Shōji styled windows and sliding doors made of wooden lattice covered in a translucent Japanese paper; tatami mat floors; a tokonoma alcove; and simple, subdued colors and style. Hand carved tables and most of the furniture was spread throughout the open floor plan. Enough space was left for a pair or group of people to sit down and enjoy themselves. Sitting pillows that one could sit on held a hand embroidered and detailed design of a different flower. Menu was plastered on the wall next a counter that separated kitchen from actual area non- employee could order. Made up a small structure held strange sign that hung out from the front door with single word Tentōchū. Gained a reputation in capital city of the kingdom of the raising sun for it owners and the array of strange tea blends. Wait staff wore kimonos dyed in strange colors nobody had seen before and carried prints from creative imagination. Way they wore they hair in basic buns with sticks that held different beaded design that told them the apart. Had a strange beauty that they said was natural for them and wasn't created through face paint or use of make up. One that stood behind the counter and held make of orders for them was known for his mixed features by the customers. He was a good foot taller then the wait staff and his hair was color of freshly roasted nuts with natural highlights. Strange clothes he wore always kept his skin hidden from prying eyes of who ever caught sight of him.

Ended up attracting the attention of Emperor's son three months after his late fiance was to have said passed in his arms. He heard about the place from the mouths of the servants one evening when plagued by nightmares of his deceased beloved. Names alone peaked his attention since they earned the joined title of Spring Bouquet of Tentōchū. Held a strange beauty that one could not find outside that place's walls by the few that dare visit them. Seemed to be gained some attention of the locals that had become repeated customers within the last few months. Made up a bizarre atmosphere within the interior that mournful prince couldn't find anyone to describe in detail to him. Lead to him wanting to make a personal visit about 3 and half months or so after the day he lost his beloved Ashi. He made sure to slip out the Palace when light in the sky was still lingered when sky become painted in colors of a fading sun. Trying his best to take the back roads and not draw attention to himself when he took a step further to this place. Finding the structure tucked away in the corner of his father's kingdom with collection cheery blossom trees surrounding the entrance.

He stopped to view the flower shape lamp that hung beside the door frame and noren that hung above the doorway. Both seemed to a matched set since painting on the curtain depicted a meadow in middle of spring with ladybugs. In mid- flight toward edges of the last curtain that lay right next to a soft light emitting from the pedals made of paper. Would distract him before the sliding of the door took place, out walked two women with slim, petite builds in matching appearances from their styled hair to their colored zori. One carried a stool and the other a hooked stick with their butterfly sleeve-clad arms. Before these two could start their closing duties like many times before this night by aiding one another. They were stopped by eyes belonging to the famed prince of their Emperor peeking from under a jingasa he wore. Not one of his eyes lids blinked when he stood firmly in place and observed them. Watching the two staring back at him as they leaned toward one another to whisper about what to do. the one with thin lacquer of a dark pink upon her lips and winged eyeliner to her eyes putting stool down. Put the stand she held down before retreating back inside yelling they have a special guest.

"Welcome to Tentōchū," One left outside holding a hooked stick to do the greeting. "You caught us in the middle of closing, but we'll make an exception."

She would have ended up stepping aside in a bowing position until he passed her to go inside if wasn't for him asking her name. Would be Bara with her body still bowed to him and left her in a state of confusion even after he stepped inside. Allowing her to slowly reach out to the door with the pole end of the stick and start to slide the door closed behind Jack. Left eyes belonging to the rest of her siblings to peer upon him as some were crowded around the front counter in aprons. One in the center sat behind the counter and would sigh before addressing the most plain-looking girl in the batch. A nod of her head had her splitting from the small cluster as she made her way toward who stood in the small foyer. Bowing when she got close enough to him before introducing herself to him as Momo after asking him where to seat.

"I rather you show me where ever would be best since I am here just the quiet." Jack kindly addressed her feeling out of sorts.

She ended up waiting for him to remove his geta sandals before stepping onto the floor and following this Momo to a table. The one closest to the front counter where she would allowing to seat down on a pillow and look upon the menu. Where he would kindly ask for a pot of tea and nothing more from her with his best smile after he removed his jingasa. Away she would walk with assurance that his order would be brought to him since he caught them in the middle of closing. She re-joined the group that stayed at the counter to hand over her order to whoever was behind the counter. Who would stand to their full height of 6' 0" with hair the color of a starlight double braided bun for what Jack saw. Any further view of this person from the samurai's viewpoint was obscured by the girls from where he sat. Soon was cleared when the girls scattered in all directions to finish their closing duties completely ignoring Jack. Allowing him to take in further detail about the person with a warm skin tone and clothes that completely covered his body. His hands and face were the only parts that were exposed patches from what Jack could see.

Brought back memories of the black bodysuit that his late beloved first wore in the moments they had first battled. Own went his head to hide the sadness his eyes would display when the person noticed he was looking his way. Who started putting a teapot filled with a mixture of herbs and tea leaves beside cups with a smaller plate holding Chichi dango. Would wipe down his hands on a nearby piece of cloth before making a short trip from the back of the counter. To the front, while he folds the cloth and laid it next to the trey he would lift it with one hand and carry it to Jack's table.

"All I have is a basic matcha blend and the last of Chichi dango to give." This person explained what lay before his only customer. "Is there anything else your want..."

He couldn't finish when Jack slowly lifted one of his hands with his head still turned down to stop him from finishing his sentence. Making a simple request, that all he wants is a few hours of peace to be addressed without the formalities. In a tone of voice that was just above a whisper with a hint of sorrow and despair that he was failing to hide.

"Where I come from, They say misery likes company." The person was unable to walk away. "Would that be alright?"

"..." Jack would only nod his head.

On the other side of the table, this person would take a seat with his back to the wall and legs outstretched before him with a single pillow underneath him. Staying quiet enough to watch Jack reach toward the trey where the teapot sat and pot himself some tea. Filling only one of the cups to drink from before he looked up toward the second person to wonder to share. He turned his head from side to side without saying a word that left Jack to drink the tea alone in utter silence. Both stayed like this for a few hours before the person reached toward the sash tied around his waist to remove a piece of tile. Completely encased in a gold framework with the face of an elegant lady in European wear of a light color. He placed it on the table for Jack to look upon with his hand retreating.

"Her name was Lady Tianna Phyliss." This stranger understands the pain that Jack was going through by sharing his own story. How he traveled the world in his youth and came to work for Lord within his estate as part of the staff. Falling in love with the youngest of his daughters over the years with plans to wed when she said yes. Went downhill when she become bedridden with illness and didn't show any improvement in her heath.

"She took her last breath affirming her love for me." He went to recall her pale complexion and the thinness of her body when he last saw her. "Died holding my hand as I sat beside her bed."

Stating that moving on from a woman that saw how unique he was from his skills with a knife to his speaking his native tongue. Was the hardest part for him to forget since she always looked forward to learning about him. Everything around him reminded him of her in one way or another from her smell to the way she said his name. Had Jack gone through his memories of all the times he and Ashi spent together before she faded from his arms. Taking a stroll within the private gardens of the Palace would remind him how she looked in her fluorescent dress made from leaves. A simple smile on a servant girl's face that was exiting his room, would bring back memories of her first smile. Wonder he could see in small child's eyes would recall images of when she started to admire the outside world. Hearing someone say his name during the daylight hours, would bring back when she lovingly spoke his name. Practicing his sword drills in the privacy of his chambers with a bokken in his hands, brought how they first fought side by side into his mind. Passing the breeze from the wind brushing against his lips, reminded him of her lips on his.

"Your not the only one with a hole in his heart." The person's voice carried a mournful pitch.

All that was said to him before he grew quiet and sat there as the girls ran around the room after one outside joined them. Behind her, the door was shut and locked by her skillfully using the tip of her feet before she slipped off her Zori. Joining the others after the pillows were stacks, candles on the tables were blown out, and tables were wiped off. To walk to the back of the shop where they would pass the table Jack and his guest occupied to say they're good nights. Before stepping passed a side of the counter to disappear passed a set of curtains. Leaving the two alone with only a candle's dimming light in a room, that was surrounded by darkness.

"Are they?" Jack asked looking toward where the girls exited.

"My sisters." The person answered him.

He would have gone on about how they came out incidental if Jack hadn't told him how he first met Ashi and her sisters. Repeated fights that tested his skills as a warrior with a slash of their blade when they chased him down like prey. They stalked him to only lose their lives and all that was left was Ashi to see his humble and honorable nature. She made a realization and would come to make peace with Jack with many adventures to follow. They were told to open the ears of someone that Jack would never learn their name through the night. Not paying attention as he spoke of Ashi in great detail to this person until crickets could be heard.

End Of Day One

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Once more Jack would say good night to his mother and father after the evening meal before heading to his room to wait. Servants would go through their routines in and out of his private chambers just when the twilight of the day happened. He made sure he had his jingasa when he slipped from the Palace to take a familiar path through the back streets. Keeping his movements to himself when he kept his face covered when he passed someone in an alleyway. Didn't stop him from nodding his head as he smiled while being careful where he placed his feet as he walked. Not paying attention to how closely he would get to the entrance of Tentōchū where two familiar faces were at work. One was taking down the lantern using a hooked stick and the other was taking down the noren using a stool to stand.

"Konbanwa Jack -Sama." Both answered him.

One in a tan-colored Iromuji would greet him and another in a Lavender Iromuji would slide the door open for him to enter. In he would go with them following him to join their other sisters with one of them closing the door. Instead of one of them showing him where to seat and take his order like the first time he showed up that day. Their brother was sitting at a table with a bottle of Saki with a sakazuk in the middle of reading a book of poetry. Who would offer Jack what he was drinking and take a seat with him. That would be taken with Jack being given a pot of tea and a single cup with nothing to snack on. Taking the seat opposite of him where he was facing him and was able to read the back of the book of poetry.

"Welcomed back." The person nods his head to Jack. "Must mean you had a good time."

"Yes, I quite did." Jack honestly answered him.

"All we did was talk." This person pointed out.

Once more a smile would appear on Jack's face when he remembered his first visit here ended with him dominating the conversation. How he ended up needing to return home or someone would have noticed that he was in his own bed. Farewells were traded and Jack was escorted as far as the first bridge by this nameless person without a single word further being exchanged. They parted ways with Jack continuing back to The Palace on his own with a weight lifted off his chest. Already making plans to slip out once more and return to Tentōchū to simply chat with a face that never gave a name. Since now he found himself pouring himself some tea and taking in the silence before one of the girls stepped forward.

"O-nii-san." She looked at the nameless person. "May I practice my koto?"

"Only for a little while." He saw no bother in allowing her. "You must go to bed afterward."

Ended up thanking him by bowing repeatedly before she settled down a few feet away from the table to set her koto down. Jack noticed a leg was missing and sides were chipped away before she balance and adjusted the instrument and the 13 movable bridges. Getting into a comfortable sitting position before she started to play a relaxing tune. Had her brother saying she picked this up while he was away seeing the world in his short years of travel. Turned into all his sisters picking up a talent for a musical instrument and becoming a band of sorts that played from time to time. Going as far as to play melodies that they had written themselves instead of traditional songs.

"I would have liked to see that." Jack tried to imagine what they did.

An actual smile formed on Samurai's face as he shared with this person tales from when he trained with his teachers during his childhood. Instrumental melodies ranged from strings carefully plucked on a three-stringed skin-covered bass lute. That was owned and played by one of the Arabian Sheikh's men using the melodic modes at times around the fire. Beats of a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum being played by the bare hands of a clansman during ceremonies. Being held by African Chief after a successful hunt with his fellow hunters that happen that early morning. Loud noises come from a trumpet being blown by one of many count musicians during a performance. Egyptian Priests took Jack once during one of their holidays that were circled around one of their many Gods. Jaunty tunes of one of Robin Hood's Merry Man squeezing away at his diatonic button accordion with others dancing. Others would clap along when they sat around a campfire where the freshly killed game was being slowly turned.

Soft sounds of a pan flute being played by a young man for his fellow crewmen one misty morning. Comforts a Viking waiting to return home. A characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body with a fretted neck and three strings; was played by a family member of Russian Boyar, one evening after a meal was eaten. Trapeziform wooden-framed sound box to which two strings are played by the wife of Mongol Warrior after a ride. Her humming along with the tune was played during a moment of downtime or a way to relax. The wooden form of a fish that was a genuine hollow sound is made when striking the surface during times of meditation. Spread a silence through the room filled with monks in the middle of morning reflections.

"Interesting." This person was impressed with Jack's tales.

He ended up putting down his book of poetry in a neat matter acknowledging the small piece of tile that held the image of his late beloved. Reaching to his half-empty saki bottle to reveal his cup to give a toast to the portrait of someone no longer with them. Instead was picked up by Jack instead with only the voiceless song of his sister filling most of the quietness. She carefully plucked the strings of her three-legged koto as the fourth was nothing more than a stone. Creating a soothing melody that none of the royal musicians in his parent's count could match as he felt his mind at ease. Stresses of the day would melt away from his mind along with the lingering sting of Ashi's absence long since left.

"Seems you're a man of the world." This person commented on Jack's experience. "Willing to share more of your world with me."

That offer wasn't turned down by Jack since he was in no mood to return to the palace where countless servants only knew him by title. No one tried to approach him on friendly terms whenever he was alone within the Palace. This didn't go well with his heartache over his still Late Fiancée's presence at his side every time he thought of her. Image of her smiling just for him or taking his hand when he was having a doubtful moment took him over. Hand him hesitating in refilling the glass since the hand that held the bottle was the one that his Late Fiancée would always hold.

"Bara?" The person addressed his sister playing her koto. "Bring an extra glass and another bottle."

"Sono-jō ni kyōdai." She pulled away from her playing.

Jack would end up following her through the dim lighting from where she sat a few feet away from them to the kitchen area. Lack of lighting kept him from seeing how she lifted the section of the counter to get to the back area where everything was kept. She had to care in pulling a glass from the shelf while checking and picking out a saki bottle or two. Were placed on a small serving tray and carried all the way back to her brother's table and back into the viewing range of their guest.

"You're just in luck." She placed the tray down with a bow. "Drink to your heart contain and bonding over your memories."

Jack would have told her to stop being so formal toward him and just treat him like she would any other customer of their business. Stopped when her brother informed Jack that she was one out of his seven sisters that were a stickler for rules. Just the news of 7 sevens stuck an accord of old memories for Jack to the point he asked to meet each one. A stranger took a cleansing breath without breaking into a laugh when a familiar question about being introduced to them came up. He was always prepared since he had his sister hand him a black and white photo of the eight of them.

"Alright let me start by informing you that they are Septuplets and it is hard to tell them apart." He placed the photo before Jack. "You already met Asagao and Momo, Bara is the one playing the Koto, Kiku is a way apprenticing under a doctor, Sakura is fulfilling our late mother's role, Sumire is finishing her training in the mountains, and Yuri is upstairs asleep."

"So many." Jack looked at them at the picture.

"Mother barely made it passed the birthing process." He went on to explain. "They say she was lucky to have me as she did."

Jack recalled what his mother went through when she finally become pregnant with him after marrying his father and struggling to have him. His father had servants tend to her every need for nine months when she was bedridden and not allowed to move. Until that night when she went through hours of labor to push him into this world with screams that followed.

"May I ask which one is close by?" Jack asked wondering about the ones he hadn't met.

"You might have met Sakura already since she is a servant in the Palace and Bara works here." He was told. "Others he hasn't even laid an eye on are away."

Once more Bara returned to playing her koto for them with her fingers being careful as ever when plucking at the strings. When the second glass was filled for Jack and he took it up to slowly sip the chilled liquid despite a warning. One is about a blend of saki having an added kick due to the herbs used in it. Didn't affect Jack until he swallowed and felt a strange numbness spread through his body. He welcomed without asking what was in the saki to make him feel that way. May have loosened him up a tad bit for the rest of the night until he passed out where he sat with a smile on his face. He ended up being taken back to the palace by a young samurai of the Tokugawa class and his female companion. The two entered one of the secret entrances leading into the Palace without causing much alarm among the staff. That young samurai just started service to Jack's father that day and the young lady was apart of the secret intelligence department. Were paired together by Jack's mother as her son's new bodyguards and glorified babysitters. The fact women saw a slight attraction between the two forms when they first met when introduced.

End of Day Two

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Jack ended up waiting for the cover of the night to leave the Palace grounds for what was becoming a safe haven to be himself. Just this time he wouldn't be going alone since one of his new retainers would follow along in his shadow despite him telling her to go back. He Got turned down when he couldn't take the sensation of her eyes watching him as he moved. He didn't stop until he got a mile from Tentōchū and turned around to face one of two people appointed to protect him. What he came face to face with was a woman no taller than 5'3" with just her eyes not covered over. She wore midnight blue colored attire from head to toe that kept any other features about her from Jack's ever-observant eyes.

"Your name?" Jack ordered her.

"Bara." She did as he said. "We're heading to my brother's resutoran."

Two would carry on their conversation if a familiar face calling Bara by hand didn't come from behind her and pat her on the head. Welcoming her home while grabbing her by the top of her head to pull her into a simple hug before Jack. She didn't fight this person when she ended up returning his affectionate embrace while trying to find an answer. What came to her was her explaining to him she had been appointed by the empress in keeping her son safe from harm.

"Who knew one of my baby sisters got appointed to such a prestige role." He came to congratulate her.

"More like the empress' way of keeping her son from trouble." She didn't sound so excited.

"Still something to celebrate." His brother stepped forward. "I just got back from the market."

He showed a small cart he was pulling behind him, filled with a few supplies and food he was picking up for Tentōchū. Which had her side-stepping out of his way for him to pick up the pace back up toward what was becoming his preferred place. He ended up looking behind him only once when he cleared the Palace and found she seemed not behind him anymore. Still didn't give him a sense of relief when the hairs on the back of his neck told him that she was nearby. He was careful in the steps he took in the back streets and allies he used to go unnoticed by the people still out late. Making sure the Sugegasa he wore was tipped enough to cover his face from one's view if he did run into someone. Greeting her or him as kindly as he could before excusing himself from their presence as he walked.

End up coming the sight of finding the same girls in the middle of closing duties with one carrying a stool and the other a hooked stick. Ended up telling him about another person from the Palace being inside and seeking their brother's company. Who was rather insisted on meeting their brother once their sister arrived a few seconds before Jack appeared? Left Jack perplexed when he was allowed enter and found that nameless brother that was still behind the counter. Looked heavily annoyed when his arms were crossed and one of his eyebrows was twitching in place as he stood still. Trying to keep his anger in check when he was barely facing a guy man dressed in a simple attire from the haori to the tabi. He wore as he seemed to loudly bring up how a woman's place is none among the Emperor's Guard.

"It's not my place to tell me, sister, what to do with her life since she's VERY very capable," Nameless brother's voice went up an octave. "Now leave or I'll have Asagao and Momo show you out."

"I will not be turned away until my protest is heard." A young man wasn't giving up.

"Excuse me?" Jack asked stepping forward. "May I know what is wrong?"

Guy turned to Jack and was ready to tell him to butt out of a conversation about the future of a young lady and her place. Ended before a word could even be uttered when the young man ended up bending at the waist but kept his back straight. His hand opened as he bent. Kept his feet together and yelled Hikari- Oujo as he did upon facing Jack with his anger dissolving.

"No, formalities here," Jack just wanted a quiet evening. "I prefer you address me as just Jack here."

"Then Jack-San, I shall stay by your side when you're ready to return to the Palace." A young person would not rise.

Jack ended up inviting the young man to sit with him at a table and get to really know him by first asking his name at least. Came when a person the young man had been bothering her nameless brother about came from behind a set of Noren. Covering a well-placed corridor off to the side of the kitchen/ prep area that led to the living quarters of this place.

"Bara, why don't you serve our guests for the night." Her brother suggested. "Since one of them thinks you shouldn't carry on your role as an intelligence officer."

"O nīchan arigatō." She nods to him in passing.

Upon approaching the table she addressed Jack while the young man gave his name Hideyoshi Taichi, the youngest son of one of the emperor's most loyal samurai and newly appointed private bodyguard to Jack. Who stared at Bara with mild distance and disinterest as she stared back.

"..." Neither one was speaking to the other.

"I would like a basic tea and Chichi dango for two," Jack ordered for them.

Got him a head nod from this girl that quickly turned away to rely on what Jack wanted for her brother without a moment's hesitation. Finding himself using a small knife on a basket of Asian pears as he stood behind the counter. Carefully carving elaborate flora prints within the skin without truly digging into the fruit by nearly using the knife's tip. Stopping only once to push a wooden trey with what Jack order already prepared toward her without a word being exchanged. She picked up to carry over to the occupied table without saying a single word to them when they sat down.

"May I know what is wrong with not working with Bara-san?" Jack asked Hideyoshi when Bara turned away.

"Her role is to run a household and nurtured the children until they were grown," Hideyoshi spoke watching her walk away.

"I don't agree with you on that one," Jack recalled how skilled in battle Ashi was. "My late fiancée was my equal in every way."

That comment was all that was needed to shut Hideyoshi up when his attention was turned to the cups and teapot. Even the plate of Chichi dango on the plate with an Anko sweet red beans for him to take as bothered him in a way. Not that he could voice what lay before him being made by a man than over a woman since Jack and the present company get annoyed. Left to close his eyes brew up enough courage to take a single skrew with balls within his hand. Bring the item to his mouth where a single bite made him open his eyes and look in the direction of his siblings.

"You and Bara-san being here mean which one of her my parents found out I come here?" Jack figured Bara and Hideyoshi presence was due to one of his parents.

"Your mother finding out from the servants that tend to you," Bara came to answer. "Knowing this was your way of needing space as your recover from your loss."

"Does my father..." Jack grew concerned over his father now.

"Slightly." Hideyoshi said with a mouthful of food. "reason why I and ...Bara- san... were chosen."

This got an eye roll from Bara's brother when he started his own closing duties when he disappeared into the depths of the kitchen. Leaving Asagao and Momo to scurry across the open space with only lanterns as their form of light as they moved. Heading toward the curtain-covered corridor to exit the room that Bara has previously passed through to pass. Not once did they take a second to stop and greet Jack as they usually did with a scowling face at Hideyoshi staring. Making the tension that was there before their return tenfold since Bara didn't get a chance to greet either one of her sisters. Which made her pick up the knife her brother had laid down beside the carved fruit and turn toward Hideyoshi. Just the knife was taken out of her hand by her brother and replaced by a rose carved from root vegetables. Had her stare at him for a long time before figuring out he wanted her to take these over to their guests.

"It's a peace offering." He advised her.

"He reminds me of Uncle Sven., She was comparing Hideyoshi and a relative from her late father's side of the family.

"We all know he was sexist Fifl," Her brother agreed with her. "We still had to live with him."

"I dislike your argument but dislike the point you making," She looked to the table.

Off she would go knowing she would be explaining her brother was the one that carved basic root vegetables into roses. Brought different forms of amazement to the faces of Jack and Hideyoshi when they picked up a single rose. Would be ruined when she informed Hideyoshi since he had so much confidence in protecting Jack without aid. He can return to the palace without her when Jack is ready to leave on his terms as she would be staying here until morning. Not that she would leave room for either Jack or Hideyoshi to object when she said her farewells and walked away. Making he way to her brother where she would place the empty serving tray and apron on the counter in passing. He nodded to her when he took both items to put away by folding one and taking over to hand clean.

End of Day Three

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