Kaede had heard the young princess's reply and tried not to blush at the kiss on her cheek but in the end she felt like her words had not done much of a difference. It annoyed her slightly but she ignored it for now. Maybe on the trip she might make Mizuki see a more pleasant and survivable side of life. For now she sighed and lead on into the village. The Miko was immediately loved and she managed to endear everyone around her to her small stature and charming face. Children gathered about her like puppies and seemed to glow in her presence. Kaede on the other hand... well... she left a large area of empty space around her as people gave her the widest berth imaginable without actually asking to be attacked for the insult. Eyes avoided her and mothers hurried their children away from her like she was some manner of predator ready to snap them up. It made Kaede just a little downhearted. Contrary to her appearance she was actually a very motherly and affectionate person and she had in fact trained, mentored and comforted many children of various feudal lords before being forced to move on. She remembered them now, so many bright faces looking at her with respect and love, needing her to be there for them and to give them affection where their own fathers gave none.
Suddenly she shook her head like a lion and settled her features back into a steady scowl, this was no time to be thinking of such things and she could feel herself regretting her nomadic life. She found herself missing her Kunoichi, her Hana, her little lover. How long had it been since she had thought of her? Too long. It made her feel guilty to think that she was forgetting her so quickly, though it had been more than ten years ago that she had been killed. She supposed all pain dulled in time and all memories blurred into forgetfulness. She was making herself unnaturally sad when all of a sudden she heard a commotion and looked up to see Asuka being harrassed by some food-vender. With a exasperated, if amused, sigh she quickly jogged over and placed herself firmly between Asuka and the angry man. She smiled ever so sweetly while also impressing such a commanding presence that the whole street went quiet.
"Calm yourself good merchant, heres the coin you are owed. No need for raised voices or RASH threats... no?" She said it in such a menacing manner that his hand trembled as he reached out to the offered coin in Kaede's grip. He flinched as she grasped his wrist and patted the money into his palm, maintaining a cool eye contact that sent a shiver down his spine before finally breaking it to grab Asuka and rush off.
Once they were a little way away she rolled her eyes at the Ronin. "A samurai and yet you let yourself get pick-pocketted?" She laughed genially, patting Asuka on the back in a warm and friendly manner before throwing her arm over the other's shoulders. "I should thank you though for your misadventure brought me out of a very morose train of thought." She chuckled to herself but the residue bad mood still lowered her smile slightly and put a sad look in her eyes.