A day when Jack finally got to step outside the Palace beside Jono with Bara, Sakura, and Hideyoshi tagging along. Opening his hand without a care of who watched them as they walked. Hidden way to freely leave was used as they made their way to merchants. Street vendors that were selling food from grilled organ meat to fresh eel. Were picked over by Sakura when Jack treated her and she took a strong liking to a food trend called sushi. Her eyes lit up as she tried to get Hideyoshi and try some. Jack was the only one to take an interest with Jono calling him crazy.

"It's very good," Jack held up a roll to Jono, "Here."

P"Only for you." Jono whispered.

When he took the roll from Jack with his mouth becoming full that a shadowy swirl neared them. Stopped into place and grew in mass before something questionable popped out. Hunched over the blackened body was a good six foot tall with a green mouth and one set of horns. Dragged it front hands to the point it left claw marks in the dirt path. Stopping when its eyes looked upon Jack retracting his hand from Jono's lips.

"A Kageoni?" Sakura guessed for them.

"Seat back see why I am not fragile," Bara armed herself, "Will you be joining me?"

"Give you a chance to try out your new katana?" Sakura pointed out.

Encouragement came from Jono when he pulled him a kiss that tasted of fish, rice, vegetables, and nori. Left Jack to take hold of tsuka by an old habit he spent a second reminiscing. Feeling of being able to grip a katana once more as he stepped away from Jono.

"You might want to step back," Sakura warned Hideyoshi, "His highness is … "

He didn't take her warning seriously when he rushed in head first without a plan with his katana drawn. Jono ended up having to chew and move at the same time to try and catch Hideyoshi. Which worked in Jack's favor with Bara waiting for him examining this creature. Opening came when Hideyoshi ended up being thrown back at them. His katana shattered and one of wrist dislocated with the rest of him bruised and bloody.

"Are we taking him to be treated?" Sakura sighed.

"Yea," Jono picked Hideyoshi up, "Pick up the shattered katana and step back."

Bara reversed the grip on her Asia's when she followed Jack into the fight against the creature. Mess made it to a few buildings and people that took off running and screaming were ignored. Had Jack chosen not to be gentle when he unsheathed his new blade. It finds his grip within seconds very convenient when he leads Bara into the fight with the creature. Not needing to worry about three people that would get out of the way. One of them was being carried around as the other two got out of any of the creatures.

Jack didn't miss a step when he swung his new katana like he never was without a blade. Going on a defensive stance when he targeted the creature's vitals spots with Bara going on offensive. She was the one that deflected the creature from going after people. By channeling her energies into her seies' handle before making a counter strike. One combined with Jack's own swing of his blade knocked the creature back. Killing blow and came from Jack that turned the creature back into shadow pool. Bara was then thrown a Ofuda Scroll folded into the shape of an origami ladybug. Into that shadowy mass before it completely disappeared after sheathing her seies.

"It's to keep it from returning." Bars knew Jack would ask.

"From your sister Sumire?" He asked.

"Pretty much," She dished off her hands, "You didn't look so bad yourself."

Jack sheathed his katana without a second thought, somewhat thankful to Jonomfor his gift. Which had him going into action that follows this kind of trouble with Bara beside him. Orders were given to whoever was the first on scene came from Jack. Clean up and witness statements were taken as Bara handled smaller details. Anyone who questioned the fact a woman was a part of official business was dismissed by Jack. Only warning he gave was for them to watch their togunge around him, and then sent away.

8*8

A place to put Hideyoshi until he fully recovered wasn't hard since all the resources were already gathered. Kiku and the old doctor were the ones that tended to him quickly. Herbs and opium were used to sedate him when the pain was too much in the end. Once he was out the treatment on him started as onlookers were in surrounding rooms.

"Dealing with his family was hardest," Jono took a seat, "I never knew one had to pay a dowry for a single son."

"One of your finer Kimonos and Obis (string) from your new shop, bottle or two of Tentōchū's Sake, a pound or two of Beef, and 12 Semper Augustus tulips bulbs," Asagao and Momo recalled what was a handed over, "That doesn't include the money."

"I was saving most of that for one of you three," Jono looked to Asagao, Yuki, and Momo, "You, how hard is it to get tulips bulbs at this time of the year?"

Momo hugged Jono as Asagao and Momo looked at the ledger and cringed like their brother. Fact they didn't want to present this to Jack was another problem. A part of Jono's deal with Jack about being romantically linked. Financial refurbishment was one of them that Jack insisted on. Using the excuse of his one night with Bara to create an heir against Jono.

"Can we say an onii tore up the ledger?" Asagao and Momo asked their brother, "Not give this to him?"

"You know he's a human lie detector." Momo reminded them.

Kyuu soon placed a tray of food he baked in the kitchen with a fresh pot of tea. Cups and plates followed as he quietly retreated from the room with hands tucked. Not paying attention to the who was behind him as he walked backwards.

"Is everything ok?" Jack's voice alerted him.

"Happy I do not have parents to demand a dowry from Momo's brother." Kyuu sighed in relief.

"Jono is back from dealing with Hideyoshi's family?" Jack was surprised.

"Not happy about the financial outcome," Kyuu recalled how they didn't want Jack to see the ledger, "They were debating on not showing you."

Jack sighed knowing he should have somehow intervened with the negotiations with Hideyoshi's treatments. Along with who would be caring for the young man until he was able to walk. Knowing the outcome was to be filled in on once he stepped into the room.

"Would you like to join me in the kitchen?" Kyuu offered him.

"Later," Jack stepped forward, "Good fortune I need."

"And then some." Bara passé them.