Japan, Edo(Modern day Tokyo)
Autumn

The sky was a beautiful shade of orange, the sun peaking out over the horizon of the bay outside of Edo. The birds began to fly about, finally having awoken from their sleep. Outside in the city streets, there we already townsfolk wandering about, beginning their daily routines. Going to the marketplace, to their job, everything that you would expect in daily life. It was a wonderful day in Edo...

Mitsuhide awoke, sitting up as he rubbed the back of his neck and sighed out. He smiled as he looked out the window of his house and stood to get dressed. Tightening his kimono and slipping on some sandals, he walked outside to his shop, passing by the many busy people in the marketplace. Once inside, he left the door open for any customers, and began to paint with a brush and black ink. He was content with his drawings as he pictured the mountains of Japan and the clear blue sky, with the radiant sun shining over the land. That was, in fact, what he was drawing. He continued and waited for anyone interested in buying his wares.

The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon as Jin awoke. He gave a lazy yawn and a stretch. He slowly rolled out of bed and put his clothes on. Some people made fun of his clothes. They were old, tattered and despite several washings, were stained with dirt and sweat. Jin liked them though. They were worn and comfortable. He believed a man with worn looking clothes was an honest man. After getting dressed he meditated, as he always did.

After a short meditation, Jin wrapped his hands from elbow to wrist to protect him from the heat and cinders from blacksmithing. He walked to the front of his house that doubled as his shop. He gathered up some wood and started a fire in the forge. Once it was nice and hot, Jin opened up the bamboo shutters to let in the sunlight and any potential customers. While Jin usually had work to do, he always welcomed customers.

Today would be a fairly easy day for him. He only had a few farm implements to repair. The sun had already started to rise high into the sky. He figured if no one came in, he would be done before late afternoon. Perhaps he would walk down to the other merchants and see what they had to offer. Since it had been a fairly profitable month for him. He began softly humming to himself as he stoked the forge fire and prepared for his day.

The morning sun was rising, rays of light shown through the cracks of the window that Shino slept close to. He rose from the bed holding one hand up to block out the light. The sound of the bustling outside was a sure sign that the market close by was beginning its morning routines. At one point he thought he would reside in a luxurious house located by a quiet riverside, but those were childish dreams. That was before Shino learned the concept of income and just how difficult it was to earn one. Shaking the grogginess from his mind, he dressed himself in his usual attire of a red kimono. Making his way out the creaky doorway, he slipped on his shoes and his way towards the marketplace with his coin pouch. He was looking for nothing in particular, but he was keeping his eye out for anything interesting.

Jin was busy mending several farm tools when he heard a soft voice. "Blacksmith?" Jin looked up and saw an elderly woman doubled over on a cane holding a scythe. Jin, wiped his brow and walked over to the old woman. "What can I do for you?" The old woman was partially blind and looked past him. "My grandson toils in the field and he broke this the other day." She said holding the scythe out. Jin picked it up from her wrinkled hand and examined it. The blade had separated from the handle. Jin smiled softly. "It can be fixed. You can pick it up in the morning." The old woman smiled and clapped her hands. "I will come with payment tomorrow then!" She exclaimed as she turned to walk back home.

As Jin placed the scythe down to go back to work, he heard a commotion behind him. Three men dressed in samurai garb were hassling the old woman. "Give us your money old woman. You stepped on our feet and must pay!" The old woman was obviously frazzled and began to cry. "Please kind sirs. The only money I have is to fix my grandson's farming tool." She pointed back at Jin. One of the men drew a sword and pointed it at the woman.

Before it could go any further Jin walked up to the men. "Leave this woman in peace." The man with the sword walked past the old woman, pushing her down, and pointed the sword directly in Jin's face. "Or what?" He sneered. He turned back to make sure his lackeys were watching him. As the man turned his head Jin slid forward and popped the man on the chin. As his head wrenched back in pain Jin grabbed the man's sword wrist and disarmed him, taking the sword and sliding back. Jin pointed the blade downwards and addressed the three men again. "Leave that woman alone."

One of the other men clumsily pulled out his sword,raised it over his head and rushed at Jin. With one fluid motion Jin moved forward and slightly to the left out of the path of the sword as the man swung it down. Jin brought his own sword up quickly and sliced the man from his hip to his shoulder. The man screamed in pain and fell over dead. The other two men stared in disbelief. Jin slowly walked over to the man whose chin he punched and handed him the blade. The man cautiously took the sword and backed up.

"Go about your way. Now!" Jin commanded. The other two men looked at each other and back at Jin. As they turned and walked away, the injured man shouted back: "My father will hear of this and you will pay!" Jin walked towards the old woman and helped her back up. "Thank you so much blacksmith. May the gods forever bless you." She cooed at him as she slowly hobbled away.