"Hm?"

Ida looked down, watchign the exchange between Ageha and Hanami, and Ageha fleeing. She looked at Hanami, taking a puff on her pipe.

"Hey," The demoness called down, her crimson eyes burning into the priestess. Why not defile such a cute, pure woman while she was out? If not corrupting her then spinning more confusion into the head of such a sought after maiden would be just as if not more delicious. "Come here." She waved for the priestess to come sit beside her.

"Oh...Okay." She said to Ageha with a hint of uncertainty behind her voice as she watched her take her leave. She had to wonder, Who was Cherry-sama to Ageha? Obviously someone she had an intimate relationship with... Unless, Ageha made it a habit to kiss all of her female friends? The Priestess didn't linger on the thought anymore as a familiar voice called down to her. She looked around curiously, and then up to see Ariiko sitting on the roof of the restaurant, smoking something in a long pipe. "Eh?" Her ice blue eyes met with Ariiko's crimson gaze, but she did not cower or blink at her intimidating stare. Of course, she knew that this woman was not Ariiko, but she was in Ariiko's body and really she was interested to see what went through the she-demon's head. It was safe to say she was a bit more comfortable around demons thanks to a certain Princess.

Spotting the ladder, Hanami climbed up onto the roof quite hesitantly as she was still buzzed from the Sake, but she managed to make it without slipping or falling. "Ariiko-san, do you often hang out on the roofs of restaurants? Aren't you afraid of falling?" She said as she took her seat beside the woman. She had to admit, it was quite peaceful up there away from... all of the chaos and embarrassment. Two kisses and non of them were consensual. For someone so modest, The Miko wasn't quite as bothered as she should have been. Hanami gingerly combed her fingers through her own long black locks a few times before flipping it back over her shoulders. Something told her she should be way more alert right now, but she was mostly just relaxed. Must have been the smoke getting to her.

SailorMoon said
"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.

Even after Hanami had just up and left the ronin there upon the floor of the restaurant, Asuka seemingly frozen in the very bow of forgiveness she issued forth to the miko, the very woman Asuka felt she had now shamed with the touch of her lips to hers, Hanami's luscious...sweet...warm and tender.....Gah! What the hell was she thinking that for?! This was wrong! So wrong! But it was just an accident. Asuka had no intentions of locking lips with a beautiful girl such as Miko-dono. It had just happened in that moment, the very second she rose her head. In such a tizzy was she that Asuka had no idea Hanami's lips were hung so precariously over hers, and yet they made contact, and...in that very brief but blissful moment of contact, her lips tingled so wildly at the touch of the miko's, such a wonderful and amazing sensation overcoming her, every inch of her body reacting so wildly to the kiss, that....part of her yearned to feel it again. So this is how it felt to kiss someone, and another woman at that. Even if it was accidental in nature and entirely unexpected, it had to be....the most beautiful experience ever for the ronin. But still to her...it was dishonorable what she had done, and for such, she punished herself. Oh what a fool I be, that I indeed am for taking advantage of Miko-dono, placing my lips upon hers. I feel as though my imbecilic and uncalled for actions have saddened poor Miko-dono, that I believe I have done. Even my apology....even it was not enough to keep her from leaving like she did. Oh....

But all awhile the lowly wanderer was wrapped up in her own self flagellation of the mind, a figure approached behind her, tall, a bit muscular, even for a woman, and clad in bits and pieces of mismatched armor. "Hey! Numbskull!" Her rather husky and deep but indignantly feminine voice bellowed unto the ronin, catching her attention quickly. Wait...where did she hear this voice before? "How long do you plan on snogging the floor like that, idiot? Get up!"

"Oro?" Asuka, rising out of the bowing position she had been stuck in for a while now, blinked her eyes rapidly, them having grown blurry from being trapped in the dark between her face and the hardwood of the floor underneath. "Who...who said that?" Twas no one in front of her, other than Akane-dono and Hime-dono, and she was dead certain not one of those women carried a voice such as what the ronin heard, so harsh, so authoritative, and still...it belonged to a woman? "Behind you, Kushiami-san! Sheesh, you're as much of a dimwit as you were as a child!" Asuka soon rose to her feet and turned, and once she had made the full 180 around.....she couldn't believe her very eyes, for standing before Asuka was none other than her......"S-s-Sensei?!" No! It couldn't be her! There was no way Asuka was looking wide eyed at the very woman who taught her the art of kenjutsu, but even as she blinked her eyes, assured this had to be some illusion...there she was still, Natsume Hibana, the successor of the Kazeryu no Tsurugi style of kenjutsu, a scowl ever present in her fearful, glaring eyes. "Been a long time, my idiot apprentice." The muscular woman grumbled, crossing her arms.

Still, despite her sensei's gruffness and her stern approach to the ronin, it didn't stop Asuka from running headfirst to Natsume, her arms stretched out wide as she dove forth with the most cheerful and joyous of grins across her face as she cried out, "I missed you, Natsume-sensei!!" But it turns out her sensei wasn't in for a happy reunion, as she coldly sidestepped the glomping samurai and out the door Asuka went, tumbling across the dirt and crashing into a cage full of chickens, a plume of white feathers sent upward along with the agitated clucks of the angry fowl. "Hmph! A hug was the last thing I expected from you, Kushiami." Natsume trudged from the restaurant, that grimace of disdain for her past student, still very much present as it had been for the many years Asuka endured the woman's cruel tutelage. "So this is the deadliest samurai in all of Japan? I'm actually more offended than I am astounded, especially when an idiot such as you runs off to join the war even after I told you swordsmanship has no business in the politics of those fatheaded lords!" For a minute or so, Asuka lied there in a daze, the chickens she riled with her clumsiness irritably pecking at her and cantankerously crooning, enough to match the anger her sensei held for the ronin, for it was not a peaceful parting from the woman indeed, and for those eight long years, it had certainly chided Natsume. "On your feet, Kushiami! Move it!"

"Oro!! Yes sensei!" Immediately the samurai was to her feet, but it was not without Asuka's legs quivering in absolute terror of this woman, a shrill gulp inward as her eyes went wide with such fear and such respect for her sensei. Of all the horrors she had faced in those dreadful warring days, none, not even the worst, compared to the dread Asuka felt looking this very woman in her equally cold, vicious eyes. "Give me your sword." The woman commanded. Bowing, Asuka unsheathed her blade, and in that moment, Hibana swiftly snatched it from her student's hand, examining it intently, her scrutinizing gaze running up and down the polished blade. Suddenly, Asuka saw the woman's eyes alight with a fierce rage, and soon Hibana threw down the ronin's sword, rushing over with her firm hands grasping Asuka's frail neck. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING CARRYING AROUND A SAKABATO, IDIOT?! THAT THING'S NO SWORD! IT'S A PIECE OF JUNK!! YOU'RE ONLY ASKING TO GET KILLED WAVING THAT WORTHLESS CRAP AROUND!!" Such misfortune it was to gain this woman's ire. She shook the terrified Asuka like a ragdoll, all while her rancorous screams echoed about the village. "DON'T TELL ME YOU'VE GONE SOFT ALREADY, KUSHIAMI!" Of course her sensei didn't know of Asuka's earlier vow to never shed blood again...a vow she may have broken once with Kurohebi, but for now she aimed to stay true to it. However....Hibana was seeming to object.

Finishing her tenth bottle of sake, the half demon's ears perked a little as a older woman came in, seeming to know Asuka. At such a tone, the princess thought this woman may be another threat until Asuka stood and practically glomped the woman as she spoke of this woman being her sensei. Before the half demon could relax though, the elder woman side stepped away from the hug and watched as Asuka went barreling outside. Slightly concerned, Mizuki stood and went outside as well and watched the seen before her. The older woman shaking Asuka violently and yelling about how she was a idiot and being soft.

The yelling was the worst..... Once again her ears were ringing with agony at the loud noise and it made her whimper at the mere word yelled.

Perhaps the sake had some effect, or she was simply bold, but Mizuki moved in a quick stride and pushed the two away by placing her hands on their chests. Of course it was always possible she pushed too hard, considering she wasn't being very careful with her strength at the moment. All she knew was that she smelled fear off Asuka and anger off this sensei of hers.

"Miss, I would greatly appreciate if you didn't break one of my comrades." Mizuki spoke as she stood in front of her taller Guardian, showing no real fear to this stranger. Her voice was calm and friendly, holding abit of warmth to them. But her ears were slightly lowered in a attempt to cease the ringing.

"I like being in high places. Make's me feel more at home, I suppose you could say." The Demoness closed her eyes, fading away as Ariiko and her brown eyes took back over, having seen what the Demoness had done, and took a strong puff of her pipe. She blew a smoke ring to the open air. Staying closer to home was something both Ida and Ariiko had in common. "I grew up in a tiered pagoda, on the upper levels with my father."
There was the sound of shouting down below, but it didn't concern her. Ariiko eyed her Starlight on the ground below, smiling fondly at the pale haired poet. She took another puff of the smoke. "I used to run along curved roofs like this, chasing cats across rooftops. I've never fallen..." She looked at the priestess, and offered her the pipe.

Ageha heard the princess poke fun at her but she couldn't manage to muster up the energy to reply. She felt... drained. She looked up when she heard a loud woman enter the restaurant and yell at someone. Asuka-san? Ageha blinked, her eyes narrowing to get a better look. Who was this woman? Asuka's sensei? Ageha sighed and put the bread back down on the table, her eyes blank and cold, if not a bid red from her tears. She glared up at the woman, though she didn't notice. She was loud and mostly annoying at by this time Ageha was beginning to get a bit of a headache. All she wanted was to sleep it off and pretend as if it never happened. Go back to being emotionless and cold. Maybe that was the only way to avoid heartache. She was never meant to truly love anyway. She took in a deep breath and exhaled, her breath shaky.

She let out a small groan, a scowl growing on her face when the princess got up and followed Asuka-san and her sensei out the door. Wanting to stay by her side, Ageha followed, albeit dragging a bit. She leaned against the door frame of the building, watching everything happened. The annoying woman was yelling at Asuka-san making Ageha's headache even worse. If she weren't feeling so down and lethargic, she might have gone and punched the woman out just to shut her up. Or... Rope would have done just as nicely to shut her mouth. Maybe she was a bit sadistic deep down... She let out another grown as the princess pushed the two women apart from one another. They certainly were a rash bunch, the lot of them. Ageha rolled eyes slightly. Me included... She watched the scene with careful eyes, her arms crossed but ready to grab her weapons should she need to.

A look of amazement crossed her features at the smoke ring Ariiko blew. "Ehhh, sugoi." She mused as she watched the smoke ring slowly lose it's shape and disappear. Hanami jumped at the sound of shouting down below, but when her eyes did not register anything out of the ordinary she pushed it out of her head, considering it was probably just some of the villagers fooling around. So was the village life. Turning her eyes back to Ariiko, she noticed that the red had faded which meant the demon was gone. Where did she go? She wondered quietly. It must get hectic with two people in your mind. She was amazed Ariiko hadn't lost her mind yet.

When the pipe was presented to her, she studied it for a few seconds and with out saying anything she accepted it. Really, she had no idea what was inside of the pipe, but she had smelled that smoke sometimes in her village. Closing her eyes, she put her lips where Ariiko's were and before she even inhaled she got light headed just thinking about it and stopped herself. Finally, after a few more seconds of hesitance she finally inhaled the smoke and mimicked what she thought she saw Ariiko doing. She wanted to blow a smoke ring, but instead blew out a small puff of smoke. She did it several times more. That wasn't so bad. "Thank you, Ariiko-san." She said softly, blushing with embarrassment as she returned the pipe to it's owner. She figured she had enough fun with foreign substances for the day.

"You know, I used to have a kitten?" She said with somewhat slurred speech. That sake or whatever was was seriously creeping up on her now. "He ran away the day I got him, but he was the only man I ever loved. You know who else I love, Ariiko-san?" She paused for a second, but didn't give Ariiko time to answer. "I love Amaterasu." She wrapped her arm around Ariiko's neck, and lay her head on her shoulder, sighing happily as she took in the view of village.

"Miss, I would greatly appreciate if you didn't break one of my comrades."

"Oro? H-Hime-dono? What are you doing out here? Are you feeling well?"

"Huh? Who the hell's this pipsqueak, Kushiami?"

Hibana's gaze, that ever so frightening face, now shifted from Asuka...but unfortunately, it had fallen upon the young princess, and ever so menacingly did those eyes of the ronin's terrible sensei glare into the cheerful bright gold hue of Mizuki's, yet...Asuka felt something a tad off about the princess' eyes. There was something in them, a presence she could feel in the sight of young Mizuki, malicious, dangerous....but from her? Something has indeed changed in the princess, that it has, and I'm beginning to fear it may be the demon within our fair Hime-dono. Hmm...could it be possible Ariiko-dono is the one responsible for riling this haunting presence within Hime-dono? Asuka was certain, as this same presence was felt amongst the woman in suspicion, albeit a bit more upfront and stronger than what Asuka could sense dwelling within the princess. However, her ponderings were interrupted when it seemed her sensei had already taken a disliking to Mizuki....as was the case with anyone she crossed paths with. "I demand an answer now, my stupid apprentice. Hop to it!" And on word, Asuka definitely hopped to it, shakily introducing the fair princess to her sword master. "Ah um....H-Hime-dono, this is...eh...Natsume-sensei. She is the one responsible for me learning swordsmanship at an early age." However....the introductions were cut short by Natsume's gruffness and her stern rudeness, "And it would've been longer if this dimwit of a samurai didn't mosey off to use her skills I taught her to do what exacty, escort the spoiled brat of the pea-brained emperor." Sighing with such irritance towards this, Natsume crossed her arms, her glare once again upon Asuka. "So Kushiami, it's as I've assumed the worst. You're using Kazeryu no Tsurugi for the opposite of its purpose."

"P...Purpose? Natsume-sensei, what do you mean?" What did she mean by purpose? What was the real intentions of teaching Asuka kenjutsu, and then strongly forbidding her from utilizing the deadly art of Kazeryu no Tsurugi to aid others in need? Perhaps....it was because of those she aided with her blade in those dark and horrible days long past. And indeed....that was the truth as her sensei continued. "Kazeryu no Tsurugi, the Sword of the Wind Dragon...how else would you have garnered your ill title, Kushiami? By using my art, but for the wrong reasons. My intentions for developing the technique were simplistic in nature, becoming the fastest sword in the land, but for no reason at all? No...I had reason enough as I honed my skill at a young age...because one day......" Then....the truth of Kazeryu no Tsurugi was spoken by Hibana. "Because one day I would turn my blade upon the lords and emperors and slay them all. You see, Kushiami, politics of their such are not needed for this vast and beautiful land you and I call our home. All such has done is scar the land with the fires of eternal struggles, the black soot of war rising to obscure the once warm sun and choke the air dry of the sweet sent of sakuras. And....their wars...they've taken so many lives...some...I grew to cherish."

"S...Sensei....." Her eyes were widened, an expression of such bewilderment, but also such....she couldn't explain how this revelation made her feel. The whole time this woman, who pushed Asuka to her very breaking point day in and day out of her cruel and vicious training, honed her into the samurai she was today, planned to use both their swords to eliminate the ruling powers over Japan. "I....I..." But an answer she could not find, especially after her sensei Hibana resumed...the strong woman's eyes seemingly...mournful. "Kushiami....as much as it chides my ego to admit this...you were like a daughter to me. Heh...I guess you could say in a sense you were my illegitimate child. That is one reason I didn't want you rushing off to war, for I knew what it would turn you into.....but in teaching you how to kill your fellow samurai, I feel it is much my burden to carry as well. I watched you grow up into this respectable young woman...and in a sense...I began to miss my real child." Her....child... really Asuka never felt as such to the woman, but the more she thought of it, Hibana had indeed raised her to be not just a samurai, but also a courageous young woman. Hibana fed her when she was hungry, clothed her when all Asuka had were scraps to wear, and....despite her harshness to her pupil, there were some moments Asuka felt a hint of love from the embittered swordswoman.

A stray tear fell from Natsume's eye, but only one as her frown returned to what Asuka could tell was....honestly the rarest time Hibana ever smiled. "You there, Hime." Hibana addressed the princess. "I take it my idiot apprentice is protecting you well enough? Good. Then she will continue to do so, otherwise....she'll be having words with her sensei over abandoning her solemn duties. Also, I'll be in every once in a while to see how she is faring, as much as the rest of these louts who follow behind you so dimwittingly." And then...there was that glare again to Asuka. "And she had better be honing her skills furthermore, lest I take another branch from the sakura tree to tan her hide with! Got it, Kushiami?!" Asuka gulped deeply, a swift bow instantly issued, "Y-yes, Natsume-sensei! I-I will be sure to practice everyday, that I will indeed!"
Then, the woman's rough hand fell upon Asuka's head, firm but jovial as her sensei laughed, "Good to hear. I shall take my leave then. Hime, forgive me for intruding upon your party, but I figured I would say hi to one of my past students. She had better take damn good care of you from here on out. Sayonara. Oh and one more thing, Kushiami......You better have gotten rid of that damn sakabato before we meet again! Sheesh, you're better off facing your enemies with a broomstick!"

And with those final words, there went Hibana Natsume....off to wherever her road was taking her, and be it another day when her trails shall cross again with her former apprentice...her....idiot apprentice.

"Ehehehe....well...despite the woman ringing my neck nearly red, I will say it was nice meeting Natsume-sensei again, that it was." Asuka smiled looking down at the princess. "It's growing late, Hime-dono. We should probably return to the inn for a night of rest, that we should, but....I think I could stay here for a couple of hours or so and enjoy the sunset. Would you say the same?"

At first, Mizuki was calm despite being called a pipsqueak even if she was taller than most common Japanese women, however it was the mere insult to her father that just about set her off. This woman dared to insult her father, as well as threaten him and her brother as well as many of their loyal friends. In a way, this woman had even threatened to kill her. Although Mizuki did not fear her own death, she worried for her the very few people she ever interacted with in her lifetime. Few people could understand such a feeling of being totally secluded, but it had caused her to be protective of them.

When the words were uttered from Natsume's mouth, the red color returned to her golden gaze in a blaze, eyes narrowed in a dangerous look that could slaughter a army if it could kill. It was deadly look that has not been shown before and her more or less hidden demonic aura spiked tenfold. It was powerful, the mere presence of it sent chills to mere mortals and it even caused the ground beneath her to crack under the pressure.

However, she wasn't given a chance to reply as she retained the little sanity she had to see Natsume's interact with Asuka. Addressing the princess a few times to ask the questions about Asuka. Mere nods were reply. Despite seeming absolutely calm, her aura was still dangerously high and when Natsume left, it did not disappear.

Asuka addressed her but the Princess merely closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, only a hint of gold left as she watched the sun start to set. "I am going out. Stay at the inn." Came her voice that had revealed itself back at the castle. The mature, calm, icy voice that held authority. With that said, she simply started walking away through the village.

Hunger... It struck her suddenly. She wasn't angry anymore. Simply calm now oddly. Just hungry. For what... She couldn't remember. For she had a hard time explaining what she was doing currently.

Ariiko took back her pipe, and dumped out the contents of mint and tobacco before placing it back into her pouch. Next thing she knew the priestess had her arms wrapped around her, talking about how she loved Amaterasu. She allowed the priestess to take comfort on her shoulder. She hadn't seen much but understood how confused the journey was making her. Hanami's love for Amaterasu made her consider her own damnation, taking on a pact with the Demon Who Consumes Fire. She looked at the sun. The Demon who Consumes Fire... Ukiyoee Ida... Did that make Ida Amaterasu's nemesis? Were the two partial embodiment's of the yin and yang to the legends sitting on this roof, allowing each other comforts through speech? Despite wondering this, Ida remained silent. The Demoness must have been sleeping, Ariiko decided.
She looked at the sun, allowing its warmth to cover her and Hanami. She felt a strange bond forming between the two of them and, feeling almost like a guardian with Hanami resting her head on her shoulder, Ariiko let an armored hand hold the back of Hanamis head to her chest, to allow her more of a comfort. She liked this, being looked to as a comfort source, though she considered, if she would allow this woman to be her friend, she had to show her, somehow, that she appreciated her company.

"May I call you Midnight?"

Akane followed the Princess as she went to check on Asuka and her sensei. Before it was a nice dinner. Constant silly events occurred to make her wonderful meal even more amazing. Of course the joy of it stopped when she was forced to eye up the new comer to make sure she wasn't a huge threat. Fortunately for the almost battle obscessed Slayer she was and that only increased her chances of possibly starting a fight. What did annoy her was Asuka's apparent weakness around her, but it wasn't entirely a mystery.

"Hurry up and do something already." She mumbled under her breath with her Naginata over her shoulder. When Natsume insulted the royal family in her brief remark Akane blinked a few times hoping she wasn't just imagining things. People were killed over less and Akane was already thinking about her possible attack. Even with help this wouldn't really go well for her, but that was the beauty of it. Akane noticed Mizuki's eyes changed, but she quickly calmed down and let Natsume walk away. After her order she walked away and all Akane could do was sigh.

She walked over to Asuka san and grinned. "I hope your sensei comes back again. I love loud mouth people like her. I prefer to call a woman who would insult royalty in front of their face brave instead of stupid. The former sounds so much better."

Hanami inhaled deeply and exhaled through her nose, feeling so at peace as she listened to the steady beating of Ariiko's heart. It was really nice and relaxing, just what she needed at the moment to help clear her mind of everything. She never imagined willingly being so close with Ariiko...or any woman until recent events. Her face got hot, as usual, when Ariiko gently placed her hand on her head in a comforting way. Hanami couldn't help but smile a little, and nuzzle against the girl's comfortable body. Perhaps, she wasn't so bad after all. Even if she did have a pact with a demon, it must be for a good reason. Right? Wrong. Chihomi told her from the beginning that nothing good can ever come of demons possessing humans, and that humans should want as little to do with them as possible.

"May I call you Midnight?"

She looked up at the woman, but kept her head pressed against her chest. "I think that will do just fine," She smiled and then looked at Ariiko curiously. "but, why Midnight?" She wondered out loud, thinking that her black hair must be the reason, but in the middle of wondering she felt a... A disturbance in the area. She couldn't describe it, but it definitely gave her an unpleasant feeling. The feeling disappeared quickly, but it still left her feeling a bit worried. Maybe it was a bad idea being so close to Ariiko when her guard was low.

A soft and subtle breeze flew through the hair of a blonde samurai girl mounted on a horse. Her armor was shimmering in the fading sunlight and the wind let the sashimono on her back weave in the wind. A long yari in her right hand and, on her left hip, a sheathed katana, she let her view wander over the landscape that opened up to her.
Miyoshi Nagiha had never before left Owari, hadn't even been in Mino, although her daimyo, Oda Tashikeda inherited it, when he took over the control over the Oda-clan's territory.
Indubitably, Nagiha served him with all her heart and strength. Now, though, he deemed her worthy enough to fulfill a task of great importance to the opinion of the clan in the imperial court. Apparently, the princess was sent out on a journey to Fujisan. Already a dangerous route, if you're travelling on it on foot, but as a princess, it seemed she got sent out on a suicide mission. There were a lot of people who may want to, either see the emperor dead, or at least his daughter.
In the end, the Oda were of almost no importance in the current court. Tashikeda intended to change that.
Sending out one of his retainers to protect the princess in the name of the Oda, that was the intended plan. However, it seemed only females could actually take part in this operation. The daimyo's only female retainer, who wasn't already busy, had indeed been Miyoshi Nagiha.
Nagiha had, since the daimyo personally briefed her about the situation, or at least, what he had heard so far, been extremely excited and felt honored to be the one to perform this task for her lord and master. During her travels, though, she realized, it wouldn't be easy to make the Oda shine brighter during that task.
Just walking up the the princess and claiming the Oda are gonna protect her, wasn't going to cut it. Nagiha had to completely rethink her approach. In the end, she decided for a more passive first impression and, when the right time had come, she'd reveal her actual task. Yes, this was what she planned to do.
According to her map, the convoy would have to pass through Oda lands, anyway, which would provide an excellent opportunity to show the hospitality of her clan.

Again, her view wandered around and stopped at the mountains in front of her. Behind them, the mighty capital of Kyoto, sometimes just called Kyo, lay. A city she had never seen before and even now, would probably not. One day, one day,[i/] Nagiha promised herself,[i] I'm going to visit Kyoto.

At that rare, deep inflection that came to the Princess' voice as the young one spoke, Asuka raised an eyebrow in bewilderment. Twas the same tone she had taken before with the warriors, at the start of this very journey to Mount Fuji, back at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto when some...bad blood had been stirred between Kaede-dono and Noriaki-dono. It surprised Asuka much, these mood-swings the Princess had recently gone through, at first cheerful and full of whimsy as any innocent young woman such as she, but then this shift to a more stern persona, this transformation of her childish and jovial self to this more stoic and determined state of mind. Perchance it was the maturation of their fair Hime-dono, the blossoming of youth into the full grown spirit of adulthood, but so swiftly? Now Asuka was thinking it had to be...that....that being the demon's essence lurking within her mortal figure. "Ah...don't be going too far off now, Hime-dono. It would be wise to stay within eye of your protectors, that it would." The ronin called to the princess, again strolling off on her own, that rambunctious and determined spirit. It made the woman smile a little, despite the trouble their Princess had gotten into time and time again. Still...it was cute and very noble of the young girl.

Turning to Akane, the samurai chuckled, scratching the back of her head, "I do believe that isn't the last we've seen of Natsume-sensei, that I most certainly believe, Akane-dono. As brash as she may be, she is still a woman capable of sincerity, that she is, but...it's rare in these occasions." Still, it was quite the braveness of her sensei to belittle a woman of royalty such as Hime-dono, or really to mock the entire Empire in one go. Others would indeed be fearful to besmirch the honorable name of the Emperor and his noble family, lest they desired to have their heads removed, but even the threat of demise did not hinder the snarky, poisonous tongue of her master. And....who couldn't blame a woman who held such hatred and disdain for the ideologies of the empire and the Feudal Lords for clearly speaking her mind? Still...if there was anything Natsume-sensei wasn't...it was afraid. "I'm sure sometime down the road of time, our paths shall cross again, indeed they will, but until then we should keep our thoughts upon the well-being of our Hime-dono, that we should certainly, Akane-dono." Letting out a deep and relaxing yawn, Asuka stretched her limbs and looked towards the west, towards the sun, now only a fading glow of orange. "It is growing late. It's time we rest and prepare for what may come of tomorrow. I should probably fetch our honorable Hime-dono before we turn in for the evening, that I should." Giving one last smile to the demon slayer, Asuka nodded a farewell before slowly moving down the very path Mizuki had tarried into the village.

But all the while she ambled with a pleasant look to her face, she heard...Hanami....speaking to....Ariiko?! "Oro?!" Guh....it seemed possibly the worst for the ronin now. "Oro...maybe I should consult Noriaki-dono about this...that I should...." Hanging her head, her pace hindered into a demeaning trudge. Why? Why must I be tormented so by these unrequited emotions?

The only response Mizuki gaze was a mere glance back with her cold now fully scarlet eyes. The dangerous cold look that one with the authority of a god would give at being ordered by a mere mortal. Still it was brief and no words were uttered as she continued walking, disappearing amongst the crowd. Humans, such intolerable creatures. Quite lucky they were that she was not in the mood currently. It had been some time since she was out and about. No longer catered to due to the lowly Emperor.

Despite not too much time passing, the silver haired half demon was on a hill, standing straight with her arms crossed. Blood dripping from the corner of her lip, in which she smoothly wiped away like it was nothing. Hopefully that would last until the next night. The damn collar barely lasted her last night. Still, she was mildly surprised those mortals decided to leave her be for a short time.

Hmph... So troublesome.

Still it was a satisfying enough, so she wouldn't trouble herself with the others. Though, she wondered just how long it would take for them to realize a missing member? Hmph perhaps not long though their silly minds seemed to be preoccupied with other matters.

She'd spent the day in meditation, within the sacred forest. On recent events on her surroundings, on the various sacred presences that filled the space. Mostly, on where to find the sheath she sought. It was some time before her meditation was complete, though her stay there had served another purpose. Nothing else was tracking them through the forest, and that was good. Come afternoon, the little woman decided it was definitely time to go. She needed to catch up with the rest of the group.

Once in town, tracking the group to an inn was easy enough. They were a hard to miss band of travelers, so getting directions to the proper inn wasn't too hard. It was late in the day before she even got to town, and by the time she'd gotten directions to the inn, it was night. It was while she was approaching the inn that she saw Mizuki leaving. "Arara?" She moves to the side of the street and walks normally, avoiding drawing attention. Shouldn't be hard, right? She should follow, and keep an eye on the princess. Her presence was different, too...

"Midnight..." Ariiko murmured. "Your hair is like winter during a forbidden hour of night." She smiles at Hanami and patted the priestess's head, noticing the princess leaving. It wasn't much of her concern. Ida was asleep and didn't notice, thankfully. Yet she still wondered, what darkness did the demon harbor.

"Starlight," Ariiko called down to her lover. "What's going on?"

(filler post is filler.)

"Oh, I see..." Hanami blushed at Ariiko's words, unsure of if that was something to be proud of or not. Either way, she figured it was time to take her leave, especially since Ariiko was calling down to her lover... She didn't really want to be caught in the middle of anything they might have planned. She wasn't that drunk. "Ariiko-san, thank you for allowing me your company, but I will be returning to the others now. I hope we can continue to be friends." She said sincerely to Ariiko, resting her hand on the possessed woman's shoulder briefly before crawling towards the ladder. Part of the reason she was leaving was, because she spotted a certain Ronin in passing. If she moved quickly enough, maybe she could catch up...

Once on the ground, Hanami walked towards where she saw Asuka heading, picking up the pace once the tall ronin was in sight. "Consult Noriaki-san about what, Asuka-san?" She asked calmly, but with a puzzled look on her face. When she made her way in front of the Ronin, she took notice of her unusually sad face, and frowned slightly. "What's wrong, Asuka-san? If it's about earlier..." She swallowed, pressing her lips into a flat line before speaking again. "It's really okay. I promise." Hanami gingerly rubbed the Ronin's arm as she said this, but stopped afterwards. She hoped her words would cheer her up, and that Asuka wouldn't beat herself up over it anymore.

Ageha watched everything occur. The woman didn't seem like too much of a threat and her words against the royal family and such didn't really bother Ageha. No... the woman's word damn near made her smile. Those damned people ruined her life. Her once emotionless face scrunched up into a face of anger as memories of her brother's death came to her.

---

Day of Ageha's Death

"There!" Young Yuki yelled, smiling at herself as she held up the small stone. It was a small white stone that Yuki had hit several times and somehow managed to carve into the shape of a heart. "Ageha's going to love it!" She shouted as she wrapped with string and tied it to a necklace. With a smile, she ran back to the house, Ageha's birthday present in hand.

It wasn't exactly a beautiful day, but it was nice. Yuki could tell it would more than likely rain later, the clouds were too dark otherwise. She shook her head. She never liked thunderstorms. They always brought bad things with them. She remembered one year when a tree near their house had been struck by lightning and fell on their house, catching everything on fire. They'd lost nearly everything. Luckily, her father kept a good deal of the fabrics and other supplies in a shed separate from the main store.

As she approached the house(They lived a few minutes from their store and kept fabrics there as well.), she could feel the water droplets hitting her face. It was weird and she couldn't understand it. For some reason, it was like the droplets hit her face in such a way, it was almost as if they were trying to tell her to stay away. She couldn't shake the sinking feeling in her gut. She got the door, and opened it gingerly. Inside, were her parents and her brother, all at the dinner table, waiting for her. She smiled as they yelled at her, the bad feeling suddenly gone.

"Ageha! Where have you been?" Her mother yelled at her, her face stern, confused by the smile on Yuki's face. The present behind her back, she walked up to Ageha, walking proudly with a large smile.

"What's wrong with you, little sis?" He asked, turning to look at her. She grinned and handed him the necklace, putting it on the table in front of him. He chuckled and smiled at her, leaning down to give her a hug. "I love it, Yuki. Thank you." He replied.

The rest of the day went on a usual, dinner was eaten and they were all getting ready for bed. The rain was pouring a lot harder now and Yuki could hear the thunder in the distance. She still couldn't shake the feeling in her chest but she shrugged it off. It was probably just like before, worrying over nothing. Well, that was until she heard the voices. There were people outside their house talking and eventually, they knocked, coming in on their own. Yuki watched as men in armor stormed into their house. The rest was a bit of a blur for young Yuki. One moment, she was fine, the next these men were taking her brother outside for an execution. She never really truly understood why and she never really wanted to. All she really remembers is the sound of her brother's head hitting the ground among the sounds of the thunder and the rain.

That morning, after the rain had stopped, Yuki went outside to look after gathering her courage. Her brother's body was gone and all that remained was a shining white stone caked in dried mud but... the mud was so dark and when she washed it off it came out red...

---

Present Day

Ageha looked up to see the princess already gone as well as a few of the others. What? Confused, she looked around. Noriaki-san was still nearby, Ariiko-san was on the roof, calling down to her and Asuka-san and Hanami-san were walking off. "Did... Did I miss something?" She mumbled, looking around. She let out a long sigh and walked in the direction of the town's inn. They'd all have to come here eventually. Still, she felt antsy staying in one place for so long. She waved to the receptionist and sat down in the lobby, taking a seat on one of the many mats and she waited... She wanted to go looking for the princess, but she had no idea where she might be and she'd rather not spend hours trying to find her only to see her later in the inn.

Slowly Nagiha watched the sun slide down the sky and sink behind the mountains in the west. "I will need a place to stay for the night...", she thought out loud and let her view wander around the landscape. Right before her laid a peaceful looking village. The inn could be clearly seen, even from where she stood.
Nagiha sighed. She surely hoped the inhabitants of the village held no grudge against the Oda clan or otherwise she could possibly get some problems.
With a slight whistle she drove her horse down the slight hill and onto the road into the town.
There was absolutely no need for her to sneak into the town, so she simply marched into it, still her sashimono on her back wearing her armor.
Passing by some astounded people Nagiha gave the reins of her horse to one of the townsmen. "Here, a gift for you. I won't need it anymore"
Even though the man she gave her horse to was about twice as tall as her, he seemed slightly scared of her. "Don't worry, there's no trap. By the way, could you lead me to the local inn? I am in need of some food and a bed."
Nodding the man showed her the way and elegantly Nagiha marched towards it, her yari still held tight in her right hand.
Opening up the door of the inn, the guests suddenly fell quiet as she wandered to the reception.
" A room and a warm meal, please" , she requested.
At first, the receptionist had been rather uneasy, however when she put down an amount of money that seemed enough to rent two rooms, the receptionist loosened up.
"The rest is for the troubles."
She turned around and flicked a few coins to the bartender.
"Give them some decent to drink", she exclaimed while pointing at the gathered guests and then she sat down on a bench waiting for her meal to arrive.