[i][b]"Miss, I would greatly appreciate if you didn't break one of my comrades."[/i][/b]

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

[b]"Huh? Who the hell's this pipsqueak, Kushiami?"[/b]

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? [i]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?[/i] 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. [b]"I demand an answer now, my stupid apprentice. Hop to it!"[/b] 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, [b]"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."[/b] Sighing with such irritance towards this, Natsume crossed her arms, her glare once again upon Asuka. [b]"So Kushiami, it's as I've assumed the worst. You're using Kazeryu no Tsurugi for the opposite of its purpose."[/b]

"P...Purpose? Natsume-sensei, what do you mean?" What did she mean by [i]purpose[/i]? 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. [b]"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......"[/b] Then....the truth of Kazeryu no Tsurugi was spoken by Hibana. [b]"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."[/b]

"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. [b]"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."[/b] 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. [b]"You there, Hime."[/b] Hibana addressed the princess. [b]"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."[/b] And then...there was that glare again to Asuka. [b]"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?!"[/b] 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, [b]"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!"[/b] 

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?"