"Wait…you're a container, like me?" I asked Kiki, completely shell shocked.

Kiki nodded, sucking her thumb again. Suddenly, I narrowed my eyes. "Hold on…if that's true, then how could you possibly have been held captive as a sex slave? And how could Matatabi melt into you?" Kiki shrugged as the redhead reemerged from Kiki, forming her own body again.

"I'm a demon. I can form my own body, just as Kurama can. However, the difference between Kurama and me is that he has a seal holding him inside you…I never had that with Kiki. I inhabited her as a baby because I was drawn to her…I felt her dying. I couldn't help myself…I couldn't let her die for some reason. Therefore, I possessed her, healed her, and then…hid in her after Kurama attacked the Leaf. After all the destruction Kurama caused, I was scared that all of us demons would be killed, or worse, caged, due to what he did. And I wasn't going to appear as a two-tailed cat, so I had been working on my transmutation and finally perfected it. I then took on a human form and called myself Kiki's sister. Her parents died early, we moved, and no one questioned us." Sitting down, Matatabi watched me carefully.

I sat down as well. "But that doesn't explain how you were captured and used in sex trafficking or why Kiki looks and acts like she was seven." I pointed out. Matatabi looked at me. Scowling, her voice had a harsh edge to it.

"That man you killed…the one with the henge…he was working for the Akatsuki. They liked to make money any way they could…including using us. We found that out when Kiki was captured by Sasori while we were both asleep. I had grown too lax in my complacency within Kiki…Sasori and Deidara figured out whom I was, although I do not know how. They injected me with…something. I still don't know what it was…but it made me compliant and it stopped Kiki from aging. I was trapped in the body I created, and I hated it…I was controlled." Matatabi looked down, anger in her eyes. Blue waves of anger radiated off her.

Were you controlled when I was? I asked Kurama, thoroughly confused.

Kind of. I could not stop you from doing what you were doing, and I felt rather tired. This is…disturbing. I don't like where the Akatsuki is heading. Why did you have to piss off that girl? He sounded rather grumpy.

Look, we can discuss Rin later. Right now, I fear the worst. We need to let Lady Hokage know.

Matatabi will not want to divulge her secret. I do not know why she has now…The warning was clear in his voice.

Sighing, I braced myself. Carefully, I started, eyeing her like a dangerous caged animal. "Matatabi, we need to tell Lady Hokage of what is going on. For the safety of the village. But, I give you my word; I won't let them lay a hand on either of you." Can you convince Matatabi of that?

I can try…I don't know if she believes us or not. We demons were never good with oaths, friendship, and shit.

Wonderful.

Matatabi looked between Kiki, Naruto, and me. Finally, she looked at Naruto. "Do you promise to keep Kiki and me safe?"

I turned to look at Naruto, who was watching the scene volley in front of him. Blinking in surprise, he looked at me, then back at Matatabi. "W…well, of course. You two are part of our family now, so I will not let anything happen to either of you. But you don't need my word…if Kakashi gives his word, he keeps it." Naruto vowed.

Matatabi just looked at Naruto. "I do not trust someone who willingly becomes a container…nay, volunteers for it. But I do trust you." She nodded, looking at me. "Okay, we will tell your Hokage."

()()()

Lady Tsunade was shocked, to say the least. Looking at all of us, she looked slyly and nodded at Shizune, who took a step forward. I held onto Kiki tightly, Naruto holding Matatabi's hand. I knew what that look was. "You cannot touch these children….well, this child and this demon. I gave my word. I will not go back on it." I stared at her levelly, my voice holding a warning.

"Kakashi…you cannot expect me to sit idly by and let my village be a target!" She argued, her face getting flush with anger.

Staring levelly back at her, I raised an eyebrow. "I gave my word. If you try to break it, I will leave the village and become a rogue nin. You know I love my Village, but I have to stand by my word. Realize, I am only speaking for myself." I looked at Naruto idly, hoping he understood I was not condemning him to my decision.

Naruto crossed his arms. "I go where Kakashi goes." Tsunade glared at me, her hazel eyes flashing in anger. A silent war waged between us…she knew me well enough to know I wouldn't go back on my word. I loved this village, but my word was my bond, and I would NOT go back on it. Sighing finally, she rubbed her forehead, pulling out a small bottle of sake.

"What we need to do is figure out how Sasori is doing all of this. I'm going to send Sai in." Nodding to Shizune, the brunette left, returning with a pale, raven-haired male. I remembered Sai vaguely. I never understood why he needed to show off his midriff…it was as if he was giving the enemy extra targets. In any event, he was a good ninja, especially after escaping from The Foundation. Nodding at him, I looked back at Tsunade. "I'll brief him; you all can go…and you all are confined to the Village until further notice Kakashi." Her voice brooked no argument. She was agreeing to my terms…with a price.

I said nothing, nodding. I was aggravated, but it was to be expected. Taking everyone home, we settled in for the night. As I crawled into bed in sweatpants…I did not want to have that conversation with a seven year old, I lay next to Naruto on my back, my mind whirling at all the news. Suddenly, blue eyes blocked my vision as Naruto leaned above me. "Kakashi…do you believe Matatabi?" Naruto asked. "Or do you think they are spies?"

I looked at Naruto, smoothing his hair from his face. "It's unlikely they are spies…why would they be involved in sex trafficking to do that? In addition, Kurama has not said anything except that he thought Matatabi had died a long time ago. However, I will try to chat with him later." Naruto nodded, leaning down and kissing me. Sighing into his mouth, I ran my hands up his back, feeling him shiver. As our kiss got more heated, I finally got the release I had been trying to achieve for days…and realized it was foolish to have put on sweatpants…

()()()

[Opening my eyes, I was laying on my back in the bubbling chakra. Turning my head, I saw Kurama sitting behind the bars. Sitting up, I stood, noticing I was naked. Shrugging, I walked over to the bars. They did not seem as big as they used to be.

'Kurama…do you believe Matatabi?' I had to ask him.

Kurama frowned. 'I don't know. I thought Matatabi had died many centuries ago. However, we demons are secretive, and do not collaborate much. I knew Matatabi a bit more than the others, simply because we lived near each other. However,…the way this demon was presenting itself was very reminiscent of the Matatabi I knew. She was one of the first that wanted to befriend humans instead of destroying them. She was also the first to master transmutation.'

'But…' I waited patiently.

'But I don't see how she would have gotten caught that easily. Matatabi is brilliant, and not easily fooled. That is what worries me the most.' His red eyes stared at me as I reached through the bars. 'What are you doing?' he asked, looking at me as if I had lost my mind.

'Petting you.' I responded, putting a hand on his snout. As he frowned, but stood still, I started to pet him much as I did Pakkun. The fur felt very soft, at least in this soul prison. Twisting his head to the side slightly, his eyes narrowed.

'Why?'

'It's a sign of friendship and acceptance. It helps in the bonding process. Plus, it's just nice.' I responded. 'Doesn't it feel nice?'

He twisted his head again, as if considering. Finally, 'I guess.'

Sighing, I stood there, petting the fox on the nose while I worried over this Matatabi problem. Looking up at Kurama finally, I sighed. 'What if Matatabi is all she says she is and what she says is true?' I had to voice my concerns.

'Then we are in deep shit…the Akatsuki is one step closer to controlling us.'