Putting up with Hideyoshi after accommodating him with his new home left Jono irked. He thought he never meant anyone so picky about being cared for. From the food for his meals he refused touch if not prepared the way he liked. Refused for hours on end by one of Jono's sisters or Kyuu when he struggles to move throughout his space. Will not allow a woman who isn't related to him or hired nursemaid to help him bath or dress. Contradicted about him wanting someone to aid him in keeping his appearance clean at the time. Requesting to be in the company of men over Jono's sisters when they were helping their brother. Left Jono to find peace in the making of cosmetics in his work space. He was currently plucking the petals of blue and red flowers one by one.

"Anisan!" Yuri came his way.

"Look at you." He watched her

He watched her unload the cart that had his usual supplies from the cosmetics he makes in baskets. One was full of medium sized oysters from a few fishermen. Ounce or two of fresh beeswax wrapped in burlap. Imperfect red plums and usual herbs alongside unused shells and small rose quartz stones. All free since most of the stuff didn't sell were discards from high end craftsmen. Gathered by her since she knew who to visit to get what she had now.

"Sometimes you're too much like dad," Jono looked over the supplies, "Way you can bargain."

"I say Okāsan the Otōsan," She tied up her hair and sleeves, "Ready."

She ended up doing most of the smaller things when assisting her brother after flower petals. Like grinding of everything needed to a fine powdery or dusy form. A more dried and green assortment was put into another pot with two teas. As he used a kindling mixed with parts of flowers he didn't use. Two build two roaring fires within the bottom of the stone- like the stove, where the large pots were placed, for mixing processes. Had one pouring and another stirring the whole time.

"How long is Hideyoshi going to be with us?" Yuri asked.

"You know how long it took me to recover?" He reminded her.

This made her huff when she didn't need to stir anymore and quietly got started on packing mud. Forcely mixing the straw she had chopped up with a pair of shears and splash of water. Just aggressively mixing until her hands were so covered that Jono stopped her. Had her sit back and allow him to pack what they were making away into pots. He was careful in putting them together and stacking covered openings one on top of another. Where he packed the mud in layers of the pre- mixed mud until the barrel shape started to form.

"I'm digging the hole." She picked the hoe.

"You're this angry?" He asked, knowing she hadn't calmed down.

"He acts like a spoiled child," She spoke of Hideyoshi and his endless insistences, "When all we are trying to do is …"

She stomped off to the area her brother usually uses to bury his creations with a snort before she repeatedly planted the hoe. Making a pile of dirt without paying attention to how deep she was making the hole until Jono stopped her. In the hole the mud covered jars went before they were buried under a basket of saw dust until the hole was filled. He then had her and himself carry heated ash scooped out of the stove. Over to the pile of sawdust and surrounded it in a careful manner that the heat will do its work over a certain time limit. Before starting the process all over again without needing to bury anything in a hole and use heated ash with sawdust. Between harvesting the pearls from more oysters and dumping the shells in a bucket for later. Pearls would be washed clean as bamboo was cut down and ground into fine white powder.

"Want me to speak to him?" Jono asked, "Try to soften him out?"

"Maybe," She mixed the ground bamboo with milky white water until a slime could turn into individual balls. She was careful in balling up and placing in a basket one after another until the substance was gone. Until she placed it into the stove with charcoal logs while a fire was built up to create only smoke. "I don't want to start his grand speech where one of us was whining."

She ended up being hugged by her brother and sent away to take a proper break while he could do the rest of the work. Not accepting a single excuse from her when he sent her away to further calm down about Hideyoshi. Which left her to adjust his bandana on his head and promise to bring him some nourishment later. Still Had her making her way back to the main house where Hideyoshi was currently staying and mending. She walked into the main room where he had been put for the day to find Jack sitting in Hideyoshi's company.

"If you're here to see Anisan," She bowed to Jack, "He is working on cosmetic orders."

"Mother adores the ones gifted to her," Jack said of make-up Jono gifted the Empress, "She only uses them for special occasions."

"The noble and wealthy women also love my brother's work," She said from experience, "He makes limited batches that get snatched up quickly."

Jack was amused that Jono was more than a charming smile and wise man in the ways of the world with a small smile. Yuri would have gained on if she didn't get the familiar chill of eyes belonging to Hideyoshi burning into her. Which she tries to suppress her anger in Jack's presence when not wanting to come off unlady- like. Which Jack noticed when he took in her twitching eyebrow and the way she tightly puckered her lips.

"Has everything been ok?" Jack looked between the two.

"I know Jono- san has opened his home to my recovery after dealing with my family," Hideyoshi gave the answer, "I am coming to not like these accommodations."

"I don't see anything wrong with being surrounded by such talented young girls," Jack didn't understand Hideyoshi's problems, "Hand made meals, care only a mother would give, and consistent supervision reminds me of caring for my mother."

Yuri went from angry to blessed by the Prince's words over being compared to his mother's form of caring with tears. Trying her best to not give in to them knowing her brother would come running to beat Hideyoshi in. She mumbled about being right back from the kitchens with fresh tea and snacks for them as she ran off.

"You must be quite lucky to be waited on," Jack complimented Hideyoshi, "Makes me want to tell my servants to stop making it so formal and treat me like family."

"More like I feel sitting around feeling useless while being waited on hand and foot by.. " Hideyoshi tried to flail his bond arms, " … Women…"

"Again I see nothing wrong with women?" Jack asked disliking how Hideyoshi was bringing up this topic again.

"I am coming to see these women are more than for taking care of the family and household," Hideyoshi looked toward where Yuri walked off, "I must agree with you on."

"Good," Jack hoped this topic was over, "Now may I know if you have plans to wed Bara?"

"What?" Hideyoshi asked, rather bothered.

"I have been approached by a fellow family," Jack pointed to an ornate box he brought, "They request I ask her brother."

"Chikushou!" Hideyoshi tried to flail his limbs.

Jack went wide eyed at what came from his injured vessels mouth before growing amused in a way by the way he reacted. Not knowing Hideyoshi felt something for a women he always complimented wasn't traditional at all. Pointing out her state of dress to the way she knew how to fight was not fit for a women to know.

"Then must I inform this family," Jack summed up Hideyoshi's reaction, "She has another suitor?"

"Hai!" Hideyoshi shouted.

Into the room a sight Hideyoshi hadn't seen at all was Bara dressed in a kimono with the sleeves tied back and carrying a tray. She blushed when she kneeled down between Jack and Hideyoshi to put the tray down. Taking a proper kneeling position when she started to serve them tea and snacks promised to them.

"Must I straighten OUT again?" She asked as nicely as she could, "Being that Yuri spent all afternoon setting you up out here."

"Iie." Hideyoshi shook his head.

8*8

Delivery of the empress' cosmetics during his weekly stay within the palace was a simple task for Jono. Since he was greeted by Jack's mother within his private living quarters within the palace. She happily looked forward to what he brought her in his pack with great joy.

"No son today?" He teased her.

"Entertaining guests." She sadly sighed.

"I am the lucky one." He put his back down.

He was careful to remove the porcelain containers wrapped carefully and the fabric was unwrapped and shown to her. He set up a white copper mirror for her to try everything out. Taking his time to sit back with his usual herbal mixture when he joints aching. Scar he kept hidden tingled in the worst way for him as he controlled his breathing. Out came a gift Jack gave him in the form of a Tanaka- bon for his pipe and herbs. Process he went through almost all the time that didn't involve incense burning.

"How is your new responsibility coming along?" She asked about Hideyoshi, " The offer to borrow some of our servants for his care still stands."

"Finally got him to shut up," Jono smirked, "Seems Bara has stepped up."

"She finally warmed up to him." The empress had secretly hoped.

"Well I was this far away from asking the doctor for extra help," he lifted one of his hands, "She showed signs of jealousy and …"

"I was correct about her." She excitedly knew.

The two would chat away the rest of her visit until Sakura showed up to take her new cosmetics back. Empress bowed to Jono for his craftsmanship in his latest get to her before she left. All he could do was nod back to her before he was left alone to handle his pain. Baring the creaks his body made when laying his pipe on its resting spot where matches were laid. Reaching for the pendant he wore unde neath the collar of his tunic and shirt. Bringing them into his line of his sight as he tried to regulate his breathing when he steady his breathing.

"It's getting harder and harder to carry out your work," He spoke of three gods he serves, "I don't know how long I physically last."

He tucked his necklace back into place feeling of failure strong on him as he heard his knees pop. Relieved the pain in a way as he leaned into a comfortable position to ease his pain. Thinking it was time to start planning for life after the way his body was going for him.

"Jono?" Jack joined him when he noticed him deep in thought.

"Hey." He waved to him.

Jack would soon take his usual seat next to him when he took in how Jono was sitting. Meant he ended up helping him light his pipe and place it in one of his hands.

"That bad today?" Jack asked,

"Either I need to buy more hands to help me in my work," Jono sighed, "Return home to a quiet life."

"First option," Jack chose for him, "I am not ready to lose you."

"Such a charmer." Jono puffed from his pipe.

Jack leaned in for a kiss from him when he waited for Jono to breath out a familiar cloud of smoke. Telling him about how he sought out advisers in a sensual sense of love making. Wanting to be more physical with him then relying on him all the time when they had relations. Which had an eye brow lift on Jono when he was in mid puff of his pipe.

"In the mood to top me?" Jono asked with a smirk.