The sight of Neji breaking down from reading a letter led to Hiashi and Hanabi deciding to inquire him about what happened years ago, when Hinata disappeared. The man bowed to his family apologising profoundly and explaining the details of his meeting with Toneri. "He had warned me that if the fox died, Hinata would die too... But I had dismissed it then, and until now I truly thought that she was gone." Father and daughter were shocked at the revelation, having thought that she had been taken by a stranger.
The next time Toneri met the small family, he received a request that he had already expected to hear. "Can you take us to Hinata?" He saw the expressions of hope and relented, briefly recalling the last time he met the young woman. 'Lucky of her...' All he had now was a pseudo homicidal ancestor that was kept in permanent lockdown. He made them promise to not take rash decisions and they began the travel to the distant village.
On the way there, he bonded with the group, getting to know some things about their lives and past. Through their story, he got a sneaking suspicion that they had more bonds besides knowing Hinata. Memories of a long disappeared uncle only made it stronger. 'Maybe I do have more relatives in them.' He let himself have a spark of hope, however small it was.
Toneri led them to a clearing, showing them to a massive fox that was just laying on his back on the grass, napping the day away. "Kurama, your in-laws are here." He woke up groggily, getting up slowly while two small lumps of purple fur fell from his chest. Indignant yips began ringing as the lumps revealed themselves to be smaller versions of their father. "Sorry, daddy forgot." The humans then noticed that the fox kept his left arm pressed to his side. "Hina, your family's here." The woman moved the long fur off her face to confirm what he said.
Hinata was shocked at what she saw, she had thought that she would never see her family again, yet they were right there. She went to them, taking them in a big hug. "I thought that I would never see you..." Her voice was trembling and she was barely holding back tears. "Oh..." She let off them and turned to her husband and children. "He is Kurama, and our kids, Taiki and Mai." Hanabi approached the twins, trying not to startle them, but they jumped on their aunt, their curiosity being too much to bear. "Hey! It tickles!" They were like fox pups right now and were nuzzling her, each one jumping to one of the males after they were done.
Neji tried to balance the energetic boy as he spoke with his cousin. "Hinata, I have to ask for you to forgive me. It was my fault that the hunters came after Kurama. But if you can't, I'll understand..." She offered a warm smile and picked up Taiki. "It's all in the past, I'm happier than ever now."
They went to the 'merchant' area, enabling the three humans to meet more cursed people and get a better grasp of Hinata's new life. There was a lion and a fox who took an interest on Hanabi though. The older of the two sisters let out a giggle at the situation, that was defused through Kurama flinging the two males away.
The reunited family had to part after a while, but they promised to write as often as possible through Toneri until they settled matters back in Konoha. They planned to live in the area as soon as they could. "Goodbye and stay well." Hiashi had taken his lost daughter in a tight hug, showing briefly how worried he had been for her health. "Take care Hinata, we will return." The kids cried a little, not wanting to see their family separated so soon. "Shh, they promised to come back, so calm down..." Kurama had to hold the twins so they wouldn't latch on their grandfather and aunt and uncle.
Kami was staring at the result of Amaterasu's experiment with her world, not saying a word. "Say something." The sun goddess tried to meet the eyes of her superior. "... so you went down that route... ... but considering who you married, it's so predictable." It earned her a smack to her forehead, than went up to a face grab. "You dare talk like that...?" She regretted her words instantly.