Disclaimers: These fabulous characters do not belong to me. They belong to Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, and Miramax films. Anyone I left out, sorry! The only characters that belong to me, are any created characters that may pop up in the story, but there won't be many of them.

And now for a few notes. I know the story takes place in midieval Japan, but I'm not the best with names and things like that. So any liberties I take with locations, beliefs and names, they are not meant to reflect on that aspect, because I know very little about midieval Japan.

Also, I have given Moro's pups names, because I could not find any. If anyone knows their actual names please email me them, and I'll. . . I'll make you some free fanart. BUT ONLY IF THEY'RE REAL NAMES OF THE WOLVES!

Any lines in italics are the words of the animals, most commonly, the wolves.

With that out of the way, I hope you enjoy my story.

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Chapter 4: Hassles

by Ritsuko

Ashitaka groaned as he walked out of the new bellows, the women calling their goodbyes and usual flirtations. Even though some still feared his alliance with San, that didn't stop the ex-brothel girls from their giggles, roaming eyes, and everyonce in awhile, an accidental hand brushing up against him as he worked the bellows. Still, he didn't mind all that much. Helping out the women gave them rests and helped him maintain his strength.

Most of the original women who had worked the bellows had started to settle down in the town, what with the smaller bellows, and were trusted to farming in the newly made farms right outside the town. Some were even pregnant.

Ashitaka smiled at the thought of Toki, who, being so naturally stubborn and controlling of her husband, was now one who had to sit back and wait for her child to come. She still insisted to stay in the bellows, watching over the other girls, like it was her duty.

The thought of Toki, so full of life and happiness. . . would San and he ever. . .?

'Not now', Ashitaka thought bitterly, as it was going, there was no chance that he and the Wolf Princess could ever stay together, much less raise a child. Their time was limited when they saw each other as it was. A wiser man would probably settle down with someone else, but he couldn't tell his heart whom to love.

'I probably should have slept last night. . .' he told himself, realizing that he had a full day to get through, even if he wanted to see San. First, he had to check in with Eboshi, and make sure of his tasks for the day, in case she had changed anything around, making him take time from the more important duties. Then, he had to escort the oxen teams to the mountain pass. They were still leery, truce or not, of attacks. Then, he could do a sweep of the forest before checking the mines and meeting San. More work would surely await him afterwards though. Ashitaka sighed as he mounted the stairs to Eboshi's rooms, wondering that if Nahgo had never attacked his villiage, his life would have been ten times easier. Staring a moment at his roughened, calloused hands, he knew it would have been.

But there would be no San.

Ashitaka smiled to himself. Were he still at home, he would be marrying his cousin Nakira withing the year. She who was docile, quiet, shy, and hated dirt of any kind. She was exactly the opposite of what San was. The thought almost made him chuckle. Maybe that was why he loved San so much. The thought of marrying Nakira when he was still with the Emishi had made him blanch.

He had almost gotten to the top when he heard a scream, a crash, and someone running for the door. Quickly, he jumped the last few steps and threw open the door. Eboshi lay on the floor, looking pale, as a few of her lepers tried to assist her. One hurried as quickly as it could to Ashitaka.

'Lady Eboshi! She's been poisoned!'

TO BE CONTINUED. . .



Dear god no!