[quote=SailorMoon]
 "I can't let you go alone... It just wouldn't be right. Not only will I be hurt if something happens to you, but think of how worried Hime-dono will be..." Placing a hand on top of the warrior's battle hardened one, she squeezed it very gently. "So, please... " She pleaded with her, "Stop being so stubborn and let's go. We can work together and stop him...I know it!" Hanami moved her hand off of her's, and pretending to grow impatient, marched in the direction to the ruins. "Ah. I'm leaving without you, Asuka-san!"
[/quote]

"Oro....." Asuka sighed deeply at this, as she considered it, apparent scolding from Hanami. In truth she deserved it, but if anyone was coming off as stubborn, it was indeed the little miko. Rather cute it was though to the ronin of the girl to be so headstrong in her endeavors, even if such would lead her to certain demise. At least Asuka knew in her heart well enough if the time came, she could easily protect Hanami during the fight, since she had already made up her mind to follow the ronin anyways much to Asuka's dismay, but that left this question open, who would protect Asuka from the blade of the dreaded Black Serpent, except for herself? If anything, allowing Hanami to accompany her to this daring feat was ludicrous, and Asuka....feared it may not end well. "Miko-dono, wait for me! I'm hurrying, that I am!" She called to the young priestess, affixing to her once glowering and saddened features a bright and cheerful smile, as much as she could muster to show her....wavering approval to Hanami following her.

She started to run to catch up with the girl, already paces ahead of the ronin, but suddenly, she caught something upon the wind, a foul surge of energy, so raw and so malevolent, indeed inhuman in its sadistic nature, and it was speeding towards.....Hanami!! "MIKO-DONO!!"

Within such grim and vicious seconds, Asuka's eyes beheld the horror unfolding before her as the corrupted samurai rushed forth as if from the haunting shadows themselves and snatched the young miko out of thin air, drawing his terrible weapon of bloodshed to her fragile neck and cackling with a sound of ill, twisted glee. "I assume this little Miko is your WOMAN, Wind of Death! She is indeed quite the beautiful blossom upon the sakura tree, and now she belongs to me, as does your little Hime too! Ahahahaa!! What wonderful gifts you've brought me indeed, Kushiami!!" The bastard!! How dare he speak of Hanami as such, a mere toy for his savage delights, and if Asuka heard correctly, he had also captured Mizuki as well!! No! Asuka would not stand for this! Damn him for dragging innocent lives into this altercation between the two past slayers of men! "Gankuro, you monster!!" Such a fearsome voice bellowed from her mouth, such rage exhumed from the very agitated pit of her lungs as she growled at the bastard samurai. "Unhand Miko-dono at once, or I shall carve your arms from her!!" But her threats...he enjoyed them. "Yes! YES!!" He laughed all the more nefariously, pressing that ill blade of his closer to Hanami's neck. "That is what I want, Wind of Death! Get angry! GET ANGRIER!! Hate me as you've never hated me before!! Soon the old you shall emerge from that rotten pacifist shell, and I shall have the greatest challenge of my life!! You know where I will await your blade to come for me! I hope to see you there, Slayer of a Thousand, otherwise...I might have to ruin this pretty face you cherish so much! Sayounara!" 

How disgusting of him how he tormented Hanami before her eyes, only serving to rile that long kept anger that dwelled within Asuka for so long, now forever boiling to the surface. She tried, she so desperately tried to reach for the miko's hand, to save her from what disturbing horrors must await her and the Princess at the battleground of Kurohebi's choosing, but Asuka's valiant efforts to save dear Hanami from that madman....were for naught. Soon, the lecherous and vile fiend vanished with the miko behind a thick cloud of black soot. "GANKURO!!!!" All bets were off. The gauntlet had been thrown, and Asuka had no other choice.....she drew her blade swiftly with a loud and agitated grunt, her eyes already narrowing into that ever piercing, ever horrible visage that was the Slayer of A Thousand. "Mark my words, you bastard, for Miko-dono and Hime-dono....I will kill you!" And then she was off, a dead sprint towards the ruined temple, no chance of rest, her only focus upon the road that would lead her to slaughtering that dishonorable and terrifying foe that haunted her through these waking hours.