The ronin winced a little and gave a soft chuckle at the miko patting her on the head, similar to say how a little girl would pat the head of a little inu pup, at least how Asuka assumed of it, a little more embarrassing, but it was cute she would have to add. Her cheeks blushed all the more red now that Hanami was making contact with her, even if it was just a simple touch of the miko's soft hand to Asuka's damp hair. She even noted how Hanami had begun to blush at the feel of her dark, smooth locks, only made smoother by the waters of the stream, and the smile...that very smile Asuka....enjoyed looking upon. It was only all the more inviting as the miko's eyes captured the essence of the moon and the stars, the heavenly lights of the night sky, in simple and subtle dazzles about her irises. It brought an even more pleasant smile to cross Asuka's lips, possibly blued from staying in the cold for a bit too long. Distracted was she so much by the beauty of the shrine maiden, that she had forgotten how much time had passed. She didn't realize that she was freezing until Hanami spoke up about getting out. 

 "Oh." Asuka perked up, immediately feeling the chill of that precarious breeze across her skin. "Y-you're right, Miko-dono." Shivering, she waded awkwardly over to the bank of the stream, the burdening weight of her own soaked hakama ,and what few scraps remained of her haori after the battle with Kurohebi, bearing heavily against her fragile arms and legs, further weakened by that crisp, cold water. She finally managed to reach the edge, but paused when Hanami went before her, shirking her hakama, and while her haori served to obscure her more...intimate parts....her legs were bared to the ronin, perfectly curved and glowing in the midnight sun. Asuka quickly turned view from her legs though, damn these lustful views! "Of course, Miko-dono." Sleep...it did sound wonderful now. For such a long and eventful day, sleep was a well deserved reward for Asuka. Not saying she had been through much more than her other fellow companions, but judging by the bruises and the vicious cuts and scrapes that marred her fair exterior, she was certainly broken, beaten, and scarred. 

Finally, Asuka emerged from the stream and onto land with a few graceful steps towards the tree. As per request, she removed her damp scraps of clothing, along with her bandages, and adorned the Princess' kimono. The silky interior of the robe felt rather relaxing to the warrior, and only made her sleepier as she slipped her arms into the broad sleeves and concealed her bare figure underneath the wonderful colors and hues of the decorative flowers and designs that speckled the soft shaded fabric. Afterwards, she tied the obi around her waist, not to snug, but enough to make certain the robe didn't fall open precariously if she were to toss and turn during the night.

Before she stepped into the sanctuary of the hollow, she hung her clothes alongside the miko's bright red hakama and snatched up her sakabato. The last thing she needed was someone stealing her sword. Once inside, she glanced over to the Princess, cuddled delicately against the warmth of her comrade Kaede's buxom frame. Adorable it was and it brought a smile to the ronin as she watched the little body curl closer to Kaede. She then discovered the miko within the hollow, along with a bedroll already set for Asuka. It was not close to Hanami's but...it was certainly beside the young maiden. Asuka had no qualms of it though. It's not as if she was THAT lustful, speaking of the rather...libidinous poet mind you, and certainly it would be against her very honor to pull any late night tricks, again...same as the poet, and of course Asuka was certain a woman of purity, such as Hanami, would never enact the same upon Asuka during the night. However, Asuka was finding it difficult to sleep as she laid her sword next to the bedroll and eased herself onto the mat of woven straw, a brief groan as a pain shot up from her abs, those damned wounds still aching and throbbing, but not as much. Her eyes....they stayed open...and upon the miko. [i]Never...never in my lifetime, even in those darker days....have I seen someone as beautiful as her....indeed I haven't.[/i] Try as she might to close her eyes and drift away....open they still remained.