Neokenshin: Ahh another chapter in our heroes continuing saga.

Akemi: Yeah, and this time me and Hanabi-chan get a bigger part!

Neokenshin: Actually, a majority focuses on you and Hanabi. This will give the readers a little more time with you two.

Hanabi: Cool!

Neokenshin: I'm glad you like it. Well, we don't want to keep our readers waiting.

Akemi and Hanabi: That right! Remember, Naruto isn't owned by Neokenshin, though he does own Kasumi and the Illumina Concept. Also Akemi is used with permission from Dragon Man 180!

Neokenshin: Thanks you two! One more thing. A special thanks to all my readers for giving this story over 16,000 hits, and 110 reviews! Just for that kind of support, I have a Spring Special chapter planned for all of you! Thanks again everyone!


Chapter 23: Adventures in Kitsune-sitting! Part 2

Nightfall had come to the Kitsune Village. After the meeting with the Kitsune council, the team had taken in more sights of the village. They even had lunch at Ichiraku's after Momoko kept nagging them to go. They were actually surprised that everything was just like Konoha. Afterwards they got a message from the council that the Kitsune shamans could help with a cure for Akane. After Momoko delivered Akane's blood sample, the shamans began their work. All that was left was the waiting…and what better way to solve waiting than…

"I got you now Haku-chan!" Hanabi said, jumping over the couch.

"I don't think so! PILLOW STRIKE NO JUTSU!" Haku said, hitting Hanabi with a pillow. "I could hear you a mile away!"

"That's good, because the distraction worked! KITSUNE PRINCESS PILLOW ATTACK!" Akemi yelled, swooping down on Haku from the air. Akemi was just about to hit Haku with her pillow, when Haku vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving behind another pillow. "Hey! What was that!"

"She used a Kawarimi!" Hanabi said.

"No fair Haku-nee-chan!" Akemi said.

"All's fair in Ninja Pillow Fighting!" Haku said from a hidden location.

"She wants to hide, eh! Well, this is gonna find her! BYAKUGAN!" Hanabi said, activating her bloodline. She then looked all around the living room to find Haku's chakra signature. "Where are…I got you now! Akemi, she's over near the kitchen!"

"Let's get her!" Akemi said.

"Right behind you!" Hanabi said.

The two charged directly at the kitchen in the hopes of catching their target. Haku wouldn't give up so easily, though. She would use every last ninja trick she had to make sure Akemi and Hanabi wouldn't win this pillow fight!

"We got you now!" Akemi and Hanabi said, hitting Haku. Unfortunately…it was a Koori Bunshin they got instead of the real Haku.

"I'm still faster!" Haku said, appearing behind the two. "And it looks like I win!"

"Only because you used ninja techniques." Akemi said.

"Yeah, if we could do that stuff, then things might be different." Hanabi said.

"You'll learn them. I mean, I think you two are supposed to be starting the Academy during the next term, aren't you?" Haku said.

"I guess." Hanabi said.

"But for right now, I say we get you two a little more practice. I think I hear Momoko and Neji coming this way." Haku said.

"What's your plan?" Akemi asked.

"It's a little something I learned from Kasumi, Hinata, Ino, Sakura, and Tenten." Haku said, telling the girls her plan. She remembered how they drove Neji crazy when they picked up Tenten from training the day she came to Konoha. Hinata said it had Neji going crazy, so she figured why not try it again.

"You really think that's gonna work on Neji-kun?" Hanabi asked.

"It did once before. See, there's one rule you should know about all boys." Haku said.

"What's that?" Akemi asked.

"That they'll fall for almost ANYTHING when a girl uses her charm. That's what makes us so dangerous!" Haku said. "Now come on, let's hide."

Haku, Hanabi, and Akemi found places to hide as Momoko and Neji came into the living room.

"So you guys ended up chasing after Kasumi and Sasuke just to see the two of them kiss?" Momoko asked.

"Yeah. Arashi-sama had all of us in on it! It probably would have worked if Naruto didn't go nuts over ramen like he always…" Neji said, before he was cut off.

"Neji Hyuuga, there you are!" Akemi said, jumping from her hiding spot.

"Uhh, hi Akemi." Neji said.

"How could you! You defile the name of the Hyuuga by holding this fair Kitsune against her will?" Hanabi said.

"Huh? Hanabi-sama, what are you talking about?" Neji said, confused.

"I see it now. You simply used me to get to your real target!" Haku said.

"Haku-chan! What…no! Momoko and I were just talking!" Neji said. "Isn't that right Momoko…Momoko?"

"It's true my princess! I was held captive by this fiend!" Momoko said, acting as if she were injured. "I tried to escape, but I couldn't!"

"It's ok now, my noble subject." Haku said. "I know you fought with honor, though this rogue used trickery and deception on you."

"I thank you my princess." Momoko said.

"Trickery? Deception? I was just telling her about Kasumi and Sasuke's date!" Neji said. He was starting to sweat bullets now.

"Lies! I should finish you right now with the power of the caged bird seal!" Hanabi said.

"Hanabi-sama, you wouldn't!" Neji said.

"You're right! That end isn't befitting of you. You're punishment is worse!" Hanabi said.

"Exactly! That's why we have a special technique saved just for you!" Akemi said.

"What punishment! What technique!!! What the heck is going on here!" Neji said, completely confused.

"I gave you my heart, and you deceived me Neji." Haku said, grasping her pillow tighter. "Now you're finished!"

"Haku-chan, please tell me what's going on here!" Neji said.

"Only this! Sisters, unite!" Haku said. Akemi and Hanabi lined up beside Haku, ready to strike.

"KITSUNE PRINCESS SPECIAL ATTACK! PILLOW ATTACK OF DOOM!" the three girls said, rushing in to pelt Neji with their pillows.

"Ow, hey…come on…hey! Go easy…" Neji said, taking every shot until the girls got tired. During the whole time Momoko just stayed back laughing like crazy. "What did I do to deserve this?"

"Nothing. We were just bored." Haku said, giving Neji a hug.

"You've been talking to Kasumi and Hinata again, haven't you Haku-chan?" Neji asked.

"Well they are my sisters after all." Haku said, giving Neji a kiss.

"Girls." Neji said. "But why did Momoko side with you?"

"Uhh, they are the Kitsune Princesses, you know. I'm not that crazy!" Momoko said.

"Whatever. Anyways, it's getting late. I think I'm gonna turn in for the night." Neji said.

"We probably should too. Come on you two." Haku said.

"Do we have to Haku-nee-chan?" Akemi asked.

"You know Oka-san wouldn't let us stay up this late! Well…maybe not you two, but you know she'd want us to be rested in case anything happens tomorrow." Haku said.

"Oh, ok." Akemi said. "Come on Hanabi-chan."

"Alright." Hanabi said.


Everyone headed to their respective rooms to turn in for the night. Haku was just about to fall asleep when she heard a knock at her door.

"Who is it?" Haku asked.

"Mind if I come in?" Momoko said.

"Momoko, what are you doing here?" Haku said, sitting up.

"Couldn't sleep. For the first time in who knows how many years, I actually couldn't get to sleep." Momoko said.

"Let me guess…Oka-san's condition is bothering you, isn't it?" Haku said.

"You could say that. I mean, I never would have thought that Kyuubi-kouhi could be dying!" Momoko said. "It's just too crazy to believe."

"Well when it has to do with Orochimaru, anything can happen." Haku said, waving her hand over the glass of water she had by her bed. She started to manipulate the water to help keep a calm mood. In turn, Momoko seemed drawn to Haku's use of her bloodline.

"Haku, how are you doing that? I mean, you control the water with such ease?" Momoko said.

"Oh this, it's just my bloodline limit. I have the ability to manipulate water and ice. You could say…it's one of the reasons my life brought me where I am now." Haku said.

"Looks like I get to find out a little more about you now, Haku-chan." Momoko said. She already learned a lot about the Hyuuga while talking to Neji, and learned a little about Akemi from Arashi a few days earlier. Now it was her chance to get to know Haku.

"Well, it all started in Kiri…" Haku began. She told Momoko of her past in Kiri, from watching the death of her mother, to when Zabuza found her. She continued into talking about how she spent her early years training with Zabuza and focusing her bloodline, and even told Momoko of how she first met Kasumi, and how she was given a second chance at life, all thanks to her.

"Wow, Kasumi did all that!" Momoko said, wide eyed.

"All she did was help me to see that a ninja isn't just a weapon, but a person in their own right." Haku said.

"I bet she's a wonderful person. I can't wait to meet her once we wake her up." Momoko said, yawning. "Oh wow, something smells really good!" Haku noticed she started yawning herself.

"I wonder what…that is?" Haku said, yawning some more.

"Michiko probably used some Kitsune Nip to help us relax." Momoko said, laying her head on the extra pillows on Haku's bed.

"I see…it's like catnip, only for Kitsune." Haku said, trying to keep her eyes open. "You look…like you're gonna…fall asleep. Just climb under…the rest of the blankets for tonight."

"Ok…don't worry…I don't…" Momoko said, climbing under the blankets. The moment she was under, she was knocked out cold!

"Neither…do…" Haku said, falling asleep. Within seconds she was sleeping like a baby. Unknown to the two, Michiko wasn't the one that used the Kitsune nip. Several mysterious ninja had released the substance into the mansion, hoping to knock out everyone. They already had taken Akemi and Hanabi while they were sleep and was preparing to take Haku, when something happened.


"Ugh, what's that weird smell!" Neji said, slowly waking up. He walked outside and noticed Michiko lying on the ground asleep. Rushing up to her, he wondered why she would be asleep outside…"The girls!" He then hurried to Haku's room to see a mysterious figure trying to tie up the sleeping Kitsune girl. "Just what do you think you're doing!"

Within an instant, the mysterious ninja disappeared, not being able to claim Haku as a capture. Neji rushed over to his girlfriend, and tried to awaken her. She slowly opened her eyes, though she was still fairly sleepy from the Kitsune nip.

"Haku-chan, are you ok?" Neji asked.

"Neji, what do you want?" Haku asked, still feeling groggy.

"You mean, you obviously don't know that someone tried to capture you?" Neji asked.

"Huh someone tried…" Haku said, still trying to wake herself up. Neji then saw the glass of water she had, and did the one thing that he knew would wake her up…and make her mad…he splashed her with it. "NEJI!"

"Good, I have your attention now." Neji said. "Now do you realize you were about to be kidnapped?"

"Kidnapped, what on the world are you talking about!" Haku asked.

"Easy. I smelled some weird scent, and it woke me up. I went out to find out what it was, and saw Michiko lying on the ground asleep. I knew something wasn't right so that's when I came in to check on you." Neji said.

"Weird scent…Neji, we gotta get to Akemi's room!" Haku said, jumping out of the bed. The two rushed over to the next room only to open it up and see an open window…and two missing seven year olds.

"No! Hanabi and Akemi are gone! Neji, see if you can find out which way they were taken!" Haku said.

"Right." Neji said, flicking his wrist. "LIGHTNING ILLUMINA ACTIVATION!" He instantly transformed, and with a "BYAKUGAN!" he activated his bloodline. Neji immediately began to scan the area hoping to find some trace of Hanabi and Akemi. "Haku, I think I might have found them, I see three figures far off to the east, but the chakra signatures are very faint. I can't tell the color, but I think it might be them!"

"Why on earth would anyone want to kidnap me and Akemi…Neji, you don't think!" Haku said.

"I'm afraid so. I think that someone is trying to overthrow Akane-sama, and they planned to use you and Akemi as hostages!" Neji said.

"This is just great! Well we should hurry after them! We gotta save them!" Haku said.

"Haku wait! We don't know the terrain around here, and we have no idea what kind of traps these kidnappers have. From what we know, we haven't heard any type of demand yet, so we should wait until tomorrow. We might find out more information then." Neji said.

"Oh, alright." Haku said, waving a foxfire covered hand over the area when she was splashed by Neji. She then climbed back into the bed after it was dry, still noticing Momoko completely knocked out. "I wonder why it was so easy to wake me up, though."

"It's probably because you're only half Kitsune." Neji said, closing Haku's window. "You didn't take the full effect like everyone else did."

"I guess so." Haku said.

"Well I'm going back to sleep. See you in the morning Haku-chan." Neji said.

"Neji, wait!" Haku said. "Stay with me tonight, please?"

"Haku, what are you…" Neji said.

"Just until I fall asleep. I'll feel better knowing you're here." Haku said.

"I don't know…I…"Neji said.

"Pwease, Neji-kun?" Haku said, in her best little girl voice. She even threw her best puppy dog eyes at Neji to hook him in.

"Oh, alright." Neji said, powering down. "But just until you fall asleep ok. I'll sit over here."

"No! You might fall asleep and something might happen to me! I want to fall asleep with you holding me." Haku said.

"Haku! There is no way Arashi-sama would approve of that!" Neji said.

"Look, I'll be under all of the blankets, and you just stay on top of all of them but the comforter. That way the covers will be between us. Besides, Otou-san knows you wouldn't do something you weren't supposed to. He and Hiashi-sama are more worried about you than they are me!" Haku said. "Besides, when was the last time you held me while I slept?" Haku asked.

"Earlier today on our way here." Neji said.

"Oh shut up and come here." Haku said folding back the comforter.

"Alright." Neji said, climbing in beside Haku. "You know I'm only doing this because I love you."

"I know." Haku said, wrapping her arms around Neji while she got comfortable. "Good night Neji-kun." She then closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

"Good night, Haku-chan" Neji said, kissing her forehead. He thought to himself, "Why did you have to be so beautiful?" He placed his arm behind her head, and pulled her close to him. He then drifted off into his own sleep.


Morning soon dawned as Momoko awakened to realize where she fell asleep.

"Whew, that was some good Kitsune Nip!" Momoko said, rubbing her eyes. "Hey Haku, how did you sleep last night?" She then looked over and saw Haku snuggled up to Neji. She then noticed that Neji wasn't wearing a shirt, and that only Haku's head was showing from under the covers. "HAKU!!!"

"Hey, keep it down. I'm trying to sleep here." Haku said.

"Well it looks to me you obviously did more than sleeping!" Momoko said.

"Yeesh Momoko, do you have to be that loud?" Neji asked.

"Of course! And I though you were supposed to be the honorable Hyuuga!" Momoko said.

"What do you mean by that!" Neji asked.

"You should know! You're the one who took advantage of Haku while she slept last night! Why else would you have your shirt off!" Momoko said. "And why would Haku be under all of those blankets!"

"Because I got cold last night after the attack, and Neji kept me company while I fell asleep!" Haku said, throwing off the comforter to show she was still under more blankets and Neji wasn't. "And considering I'm still in my pajamas, we obviously didn't do anything! Plus Neji never wears a shirt while he sleeps!"

"Oh, you're right…um sorry about that." Momoko said, feeling ashamed that she jumped to a conclusion. "Now what's this about some kind of attack last night?"

"It seems that someone was trying to kidnap me last night." Haku said. "Luckily Neji-kun woke up and stopped the attacker. Unfortunately, whoever was trying to get me managed to get Akemi and Hanabi!"

"Then I guess there really is a plot to dethrone Kyuubi-kouhi." Momoko said. "And with the scent of the leftover Kitsune Nip, I can't get a good trace on Princess Akemi's scent."

"I did manage to see three chakra signatures heading towards the east. Chances are that could have been whoever captured Akemi and Hanabi." Neji said.

"Then we'd better stay on high alert. Who knows if they'll try to come after you again Haku." Momoko said.

"That may be true, but trust me, it won't be easy for them to take me out." Haku said, with a slight yawn. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to sleep." She then grabbed hold of Neji as if he was her own personal teddy bear.

"Uhh, hey wait a minute!" Neji said.

"Oh be quiet and snuggle up!" Haku said, tightening her grip.

"Oh, ok." Neji said.

"Well, I guess another nap wouldn't hurt." Momoko said, laying her head back down.

The trio decided to nap for another two hours before starting their day off. The rest of the morning went fairly well, but was quiet since Akemi and Hanabi weren't there. The morning bath went fairly quiet for Momoko and Haku…except for when Haku decided to use her bloodline to get one quick laugh in by splashing Momoko with a mini tidal wave. Even though there were more of the formal clothes set out for Haku and Neji, they decided to wear their normal clothes, since they thought they might be going after the girls. Luckily they did get some good news from Michiko.

"Haku-chan, I have good news. I recently heard from the council that the shamans are ready. You should proceed to meet them today." Michiko said.

"Awesome! At least that's one step in the right direction towards helping Oka-san!" Haku said.

"Afterwards, we can see if we can get some leads on where Akemi and Hanabi might be." Neji said.

"I hope so. I just hope those two are ok." Haku said.

"Don't worry Haku-chan, we'll find them." Momoko said.

Neji, Haku, and Momoko left to meet with the Kitsune Shamans to see about the cure for Akane's poison. Meanwhile in a small base deep in the forest outside the village…


"Why does my head hurt so badly?" Hanabi said, waking up in a dark cell. "And why can't I move my hands?" She tried to move her hands but realized that they were bound by rope. "Akemi-chan, are you in here?"

"Naruto-ni-chan, come play with me today." Akemi said, still partially asleep.

"Akemi-chan, where are you?" Hanabi said, trying to focus in the dark. She had no luck until she remembered her bloodline. She activated her Byakugan, and instantly saw Akemi's chakra. "There you are!" She then rolled her way over to Akemi, accidentally rolling on top of her.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Akemi said. "I was having a good dream!"

"Well you can have it later." Hanabi said. "Somehow, we've been kidnapped Akemi-chan!"

"You mean, Haku-nee-chan and Momoko-chan aren't here?" Akemi said.

"Neji-kun isn't here either." Hanabi said. "What's worse is that we've been tied up."

"So that's why I can't move my hands and feet." Akemi said.

"Akemi-chan, what are we gonna do?" Hanabi asked.

"I don't know, but we have to get out of here! I don't like it here." Akemi said.

"If we could get these ropes off, then maybe we might be able to do something!" Hanabi said. "Hey can't you use foxfire to burn off the ropes?"

"I don't know! I'm just a one tail! I don't think I learn foxfire until I get my second tail! All I can do is focus what little chakra I have and use it to make my hands glow! There's nothing I can do!" Akemi said. She was feeling bad that even though she was a Kitsune, she couldn't do anything to help.

"Akemi-chan, don't say that! You're the Fourth Kitsune Princess, and you're an Uzumaki! You can do this!" Hanabi said. "I mean look at me, I'm just 7 years old too, but I can still use my bloodline, and have some control of the Juuken style."

"Are you sure?" Akemi said.

"Of course I am. Akemi-chan, you're my best friend. I believe in you." Hanabi said.

"Alright. What should I do to try to get the foxfire to work?" Akemi asked.

"Well, I'm not sure. I wish Kasumi-chan and Hinata-nee-chan were here." Hanabi said, looking at Hinata's hitai-ate around her neck.

"I know. Kasumi-nee-chan could tell me everything." Akemi said. Just then her Kitsune hearing picked up a very faint, yet familiar voice.

"Akemi, feel the fire inside you. Then take that fire and move it into your hands," the voice said.

"Hey who said that?" Akemi said. "Kasumi-nee-chan?"

"Said what, Akemi-chan?" Hanabi asked.

"I thought I just heard Kasumi-nee-chan." Akemi said.

"Are you sure? I mean she's still under that jutsu back in Konoha." Hanabi said.

"Don't worry Akemi, I'm here with you," said the voice again. "You can trust me. I will help you whenever you need it."

"There it is again! It has to be Kasumi-nee-chan!" Akemi said.

"Akemi-chan, I think you're going crazy." Hanabi said.

"Maybe I'm not! Remember before we left, Otou-san gave us Kasumi-nee-chan, and Hinata-chan's hitai-ate. He said that if we had these, then they would help watch over us." Akemi said. "Maybe a little bit of their chakra is in these too."

"Well, if you say so." Hanabi said.

"Oh, here we go." Akemi said. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate. "Kasumi-nee-chan, please help me!" Akemi looked deep inside herself and started to search for the fire inside her. She wandered through the many corridors of her soul until she noticed that the direction she was searching in began to get warmer. "I think I found it! I can feel the fire!" Akemi quickly ran in the direction of the increasing heat until she found an opening. She could feel the heat gather quickly and become more intense as she was close to her goal.

"Come on Akemi-chan, you can do it!" Hanabi said.

"You're doing good Akemi-nee-chan! Now become one with the fire inside you!" said the familiar voice.

"I will Kasumi-nee-chan!" Akemi said, as she found the source of the heat. She could see in her own soul a large burning bonfire. "There it is! Now, I become one with it and begin to channel the fire into my hands." Hanabi could see a red aura begin to surround Akemi as she tapped into her inner fire.

"Akemi-chan?" Hanabi asked.

"Almost there, Hanabi-chan." Akemi said, as she began to focus the fire into her hands. "Ok Kasumi-nee-chan, what do I do now?" Akemi was right. The voice she heard was Kasumi's voice. Her big sister was definitely keeping watch over her.

"Focus the energy in your hands, and let the fire come out. Don't worry it won't burn you." Kasumi's voice said. "You're doing wonderful Akemi-chan, keep it up!"

"I will." Akemi said. Slowly the orange glow began to emerge from Akemi's hands. The heat started to increase until her hands eventually burst into a small flame. "I…I did it!"

"You did! You did it Akemi-chan!" Hanabi said.

"I can't believe I did it!" Akemi said.

"Awesome job Akemi-chan! Now put the fire to your wrists and let it burn off the ropes. Don't forget to do the same for Hanabi," said Kasumi's voice.

"Ok, here we go!" Akemi said, pushing the fire in her hands onto her wrists. The rope began to burn and disintegrate. "I did it!" she cheered, as she burned off the ropes on her legs. She then did the same for Hanabi, taking care not to burn her.

"Thanks Akemi-chan." Hanabi said.

"I couldn't have done it without Kasumi-nee-chan's help." Akemi said. She then looked at Kasumi's hitai-ate, thanking her older sister for watching over her. "Thank you Kasumi-nee-chan. I hope to see you soon."

"Hinata and I will always be with you and Hanabi, Akemi-chan. We promise." Kasumi's voice said, before it faded out.

"Well, since we're free from the ropes now, we need to figure out where we are, or how we're gonna get out of here!" Hanabi said.

"It doesn't sound like this place is occupied." Akemi said, twitching her ears. "I can pick up a few scents, but not of anyone being here. Although, the scent is very familiar."

"What does it smell like Akemi-chan?" Hanabi asked.

"It smells like…a Kitsune!" Akemi said. "And I'm sure I noticed these scents yesterday, I just can't tell what they are!"

"Maybe if we look around, we can find some kind of information." Hanabi said.

"Yeah, well first we gotta get out of this cell." Akemi said.

"That's gonna be easy!" Hanabi said, pulling out a hairpin in her hair. She normally never wore them, but she kept one hidden for just an emergency.

"What are you gonna do with that?" Akemi asked.

"Let's just say, using my Byakugan makes picking the lock on Hinata-nee-chan's diary just a little easier." Hanabi said, activating her bloodline.

"Was there anything good written in there?" Akemi asked.

"Probably lots. Only she told me her entries were written in a special ink that only Kitsune could read." Hanabi said, as she began to work on the lock on the door.

"If you get a hold of it, I can read it all for you." Akemi said.

"Thanks. Now let's take a look outside, shall we?" Hanabi said, cracking the lock.

The two girls left their cell only to notice they were in a small hideout. It wasn't too furbished, and had various ninja weapons lying around. There were also numerous scrolls thrown about on the table.

"First we better arm ourselves." Hanabi said, taking some bandage and making a substitute kunai holder around her leg. Akemi did the same and the two each took a leftover kunai knife. They also found some belts with survival packs on them, and also took some extra shuriken.

"You know I have absolutely no idea how to throw a shuriken the right way?" Akemi said.

"Neither do I, but maybe we can use them." Hanabi said. "Now let's see what's in these scrolls."

"Alright. I hope we find something interesting." Akemi said.

The two climbed up and began to read through the scrolls. Most of it was for jutsu and even cooking recipes, but one particular scroll caught Hanabi's eye.

"Akemi, come look at this!" Hanabi said.

"What is it?" Akemi said.

"I think I know the reason why we were kidnapped!" Hanabi said. "This scroll proves it all!"

"Hmm, it says it's a…plan to overthrow the Kyuubi no Kitsune! This is bad…wait what are they gonna do again?" Akemi said.

"They're trying to take over Akane-sama's throne! Meaning whoever planned this wants to rule the Kitsune clan!" Hanabi said. "It says that they were planning to overthrow the council since Akane-sama had been gone for so long, but now with you and Haku-chan here, they were going to use you as hostages!"

"No way!" Akemi said.

"Yes way! It even said that since Akane-sama was dying, they would prevent you and Haku from taking her the cure, and then they'd kill you and Haku! The only thing left would be to make sure Naruto, Kasumi, and Hinata never come to the village!" Hanabi said. "Then no one could stop them from taking control!"

"But who exactly is behind this?" Akemi asked.

"I don't know, but we have to get back to Haku-chan and Neji-ni-chan quick!" Hanabi said.

"Right! Let's get out of here!" Akemi said. The two were about to leave, when Akemi picked up on someone coming. "Wait someone's coming!"

"Quick let's get back in the cell! Even if we're untied we can still look like we're held prisoner." Hanabi said.

"Okay." Akemi said.

The two rushed back into their cell, with Hanabi closing the door. She used her hairpin to lock the door, and they hid all the gear they took under some old blankets. Then they waited to see who their captors were.

"So the shamans seem to have found a cure for Kyuubi-kouhi?" said one voice.

"Yes. But they won't have it for long. I expect you to take care of them immediately." Said a second voice.

"But Gen, won't that alert Momoko and her group?" said the first voice.

"Not if you play your role like you are supposed to Kisuke." Gen said. "Considering we have a failsafe, my plan is sure to work." Gen then walked over to the cell to see Hanabi and Akemi awake. "Well it looks like the little Kitsune princesses are awake."

"You…you're the head of the council! Why are you doing this?" Akemi asked.

"Easy. Akane is not deserving of her title. Considering she went and got another human form, she should have nothing to do with our village anymore." Gen said.

"Another human form? What do you mean by that?" Hanabi asked.

"Simple. When she ascended to the title of queen, her power became so great that she could not maintain a human form. She was at the pinnacle of all Kitsune and now, she had to go and defile the purity of the throne by merging with that human! And now she has hanyou kits that are in line for the throne! It's an abomination!" Gen said.

"Hey I happen to be a full Kitsune you know!" Akemi said.

"You're just a weak little kit. You probably haven't even mastered foxfire yet." Gen said.

"And what if I haven't!" Akemi said.

"No matter. Soon we will have the cure for Akane, and you and Haku will be dead. Then I will rise to become the new Kyuubi no Kitsune!" Gen said.

"Not if my brother and sisters are still alive! You forget I'm just the Fourth Princess!" Akemi said.

"So you think. I know full well that Kasumi and Hinata are out of commission. And if all goes to plan, Naruto will be dead as well. This time Orochimaru was good on his deal." Gen said.

"What! You're siding with Orochimaru! No way!" Hanabi said.

"Yes. He planned to help us destroy Akane in conjunction for giving him Kitsune chakra." Gen said.

"He has Kitsune chakra!" Hanabi said.

"Of course. He came to us just before his attack on Konoha." Gen said.

"You won't get away with this Gen!" Akemi said.

"I think I already have." Gen said. "Come Kisuke, we have much to do."

"Of course." Kisuke said.


The council elder, and Kitsune shinobi left and proceeded to head back to the village. With news that now Orochimaru was involved, things just went from bad to worse!

"We gotta warn Haku-chan, and fast!" Hanabi said, getting her gear.

"I know! If we can't stop those two, then Oka-san will…Oka-san…"Akemi said, as she started to cry.

"Akemi-chan, nothing's gonna happen to Akane-sama. We're gonna save her. I can promise you this!" Hanabi said.

"Okay. Let's get out of here." Akemi said, wiping her eyes.

"First, we'll take this scroll with us." Hanabi said, taking the scroll with the plans in it. "This way we can have proof of what's going on."

"Right." Akemi said.

"One last thing. I think we should destroy this place so those two can't come back here. It might also make them think we died in the process, and give us a little bit of cover." Hanabi said.

"Uh, alright." Akemi said. "Do you think this will work?" Akemi said.

"I dunno. No harm in trying, is there?" Hanabi said, taking all the other scrolls and throwing them about the room. "Ok, now light 'em!"

"Here we go! FOXFIRE!" Akemi said, throwing a fireball into the center of the scrolls. They immediately began to burn and the two knew it was time to go. They left the room and proceeded to head through a cave. Akemi did her best to keep light shining with her foxfire, but with it being brand new to her, she couldn't hold out for long, and the girls had to take short pauses to let Akemi rest.

"Wow, I guess I'll learn to use foxfire longer as I get more tails." Akemi said.

"At least you can use it. I can only dream about being a real Kitsune hanyou like Hina-nee-chan." Hanabi said.

"You really want to be a Kitsune as well, don't you Hanabi-chan?" Akemi said.

"Uh huh. Ever since I found out that Hinata-nee-chan became one, I've been jealous of her. I mean, she's a really strong kunoichi, she's an Illumina Knight, and she's a princess as well! Not only that, but she's the heir of our clan too! Sometimes I wish I was the first one born." Hanabi said.

"Well, if you were, then you wouldn't get to be my best friend." Akemi said. "Besides, maybe Oka-san can help you become a hanyou someday."

"I hope so. Well let's go. We're just about out of this cave." Hanabi said.

"Ok." Akemi said, forming another ball of fire in her hand. "Let's hurry!"

The moment Akemi began to run ahead, Hanabi saw a glint of light on the ground. She suddenly realized it was a trip wire, and Akemi was just about to activate a trap!

"Akemi wait!" Hanabi said. She was too late. Akemi had tripped over the wire and activated a trap. She then saw several rocks move in front of the two, and saw that they had spears inside them!

"Uh, Hanabi-chan!!" Akemi said. She was frozen in fear when she saw the spears coming at her.

"Quick, get down!" Hanabi said, tackling Akemi. The two stayed as low to the ground as possible and easily avoided all the spears. The trap stayed active for a few seconds more, until Hanabi noticed the spears had stopped.

"That was close! Thanks Hanabi-chan." Akemi said, dusting herself off.

"That's what best friends are for." Hanabi said. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. What about you?" Akemi said.

"I'm…" Hanabi said. Unfortunately for the two, one spear was set to fire late in the hopes of giving a false sense of security. The last spear had fired and instantly shot through Hanabi's right shoulder, filling the girl with intense pain. Akemi winced as she heard Hanabi scream in pain.

"Hanabi-chan!" Akemi said, rushing to her friend's aid.

"Akemi-chan…it hurts!" Hanabi cried. Tears formed in her eyes from the intense pain, and though she was training to be a shinobi, and she knew that shinobi never cry when in pain…she was still just a seven-year-old girl, and that seemed to take more priority in this matter.

"Get it out! Get it out! Please!!! It hurts!!" Hanabi cried.

"Okay, okay!" Akemi said, looking at the wound. The spear pierced through Hanabi's shoulder completely, making a hole the size of a golf ball. "Are you sure you want me to pull it out? It might start bleeding really badly."

"Please Akemi-chan, it hurts so much!" Hanabi said. Tears were streaming down her face from the pain she was feeling.

"Alright. I'm going to pull as hard as I can, and then we can see how bad it is." Akemi said, grasping the spear. "This might hurt some more, so just hold on."

"Okay." Hanabi said, trying to endure the pain. "Just hurry!"

"One…two…three!" Akemi said, pulling as hard as she could. The spear slid out a little, but was still lodged in Hanabi's shoulder.

"Pull harder!" Hanabi cried. "Get this thing out!"

"Ok, I'm gonna try to push off your back." Akemi said. "This has to work!" Akemi focused all of her strength and pulled as hard as she could. The spear slowly started to move until she gave one final pull and released the spear. "Got it!"

Hanabi moved and sat down to lean against one of the walls in the cave. She gripped her shoulder and continued to cry in pain. Blood continued to run as she tore a part of her top to use as a makeshift bandage.

"I don't think that's gonna work Hanabi-chan." Akemi said. "Maybe there's some bandages or something in our packs." She checked both packs to find a small amount of bandages that she could easily use to wrap up Hanabi's shoulder. Only problem is that the bleeding wouldn't stop even if she did that.

"Akemi-chan, what are we gonna do! It won't stop bleeding!" Hanabi said. "If it doesn't stop then…"

"Don't say that Hanabi." Akemi said. "Oh, I wish Oka-san was here. She could have you taken care of instantly!" Akemi thought of everything she could possibly do. But unfortunately she came up with nothing. "If only you were a Kitsune like me, then you would heal a lot faster."

"I know. Too bad I won't get to see that day." Hanabi said, grimacing in pain.

"Please don't say that! You're gonna make it Hanabi-chan." Akemi said. "Wait…that's it!"

"What's it, Akemi?" Hanabi asked.

"Kitsune healing!" Akemi said. "I remember when Kasumi found me, Oka-san said I was hurt really badly, and that my healing ability wasn't developed enough to help me."

"But how's that gonna help me?" Hanabi asked.

"See, she told me that she used some of her own Kitsune blood to speed up my healing ability. Because I got it straight from her, I healed really quickly. And that's also how I became a princess as well." Akemi said. "There may be a chance that I still have some of her Kitsune blood! If I give some to you, then it may help heal you faster!"

"Are you sure it will work?" Hanabi asked.

"I hope so." Akemi said, taking out her kunai. She then sliced open her palm and placed it on Hanabi's wound. "Maybe if I use a little Kitsune chakra, it will help speed things up."

"I really hope so." Hanabi said. "Ready whenever you are."

Akemi closed her eyes and began to concentrate on her palm. "Oka-san, please help me save my friend!" she thought. Her palm started to glow a faint red as she began to channel chakra. Hanabi could feel her shoulder getting warmer, but then she felt something else. She could actually hear Akemi's thoughts and feelings, and even felt a small amount of Akane's presence. She could then see the day Akemi woke up in Konoha, the day she met the whole Uzumaki family, and even the dream she had with Setsuna! Akemi, on the other hand, continued to push all her chakra into Hanabi. She was so focused on trying to heal Hanabi, that she didn't feel her second tail growing in. After her tail grew in, Akemi suddenly felt the small amount of chakra increase greatly. She was then hit with Hanabi's memories. She saw the day that she found out Hinata became a Kitsune princess, the day her cousin Hoshiko was branded with the caged bird seal, and even though it was recent, the day she and Akemi first met. After about a minute, Akemi's hand was forced off Hanabi, causing the two to feel the rush of energy that was just transferred.

"Whoa! What just happened!" Akemi said, trying to catch her breath.

"I…I don't know! It felt like I could see all of your memories!" Hanabi said.

"The same thing happened to me, too." Akemi replied. "Do you think it worked?"

"I think so." Hanabi said, looking at her shoulder. She noticed that the bleeding had stopped and the shoulder began to heal. "It did work!"

"Yeah, my hand's healed back up as well." Akemi said, looking at her hand. "I also feel stronger for some reason."

"Maybe it's your second tail." Hanabi said, noticing Akemi's new tail.

"My second…what!" Akemi said, noticing she now had two tails instead of one. "Oh wow! I do have a second tail! Enough about me though, let's get your shoulder bandaged up just in case."

"Thank you Akemi-chan. You saved my life." Hanabi said.

"Only because you saved mine Hanabi-chan." Akemi said, finishing the bandaging. "There you go, now we should be able to get out of here."

"Yeah, we gotta stop Gen! Otherwise Akane-sama might not make it!" Hanabi said.

The two girls continued through the caves, carefully avoiding any traps they found. Hanabi had her Byakugan activated constantly and easily found the exit. When the two got out, they could see they were a good distance from the Kitsune Village, and figured that even if they ran full speed, it might take them the rest of the day to get there.

"Kasumi-chan, Oka-san…please watch over me and Hanabi-chan." Akemi thought, as she ran through the forest.

"Looks like you got your wish, Hanabi-chan," said Kasumi's voice before it vanished into the wind.


The second chapter in the Kitsune Village story draws to a close. Akemi learns to tap into her own inner strength thanks to Hanabi and Kasumi's voice. Hanabi learns a lot more about Akemi, and gets the one gift she ever wanted. Now will the two be able to make it back to the Kitsune Village in order to stop Gen? Will they be able to get the cure needed for Akane and make their way back home? And what about Hanabi? When will she begin her transformation? Stay tuned to find out!