(Y/N) POV

The way I see it, we have a couple of options, we will return the kids no matter what

However, how we deal with the smugglers is different.

Option A is we simply kill them and leave it at that. The caretaker can take care of them after that...at least from what the kids told me she can.

Option B is we kill the criminals, this ensures that they never torment these kids again.

Option C we find the root of this all. If we kill the immediate criminals, we won't find out if there's a larger operation at play.

Benefits are A and B will be the quickest. However, if there is a larger operation, we are basically allowing kids in other places to continue being forced into killing each other.

Since we don't really have a clear goal in mind, I don't think we are tight on time. Plus, we might be able to find out more about the other Jinchuriki...that's our best bet I think.

I'm suddenly thrusted from my thoughts as I hear a snap from the forest, Looks like they were followed.

I quietly locate the noise. Two individuals, one a man, the other a girl.

I watch them for a moment just to make sure they aren't some random people.

"The kids are close," the man says.

"How the hell did they get this far! I knew James was getting bad ideas," the lady mutters. I hope she isn't Nun that the kids were talking about. That would put a wrench into our plans.

I ready two Kunai and positioned myself above them in the trees.

Then, at once, I drop down and bury the knives into the back of their spines.

I feel the spinal cords snap as the bodies go limp.

They weren't watching the shadows. Deadly mistake.

I inspected the two bodies. Luckily, the girl didn't have any markings of a Nun, however, I'm not sure what they meant by Mother Rosie. I know orphanages are typically run by churches. But if they meant a nun I suppose they woulda said, Sister Rosie.

I look at the woman and hope this isn't the one they were talking about. If not, then we will need to find a replacement...I hope she's a different person. She did seem familiar with James.

Every second I think about it the more my hope fades.

Finally, I became convinced that the Mother Rosie they spoke about was in cahoots with the criminals.

I doubt they sent out two parties if they found a single set of tracks. Highly unlikely there's more coming.

I hide the bodies so the kids won't see them on their return trip. The last thing we need is to add even more horrors to the already three traumatized kids. And if that is Mother Rosie, then I think it's best they do not see her.

I return to the tent allowing myself to slowly doze off on a tree

Cassy POV

My eyes opened as the tent was engulfed in bright light. It must be morning.

I look at the two kids grappled around me. Both James and Rebecca were still soundly asleep.

"They like you," James says as I move my head toward him.

In the light, you can see he is an attractive guy. With his features lit up, at first, I thought he was somewhere around age 14, but he is clearly older than that. Maybe 16-17.

"Thanks...I don't usually have people cling to me like this," I say blushing.

"They are siblings you know?" He tells me as I look at them. Instantly I start to see the resemblance.

"They lost their mother at a young age," he mutters as I pat both of their heads, they cuddle up to me even more.

"And two days ago, the smugglers were gonna force them to kill each other," he says as my heart stops.

"Is that why you three escaped?" I ask as he nods

"Yeah...I couldn't bear to stand by. I didn't plan to bring them with me initially...but I was convinced by someone else to bring them," he says as I smile.

"I don't know how, but I can tell your really kind," I say looking into his eyes, he looks away blushing.

"Hmm," Both Rebecca and Jacob mumble as they awake side by side.

"Morning," I say with a smile.

Jacob's eyes lit up like he just saw candy.

"Good Morning!" He says excitedly

"Jacob, calm down!" His sister says as he listens.

"We better get moving," I say as I crawl out of my sleeping bag.

I poke my head outside of our tent and I see (Y/N) sleeping against a tree.

I was worried a little. Did he get hit and is knocked out?

Did he fall asleep? No, he wouldn't do that if there's a possible threat....oh

So someone did follow them. He took care of it, and then went to sleep.

I couldn't help but smile.

I walked toward him.

"You know, you coulda slept in the tent," I whisper into his ear as he instantly wakes up.

"Didn't want to wake you bunch up, you all looked cozy," he says as I notice our faces are extremely close.

I back away attempting to hide a blush.

"Embarrassed I caught you with two little kids wrapped around you?" He asks.

"Haha, yeah sure, that's what it is," I say as I turn away.

The three kids came from the tent and we packed up camp.

"Let's go that way," James says as he was about to head toward a direction.

"Let's follow the trail you three made on your way here," (Y/N) says quickly...almost too quickly.

Due to his fast response, I think that's where he hid the bodies.

I smile. He's looking out for the kids. It is subtle, but it's sweet.

The kids looked confused

"But that's the quickest way," James says as (Y/N) continues.

"It'll be faster to follow a trail, even if it's only been used twice," he says.

"Twice?" James asks

"Sorry, I meant once," he says again as the kids let it slide.

"You're a bad liar," I whisper as we follow the kids.

This reminds me of when we met. I thought he was lying. Even if he was lying back then, he wouldn't have been able to hide it very well.

We continued our way toward the orphanage.