Katanagatari belongs to Nishio Ishin.

Title: Unconcealed

Notes: (1) This is a ficcional work, elements of the original work can be altered for better compatibility with this story.

(2) English is not my first language, sorry my grammar.

I hope you enjoy!

The expensive kimono was open and golden hair was a mess, her moans filled the room. He was partially naked, wedged between thin legs, his reddish hair was covered with sweat, his breath noisy.

It was not the first time they'd done those dirty things. Emonzaemon swore to obey Hitei Hime in all her requests and all her wishes. But that was the first time he had taken the initiative, opening the bedroom door and taking her to himself without waiting for her to order it.

Her blue eyes focused on the white mask, so perfectly polished that she could see her own reflection. Rough hands traced the delicate curves until the hands intertwined gently, then he took her lips and her body trembling against his.

It was not the first time Emonzaemon had kissed Hitei Hime, but it was the first time that contact was so intense, full of passion and lust. It was as if something had happened during his travels for information, something that had marked him so deeply that he needed to express it somehow.

He lay beside her on the futon, hugging the female body and drowning his face in the light-haired sea, and remained so until he felt her breathing become light and rhythmic.

It was not the first time Emonzaemon slept in the princess's bed, but it was the first time his arms had comfortably protected her. And it was the first time Hitei had heard him whisper a 'I love you' into her hair, while he believed she was asleep.

And as at all other times, he was not there when she woke up in the next morning. And as at all other times, they pretended that night had never happened. And as at all other times, Hitei vowed to herself that this would be the last time.

=8=

The tea cooled quickly as he drew new lines on the map. The winter wind blew through the window and she cringed in the not-so-expensive kimono and stared at the mask at her feet, not so bright and polished anymore, but it still made her feel nostalgic.

It was not the first time that Hitei and Shichika were staying in a cheap hotel protecting themselves from rain or cold. Shichika was so focused on the production of the map that he forgot all the rest, including the -now no more- princess, who accompanied him. It was not the first time she had spent hours in the company of Emonzaemon's mask, the only memento he had left, but it was the first time she smiled at the kanji drawn in the white porcelain and in a soft whisper a answered for his 'I love you'.

N/T: [1] The title is based in kanji that appears in the mask of Emonzaemon (不忍). It that can be read as Unconcealed

Thank you for reading.

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