The next day, In the dojo,

Yoshi, Saki, and a few other students sat crossed-legged on the floor of the dojo waiting for their sensei to arrive. Yoshi groaned. "This is so boring!"

"Sh!" Saki hissed. Yoshi rolled his eyes at him and just then, Yuuta arrived. Yoshi was relieved but got confused when he saw a woman and a little girl come in. The woman had long black hair she wore in a low ponytail, yellow eyes, and she wore a yellow kimono. The little girl had black hair, yellow eyes, and she wore black kimono with a red flower pattern. "Good morning, students."

"Morning Sensei!" All the kids greeted. "Today we have a special guest. This is Kuzunoha and her daughter, Kitsune. Kuzunoha is our clan's best healer and after our sparring lesson, she will teach you to mix herbs and other skills on how to treat a wound."

"Yes, hello children." Kuzunoha said. "Hello, Kix-san!" The children said. Yuuat then cleared his throat. "Alright, now, I want to pair you up into twos. Yoshi and Saki, you two go first."

"Hai Sensei." Both Yoshi and Saki said before the two went into the center of the dojo, getting in their fighting stance. "Good stance, Saki." Yuuta complemented before scowling at Yoshi. "Yoshi, keep your body lower." Yoshi frowned but did as he was told. Now all they have to do is wait for the command. "Hajime!" Yuuta shouted and Saki made the first move. He ran up to Yoshi with his fist ready but Yoshi blocked it and flipped Saki over his shoulder.

Saki got up and tried to hit him again but Yoshi dodged it easily. Saki begins to grow frustrated, no matter what he comes up with he can not land a single hit on Yoshi. When Yoshi knocked him down again, Yuuta opened his month to end the match there but before he could, Saki, his calm and cool-headed Saki, stood back up, screaming in pure rage and ran to Yoshi. Yoshi turned to him just in time for Saki to deliver the dragon's tail.

Yoshi went down hard as Yuuta and Kuzunoha both stared at Saki in shock. "Did you teach him that?" Kuzunoha asked in a hoarse whisper. "Of course not, he is still too young." Yuuta said.

Yoshi then sat up growling but stopped, his anger turning to concern when he saw the scary glare in his brother's eyes. "H-Hoshii, Ashi no Himitsu."

"What did he just say?" Kuzunoha said in alarm and a bit of fear. Yuuta was going through all mixtures of emotions as his son continued to repeat his words. Confusion, shock, and fear but he shook it off. "SAKI!" He yelled and his son seemed to snap out from whatever trance he was in.

Saki looked at his father then at Yoshi who was still on the ground in a bit of shock then at everyone else in the room who looked slightly frightened. Saki was confused. "What...happened? Why is everyone looking at me?"

Yuuta moved to go to him but stopped when Kuzunoha grabbed his arm, giving him a serious look. "I want that boy at my house, now."

...

"I just wish to know what this is about?! What happened, Yuuta?! What happened to Saki?!" Atsuko kept demanding as she held Saki's hand as they all walked over to Kuzunoha's house. "I do not know but Kuzunoha seems to have an idea."

"And why did I need to come along?" Tadashi asked. "Because she has asked for both of us to be there." Yuuta said before they all made it to Kuzunoha's house. They walked in through the already open door and saw her sitting by a table with a few items on it. "Saki." She called and motioned him to come forward. Saki glanced up at his mother who gave him a nod before doing as he was told.

Yuuta looked at the table and his eyes widened at what he saw. He recognized them instantly. They all belonged to Oroku Keiji's father, Oroku Sancho. He threw a look at his brother who seemed to share his expression then at Kuzunoha but she ignored him, focusing only on Saki.

"Now, Saki." Kuzunoha started. "Which of these items belong to you?" She asked while gesturing to the items on the table. Though confused, Saki answered surprisingly easily. "This." He said pointing to an old sword. "And this." This time to the Kuro Kabuto, the crown of the Foot Clan. Kuzunoha looked at Yuuta over her shoulder as he looked frightenedly at his brother. "And this!" Saki said holding up a book with the Foot symbol on it, the very book he asked for in the dojo. "No!" Yuuta snapped, glaring down at his son while ripping the book away from him. "None of these things belong to you, Saki!"

Saki's eyes started to well tears, confused at the sudden harshness. Kuzunoha sighed. "Tadashi. Astuko. Why don't you take Saki outside." Atsuko nodded. "Come Saki-san." Saki went to her, taking her hand again as she and Tadashi took him outside.

"Kuzunoha..." Yuuta called in a rough voice once they were gone. "What is this?" He asked, gripping the book tightly and Kuzunoha closed her eyes while standing on her feet. "It's the curse."

"Curse? What curse?!" He demanded and Kuzunoha hesitated. "Tell me, Yuuta, do you know how the Foot Clan came to be?"

"No. My father died before he could tell me himself."

"Well, let me tell you then. Before the Foot Clan, there was the Yuu Clan ruled by the Daimyo Ashikaga. Yuu was the greatest clan of the muromachi period. Ashikaga was well on his way to becoming Shogun but before he could he was brutally murdered by a man named Koga Takuza, a man obsessed with power. The Yuu clan did everything they could to defeat him, millions died trying, all died fighting one single man. Eventually though, the clan finally got the upper hand and almost succeeded in killing Koga Takuza but...a witch brought him back to life and kept giving him potions to keep him young and healthy, making him basically immortal. Koga Takuza used his immortality to build the Foot Clan and slighter the Yuu Clan to extinction. Years later, he continued with his cruel power-hungry ways until one saw passed his ways, named Hamato Yuki. Yuki built a secret rebellion against Koga Takuza and once learning the secret to the witch's power, Yuki came up with a surprise attack and killed him. After that, the witch cast a curse, that every second generation Koga Takuza would be reborn. The witch, however, grew remorseful and went to Hamato Yuki, warning the rebellion of what was to come and that was how the Hamato Clan was born."

By the end of the story, Yuuta was trembling. "S-So, you are saying...that Saki is the rebirth of the first Foot Clan leader?"

"Yes. Just like Keiji's father, Sancho."

"B-But how do you know this?!" Yuuta asked and Kuzunoha hesitated. "Because...I was the witch who cast the curse."

"WHAT?!" Yuuta shouted and Kuzunoha turned to face him. "Yes. I'm over a hundred years old now." Yuuta stood frozen, shaking for a while before snapping forward and grabbing Kuzunoha by her kimono. "WHY?! Why would you do this?!"

"Because I thought humanity was nothing but cruel and cowedly monsters but after learning what humanity has to offer, I betrayed my people and helped the Hamato Clan anyway I could to defeat Koga every time he is reborn."

"Millions died because of you!"

"And I have lived with that guilt for the past 500 years!"

"I should have you exiled for this!"

"You can't." Kuzunoha said flatly and Yuuta looked at her like she was stupid. "What do you mean I can't! I am the head of the Hamato Clan, I-!"

Kuzunoha interrupted Yuuta by shoving a scroll in his face. "This was written by the first headmaster of the Hamato Clan." Yuuta let her go and read the scroll.

I, Hamato Yuki, first leader of the Hamato Clan, hereby declare that Kuzunoha will spend the rest of her life serving the Hamato Clan with all of their needs as punishment for her sins. Unless using her power dishonorably, she shall not be harmed nor killed.

"Hamato Yuki forgave me, knowing that I did not understand the way of humanity and offered me a second chance to atone for my sins. Your father and his father before him, forgave me as well. I hope that you will too." Yuuta said nothing as he handed Kuzunoha back the scroll and glared at her. "If you knew of the curse then why did you not tell me anything when I took Saki in?!"

"Because the curse was supposed to end in this period of time. I cast the curse to last a few centuries, not eternity."

"Then why is Saki cursed?!"

"I...I don't know." Kuzunoha said honestly. Yuuta shook his head and sat in the nearest chair. Kuzunoha frowned and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Yuuta but Saki has the soul of Koga Takuza in him but...that doesn't make him Koga. He can still be saved."

"How?" Yuuta asked, a hint of hope in his voice.

"If he was raised by the Foot, he would have for sure unlocked Koga Takuza's spirit by now but because you got rid of the Foot and took Saki in, he will not know of bitterness nor hate. Only of you, your family, and the Hamato Clan. You must never tell him of his true heritage. He must be only your son, blood or not, you must show him how much you care and love him and maybe, just maybe, he can be saved."

Yuuta nodded slowly and stood up. He was about to walk out but paused for a brief moment. "I...I can not forgive you yet but maybe, in time." Kuzunoha said nothing, just watched sadly as Yuuta left before putting everything of Koga Takuza's back under the floor. She sighed, hoping she will not have to live another generation of guilt and regret.

...

When Yuuta told everything to Atsuko she cried in despair. She tried not to, trying to remind strong but no matter how strong his wife is, when it came to her children...she just couldn't help it. Yuuta hugged her tight that night, making a solid promise that he will save Saki and will not allow him to grow into a monster.

Yuuta already lost his father and a brother to the Foot, he will not lose a son too but...how will this vow affect his other son in the future?

...

Couple days later,

"Yame!" Yuuta ordered and walked up to the two boys. "Saki, though you did not make the punch, I could tell that you have improved in your coordination. Now all we need to work on is your speed." Saki smiled and bowed his head respectfully. Yuuta then turned to Yoshi. "Yoshi, there was no intention in your attack."

"I don't want to actually hurt him, Sensei." Yoshi said and Yuuta shook his head. "You can't be too easy on him Yoshi, he will never learn that way. In the dojo, you two are enemies, rivals, and only one of you will come on top. Though mercy is an honorable thing, you can not let your emotions get in your way when facing an enemy. Understand?"

Yoshi frowned and looked towards the ground. "Hai Sensei."

"Now, go back to your seats and watch the others." Yuuta ordered and the two boys respectfully bowed their heads before going back to their seats. Yoshi pouted while Saki smiled. "Did you hear that, Yoshi? Papa says I'm improving."

"Uh-huh. Great." Yoshi muttered, not even paying attention. Saki frowned in confusion. "What is wrong, brother?" Yoshi exhaled. "It just seems like every time we train, Papa only says when I mess up. Like all I am is a failure and you're the golden student."

"But you are the one who beat me." Saki said, though there was annoyance in his tone. Yoshi smirked a little at that. "You should have seen the look on your face when I blocked your attack. Haha! You were so scared that I was going to hurt you!" Saki scowled. "I was not!"

Yoshi snickered. "Whatever you say, little brother."

"Are you boys getting along?" A voice said and the two looked to see Atsuko, smiling as she went to sit next to them. "Yes!" The two said. "How was your lesson?"

"Good!" Saki said and Yoshi shrugged. "Ok." Atsuko frowned at her first son, noticing the tone, then looked at her second son. "Saki, can you give us a moment?"

"Hai, Mama." When Saki left, Atsuko asked Yoshi, "What is wrong?"

"Nothing!" Yoshi defended but submitted at the look his mom gave him. "Why is it that even though I win, Papa always finds something wrong with my moves?" Atsuko made a glance at Yuuta who was busy watching two other boys before giving Yoshi a gentle look. "Yoshi-san, your father is only helping you to improve on your skills. He does that with everyone."

"Not Saki." Yoshi said bitterly and Atsuko gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"All Papa does is tell Saki how good he is doing and tells him how he could have done better. He always yells at me though." Atsuko frowned at this and made a mental note to talk to her husband about this later. "Well, you know how Saki has always struggled with confidence, maybe your father is just trying to give him a boost." Yoshi shrugged. "Maybe."

Atsuko tried to think of ways to help cheer Yoshi up. A lightbulb then turned on in her head as she felt a little kick in her stomach. "Yoshi, give me your hand." Atsuko did not wait for him to respond as she grabbed his hand and put it on her lower stomach. "Mama, what-" Yoshi got cut off and he gasped when he felt a strong kick on his hand.

Atsuko tried not to laugh at the amazed face expression that her son is making right now. "The baby finally learned how to move its legs, now it won't stop kicking me."

"Does it hurt?" Yoshi asked.

"No, just a bit uncomfortable." Atsuko replied as Yoshi looked at the baby bump, wanting to feel it kick again. When it finally did, Yoshi grinned. "He's going to be a good ninja!" At that, Atsuko could not hold back her laugh anymore. "You think so?"

"I know so! Because I'm gonna teach him everything I know!" Atsuko ruffled his hair. "You are going to be the best big brother and when you are older, I bet you would make a good father one day too...and Shen would be such an amazing mother to your little one."

Yoshi blushed at that and swatted his mother's hands away. "Mama~ I can't be with Shen, that's gross! She's my best friend!" Atsuko laughed loudly before pinching his cheek, furthering his embarrassment. "I am only teasing Yoshi but..." She trailed off, giving him a smirk. "You two would make such a cute couple one day."

Yoshi's whole face became red and he groaned before hiding his face in his mother's shoulder, making her snort in amusement as she held her baby boy close.

...

Later,

While Atsuko was reading a book in bed, Yuuta came in with a tired sigh and laid down as soon as he met the bed. Atsuko leaned over and rubbed his head. "Hard day?"

"Hm-Hmm."

"So, I suppose you do not have the energy to talk?"

"Talk?" Yuuta questioned as he forced himself to sit up. "About what?" Atsuko sighed. "Well...I know we need to show Saki our love and affection for him but I am just worried how it is affecting Yoshi. I do not want him growing up thinking that we favorite his brother."

"He does not think that Atsuko."

"During training today, he was upset that you praised Saki but not him."

"Atsuko, Yoshi needs to learn that he can not seek apparition or praise. He is to become leader one day and asking for things like that is unheard of for leaders. I am trying to teach him responsibility."

"I understand that Yuuta, I do." Atsuko admitted. "But he is a child still and we do not even know if he will choose to lead this clan yet. I just think all should be equal between the boys."

"Well, it can't. Yoshi is the oldest, which means he gets more responsibility. Saki is not." Atsuko frowned but did not argue further, too tired and too pregnant too. "I overheard what you said to Yoshi." Yuuta suddenly said, making her look at him. "I know you were only teasing him but do you think he and Tang Shen could make a nice couple?"

"They are already best friends, and they seem to care a lot for each other, so, yes, I do. Why?" Yuuta laid back as he stared ahead in thought. "I was just thinking it would be nice to have a decadent of a long line of shinobis in the family."

Atsuko frowned at this, knowing what her husband was thinking. "Yuuta, they are still children and if they do end up together one day, I want it to be their own choice. I know your father and mother were betrothed but I do not want that for Yoshi. You did not go through an arranged marriage, and you turned out fine. Besides, I doubt Fu and Amaya would allow such a thing for their granddaughter as well."

"Yes. I suppose you are right. Our son deserves to find love in his own time."

"I am glad we agree." Atsuko said before turning off the light and going to bed, not knowing that Yuuta stayed awake, thinking.