The town was busy as usual, trading stories and rumors. Business was quaint for the beginning of the afternoon, everyone dealt business over, and under, the table. Then the rumors really flew. How well was the Daimyo doing, how were the magistrates etc. The Shiranui Yakuza were the topic of the afternoon too. They ran the more seedier businesses, the brothels and gambling houses. Often some underlings will terrorize the more legit businesses for protection. Then there was a recent rumor. A Ronin was last seen walking towards town, due to arrive in the afternoon today.

Slowly, out of the Wandering wood, at the outskirts of the town, a Ronin did arrive. He walked out of the Forest and into town like a wind carrying a leaf in its breeze. Clad in a grey cloak with a hood covering his face. He walked through the town looking around. Eventually, the man spots an inn that didn't seem too busy and, hoping it doubles as a small restaurant, walks towards the inn and then inside, looking for a table.

"Nanami! I need you to get the good broom from the front please!" Tomoko called out to her niece.

It had been a particularly quiet morning so far and heading into peaceful afternoon. Tomoko didn't hear a call back from her niece so she made her way to the front entrance of the inn.

"Where is that girl..." muttering under her breath she looked around not finding the girl but finding a customer coming in the front door of the inn. Well at least she hoped he was just a customer and not those God forsaken yakuza that like to come and threaten the widowed inn keeper and her niece.

Bowing respectfully to the man, "Welcome to the Gentle Sparrow Inn sir is there something I can do for you? We have many clean and comfortable rooms, we also serve an array of meals and an exquisite selection of tea that is fresh brewed every day, if you are interested we also have some of the best sake in the prefecture."

Nanami had not purposely ignored her aunt she had been in the store room busying herself with restocking some of the commodities in the kitchen and not heard the call. She had busied herself with the task that one of the kitchen servants typically handled. The servant was a woman not much older than Nanami herself, but the young woman was early on in a pregnancy and had been feeling under the weather that morning. So Nanami being her helpful cheerful self offered to do her morning work.

"There that should be enough rice to get us through the day."

She hoisted the somewhat heavy bag in her arms and began to make her way from the storeroom to the kitchen. Upon tering she could hear a voice coming to dining room of the inn. The kitchen servant stepped behind Nanami.

"Nanami, your aunt is dealing with a customer, I can manage in here but you need to see if she needs your help." She said as she peeked into a pot that was bubbling.

The younger girl nodded and smiled going on to the dining room as she was asked. Tomoko saw her niece coming into the room in her peripheral vision and sighed with relief. Typically she didn't deal directly with the customers unless there was some sort of trouble. Nanami was usually the first to greet them, she had come to trust her niece over the years with the job. Giving herself more time to keep up with the finances. But she had to admit standing there in front of the man, that she was a bit rusty with the greetings because of it.

"I'm sorry aunt Tomoko, I was back in the storage getting some supplies for Mio. I did not mean to miss the customer." Nanami bowed respectfully to the man as well.

Tomoko smiled the child was always so polite and apologized for the smallest of things. "Thats fine dear just make sure our customer is served."

Nanami looked at the cloaked man and smiled, "Hello Sir, welcome and how might I help you today?"

The Ronin looked at the woman who approached him and gave a small bow when she did, to try and keep up with the respect of a guest. He gave a small sigh of relief when it was said there was food to be had and it doubled as a restaurant.

"Um, maybe-" he was interrupted by the arrival of a younger lady, more closer to his age group, only eighteen, approximately, arrive and take over. He lightly chuckled at the slight amusement before continuing where he left off. "Um, maybe a bit of dinner with some jasmine tea? Rice with some chicken and pork. Maybe later I may discuss a room for me to rest my wandering legs in?" The exposed mouth of the ronin gave a small and honest smile. At either confirmation or a suggestion of another recipe he nodded and walked to a table to sit calmly.

He glanced around the inn. Gentle Sparrow seemed pleasant enough to stay in, yet he halfway wondered why no one else was using it. He shrugged as he relaxed. He didn't want to take off his cloak just yet, for fear of scaring the people with either his sword or his hair color, or even his scars on his face. He sighed. His life was not an easy life.

His smile in return to them only made Nanami's smile bigger. She always appreciated seeing someone smile back. It was a rare thing sometimes, people getting wrapped in the negative of everything so much so they forget what was good in their lives, and forget to smile.

"Yes, Sir I'll get you some right now." It was nice having a customer, for the past couple of days they had only a handful of regulars.

Nanami feared that the yakuza were scaring new patrons away from the inn. She tried not to worry about it too much but part of her felt like it was her fault. Grabbing a tray she started out by getting his tea while Mio got his food. Looking out at the man she noticed that he kept his hood up.

"I wonder why he keeps his head covered." She asked as Mio shook her head and scoffed. "Listen to you worry about the silliest things, obviously theres a reason, but it's really not any of our business now is it. Just het his tea out to him, he's not causing trouble. So keep him happy so we cqn make money, who cares how he dresses."

Nanami nodded and took the tray with tea pot and cups to the table. She knelt down next to the table and began to pour tne tea in the cup. The aroma of jasmine wafted in the air around them as the wisps of steam came out of the tea spout. After his cup was filled Mio came in with the food, arather large bowl of rice, a stewed pork and chicken, pickled vegetables, and miso soup. Mio bpwed and set the tray of food on the table. After bowing politely Mio made her way back to the kitchen leaving Nanami with the man.

"Please, enjoy sir." Nanami said as she began to stand up from the table. That was when the front door slid open. A group of men came in Nanami looked over at them she had seen them before. She nervously swallowed as the group came in and sat dpwn together at one of tne larger tables.

"Heeeeey Nanami... bring us some sake will yah?" The leader of the unsavory group said.

They were all armed, and obviously not your typical workers stopping in for lunch. Nanami was visibly nervous around these men. She stood there for a moment just looking at them.

"Hey! You're not deaf I know you heard me... you're head may be filled woth air but I know you understand me. Get the sake woman!" Nanami bowed and headed back to the kitchen. The man chuckled and turned back to his colleagues sitting with him.

"Such a good little woman she'll make for a good wife, either that or a whore." The other men laughed.

Nanami soon came out with a tray, with three bottles of sake, and cups for all the men. She knelt down next to the table setting the tray down in front of them. Just as she was getting up the leader of the group grabbed Nanami by the wrist and pulled her onto his lap. She cried out.

"Please don't!" This alerted Tomoko and she came into the room glaring at them.

"Ahhh... Fuwahara so nice of you join us... I wonder... does your decision still stand on our offer? Honestly... how much business do you have to loose, for you to give up this..." his mouth inched closer to Nanami's neck. "Treat...?"

The Ronin nodded his head as she walked to prepare his food. He silently hesitated to take off his hood and rested his hands on the table and waited in silence. The sweet smell of food flew past his nostrils and his eyes, hidden as they are, began to gleam. The moment the food came, he was already upon it like a cunning wolf in the barn. Then he heard the ruckus as he turned to look in curiosity.

Then he recognized the symbol on their robes and looked at his own cloak. "Shiranui Yakuza?? This must be Taki's cousin's lowest underlings." He thought. "Three of them. Armed, with cheap blades. My own blade could break them. But then again, one good chop would too considering their cheap swords." The Ronin frowned as they began to harass the young woman which forced the owner to walk out and then he heard the leader of the three threaten to mess with business.

So that was it. Now the Ronin was getting angered. "If you bakas can stop your harrassment of the staff, and Your dishonorable conduct, then you can talk about businesses threatened. Otherwise, shut up, drink your sake, and get out. I'm having dinner." One of the men glared at him as he got up and walked to the Ronin's table and rudely took a bite of his pork. Grabbing one of his chopsticks, the ronin jabbed at the man's hand, close to the wrist.

The yell of the Ronin spraining their comrade's wrist brought the other two to their attention as the Ronin punched his victim to knock him out and throw him outside the Inn. "That's one idiotic piece of crap out, two more to go." The second Yakuza rushed at him, and with a two punch, three kick combination of attack, the ronin sent him flying out of the Inn too meet his comrade.

Then he turned to glare at the leader of the the group. The Leader looked angered. "You, stupid animal! Bow before me in apology! Or I'll, I'll Kill the Inkeeper's lovely niece! If we can't have her, we certainly won't let anyone else-" as he said this he was drawing his sword. The Ronin however, closed the distance and grabbed the man's wrist as he then punched the man's Katana at the hilt. With an audible snap, it broke.

"Cheap swords. As I suspected. If you want to make threats at a Ronin, I recommend paying more then 30 ryo for an apprentice made blade." The Ronin growled as he grabbed the stuttering man by the cloak. "Listen close, you pathetic underling, I don't know if you are under orders from your boss or not. But know this, a colleague of his deceased cousin of three years is staying here at this inn for a time. Now get out, dishonorable pig, before I draw my own blade and show you a true sword." The ronin threw the man out to join his fellows, and his hood fell off his head, long red hair tumbling out.

With a sigh the ronin removed his cloak the rest of the way and sat back down to finish his meal as he drank his entire cup of tea. "Sorry for getting involved." is all he had to say if anyone began talking of his skills, appearance, or the fact he butted in.

Tomoko clenched her teeth at the yakuza that was currently manhandling her niece. "I've told you and your boss that I'm not going to pay for protection I don't need! As for my niece she has never been a part of any deal, so I'd appreciate if you-."

Tomoko was cut off by the man that had just been served dinner. Nanami wiggled and writhed in the mans lap trying to get away. However when the man she had just served interfered on her behalf she was grateful and worried for his life at the same time. After the taunting the leader who was holding on to Nanami motioned to one of his underlings with a nod of his head to do something. The guy smirked and walked over eating a piece of pork off the man's plate. Nanami gasped when the man grabbed and snapped the underlings wrist. Everything else was almost a blur till the man that had her threatened to kill her. She was tossed away as the leader drew his sword only to have it snapped like twig. She landed on the floor with a plop and watched as the once hooded man tossed the leader out along with the the others.

Tomoko and Mio rushed to Nanami's side, other than maybe a bruise on her butt and being molested she was alright. Tomoko was focused on Nanami when she heard Mio gasp in surprise. Nanami looked over at the Ronin, that Mio was gawking at. Tomoko loked at him as well the man had bright red hair. This was a very uncommon sight but... being former geisha you see many type of people. So it wasn't that much of a shock to the older woman. Nanami being the type of person she was didn't really worry about the Ronin's outward appearance she was grateful for his help. Mio however was shocked by his appearance his hair on her mind was a bad omen for thing to come and she was there next to the other women with her mouth wide open. Only to be snapped out of it by Tomoko smacking her on the arm.

"Stop before I use you as a fly trap, clean up the mess those hooligans left!" Mio shook off her shock and went to do as Tomoko had asked as Nanami was pulled up from the floor with the help of her aunt.

Nanami dusted herself off and then made her way over to the Ronin. "Thank you sir.." she said as she bowed gratefully. "If there is anything you need I will be your personal servant for the day. It is all I can do to thank you for your kindness and bravery. You did not have to step in on my accord, yet you did, so I am in your debt."

Tomoko bowed as well "Your help was greatly appreciated, that is fourth time this month those yakuza have came and harassed us. Even going as far as threatening people on the road before entering the village that if they come to our inn they would come in and rob the patrons. Typically one of servants Hojo is here to deal with them to an extent where we only have a little damage. Some cracked bowl and chipped cups here and there. However I sent Hojo to the market this morning to get some supplies. As thanks for your help I will gladly give you room and meals for free as long as you wish to stay."

The Ronin knew several of them were gawking at him due to his red hair as he sighed. "Forgive my hair, it's been like that since birth. Some claimed my father angered a Yokai and the spirit cursed my hair color in revenge. Nothing major to worry about." he stated as he observed the woman he rescued from the danger bow to him. The owner bowed as well. "So these two are related. Also The Shiranui Yakuza seem a bit too active nowadays.maybe I should stay, I know if Taki was here instead of me, she'd have a bigger incentive, this is her home. Maybe there's a memorial around here too."

The Ronin finished his food in silence, pondering what he was told. This was indeed, his cloak's original owner's home, so now he believed, it'd become his home. He rubbed the scars on his face in thought. "Well, the former owner of my cloak used to live around here, and seeing as that colleague was a good friend of mine, I don't see any reason as to not live here for a while until I get enough money to have enough for a house to be built around the neighborhood. So I accept your offer Madam."

He stood up and bowed to them respectfully. "My name, is Masenai Autoro, formerly of the Samurai Clan Autoro, now a self exiled ronin. I am at your service if you need me."

Nanami cocked her head to the side when he mentioned his hair she had not really noticed it till he pointed it out. She smiled the color reminded her of the geraniums her mother used to grow in the garden of their home. The ones her stepmother complained about, calling them an ugly flower. Tomoko went to help Mio put things back together as Nanami sat patiently waiting for the Ronin to finish his meal. He was quiet, as Nanami kept her eyes downcast till he spoke again. Tomoko had just finished resetting the table the men had been sitting at before, when he spoke his name and took her up on the offer she had given him.

"Very well Masaenai Autoro, you are welcome as long as you like at the Gentle Sparrow." she rested her hands on her hips with a nod and a smile.

Nanami smiled and stood, "Come I will show you to your room."

Masenai only nodded when offered to be shown his room and followed Nanami up the stairs to one of the rooms. The room he was shown seemed like an average room. Complete with bedding, a closet, and what seemed to be a balcony view of the entire town. He looked around, nodding in approval of the commendations. He his cloak aside next to the closet and pulled out his Katana, sheathe and all. Resting it on top of the cloak he sat down and looked at Nanami.

"It'll do. This shall serve as a means to observing the habits of this town." he stated calmly. "I request a bottle of sake to be delivered here. I always take a cup or two of it before resting. Keeps the ghosts away." he didn't want to bore the young woman with the details of his comings and goings, or the reasons he chose to drink sake at certain times. He then began to meditate.

Nanami nodded, "I'll make sure to bring it to you as soon as possible Sir, theres a nice little bath house out back if you feel like you need to relax at any point."

She understood why he asked for the sake, especially when he said that it kept away spirits. A samurai was the type of person that deals death to many men in the name of his Lord, it could be hard on someone conscience. She left the Ronin to his thoughts, and headed down to the kitchen to fetch the sake he had asked for. Mio was sitting next to a pot stirring the stew, Hojo must have returned while Nanami was upstairs. Because he was currently, stacking crates in the kitchen.

Mio rushed over, doing another worried once over Nanami again. "He didn't try anything did he?" Nanami, shook her head, "Mio, don't be so foolish, he didn't do anthing to me. And I don't see him doing anything any time soon."

Hojo, stopped what he was doing and stood next to Mio, the pair had worked along side each other at the inn since they were children, and married just a few months ago. Now Mio was pregnant with their first child, Nanami had always thought they made a cute couple.

"What's this I hear about a demon Samurai?" he asked. Obviously Mio had strarted gossiping as soon as Hojo had stepped in the door. "He has fire red hair, amd snapped a mans sword like a twig!" Mio exclaimed.

Nanami shook her head, "He is no demon, and he snapped the man's sword cause it was a piece of junk. His hair.. is just red." Hojo raised an eyebrow. "Well red hair is kind of odd."

Nanami set a bottle of sake and cup on a tray. "Yes... but that doesn't make him some sort of demon. He is just a man that is a skilled swordsman... nothing more." she said as she turned to head out of the kitchen. "It's a bad omen Nanami... letting him stay is a mistake." Mio said as Nanami ignored her and left.

"Such a silly superstitious girl... to think she's older than me only by a few years." Nanami muttered to herself as she walked up to Masenai's room. She knelt outside of the door as customary. "Sir, I have brought thesake you asked for."

Masenai could sense that the young woman could understand why he needed sake. But due to being the sole survivor of his group, and being unable to tell anyone his story due to everyone's wish to forget, made him feel all the more lonely. He lost his friends and first love three years ago. Now he was just a wandering samurai, killing all those he feel are causing injustice and trying to bring peace to towns. But now that he ended up here, in the home town of His first love. He wished only to possibly find a way to settle down in this town.

Provided of course, he finds a way to put the Shiranui Yakuza in their place. He felt that if they knew who he was, then Taki's Cousin, the boss, would either pay him a visit, or give him a wide berth. Given Masenai's name and reputation, possibly the latter. But he would deal with him either way. He heard the young woman at the door and got up, and walked to the door and opened it and bowed.

"Thank you. I'll take it from here. That'll be all for today." He stated as he picked up the tray. He didn't want to take advantage of the woman in any way. Setting the tray down and moved back to the door, he silently closed it. "Good night."

"Goodnight Sir."

She, left Masenai to himself, after helping Mio clean up the kitchen, she made it to her own bed. Nanami tossed and turned a big part of the night having a rather fitful sleep.



The morning broke bright and cheerful, despite having a terrible nights sleep, Nanami woke with the sun and got to work helping one of the maids clean a room that someone had left that morning. After that, she went to help Mio in the kitchen with breakfast. Breakfast was the same every morning, miso, rice, and pickled vegetables with tea to drink.

"Are you going to take food to... his room?", Mio asked nervously.

Nanami nodded, "Yes, I plan on taking breafast to Autoro-san's room if thats what you mean. You shouldn't be so superstitious just because you think his hair color is odd. It's rude and disrespectful, to speak of him in such a way. I am very grateful that he is here."

Mio gave a heavy sigh, then nodded, as Nanami set breakfast on the tray for Masenai and headed up the stairs she was met halfway up by her aunt.

"When you're finished bringing the ronin his breakfast I need you to sweep the the path leading to the bathhouse. It's becoming cluttered with brush. We dont want it getting too messy, our patrons will start tracking it into the bath if we don't take care of it."

Nanami nodded, and headed up to Masenai's room and knocked gently on the door. "Auturo-san I have brought you breakfast.", she said leaning in towards the door so her soft voice would carry into the room.

Masenai groaned in his sleep. He opened his eyes when he heard her knocking as he groggily got up and walked to the door and slid it open to see her. "Thank you." he said groggily as he bent over to take the tray, only to realize his top was missing. He probably gave Nanami a view of several hidden scars on his torso and back as he walked with the tray and set it down to eat from it.

He pondered about his words and deeds of yesterday. The Yakuza might be scared of him now. They might be telling their boss about him, he knew he might have to meet with this boss at a sit down. But he know he will deal with it, later. For now, he'll see himself settled into the town first.