Back in Tokyo,

Kuzunoha was folding clothes while her daughter Kitsune was playing nearby. Kuzunoha glared at her. "These clothes would get done faster if you would help me."

Kitsune stopped in her play to smile at her mother. "But you are doing such a good job on your own!" Kuzunoha gave her daughter a stern look, making her drop her smile and sigh dramatically. "Fiine," Said said with a roll of her eyes as she sat down next to her mother and began helping her fold the clothes.

Just then, the phone rang and Kuzunoha stood up to answer it. "Moshi-Moshi?" Kuzunoha listened to the other line before her eyes widened. "What?!" Hearing the surprise and concern in her mother's voice, drew Kitsune's interest and she peeked her head out to see worry all over her face. "They are survivors? You are certain?" Kuzunoha asked and Kitusne tried to hear the other line but was unable. "Yes, I understand, I will come right away."

Kuzonoha then hung up the phone and hurried out the door, grabbing her coat. "Stay here, Kitsune," She ordered. Once she was gone, Kitsune scoffed. "Mother, you know me far better than that..."

...

Kitsune followed her mother all the way to the dojo and snuck to Yuuta's training room, leaning her ear against the door so she could hear what was going on. "What do you think you are doing?" A stern voice asked and Kitsune turned to see Atsuko with her three sons. Yes, Atsuko had been right about the baby's gender. She indeed had another son and he looked much like his father. He had black hair and brown eyes. He was six years old and wore a dark white gi.

11-year-old Saki did not look very happy to see her, always finding Kitsune very annoying while 12-year-old Yoshi just looked curious. They were both wearing red gi. Kitsune gave a simple innocent smile. "I am just curious about the call my mother got. It sounded urgent."

"An urgent call?" Atsuko questioned. "Yes. I do not think it was Master Yuuta who called her though." Now curious as well, Atsuko stepped forward, gently pushing the girl aside and placing her ear against the door as well.

"I want to hear," Yoshi said, doing the same. "Me too! Me too!" Tetsumi whined. Saki rolled his eyes at his mother and brothers but could not resist to quietly join them as well. Kitsune gave him a teasing smirk. "Hiii, Saki."

Saki scowled at her. "Shut up, Kitsune!"

"Both of you, sh!" Atsuko hissed and they all went silent to listen to the conversation inside.

"Master Yuuta." Kuzunoha bowed respectfully. "I must leave for a short while." Yuuta blinked, taken aback by this. "For what reason?"

"I have been requested by the council. A survivor of the Lotus clan is in need of help, and they have asked for me to come to the fortress to check on their health." Yuuta's eyes widened in disbelief. "A survivor? I thought everyone in the Lotus Clan perished?"

"I thought so too but apparently not."

"Well, who are they?" Yuuta asked but Kuzunoha shook her head. "They did not say. They only said that it was a young girl, about ten years old." Yuuta hummed. "If the council has requested for you personally then you must go immediately, stay for however long you need and if you can, tell me who the girl is. I wish to know."

Kuzunoha bowed her head. "Yes, master."

Outside the door, Atsuko gave a worried look which did not go unnoticed by her sons. "Who are the Lotus clan, ma?" Yoshi asked. "They are...allies of our clan, Yoshi," She answered sadly. "They're clan was attacked by the Foot before your father went to war, but the council did not find any survivors...until now."

"Were they friends of ours?" Tetsumi asked. "To your father, yes but I, personality, didn't know them."

"You think they will be alright?" Atsuko patted her youngest son's head. "Yes, Tetsumi, I am sure they will be fine and hopefully, Kuzunoha can help them." Saki looked to make a glance at Kitsune, only to find her gone. "Kitsune?"

The others looked well. "Where did she go?" Yoshi asked himself and Atsuko had a feeling she knew exactly where Kitsune went...

...

Hours later,

Kuzunoha was on her way to the secret fortress, with a basket full of supplies. She did not know what exactly she needed, since the council did not say what condition the survivor was in, (maybe she should have asked) but she brought a little bit of everything just in case.

Unknown to Kuzunoha, inside the basket were not just herbs and bandages but her daughter. Kitsune had snuck in as soon as she saw her mother about to leave. She was in her fox form so it would be easier for her to sneak in and not be that much weight for her mother to carry. Kitsune was a nine tailed white fox with red tips on her tails, ears and redness around her yellow eyes.

Kitsune grinned excitedly, this was her first time going anywhere outside of the dojo and her first time seeing the fortress. Yoshi and Saki had been at the fortress once for a party and Kitsune had wanted to go as well but her mother forbade it. Now, though, she finally gets to see it.

Suddenly, the car stopped and Kitsune felt the basket getting picked up. "Allow me to carry this for you, "Ma'am." Some man's voice said, probably a soldier. "Thank you," Her mother's voice came after. They walked up some stairs before the doors opened for them and closed behind them as soon as they came in.

Kitsune tried to see through the little holes the basket had and could only make out a line of soldiers, standing on both sides and at the end were five old ninjas, undoubtably the council members. Kuzuoha and the soldier walked up to them. Kuzuoha bowed her head while the soldier roughly dropped the basket, making Kitsune hold in a grunt.

"Council." The council bowed in returned. "Kuzunoha, it is a pleasure to see you again." When Kuzunoha lifted her head, she asked, "May I ask about the survivor's condition?"

Hisomi nodded. "Yes. As you know, the Lotus clan was attacked years ago by the Foot but as we just learned today, there were a few survivors. The Ancient one's brother, Tang Fu Sheng, his wife, Tang Lin, and his daughter Tang Ren. They ran to Fukouka, in hopes of having a normal life and Ren had a daughter, Tang Shen. They lived there for 10 years in peace but earlier tonight, Tang Ren and her parents were killed by the Yakuza and...Oroku Nagi."

"Oroku Nagi?"

"Yes, it appears he is alive and is out for revenge," Hisomi said, gravity in his tone. "You and Yuuta must assure that the Kabuto is safe," Chikara added. "No doubt once he has all his affairs in order, he will seek out to destroy the Hamato Clan next and take the Kabuto for himself."

"I understand. I will alert Yuuta of this as soon as I return, and you have my word that we will protect the Kabuto at all costs."

"Thank you, Kuzunoha. Now, as for the Tang family, Ren's daughter, Tang Shen was the only one who survived tonight's attack, thanks to...Kenshin." The man tensed as he felt the looks of his fellow council members. Kuzunoha looked at him curiously. "Do you have some relation to the Tang family?"

Before Kenshin could answer, Chikara said curtly, "Apparently, he is the child's father." Kuzunoha's eyes widened at this as Kenshin looked down in shame. "Chikara-"

"How dare you hide such a thing from us?! You knew members of the Tang family were alive and you helped hide them from us?! You had no right!"

"Chikara!" Hisome scolded. "We will discuss that later. Right now, let us worry about the child." Chikara nodded in agreement, but she still shot a dirty look at Kenshin before they all looked back at Kuzunoha. "So, how is the child?"

"Physically, she is unharmed, but spiritually, we fear that she may be damaged. She refuses to come out of her room. We were hoping that you could maybe check on her, try to reach through to her."

"I see...I will do what I can. So, where is she?"

"Why don't we give a little more time, right now, let us focus on getting you settled." Hisomi said, about to lead her to the room she will be staying in and Kuzunoha nodded as she went to pick up the basket. "Hm?"

"Something wrong?" Chikara asked. "No. My basket just feels lighter for some reason."

As the council led Kuzunoha out the halls, a little white fox went to explore the fortress. The fortress was big, with countless rooms, training rooms and bathrooms. Looking outside, she saw that there was a training ground as well and huge walls that surrounded the fortress against possible threats. Though the fortress was impressive, it was not as great as Kitsune imagined and she continued looking around in hopes of finding something interesting until her eyes caught an open bedroom.

A girl sat in the middle of the room, staring outside her bedroom window as tears fell from her cheeks. It was Tang Shen, dressed in a fresh pink kimono the maids had given her.

Kitsune took a quiet step forward, without making herself known to get a good look at the girl. She was a beautiful one for sure, her light skin seemed to shine with the moon that was shining through the window. Though tears were running from her eyes, her face was unreadable, and her eyes were trained only on the star sky.

Kitsune glanced at the girl's face again before turning back in her normal form and deciding to make herself known, even though it might get her in trouble with her mother.

Shen continued to stare up, wondering how she should be feeling right now. She did not seem to feel anything, not even the tears on her cheeks. "Beautiful, aren't they?" The sudden voice made Shen jump and she gasped while whipping around fearfully, only to quickly calm down once she realized it was a girl about her age.

Shen stared at her in confusion, but the girl just smiled. "The stars, I mean." Shen only continued to stare, and Kitsune frowned a little bit, before waving a hand in her face. "Hellooo! Can you understand me?"

"Y-Yes, I can understand you," Shen said, her voice cracking a little from not using it for a while. Kitsune smiled in victory. "Good! My name is Kitusne."

"Tang Shen," She introduced, softly. Usually, Shen would be excited to talk to another girl around her age but right now...she just did not have the energy. Kitsune snorted and leaned a little forward. "Are you usually this shy?"

Shen frowned and looked away from the girl. "P-Please, will you just leave me alone."

"Why do you want to be alone? Is it because your family died?" Kitsune asked, bluntly and Shen tensed, eyes threatening to spill with fresh tears. "P-Please, just go." Kitsune cursed herself, that was probably not the right thing to say. "Um...oh! Want to see something cool?"

Shen did not answer but Kitsune did it anyway. She sat next to Shen and picked up a random leaf that happened to be on the open window's ledge. She showed it to Shen who looked very confused until her eyes widened in awes when Kitsune turned the leaf into a cherry blossom. She smiled proudly while giving it to Shen who smiled. "H-How did you do that?!" Kitsune only sealed her lips at Shen who just continued to smile as she looked at the flower. "I love sakura blossoms..."

"Really? Why?"

Shen seemed to drift off a bit, smiling. "My mother and grandparents used to take me to the spring festival every year, and every year I would always enjoy it. We would watch the sakura flowers bloom together and have a picnic as the petals fell on us like snow..."

Kitsune's face of amusement turned unreadable as Shen went on, a look of seriousness and softness as well as sadness all at once. "...They sound like good people." Shen wiped her eyes. "Yes...they were. What about your parents?"

Kitsune hesitated. "My father is not around and my mother...is always busy. She is actually here to check on your wellbeing. She is a healer, best healer the world has ever known." Shen frowned. "I did not know my father either not until...tonight." Kitsune snorted. "Oh yes, I heard, it sounds like he is in a lot of trouble too for keeping you and your family secret." Shen raised a brow. "Why?" Kitsune shrugged. "I do not know. Probably stupid ninja stuff."

"Oh...so, are you a yokai?" Kitsune jumped and looked at Shen, shocked. "Your powers, they do not seem like my mother's so it can not be chi...more so...magic?" Kitsune stared at the girl in disbelief and interested before slowly grinning. "You knew I was a yokai and yet, you did not move an inch. Were you not afraid of me?"

"No." Kitsune scoffed and crackled. "You lie!" Shen looked insulted by that. "I am not a liar," She declared, making Kitsune's smile falter a little. "Are you afraid of me?" Shen then asked and Kitsune's grin returned. "You? No."

"Then why did you look so nervous?"

"Because most people will try to kill us if they learn of our heritage. That is why mother always tells me to be very careful and keep ourselves strictly secret," Kitsune said as she held a finger to her lips, making a clear hint to Shen. "Do not worry. I will not share your secret, I promise."

"Good because you know, if you do, I would have no choice but to kill you," Kitsune said and laughed at the unfazed look on Shen's face. "You really are not scared of me now, are you?"

"No," Shen said confidently. Kitsune's laughs died down as she grabbed Shen's chin and gave her a scary smile. "You should be."

"If you wanted to kill me, you would have done so and you would not have been so kind to me. Thank you for that." Kitsune looked off guard and her eyes lit up slightly, as if she has never been thanked before but she quickly covered it up. "You are strange," She said, her smile returning in place. "I like you."

Shen's eyes sparkled as that was the first time a girl her age said she liked her. "Really?"

"Yes."

"But most girls at my school do not like that I am strange." Kitsune scoffed. "You go to school? That place is for normies and dummies. A place where you are punished for thinking outside of the box and breaking a couple of rules. You are much better than that prison."

Shen laughed. "I would not take it that far, but it does feel like that sometimes. Though...I suppose I do not have to worry about that anymore since I will be homeschooled from now on..."

Kitsune frowned, she knows what it is like to be isolated and protected at all times, and she hated it which is why she snuck in her mother's basket. "I am sorry..."

"It is ok," Shen said honestly. "I did not have any friends there and the teachers were not very nice, so it is not a huge loss. I just hope I will be able to be around other kids here."

"I am sure you will. This is my first time being here, but I hear there are at least a few other kids who live here. Orphans whose parents have been killed by the Foot. I am sure you will find one or two who would like to be friends with you."

"... Do you want to be friends?" Kitsune paused for a moment then grinned. "I would love too!" Shen smiled, just then-

"Shen!" Kenshin's voice called and she looked to see her father come in with Kuzunoha. "Shen, this is-" Kenshin was about to introduce Kuzunoha but stopped when he noticed Kitsune who was smiling innocently at them. "Hello mother."

Kuzunoha's eyes widened at the sight of her daughter. "Kitsune?! What are doing here?!" She grabbed her daughter by the arm and pulled her on her feet. "You are supposed to be at home!"

"Wait!" Shen called out, and the woman looked at her. "Please, Okusama, Kitsune was here just trying to cheer me up." Shen then smiled at Kitsune. "She is really nice and even gave me a sakura flower." She said while showing the woman the flower. Kuzuoha opened her mouth to say something, but Kenshin grabbed her shoulder, gaining her attention. "Miss Kuzunoha, this is the first time Shen has spoken more than one word since... I know you have other matters to attend to with the Hamato Clan but if it is alright with you and your master, can you and your daughter stay a little longer? Just until the funeral is over...Shen has no friends, and we would be very grateful if you two were there to help her through it."

Kuzunoha hesitated, seemed to be debating, she looked at the two young girls, seeing the giref in Shen's eyes. "...I will have to call Yuuta."

...

At the dojo,

"Yes, I understand," Yuuta said as he spoke to Kuzunoha on the phone while his wife was getting ready to turn in for bed. "Very well. I will see you tomorrow." He then hung up and Atsuko looked at him concernedly. "What did Kuzunoha say? Is the child alright?"

Yuuta paused and looked at his wife suspiciously. "How did you know about that? I have not told you yet?" Atsuko looked as though she had been caught red handed then gave a flat look. "Alright, Kitsune, the boys, and I eavesdropped on your conversation with Kuzunoha. Now tell me what is going on?"

"Well, it seems there were survivors in the Tang family after all."

"The Ancient one and his family?" Yuuta shook his head. "No. His brother and his family. He, his wife, and daughter were killed just recently but his granddaughter was thankfully unharmed."

"How old is she?" Atsuko asked, worriedly. "...Same age as Kitsune." Atsuko frowned, feeling bad for the girl, knowing what it was like to lose parents at a young age. "Kuzunoha and Kitsune are going to stay there until the funeral since it seemed Kitsune had somehow connected with the girl."

"How did they die?" Atsuko asked curiously and Yuuta hesitated for a while. "I-It is not important." Atsuko's eyes narrowed. "Yuuta, you are hiding something from me. Just tell me."

"...Oroku Nagi," Yuuta finally said and Atsuko's face was filled with horror before anger. "That bastard is still alive?!" Yuuta slowly nodded. "It appears so." Atsuko looked furious and she glared at her side table lamp like she was trying to set it on fire. Understandable. Yuuta would not go into details but let us just say that Atsuko and Nagi had history and not the good kind.

Atsuko turned her glare to him. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I believe there is nothing I can do until Nagi shows his face."

"But why now?! Why after all this time?!" Atsuko shouted, through gritted teeth. "I do not know Atsuko." Atsuko continued to glare until her eyes widened with sudden fear. "You...You don't think he knows that we have Saki, do you?! You don't think he will come here and try to take him from us, right?!"

Yuuta had not thought of that, but he was quick to assure his wife. "Nagi was not there when I fought Keiji. I am sure he believes that Saki died along with his father."

"But what if he finds out?! I will not lose my son, Yuuta!" Atsuko shouted, enraged. "You will not. I promised I would protect him and that is what I will do." Atsuko wiped the tears from her eyes before they could fall and turned off the light, laying down to rest without saying another word. Yuuta turned off his light and laid down as well but before his eyes could close- "We can not wait for him to show his face. I want soldiers to look for him, not stopping until he is found. I will not wait until he comes here and tries to take another family from me," Atsuko said in a low tone.

Yuuta thought it over and exhaled. "You are right. We can not wait. I will send soldiers out to search for Nagi in the morning."

"And until they are old enough to watch over themselves, I do not want the boys to go on any sort of missions unsupervised. I know you were their age when you started Yuuta but they are still children and if Nagi shows up, they stand no chance."

Yuuta nodded. "I agree. Nagi is a force we must take seriously."

Silence then, "Thank you..." Yuuta turned on his side, which he rarely ever does and wrapped an arm around her. "You will not lose another family, my love. Our sons and I are here to stay."

Atsuko gripped his arm like a lifeline. "You better mean that. You know I will hold you to it otherwise." Yuuta kissed the back of her head and sighed tiredly, "I know..."