What was worse? Knowing that Kasumi actually tried to leave Konoha willingly or that she was locked up somewhere like an animal? Kiba sit in silence as these thoughts echoed in his mind. Everything felt heavy on him, his coat, his clothes, and even his shinobi headband. He sat between Hinata and Shino as their sensei explained what had happened to their teammate. The four of them were inside Kurenai's apartment, the door was closed and locked as the windows were tightly drawn and sealed shut. What kept the living room lit was a small lamp that separated Kurenai from her pupils on the coffee table in front of all of them. Kiba felt a lump in his chest as he took in a deep breath. He ought to be angry at Kasumi. After spending time with her and getting to know her, he actually felt like they would've been great teammates. Now, as he lowered his gaze to his hands, he didn't know how he felt anymore.

"It's time I became honest," Kurenai murmured she closed her hands to fists on her lap, "What I will explain to you, I will also be explaining to Kasumi. May the Lord Hokage forgive me, but this is getting out of hand."

"Kurenai-sensei," Hinata gently spoke up, "Perhaps it's best if-"

"We ought to know what's going on," Shino spoke up, "I'm sorry for interrupting, but we have the right to know what's going on with our teammate."

"She's not our teammate," Kiba stated gruffly, even Akamaru seemed unhappy at the news as he sat comfortably in Kiba's lap.

Kurenai didn't even bother correcting Kiba. Hell, she didn't know how she even felt about Kasumi leaving. But she did know that she owed it to the three in front of her about why they had taken in Kasumi. She cleared her throat before speaking, "You have been taught about our recent threat, Orochimaru. The Hokage has reason to believe that Orochimaru is after Kasumi and we have brought her here to protect her. We don't know why he wants Kasumi, but we do know that whatever he has planned for her will not be in her best interest or ours."

"So to safe-guard our village, we have taken her from him," Shino commented as he crossed his arms.

"It's not really to protect Kasumi, it's really to protect the village," Hinata spoke barely above a whisper as she looked away from Kurenai, "In the end, we are all safe. But it's really for our village."

Kurenai could see the distrust she was building up in her pupils. She had felt that distrust when Sarutobi told her the reason for keeping Kasumi in the village. Taking a small breath, Kurenai then spoke, "The Hokage has his reasons for keeping Kasumi. Seeing that Orochimaru wants her makes her all the more important to protect. In the end, that was our mission and that is still our mission until there is no longer a threat."

"There will always be a threat then," Kiba stated roughly as he crossed his arms, "Unless Orochimaru dies anytime soon, he'll always be a threat. Why not just kill-"

Everyone looked to Kiba, silencing him altogether. Kiba glanced at the other three, trying to form the words he wanted to say, but sighed as he turned away from the others before standing up. Akamaru yipped worriedly at Kiba, only to be unanswered. Kurenai could see the confusion inside of Kiba's eyes. She knew his confusion, just like the others did. It was her fault. She had pushed him to get to know Kasumi and she did not foresee Kasumi's betrayal.

"We have to forgive her," Hinata spoke, causing Kiba to groan and Shino to shift in his seat, "She's alone here. If I were taken from my family, I'd want to go home too."

Hinata may not be the best ninja, and she may not be the most outspoken, but the girl was highly perceptive. Kurenai could see the change in Shino's demeanor as he nodded in agreement, and even Kiba seemed to calm after Hinata's statement. She glanced back at the lamp in the middle of the table as she closed her eyes to give the final bit of information, "We have reason to believe that Kasumi is Orochimaru's daughter. This is neither confirmed or denied."

A deafening silence wafted around the room. Kiba felt his stomach churn at the thought of such a beast conceiving a child with any willing woman. He then turned to Kurenai, "Does she know this?"

Kurenai slowly shook her head, "The only data that I received from the Hokage was that Kasumi's father was unknown. Also, the ANBU has tracked her village and came back that her mother was murdered. By the similar signs of other murders and the DNA evidence, it was Orochimaru's doing."

"She doesn't have a home to go back to then," Kiba growled beneath his breath, "Then let her go back, let her see what happened so that she can be on our side."

No one replied to Kiba's words, which only angered him even more as he turned around. His eyes glared hard at Kurenai. Even Akamaru was apprehensive at Kiba's change in attitude. Kiba's words were harsher as he stated, "We ought to go to the Hokage right now and demand that she be taken back so she can see what exactly happened! He can't just lock her up and expect her to be safe there because she's in some cage! All that's happening is she's festering inside some place that no one can get to and, somehow, that's called humane!"

Kurenai sat completely still, her eyes closed, as she felt the brute of Kiba's anger. She understood and empathized. If she could soothe his anger, she would, but there wasn't a good way to calm a beast. Kurenai slowly opened her eyes and turned her gaze to Kiba, "I will request that you see her to the Hokage."

This seemed to rock the room's attention as even Hinata seemed surprised that she wasn't chosen to see Kasumi. Kurenai stood up, "The three of you are dismissed until further noticed. We have one of our own locked away and we will right this wrong somehow. Until then, be on your guard."

It was dark. The room was made to look black by some weird Genjutsu, or that's what she expected from Kurenai's teachings. Kasumi sat on a lone chair in the middle of the room, her clothes pristine, her hair and make-up provided for her. Even the food was heavenly, but it didn't make the time any less better. She was imprisoned. Kasumi barely touched her lunch as she glanced around the windowless and doorless room. How long had it been? Days? Weeks? Hours? There wasn't a calendar or clock to tell her how long had it been since she woken in this black box. All she knew was whenever she slept in the comfortable bed provided for her, she woke up to new clothes and a bath readied and warmed for her.

Then, a knock echoed in the room and a door appeared out of thin air on one of the walls. She remained seated. Trying to make an escape was not in her best interest at the moment, there would be a time and a place for her grand escape. Her throat dried when an old man walked into the room. Was this really how they were going to treat her? Kasumi felt her spine tingle at the apprehension, hoping she wasn't going to be his pleasure toy for moment.

"It's good to see that you've taken well to the treatment here," the old man smiled, "My name is Sarutobi, the Hokage for Konoha. The last time I saw you you were sound asleep in Kurenai's arms. That was also the time when she begged to keep you in her home instead of here. Which do you prefer?"

Kasumi remained silent as she eased in her chair. Though she enjoyed the solitude to herself, she also missed the banter she had with Kurenai and the others. When she thought of Kiba and the others, a pang of guilt hit her and she glanced away from Sarutobi in shame. Sarutobi took a long drag from his pipe as he took a step closer to Kasumi, "I've been given a request by your teammate, Kiba, to see you. Though I am willing to give it, I wish to ask for your opinion. Do you want to see him?"

Why would he ask her opinion? Kasumi bit her lip before whispering, "Why ask me? I'm the prisoner her?"

"Hm?" Sarutobi raised a brow, "A prisoner? I do not want you to feel like that."

"Well that's how I feel and that's what living in this is like," Kasumi narrowed her gaze towards the Hokage, then her gaze softened as she looked to the floor, "But…I guess trying to leave like that after Kurenai and the others… No, I was kidnapped from my village and brought here without any explanation at all! I deserve to know full well why I'm here and no one is willing to tell me!"

"We digress…" Sarutobi coughed slightly, causing Kasumi to turn her glare away from him as she stood up, "Would you or would you not like to see Kiba Inuzuka?"

Kasumi did not answer right away. Did she really want to see him after all of this? But her main question was why did he want to see her? She kept a calm demeanor as her thoughts raced in her mind. He and the others had the right to know that they were not the reason why she tried to leave. Kasumi bit her lip, chewing on the soft flesh before closing her eyes, "No. I don't want to see him."

She listened as Sarutobi left the room without saying another word. Her eyes slowly opened half way as she glanced back towards the bed before going to lie down on top of the sheets. How could she see her team-leader in a state like this? Ex-team leader? Was that even a term? Kasumi hid her face in the soft pillow as she felt her pride swell, she didn't want to see anyone in this state. Then, several earthquake-like beatings on the door jolted her upward and she heard a familiar howl, "I don't care if she doesn't want to see me!"

"Kiba, go away!" Kasumi jumped from her bed as she rushed to the wall that hid the doorway, "I told him-"

"You listen to me and listen good!" she heard Kiba's sharp tone as he yelled directly for her to hear him, causing her to silence, "No one cares what you tried to do! I couldn't give any shits as to why you tried to leave! You're still a member of Team 8!"

This further quieted Kasumi as she took a step back, not believing what she was hearing. Was he honest about this? Nothing changed? She could faintly hear someone, or other people, trying to pull Kiba away and even chuckled when she heard him fight back. Even though she only knew him and the others for a few short days, she admired their ferocity. She then placed her hand on the wall and stated, "Please, let him in. I change my mind."

Within a few seconds, a doorway appeared that had Kasumi take a step back as the door swung open fiercely as Kiba stormed in and snatched the collar of Kasumi's shirt, "You've got a lot of nerve for doing what you did!"

"I didn't mean to-" Kasumi was backed into a wall, nearly dangling off her tip-toes as Kiba growled up at her.

"Where the hell do you get off saying 'no' to a teammate!?" Kiba yelled angrily as he lifted her off of her feet against the wall, "If Shino and Hinata were here, I'm sure you would say 'yes' in an instant, but shit if it's me you'll say 'no' in a quick second!"

"Kiba," Kasumi gasped to keep a grasp on him, "I'm sorry! Okay?"

A pause emerged between them, causing Kiba to lower Kasumi to the ground to her feet as he released his grasp on her shirt's collar. Kiba took a few steps back and put his hands in his pockets, "So…how have you been?"

She could have laughed at his question. Sleeping, eating, and basically living in this cell for the last few days left her feeling like a prisoner. But, she could see the sincerity in his question and glanced to the floor, "I've been better. It's not the best place to be, but…"

After her events, she deserved it probably. Kasumi noticed Kiba's dark hair for once as he pulled down his hood. The tattoos beneath his eyes, the red triangles, seemed like the color of blood in the fluorescent lighting. His usually sharp eyes seemed calmer, almost peaceful as he returned her gaze. Kasumi didn't see the normal ninja that pushed her to the edge or made her feel angry, but someone who was angry at him, and even hurt at her actions. She felt her pride swell again as she sat on her bed, "I want to see my family, Kiba. If you were in my position, you would say the same thing and even do the same thing."

"I probably would."

This broke Kasumi's structure, she didn't expect him to agree with her. He sat on the bed besides her and it became just the two of them. Door shut, all enclosed, they were alone. Kasumi felt herself become uncomfortable at how alone they were, but she felt safe. Kiba wasn't the type to take advantage of a girl, and he wasn't treating her like she was before. Apart of her should feel grateful. But, was he feeling sorry for her? She felt her own anger beginning to rise, only to be defeated as Kiba commented, "I was really worried when Kurenai said they put you in here. I thought we would get you back, discipline you and things, but this? This is like a prison."

He understood. Kasumi was pleased to know Kiba understood how she felt. She gave a small sigh before smiling, "Perhaps I'll be able to get out soon enough. Maybe not to go home, but any place would be better than here. I'd rather go back to Kurenai's then stay here for one more minute."

Both turned when they heard footsteps enter the room and Sarutobi approached the two as he released a cloud of smoke from his nostrils. Kasumi wanted to hate the old man for making her stay, however his importance and the fact that he allowed Kiba to see her, plus asking for her permission, made it hard for her to hate him. He was an old, wise man. She could easily see that he was respected, even Kiba seemed to put the man to high regards even though he did raise his voice to him earlier. Sarutobi's gaze went from Kiba to Kasumi as he spoke, "You've been here for a few days now, Kasumi, and I've spoken with my advisors on what to do with you. I'm afraid we cannot fully put our trust in you to not leave."

Kasumi lowered her gaze. Kiba emitted a low growl as he retorted, "My team and I will keep an eye on her. She doesn't need to stay in here. Lord Hokage, please-"

"Allow me to finish, Kiba Inuzuka," Sarutobi's voice was firm, but not defeating, "I have over-ruled my advisors on the ground that you remain in the Hyuuga household instead of Kurenai's. Lord Hiashi Hyuuga has agreed to keep you as his ward until you make the decision to become a citizen of Konoha."

"That would be great!" Kiba's face beamed with enthusiasm as he turned to Kasumi, who seemed less than enthusiastic, "You can live with Hinata and train together!"

Kasumi remained silent for a few moments before nodding towards Sarutobi, "Anything would be better than here."

"Then I will have one of the ANBU escort you to your new home," Sarutobi gave a warm smile as Kiba patted Kasumi's back before leaving the room.

Once Kiba was gone from ear-shot, Kasumi turned her attention to the Hokage, "I'll still be watched, huh?"

The Hokage closed his eyes as he placed his pipe in his mouth. She didn't need him to answer to know that she would still be stalked like an animal. One more slip up and she might remain in this solitary room for an even longer time, and maybe not receive any visitors next time. Kasumi grabbed the extra clothes she was given and left the room where she was escorted out of the building. Sarutobi also left the room to go to the balcony to watch as the ANBU and one of the branch members of the Hyuuga clan received Kasumi to take her to her new home.

"Lord Hokage."

Sarutobi stood on the balcony with his back turned to his audience, "Have the results been found?"

There was a long pause before the man coughed slightly before pulling out a sheet of paper from his white lab jacket, "There has been a few results that lead to one conclusion. Kasumi has Orochimaru's DNA within her."

The Hokage had thought of this situation before it even ensued. Giving a long sigh, he waved off the man before heading to his office. There was a great deal of paperwork to do and he needed to reveal the file to Kurenai. If he was sticking his neck out for Kurenai he might as well make sure there was a dotted line on his flesh for this trouble.

Kasumi was given a small room down a few halls from Hinata's and her sister's bedrooms. She was then greeted by several servants who began fitting her for servant clothes. Confused, Kasumi stated for them to leave until a tall man entered the room and the other servants fell to their knees to bow to him. Kasumi assumed this man was Hiashi, and it was confirmed when Hinata peaked her head into the room and smiled when she saw Kasumi. Hiashi's arms were crossed as he looked down on Kasumi, "It is respectful to bow to the leader of this household."

"I don't work here and I'm not exactly a relative," Kasumi stated as she crossed her arms, "I do not bow to anyone."

"You are quite foolish," Hiashi's voice was dry as his gaze became harder on her, "Lord Hokage failed to mention that you would be working under servitude to pay your rent in my home."

Kasumi felt her anger boil at the circumstances. Now she had to clean up after this family, too? She was about to lash out at the man, but she noticed Hinata looking to the floor and her face red from shame. Going off on Hinata's father wasn't going to win her any points to gaining the Hokage's trust. If she wanted to leave again, she'd have to wait until she was allowed the freedom to leave. Kasumi bit her lip as she lowered her head and shoulders to give a small, but respectful bow, "I…apologize… I was not told of this circumstance."

"It's a start, but I must ask that you respect the members of this household and the staff. Since you are not apart of the branch-family nor of the servants, that gives you the lowest rank," Hiashi explained as he motioned his head towards the doorway as the servants scuttled out, "You will continue your training with my daughter and obey your sensei. When you return from your training, you will aide the servants in their tasks and follow their evening schedule. Is this understood?"

She almost had to bite her tongue until it bled in order to nod. Hiashi gave a small grunt before leaving the room, "Very well, continue unpacking and help the servants."

Once Hiashi had walked off, Hinata walked in with her eyes glued to the floor, "I-I'm really sorry about this. I didn't know Father would…"

As Hinata hesitated, she gave a small gasp as Kasumi held her tightly. She was more than grateful towards Hinata for this opportunity even if it meant she had to work. Kasumi held Hinata even tighter as she whispered, "Thank you, Hinata."

Hinata's face was heated a flushed red as she glanced to the corner of her eyes at Kasumi's head. She then murmured shakily, "N-no problem."