<div class="floatright">(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x437/Nathaniel_Vernes/Ideas/SasGin.jpg)</div>As the sun set on the streets and buildings of the town, torches flared and atypically there was a surge of activity - this was Edo, as it was before it had become a thriving city.  Now little more than an overgrown fishing town, men of such profession, as well as some farmers of the outlying areas, merchants, and soldiers went about their business.  Some sought relaxation, friends, and good cheer, where others sought pleasures more carnal.  In one such brothel, the madame and the master scurried about to make sure that all the preparations for the evening were in order to gain as much profit as they could from the coming festival.  A commotion caught the attention of the owner and he left his business with an obvious look of consternation, wishing that such problems would give his doorstep wide berth.<br/><br/>Once outside, if he felt such frustration, he did not show it.  He had nothing but smiles and polite bows for all present, for a palanquin and a retinue of samurai had pulled up outside.  Despite himself, the owner licked his lips; for this was an unusually good fortune that such a customer would come to his establishment - his was not the worst, but there were plenty of establishments with far more renown - it was the kind of fortune that could make or break a man's fortunes.<br/><br/>"<em>Mama-san</em>!" he summoned the elderly madame of the brothel, gasping under his breath as he spoke quickly.  "Bring out the girls quickly, and line them up well!  What?  Yes, even the devil-girl!  Everyone!  Make sure Kaera-<em>chan</em>is at her best, see to it personally!"<br/><br/>The older woman did not really need the man's urgent implications, she had eyes and brain enough to understand the situation, and scurried away already counting the profits to be had in her mind.  She did not really see the sense of bringing the Kohaku girl out, and potentially ruin the business, but she was not the owner and so did as she was told.  Kohaku would be placed on the right-most side of the line where the least desirable girls were placed, whereas Kaera, the houses' best, would be placed on the left-most side.  She did not fear the girl as most others did, and thought herself the closest thing the orphan had to a mother, though she was far from a gentle woman.<br/><br/>From the litter, the occupant stepped out resplendent in a<em>kimono</em>and<em>hakama</em>of blue and white silk.  He did not carry the<em>daisho</em>, the customary long and the short sword that characterised one of the samurai caste, but of course the owner knew that he was, just as he did not need to see the stylised<em>kamon</em>on the back of his<em>kimono</em>to know who he was.  At this point there were few in Edo who had not heard of Uesugi Gentatsu who was currently a guest of honour to the Hojo clan.  Of course, guest meant hostage, and thus his lack of swords.  Likewise, his escort were Hojo men, undoubtedly meant to keep a close eye on him, except perhaps the grizzled old man who watched everyone carefully and had the blue and white motif of the Uesugi.<br/><br/>He did not have the shaved pate of the samurai, but rumour had it he was among the last of a long line of heir, and he was allowed some leeway to do as he pleased.  His money was still as good as any other and that was what was important to any of the merchant caste, though at present the brat looked slightly bored, which caused the owner to break out in sweat, ruining his composure slightly, causing him to redouble his efforts.