Author peaks around the corner: "ha ha, long time no see... ha... Ya, I'm sorry about that everyone. I've been really busy... and sick... Let's see, I had an appendectomy (my appendix decided to burst in August) T-T. Then right after that I started to an intensive school program which left me no time for myself... I've just been very busy... Well anyway, here's the update I've promised some of you who PMed me (you know who you are). Enough of that, onward to the shout outs. One for isthisparadis, green-gold-fox, Hiei's Shadow Tenshi and fennecfox03, thank you all for your kind reviews. Hope to see you guys soon, Love ya.

P.S.- I now have a account, so if you want to find me, just do a search with my email address and bother me if you want to.

Chapter Thirteen

Kakashi awoke with a shutter; he felt a heaviness in his chest... like something bad was going to happen or it already had.

Xui?! Where is she?! She didn't leave? Did she? Kakashi thought as he got up quickly. Gingerly, he stepped around the two sleeping genin and left the room. He just had a horrible feeling about Xui.

"Lin? Lin? Are you here?" he called out in a quiet voice.

"Well of course she's here," Rin popped out from the kitchen, "she's been helping me make breakfast. You should get your... umm... guess you would call them your ninja team... right? Well anyway, you should get them up for breakfast."

"Um... right... breakfast," Kakashi said in somewhat of a daze. Good, she's ok... but why do I still have this horrible feeling, Kakashi asked himself.

Breakfast and three little competitions between Naruto and Sasuke later...

"Well thanks for the meals and beds, we sure appreciate it," Xui waved to Rin.

"Oh sure, you know I love company anytime. You' all come back now," Rin waved back to the group as them started to walk away.

"She was real nice, do you think we can stop there when we're done with Xui's mission," Sakura asked sweetly.

"We'll see," Kakashi smiled back. Kakashi was a little more concerned with the way Xui was acting. She just seemed so sad; she knew her clan was safe, but she didn't seem happy about it. Maybe she's still disturbed by her visit with the Kyubi?

"Hey... Xui, can I ask you something," Naruto asked to the ground.

"Hmm," she came out of her stupor.

"What are you going to do once you get your family back?"

His question seemed to catch Xui off guard, "well... I guess I'll be going back to the forest with them... that's where I belong... in the forest. Why?"

"Oh... I was just wondering," Naruto sounded disappointed.

"You come for a visit to our village, I'm sure the Hokage will forgive you once he hears your story," Sakura popped in.

"Uh... well, I guess..." Xui answered uncomfortably.

"You don't have to worry, we'll back you up," Sasuke said in his usually manner.

Xui smiled, "thank you... you're all such nice humans... like my father and brothers."

"As much as I like heartfelt scenes, we have to discuss our plan to free Xui's clan without this Goza realizing up we're up to," Kakashi interrupted.

"I think we should bust in and demand that he release them," Naruto gave a thumbs up.

"Ya... that's all going to work for about two seconds," Xui shook her head.

"I already have a plan," Kakashi spoke quietly, "Xui and I will meet with Goza, while you three free Xui's clan. I have the upmost confidence that you can handle any guards or security that he may have. Xui do you think a fake Scroll with fool him or do you think..."

"That the priest will notice? They shouldn't if as long as they don't touch it," Xui interrupted.

"So in other words," Kakashi lazily looked over at her, "we won't have a lot of time. Hmm... Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto try to get her clan out as fast as you can."

We made our plans, Kakashi and myself were more to keep Goza and his goons busy while the young kits rescue my clan. It was a good plan; I only hoped that they wouldn't be put in danger. I know I would just die from guilt if anything happen to them. Kakashi gave the details of where my clan was being held. It didn't sound to dangerous, but one never knows. Mother above, watch over all your children whether they be Kitsune, fox or human, I prayed as we walked down the path.

"Alright team we split up from here," Kakashi looked down at his kits, "you all know what to do?"

"Yes sir, Kakashi Sensei," they answered in unison. In a flash, they were gone from sight.

"Wow, you humans have learned very well the arts of disappearing," I said as I shifted into my Kitsune form.

"Tis the way of the Shinobi," he answered nonchalantly.

"Funny humans... Kakashi, will your young ones be ok?"

"They'll be fine; they have been train for this kind of thing. So don't worry."

"I'll try not to. So you know how to act right?" I nudged him in the ribs.

"Pretty much like a zombie," he semi-laughed.

"You got," I laughed.

We slowly made our way down the path, making sure no one was spying or following us. The Evil Man's house was in sight and everything was quiet. There were a couple of guards standing at the front door, but no other security could be seen.

"The Boss is waiting for you inside, I hope you brought that scroll," one of them growled as Kakashi and I approached. "Hey who's the freak in the vest?"

"He's under my control and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't insult my servant," I began to smile sinisterly, "unless you want to become a chicken?"

The guards looked at one than to Kakashi and me, "go ahead," they opened the doors.

"So I'm a servant," Kakashi whispered to me.

"You're suppose to be under mind control... remember?

"Right... sorry."

I hope Naruto and the others are alright, I couldn't help but think as Kakashi and I made our way down the hallway. The hallway was dimly lit, only shadows and unfamiliar forms could be seen. The doorway ahead had a faintly glowing light coming from cracks. The smell of incense filled hung heavily in the air; I had to resist the urge to cough, even Kakashi seemed to be having a problem with intense smell. The doors opened as we drew closer, several candles lit up the room ahead; five forms surrounded one sitting at a desk. The priests are still here... And him... the Evil Man, the one who took my clan and forced me to behave so badly. He will pay, I growled to myself.

"Ah, my little kitsune has returned," the Evil Man's face came into the light, "I hope you had a lovely and Productive trip. Oh I see you brought one of them."

"I took control of him to get the Scroll, but pay no mind to him and my trip depends on how well my clan is doing," I approached cautiously.

He began to laugh, "yes... your clan. Ha, yes they're fine. As long as you have the Scroll," he rested his chin on his knuckles.

I looked over to Kakashi, "present the Scroll."

Kakashi gave a small bow in my direction and reached behind as if grabbing the scroll. I quickly made up an illusion of a false scroll. Kakashi placed the fake scroll in front of the Evil Man. He quickly looked it up and down and seemed satisfied enough.

With a smile, he turned to the priests standing behind him, "is it real or one of her illusions?"

One of the priest stepped forward reluctantly, "it is real Goza sir, no tricks."

Hmm... surely they can... very strange, I thought to myself. "You have your scroll, now give me back my clan as you promised."

"No need to get testy my little kitsune. Remember I still have all the cards," he snapped his fingers.

The priests began to chant a sutra. Xui's body began to quake and shiver; she let out a terrible cry that seemed to shake the entire room. She looked up at him with angry eyes and shook her head, as if saying 'I understand.' Goza put up his hand, the priests stopped their chants. Kakashi had to hold back his emotions for the time being.

"So you understand," Goza smiled smugly.

"Yes," Xui nodded her head.

"Well we did have a deal, didn't we?" Goza got up, "you get the Scroll of Seals and I return your family, that was the deal. And you got the Scroll so," Goza open a concealed cabinet and pulled some out. "Here one clan for one Scroll," he threw something at her feet, it was a fur coat. Xui stared down at the coat, tears slowly forming in her eyes. "Well, I never said they would as you left them only merely that I wouldn't harm a hair on their bodies and I didn't. I just harmed them on the inside or should I say I had their insides removed." Goza began to laugh.

"But you... you said that," Xui started

"Said what? I kept my promise and you kept yours, a deal is a deal. Now take your clan and leave," he waved his hand to dismiss her.

Xui looked angrily at Goza, but she wouldn't dare go after him while the priests were present. Tearfully, she picked up the coat gently and threw it over her back. Kakashi didn't know what do, whether he should go after Goza or to wait and see. If anything, he really wanted knock Goza's lights out for all the pain he caused Xui.

"Oh one more thing before you go," Goza called.

"What," Xui glared.

"I need you to do another job," he smiled.

"Why would I do another job for you... you evil son of a..."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you wouldn't want these little lives to end before they even see it, would you," Goza clapped his hands. One of his guards came into the room carrying a small whining animal.

"A KIT!?" Xui pulled back in surprise, "but no one... oh, Shati, she must have..."

"Yes and there's three more where that came from," Goza signaled to his man to leave. "Come back here tomorrow and I'll tell you what you're retrieving for me. Now get out my sight," he dismissed her.

Xui turned around and sulked out the door, Kakashi slowly followed her. It would to dangerous to do anything now, Kakashi thought, besides, I'm more concerned about Xui. She's been through to much later, I rather see to her first. Kakashi looked down at Xui, tears were streaming down her face and muzzle. Her heart must be breaking... oh Xui... I'm sorry we didn't make it in time...