Yasu worked deep into the night, finishing off the first silk screen of Soshu.  Yasu was more formal with his Father Soshu because he was more imposing and strict on Yasu.  Not only that, but for most of Yasu’s life, because Soshu was stationed a day’s ride away from their home, he would only see Soshu at least once a month.  With Jiro, because he was raised under Jiro’s tender, love and care, he called Jiro ‘Dad.’ The distinction was different, but Yasu love and respect for both of them is equally the same.    

The next morning Yasu woke up and left his room, just as Ren opened his door.  Upon seeing the man that Ren dreamt about last night, Ren gave Yasu a quick smile.  Too bad it was still dark out, so Yasu did not get to see Ren’s fleeting smile.  

“Morning.”  Yasu whispered as he greeted Ren.  

“Morning.”  Ren whispered back.  

Yasu lead the way downstairs, then out the house before Yasu began speaking.  

“Did you sleep well last night?”  Yasu asked as he waited for Ren to walk beside him.  

“Yes.  Everything was fine.”  Ren answered.  

The servants and guards were already up and about doing their work.  Those that needed to train, were training in the yard. Those who needed to work in the fields, in the kitchen, or in the house were quickly rushing back and forth.  

Yasu lead Ren to the barn as he let the quiet morning surrounding them.  With Yasu’s request, Ren’s horse was quickly saddled and brought out.  

“So….”  Yasu said as he watched Ren climb on to his horse and straddle it.  “I wish you safe travels to the garrison and good luck at your new station.” 

“Thank you.”  Ren said as he looked down at Yasu.  He stared down at Yasu for a long time.  His quiet and intense gaze made Yasu feel self conscious, so he looked away and cleared his throat.  

“Goodbye then.  Come back to visit when you have time.”  Yasu told Ren as he gathered his courage to look back at the intense man.  

“Alright.”  Ren said as he nodded his head.  “Goodbye.”  

Ren left the courtyard through the back gate as Yasu watched his back until Yasu could no longer see a trace of Ren.  Yasu sighed and turned around to head to his morning training with his Father and the guards.  

Although he was late by a couple of minutes, Soshu let Yasu off because Soshu knew Yasu was seeing Ren off.  After the morning training, Yasu went back to his room and wiped down his body with a wet rag before dressing up for the day.  

At breakfast, another seat and bowl of rice was set out for Shiro.  Shiro greeted Yasu and sat back down in his seat. Yasu’s parents were waiting for Yasu, like usual and Soshu’s frown deepen as he watched Yasu slowly walk to his seat.  

“Quickly sit down.”  Soshu ordered Yasu. “The food is getting cold for your mother.”  

“Yes.  Yes.” Yasu said as he found his way to his seat.  “Father loves Mother the most and is worried about her.”

“Stinky boy, knows how to speak such sweet words!”  Soshu snorted as he huffed and puffed with fake annoyance.  

“Yes.  Yes. And it’s Dad that loves me and Mom the best.”  Yasu said as he smiled at Jiro warmly.  

Jiro’s hand came up to pat Yasu’s head, as if telling Yasu he was a good boy.  But truthfully, Yasu was digging pits for Soshu. It was Yasu’s favorite thing to do.  

Yasu was implying that Soshu only looked at and cared for Miyoko and didn’t care for Jiro and Yasu.  While Jiro loved both his wife and son the most, while leaving out Soshu.  

Yasu grinned at Soshu.  Teasing his rough and strict Father was fun.  

“Stinky brat!  Let’s see who laughs last tonight!”  Soshu smiled back at Yasu. Soshu’s smile however did not look right.  It was full of malice and fake happiness.  

Yasu’s smile dampened for a moment, however it was quickly replaced back to order.  He wasn’t going to let his old man intimidate him. 

Shiro looked at the warm family arguing, talking, and teasing.  His look was of envy and sadness. This could have been his own family, if his family was still alive.  

Shiro ate silently and only answered questions that were directly asked to him.  After breakfast, Shiro left with Yasu, Jiro and Miyoko back into town.  

When they arrived back into town, there were only three people waiting outside of the clinic.  

“Yasu.  Take Shiro into town to get his belongings from the Inn. Then show him where his new residence is located.”  Jiro ordered. “We cleaned up Breezy Cloud Courtyard for Shiro to live in.”  

Breezy Cloud Courtyard was the home Jiro first bought when he and Miyoko first moved to the new fief.  Breezy Cloud Courtyard was the largest estate in town. Even the home of the official Magistrate was smaller.   

Yasu and Shiro left with two guards following them. Shiro directed them towards the Greenhorn Inn, where he rented a room for a week.  
  

“You have a nice family.”  Shiro commented as he saw the townspeople running back and forth to their destination.  “A nice home and a nice place to grow up.”  

“Mhmm.  I do.” Yasu agreed.  That was the reason why he didn’t want to make any big moves to ruin what good things and good people he has in his life.  

“Ahhhhh….I’m quite jealous.”  Shiro admitted cooly as he smiled at Yasu.  “You also have good talent in medicine, martial arts, and embroidery.  What else are you good at?”  

“I have good manners, good character and I'm good looking.”  Yasu arrogantly said as he joked at the nice young Doctor.  

Shiro laughed and nodded his head.  “Yes. Very good looking.”  

Yasu smiled and thanked Shiro for agreeing along with his joke.  

“If your family lived in the capital, you would be considered a very good catch.”  

“A good catch?  What am I? A fish?”  Yasu asked as he turned towards Shiro with a smile. 

“Hahahahaha.”  Shiro laughed heartily as he turned and looked away.  

“Who wants to be a good catch for people living in the capital anyways?  My home is here, my family is here, my friends are here and my work is here.”  Yasu told Shiro.  

The two of them conversed until they reached the Inn.  The two guards stood outside, holding the reigns of the horses, as Yasu and Shiro enter the Inn.  

“Good morning, Young Master Yasu.  Good morning, noble guest. How can I help you today?”  Aiki asked as he stood up to greet them.  

“Ah, Manager Aiki.  Good morning.” Yasu greeted back.  “I am here to help Doctor Shiro gather his belongings and take him to his new home.”  

“Ah, so this is the young Doctor I’ve been hearing about.”  Aiki said as he looked at Shiro once more. “Why didn’t you say who you were when you first arrived.  Had I known who were are, I would have given you a more warming welcome, Doctor Shiro.”  

“No.  No. You treated me very well and was more than welcoming.”  Shiro told Aiki. “No need to do more. I am just a humble Doctor.”  

“Nonsense.  You will be living and working here for now on, treating our people more warmly and more thoughtfully is only right.  Right, Young Master Yasu?” Aiki asked Yasu as he turned to look at Yasu.  

“Ah, Manager Aiki, is correct.  However Doctor Shiro is a quiet, noble scholar.  He is also a giving and talented Doctor who doesn’t like to take advantage of others.  If you treat him more warmly then it would only burden his heart and conscious.” 

“Ah, I see.”  Aiki said as he nodded his head in understanding.  “If Doctor Shiro feels this way, then this commoner will treat you well, like any other guest then.”  

“Please do.”  Shiro agreed.  

“Since you will be leaving your rented room, I will refund you the rest of the money that you have already given me for the week.”  Aiki told Shiro.  

“I can pick up the money after I have gathered my belongings.”  Shiro told him. “Take your time.”  

“Alright then.”  

Shiro and Yasu was showed to Shiro’s rented room by Aiki.  Once inside of the clean room, Yasu saw that there were a total of four large bags that he brought with him.  Shiro clean up the room while he packed his belongings.  

With two bags in each of Yasu and Shiro’s hands, they left the Inn, saying goodbye to Manager Aiki and headed towards Breezy Cloud Courtyard.  One guard rode ahead to inform the managing steward about their arrival, so by the time they arrived, Chief Steward Mika along with several high ranking servants stood outside to welcome them.  

“Young Master Yasu!  Doctor Shiro!” Chief Steward Mika greeted them as they got off of their horses.  “Welcome. Welcome. Come in. Everything has been prepared for Doctor Shiro.”  

Breezy Cloud Courtyard was just like it’s name.  The landscaped garden gave off a nice feeling, while the man made lake let the wind blow cool air, making the area feel refreshing to the body.   There were three main buildings and two side buildings. The first and second main building was reserved for the Mori family.  The third main building was reserved for guests. The two side buildings were located further in the back of the courtyard, however they were more private buildings that were built for guests who wanted to stay for a long period of time.  

Jiro had arranged for Shiro to stay in the side building, closest to the forest.  It had more privacy and had a direct access to the medicinal garden that has been maintained by the servants.  

The one story house had one bedroom, a study room, and a receiving room.  It also had a small attached kitchen. The front yard was a carefully manicured garden.  The scenery was tranquil and quiet, befitting Shiro’s taste. Shiro and Yasu entered the house, with the servants bringing Shiro’s belongings after them.  

“Doctor Shiro.  Do you need help unpacking?”  Chief Manager Mika asked.  

Shiro didn’t know what to say.  Never in his life has he had a servant before.  All his life, he had always worked for everything that he wanted and it was always him who did everything.  From taking care of the house, to cooking, to cleaning, it was all done by Shiro. Now that there was someone who was specifically hired to help him, he didn’t know what to do.  

“Let's look around first.”  Yasu suggested once he saw Shiro’s predicament.  “Then you can decide where to place your belongings and have the servants help you.  Not only that, you can take account for the things that you don’t have and make a list to get them in town.”  

“Yes.  Yes. Let’s do as Young Master Yasu says.”  Chief Steward Mika agreed.  

Yasu and Shiro walked around the whole house.  Although the rooms were large and elegantly decorated, there were still some necessities that Shiro  needed that were missing.  

After walking around the house once, Yasu sat in the receiving room drinking tea as Shiro ordered and helped organize his belongings.  Although it was done in less than 30 minutes, Yasu had already finished two cups of tea.  

“Is the house to your liking?”  Yasu asked as Shiro sat down across the table and drank hot tea that was poured for him.  

“Yes.  It is more that I have ever expected, quite frankly.”  Shiro told Yasu the truth. “I’ve only seen elegant and big coutyards like this in passing when I worked as an Imperial Doctor.  Never would I have thought I would get to live in one, even if it’s just a small corner, in a great courtyard as Breezy Cloud Courtyard.”  

“Since you like it here, just stay.  You don’t have to find another place to live.”  Yasu told him.  

“What!?!  But I can’t just live here--” 

“But you can.”  Yasu told him, cutting Shiro off from.  “Breezy Cloud Courtyard was given to me on my 16th birthday.  I mostly live with my parents and don’t really spend time here.  If you live here, than these empty houses won’t be so empty any more and the servants will have someone to serve.  Not only that, but it’ll give me a reason to come to Breezy Cloud Courtyard in the future.” 

“But, how can I just stay here--” 

“Stay.  It would be my honor to have you stay and live here.  Here, you don’t have to worry about anything. You are well protected, well served and well provided for.  Just use your talents to save the townspeople to pay for the rent for living here.” Yasu cut Shiro off once again.  “Besides, the money you save should be saved for your future husband or wife.”  

Shiro’s heart wasn’t satisfied with the good deal he was getting.  He felt as if he was taking advantage of the Mori family’s good will.  

Seeing Shiro hesitating once again, Yasu spoke up again to convince him to stay.  “If you feel uncomfortable living here without paying for rent, then may I suggest you help the servants maintain the medicinal garden?  Although they try their best, the yield of the medicinal garden is less than what we can harvest at the Mori Estate. I would also have to ask for you to look after the servants who work here as well.  Should they need any medical attention, please help heal them.”

Shiro bit his bottom lip in worry before slowly nodding his head in agreement.  It would be a good exchange. He would get to live in Breezy Cloud Courtyard for free, as long as he took care of the medicinal garden and heal any ailments from the servants.  

“Very well.”  Shiro finally agreed.  

“Great.  Now that it’s settled.  Let’s go into town and get the things that you need.”  

Yasu and Shiro spent the rest of the morning running around town.  Yasu showed Shiro around and introduced him to the townspeople. Everyone greeted Shiro warmly and treated him like a regular citizen. After dropping off the things that Shiro bought, they joined Jiro and Miyoko for lunch.  Afterwards, Jiro and Shiro left to the clinic while Yasu and Miyoko went to The Illuminating Splendor.  

Yasu sat in his work area and sewed each blossom with precision and ease.  If not for his detailed work, The Illuminating Splendor would not be such a renowned store.  Although the shop sold accessories to the public, the clothes were costum ordered and made for important families.  

Since Yasu began working at the shop when he was 10 years old, his designs on handkerchiefs were beautiful and one of a kind, that it began to cater to the wealthy.  When Yasu embroidered a whole kimono and hung it up in the shop for the customers to see, word soon spread of the artistry and work of The Illuminating Splendor.  

From then on, Yasu would only take two work orders a month.  In his free time he would help make accessories, wall tapestries, and silk screens.  Every year, The Illuminating Splendor would have a work order for the Imperial Palace.  

When Yasu was 14 years old, Jiro made the mistake of sending the Empress Dowager a set of kimono, wall tapestry and silk screen, for her 90th birthday.  She liked it so much that she “suggestively” ordered Jiro to send her a new embroidered item each year. Since then, Yasu’s work order was also sent to the nobility and royal family.  

Suddenly there was a loud racket coming from the front of the shop.  Yasu put his work down and made his way to the front to see what was happening.