We lay panting, our bodies still intertwined, with me deep inside her, Aiko's soft moans caressing my ears.
"You know how to make a woman forget herself, Taro," she murmured.
There was something special about cumming once again into her, a free-spirited beautiful mountain dweller, who carried my future child. The energy I felt while penetrating her was different—pure, untamed, and strong. The way she moved in the heat of love, just like the way she walked, was fluid and effortless. Her joy was infectious, and when I was with her, I felt as if I, too, could break free from the expectations of my life.
"It's easy for me to forget myself with you," I replied, trying to read her expression in the dark.
She looked blissful and calm.
"It's very late," she said, finally stirring. "Let's walk to your home before they begin searching for you."
I looked up. She was right. I could only imagine what Takumi was going through right now. Probably roaming around the house, worried sick. Unless he was already roaming the hills with a search party, on horses and all.
I helped Aiko get up and held her in my arms for a few moments, feeling her heart beating fast. She smelled of fresh flowers.
"I'm so glad you came to find me tonight," I sighed.
She rubbed her cheek against mine. "Me too."
We walked slowly in the darkness, the quiet of the night surrounding us. Aiko's lantern flickered in front of us, her other hand brushing against mine.
After a while, Aiko tilted her head thoughtfully. "I want to tell you a story," she said slowly. "A sad story. One that I hope won't be repeated for you and I."
I felt a knot forming in my stomach. Even before Aiko continued, I could tell that this story would be important for me and my family.
She hesitated for a moment.
Then, in a low voice, she began.
"Many years ago," Aiko said, "your father also met someone in these mountains. He met a mountain princess. Another one, like me—who belonged to the earth, the winds, the spirits that dwell within these trees."
I stopped, stunned, and my pulse quickened. "My father also met a mountain princess?"
Aiko nodded slowly. "She was known by many names, but most called her simply the 'mountain princess of the north.' She was not just a protector of the valley, but also a keeper of secrets. And your father… he was not immune to her beauty or her power."
My mind reeled. "What are you saying? That they got together?"
"Yes… Naturally, their union was forbidden," Aiko continued, her voice getting mournful. "However, they couldn't resist it, and soon she bore a child." She paused, glancing back at me. "A girl. A child who had no place in your father's world or in the mountains."
"A child?" I repeated, barely able to believe it. "My father's daughter?"
My father! How many more secrets did the man have? It wasn't enough that he had secretly possessed the most powerful sword in the domain, he also had children I didn't know about.
"Does anyone else know of this?" I blurted.
Aiko shook her head. "Your father's honor wouldn't let him to speak of it. The mountain princess of the north was also too ashamed to let it be known. So the girl—she... disappeared. No one knows what happened to her. Only that her mother gave the child a magical amulet to protect her, wherever she might go. I heard it was a charm carved with the likeness of local animals—a deer, a fox, and a bird."
I had a half-sister I never knew about! Born to a mountain princess, no less…
As we started walking again, I couldn't pull myself together. The silence felt unbearable. "Did my father ever see her, the child?" I asked.
"I don't know," Aiko replied. "But I doubt it. No one knows the whole story…"
She sighed and touched my hand gently. "Taro, I beg of you, don't let our daughter suffer as that child. I shudder thinking what could've happened to the girl. The mountain princess of the north had been dead for years now—and the girl, if she's alive, must be living a solitary life, forgotten by everyone…" Aiko suddenly threw her arms around my neck. "Promise me, Taro! Promise me our daughter won't suffer the same terrible fate!"
I held Aiko tight. "Don't worry, Aiko! I promise. You'll never have to worry about our child's wellbeing and happiness. I'll treat her as my most beloved daughter, and she will never be lonely."
Aiko pressed against me. "Thank you, Taro." She looked up, searching my eyes in the dark. "I believe you."
We slowly walked some more.
Soon, I was able to see the lights of homes behind the bushes.
"I'll leave you here," Aiko said, pausing by the fork in the path. "You'll find your way from here."
She began walking towards the forest.
"Wait," I called. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Don't worry, samurai-sama," I heard her light laughter. "These are my mountains, remember?"
"Until we meet again," I said, watching her disappear into the complete darkness.
With a heavy heart, I approached my home.
I was thinking about my father's child and what her destiny must have been. I was also now worried about Aiko being alone in the mountains. Was I becoming too sentimental?
The sword warmed my side, as though it was telling me: no, I wasn't sentimental, I was on the right path.