Ashitaka couldn't stay. He felt guilty for leaving San to fend for herself with the wise woman and the Samurai who had learned of where she was from and cornered her with questions about Iron town, but he needed to get away. After giving Yakul a good rubbing, and giving him a rice cake in thanks for his hard work, Ashitaka strolled out of the village, feeling the eyes of the pent up villagers on his back as they peered out their windows.

He walked quickly, just in case the Samurai were still watching his every move. Although the suspected they would not argue much if he fled. He would not be punished for returning to his home, but he would not be welcomed either.

Grass was forcing its way through the cracks in mortar of the stonewalled walkway. It reminded Ashitaka of the forest, San's forest. Of how Iron town had blown away in the wind. Of how man will always succumb to nature in the end. He grimaced - it wasn't a comforting thought. He brushed his fingers over the stones, hoping that his hand might suddenly come upon a remnant of the past, a way to return to what once was. But his Emishi village was gone. He felt like one of these old rocks, being forced out by fresh, new grass, and unwanted by the world.

He winded back up the hill, over to where the watchtower used to stand tall. All that was left was wooden spikes sticking out of the grass like multi pointed spears. He sighed, and sat with his back against one, looking out over the mountains of green. He had come all this way. And there was no going back. He felt it in his bones. Somehow, he knew he would never return to Iron town.

But he also knew he could never stay here.

"Ashitaka." A voice dragged him from his turmoil of thoughts. He looked up to see Kya standing over him, her round face blocking the sun from landing upon his own.

"Sister," he said. He held out a hand to her. She ignored it, but sank to her knees, settling onto her heels. He watched her scrutinize him. She still didn't quite believe it was him. Ashitaka felt hollowed out.

"Mitsuki told me you listened to our conversation," Kya said finally, resting her hands in her lap.

Ashitaka offered no apology.

"So you know I am the legitimate heir to the throne."

"You are a real princess now," Ashitaka said, feeling his scorn rising and not knowing how to stop it. "Or an empress. Shall I bow to you?"

Kya shot him a glare. "Since you have returned, there has been question of who is the real heir, brother. You are no longer an Emishi prince, but that doesn't stop you from being a prince of the empire."

"I am no prince." Ashitaka stared past his sister's frustrated gaze. The realization had come to him the night before, after the lovely Mitsuki has called him a coward and stormed off. But there was no way he could ever be an emperor, and rule the freedom of others. He allowed himself a glance at his sister. This new girl in front of him could be though.

"It doesn't matter how you feel about it Ashitaka," Kya said. "Blood is blood, and you have the emperor's blood flowing inside you. But the General Nikodu, and those who follow him, don't know it. They believe you to be dead and me to be the heir."

"What are you trying to say, Kya," Ashitaka said. It hurt him, the way she was regarding him. Her eyes were so cold.

"It means we can use their ignorance to our power. While they hunt me, we will send you to the capital and you will assume your role as emperor. If you do not wish to rule, it is your choice to give your title to someone else. But as of right now, you are the rightful ruler of the empire."

Ashitaka stared at his hands. The fading blue tendrils of the demon's hate still twined around his thumb. He had overcome so much. But he did not want to have to overcome this.

"Kya, I don't know if I can agree to such a plan. San, she's so ill. I could not leave her behind."

Kya rolled her eyes. "San is healing quickly, she has the strength of a wolf."

Ashitaka hid his smile.

They fell into silence. Ashitaka watched his sister pick at the grass, her face a mask of unhappiness.

"Why did you give her the necklace?"

The question surprised him.

"I gave it to her for the same reason you gave it to me," said Ashitaka.

"You love her?" Kya asked.

Ashitaka nodded. "I did not know if I would live to see her again. I wanted her to have a way to remember me."

Kya's frown turned to a vengeful smile. "You exchanged the memory of me for the love of her. I knew it." She jumped to her feet. Ashitaka didn't miss the tears splashing down her cheeks. "I'm happy to finally see how much you care about me."

She turned to run back down the hill, but Ashitaka scrambled up and grabbed her arm.

"I will give the throne to you," he said, pleadingly. "You will make a powerful empress."

"You can't make me trust you again, brother," Kya spat.

"Kya, stop acting like a child. You know I never needed a necklace to remember my only sister."

Kya ripped her arm free, and gave him a glare that made his heart sink.

"I was a child when you abandoned me, brother, I was a fool. But I am a child no longer. And it's too late to earn my forgiveness."

She turned and marched back towards the village. Ashitaka clenched his fist, his heart pounding.

There was a soft hiss behind him, and the sound of the wind through a tunnel. Ashitaka didn't bother to grace his mysterious follower with a glance. He followed his sister back down the grassy slope, wondering if he'd ever find any peace