Fall was beautiful at the Hashira estate; the entire estate was awash with the color of warm fire. Trees and flowers bloomed in brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, and splashes of green from foliage not yet changed to fit its peers.

Two young women walked along the stone path, one dressed in fall colors, their hair done up similarly with flower ornaments. They laughed together happily, arms linked as they strolled slowly through the garden, a bond of friendship clear between them. Jun was dressed in a white kimono with red and black designs in the shape of flowers and petals with a high obi and an orange flower in her hair, pulled back away from her face but in a relaxed style.

A twang of a bow, however, stopped her short and her laughter died with the crunch of a leaf underfoot. A look of shock was short lived as it gave way to annoyance, Jun's face scrunching up as another twang sounded, the other girl searching for its source.

"Honestly," Jun snapped, turning her head to see a young man reach for another arrow in the quiver on his back, knocking the arrow and pulling back the string as he took careful aim. The top half of his clothes were shrugged off and hanging by his sides, his skin bare to the elements. His back was to the girls, his shoulders tensing with the pull of the string working against him as he held the arrow at the ready until he was sure of his aim. "Does he do more than practice? Perhaps the bow should be his bride." Jun watched as the arrow found its home on the target, splitting it in half.

"Is that him then?" The girl asked hanging on Jun's arm. "What did you say his name was?"

"Hanzo Shimada." Jun hissed with heat. "My future husband, should this sham of a marriage go through." She rolled her eyes as Hanzo smiled at the target he destroyed, then down to his hands as he flexed them.

"I thought you liked the elder Shimada? Was it not the younger one you disliked?" her friend asked, cocking a brow and smirking. She had long brown hair and dark eyes that framed her face nicely, making it seem round but firm. "Or is it you are simply jealous of the amount of time he spends in training?"

"Just watch," Jun smiled sadly, and gently removed Keiko's hand from her arm and walked closer to the archer as her friend followed along at a distance to be able to hear clearly. "I trust everything has been to your liking Hanzo-san?" She called out, approaching gently, so not to startle him. Hanzo turned quickly and pulled his Kimono's top in place as fast as he could without messing up, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I see you are getting in your mid-day training, are you done?"

"I split the target in half," Hanzo gestured to the round target several feet away, "If I was not done, I am now." He adjusted the fabric of his kimono and looked to her. "The fall colors are quite lovely here in your home." He looked up to the trees and bushes around them when there was a rustling, Hanzo had just laid eyes on the blushing Keiko who was inching closer when a flash of white and orange dropped from the tree above with a loud 'rawr!', making Hanzo drop his bow and throw his arm up around Jun defensively who seemed amused, but un-phased.

"Well, well," Jun smirked as Hanzo dropped his arm, realizing in his haste that he had wrapped it around her waist to attempt to shield her with his own body, but she hadn't moved, "If it isn't my favorite Shimada brother." She smiled happily as Genji laid back on the ground cackling happily, glad his prank had worked. "How are you Genji-chan?" He was dressed in shinobi attire, painfully obvious that he had taken advantage of the lesser known surroundings to ditch his teacher and come in search of his brother.

"Ane-chan!" Genji beamed and jumped to his feet, wrapping her in an informal hug that shocked Hanzo and Keiko, as Jun wrapped the younger boy in a gentle hug, the tips of her fingers rubbing his shoulders softly. He was quickly catching up to her in height, a few seasons ago she had towered over him, but slowly Genji had caught up, and now stood evenly against her. "I've missed you!"

"An honor to meet you both," Keiko greeted. "Shimada-dono, I beg you to take care of my friend, she is rather rough and tumble. Perhaps her marriage to you will open her up to the tender ways of womanhood." She looked up and smiled as Hanzo scoffed, his back straightening as he walked away.

"I doubt anything will change her ways." He walked stiffly as if insulted, going over to the destroyed target to retrieve his arrows and replace them in his quiver.

"We will simply see in time," Jun closed her eyes and squeezed Genji's hands before releasing them, sensing the tension radiating from Hanzo at the target. "It is nearly time for our families to gather, would you all like to walk together?" She asked, knowing that if they were to arrive together, it would take some of the heat from her mother off her back. It was not but an hour or so ago, Jun's mother had scolded her for not spending enough time with Hanzo, taking to Keiko's company instead. If she showed up without him, her mother would call her back to the room once everyone had taken their leave and demand to know why she was avoiding him.

"I would love to!" Genji beamed happily, then seemed to remember his place and coughed nervously. "Unless, you would like me to take Keiko-chan, and you and Onii-chan can go together. I know how our parents like to see you two spend time together? They might leave you two alone more, if you go together…" He got louder as he spoke so his brother, who was standing idly in front of the target, rotating an arrow in his hand and inspecting the tip. At the mention of pleasing their parents, and being left to their own deceives by going to this one gathering together Hanzo's interested was peeked.

"Keiko, do not get him lost." Jun laughed, bowing a little less formally than Hanzo, "They will be in the tea room, our mothers set up lunch with tea there for a moment of relaxation for us all. Insufferable though it may be." Jun sighed, closing her eyes and trying to not groan at the thought of the two hours of awkward silence between the seven of them, food and drink never lasting quite that long. She had not missed though, the slight nods and the look of dread on Genji's face. He was an excitable boy, and could never sit still for the entire time, often sneaking off when everyone was busy to continue his training or cause general mischief somewhere in the estate.

Even Hanzo seemed to dread the time in question, averting his eyes and a slow breath causing his shoulders to rise and fall. Although he was less excitable, even a calm and peaceful man like Hanzo didn't like the awkward silence and forced tranquility time between the two families.

"I will not lose your precious Shimada brother," Keiko laughed, turning away and narrowing her eyes playfully, "But I will not promise that he won't feel like spending more time with me than you when we get there!" She laughed as Genji put his hands on his hips and smiled, taking it as a challenge.

"I'm rather fond of Ane-chan! You are in for quite a battle!" He lifted one hand and gestured for Keiko to walk with him as they began walking away, side by side, talking happily. As the two got further away, Jun started to follow, but stopped short when she felt a tug on her sleeve. She looked to make sure she had not snagged on a low hanging branch when she realized it was Hanzo's hand.

"It has been some time ago, but…" He swallowed as Jun turned to face him, her face a little shocked. "Please," He stressed the word, trying to show her he was not prone to making the same mistakes as before. "May I see your hand? The one…I injured." A dark look of guilt crossed his face as his eyes traveled down her kimono sleeve to where her hand hid inside the fabric.

"Oh, Hanzo," Jun chuckled and lifted her kimono sleeve, pulling it back so her hand was shown. "It has fully healed some time ago, I have complete use of it again." She turned her hand over to show him the scar that ran along her hand where she had caught the arrow he had shot at her as a prank during the spring. It was completely healed, and barely visible unless you knew to search for the start of the scar on the side of her hand. Hanzo took her hand gently in both of his, touching along the scar with the tips of his fingers, his eyes followed along but reflected his thoughts without masking them. He was feeling guilty and sad still, although it had felt like a lifetime ago when it had happened at his home.

"Jun I am so sorry." He said with a sigh, curling her hand up gently and placing his left hand on top, holding her hand between his. "I never should have tried to pull such a mindless prank. I will never forgive myself for harming you."

"Hanzo, I'm fine." Jun smiled, removing her hand from between his and patting them gently with her hands. "It was just a scratch."

"I could have killed you." He snapped, but the anger was directed at himself, and she knew this.

"But you didn't." She snapped back with a soft shake of her head. "And you've beaten yourself up over it long enough." She pointed at his nose with her index finger on her injured hand. "I forbid you to feel guilty over this any longer."

"You forbid me?" Hanzo blinked, shocked that she was speaking in a commanding way. Though the tone in her voice he had grown used to, her manner of speaking shocked him. She didn't like the idea of slaves and ownership over another person, and forbidding another from doing something was on the top of her list of things that annoyed her.

"I do." She smiled and pulled her hand back. "You didn't mean to hurt me, and I know that. I will admit, I was angry with you at first." She put her hand back in her kimono sleeve and looked down the path Genji and Keiko had traveled. "But I have watched you, you feel this guilt eating at you, every time you look at me. You can't continue on this way for the rest of our lives." She turned her back to him. "I have already forgiven you Hanzo, it's time for you to forgive yourself."

"But," Hanzo started to argue but Jun turned her head to glare at him, stunning him into silence.

"I told you. I have forgiven you, but this ongoing trip of guilt you give yourself is about to spark my anger once more." She smirked at him, turning halfway back to him as he stepped closer slowly. "Have you forgotten what it is like when you test my anger? You may have outgrown me archer, but do not assume that I slack in my training." This made Hanzo chuckle, she was always so confident in her ability to take him on in battle. And to be honest, though Hanzo would never in any shape or form admit to it, she could probably cause him a lot of trouble taking down. This was no idle boasting—she was no slouch in her training, and despite their argument about it back in the spring at his home, she had continued to learn with her master, and had continued to grow.

"How could I forget, when you use every opportunity to remind me?" He chuckled and stood by her side. He glanced back at the destroyed target. "But do not presume, Jun, that I have taken my own training lightly." He looked at her and watched her eyes glance from him, to the target, to him again. "I have only gotten stronger, and will continue to do so."

"I hope so," Jun smiled, walking along the path slowly at her own pace, her sandals making soft noises against the stones. "You have promised that I would not need to apply my training to defend myself or for your brother to defend himself." For just a moment, Hanzo felt a little pride swell in his chest. This was an odd compliment coming from her. "And I would hate to have to save not only myself but Genji-chan as well. How would he look to his Onii-chan then I wonder? When he is saved by a woman?"

There it was, the overconfident aspect of her personality that part of Hanzo wanted to throw his hands up in annoyance and part of him want to laugh. Never had he met another woman who had the confidence that Jun had, certainly not in her ability to defend herself. Most women he had met were pinning for some man to take care of them, make them comfortable and protect them. Not Jun Hashira. She would do complain about it not being done right, then take over for any man and show him how it was to be done properly.

Part of Hanzo admired that about her. The ability to stand on her own to feet and have confidence about it, certainly was a relief to him, as he didn't need to coddle her with anything. She could keep herself occupied, out of trouble, and solve most problems without the need of a decision coming from him or anyone else. However, sometimes it lead to problems when her and Hanzo's opinions differed, often ending in fights and arguments that had them both stomping from the room and one another's presence.

"Hanzo?" Jun sounded concerned, looking up at him with her brow furrowed, one hand reaching out to touch his chest. "Are you alright? Is there something wrong?"

"No," Hanzo shook his head and kept walking, brushing her off. "Just trying to imagine what it would be like if you were more like your friend said, womanly." He smirked at her as her face flushed pink to match her kimono's color. "What you have in battle prowess you lack in feminine charm. To see you be delicate and feminine would be odd, to say the least."

"Ha!" Jun scoffed, looking away as they approached the house. "You would be too inexperienced and naïve to know what to do." She hid her mouth with her right sleeve, still looking away as Hanzo blushed brightly and narrowed his eyes at her. "So I will keep my more feminine side hidden away, perhaps one day when you are truly a man you will witness it."

"That could be taken one of two ways," Hanzo snapped, raising one dark brow. "Either," He crossed his arms, closing his eyes as Jun looked at him warily, the smile slowly falling from her face. "You have already shown this 'feminine side' to another man and do not wish to show it to me." He could hear the small breath being taken in by her, he had just accused her of having a lover in secret. "Or," his lips slowly curled into a smirk as he opened his dark eyes a crack to look at her. "You are simply trying to buy yourself time, because you have spent to much time training with the men to know how to please them."

"How dare you!" Jun snapped, her face flushed brightly pink once more at the teasing. This made Hanzo snicker, holding one hand up in front of his mouth to hide his growing smile. Jun stammered, unsure of how to retort, when finally she pressed her lips together firmly and looked ahead, making Hanzo's snicker to grow into a soft chuckle. They had reached the house now and were climbing the steps when a few servants came running past, looking frantic. "What is going on?" Jun asked as a servant paused to look at Jun and bow.

"Please stay here ma'am!" The servant girl turned on her heel and took off after the group that had left her behind, going toward the inside of the estate. Jun and Hanzo didn't need to exchange any looks or give one another any sign to follow after the servant silently. Hanzo didn't know the lay out of the estate quite well yet, but he had a feeling he knew where they would end up. Jun came to an abrupt stop by an open door and waved Hanzo on as he stopped for only a second to see her step inside the room and run to fetch a sword from its place on an alter. Hanzo sped up and reached the end of the hallway, spotting the female servant going into a large room as Jun's father came stumbling out, holding his mouth.

Hanzo ran over and helped Daiki to stand, looking up and into the room he had exited to feel fear and horror claim his gut. There was blood splattered all over the floor and Jun's mother was lying on the floor on her stomach, her face and clothes covered in blood. Hanzo's eyes widened as servants were gathering up the tea set and foods that had been laid out, throwing them into sacks and removing them from the room quickly, trying to not step in or fall in the blood.

"Wh-" Hanzo started to speak but Jun's father held up a hand to stop him.

"Do not let Jun see Hanzo." His voice was grim and grief stricken. "She will do something reckless, please, do not let her see her mother like this." Before Hanzo could agree, he heard Jun's quick steps thundering down the hall. Jun's father pulled himself somewhat to his feet and stumbled back into the room to kneel by his wife's corpse, sobbing hard as he used his hand to wipe away a lock of her hair from her face. Hanzo felt his blood turn to ice in his veins as he stood and put his hands on the sliding doors to shut them as Jun appeared at his side, sword attached to her hip, hand gripping the hilt tightly.

"Hanzo what is—" She turned just as he slammed the doors shut in her face, only a glimpse of her father cradling her mothers limp form being seen before Hanzo pulled her into a tight embrace and kept her from trying to open the doors. He had her arms pinned down to her side as he practically crushed her in his arms. "H-Hanzo?" Her voice cracked and Hanzo's heart cracked with it.

"Don't look." He begged as she struggled against him fiercely, managing to free her arms from him, but he put one hand on the back of her head and pressed her against him again. "Please, don't look." He tucked her head under his chin and made her rest against his chest so that she could not see when more servants made their way into the room. "You shouldn't have to see that."

"What. Happened." She snapped, a sob trying to choke its way from her throat. He buried his face in her hair, trying to not think about what was happening on the other side of the door. Trying to block out the sobs from the room. "Hanzo. What happened."

"I don't know." He answered, adjusting his hold on her so she looked away from the room, his hands straining to keep her against him. "Jun please. Don't look."

"Don't hide things from me Hanzo," Jun snapped, "What happened in the room. Why don't you want me to look.."

"I…" He didn't want to answer her, how could he?

"HANZO!" Genji's voice yelled from down the hall and it broke his concentration just enough for Jun to get loose from the archer, one of the doors flying open as she barreled through it, she thought herself mentally prepared for what was on the other side. But her father holding her mother and crying into her blood-soaked kimono was something she was not prepared for. The sword she had started to draw clattered to the floor seconds before her knees buckled, but strong arms kept her from sinking to the floor. Jun's father looked up as an ear splitting, guttural scream pierced the air, his daughter in shock as Hanzo kept her from sinking down into a puddle of her mother's blood.

Hanzo pulled her back to the doorframe as she lightly struggled, trying to crawl to her mother, but the elder Shimada held her fast. She clutched onto his left arm as he kneeled beside her, petting her hair and trying to make her look away. She was sobbing, tears falling and soaking Hanzo's sleeve as she buried her face into the bend of his arm, unable to stand the sight any longer. Hanzo covered her with himself, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her as close as he could, his face buried against her neck, his own eyes shut tight as he heard her sob into him, feeling her shake and gasp with the emotion racking her body.

"I'm sorry," he cried, tears falling from his clenched eyes as he squeezed her tighter. "I am so sorry."

~Some Time Later~

Hanzo sighed heavily, they had only just arrived, but he had wished they had never left the Hashira estate since the attack. It had been an elaborate assassination attempt that had gone wrong, claiming only Jun's mother Saiyuri. A poisonous plant called The Valley Lilly had been crushed and mixed in with the tea that was supposed to be served for that day's lunch. Saiyuri had brewed a little to test it out, to make sure it was a good fit. It had been such a large dose in the tea, it had caused her to have convulsions and begin vomiting blood until she died of her internal wounds.

After the initial clean up and disposal of the tainted food and drink, Daiki had asked the Shimada's to take their leave earlier than expected, so that he could deal with his wife's funeral arrangements, refusing help from Hanzo's father and Hanzo as well. The young archer had not wanted to leave Jun alone after seeing her mother, it had destroyed her. It was hours later that she had cried all her tears and still she would not separate from him, clinging to him as if for life until the family doctor insisted on taking a look at everyone to make sure no one had come in indirect contact with the poison used. Since then, he had not seen her, even when they made their leave, she had not come to see him off and he wasn't given the time to track her down and check on her.

He was trying hard to remember his manners as his family entered the estate at what seemed the pace of an injured snail, his father and mother a few steps in front of him and Genji beside him, who looked like he could be sick in his formal wake kimono. Hanzo was glancing around nervously, trying hard to spot any sign of Jun or perhaps Keiko or Daiki. He was so busy looking however, he didn't hear his father speaking to him, and wouldn't have noticed if Genji had not elbowed him and gave him a shocked look and nodded to their father.

"I apologize father," Hanzo sighed, stopping behind his father who turned to look at him sadly. "My mind is elsewhere. I am worried about Jun. I have not seen or heard from her since that day." He went back to searching the grounds. "I sent her a letter while we were away to ask how she was, and if there was anything we could do…but she never replied to it." He sighed heavily, closing his eyes as Genji agreed.

"Yes, I sent her a letter or two, but she did not write to me either." Genji put his hand on Hanzo's shoulder. "But I am sure Ane-chan is just going through her mourning process. She will be in good physical health, I am sure of it." Genji tried his best to smile, but Hanzo could read his little brother like an open book. He was just as worried about Jun as Hanzo was, but had been trying much harder to hide it.

"I would say," Hanzo's father spoke gently, reaching out to touch his son's other shoulder as Genji removed his hand and fidgeted with a string on his kimono. "That Jun-san has been busy with helping her father with the arrangements. And has wanted some time to herself, this was her mother she lost after all. One could not blame her for wanting to be left along to mourn for a while." Hanzo looked down to his feet as his father removed his hand. "Come with us to the room of the wake, if Jun is not there, and Hashira-san agrees, then you can go in search of her to show her your support."

"It is touching my son." Hanzo's mother smiled gently, making the Shimada men look up to her. "That you worry for her so much, your heart has grown tender toward her, and it is nice to see." She reached out and cupped his cheek, her thumb rubbing a spot gently. "I believe she will be happy to see you, if her father had not asked us to take our leave, I do not think she would have separated from you at all." Hanzo smiled softly, glad he had been able to be of some sort of comfort for her, even if it was little more than a pillow.

"I just want to make sure she is ok." He took in a deep breath as his mother removed her hand. "Her father was afraid she would do something reckless, and I fear it too." He followed along as his parents started walking again, a little more quickly this time as other mourners past them. Each heartbeat in Hanzo's chest made his anxiety grow, Is this what is like to be Genji? He thought idly as he glanced to his brother, who was fidgeting constantly with a piece of fabric from his Kimono, a string loose on the end that he was wrapping around his finger and unwrapping when he got to the end. To feel this nervousness, and desire to run away? I will not scold him for vanishing again if this is the torture he endures in silence.

Up the steps and inside the house, step by step, beat by beat, Hanzo thought he would go insane. Still no sign of Jun, just teary-eyed mourners dressed in blacks, whites and greys, nodding as they passed to or from the room of the wake. He took to flexing his hands and counting out his breaths, thinking about the sound of waves, trying to keep himself calm. They made it to the room and his parents paused for only a moment before exchanging a sad look, Hanzo's father wrapping his arm around his mother's shoulder and pulling her closer as they walked past. The door was sealed shut, boards had been hammered across it to cover up the room and prevent entry, Genji's head dipped between his shoulders as he looked from the boards to Hanzo who was staring not so much at the boards, but the floor just in front of what had been the door. Where he had held Jun and tried to console her as she bellowed and sobbed in anguish until she fell silent, unable to cry or scream anymore.

They passed a few more rooms, open to allow mourners to walk about. Genji and Hanzo looked in the rooms as they passed, but no sign of her. When they finally made it to the room of the wake, Hanzo felt his stomach lurch. Daiki was at his proper place near the alter, looking stone faced and somber. There was a futon just behind him, ice packed away in bags and a white sheet over the body of Saiyuri. Genji swallowed hard, his hand finding the corner of Hanzo's sleeve, gripping it tightly. He hated funerals, they made him uncomfortable. The Shimada family came closer and whispers started humming through the air, other mourners left the room or averted their gaze from the brothers as they kneeled and bowed to Daiki.

"Lord Shimada, Lady Shimada." Daiki bowed, his voice hoarse and soft as he sigh heavily. "I apologize for sending you away with such rudeness before. I just did not wish to—"

"There is no need in apologizes my friend." Hanzo's father pat Daiki's shoulder. "You were worried for everyone's safety, even in the chaos that was your wife's murder. It was the right thing to do, and I would have done the same." Daiki looked up, his eyes red and sunken into his face, he looked tired. "I only wish there was something my family could do to help you through this difficult time." Daiki nodded and looked to Hanzo, a very small smile tipping the corners of his mouth upward.

"Hanzo," Daiki's voice made him look up from his knees, pushing the whispers of some nearby mourners. "Thank you for all you have done, for being there for Jun." Hanzo blinked, his eyes searching around behind Daiki for just a second to try and find her. "She was shocked to receive a letter from you, it made her happy." This made Genji turn to look at Hanzo with surprise. "She was not sure how to respond, and your letters made her cry too Genji-san," Daiki smiled at Genji who pointed to himself and then looked down at his knees shyly. "Tears of joy I assure you. I think it healed her a little to know there were people who cared enough to check on her…no one else has bothered to check on her…" He sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes with one of his hands, it was slightly shaking and Hanzo wondered if Daiki had been asleep anytime since the incident.

"I…" Hanzo spoke out of turn, making his parents and Daiki look at him. "I have not seen her since we arrived…I…" He coughed into his hand and tried to steady his nerves, "I would like to check on her, do you know where she is?"

"Certainly," Daiki nodded, "She is out by the garden, feel free to make yourself at home, all of you." He looked to the sheet on the futon where his wife lay. "It is what she would have wanted. She adored you," He smiled at the sheet. "She so looked forward to your wedding to Jun," He reached out and touched the sheet softly, making Genji look away. "Go out that door." He nodded to the door they had come in. "And go to the right, you will come to the walkway that surrounds the estate, follow it to the right and you will find the side garden. It was where she was when I saw her last. If she is not there, have some servants help you track her down. While I think her reckless actions may be past, I would not put it past my daughter to run away."

"Yes sir." Hanzo bowed respectfully before he stood and left the room. He followed along with Daiki instructions, out the door—to the right. He glanced around the hall and open rooms as he passed, not wanting to pass her up if she had come inside from the chill. More mourners caught sight of him and began whispering but he ignored them, their words and stares didn't matter to him right now. He made it to the end of the hall and found the walkway, the moon was full and bright, lighting up the gated estate with glowing white light.

"Shimada-dono?" The unfamiliar voice caught his attention and sent him into alert. He turned and raised his fists to defend himself but was shocked to find Keiko crying softly. "It is you!" She wiped her eyes with the palms of her hands. "Please, follow me. Jun-chan is this way…" she gestured to the left behind her.

"Is she ok?" Hanzo asked, his tone taking on a hint of anger. "Why are you crying?"

"She refuses to speak," Keiko covered her mouth with her hand, her pace quick as she led Hanzo around the edge of the house. "She hasn't spoken since the day Saiyuri-dono passed…She is worrying me Shimada-dono, she just sits and stares off into the distance. She barely sleeps, she must be coerced into eating and drinking, and even then it is such a small amount…I fear at this rate, she will simply waste away in front of us."

"I do not know what I was expecting…" Hanzo sighed as he followed her around the corner of the walkway. "Part of me I suppose was worried about this, and part of me was worried she would seek vengeance…"

"I think she would," Keiko spoke softly as she slowed her steps, looking ahead at something. Hanzo looked from Keiko to where she was looking, seeing Jun sitting stiffly, staring aimlessly out into the garden. "If we had any idea who it was that poisoned her…" Keiko wiped her eyes again, fresh tears falling. "I can't…I can't sit beside her as she just stares for much longer…but I do not want to leave her alone for long, I fear she might take her life…I was on my way to get her father—"

"I will stay with her," Hanzo said grimly, his eyes never leaving her face. She held no emotion in her face, her lips resting easily in a slight frown. "go, get some rest. I will see if I can be of any aid." He walked toward Jun and while he was sure she heard him, she did not bother to look and see who was approaching, which was very unlike her. "Jun…Its me…" He stopped about a foot away, watching as she breathed softly through her nose, "Your father said you received my letter…and Genji's…" He stepped closer, but her only movement was a slow and tired blink. "May I sit with you?" He asked, tilting his head and stepping even closer.

She didn't answer, not even a nod or shake of her head. Hanzo waited for a moment longer before sitting near her. He looked out into the garden with her, silently as they sat together. After some time passed, Hanzo turned to look at her and studied her face. She hadn't been sleeping, or if she had, it wasn't well, or enough. She wasn't wearing any make up, and Hanzo was surprised to see that her hair was just laying straight around her shoulders instead of done in some decorative style.

"I was worried about you." Hanzo admitted, looking down to her hands as they lay softly in her lap, limp and forgotten. "Keiko says you haven't spoken. And that you are not taking care of yourself." He watched her chest rise and fall with a heavy breath. "Jun you have to take care of yourself," He turned slightly toward her. "You need to eat, and drink…Have you been sleeping at all?" He watched her but she never changed, her eyes never faltered from their endless stare straight ahead into the garden. "I'm willing to make a guess that what little bit you have been sleeping has not been adequate…" He blinked and felt a little anger rise inside him. "Say something!" He snapped, grabbing her by the chin and making her look at him. "Look at me!" Hey sad, drooping eyes found his and he felt guilty for snapping at her. "Jun, I'm sorry." He let go of her chin and re-adjusted himself, so he was sitting on the edge of the walkway, his feet touching the ground. "I shouldn't have snapped at you, or put my hands on you, I just…" He sighed and covered his eyes with one hand.

"I've been so worried about you, when you wouldn't answer my letter I feared you were going to seek revenge on the clan responsible for your mother's death. I know how you get when you are angry, you seek to destroy the source…" He let his hands sit on the edge of the wood, gripping it tightly. "But while you are safe, this is not better by any means…You are wasting away. She wouldn't have wanted that." He smacked the wood with the palm of his left hand. "Genji doesn't want that…" He bit the inside of his cheek and closed his eyes. "I don't want that. I want you to be healthy. I want you to take care of yourself." He heard movement and opened his eyes, shocked to see that she had joined him in sitting n the edge of the walkway, her legs hanging down and touching the ground as well, her hands laying softly on the wood.

"I promised to protect you, from anyone that would cause you harm." He looked at her as she stared down at her bare feet. "That includes from yourself. Jun I do not want to, so please do not force me to take care of you for yourself." She lifted her head, locks of black hair falling in her face as she looked at him sadly. He reached up and moved her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "Because I will, if it comes to that." He put his hand down as he looked away, back out into the garden. "You don't have to speak until you are ready. I am not asking you to act as if nothing has happened, gods know I wouldn't know how to act if I was to loose my mother like this…but all I am asking is that you start to take care of yourself again…for yourself, for your mothers memory…for those that care about you. Your Father, my parents, my brother…"

"Hanzo…" Her voice was barely audible, dry and cracking. Hanzo felt something touch his hand, he looked down to see that she was reaching out with her pinkie finger, barely touching Hanzo's with the tip. Hanzo lifted his pinkie and wrapped it around hers, curling his finger so that he held hers gently.

"Yes…for me too." He nodded and studied their hands, how small hers was compared to his. How cold she felt in the fall air, her thin funeral kimono doing little to keep her warm, how thin and frail her hand seemed, as if the strength had been pulled from it by force. "Please Jun." He felt his throat grow tight, he took in a deep breath before looking up at her, realizing that she had been watching him the entire time he had been studying her hand. "I beg you."

Heavy moments of silence passed as they looked at one another sadly. Hanzo could see the fatigue in her eyes, the sadness in her face, the tracks where tears had fallen down her cheeks. He started to reach up with his free hand when Jun closed her eyes and laid her head against his shoulder, the stiffness in her posture seeming to melt away as she relaxed against him. She seemed like a wilting plant leaning against a tree or rock for support, the touch shocked Hanzo into staring out into the garden, his face flushing with heat. Only his mother had ever been this close before, but never in a position such as this.

"Okay," Her voice seemed strained, but from past abuse of screaming or thick with tears Hanzo could not tell. "You win Hanzo…" Hanzo gulped and moved a little closer to her, letting go of her pinkie to reach up and stroke her hair his free hand reaching over and taking her abanded hand in his free one and cupping it gently in his lap. They sat there for some time more, just resting against one another in their own way until they would have to face the outside world.