In the Underworld,

Kitsune was walking through the halls of a black and rocky castle, eyes watching over her, eyes that no doubt were her seven half siblings.

"Oh look, the chosen one is back."

"Father says that she is more powerful than us? *Scoff* What a joke."

"She is not a real demon, just a human who possesses a witch's power."

"I can hear you." Kitsune said without looking at them and they all tensed, loud harsh voices suddenly turning into strong silence. Kitsune turned her head and smirked. "Aw, what is wrong? Suddenly quiet? I suppose none of you are as brave as you pretend to be."

They did not say a word, even though she insulted them so she just continued on her way. 'Though...maybe that is a family trait. I am not as brave as I pretend to be either. If I were...I would have accepted Saki's feelings towards me a long time ago.'

"Daughter." A voice echoed and Kitsune looked to see her father, Dragon. He had black hair he wore in a high bun, black eyes and he wore a purple kimono. "I am glad you have returned."

"Forgive me for not visiting more often, I have been quite busy."

"How is your mother?" He asked. "I do not know. I do not live with her anymore, she would never agree to let me see you."

"I understand. Your mother...heh, has not always been able to see the big picture in my plans. She was a fool but you are not. Are you my daughter?" Dragon asked, giving her a smile that was clearly fake. No one can fake and lie better than a witch. "No, father."

"Excellent. Then I do not have to worry."

"Father, mind if I ask you a question?" Kitsune asked. "Of course not."

"What happened between you and my mother? Why did she betray you?" Kitsune of course already knew why her mother betrayed Dragon but she wanted to hear his side. See, if maybe, he will let slip anything that might be useful.

Dragon sighed. "To be honest, I do not know why. Your mother and I were in love."

Lie.

"She was everything to me."

Lie.

"And her power was truly something to admire."

Truth but with missing pieces.

"She summoned me, grieving for her best friend who was killed by humans and asked for me to help avenge her. I agreed but only if she gave me something in exchange."

"What was the exchange?" Kitsune asked and Dragon smiled. "To be my bride." Kitsune laughed. "You proposed to a woman you just met? That seems a bit rash, don't you think?"

"If you were a demon who lived as long as I have, you would understand. Anyway, she accepted the deal and did what I asked. In return, I helped her come up with a plan to destroy the Yuu Clan. Together, we brought a powerful man back to life and made him immortal with the help of poison made by the deity of death. For years, the plan seemed to be a success but then one man found out about Kuzunoha's power and used that information to start a rebellion. The man we saved died but I told your mother that there was a way to keep him alive."

"Reincarnation?" Kitsune said, though it was not a question. "Yes. At first Kuzunoha was happy to cast the spell but after she cast it, she disappeared and I never saw her again. Well, not until centuries later when we created you."

Kitsune fought the urge to frown and did not question further into that. She already knows what happened and she did not wish to hear it again. "And there is no way for her to take back the spell?"

Dragon shook his head. "No. Not even the power of a God can stop the curse. It is unbreakable, only it can stop on its own unless the spell was eternal which it was not. It should be long since it ended by now."

"So, whoever carries the soul of the man you brought back to life, will no doubt awaken?"

"I have not yet seen anyone who was able to fight it."

...

In an old, large dark house, an old man with a long white beard, brown eyes was rocking back and forth on a rocking chair. He wore a black kimono and a black bamboo hat. He sighed. "You know, when I agreed to help you I did not think you would be working for him."

"One must keep their enemies close, Mashima." Kitsune replied, appearing behind him and holding a scroll. The old man, Mashima, turned to her. "What do you have there?"

"A spell Father gave to me." Mashima hummed. "What kind of spell?" Kitsune grinned. "One that will hopefully help me find what I am looking for." Mashima tilted his head and raised a brow but said nothing as she turned to him. "When will the gem be ready?"

"Soon but I warn you, it may take some time before we can actually use it and then we have your siblings to worry about." Kitsune smiled. "Do you know how many years have gone by in the Underworld?" Mashima shook his head. "One month feels like a whole century down there. During my time in the underworld, I have learned to be patient. As I see it, we have all the time in the world, I am in no rush and do not worry about my siblings...I will handle them."

"I am curious, why do you want to destroy Dragon so badly?" Kitsune pondered the question. At first, she wanted to see her father for research reasons, to know more about demon power but after learning what he did to her mother and the curse, now, Kitsune has a whole new purpose. She did not know how to explain such things to Mashima though, after all, it was not her thing to share, so she just smiled."I will be going to bed now. Goodnight, Mashima."

"Goodnight, Kitsune."

Kitsune went to her room and looked up at the dark night sky, sighing. During her century-long years, Kitsune feels like she has changed somehow. Like...she has grown up. She was not sure if she liked that or not, she is starting to have a hard time remembering who she was before she came here. She did not dwell on it though, after all, she knew when she decided to do this that she would never be the same. That parts within herself would change and that she can only pray that most of herself remains the same. She wondered if this is what her mother felt like during her time with Dragon and she could not help but wonder, who she was like before she met him. As much as Kitsune loved to dig into mysteries, she knew some questions just can never be answered and her mother was one of them. Kitsune was not willing to go back, even after centuries in the underworld and she doubts she ever will. She let out another sigh and looked up at the shining moon. "Rest easy mother."

...

Tokyo,

Kuzunoha was making medicines for the clan as normal with Akemi by her side since she was interested and wanted to help the clan more, same as Shen when she was in town. Akemi was a a silent person but lately she has been more silent than usual, and Kuzunoha knew why. For they have all been stepping on eggshells around her, ever since Kitsuen ran away.

...

"We will send soldiers to find her immediately. I am sure she has not gone far." Atsuko said as her husband was getting ready to gather the soldiers but Kuzunoha stopped them. "That will not be necessary."

"What?"

Kuzunoha sighed. "I will not force her back here. Besides, your soldiers have no chance of finding her anyway. I trained her too well, it will just be a pointless chase."

"But we must try. She is your daughter." Atsuko kept insisting but Kuzunoha only shook her head. "No. She will be fine. She can handle herself."

"She's only sixteen!"

"So?"

Atsuko stared at Kuzunoha, trying to figure out what her reasons were, then relaxed when she seemed to come to a conclusion, a sad one but also, maybe a good one. "You are certain of this?"

Kuzunoha nodded.

"She is still a child, it will not be easy out there for her."

"We were all children once, Atsuko and the three of us in this room, have lived through difficult and painful hardships. Kitsune will be fine. Actually, I think she is better out there then she is here."

...

Kuzunoha sighed in annoyance as another hour of silence went by and she glared at the girl. "Whatever questions you have, Akemi, just ask them." Akemi glanced at her then back at her work. "I do not know what you mean."

"Kitsune running away? You seem bothered by it." Akemi finally stopped and looked down at her hands. "Did she run away because of me?" Kuzunoha blinked, surprised at that. "Why would she run away because of you? What did you do?"

"I was...unfair to her and treated her like she was a villain when I know she's not! It is just...every since...ever since my friend died, I just have trust issues, especially from someone who always seems to have an alternative motive." Kuzunoha hummed. "No. It had nothing to do with you. Kitsune actually looked up to you."

Akemi flinched, startled by this new information. "What? She did?"

"Very much. You are everything she wished she was. You are respected by everyone in the clan, you're confident, serious, and think about others and not yourself." Akemi did not know what to say. She never knew Kitsune thought that way about her. Perhaps that is why she always tries to drag her along in her shenanigans, to get closer to her and learn from her... Now, she felt even more guilty.

A knock came from the door and they looked to see Tang Shen walk in. Akemi stood up with a smile. "Shen!" Shen smiled and hugged her. "Hello, Akemi." Her smile fell into a slight frown when she saw Kuzunoha. Shen slowly went up to her and gave her a hug. "I am sorry about Kitsune, Kuzunoha." She then pulled away. "Is there anything I can do?"

"You can help me make these medicines for the clan, along with Akemi." Shen grinned and nodded. "Right away!" She quickly went to sit next to Akemi and started to mix herbs in a bowl. "I thought you would be with Yoshi and Saki."

"They were not at the train station. I went by the dojo to see if everything was alright and Atsuko said that Yuuta was having a very important meeting with Yoshi and Saki. She said I could come by later."

"Well, after we are done here, let's head to the dojo to see." Shen nodded in agreement as they both continued to work.

...

Later, At the dojo,

After hours of hardcore training, Yoshi's father asked to talk with him and Saki for some unknown reason. Yoshi sighed and leaned back. "What did I do now?"

"And how am I involved in it?" Saki asked.

"Neither of you are in trouble. I just wished to speak to you boys about your future." Yoshi and Saki both looked at him curiously. "My time as head is not over yet but you boys are almost 18 which means your training will become more intense and I want to make sure you have a plan in place." He then looked at his eldest son. "Yoshi, you will be the next head. Do you know how you will run it?"

Yoshi shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, I might change some things."

"Like what?"

Yoshi just shrugged again and Yuuta sighed. "You must start thinking, Yoshi. Time moves far too quickly." Yoshi just nodded his head in understanding as Yuuta turned to Saki. "Now, Saki as second in command-"

"I'm not sure I want to be second in command anymore." Yuuta and Yoshi both looked surprised at this. "Why not?" Yoshi asked and Saki looked away from him. "I just don't ok!" Yoshi looked disappointed as Yuuta cleared his throat. "Well, that is fine. Yoshi can lead the clan without a second in command but it might be wise to get an advisor. Do you have any idea who your advisor will be?"

Yoshi looked down in thought and that's when Tang Shen and Akemi came in. "Oh, sorry, am I interrupting?" Yuuta smiled. "Not at all. Please, have a seat." Shen nodded as she and Akemi sat next to Yoshi. Yoshi smiled. "What if Shen became my advisor? She is always good at planning ahead."

Shen looked at him. "Me? Really?" Yoshi grinned at her. "Sure! Why not? You may not be a ninja but you're very smart, my best friend, and everyone in the clan loves you." Shen blushed at that and Akemi narrowed her eyes at Saki when she saw his left eye twitch.

"Well, I was hoping that Shen would fill in another role in the Hamato Clan." Yuuta said and Shen looked at Yoshi confused. "Yoshi, what is he talking about?" Yoshi looked just as confused. "Don't ask me, I don't know."

Yuuta looked a bit uncomfortable but forced out what he wanted to say. "Well, um...Yoshi, there will come a time when you will need to pick a Mistress for the clan who can work alongside you and give you an heir." Saki looked at his father like he could not believe what he was saying while Shen's eyes widened. "You want me to become Mistress? But-But that would mean, Yoshi and I-"

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Yoshi yelled while standing up and blushing madly. "No way! I can't marry her!"

"Master Yuuta, Yoshi and I are just friends! We-well...This is so embarrassing." Shen mumbled as she ducked her head, her face turning bright red.

"I am sorry, considering how close you two are, I had just assumed-"

"We are just friends! How do you not know that?!" Yoshi yelled and Yuuta opened his mouth to respond but Yoshi cut him off. "Oh, I know how because you are too busy with this stupid clan to pay any attention!"

Yuuta scowled. "Yoshi, I do not appreciate-"

"I don't appreciate this! How could you just say something like that?! I am not even anywhere near ready for marriage anyway!"

"Well, you will have to marry at some point, Yoshi."

"Why?! Because you say so?!" Yoshi snapped and Yuuta opened his mouth to scold him but Yoshi cut him off again- "You know what, forget this! Come on, Shen!" Yoshi said while grabbing Shen's hand and leaving.

Yuuta rubbed his temples in annoyance. "I do not understand your brother, Saki..."

"He will calm down, Father." Yuuta sighed. "Yes, I suppose...You are dismissed"

Saki and Akemi both bowed their heads before they left. Akemi noticed a strange look on Saki's face as they walked out, like he was planning something and Akemi did not like it one bit.

...

With Shen and Yoshi,

Yoshi and Shen were walking in the woods, Yoshi cruising angrily the whole time with Shen waiting patiently for him to calm down. Shen let her mind wander, smiling as the sun shone through the mighty trees when she caught sight of a baby bird that happened to fall out of its nest. "Oh no!" Shen said, pushing past Yoshi before running over to the bird, being careful not to touch it. "Did you fall out of your nest?" She asked sweetly and the bird chirped at her in response.

Curious and forgotten about his anger, Yoshi went over to see what was going on.

Shen smiled at the bird before taking off her flip flop and offering it to him. The bird back away but Shen kept her smile. "It is alright. I will not hurt you." Yoshi chuckled at her. "He can't understand you-" But he was quickly proved wrong when the bird jumped on Shen's flip flop and chirped happily.

Shen then climbed up the tree where the bird fell and gently put it back in his nest before jumping back down. "Ok, are you some kind of animal whisper or what?" Yoshi asked and Shen chuckled at him. "Do not underestimate animals, Yoyo. They are far more intelligent than you think."

Yoshi just huffed in slight amusement and crossed his arms. "Now that you seem in a good mood, are you ready to have some fun?" Shen asked hopefully. Yoshi's scowl then returned. "I don't know. I'm still pretty pissed."

Shen rolled her eyes. "Yoshi, it is not that big of a deal. Besides, it is quite funny when you think about it. You and me? Getting married?" Shen said through a chuckle, making Yoshi smile. Soon, he started to laugh. "I still can't believe my father thought you and I were dating! That would be so weird!" For some reason, Shen felt a sting of pain in that moment but she hid it with a cheerful smile. "Oh yes! We are best friends. It would never work out between us!"

"Yeah, agreed..." Shen then grinned at Yoshi. "So, let us just forget about what your father said and have some fun instead." Yoshi grinned back. "Ok. Like what?"

Shen coyly hummed before smirking at Yoshi and darting ahead of him. "Last one to the river is a rotten-egg!"

"Huh?" Yoshi looked confused for a moment before his eyes widened and a playful smile spread across his features. "Hey, you got a head start, you cheater!" Yoshi yelled before chasing after her.

"Hurry up, slow poke!" Shen teased before something caught her eye and she halted. "Huh?"

Yoshi ran past her and laughed. "What's wrong?! Tired?!" He teased but stopped when he noticed Shen wasn't responding and he looked at her to see a concerned look on her face. "Shen?" Yoshi then went to her and followed her eyes to see two strangers.

One was a middle aged woman with brown hair and light brown eyes. There was also a young girl next to her wearing an orange kimono, light brown hair up in a high-braided ponytail and light blue eyes. "We're almost there mother."

Shen looked at the old lady and saw how deathly pale she looked. "Yoshi, go get Master Yuuta and Kitsune!" Yoshi nodded before running towards the dojo as Shen went to the two. "Hello!" She called and the two stopped to look at her. "Are you two ok? Do you need any help?"

"We are trying to head to the Hamato Clan dojo. People say that they have the best healers. My mother has been sick for a long while and I have tried everything to heal her but nothing has worked." The young girl explained, and Shen nodded. "Well, I am friends with the Hamato family. I just sent my friend to fetch his father. Why don't you just sit down for now while I look your mother over. My mentor is the best healer in the clan, so I know a thing or two."

The girl smiled in relief and nodded before setting her poor mother down. Shen knelt down and looked her over. "What are your names?"

"My name is Xiang Fei Tong and my mother's name is Lin...she...does not talk to strangers." Xiang Fei Tong said and Shen nodded. "I'm Tang Shen. Now, tell me her symptoms?"

"Fever, vomit, runny nose, and shakes."

"Hmm, sounds like she caught some kind of virus. How long has she been sick?" Shen asked Xiang who shrugged. "A couple weeks. I gave her countless medicines, soup, and made her stay in bed but she does not seem to get any better. I tried taking her to a doctor, but they did not really do anything, so I came here."

"She has not gotten any worse though, right?" Shen asked Xiang who shook her head. "No. She has been the same since the day she first got sick."

"Shen!" A familiar female voice called, and Shen looked to see Kuzunoha, along with Yoshi and Yuuta. Shen stood up. "She has a fever, runny nose, vomit, and shakes. She has been sick for a couple weeks, but her daughter told me, she has not gotten any worse. I think she has a virus." She reported and Kuzunoha nodded before looking at the lady herself. After a moment, she looked Shen over her shoulder. "I think you might be right, Shen. Yuuta, carry her back to the dojo so I can treat her!" She ordered and Yuuta nodded before picking up the little lady and taking her to the dojo.

Xiang frowned in worry, but Shen gave her a comforting smile. "Don't worry. I am sure your mother will be fine." Xiang sighed. "I hope so, she is the only family I have." Shen and Yoshi frowned. "Don't you have a father?" Xiang sadly shook her head. "No. He died a couple years ago."

"I'm sorry." Yoshi said before putting a hand on her shoulder. "Everything is going to be ok. Kuzunoha is the best healer there is. I'm sure she will heal your mom. Trust me." Xiang smiled a little. "Ok."

"Let's get to the dojo." Shen said before she and Yoshi led Xiang back to the dojo.

...

After a few hours of waiting in the dojo, Kuzunoha finally came back, and Xiang immediately jumped on her feet with an anxious look on her feet. "You brought her to us just in time. Any longer and she probably would be dead."

Xiang gasped. "So...So she is ok?" Kitsune nodded. "Yes, but she needs to stay in bed for a few weeks and take all the medicine I give her." Xiang grinned. "Oh, thank you, thank you so much!"

Kuzunoha smiled softly. "You are welcome. Your mother is lucky to have you." Yuuta then went to the young girl. "You and your mother can stay here until she is better."

"Really? You sure that will not be any trouble?" Xiang asked and Yuuta smiled. "No. You can stay as long as you need." Xiang smiled in gratitude. "Thank you, Master Yuuta." Yoshi then smirked at her. "See? I told you it would all work out."

"Yes, thank you and thank you too, Tang Shen." Shen smiled sweetly. "Not a problem!"

"Come with me, Miss. I can show you where you will be sleeping." A soldier said. "Um...is it alright if I stay with my mother? Usually, I am always by her side." Yuuta looked at Kuzunoha who shrugged. "The virus doesn't seem contagious. If Xiang has been taking care of her this whole time and has not caught a single symptom, then it should be fine."

Xiang smiled at her. "Thank you."

"Right this way." The soldier said before leading Xiang out of the dojo.

...

Kuzunoha was looking Lin over, frowning after asking questions that went unanswered before turning to Xiang. "Is there a reason why she does not speak?" Xiang sighed. "She talks to me but she refuses to talk to strangers...I don't really know why...maybe it has something to do with the death of my father."

"Do you know how he died?"

"...no...mother does not like to talk about it." Kuzunoha nodded and turned back to Lin when Chung I came in. "Here are the herbs you asked for, Ma'am."

"Thank you." Kuzunoha said while grabbing the herbs and Chung I was about to leave but paused when he saw Xiang. He stood there staring at her and Xiang tilted her head questionably. "Oh-Oh, I am sorry, I did not mean to stare, I just-." He quickly apologized while the girl smiled. "It is alright. I zone out sometimes too."

Xiang then stood up and offered her hand. "My name is Xiang Fei Tong. What is yours?"

"Chung I." He answered while shaking her hand and Xiang grinned. "Chung I?! You are that ninja with the powers and stuff right?!" Chung I nodded. "Yes."

"That is so cool!" Chung I smiled. "Yes, I suppose it is." He then looked at her curiously. "Are you new to the clan?"

"Oh no, I just came here because my mother is sick and Kuzunoha is helping her get better...I hope she will be well before the Spring festival..." Xiang said, her smile dropped, replaced with a worried frown. "Why is that?" Chung I asked.

"Because I am one of the performers for the festival and it would be awful if my mother was not there to watch me." Chung I chuckled. "Well, I am sure she will be there." Chung I then started staring at Xiang again and she looked side by side uncomfortably. "Uh, Chung I?"

"Hm?"

"You are doing it again."

"Sorry! Um..but could I just...do you mind if I...?" Chung I offered his hand to her and Xiang slowly took it. Chung I gasped softly with an amazed look on his face. "What?" Xiang asked, confused. "It's just..I...I have never sensed such strong chi before." Xiang raised a brow as he continued to study her. "Uh, thank you?" She said, though she didn't know whether or not that was a compliment.

"Chung I!" A voice called and the two looked to see Yoshi come in. "Pop is sending us on another mission so get your stuff ready." Chung I nodded and started to leave but stopped to look at Xiang. "Um...I-I hope that I will see you again."

Xiang smiled. "Same. I enjoyed talking to you." Chung I smiled back before he left and Yoshi was about to follow but before he could, Xiang grabbed his arm. Yoshi looked at her and Xiang slightly blushed at him. "Um...I-I just wanted to thank you again for all that you have done for me."

Yoshi rolled his eyes. "You don't have to keep thanking me. I'm a ninja, it is kind of my job" Xiang chuckled. "Yes but that does not mean we should not show our appreciation." Yoshi huffed a bit, amused. "You showed plenty of your appreciation when we first brought you here."

Xiang blushed even more. She didn't know what to say after that. Yoshi was such a kind boy although he tried to act tough. "Um...is there something else? I kinda have to get going."

"Hm? Oh!" Xiang quickly let go of him and laughed awkwardly. "Sorry. Good luck on your mission!" She said with a smile and Yoshi smiled a little back before leaving.

Shen then came in and grinned at Xiang. "Hello Xiang, do you want to go out? All my friends are going on a mission and I could really use the company." Xiang smiled. "Sure. Why not?"

Shen beamed. "Great! Let's go!"

Xiang happily followed Shen out of the room. She really liked Shen; she was just as kind as Yoshi but without the tough act. Yes, Xiang has a feeling she will become great friends with Shen and hopefully...more with Yoshi.