Mizuki's eyes narrowed, her demonic energy briefly flashing triple of what it usually was but soon disappeared as Asuka entered the scene. Blinking, she watched the battle unfold but soon Asuka came out victorious by cutting off both of the man's arms. He soon retreated, cursing at the ronin before he departed. Relaxing, the princess followed Hanami to Asuka with a soft frown of concern. The ronin didn't seem like the same woman like she acted usually. Although Asuka seemed to have reverted back to her usual self, it appeared there was darkness in her heart. A dark beast lurking within that was quick to anger.

Delicious.... Corruption....

Pausing, the half demon glanced around as she thought she heard something. Seeing none, she shrugged before smiling at both of her companions. Nodding in agreement at Hanami's words before skipping off ahead of them. Following the scent trail Asuka and Hanami left on their way to the ruins. Upon seeing Akane and Kouko, Mizuki waved cheerfully as if nothing serious happened as she bounded up to them with a bounce in her step.

It was probably odd seeing someone who was just captured and witnessed a brutal encounter between one of her guardians and a man with a demon pact, but Mizuki brushed it off. Unsure exactly how to feel about it. On one hand, she thought it was too brutal of Asuka to do that, on another he kind of deserved it. And it was somehow thrilling to watch such a battle. Creepy. Mhmm.. She never got such a sensation back at the palace.

"Hi Akane-San, Kouko-San. Sorry about the whole getting captured by some shadow earlier, yeah we are fine. Just a bit of a... Samurai dual. The mans alive but Asuka cut his arms off so he can't use a sword again. No worries." Mizuki smiled softly before heading back to camp. Feeling a little sluggish as her energy was running low again by the running around and the stressed out atmosphere.

Kaede appeared behind the princess after a long and impressive set of actions that had helped everyone in some small way. She ruffled Mizuki's hair in a gruff show of affection before speaking. "Yes thats been taken care of but Hime-sama you look a little faint. I think the day of excitement and battles is over, you should get some sleep. Asuka-san handled the situation in an honourable fashion."

SailorMoon said
"We shouldn't have to worry about him showing his face again, but... It would probably be a good idea if we get back to the others and get some rest." She addressed them both, speaking casually as if she didn't just get kidnapped. Afterward, she would lead Mizuki and Asuka back to the camp sight to meet up with everyone again.

She was normal again, or....at least that's what Asuka thought as she heard what may or may not be the last of foul utterances from Gankuro's accursed mouth in his cowardly retreat, his angry words that reeked of his venomous scent fading off into the shadows cast by the pale moonlight, able to shine now that the Black Serpent's ominous and foreboding presence had gone from the once sacred grounds of the weathering shrine, his shadows no longer constricting that beautiful glow of cream white, but despite the natural essence and beauty the full moon had restored, it also revealed....the ugliness. Asuka...she was covered from head to toe in the bastard's blood, even her sword, which she unsheathed again to observe the malice that had recently taken place upon its blade...that never once in its lifetime had shed blood, was bathed in viscous red liquid..... Despite my victory over him....Kurohebi is the real winner...that he is..... And to make such matters worse, they had seen it all unfold. Before the very eyes of Hanami and Mizuki, they witnessed the awesome but terrifying power of the Wind of Death, with all her hatred, all her rage in full tow, and what pain it brought the ronin to reveal that side of herself....to those she wished to protect.

The return to the camp was but a short path through the forest, but to her, it felt as though the longest journey of all. She walked beside Hanami, not once speaking a word to her peaceful companion, instead keeping her eyes affixed to the road ahead...and her mind entrapped upon this very battle. What would the others consider of her now? It already appeared that the Princess noted a difference in the lowly ronin, how her demeanor, often cheery and bubbly around her guardians, seemed to shift for a moment to an apprehensive frown when her gold, honey colored eyes flashed upon that fearsome glare the warrior gave in battle, and how afterwards the young half-demon somewhat...kept her distance from Asuka. But why blame her, for even she was afraid of herself, guaranteed to have yet again an ungraceful night of sleep, haunted forever by her own venomous stare and the spattering of fresh, slaughtered blood across her hardened and grim face. "Miko-dono...." finally, she managed to whisper to the young maiden...but her eyes refused contact. "Whenever we return to our camp, I would ask if you would pray over me, that I most humbly request of you...." It was not as if she had killed again, but still...even carving off the arms off a man ever so brutally...was still seen to the ronin as a vile act against her solemn vow, and maybe just a bit of company with her more trusted companions could ease her mind.

"Ah...here we are." Finally...home...or at least the home the traveling women made of this enchanted forest for now....

The had found the missing members of their group. Luckily, it seemed as though the Princess had not actually come to any harm. That was most fortunate... Something seemed different about Kushiami, but she was more concerned over their charge. She was sure that the ronin could take care of herself. "Hime-sama." Despite what she said had happened, the princess seemed awfully calm about it. It was abnormal, she would expect someone who was so sheltered to react much more... dramatically. She was brushing this off as though she'd seen it all before, many times.

"You seem to be tired. Please, remain in camp tonight, and don't run off without us again. We're supposed to protect you, so if you would please keep one of us at your side at all times." The tiny woman walked at the Princess's side, relieved that the events of the day seemed to be at an end. Though, it made her uneasy that such a foul presence so easily penetrated this sacred forest... had it overpowered the spirits that dwell here? It seemed as though very powerful forces, indeed, were pursuing them...

"No, Akane-san, but we can all rest easily now..." She hoped those words would be enough to reassure the demon-slayer of their success, but when Mizuki chimed in she found herself cringing as she recalled the event of Asuka cutting both of Gankuro's arms from his body. A slight shiver went up her spine as she sighed. She couldn't be so sure that Gankuro would never find a way to wield a weapon again. After all, They had their own one armed warrior on their team.

Hanami blinked away from where Mizuki was headed with Kouko as she looked up at The Ronin, finding it strange that she didn't make eye contact with her when she asked that question. It was a little unsettling that Asuka had chosen to keep quiet the whole time, but she had grown accustomed to the silence in her day-to-day life and figured it was best she didn't bother the Ronin with any questions.

"Y-yes, Asuka-san... Of course." She said softly in response. She would make time to pray for them all and the forest spirits which had grown restless from the recent attacks and the unfamiliar presence of the female warriors.

When they arrived back at the clearing where the tree spirit last left them, Hanami decided she would take the opportunity to finally unwind by spending some time by the stream. "Ahhh." She sighed as she sat down on the plush grass by the stream. She gently ran her fingertips across the waters surface, eyes widening as the fish she never noticed before swam closer to her hand. She thought to move her hand away, but did not, figuring this fish was just one of the many spirits that resided within the forest.

Now fully relaxed, she used the trickling sounds of the water to center herself and pray. Afterward, she rolled up the length of her hakama and stuck her bare feet into the stream, staring up at the dark sky and listening to the night.

Yawning a little, she smiled as Kaede gingerly ruffled the top of her head with gruff affection. Her large ears twitching a little at the contact before her golden gaze looked to Kouko as the smaller guardian pleaded for the Princess to remain in camp. Although Mizuki would love to explore the forest more with hopefully little danger, her excitement from earlier was drained from this current encounter by attempting to avoid the shadow captor.

"Okay okay Kouko-San, I'll stay put for the night.. I'm too tired to go adventuring anyhow." she smiled with a slight murmur, eyes flicking to Yuki practicing it seemed normally, Mizuki would enjoy watching the display having been used to watching her brother train simialry.

Rubbing her golden eyes sleepily, ears perked as she looked to Asuka and Hanami were really alright before yawning again as she turned sleepily to Kaede. "Kaede-San can I sleep with you tonight? Your warm and soft." Mizuki murmured more sleepily, not realizing her words could be taken out of context. Before the fellow half demon could answer, Mizuki's head suddenly plopped foreword onto Kaede's shoulder.

After a few heartbeats, she was breathing softly, having suddenly fallen asleep while standing up.

After that battle, it was safe to say Asuka reeked of death's ominous scent, that iron and metallic smell of blood heavy upon her battered and torn skin, not to mention exerting herself like that may have re-opened her ghastly wounds upon her abs and her stomach. Luckily, no, but they did ache a bit more from pushing her tired and withered body to its limit. It had been forever since he had fought in that way, the way which was her old self...a part of her the ronin feared...was slowly but surely returning. Tonight was just an extent of the true Slayer of a Thousand's unstoppable presence. What could tomorrow bring? Would tomorrow finally be that day when Asuka banished every inch of her that is good, whole-hearted, and cast it unto the abyss to welcome back the Wind of Death with full force? No....as long as she stood upon her own two feet, never again would she return to such a dark and violent persona. And thankfully, she wouldn't have to tonight, or once again unsheathe her sword for that matter. Finally, it was peaceful. The tranquility that fiend Gankuro robbed of this sacred place with his horrid shadows had returned greatly as the spirits of the forest celebrated in their own jovial and whimsical ways.

There were fireflies out tonight too, little stars that seemed to have fallen from the heavens above and flickered and fluttered about these tired and weary travelers. Such an eventful evening indeed it been, but now it was over and the midnight sun....that pleasant full moon....was in bright spirits with her pale light dancing upon the stream, notably calmer than before...the water almost as still as glass until Asuka disrupted that stillness wading into the shallow portion of the stream, fully clothed mind you, as she was only washing off the dried blood left upon her, not to mentioned her clothes were quite bloodied too. She shivered a little at the brisk touch of the water to her sensitive exterior, but gradually she eased into it....feeling yet again at peace. Her hand reached for the silk black hair tie that kept her ponytail in place and removed it, letting her dark hair fall about her rather slim shoulders as she closed her eyes and submerged into the clear, cool water. She opened her eyes momentarily underneath, noting how....different it felt under the water....such a different world below, even more mysterious with the rays of the moon permeating the crystal surface and casting dim light upon everything. She resurfaced again with a breath of air taken in and exhaled, pushing back her damp and heavy hair, a few meticulous strands clinging to her face and obscuring the scar on her cheek, a parting gift from that creature Kurohebi.

Asuka soon recognized she was not alone, for Hanami had also come to the stream to relax. The samurai observed the young miko, listening to her quiet but sweetly rendered prayer before she rolled her hakama to her knees, giving a generous gander at her legs, which Asuka refrained from staring at, for her eyes seem to fall upon Hanami's face...... She looked so peaceful, so innocent in comparison to the ronin, nothing wrong could be seen in those dazzling eyes of hers, a different story for those who looked into Asuka's. You could see everything in hers, her wretched past, her guilt, everything......but in Hanami's, there was nothing of the sort to Asuka.... A sigh escaping her, the samurai resumed washing blood away from her, occasionally stopping to look upon the beautiful shrine maiden....

"If it's all the same to you, I am terrible with names." Ariiko stood up, the blanket sliding off of her. "Starlight... my name is Ariiko. Ariiko Hideniyo. Thank you for the care... but I must leave." She began to go out the door... then stopped. She stood frozen in the door frame and turned around, her eyes a shade of red not unlike the petals of a rose. The woman sauntered back over to Noriaki and would push her against the wall. If Noriaki hadn't fought back by then, she would have passionately kissed the woman she had deemed as "Starlight."

Kaede's eyes went slightly wide at the little Princess's plea and made some stuttered answer. "Well H-Hime-sama, I'm not sure that.. I mean is that appropria-" But before she could really get anything out she had been forced to catch the little princess before she hit the ground. She was a little surprised, then she sighed and grinned at the adorable face Mizuki made as she slept and shrugged in acceptance. She slowly edged Mizuki from her shoulder and into her arms before lifting her up gently.

"I suppose I will put our Princess to sleep then, and maybe I can finally get some rest." She grumbled to herself. This was not like a usual guardian duty day, usually there was a few bandit fights and then the rest of the time was plain sailing. This was the FIRST DAY and they had already fought a giant wooden bear, an army of puppets and some madman from the forest who had sold his soul. If nothing else, this job would keep her occupied. By now her body had almost completely dealt with the poison in its system, but she was now exhausted. She carried over the little princess to the bedrolls and gently laid her down before lying down next to her, letting the sleeping girl curl into Kaede's larger frame, the pair drifting off to sleep quickly.

For a brief moment, Noriaki was hurt - emotionally as the woman, Ariiko Hideniyo, made it clear that the two of them would likely not be on a name-to-name basis. That hurt was gone when the nickname, the appropriate and quite adorable nickname. Noriaki would have to deal with it; usually it was she who gave people nicknames - but in her case it was less a sign of genuine affection and more an excuse not to remember the names of the one-off village and city maidens she enjoyed. But now the issue switched from names to Ariiko fleeing. Noriaki was frozen, here was a woman freshly tended and in recovery, who was pulling the same tricks Noriaki pulled on one night stands. The tables had been turned, and so effortlessly. She was in disbelief, and the only thought going through her head was simple. She didn't want Ariiko to leave, for she felt the two would never meet again. After all, for the past few hours, Ariiko had been a muse, and that was something you held onto. Until the next one came along.

Noriaki opened her mouth to call out to Ariiko, to tell her to wait...but no word escaped. But perhaps Ariiko felt it, for the woman stopped and turned.She took notice of Ariiko's eyes, Were they always that shade? Admittedly Noriaki couldn't really get a good look at them, they were closed...and her gaze was constantly focused elsewhere...but she hadn't noticed the color, the way it looked like the sun on fire in the dawn horizon. So focused on the eyes, Noriaki made no sudden movements as Ariiko pushed her against the wall. And no movements were made as a kiss was shared, save for Noriaki placing her hands on the back of her red-eyed muse. Time stopped for that moment, the two of them sharing a kiss, and as Noriaki broke the hold on their lips, there was a faint blush on her cheeks. Truly, the tables had been turned. And Noriaki didn't mind.

"You don't have to leave, my muse, my beautiful rose. You can stay. With me, here, in this room. Stay, and gaze into the Starlight as I will look longingly into the Dawnrise that is your red gaze. It is not often one succeeds in surprising me, but you have been a most welcome surprise. Allow me to return the favor to you, by giving you a surprise as well as a memory you will not soon forget."

The woman dubbed Starlight grinned towards Ariiko, glad, at least, to have another moment.

Hanami turned her attention to the sound of light splashing in the stream coming from nearby. She did a double take when she saw Asuka in the water washing her body and blushed, noticing how her garments and hair clung to her body like a second skin and glistened so... majestically in the moon light. For some reason, she found this very inappropriate, and started to look away but...Asuka had glanced her way.

"Asuka-san, w-wh...what are you doing in there?!" She folded her arms, turning her head away and of course stealing a peek at the dripping wet ronin. "Y-you'll catch a cold if you stay in those clothes..." Realizing what she said, her blush deepened as she was not trying to imply that Asuka should get naked in front of her even though it would be much better for her... health wise. Yes! Maybe she should get undressed then... There was no room for a sick ronin on this mission. At least, that's what she told herself.

"I will get Mizuki's kimono, and you can wear it when you get out..." Hanami went over to where she left the Kimono and brought it back over to the stream. She dusted her hands lightly before she hopped onto some stepping stones to get a pinch closer to Asuka where she could leave the kimono. So far she had traveled along the several stones safely, but her foot slipped on the next stone covered in more algae than usual. "Gahh!" She yelped as she fell into the water. Luckily, the water only went up to her thighs. Hanami sighed, thankful that she didn't drop Mizuki's kimono into the water, yet also sad that more than half of her hakama was soaking wet.

It was just... too late for this to be happening, but Asuka was still watching and she didn't want to complain in front of her. "I'm okay!" She smiled nervously, balling the length of hakama up as it was becoming weighed down by the water.

Ariiko's red gaze flicked up and down Noriaki's form, listening to her speak of a promising, pleasure filled night. She was silent for a moment before twisting her lips into a smirk. She leaned in, nearly nose to nose with the pale haired woman, her fingers cupping her chin.
"And allow you the honor of forgetting my name tomorrow?" Ariikos voice had heightened it's pitch, a quirky voice came from the warriors lips instead of her deep, stony voice of reason. Reason had been traded for rhyme; and along with the switch all inhibitions and set backs. She leaned in to the womans ear, hissing a poets words.
"When I walk away; will you follow and toss up sweet nothings for an eternity? Or am I just another long-haired individual for which you beg of a moment of pleasure?" Ariiko pulled back, her hand in Noriaks hair. As she left her side the hair slid out of her hand and back into place. Ariiko blushed and licked the flat of her thumb, looking at Noriaki.
"I do wish to see more of you... what was that she called you? Ah... yes... 'Starlight.'" She laughed and walked away with a saunter, begginning out the door once again. As she passed the door frame her eyes went from red to a dark brown, and to the warrior no time had passed since she first attempted to exit to begin with.

"Asuka-san, w-wh...what are you doing in there?!"

When she heard the astounded mention of her name call from the miko's lips, Asuka immediately tensed all her muscles at once, practically locking herself in place where she stood in that...definitely cold water, but despite the temperature surrounding her, how did her face get so damn warm all of a sudden. Her cheeks were possibly glowing beat red against the contrasting pale moonlight that fell upon her skin, glistening now off the stray beads of water that clung to her, as such did her damp clothing. "O-oro? Miko-dono! H-how nice to see you here, that it is." Nervously, the ronin gave a bit of a halfhearted grin to the girl and hesitantly scratched the back of her head with a free hand, while the other coyly censored her breasts, though they were shrouded and wrapped tightly in gauze bandages. The maiden, she was afraid Asuka might catch a cold or some sickness wading about in that brisk but relaxing stream, oddly more relaxing than what possibilities the Onsen could've held in its warm and rejuvenating waters, had Asuka obliged the opportunity instead of stayed to herself. Of course they were all women, but.....that was the point. Asuka just....grew nervous around her own, especially when they're disrobed. But wait....if staying in wet clothes meant Asuka could catch a cold....then was Hanami asking her to..... Immediately again Asuka turned red.

"Ah um! W-wait Miko-dono! I-i-I'm perfectly fine, that I am!" Hastily, she tried to call after the girl as Hanami fled for the Princess' kimono, the very same Mizuki had let Hanami wear when she fell in this very stream earlier today. "There's no need to gather more clothes for me, indeed there isn't, and I'm sure Hime-dono would love to have her kimono back, that I'm most certainly sure ehehehe....!" But no use. Moments later, the miko returned with Hime-dono's colorful kimono in hand. Asuka precariously observed as she nimbly made her way across the stones, so far so good until the last stone, practically green with as much slippery forest moss had grown upon it. "Oro!" Quickly, Asuka tried to rush over and grab Hanami before she fell into the water, but too late. At least she wasn't completely soaked like the ronin was, but still....she was close....very close to Asuka. "Ehehehe....well I guess that makes both of us who need dry clothes now..." Anxiously, Asuka replied, but immediately caught herself. What the hell was SHE implying now?! "Eh...umm....gomenasai, Miko-dono. I-I meant....well...I don't want you to catch a cold either, that I wouldn't." Humbly, she bowed her head to Hanami, already feeling the heat in her cheeks intensify into a burning blush. Why did she have to be a nervous wreck around this girl....?

How curious, this woman, her manner of speech so different than what she expected. The blush on her cheeks only intensified as their faces drew close together, so close that Noriaki could swear she could feel their breaths on their skin. She wasn't used to this...this feeling of being drawn into the whims of another's flight of fancy...and yet it all felt so familiar...and not unwanted. But there was something in Ariiko's words that she took issue with, moments in her speech, her sultry, seductive phrases that caused Noriaki to hesitate, to cant her head to the side.

As Ariiko pulled away, returning towards the door, Noriaki stood in brief hesitation, staring towards the departing woman's backside, gathering her thoughts, and more importantly - calming her breathing. She shook her head. Hesitation was not what Noriaki Okamoto did, not now, not ever. She'd never live it down if she let this fish escape the net, this rose to wilt and spoil the garden.

"Ariiko," Noriako said, stepping towards the door, following after the woman, "Yours will be a name I commit to memory, never forgetting, for you have been a muse, a being from above, and I would be lesser for forgetting a name as fair and lovely as yours. I will not beg you for the pleasure of my company, or the pleasure of yours, begging is an act of desperation, and though I long to see you, to lay with you, to use you as a source of inspiration, I will not beg. I am speaking true, speaking genuinely, I do not wish you to walk out that door alone, for in doing so you walk out of my life. In a few days time I will be gone of this place, and I would prefer not to do so alone, and I know that deep down...you are of similar mind. Stay with me. Travel with me. I will be your protector, and you my muse."

Noriaki reached out a hand to touch Ariiko's shoulder, having said her piece. She had been laying it on quite thick, but desperate times called for pleas of desperation. It had been a while since Noriaki was willing to remember the name of a potential nightly companion, and with the Princess and the guardians she was so fond of seemingly off and on their quest without their poet warrior, Noriaki was not willing to let another leave so easily.

But she would not beg, and she would respect Ariiko's decision one way or the other.

"Ah?" Ariiko turned her head, confused as to the sudden change in Noriakis demeanor. She felt the hand on her shoulder and turned to the woman. She heard her words... what was all this about begging? Ah, Ida had probably said something. Inwardly, she cursed her demon. However, Starlight... was indeed beautiful, and she had tended Ariikos wounds. Would it be so bad to allow this woman to ease her more?
"Is it true, what you say about allowing travel with each other's company?" She decided to allow Ida's lead on this to fall through, and she took Noriakis hands in hers. Perhaps this wouldn't be a bad idea to achieve her end goal. "I am in no need of protection but am willing to share blades with someone as fair and kind a maiden you are." Her dark eyes looked into the womans, a deep anger behind her eyes, buried beneath the compassion she showed now. Yet her thoughts mingled, tying in to the thought process Ida may have had. Yes... A night with her. That would grant her what she needed. She leaned forward, her hand on Noriaki's cheek.
"Say you wish me to stay, and I will." Her lips were mere inches from Noriakis.

"I'm...quite alright, Asuka-san." She said nervously in hopes that the Ronin would just stay over in her little area, but no... Asuka had already made her way over to her, and Hanami could see so much! More than she dare say she wanted to see... Looking away rather shyly from the Ronin, her eyes widened in disbelief. Did she just? Hanami's arms wrapped around herself lightly when Asuka bowed her head in apology. It wasn't so bad that it made her feel uncomfortable, but...to be so forward. Perhaps, she didn't mean that she wanted to see her naked again, but was actually showing concern for Hanami's health? "Ehehe." The red on her cheeks intensified, and she tried her best not to look at her, but it was hard because they were so close and she might actually enjoy seeing her face a little. Plus, It was quite cute how Asuka got all flustered and red -- it was almost as if she hadn't witnessed that brutal display earlier with Kurohebi...

"Asuka-san," She patted the top of Asuka's tilted head very lightly, smiling at the way her hair felt like silk underneath her fingertips. "Don't worry..." She said softly as she pulled her hand back and crossed her arms across her chest again. A cool breeze blew, and Hanami shivered, cold from being in the stream so long. As much as she wanted to stay and talk with her, she didn't want to get sick and become a burden. "I think I'm going to get out now..." A little smile lit up her face before she turned and started toward the land, all the while bunching up the length of her hakama and squeezing out the excess water when she was finally out. Feeling uncomfortable and heavy, she slipped off her hakama. Possibly unfortunately for Asuka, her haori jacket was long enough just to cover her more private parts. Spotting a low hanging branch, she hung it up to dry.

"I'm going to join Hime-dono and Kaede-san in rest. You should join me, Asuka-san." With that, Hanami disappeared into the giant tree, shocked at how wrong her last sentence came across.

Sleep Sleep, Sleep was all Akane could think of. Even making any attempt at criticizing Asuka not finishing off her opponent felt like more work than it was worth. "Well all of you have fun. I'm going to take a nap." She walked back to camp completely exhausted after the day's events. If anything she was far more likely to pass out than fall asleep normally. As she neared their original area she put down all of her weapons and found a nice little spot near tree away from the others.

As she slowly drifted off into sleep Akane could only think about all the things she could get with her reward. "Harem, Harems everywhere!" she mumbled in her sleep.

The first thing Noriaki noticed was Ariiko's eyes. They were not as clearly red as they were upon the two of them sharing their first kiss. It gave Noriaki but a moment's pause. Perhaps, in her excited state she had simply confused the color, had assumed the brown to be more red in color, it was as good an explanation as she needed, and it wasn't as if she was going to ask now. For one thing, it didn't matter - not at this moment, and for another, asking such a question would simply spoil the mood. And if there was one thing Noriaki was good at, it was taking advantage of the mood of any given room that featured her and another partner in it.

Noriaki slowly pointed her head to the pair of swords resting against the corner, showing Ariiko in a simple gesture the seriousness of her earlier claims. Finally, an ounce of respect, of admiration, of acknowledgement, it was more than she had gotten previously, and she could think of worse things than travelling with this woman, fighting together as needed; the princess and her actual duty as royal guardian was furthest from her mind at this point. They were probably dead by now, or Noriaki was dead to them as they were no doubt well on their way to their goal. Things would work out for the best.

With Ariiko's hands locked with hers, Noriaki took the bold route, closing the gap between their lips and enveloping them in yet another kiss, this one full of Noriaki's passion. Noriaki was the one to break the kiss, with slight trepidation. She gazed into Ariiko's eyes, taking in her visage. "I wish you to stay, Ariiko." No extra words. No flowery prose. No poetic response.

Noriaki had spoken true.

The ronin winced a little and gave a soft chuckle at the miko patting her on the head, similar to say how a little girl would pat the head of a little inu pup, at least how Asuka assumed of it, a little more embarrassing, but it was cute she would have to add. Her cheeks blushed all the more red now that Hanami was making contact with her, even if it was just a simple touch of the miko's soft hand to Asuka's damp hair. She even noted how Hanami had begun to blush at the feel of her dark, smooth locks, only made smoother by the waters of the stream, and the smile...that very smile Asuka....enjoyed looking upon. It was only all the more inviting as the miko's eyes captured the essence of the moon and the stars, the heavenly lights of the night sky, in simple and subtle dazzles about her irises. It brought an even more pleasant smile to cross Asuka's lips, possibly blued from staying in the cold for a bit too long. Distracted was she so much by the beauty of the shrine maiden, that she had forgotten how much time had passed. She didn't realize that she was freezing until Hanami spoke up about getting out.

"Oh." Asuka perked up, immediately feeling the chill of that precarious breeze across her skin. "Y-you're right, Miko-dono." Shivering, she waded awkwardly over to the bank of the stream, the burdening weight of her own soaked hakama ,and what few scraps remained of her haori after the battle with Kurohebi, bearing heavily against her fragile arms and legs, further weakened by that crisp, cold water. She finally managed to reach the edge, but paused when Hanami went before her, shirking her hakama, and while her haori served to obscure her more...intimate parts....her legs were bared to the ronin, perfectly curved and glowing in the midnight sun. Asuka quickly turned view from her legs though, damn these lustful views! "Of course, Miko-dono." Sleep...it did sound wonderful now. For such a long and eventful day, sleep was a well deserved reward for Asuka. Not saying she had been through much more than her other fellow companions, but judging by the bruises and the vicious cuts and scrapes that marred her fair exterior, she was certainly broken, beaten, and scarred.

Finally, Asuka emerged from the stream and onto land with a few graceful steps towards the tree. As per request, she removed her damp scraps of clothing, along with her bandages, and adorned the Princess' kimono. The silky interior of the robe felt rather relaxing to the warrior, and only made her sleepier as she slipped her arms into the broad sleeves and concealed her bare figure underneath the wonderful colors and hues of the decorative flowers and designs that speckled the soft shaded fabric. Afterwards, she tied the obi around her waist, not to snug, but enough to make certain the robe didn't fall open precariously if she were to toss and turn during the night.

Before she stepped into the sanctuary of the hollow, she hung her clothes alongside the miko's bright red hakama and snatched up her sakabato. The last thing she needed was someone stealing her sword. Once inside, she glanced over to the Princess, cuddled delicately against the warmth of her comrade Kaede's buxom frame. Adorable it was and it brought a smile to the ronin as she watched the little body curl closer to Kaede. She then discovered the miko within the hollow, along with a bedroll already set for Asuka. It was not close to Hanami's but...it was certainly beside the young maiden. Asuka had no qualms of it though. It's not as if she was THAT lustful, speaking of the rather...libidinous poet mind you, and certainly it would be against her very honor to pull any late night tricks, again...same as the poet, and of course Asuka was certain a woman of purity, such as Hanami, would never enact the same upon Asuka during the night. However, Asuka was finding it difficult to sleep as she laid her sword next to the bedroll and eased herself onto the mat of woven straw, a brief groan as a pain shot up from her abs, those damned wounds still aching and throbbing, but not as much. Her eyes....they stayed open...and upon the miko. Never...never in my lifetime, even in those darker days....have I seen someone as beautiful as her....indeed I haven't. Try as she might to close her eyes and drift away....open they still remained.