The soft warmth of the sunlight streamed through the balcony doors and on the sleeping man, a slightly sweet floral breeze filled the bedroom causing the man in the middle of the bed to shift and to roll onto their stomach. Hanzo grunted as he ran his hand through his loose graying hair before turning to look to his left.

It was empty.

She was already awake, either gardening or already enthralled in her writing. With a sigh, he continued to lay on his stomach letting the remnants of sleep pass through him before he even attempted to move. He had become too lenient with his schedule during his time at the woman's home. A year had already passed since he abruptly came to the home, and yet he felt no need to continue to run.

Not wanting to be lazier than what he already was, he pulled himself from the bed and began to ready himself for the day. Several minutes later dressed in casual clothing, Hanzo made his way into the kitchen. It was empty and quieter than usual. "The boy must be with the older woman this weekend," Hanzo thought to himself as he noticed a cast iron teapot hovering over a heater on the glossy counter.

Green Tea.

Hanzo hesitated for a moment before pouring himself a cup. The memory of him and woman flooded his mind. The details were hazy at best, but he still remembered.

Blood. Searing pain. An exotic looking mask. Worried pleas and then blackness.

When he did open his eyes, an unfamiliar room greeted him, from the ceiling hung several small stained glass, crystal-encrusted like chandeliers. Hints of cinnamon, patchouli, and vetiver surrounded him as he faded in and out of consciousness. When he woke up however many hours later, there was a pot of warm green tea next to him. While he was recovering from his injury he and the woman shared several cups of green tea together in the large sun room.

Pushing the memory back, he looked down at his cup of tea before turning his attention to the garden at the back of home he now considered his refuge. In this place he knew he wouldn't have to run or hide, it was a strange notion that had developed during his time there. He had been on the run since the death of his brother, and from him abandoning the Shimada clan.

And yet spending a year at this home that was tucked away from prying eyes with an unknown woman, he found solace here.

The woman, Vera, didn't bother to ask about why he was being pursued, who attacked him, she didn't care about any of that and he was thankful for it. She understood privacy and how things were better left unsaid.

He spotted the woman outside tending to the large blooming garden, the double French doors were open, the source of the floral scent he caught earlier. He watched the woman tend to her garden, a small smile on her lips as she worked.

He didn't know a lot about the woman at first, but as time passed, he began to discover a bit more about her.

Vera, a writer, she took care of a young boy by the name of Herve on the weekends, she had a fondness for tea, books, insects, flower arrangements and she had a had a tendency to talk to her plants. He knew about the freckles that were littered along her skin, the sensitive scar on her stomach, the softness of her hair the cinnamon, vetiver aroma on her skin.

Absentmindedly, Hanzo took a sip of the tea, slightly burning the tip of his tongue. Flinching back he spilled some onto the counter and followed by a sneeze. He quickly went to clean up the mess and washed his hands before deciding to abandon the tea for the time being and head outside to see if he could help her in some way.

Vera turned to Hanzo adjusting her sun hat as she sat back onto her heels.

"Good Morning. I didn't think were going to be up so early," Vera said softly as she turned to look at the man standing near her.

"It's fine...I wanted to be of some help," Hanzo replied softly.

"You know you don't have to do anything...your wound-" Vera started.

"It's healed. It's been a year since-aachoo!"

Vera and Hanzo stared at each other for a moment, Hanzo quietly excused himself and continued talking.

"I am fine...I want to be able to do more to help- aachoo!"

The man sneezed a few more times before Vera stood and ushered him back into the house. She quickly discarded her gardening gloves and shoes.

"Your face is all red...are you allergic to something?" Vera asked as she rummaged around in one of the kitchen drawers.

"N-not that I am aware of," Hanzo said as he sniffled while reaching for a kleenex next to the woman. He heard the woman giggle softly to herself as she pulled out a surgical mask from the drawer.

"If you really want to help you have to wear this… I don't have any allergies so I don't have any medication for it...if you would like we can go buy some?" Vera said as she gave the man the mask.

"Yes," Hanzo said and promptly sneezed again.

Vera giggled as she watched the man put on the mask. Hanzo nodded to the woman before the both of them went back to the garden.

"I'm not sure of what your experience is with gardening is, but I am willing to teach you if you would like to learn," Vera began as she slipped on her gloves. Hanzo nodded silently, sniffling behind the mask.

"I am unfamiliar with this," Hanzo replied, his voice muffled behind the mask.

"I hope you're ready to work...but please don't strain yourself with your wound…" Vera said softly.

"I will be fine," Hanzo replied.

Vera glanced at the man before turning towards the herb garden she had further in the back of the house.

"Vera…" Hanzo started.

Vera turned around to look at the man, she adjusted her sun hat.

"Thank you…Thank you for everything,"

Hanzo could see the confusion on the woman's face before she replied to him, there was a slight smile on her lips as she tilted her head.

"You're welcome, Hanzo,"