Impossible!

"You can't imagine how worried I have been, master," Takumi droned as we walked toward the front door.

"Oh, I think I can," I replied, chuckling to myself.

Takumi met me at the foot of the path, looking gaunt and already equipped for a long search. I could tell that I'd returned just in time—my honorable chamberlain was on the verge of losing his last marbles.

"What happened? Did you meet any troubles in the mountains?" he persisted.

"No," I sighed. "I didn't meet any troubles. It just took me a while to wrap things up and find my way back."

Takumi sighed grievously, his hands clasped behind his back. "It's my fault, your lordship. I should've conducted you to the mountain and I should've guided you back home. That way I'd know that you're safe."

"Don't blame yourself," I waved a tired arm. "No harm, no foul."

His words only underscored how right I had been not to take him with me. One can only imagine the kind of nuisance he would've been at the festival with his obsession with protocol, propriety, and punctuality… Mr. Killjoy! Not to mention, that he would've ruined my meeting with Aiko…

Oh, Aiko, Aiko. I couldn't imagine what it was like for her to be up there all alone. Especially now that she was carrying my child inside her…

"I assume that after such a long day, you might wish for some rest," I heard Takumi's measured voice again.

"I do."

I was tempted to add that not hearing his remarks would greatly contribute to the rest I so desperately needed, but I restrained myself.

The chamberlain nodded quietly. "As you wish, my lord. I will let Miss Keiko know and ensure that your rest is not disturbed."

I paused in the middle of the corridor. "Miss Keiko? Why did you mention her?"

"Because she was very worried about you, master," Takumi replied, his tone as close to stern as he ever got. "I don't know how she found out about your absence, but just like me, she was beside herself."

I pictured little Keiko with her sad eyes, maybe even a tear running down her cheek. None of my wives, but my youngest concubine was the most worried about me. My father was right, she was special…

I felt the need to soothe her worries and put her mind at ease as quickly as possible.

"No, no, Takumi," I said. "I wouldn't want to do that to Miss Keiko. If she was as worried as you say, then bring her in whenever it's convenient for her."

"She was deeply worried, master," Takumi repeated. "Miss Keiko has a good heart."

Yes, she did. I knew that already.

I only had time to take off my outer kimono and freshen my face, when soft steps announced Keiko's arrival.

"You're back, Taro-dono!" she whispered warmly, throwing herself into my arms.

"Yes, I am back," I said, but that didn't stop her from starting to sob. "Why are you crying? What is it?"

Her breathing was hitched. "I… I… I was dying from worry."

I lifted her chin with my fingers. "But why? I was only gone for less than a day."

"I don't know," she continued to whine. "Something felt off today. I was worried something bad was going to happen to you."

"Well, I'm fine," I said, kissing her forehead. "You didn't have to worry."

"Oh, Taro-dono," she whispered. "I'm so happy you're okay! Please, kiss me. Kiss me some more!"

She raised her face to kiss me on the lips, her heart beating fast.

We kissed deeply, and soon fell onto the futon, Keiko on top of me. She mounted me, her hands feverishly moving my clothes out of her way. Apparently, I was already hard.

"Oh, Taro-dono," she moaned, hungrily impaling herself onto my cock. "Now I feel safer. Thank heavens you're back."

She rode me with an unusual impatience, slamming herself all the way down, right into my balls. My tiredness disappeared and I helped her by guiding her hips to intensify her movements.

"Make me happy, Taro-dono," she muttered. "Make me forget about everything else. When you possess me, I'm at ease, Taro-dono."

Her body shuddered as she was getting closer to the climax, and I realized that I wasn't far behind her. My back arched, lifting my hips off the futon, and I shot a huge load into Keiko just as she reached her own orgasm. Her stifled cry was sweet and pitiful at the same time.

"My Taro-dono," she breathed, lowering herself on top of me.

I held her tight.

"Your essence always comforts me," she whispered in my ear. "I'm so happy when I feel its warmth spreading inside me."

"Then you shall have my essence in you as often as you desire," I said.

She wrapped her hands around my neck almost reverently. "How can I ever thank you. I'm all yours in any way you want me."

I gently reached for her face, caressing her cheek, then ear, then neck.

My fingers felt something cold there.

"Oh, it's my necklace," Keiko murmured.

"You shall have as many rings and necklaces as you desire," I said. "You can have anything you want."

"I don't want more necklaces," she shook her head, without lifting it from my chest. "All I want is your essence. Besides, this is a special necklace. I've always had it."

I kissed her hair. "It must be very special. Can I see?"

"You've seen it before," she uttered, shifting her neck slightly to let the necklace slip into view.

I froze.

"Heavens! It's impossible!" I exclaimed.

Staring me in the face were tiny figurines of a deer, a fox, and a bird!