*A/N:  This chapter is sponsored by Jessica P.   Thank you for your support!  xoxo -ptd

When Yasu opened his eyes, the figure sleeping in the chair next to him made Yasu rub his eyes to make sure that he wasn't dreaming.  Gin's neck leaned against his chest, his arms crossed and his legs stretched out in front of him. His breaths were deep and even as he slept.  

It was still dark outside, but Yasu could faintly hear the morning birds stirring.  Yasu quietly got up and retrieved his blanket to place on top of Gin. He then left his room without making a noise to train his body.  

With a missed opportunity, Yasu never wanted to make the same mistake again.  He needed to work harder and become stronger if he wanted to achieve his goals.  

In the yard, Yasu went through his formations, his movement was steady with gracefulness.  After awhile Gin joined Yasu without a word. Some of Yasu's martial forms were standardized martial arts taught to soldiers.  Then the four brothers also joined the training without a word.  

It was as if there was an understanding between them.   They knew that their life rested on the life and death of Yasu.  They would need to be prepared for anything and everything.  

Kazno, Akeme, Kou and Michi once learned the standardized fighting form the General who retired in their village.  They have long seen Yasu practice in the yard every morning and knew that Yasu's background must from a military family.  But how low or high his family's standing is, they did not know.  

After discussing what Kazno heard about Yasu's confession, Kazno and his family decided to maintain their fighting skills so they can protect not only their family, but their young Master as well.  Even if they were in the dark about Yasu's background and past history.  

After training they quickly cleaned up and began their work day.  No one said anything about their morning training as if they have always done this in the past.  

Yasu went back to being an idle young lord, walking around the city, letting the little Goddess absorb the spiritual essence at the medicine halls and the antique stores.  He went to other teahouses to gather information as well.   

Yasu sat in the private tearoom, with the little Goddess Tsuki floating around his head as she chatted animatedly about how much spiritual essence she absorbed on their morning walk.  

"Yasu!  We must go back to the Golden Medicine Hall.  I heard they will be receiving a new batch of high quality medicinal herbs tomorrow.  Let's go there so I can absorb the spiritual essence!"  

Yasu smiled slightly at Tsuki.  Although Tsuki was only a small essence of a Goddess, she still acted like a young girl.  

Suddenly a loud crash and shouting could be heard from outside of the tearoom. 

"You fool!  How dare you not have any rooms for my young Miss!  Do you know who you are offending!" The high masculine voice shouted.  "Although your teahouse is no longer the best teahouse, you are still one of the best in the city!  How dare you not have any rooms available for the Prime Minister's daughter!"  

"I'm sorry, sir."  The server said as he bowed.  "But private rooms are first come first serve.  All of our customers are valuable and we cannot urge them to quickly hurry up or end their time in the private tearooms early.  I ask that you and your kind miss be understanding of our situation."  

"Hmmm!"  The servant said as he glared at the server.  "I guess you don't want to give my Young Miss or the Prime Minister any face.  I guess you don't value your own life or want this teahouse to be open any more."  

The server opened his eyes in shock as a wave of worry ran through his body.  He immediately knelt down and began to kowtow.  

"Please."  The server cried out.  "It was not my intention to insult your Young Miss or the Prime Minister. Please forgive me."  

"Will you clean out a room for my Young Miss or not?"  The servant said with a stern smile. The gloating look on his face made the server tremble.  

"Please give me a moment."  The server quickly got up and bowed two more times to the servant before running upstairs.  

The server entered the first room and when he came out there was another man who came out with him.  

Yasu did not care to watch the show that happened below him.  He only listened to the commotion and drank his tea as if he didn't care for it.  He heard people walking to each tearoom and enter the room. Hushed words were said and then quickly closed one by one until they came up to his door.  

There was a soft knock on the door before it was opened.  Two people stood outside the door before they bowed and entered the room.  The first man was the server who greeted Yasu at the entrance of the teahouse.  The middle age server had a sheen of sweat on his forehead and his temple as he bowed.  

"Please excuse the disturbance dear customer."  The middle age server said as he bowed once again.  The server turned around to introduce the man behind him.  "This is Boss Airi, the owner of Sunrise Teahouse. We ask for your understanding and hope you can help us."

Boss Airi was a man in his late 20's.  His neat clothing matched his neat hair that was pulled up and tied into a bun on top of his head.  His oval face had deep set brown eyes, a high bridge nose and thin lips. There was nothing about him that would attract attention, if no one paid him any attention, no one would remember his features.  

"Greetings, dear customer."  Airi said as he bowed.  

The smile on his face was gentle, however his eyes expressed his true emotions.  He was annoyed with the disturbance in his teahouse, but there was nothing he could do about it.  It was the demanding Young Miss of the Prime Minister's house. They could not afford to offend them.  

"I truly apologize for the disturbance.  And our teahouse does not usually ask this favor from our customers.  Nor do we treat our customers better or worse than another. We ask that you help us and in return we will provide you with better service whenever you come to Sunrise Teahouse."  Airi said as he stared at the beautiful and quiet man. "I presume you've heard the disturbance downstairs?"  

Yasu nodded his head yes. 

"I ask that if you can release this room for the Young Miss and also invite you to stay in my own private room."  Airi offered. "I do apologize for the disturbance and feel awful for asking you to give up this room." 

Yasu stared at the ordinary man and sighed softly.  He could be headstrong about giving up the room, however, he needed to make more connections in the city. 

"It's fine."  Yasu said as he set the tea cup down.  "I am willing to be a gentleman and give up the room for the young miss."  

"Thank you!  Thank you!" The server said as he bowed to Yasu several times.  "Follow us into Boss Airi's private room. I hope you don't mind sharing it with Boss Airi?"  

Yasu smiled gently.  

"Of course not.  Drinking tea with company is more enjoyable."  Yasu said as he stood up.  

"Please follow us."  The server said as he followed Airi out of the room.  

The moment Yasu exited the private tearoom, two servers entered the room to clean up and set up for the Young Miss.  Several eyes from the first floor stared at Yasu, Airi and the server as they walked to the first room on the second floor.  

The moment they entered the room, everyone began whispering to each other.  The Prime Minister's daughter, her servants and guards were ushered to the room that was cleaned out just for them.

"Please sit."  Airi said as he invited Yasu to sit across from him.  "Let us start with an official introduction. My name is Airi, owner of Sunrise Teahouse."  

"Hello."  Yasu said as he made a courtesy bow to Airi.  He then took out a wooden Black Fox Teahouse member's tablet and handed it to Airi.  "Nice to meet you. My name is Yasu, owner of Black Fox Teahouse."  

Airi and the server's eyes opened wide for just a moment before fixing their gazes at Yasu.  Airi took the member's tablet and gazed down at it. The mysterious owner of the exclusive Black Fox Teahouse is a young man.  Not only is he young, but he is beautiful and gentle as well.       

 "Ah!"  The server shouted out loud by accident.  However he quickly covered his mouth and looked over to his Boss.  Airi glared at the server with look of warning before pointing his chin at the door.  Understanding his Boss's silent message, the server quickly left the two of them alone.  

"I've heard a lot about Black Fox Teahouse."  Airi said as he spoke softly. "Never would I have thought that one of my customers would be the owner of Black Fox Teahouse.  Not only are you my customer, but I even asked you to give up your room to accommodate another customer. I've let you see and experience an embarrassing thing. Please forgive me."   

"What is there to forgive.  It is because I am the owner of Black Fox Teahouse that I understand the situation that you were forced into and the reason why I was willing to give up my room."  Yasu said as he gently smiled at Airi. "Us teahouse owners have to stick together."  

Airi smiled and laughed lightly as he studied Yasu.  Yasu's clothes were finely made. The quality of the fabric was made of satin and the cloud embroidery on it was finely stitched. Airi could tell that Yasu came from a wealthy family.  There was also a scholarly aura around Yasu, however his short hair and the neatly trimmed beard on his face did not match his image.  

"Yes, you are correct.  We do need to stick together!"  Airi agreed. "I still want to thank you for your kindness.  Whenever you visit, you can use my private room, without any reservation."  

"Then I shall accept your kind invitation and take advantage of it to my fullest extent.  I would probably make you regret offering your personal tearoom to me!" Yasu teased.  

"Nonsense!  You are most welcome here."  Airi said as he smiled wider.  "Besides, I think am the one who won in the end.  With this Black Fox Teahouse membership tablet, I will be able to visit your exclusive teahouse!" 

"Yes, you're welcome to enjoy the service and benefits of Black Fox Teahouse.  But you must schedule ahead of time to reserve a room and you must come on time.  Once the door is closed for two hours, it stays closed. Also, once you leave during your reserved time, there will be no reentry."  Yasu informed Airi.  

"Ah, no wonder the nobles are so fond of your Black Fox Teahouse.  Your exclusivity and strict rules make them comply without making trouble.  Unlike Sunrise Teahouse, where the Young Misses and Young Masters can throw their status around and demand for their every wish."  Airi sighed.  

"Haha."  Yasu lightly laughed before changing the topic.  

As they spoke and enjoyed the hot tea and snacks, time quickly passed.  Yasu left an hour later with a new friend, however his luck to bump into the Prime Minister's daughter was bad.  

At the bottom of the stairs was Hisa and her group of servants and guards.  All of them glared at Yasu as he stood on top of the stairs with a questioning gaze at them.  What did he do for them to stare so hatefully at him?  

[Yasu!]  Tsuki whispered at him.  [They want to fight you!?!]

"Why?"  Yasu asked Tsuki in his mind.  

[They blame you for making their Young Miss wait so long in the carriage.  When they asked the server if they can meet you, the server denied them. When the Young Miss sent her people to get you, they were barred from the door.  Once they drank and ate everything they ordered, they complained that the service, food and drinks were bad and refused to pay. They tried breaking into Airi's private room, however they were blocked once again.  Now they are downstairs causing another scene, wanting to speak to the owner and wanting to meet you so they can teach you a lesson!]   

Yasu sighed heavily as he rubbed his temples.  

"What kind of a trash did the Prime Minister raise?"  Yasu asked Tsuki.  

"You!"  One of the servants by Hisa's side shouted as he pointed at Yasu.  "Come down this instant! My Young Miss has some words for you!"  

Yasu wanted to avoid the situation altogether and quickly leapt over the railing.  The scene caused the customers on the first floor to gasp and yell out in surprise.  Instead of waiting for Hisa's next move, Yasu exited the teahouse through the nearest window.  He jumped out of the window and onto the street.  By the time her guards ran out of the teahouse to stop Yasu, Yasu was long gone from the scene and there were no chance to follow him.  

"Useless fools!"  Hisa said as she slapped her servants.  "Not only did I lose face once, but twice at that damn teahouse!  Can't even do your jobs properly! Once I tell my father, he'll sell you all!" 

Hisa quickly got into her carriage and left with her servants running behind the carriage.  The scene she created caused a crowd to point and gossip about her foul manners. She was the Prime Minister's daughter, there was nothing they could do.