A/N:  This chapter is dedicated Jessica P.  Thank you for your support.  xoxo -ptd

To attract customers, Yasu had sent the best tea leaves to the noble families.  The mysterious gift, only had a calling card with a single symbol. The symbol was was of a black fox.  The mysterious gift with the mysterious calling card caused a sensation among the nobility and merchant families.  

What is this new place?  What are they selling? What kind of service are they providing?  Who else received the invitation? 

Several families sent their servants to find the mysterious store and when the location of the store was found, they could only send their servants to keep an eye on it until the store was ready to be opened.   

The day of its opening, there were many people who stood in front of the Black Fox Teahouse, however none of them could enter.  Only those who held the calling cards were allowed to enter.  

The teahouse, would only open its door every two hours and close its doors once the private tea rooms are filled.  Each guest would get two hours in the private tea room. They could leave whenever they want, however once the tea shop door closes for those two hours, they do not reopen.  

The store was divided into two floors.  The first floor only had three tables in the middle of the room for waiting servants and guards.  It was also filled with four cushioned chairs around the wall and several large landscaped paintings.  The paintings drew the attention of most customers, they have never seen such beautiful art before. There were also several vases scattered throughout the room, filled with bamboo and flowers.  

In the back of the beautifully stationed furniture, is the work operations of the tea shop.  Where there are several cabinets stock full of the best tea leaves. There were also several sets of teapots and teacups.  The water that was used to brew the tea was specially brought in from the mountain spring. And there was also a small kitchen for cooking.  Next to the kitchen is an office for Gin and Yasu. 

The second floor of the shop, only has three rooms.  Each room, could fit six people. The large windows faced the back courtyard, that has been beautifully landscaped.  There were several exotic trees and flowers that were imported and planted, just for the tea shop. In the middle of the garden, is a pavillion, reserved for special guests.  When looking upon the garden, it brought feelings of tranquility and at the same time, envy.

When the first three customers came inside of the teahouse, the doors to the tea shop closed, leaving the curious people shocked.  The doors had only opened for a few minutes, letting the crowd get a glimpse of the teahouse, however the minute the teahouse received three groups of customers they closed the doors!  Not only that, but there was a sign that said that they would reopen their doors in two hours! What nonsense is this? With the door closed, the group of people could only leave and hopefully come back two hours later.     

The first three groups of customers were shown inside of their private rooms.  The simple and elegant rooms, were pleasing to the eye as they sat down. With the window opened, the guests could see the beautiful garden.  The guests all stood by the window, pointing to the garden, as they complimented the scenery.   

When Kazno, Akeme, and Kou entered the private rooms, the guests came back to sit in their seats.  The three men bowed to their guests, before Michi, Nao, and Kin walked in after them with a tray of snacks.  After the snacks were placed on the table, Michi, Nao, and Kin left the room. Closing the door after them.  

Kazno, Akeme, and Kou did not speak, they waited for the signal before beginning their performance.  When the first note of the koto was plucked, Kazno, Akeme, and Kou begin the tea ceremony. Their graceful movements caused the guests to be entranced.  They watched in awe and in quiet appreciation at the performance. Once the ceremony was over and the tea served, did the guests finally realize that they could eat and drink what was in front of them.  

The graceful sound of the koto in the background, along with the pleasing sights in front of them, and the smell of flora surrounding them.  Gave them an experience they never felt before. Kazno, Akeme, and Kou sat to the side and brew another batch of tea, serving those that finished their tea.  

The guest spoke to one another while drinking tea and eating the small, handmade snacks.  After two hours, the first round of guests left satisfied and excited to come back again. Once the rooms were cleared up, another set of guests were welcomed into the three rooms and the performance repeated itself.  

At the end of the day, the small mysterious tea shop took the city by storm and there were several servants asking for a calling card to be given to their family.  Their requests were all turned down and could only bring back a small wooden box of tea as an apology.  

“I apologize.”  Kin said as he bowed to another servant that came to the shop for a member’s only calling card.  “We are only a small tea shop. At the moment, we can only handle a small amount of customers. We are unable to issue another members card.  Once we are able to receive more guests, we will send your Master an invitation. As a sign of an apology, please accept this small gift. It is all we can do at the moment.”  

The servant could only take the small gift and leave the tea shop.  The sun had already set and the door was finally closed for the day.  The tired servants of Black Fox Tea, sat down and rested.  

“Who would have thought that this tea shop would be so popular.”  Kin sighed as he massaged his neck and shoulders.  

“Of course this tea shop will be popular.”  Michi said as he stood up to walk to his husband and help massage his shoulders.  “What does the noble families want more? Notoriety. Exclusiveness. Luxury. They especially want things that others can’t get.  Such as an invitation to be a member to this tea shop. Not only is this tea shop an exclusive teahouse that serves excellent tea and snacks.  The garden, paintings, tapestries, tea sets, everything is meticulously selected to appease the senses. Who wouldn’t want to be able to enjoy such delights knowing that only you and a certain small group of people can enjoy?”  

“We only saw 18 groups of guests today and have already made more money that I’ve made in my whole life.”  Kazno said as he sighed. “Life in the capital is expensive, yet theses noble families could spend their money like drinking water.”  

“Yes, well, they can afford to spend money like drinking water.  They come from noble families with deep roots in this country.” Akeme said as he stood up.  “Let’s finish up cleaning up and end our day, shall we?”  

The group of four brothers and two husbands split up tasks and quickly ended their day.  They met Yasu and Gin sitting in the pavilion, waiting for the family. While Yasu drank wine, Gin sat beside him stirring the hot pot.  

“Quickly come sit.”  Gin shouted as he waved them over.  “The soup is boiling hot. It’s time to eat and rest after a long day of working.”  

They all sat down and began eating and talking about their day.  The chatter was totally different from the first day they met Yasu, where no one spoke.  Over the three months with Yasu, they learned Yasu’s habits and mannerisms.  

Yasu usually didn’t say much, but when he did, his words were meant to be followed through without question.  As long as the work was done, Yasu would let them come and go as they please.  

After their late night dinner, everyone left to go back to their rooms.  Gin cleaned up the dishes and entered the main house to only stop half way.  Yasu sat in the receiving room, with a basket of thread on the table. Yasu worked on connecting the three large silk screens.  

Gin had watched silently as Yasu worked on the silk screens and had wondered what Yasu was making.  Never once did he have enough courage to ask Yasu what Yasu was embroidering. Now that the three silk screens were together, he could see two men and a woman.  Each person had their own screen, but behind them was a large peach tree that connected the three together.      

The closer Gin walked towards the silk screens, the more he could see each detail.  All those small silk threads intertwining together to create a picture, made Gin speechless.  Never in his life had he ever seen something so amazing.

“Master.”  Gin whispered as he reached out to touch the screen.  However his fingers stopped right before he could feel the soft silk threads.   “You are so talented.”  

“Hmmmm.”  Yasu said as he hummed.  

“Who taught you how to embroider?”  

“I learned from my family.”  Yasu told him. He didn’t want to lie to Gin.  In his past life, it was his grandmother who taught him.  In this life, it was his mother who also taught him.  

“The people on the silk screens, are they your family?”  Gin asked. Ever since he met Yasu, Yasu never talked about his family.  Nor did he talk about his past.  

Yasu nodded his head yes.  

“Where are they now?”  Gin asked. “Are they here in the capital?”  

Yasu’s hands froze for one moment before he went back to his work.  

“Dead.”  Yasu told him.  

“Oh.  I’m sorry.  I… didn’t mean to pry and make you feel sad.”  Gin quickly said as he reached out to pat Yasu’s shoulders.  “I--”   

“Murdered.”  Yasu told Gin.  “They were murdered.”  

Gin’s hand that rested on Yasu’s shoulder slipped at Yasu’s confession.  

“And I plan on taking revenge for their deaths.  I plan on risking everything I have, everything that I am, to ensure that they did not die in vain.  So if you want to serve me, you need to understand just how dangerous your life is going to get. There is a chance that you will die and those you love might be targeted as well.”  

The air around them became more heavy as Gin thought through Yasu’s words.  

“The people I’m against, isn’t someone who we can easily be eliminate.  And when I do make my move against them, I will take them out, root and stem.”  Yasu said as he stopped his work to look at Gin. “You can still leave, while you can.  Once you pledge yourself to me and my cause, there is no turning back. No tears of regrets.  There is only darkness and death on the road I walk, it will be bathed in blood. Take tonight to think things through.  If you decide to live a quiet life, you may leave. But if you do decide to stay and dirty your hands, there will be no turning back.”  

Gin looked at the silk screen and saw the heroic general, the noble gentleman and the graceful woman.  His mind whirling at Yasu’s future. Yasu has no one at his side. Yasu’s road for revenge would be a long and arduous journey.  How can Gin let Yasu walk this lonely path alone? Gin owed Yasu his life, he’ll walk the same bloody path along side Yasu and bare some of Yasu’s burden.       

“What is there to think about.”  Gin said. “With my freedom papers or not, my life belonged to you, the moment you saved me from the slave market.  I’ll follow you on this path of revenge, whether you leave me behind or not.”  

Yasu’s lips twitched as the corner of his lips turned upwards, but the slight smile disappeared the moment it appeared.  

“Very well.”  Yasu said.  

“What about the others?”  Gin asked.  

“I haven’t made any moves yet.  After a period of time, I will release them and give them the same choice.”  

Yasu went back to work as Gin sat beside Yasu, reading a book.  The silence between them was comfortable. This made Gin wish that they will have many more nights, just like this.