A long way home

Led by the elders, we entered the village. I followed the elders, and the women followed me. The women now wore identical masks, representing the harvest goddess, handed to them by the elders.

Shadows danced along the settlement's lanes, sounds of drums and mouth organs filling the air. The villagers, carrying flickering torchlights, moved around, their faces obscured by masks, some animalistic, others abstract, each one more unsettling than the last. The sounds of laughter and chanting echoed off the walls of the homes, a mix of joy and primal calls.

Here and there, I saw dancing that had given way to copulation. Dancing couple would stumble and fall, giving in to their basic desires, with others watching or encouraging the lovers. Men and women would join in the kissing, rubbing, and pleasuring each other, the scent of sex floating over the village.

"Make way for the Lord of Nature!" Elder Takahiro would exclaim from time to time, and the villagers would stop what they were doing and begin to follow us.

So by the time we reached the village square, almost all of the villagers had surrounded us, waving and cheering.

Elder Takahiro raised his hand.

"Friends," he loudly addressed the hushed crowd. "Today, we had the privilege of welcoming the Lord of Nature to our rituals and ensuring an excellent harvest!"

The crowd buzzed.

"So enjoy yourselves and thank the spirits who will be kind to us this year, just like our lord and protector has been," he exclaimed, gesturing in my direction.

To loud cheers, the crowd bowed to me, the drums beating loudly once again.

"Let the feast continue!" bellowed Elder Takahiro. "And let the mother of our harvest be blessed by every man who is able!"

With that, he motioned for the third woman, the recent mother, to lie down. Several men stepped forward, and one of them knelt and entered the woman, pushing her feet apart. Other men took off her robe, touching her breasts, kissing and licking her face and body.

Chaos ensued around me. The villagers started to dance and sing again in a frenzy, watching the act in front of them, touching and fondling each other. As I made my way out of the square, I caught a glimpse of two men penetrating the recent mother at the same time, her body contorting in ecstasy, her voice a loud, high-pitched shriek.

I walked down the empty lanes toward the path we had taken on the way up here, my tiredness catching up with me.

Outside the village, the night air cooled my head, returning some of my senses. I paused, unsure if I would be able to find the way back home. The noise of the village was behind me, and ahead lay only the stillness of the vast meadow, with occasional trees and bushes darkening the scene.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and looked around. The moon hid behind the mountains, and I wasn't able to see even the outline of the trail I was looking for.

The landscape before me was unwelcoming and unfamiliar. I suddenly felt completely alone. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't scared. With the sword of Futsunushi strapped to my side, there wasn't much to be afraid of. But the sense of loneliness that one must experience when facing this formidable valley alone, struck me with unexpected force. Was I actually alone in the universe? Were my house and my wives merely trappings, not unlike the kimono draped over me? Or was I truly blessed with all that I had?

Before I could finish contemplating these questions, I noticed a faint glow in the distance.

Soon, it became clear to me that it was a small lantern, swaying gently with the steps of the person carrying it.

"Are you alright, Taro-sama?" I heard a familiar voice, and joy quickly filled my chest.

"Is that you, Aiko?" I asked, peering into the darkness.

"Who else would come to save you in the middle of the night, in the heart of my valley?" Her voice was calm and playful.

She raised the lantern to illuminate her face. Her soft smile was the prettiest thing I could have hoped to see.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

She approached and stopped right in front of me. "I heard that you were invited to the festival here, and I thought you might need my help. Was I wrong?"

I smiled and took her hand. "No, you weren't wrong. I'm happy to see you."

She smiled back. "I'm happy to see you, too."

She leaned forward and kissed me softly, but with quiet passion. "Let me guide you back to your home."

We started down the hill, walking slowly through the silent meadow. I couldn't take my eyes of Aiko's slender figure, memories of our night together quickly flooding my mind.

"I sense hunger in your gaze, samurai," Aiko chuckled, glancing back at me. "Aren't you exhausted after the festival?"

"I was," I replied, without thinking, "but not anymore. Not seeing you again."

She nodded, sighing with satisfaction. "It's pleasant to hear."

I pulled her closer and kissed her on the mouth. She put down the lantern, then wrapped her hands around my neck. "Do you want me?"

"I do," I groaned. "Desperately."

"I want you, too," she said calmly. "But first let me tell you the news. I've conceived."

I stared at her.

"Are you surprised?" she asked with a smile.

"No," I exclaimed, realizing my reaction wasn't what she must've expected.

She waited, looking tranquilly into my eyes. She kissed me again, and then asked. "I suppose you're not glad to hear it?"

I pulled her closer. "I'm happy you're with child. I just didn't expect to hear the news today—so soon."

Her lips curved up. "I have a feeling it's a girl. You're going to be the father of a beautiful young mountain princess, Taro-sama."

"Call me Taro," I uttered, lowering her onto the soft carpet of the meadow grasses.

"I will," she moaned, pressing my body into hers.