Jack's parents didn't question the male grandchild present to them with a ladybug hair stick wrapped in his blanket. They were just overjoyed at the sight of innocent eyes and small hands reaching for them. The Emperor just held his grandson for the longest time on the first day within his new nursery. His wife on the other hand searched out the female ninja assigned to her son. She knew for a certain amount of months she went missing after her son spent time with her. To only completely disappear from the Palace and the child shows up in Jack's arms. When she couldn't find the girl she gave an antique hand comb with a lotus pattern on it.

"Your father's first gift to me," She recalled the way Jack's father rumbled in her memory, "Presented to me when we first met."

"Okaasan, what does this mean?" Jack asked.

"I want you to give this to her," She placed hair comb in his hand, "If that is alright?"

"Okaasan," Jack thought he needed to explain, "I'm not romantically involved with her …"

She quieted him by placing the hair comb beside his hand with an understanding of what he was going to say. Slowly taking up his hand with her own to share she knew what he did in an unspoken sence. Ones where she noticed how he was inquiring about a governess and a nurse maid. Buying toys and clothes for a newborn that were ladybug themed when he went out in the evenings.

"Just tell her thank you from us," His mother whispered, "Next time, bring the young man you've been seeing."

"Ok Okaasan." Jack looked at the hair comb.

He waited till the evening when he took his usual trip to Tentōchū with one added change to the line up. Bara, despite the lengthy recovery she went through wasn't being her usual hostile self toward Hideyoshi. Instead she was kindly allowing him near her personal space and even touching her. Her blushes and the way she held her tongue when he corrected his words interested Jack.

"Everything ok?" Jack had to ask.

"After I found out Bara gave herself to you to help you produce an heir," Hideyoshi explained, "I found myself angry all the sudden and unable to figure out why as I watched her for those nine months."

"He confronted my brother and got his rear handed to him," Bara explained a part of the story, "Where he was told that what I did was joint choice my brother and I agreed to do."

"I came to the conclusion I have fallen for her in a romantic sense," Hideyoshi gently took her hand, "She has said yes to being mine after she threatened me to give her time to mend."

Have my blessing," Jack handed the hand comb over to them, "A gift from my family to yours."

Hideyoshi was so touched by Jack's gift he bowed repeatedly out of gratitude with Bara being amused. Held them up for a few minutes since their arrival was anticipated by everyone at Tentōchū. News about Kyuu officially taking over was to be shared with the trio from Jono. Who had been training and teaching Kyuu with aid from his sisters in fields that he needed. Which laid off when he was able to balance the account ledgers and properly handle money. Got him to the point he was able to take over for Jono since he had plans to move on. Ones that he wanted Jack to know about after a certain confession made to him during Bara's nine months.

8*8

Finally being granted the chance of a small artisan shop of his own while raising a niece wasn't a new Jono. Just the romantic aspect that followed came when Jack made a confession to Jono. One that he thanked three deities for bringing them together for unknown reasons.

"I know it's not that mystical katana your father has locked away in his armory," Jono handed over a sheath katana, " …here…"

Jack was taken back by the silvery blue detail the blade held as his fingers tranced complete handle from pommel to guard. Cord wrap to hanging cord was a perfect match that made sheathe stand out.

"I had the blade enchanted with a spell on the blade," Jono watched Jack barely unsheathe the blade, "You can even use it against supernatural force."

"I thought I told you to stop with your acts of kindness," Jack instantly sheathed the blade, "This … "

"You can take the warrior out of the man," Jono repeated his mother's words, "You cannot take the samurai out of the prince."

"I ever told you," Jack lay the katana aside, "I dislike your wisdom."

"Want me to stop?" Jono asked Jack.

Jack shook his head from side to side when he relocated to Jono's side with no hint of annoyance toward his smell. Being that he was smoking a new herbal mixture for pain then his usual one. Had Jack guessed the herbs by the individual scents he could inhale when Jono breathed out.

"What is wrong with you now?" Jack asked about the new blend.

"Usual aches and tightest in my chest," Jono calmly shrugged, "Don't go suggesting opium."

"I wasn't since you seem to be doing just fine." Jack knew not to press.

"Good," Jono laid his pipe down. "I am not in any mood to become an addict."

Jack knew of what Jono spoke about recently discovering how addictive a simple drug could get after a few puffs. The dens alone, just full of people, worried him since he visited them by mistake. They went through a single dose in those hours of opium induced hyperalgesia, gloss over eyes and mouth hanging open.

"Jack?" Jono's voice pulled him from his thoughts, "Please tell your not going to suggest opium."

"I'd rather put up with you smelling like a herbalist than act like a dead fish." Jack shook his head."

"What Kind of fish?" Jono jokingly asked.

When his pipe was placed on its resting place upon the tobacco box by Jack as sheathed katana was laid aside. Had Jono asking Jack if this wheat he truly wanted when his hand was picked up by Jack. Where his hand was placed on Jack that gave him the unspoken answer he wanted. One where he pulled Jack toward him with little force that surprised Jack just a little.

"Last chance?" Jono gave a final warning.

Jack was the one that leaned toward him just enough to place a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth. His hands resting palm's down on either side of a toned chest under a few layers of clothes. Jack was ready to explore when he felt his hair pin being tugged loose with a smile. One that turned into an evening of sensual touches and pure pleasure for the newly established lovers.