashitaka and San arrived at the den. They were awakened by the sound of their sister calling their names. They looked down from their perch above the forest to see that she was with the human, Ashitaka, and his elk-friend. The elder of the two looked towards the sky and was surprised at how long they had slept. Normally, they were up long before the sun even rose in the east.

The two wolves hopped down to meet their sister and her guests. Their fierce red eyes were watching Ashitaka's every movement as they studied everything about the human, from how he walked to the way he looked at them. They knew very well that San trusted him, though they had not interacted with him much after the Forest Spirit's death. From what they were able to gather, he was a strong yet wise warrior. Even then, he was human and allowed one of their most hated enemies to live. The two had been unsure of this peace. The human leader had been their enemy for years; they doubted she would change in just one day. Fortunately for Ashitaka, that woman had yet to go back on her word, so perhaps there was a chance this human hadn't made the mistake of letting her live.

"Greetings to you both," Ashitaka said with a bow, "I thank you for allowing me to come here today."

Okami and Urufu continued to silently observe Ashitaka. The boy was standing up straight and held his head high, but they could sense a mix of fear and respect within him.

"Hello, Ashitaka," Okami greeted, "I am Okami. This is my younger brother, Urufu." He gestured his head towards Urufu, who began to speak afterward.

"San has told us that you wish to live within our forest, and more specifically, within our den," The younger wolf said, "For what reason would you leave your kind and dwell amongst the primordial spirits of this forest?"

"I have made my choice for three reasons," Ashitaka answered, "The first and main reason is that I wish to spend the rest of my life with San. Amongst my kind, it is similar to how a wolf chooses a mate."

The two brothers recalled San's stories of how Ashitaka helped her recover from her injuries and keep her safe and away from other humans. When they thought back to the night they invaded Irontown to find their sister, it was clear that Ashitaka's affection for San was genuine.

"We have witnessed and have heard about the respect and adoration you hold for San. If she believes that you are a fitting mate, then we will trust her judgment." Ashitaka smiled and bowed, thanking the wolves for their faith and support. "What are your other two reasons?"

"The residents of Irontown no longer need my help in rebuilding. The town has been in excellent condition for several months now, and the building and repairs which were once crucial have ceased. I helped them to the best of my abilities. Now that everything has been restored, I have served my purpose and have little incentive to remain."

"You say you have little incentive, but I was under the impression that those humans held you in high regard," Okami pointed out, "Would you not wish to remain with the ones who revere you most?"

"That brings me to my third reason: I have few friends left in Irontown. After the Forest Spirit's death, one half of the town believed that we should leave the forest be and allow it to recover. The other half believed that Irontown's destruction and the war leading up to it was the fault of the spirits and Gods within the forest. Everybody knew that I was within the former group, though I don't know how many of them knew how much I cared for San. When it was revealed that I had been helping her recover in secret, more turned against me."

While Ashitaka, Okami, and Urufu were conversing, San was listening as she sat on a nearby log. She preferred to remain quiet unless they needed her to clarify something. Ashitaka answered each one of her brothers' questions with respect and ease, almost as if he had been practicing what he was going to say. He spoke with confidence but wasn't cocky. Her brothers asked only a few more questions before turning their heads towards each other and nodding.

"We have no qualms with you living with us," Okami said, "And we have no protests in you being our sister's mate."

Ashitaka's face grew bright as his smile grew and his eyes widened with joy. He quickly regained his composure and thanked the wolves, bowing before them a third time. San thanked her brothers for allowing Ashitaka to live with them; she wasn't sure if they were going to change their minds when she came back.

"Just one thing," Okami added, "You two sleep in the back of the cave so Urufu and I don't have to step over you to go inside while you sleep."

San and Ashitaka both chuckled. "That shouldn't be a problem," Ashitaka said.

Okami nodded his head as Urufu looked up towards the sky. The younger wolf couldn't believe how long he and his brother had slept. They would have gone hunting hours ago when most of their prey was awake and active, but now they would have to settle for the few which remained awake. "Okami and I are going to go hunting," Urufu said, "We slept past the hour of twilight and much of our prey have returned to their burrows and dens."

"Alright; we'll see you two soon," San said as her brothers headed into the trees. Ashitaka removed Yakul's saddle and held it under his arm. "Let's go up to the cave so you can drop off your belongings."

Ashitaka followed San up the path leading to the mouth of the cave. Before he went up to the den, Ashitaka told Yakul that he was free to roam as long as he was back by nightfall. He then turned back to the path, which was steep and narrow. He was able to keep his balance despite the uneven distribution of weight brought on by the saddle. Once they were inside, Ashitaka set his weapons down along with the saddle. He removed his hood and cloak and set them next to San's mask and headdress of wolf's fur.

The two lay down on a fur blanket which covered the straw bed below. Ashitaka had one arm wrapped around San's shoulders while she rested her head on his chest, listening to the slow beating of his heart.

"What do you think we should do later?" Ashitaka asked after a few moments of silence, "We have all the time in the world."

"We should go hunting for food," San replied, "Winter will be settling in, and most of the animals in the forest spend the season asleep."

Ashitaka nodded and nuzzled his chin against San's head. For now, he wanted to enjoy this peaceful moment with her. The light smile on his face reflected only a sliver of the joy in his heart. He knew that their lives would still be plagued by troubles and hardships, but he felt that the two could take on any challenge together.

"I love you," He whispered to her softly.

"I love you, too," She whispered back as she shifted her head slightly up his chest. Her words were genuine, not empty or filled with deception. The hand wrapped around her shoulders lay on her hair, gently stroking her uneven brown strands. The tranquility was something she couldn't remember feeling, even when she was with Ashitaka in Irontown. She knew that they would have to get up soon to go hunt, but she wanted to continue this moment for a while longer. For now, the prey could wait as the hunters relaxed.