"...Yes... I will..." Ariiko smiled at Noriaki, blushing and began to near her lips with her own, wanting to kiss her Starlight.
At that moment, Mizuki piped up about going into a restaurant before scampering into one nearby. With a small chuckle, Ariiko glanced at Noriaki and followed. Once inside, she took a seat beside the woman named 'Asuka,' or so she believed her name was. However the samurai quickly left the restaurant, and thus Ariiko moved down one seat to make more room for everyone else. She sat with her legs crossed, she realized, next to Hanami. As Ariiko ate her rice and food in silence, the slight burning sensation hissed within her once more. Her eyes turned red once more. Ida now knew better though and kept her eyes closed, knowing Hanami would know she was speaking to her.
"Hanami, right?" Ida asked, using no formalities. The rice was set down. "I must comment on your garb. You are a priestess, yes? Of what temple?" The bottlle of sake was picked up. "I must admit it's strange to see a priestess so wealthy, how did you gain all that money if you don't mind me asking?" Yes, she was working to sound as much like Ariiko as possible. She saw it on their faces, they were already suspicious. She took the top off of the sake bottle and raised the bottle to her lips, drinking it straight with one hand. Yes, she couldn't be suspicious at all.

(Ack, hit the wrong button)

Ariiko was coming with them, that was good, and it caused Noriaki to smile, even after the direct lip-to-lip kiss was interrupted, or rather, put on hold for the moment. Ariiko sped off with the others towards the restaurant, and even though the shrine maiden was handling the cost, Noriaki wasn't hungry. Not enough to eat around the others, anyway; she knew how they felt about her, and they had seen how she was around Ariiko. It would be good for the muse to meet the others, without Noriaki there to interject and hog her attentions, and her affections. Secretly, internally, she was hoping Ariiko would have said no to following the guardians, she truly wished to leave them behind to travel with her muse alone, but such is the way of the world.

Had Ariiko decided not to follow the princess' guardians, Noriaki would've been able to spare the muse from the horrible truth; the truth that others within the group had already picked up on. Noriaki would just have to think on her feet. She had gotten quite good at that over the years.

With her head downward and a sigh leaving her lips, Noriaki followed after, heading towards the restaurant but not heading inside it. She paused in her steps, noticing one of the guardians standing outside, looking lost in thought, or perhaps in memories. Ah, this was the one who had corroborated her story back when selections were being made. It was her words that helped Noriaki get selected.

"Asuka...right?" Noriaki spoke up, approaching the contemplative woman. "What's wrong, food not to your liking? I can understand. Village eateries never really do it for me. I prefer the bigger places, with better ingredients.Or maybe it's not the food that draws you away, perhaps it's something different, something a bit more...personal? Ah, but of course, what do I know of such matters? But I know a look of contemplation when I see one, and I have seen many over the years, mostly when a fair lass or maiden is lost in thoughts about yours truly."

Noriaki stepped to the side of Asuka, placing a hand to the woman's shoulder.

"You may not be aware, but you did me a grand favor. So I'll return it as such. Tell me what plagues your mind, Asuka, and if my theory is correct, I shall endeavor to aid you. For while you may know swordplay, I know people. I know socialization. I know emotions. And you...you are wearing yours on your face. Which I never noticed how pretty it was before seeing it this up close."

Noriaki grinned towards Asuka, her hand still firmly placed onto her shoulder.

How she ended up sitting beside Hanami-san, she'd never know, but here she was, sitting right next to the person in question. She looked down at the bottle of sake on the table and glared at it a bit. She had a bit of a love hate relationship with sake. She loved drinking it but when she woke up the next day, things were never quite the same with the people she'd been drinking with. Maybe... it was best she didn't.

She let out a long sigh and looked at the women around the table. Asuka-san had already left, though Ageha could only guess as to why. She looked over at the woman seated next to her. You really are oblivious, eh? Ageha told her in her thoughts. She shook her head. She almost felt bad for Asuka... She felt bad for herself... She let out a small chuckle. Chalk that one up to being seduced by beauty. That was what it was, right? Hanami-san was just beautiful. There... Ageha shook her head again. No. there was another reason she liked her and she didn't know why she could feel it, but something about Hanami-san felt... familiar. Something about her made Ageha feel warm again. She sighed. Stop thinking about it, Ageha. She told herself and picked up the cup placed in front of her and downed it. Her eyes grew big as she did so. ...Sake. She'd just had... sake.

She sat for a few minutes staring at the table and her cup, her cheeks growing more and more red by the second. Her mind was blank and the room was already starting to spin a bit. She looked up with a smile on her face at the other women at the table. Suddenly, they weren't recognizable anymore, they all looked like... like... Cherry-sama? Ageha tilited her head slightly at the image of the woman. She was a homely woman with dark red hair that ran down the length of her back. She'd been... Ageha's first love back in the brothel. She'd given Ageha a place to stay, a warm place in her bed where the bad men could not get to her. Maybe she'd been foolish, but Cherry-sama had really been that person for her. The person that comforted her and gave her a place where she felt safe and secure. A small goofy smile formed on her face as she looked at the many Cherry-sama's near her. One sat right next to her. She yelled out, "Cherry-sama!" and fell into the woman's arms, smiling as she nuzzled her face against the woman's chest. "I mithed you!" She yelled again, her words already beginning to slur. She pulled herself up and lazily looked up into the eyes of her former lover. "I love you, Cherry-sama." She mumbled before placing a small kiss on the woman's lips. With that, she fell, already out and sleeping in the priestess' lap.

Hanami smiled at Akane and offered the same one to Asuka when she showed her gratitude to her, though that smile was quickly replaced with a dumbfounded expression when The Ronin finished her sentence and left them. Her eyes wandered to where she last saw Asuka, and then back to her meal which didn't look so appetizing anymore. Taking a bite, she slowly chewed on the warm rice and sweet fish in silence. She couldn't deny that it was delicious, and she really was glad to have some food in her stomach. It had been a whole day since she had eaten anything - unless, you count what the tree spirit had given her to stop the poison. Once more, she allowed her eyes to wander as she swallowed her food, noting that Noriaki was also absent. Her suspicions had been confirmed.

"Hanami, right?"

She had been too consumed in her own thoughts to realize that Ariiko, the possessed woman, had moved down a seat and was now right next to her. Naturally, she did not really mind this, but... almost immediately she noticed she was speaking to her with her eyes closed and not only that... Hanami could see the subtle flickering of another aura peeking through the human girl's. A small, amused smile crossed her lips at the demon's attempt to disguise herself. It was a little insulting actually, that she thought a Priestess wouldn't have noticed such a change. Deciding to play along, Hanami sipped her drink as Ariiko asked her questions. "Yes, I am High Priestess of Chihomi-Jinja." It was quite odd for her to say that, because it had only been several months since her sensei passed, but it was true... She had been given the role over Chihomi-sensei's shrine which served as a place of worship of Amaterasu and Inari.

"Ariiko-san, I am indeed wealthy but having money to spend on dinner...does not make me so." She took another sip of her drink, and was beginning to feel the effects of the cool sake. "I inherited my sensei's belongings, but I make my own money from kind villagers who have tipped me for the various remedies I gave to them during our trip here and back at home. I suppose because I don't have much to buy at home, I have accumulated quite a bit of it over time." She spoke honestly to the woman before turning her attention back to her food.

She jumped, nearly dropping her chopsticks when Ageha cried out about... Ch-Cherry-sama? Hanami looked down with wide eyes at the green-haired woman that had tossed herself her way. "A-Ageha-san?! wha-!!" No... It happened so fast. Her soft lips pressed against hers and The Priestess just turned red in the face and let her get away with doing that to her in front of everyone. Hanami blinked at the girl asleep in her lap, and without looking at anyone else at the table she closed her eyes, and quickly shoved morsels of rice and fish into her mouth. She knew her face must be beaming right now, but maybe if she just... acted like that - that didn't just happen nobody would say anything.

Akane wondered if the sake she drank begin to effect her already because she did not just see someone jump into Hanami san's lap and kiss her. She blinked a few times as the Miko seemed to take it in stride. Even so it did bring up annoying memories of her past dealing with other women like her. "No matter where I go a Priestess gets all the attention. Women fall into your arms apparently. I-I don't know what to say." she was genuinely stunned by this. Hanami's reaction to the now sleeping woman was humorous. Anyone looking at their table could only think these people were either just as weird as they thought or rather entertaining.

"You know Miko dono I do wonder how you could be so comfortable with her in your lap." Akane sat in the chair closer to her and gave Hanami a rather coy smile. "I could gently take her off your hands, or do you actually enjoy another woman in your lap?"

Fabricant451 said
"You may not be aware, but you did me a grand favor. So I'll return it as such. Tell me what plagues your mind, Asuka, and if my theory is correct, I shall endeavor to aid you. For while you may know swordplay, I know people. I know socialization. I know emotions. And you...you are wearing yours on your face. Which I never noticed how pretty it was before seeing it this up close." Noriaki grinned towards Asuka, her hand still firmly placed onto her shoulder.

Deep in her meditative composure, everything was closed off to the ronin, every sense becoming heightened as she tarried forth unto the path her mind set forward, the path she could see after clearing the very thoughts that obscured it, her inner journey to a safe haven, a nirvana where her absolute balance and concentration restored itself, and she could focus on the more pressing matters at hand, but alas, the heart, it was the strongest of muscles any warrior held in their entire being, and so much power it possessed to conquer the sharp mind of Asuka and again...plague the peaceful inner journey with troubled ponderings. The very look of the miko, it stayed in her mind forever, even as she closed her eyes. Hanami was bewildered and certain to Asuka...she was offended as well to the samurai's abrupt parting from her bountiful meal for she and the other women. Perhaps I should not have acted so brash, that I shouldn't have done...ah me....what a fool I be. Another sigh permeated the evening air, already the pungent scent of autumn upon it, which Asuka breathed into her lungs, but exhaled once she heard the voice behind her. Twas the flirt who came to check up on her.

"Noriaki-dono. The meal was indeed wonderful, that it was, I will not lie, but....my stomach was not in the right to partake of another feast, for I have already indulged my hunger, indeed I have." Curtly, the ronin spoke to the armored philanderer. Twas not hatred she held for Noriaki as a human, no. More than most, Asuka took a strong disliking to the woman's intolerable actions earlier upon the journey, but even a few moments ago is still the past, and to dwell upon the past is to hinder thy journey towards the future. However, as she listened to Noriaki continue spouting her flowery verbose unto the ronin, she realized Noriaki was not speaking of if Asuka enjoyed the meal or not. Rather it was Noriaki stating she knew something was troubling Asuka, and indeed...something personal was. She tensed at the feel of the woman's hand upon her shoulder, firm and reassuring yes, but still a bit unwelcomed, just giving the woman's rather libidinous notoriety Asuka had known of. "How right of you to assume such of me, Noriaki-dono, that you are. It is as though you've read me as simple as one of your poetic scribblings, but I am confused as to what I have done to garner your aid of me in this dismal hour of mine, that I am. No matter. I shall relinquish that which has ailed me, but only unto you, Noriaki-dono, and indeed only you. No word that I speak shall travel amongst these very women I travel with, and with trust unto a fellow woman of the blade, I give you this....."

First, she sighed, deeper than before, her eyebrows furrowing as such bothersome words began to pool at her lips, then released, "I....I have feelings for Miko-dono, that I do, but I am afraid to requite them. Courage I wield upon the field of war, that I most certainly do, but when the matter comes to I fawning over such a beautiful maiden as she, my courage wains and I flee in fear, for never once have I felt such. Born was I not to a world of affections, but a bloodstained realm of hate, of prejudice and death. Taught was I to kill, not to show affection, for such is weakness." Weakness....it was the very thought of affection being such that turned an innocent child of the village into a legendary samurai....or in honesty...an infamous taker of lives. To live in those days, you were to hate all, give trust unto no one, and let not your lips speak for you but rather your sword. Asuka, the first day she tasted death's bitter-sweetness, affection meant nothing to her. She cared not to feel a woman's touch, rather to hear the dying screams of pain from her foes was what she relished most. "Now here I be...." Asuka continued, lifting her head slightly to look upon the village. "Returned to the world of the civil, and still adjusting to it, that I am. Ah...but listen to me ramble. I must sound a desperate bid to you, Noriaki-dono, that I must." She chuckled slightly, yet the heaviness of her emotions still dwelt upon her anxious laughter. "I...I just wish I could overcome this fear I face, that is all I wish for...."

Noriaki did what she never thought she'd do when alone with a woman she found attractive. She listened. She listened intently. As Asuka continued, spilling her feelings in such a way, Noriaki removed her hand from the ronin's shoulder, placing it instead to her own waist. So the warrior was in love, or at least coming to terms with feelings other than bloodlust and disdain for Noriaki. Noriaki wanted to smile, to let out a laugh and playfully pat Asuka on the back over the matter, but it was clear that this admission came with difficulty, and that she was willing to trust Noriaki - the most likely out of the group to spill the secret or go off and confessing to Hanami on behalf of Asuka, caused Noriaki to pause, to treat the matter as seriously as Asuka was.

But on the inside, the poet was awash with laughter, enjoying the fact that even fierce fighters - or so she assumed Asuka fit that bill - were human after all.

"I knew that look was familiar, I've seen it so often that I can detect it in a crowd. Obviously you know my thoughts on the matter of affection. If we are being candid, I find myself attracted to you, in that sense I have feelings for you as well. But, do not worry, as much as I would enjoy the pleasure of your company, I am smart enough to know not to get inbetween a woman and her affections. Besides, I do not really need another reason for everyone to dislike me. Not to mention that I...I have a good thing going with my muse. Though I am worried that her...second half might complicate things. Ah, but those are my problems, not yours. Were it anyone else, I would suggest you get the attention of your crush by openly flirting with me, play the jealousy game. But in this instance I fear it would have quite the opposite effect, and that your lover-to-be would instead get actually jealous and it would just be a mess."

Noriaki paused,before letting out sigh. Noriaki motioned to a nearby bench resting against the walls of the restaurant. It would be easier if the two of them were sitting, plus Noriaki just wanted to get off of her feet for a moment.

"Asuka, I'm going to tell you a story. A quick one, but one I think might be relevant. It's a story I mean to put into a collection one day. And before you ask, this story is false, just a tale I made up in my earlier travels."

The poet cleared her throat and looked towards the sky, where her gaze lingered before she started.

"There was once this great samurai, one of the greatest in the land. This samurai served their lord with honor, with loyalty, and for their service they were rewarded. But such a life was not fulfilling for this samurai. Sure, service was fulfilling enough, but what the samurai lacked was...camaraderie...friendship...love. One day, as this samurai was making the round, standing watch over a rural village under the protection of the lord, the samurai met a villager. This villager idolized samurai, they protected the village and ensured that no harm could come to the family farm. The villager was young and didn't understand the harsh reality of the samurai life, such things like bushido were foreign to this villager. Nevertheless, the villager and the samurai became friends, and though they didn't know it at the time, both filled a void the other lacked. The samurai was getting camaraderie, the villager was getting the attention of the ones they idolized, the villager was getting acknowledged.. Over the years they grew into the best of friends...and the villager came to realize that there was love between them - love that the samurai was oblivious to. No matter how hard the villager tried, the samurai would not recognize this feeling, this emotion, because to the samurai, personal affections merely got in the way. To love was forbidden. To love was, as you said, weak."

A pause, as Noriaki sighs, her voice sounding almost nostalgic.

"The samurai realized all too late that the love was mutual. It happened on the night of the samurai's death. The samurai was slain in a duel in service of their lord, and the samurai's final thoughts were on the villager, on the regret of not returning the love that they so clearly shared. The samurai died with regrets, and the villager vowed never to love again, for the pain of loss, of rejection, was too overwhelming."

Noriaki closed her eyes for a moment, pausing, inhaling. As she exhaled, her eyes opened and the smile returned to her lips.

"I tell you this story because I don't want you to end up like the couple in the story. We're not exactly friends, but since we're on this journey together we may as well be called comrades. Your story can have a happy ending, Asuka, and it starts by admitting that love is not a weakness. I don't know the circumstances of your upbringing, but love is the single most beautiful thing that two people can share. If your feelings are true, running from them will only give you regrets later in life. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I know nothing of love, that I'm just some lecherous slattern, but I know love in ways you cannot imagine. Everyone is searching for love, Asuka, even me. I do not yet know if what my muse and I have is love or not, but it's something, which is more than I had. While I cannot make her fall for you, what I can do is offer you encouragement. If you will trust me, Asuka, I will assist you in overcoming this fear. For if anyone deserves love, it is one who is afraid of it."

Again, Noriaki placed a hand onto Asuka's shoulders, offering comfort. She smiled at the ronin, and this time there was no lust in the smile, no hint of sexual wanting behind her eyes. Instead, it was genuine, a friendly, concerned smile.

Mizuki simply smiled and nodded in response to Ageha to let her sit beside her, Hanami apparently on the other side of the green haired girl. Despite the apparent social mayhem going on, the half demon was eagerly going through quite the collection of food. Bowls piling up on her share of the table until they started to lean in their tower. Trying from bowls of rice to different kinds of fish, she continued eating away. Yet didn't seem to eat one ounce of any fruit or vegetables. Not enjoying most and avoiding any. Her stomach felt like it could only really digest meat safely without error.

So focused was she on the food, she didn't really notice Hanami's and Ageha's little kiss drama thing. And mildly waved to Asuka without really looking at her. "Be back soon!" she said when her mouth wasn't full before her fangs tore into a large leg of meat. Gnawing at it like a starving dog.

Her ears only mildly twitching at the conversations around her as if she was really paying attention but choosing not to respond. Who knows.

"You know Miko dono I do wonder how you could be so comfortable with her in your lap." Akane sat in the chair closer to her and gave Hanami a rather coy smile. "I could gently take her off your hands, or do you actually enjoy another woman in your lap?"

"Wh-what are you implying, Akane-san? I am certainly not...not going to push someone away... in their time of need..." Her voice escalated to a much higher pitch than usual, and then lowered to silence as she said the last several words, feeling quite embarrassed. She glanced at the demon slayer shyly, and then to the sleeping girl in her lap, spending just a few seconds more admiring how cute and innocent Ageha looked when she was asleep. It just... wouldn't be fair to push Ageha away in this state, even though she did force herself onto her, and that was one of the things she absolutely could not stand was being touched without her consent. Hanami frowned a little, caressing Ageha's forehead gently with her fingertips and sweeping her bangs away from her closed eyes. The reef she had given her earlier was still there, and Hanami couldn't fight the smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Ahhh, now everyone is looking at us! Why did Akane-san... have to go and say something like that? She pondered, blushing very deeply as the villagers in the restaurant stared at their group. She looked over to where Mizuki was, noticing the Princess hadn't said much, and for good reason. Her eyes widened when she saw the empty bowls, and animal bones off to the side.

Well, At least someone is enjoying themselves...

Still, she figured Asuka and Noriaki must be enjoying themselves too. Wherever they are.

Seeing the restaurant had turned into a snuggle fest of sorts, Ida wrinkled Ariikos nose and slipped by unnoticed. Outside the restaurant the possessed woman slipped into the alley, taking a ladder from the house next door to prop it against the restaurant. She climbed up slowly, making her way onto the roof with the bottle of sake. She went up to the highest point she could find, the three-tiered roof proving to reach quite high, and perched on the edge of the third tier. one leg dangled to the ground below and the other was kept akimbo on the roof. The demoness in the mortal flesh undid the knots of the armor, leaving only the bandages and elegant cloth between her legs up, relaxing in the setting sun.
She fished her hand into Ariikos satchle, drawing a long stem proving to be a smoking instrement. The Demoness glanced around before flicking her thumb ablaze and lighting the end of the pipe, and taking a long puff before blowing a ring of smoke from Ariikos coralesque lips. Smoking did nothing for her in the Underworld. It was only in someones body she could truly enjoy the sensation, and the solitude. Ida closed her eyes, and tilted her head back to the sky.

Despite Noriaki so flauntingly announcing she was attracted to the lowly samurai, taking Asuka aback for a moment, intently as the woman had listened to her, Asuka did the same as Noriaki began to weave her tale, twas a tale that brought much to the ronin's heart in sadness, of how a peasant and a noble warrior came to know each other, become the grandest of acquaintances, and eventually the closest of companions, but all through their time together, a love began to blossom, a love that just as Asuka...the samurai could not requite for very reasons the ronin held her affections at bay. Weakness...such an ill word it was now to her. For is it even weakness to protect those you cherished the most? If so...then Asuka was the weakest of all swordsmen and swordswomen, for eventhough she drew her blade in anger against the fiend Kurohebi...she also bared her weapon to defend Hanami. All while she pondered upon the very story Noriaki eloquently dictated to her, Asuka could feel such a warmth brimming to her eyes, the warmth of tears daring to fall unto her cheeks. Just as the samurai...would she too die with such regret in her heart? Would she too leave feelings unrequited to her beloved Miko-dono and leave her....to ever regret knowing love?

The tale, it had done more to Asuka than open her eyes to the truth. As she sighed in an effort to quell the tears in her shadowed, blue eyes, she cleared her throat roughly, it having swelled a sort with the overbearing guilt she felt, conjured forth no less by Noriaki's poetic and tragic work. Though it was odd to Asuka, the way the woman spun this very yarn, it was a nostalgic sense. Asuka was beginning to think that the very villager Noriaki spoke of was indeed her, and that what she dictated was not fiction but rather a history the flirtatious one had shared with another woman. "It is funny, Noriaki-dono..." The ronin quietly uttered, her mournful eyes still affixed to her knees as she sat at the bench, lifting her head shortly so she could face the woman sitting next to her. "I can't help but think this tale you give me...is not a work of fantasy, indeed it isn't, but perchance I am reading too far into it." She had gotten the message. That's all that mattered. "I too must wonder if I shall die as the samurai, only realizing in my final moments what I held was not weakness, but too late am I to requite such feelings I wished to tell Miko-dono of, and I pass onward with a heart burdened so. But your words give me hope, Noriaki-dono, that they certainly do." For once in this very hour, a smile, a true smile finally returned to the very lips of the troubled soul. "It is true, I will need the assistance of one such as thee to overcome this very burden I speak of, and...despite my disapproval of earlier accounts of thee upon this journey, I am willing to forgive as some perhaps forgive me for my past endeavors, and I am willing to trust you, Noriaki-dono, that I am. As with many of these women, I too consider you a valuable comrade."

To think that beforehand, she was beginning to despise this woman, but in honesty, Noriaki only made a few mistakes. True it was cowardice to avoid aiding your comrades in battle, but as Asuka put it, such mistakes were in the past. Standing, the ronin bowed, a rather courteous and friendly smile still held upon her face as she looked to the poet. "I thank you for what you have said, Noriaki-dono, that I do. True, this burden I still carry, but I feel it has lessened as I've listened to your wise verbose, and....I wish you well in your pursuit of affections with your wonderful muse." A slight nod given to the woman, Asuka turned and back to the restaurant she went ambling, besides, the aroma of food was beginning to intoxicate her yet again, but...there was another pungent scent looming about, and another familiar one at that. Sake? It only took one step into the very room to discover her assumptions were right, there was sake being passed about, but....what was this?! "Oro?!" She couldn't believe her eyes! Truly this had to be a deceptive illusion! Asuka blinked again and again ever so awkward, but no...it was still there before her eyes! That woman, the very same who vied for the very affections of Hanami, Ageha, she was...sleeping so immodestly in the miko's lap! "Mi...mi...Miko-dono?! A...Ageha-dono?!" All color seemed to have faded from her face, white as a ghost was Asuka upon viewing this...this unwelcome image, and soon limp became her legs, and not to mention every inch of her body. "O-oroooo......" And down she went to the ground, that flabbergasted expression ever present upon her blank staring eyes towards the ceiling, and her quivering lips. This was not what I was expecting at all, that I wasn't....!

Akane couldn't help but laugh at how nervous Hanami looked. She took another swig of her sake and was surprised at how much of a light weight Ageha seemed to be. Luckily for her she didn't often fall into the arms of anyone whenever she was truly intoxicated. "Don't worry I won't tell the others about your future conquest. Your secret is safe with me!" she winked and patted the Miko's back.

The Demon slayer at this point was simply messing with her, but the group did have a large amount of attractive women. Even the Princess caught Akane's eye, but her extremely child like nature forced Akane to take a different role. It wouldn't be surprising if someone other than Noriaki tried to be romantically involved with one of the guardians. Akane didn't think about such things now since it was a time to enjoy herself. It was also a time to enjoy the site of a woman in Hanami's lap, unwanted stares all around and a fallen Ronin? "Wow seriously people truly lose their composure around you." She got up and walked over to the seemingly defeated Ronin and knelt down to help her up.

"Hmmm are you feeling alright Asuka san? I fear you may have witnessed something extremely shocking."

Ageha opened her eyes slowly, still slightly inebriated. Her eyes narrowed, trying to make out where she was. She felt the bed under her head but felt... legs? She blinked and sat up, looking around. A restaurant? She looked over to see Hanami-san sitting next to her an her heart sank. "Oh. Oh, no. I'm... Sorry!" She yelled, tears forming in her eyes. She didn't know what she'd done but she knew it was probably bad. It had always been bad before. She shot up from her seat but stopped when she saw Asuka on the floor. What? She blinked looking down at the woman, Akane standing near her.

"I... I'm sorry. I really... I didn't mean to drink any sake. I... I knew this would probably happen..." She explained, her head hung low. She could feel the eyes of the other customers on her back. She swallowed and bowed, tears still threatening to explode from her eyes. She straightened and ran out of the restaurant, almost falling due to the sake still in her system. She stopped just outside it where she saw Noriaki. The tears were coming full force now. She must look like a caught doe to the woman. She turned away from Noriaki and ran around to the back of the restaurant where she stayed, leaning against the building. What did I do? Why was I laying in her lap? I don't remember any of it.

On the bright side, Ageha had gotten up from the awkward position on her lap, but before she could even say or do anything to the green-haired girl she made a tearful apology and run outside. Hanami wanted to chase after her...she really did, but Asuka had come in looking like she'd seen a ghost, fumbling for words and then eventually fell to the ground. As if by instinct, The Priestess jumped from her seat and rushed to The Ronin's side, alarm filling her eyes. She looked to Akane for a second, who had made it to the Ronin's side before her, but she still caught what she said. She pursed her lips together, her cheeks still red from their earlier conversation and the sake. Why did it seem like everything Akane said had some underlying meaning? Brushing it off, she knelt down beside the Ronin, and pressed her hand against her cheek and forehead briefly.

"Asuka-san, what happened? Are you feeling unwell?" She asked worriedly. She leaned over the Ronin, her nose almost touching Asuka's nose as she gazed into her open eyes. Normally she would consider the fact that Asuka's eyes were still open a good sign, but not right now. Asuka just looked... so stunned. Come to think of it, it happened right when...right when she saw Ageha laying on her lap. The Priestess just couldn't figure it out. Maybe she didn't want to.

"L-let us help you up." She said, moving her face away from Asuka's as her breath on her face made her feel... different, and their lips were quite close together.

Happily continuing eating, her ears only perked when the crashing sound of Asuka was heard and she mildly looked up from her meal to look at the ronin. Hanami going to her aid, and with a chuckle the princess shook her head. "Asuka-San I though samurai were supposed to have better balance then that." she mused before curiously grabbing a small cup of sake.

Shrugging a little, she took a whole glass and started gulping it down like water until it was empty. Setting it down, she stuck her tongue out at the strong taste before going for another. Sadly for her, the liquid seemed to have little effect to her compared to what it did to Ageha. Pity, she had heard such liquids caused one to act odd. Yet the rumor seemed to be but a lie.

Once she finally finished, her small body stretched out as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Ah that was delicious." Mizuki purred happily as she felt her belly finally comfortably filled.

"Oro......" She didn't know honestly how long she was laying there on the floor of the humble eating establishment, and despite the wide openness of her very eyes, to the rest of the world, she was completely oblivious, blacked out beyond all recognition to anything that may have occurred to her, except for that very visage of Ageha...lying in the miko's lap, inoxicated was she...come to think of it, assuming by the reddened cheeks of Hanami, they both were intoxicated by the cheerful vapors of fermented sake. "Oro....." Asuka laid there still, out could to the entire world about her, only able to hear faint voices whisper and carry amidst the rancorous buzzing of her ears, but still not able was she to discern who's voice belonged to whom. Twas only as her senses gradually recovered and her eyes began to refocus on what occurred all around her seemingly lifeless figure, that the ronin finally deduced the bearer of one of the voices, asking if she was feeling alright, twas Hanami's.

"Mi...Miko-dono..." Asuka groaned, the dull pounding resonating from where the back of her head made impact with the ground. Finally, all sense of reality had returned to the warrior and abruptly she darted upwards, but unknowing was she that Miko-dono's lovely and wonderful features were a tad too close to Asuka. Suddenly, she felt something on her mouth, a sensation of warmth, warmth like no other the ronin ever felt upon her pale lips. And...and there was a taste, that bittersweet taste that was...sake? Oh no...no she did not, but as Asuka's eyes adjusted back to their normal line of vision, it was so...so mortifying what she had done. Her lips, they were locked with Hanami's! Only briefly though did Asuka share this accidental kiss, but twas enough to bring back the color to her face, apparently the color now being a full shade of embarrassment red. "Oro?!" She panicked! What the hell was she doing?! Quickly her lips broke away from the beautiful maiden's and she scurried backwards, already throwing herself hastily into a bow upon the floor as she stuttered, every inch of her body completely alive and trembling at what she had done. "P-p-please forgive me, Miko-dono!! I-I-I'm terrribly sorry, that I am indeed honorable maiden!!"

"P-p-please forgive me, Miko-dono!! I-I-I'm terrribly sorry, that I am indeed honorable maiden!!"

No! Yes! Was this really happening? So soft, and tender...and moist. She actually really...really liked this, but she was just too stunned by it all to react. She had never felt this way. It wasn't just that she had been kissed again, it was more about who kissed her. Sure, the feel of Ageha's lips were really nice, but something electric went through her body when Asuka did it, which is why when The Ronin broke their kiss a hint of disappoint was visible in her eyes. It happened too fast, and she didn't even get a chance to enjoy it! Maybe she could... try to kiss her again later on? No! What?! That's not...right at all, Hanami. Her thoughts were a buzz. She got light headed just thinking about it, but all plans for pursuing it again went out the window when Asuka stammered her apology. Of course it was only an accident, and was totally Hanami's fault! She had made the mistake of getting way too close to Asuka's face, and The Ronin couldn't...couldn't of possibly known that would happen, or even wanted it to happen. That's just the Sake speaking, I would never... ever kiss another woman willingly. She battled with herself whilst staring at the wooden floors of the restaurant.

All of sudden, she was just feeling sad and lonely, missing her Chihomi-sensei who had passed not too long ago. She was really starting to regret drinking that Sake now.

"It's... It's okay, Asuka-san." She said, her voice shaking and eyes burning with hot tears that threatened to leave with her next blink. Quickly, she blinked into her sleeve and let her tears relieve themselves. She didn't want to make more of a spectacle than she already had, and didn't want anyone worrying over her. Really, she was just fine... Just feeling very emotional. Being kissed, even accidentally, made her see just how much she was lacking in life. No one wanted to kiss her unless they were drunk, or by an accidental head bump.

"Don't worry about it." She smiled sadly before standing up, slightly wobbling. "I think I need some fresh air, it's getting a bit hot. You should really try to eat something before the foods all gone." Hanami turned swiftly and left the restaurant where she would be greeted by fresh air, and the sight of cherry blossoms. She sighed and walked off, towards the back of the restaurant. She didn't know that Ageha was back there, and didn't go far enough to see her.

Ageha sat, leaning at against the back of the building, digging her fingers into the rough sand. Her face now emotionless and rather cold as she stared down at her drawing. It was a picture of a small sakura blossum. Why was she suddenly thinking about Cherry-sama? Did... She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. What had she done to the poor Hanami-san? She probably hated her now... Her brows furrowing, Ageha kicked the drawing with her foot, her sandal breaking in the process. She scowled at the wooden contraption, more angry at herself than anything else. She couldn't remember what she'd done and the only thing that came to mind was Cherry-sama.

Ageha closed her eyes and leaned her head back, suddenly very, very tired. She let out another long sigh, thinking about Cherry-sama.

---

Quite a few years ago

"C-Cherry-sama!" Young Ageha yelled to the woman in front of her. She was kneeling on the wooden floor of the brothel, Cherry-sama kneeling down right in front of her. In front of Cherry-sama, sat an old man, too drunk to even realize what was going on.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, sir." Cherry-sama told the man calmly. All Ageha could manage was to cower behind the woman's clothes. The man couldn't even hear her, Ageha could barely make out the man's words and then suddenly she heard a thunk. Looking up she saw Cherry-sama hunched over the man, her wooden sandel in her hand, now broken. "Well, that wasn't suppose to happen..." She mumbled before turning to Ageha. "Are you okay, Darling?" She asked, her hands already at Ageha's cheeks.

"I'm fine, Cherry-sama, really. T-Thank you... You... didn't have to do that, you know." Ageha replied, a little more than shaky. She'd only met Cherry-sama a few months before but the woman had already been a god send to the poor child. The red headed woman had been there for Ageha from day one. She was quite a few years Ageha's senior, Ageha being only 14 at the time. Ageha never really knew Cherry-sama's age anyway. The woman was rather secretive save for her gossiping.

"None sense, come, let's go get you washed up." The red headed woman replied, her voice booming and proud. She smiled down at the young Ageha and took her hand, guiding her to the baths. Ageha chuckled but did as the woman asked. She was her mentor, after all. Slowly, they undressed and Cherry-sama led them into the bath. "Ageha, you're so adorable. I'm so sorry you have to endure all of this." She told Ageha, her voice soft and quiet. Ageha could tell the woman was threatened with tears. Ageha in her nakedness, hugged Cherry-sama, smiling.

"It's okay Cherry-sama. As long as I have you to protect me, I'll be fine." She replied.

---

Present Day

Slowly, Ageha opened her eyes, the memory almost painful now. Maybe it was best she wasn't around Hanami-san, the black haired woman brought back too many memories of Cherry-sama for Ageha to bare. Not to mention Noriaki. Though, Noriaki had less subtly than Cherry-sama and Cherry-sama was more than faithful. Noriaki didn't seem as such. At least not for Ageha. Ageha was fiercely jealous, something she never really tried to hide. If she loved someone and they loved her back, she expected them to be hers completely. That was how love was right? She sighed. What did she know about love? Her ideas were more than skewed and twisted. She was probably no worse than the men that visited brothels. It'd been so long since she'd felt the warmth of another's touch. It'd been so long since Cherry-sama had left her. So long...

She shook her head slightly and gave her cheeks a small smack. Get yourself together, Ageha. You have a job to do. She told herself. With that, she was on her feet and headed back to the restaurant, a new determination in her eyes. Well, until she saw Hanami-san. She took in a deep breath and approached her. "Sorry for running out on you. I'm... going back in to watch Mizuki-dono. She doesn't... need to be alone." She told the woman, bowing as she by-passed her. She walked into the restaurant without a sound and sat down next to Mizuki-dono, her eyes emotionless and cold as she once against stared down at the table. She could still feel a buzz from the sake but she was a bit sobered up now. She took a piece of bread and placed it in her mouth, chewing quietly.

After she was full, Mizuki continued to drink sake, her ears flicking as she now seemed to pay a little more attention to what was going on. Hanami for some odd reason got up and left. It seemed quite a few of her guardians now were more inclined to leave her. Even after scolding her for going off alone, they seemed more than willing to leave her. Sure, Akane was probably one of the only ones who hasn't left her side but it still slightly irked the princess a little. Perhaps she thought they were being hypercritical? For what? Mere arguments amongst themself? Such a odd bunch.

Briefly in her mild sudden irritation, her golden eyes had a swirling flaming crimson that spun amongst the gold. Looking as though her eyes were a beautiful burning passionate fire. "...Such humans." came a mere murmur though her voice was once again off. Holding the powerful, calm, and calculating voice that was heard briefly back at the palace. Before the whole instant disappeared as she continued drinking her sake casually.

Ears perking as Ageha returned and sat down beside her, Mizuki gave a friendly smile before playfully pouting. "Hey, it's not fair to put on the icy face when you were fine with Hanami." she teased, playfully poking the new guardian in the shoulder though careful not to poke too hard.