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

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

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

Noriaki had spoken true.