Chapter Fourteen:

Soon, the bridge was complete, thanks to the sudden increase of builders, and Team Seven has fulfilled their job in protecting Tazuna. Therefore, it was time for Team Seven to depart from the Land of Waves.

Kakashi and Diata had decided that Diata would stay back for a few days until he could sort things out with the Hokage, and then return to Konoha when everything was settled. Although her teammates were a bit upset, Diata agreed to his plan. She would only stay back for a week or so, until he had sorted everything out.

Diata used this week to her advantage, rebuilding the shabby, worn down house that she had found the orphans living in, and turned it into a suitable home. Tazuna also got a team of volunteers to help as well, and the house was finished with time to spar.

With her extra time, she called together to the five oldest children, two boys and three girls, all in the age range of fifteen to twelve, in Tazuna's guest room. "I need some of you to stay behind," Diata explained. "If more children come, someone must look out for them, watch over them, or send them to me."

"What about the others?" A thirteen year old girl by the name of Hisoka asked. She had jet black, bob cut hair and was missing both her eyes, rendering her completely blind. "Where would they go?"

"With me," Diata replied, "I need some of you to help care for children when I not there. I understand this hard decision, but—"

"I'll stay behind," the oldest spoke, Diata had learned his name was Itsuki. The others turned to him, and one of the other girls, Kumiko spoke as well.

"But, Itsu-kun, what about Kyo-chan?" Kumiko cried. She had long brown hair, matching eyes, and was missing her left ear. Diata knew the girl, being the youngest out of the five, had felt romantic feelings towards the older male, and certainly felt strongly towards him. Diata said not a word as the boy continued to speak, his voice firm with determination.

"I trust Diata-san to get Kyo-chan the helps she needs," Itsuki began. "After all that she's done for us, all she asks is that we help others like us! It's the least we could do. So, yes, Diata-san, I will stay behind, as long as you keep you remember your promises and follow through with it."

Diata thought back on the first night she stayed with the orphans, how she had found a older brother, wishing for a better life for his dying younger sister. Now, it was as if he had matured ten years older, growing wiser in this time. He was giving the last of his family away to Diata, placing the young girl's life in her hands, because he knew that Diata could provide her with a better life than he ever could.

Diata nodded firmly, accepting this responsibility along with the several others she was given. "I will stay back too," Kumiko said, imbued by Itsuki's words. "And–And help Itsuki-kun!"

"I will too," Hisoka said. That left only Mei and Na'omi, who were twins, and were missing opposite hands — Mei without her right and Na'omi, his left.

"We will come with you," Mei spoke. She was a beautiful young girl, despite being the young age of fourteen. Her skin slightly tan from sunlight, and her hair a luscious strawberry-blonde colour. Her eyes were the colour of a clear river that twinkled in the sunlight. She was short for her age, being several inches shorter than Diata herself. However, despite her short stature and child like features, she was not to be underestimated. She was a powerful young girl, strong in her chakra and in spirit. She was a bit hardheaded, and would challenge anything that came in her way. The only person to keep her at bay was her brother, Na'omi.

Na'omi was a boy of little words. He wasn't mute, but simply didn't speak much. He had matching hair and eyes as his twin sister, but was much taller than her, and even had a few inches on Diata as well. Adding to his height, he was also broad shouldered and spoke in a deep voice, already matured before him. However, his buff stature didn't quite fit his boyish face and his affinity for children. He loved to work with them, and was patient as well. He answers all their questions and held them when they cried. Na'omi was a kind as patient boy and Diata guessed these attributes came from years watching over his hotheaded sister.

"Thank you," Diata smiled. "All of you,"

"It should be us thanking you, Diata-san," Hisoka smiled warmly. "You are the one who started a change for us." The others nodded in agreement.

A small child, missing a few teeth and a foot hopped over to them, like a happy rabbit, "Hello, Arata," Diata smiled, scooping the boy up in her arms, snuggling him to her chest affectionately. The boy giggled, wrapping his small arms around her neck.

"E-ya, e-ya!" The boy cried, "Dere's a man at dah door sayin' he wanna see 'Akane'-chan, but we don' 'ave a Akane-chan, E-ya! Den, Mista Tazuna told me to go git you! Who's Akane, E-ya?"

Diata froze, her ears pressing to her head. She looked at the young boy in her arms, who was staring up at her, scared, and gave him a comforting smile. "Do not worry, Arata, he friend." Diata turned to the others in the room, who were giving her confused, concerned looks. "Do not worry. I will just be minute."

Diata stood, carrying the young child on her hip as he exited the room and slowly made her way down the steps. She looked over, finding Kabuto sitting on the couch, speaking to the children who sat around him. They all looked enthralled in him, their attention ensnared by his story.

Kabuto turned to watch Diata finish off the last steps. "Akane-chan!" He smiled, standing. He walked over and hugged Diata around the neck. She stiffened, as if she were being strangled, and quickly ended the force hug.

"Kabuto. What are you doing here?" Diata demanded. She kept her voice low, so the other children wouldn't hear her anger, but Kabuto spoke loudly anyway.

"Why, I wanted to see my friend! I heard you were in Kiri and I just had to see you," he smiled. "I even brought friends too, they all want to meet you, Akane-chan."

Diata stared at him, fear lingering in her eyes for several seconds, before she bent over, setting Arata on the ground. "Go play, Arata."

"E-ya! I wanna stay wit'chu!" The boy cried, his lip quivering.

"I know," Diata smiled, "We play later. I have some... Business to do now."

"Will ya be back, E-ya?" He asked, clinging to Diata's leg.

Diata nodded, softly, "I will, do not worry." She turned meeting Tazuna's concerned dark eyes, "I will." She reassured, but it sounded like she was trying to convince herself rather him.

Diata exited the house with Kabuto and walk down the porch a few feet before Diata turned on Kabuto, a kunai in her hand, "What are you doing here?!" She hissed.

"Akane-chan, can we not simply talk like good friends?" Kabuto asked, but the narrowed look he got from Diata was answer enough.

"If you are planning on hurting even hair on any of their heads—"

"I don't want your slobbering brats either," Kabuto rolled his eyes behind his thick rimmed glasses. "Let's simply walk."

Kabuto led Diata to the docks in silence, and then sat on the sandy ground. Diata didn't allow herself to rest for a second, waiting for someone to attack her already. "Would you calm down," Kabuto rolled his eyes, but Diata didn't respond. "In a months time, I would be in Konoha with Orochimaru," Diata froze, then glared at him. "When I do come, you will not recognize me, you will not react to my arrival, and you will not tell a single person of my arrival."

"If I do?" Diata hissed.

"Then, I suppose you really don't care for those snotty brats, do you?" Diata stuffened then glared angrily at him, "I don't care for killing, or maiming children, Diata. And, seeing all those little kids seem to have some sort of kekkai genkais, I certainly won't hesitate to take one of two off your hands. I mean," he snorted to himself. "Look at what we did to you!"

"You will not touch them," she hissed.

"You'd sacrifice a child for Konoha? You barely know the people there! What loyalties do you have there?" Diata didn't respond, and Kabuto smirked, "That's what I thought."

"Why are you doing this?" Diata hissed quietly.

"Konoha needs to be shown how much they have failed," Kabuto said in a surprisingly dark voice. "Their old geezer of a ruler is selfish and makes decisions for himself, not for his country. Konoha deserves a new ruler!"

"The Hokage is not selfish!" Diata hissed, "I have met him, he is kind leader, cares for his people."

"Tell me, Akane-chan, why did he not let you return to your village?" Diata stiffened, "'Too dangerous'? That 'they're not on good terms with them right now'? Oh maybe that he 'wanted to make sure you were safe'?"

"How... Do you know that?" Diata hissed, a hand falling down to her ninja pouch.

"Because he's done it before, Akane-chan," Kabuto rolled his eyes. "Whenever someone with a kekkei genkai comes in, he does whatever he can to keep them there. That makes him more powerful, Akane-chan. He's not going to let you leave, and probably told that Copycat-Kakashi to keep a close eye on you. You're valuable to him, but nothing less than a shiny pawn in his game. And now, you're carting in a two dozen more kids with kekkei genkais? Old geezer's going to be so happy, he might have a heart attack. Well, one could hope."

Diata stared at him, his words made sense, and it would explain Kakashi's strange behavior towards her in the past week. Why didn't she see it sooner!? Was she really that narrow-minded?! Tears bit her eyes but she refused to let them fall. A warrior does not show emotion in the face of their enemy. "Why do you care!?" Diata hissed, angrily.

"I don't," Kabuto shrugged. "I'm simply a spectator. But, I thought that you might have wanted to know what you're bringing yourself into while you still have the chance to back out. Leave the kids here. They might not be in the greatest environment, but at least they won't turn into that old geezer's toys." Kabuto stood, brushing himself off, and gave Diata a cold grin, "I've overstayed my welcome, so I'll be going. I'll see you soon, Akane-chan~." He cooed, reaching to pat her head, a gesture he would do all the time back when she was detained, but this time, she had no chains, at least, no material ones.

She grabbed his wrist before it could touch her. Simultaneously, he jabbed at her arms with his energy scalpels, making them both fall uselessly to her sides, numb. Diata growled at him, but he smirked victoriously, patting Diata's messy hair. He always loved to touch it — it was soft, and curly — but his physical contact made her sick, and she yanked herself away. Kabuto frowned in displeasure, but dismissed it easily. "Don't forget our little deal, Akane-chan." He reminded her before disappearing out of existence.

Kakashi came back in a few days, and the kids were already ready to leave. He had gotten permission from the Hokage, and old apartment building was being refurbished to fit the children's needs. Kakashi described his excitement greatly, but after Diata's conversation with Kabuto, it only brought her unease. She tried to hide it, especially for the kids, but Kakashi saw it quickly.

"Everything alright?" He asked her one day while she was bouncing one of the children on her lap to get her to sleep. Diata jolted, turning around to see her teacher and relaxed, but only a little.

"Everything fine," Diata assured as her teacher sat down beside her.

"You've been a bit... Jumpy lately," Kakashi frowned. "Did something happen while I was gone?"

"No," she smiled, careful to keep the toddler asleep.

"You don't have to lie to me, Diata," Kakashi told the girl, who then sighed a little.

"I fine, really," she assured. "Just nervous for the children and Konoha."

"Do you think something's gonna happen?" Diata shook her head. "Then relax. You and I will be there. The children will be in safe hands." Sighing, Diata nodded and focused her attention on the child in her arms.

The carriage they were taking the children in was packed in a day and a half. The three staying behind said gave their ready goodbyes as they headed off.

The trip took three hours in all, with a few occasional bathroom breaks, and during this time, Kakashi helped Diata look over the plans for the apartment. The bottom level was kind of an open level with big windows, and a glass door. Diata decided that it would be great to have that floor be used for a restaurant of sorts. She voiced this idea to Kakashi and he agreed with it.

The next three levels held five rooms per level. Kakashi suggested that she'd get bunk beds, a big bed with two level, and supported two people in one bed. Diata agreed, and decided there would be two people per bed and four people in each level. Kakashi helped her do the math — four people per room, there were five rooms, which would be twenty, times each level, three, meaning she could fit sixty people in her apartment.

Now, they had to decide where to put the children. Diata wanted the youngest in the middle level, with one older child per room, and then oldest on the top. Diata was surprised when she found that she didn't have enough orphans to fit her idea. So, she put it away for later, and focused back on the bottom level.

Diata wanted to cook, and a restaurant was a great way to bring in money. Kakashi already told her that the Hokage would pay her a certain amount for each orphan every month, but Diata wanted another way to bring in money.

Kakashi helped Diata design her café and a menu. Diata wants to make the foods she ate back in her village, and she told Kakashi every single one she thought of. Of course, Kakashi also told her that she should have some foods native to Konoha too, so her customers don't feel overwhelmed. So, he added some foods too, like sushi, curry, ramen, et cetera. She would also need the approval from the Hokage to cook, and when she finished, it would have to be inspected regularly. Diata found little issues with this and agreed easily.

Before either of them knew it, they had arrived at Konoha and the sun had set. They were using one of the back entrances, usually for cargo shipments, but the Hokage made a special exception. What surprised Diata was when he decided to greet her and the children in person.

The children exited the carriage one by one. Some of them were confused as to who the 'old man in the funny hat' was. Others — the more experienced children — recognized the hat and its symbols, and hissed at the other children to hold their tongues.

Finally, Diata and Kakashi came out of the cart, "Hello Hokage," Diata greeted and quickly bowed, remembering their odd manners. Kakashi followed suit.

"Hello. I expect your travels were safe?" The Hokage asked in his old, gravelly tone.

"Yes it was," Diata replied, "Thank you for concern." Diata turned to the children, who looked at her, confused too. "This is leader of Konoha. Be respectful." The children's eyes went wide, and most of them bowed, but the younger ones waved.

The Hokage smiled at their antics, "Hello children. I hope you all enjoy your stay in Konoha." One of the youngest boys raised his hand high for the Hokage to see. "Yes, little one."

"Ah–Ahre we gonna become ninjahs like E-yah?" He asked curiously.

The Hokage laughed, "You will be joining the Academy, but you do not have to become a ninja." The boy grinned a toothless grin, whispering to one of the other children, and making them both giggle.

"Well, if things are settled, we will be taking them home?" Kakashi asked and the Hokage gave a brief nod.

Several ninjas came of out the shadows, unmasked and their hands outstretched to the children. "They will help teleport them to the house, if you don't mind," the Hokage said to Diata and she shook her head. Soon, every child was holding onto some other adult, and simultaneously teleported away. Diata, Kakashi and the Hokage, however, stayed behind.

"Tomorrow morning, come to the interrogation building," he told her, puffing a bit of smoke out of his pipe. "We will discuss what you know about Orochimaru there." Diata was quiet, but nodded. The Hokage smiled at her, and placed a hand on her head. She stiffened, remembering Kabuto doing the same thing recently. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of him. "You saved a lot of children, Diata-san, and I am very proud of you."

Diata choked back her obvious discomfort and bowed, in the same motion, taking a step back. "Thank you, Hokage." The Hokage noticed her sudden distance, but didn't saw anything about it. He, and three other ninjas, left in a cloud of smoke.

"Are you okay?" Kakashi asked, since they were alone.

"Fine," She replied curtly. He rose an eyebrow of suspicious, but Diata shrugged it off. "Let's go."

The children slept on cots provided by the Hokage for the night, since the apartment wasn't quite finished yet, but with the use of energy users, they had been almost done. The children didn't mind, since they had slept on worse. They were simply happy to have a roof over their heads for the night.

The next morning, Diata decided to sort things out. She made the children write all their names down, the older ones would help those who couldn't, and assigned them each a job. Most of them were sweeping, cleaning the sawdust out of room that had been finished. Others were cleaning, wiping down fridges, and other appliances that were dirty. Some, were tasked on watching the younger children, making sure they were doing their job, or helping if something happened.

Some of the people working on the apartment came to finished up the last few rooms, and noting whatever Diata asked them for. Soon, lunch rolled around and everyone was a hungry after a day of working. Diata cooked a big lunch for all the children, before she had to leave.

She put Na'omi and Mei in charge, since they were the two oldest, leaving them with some money, for food if the children got hungry again, and instructions on when to put them to bed if she arrived back late.

Diata hurried to the interrogation building, she already told the Hokage he might be late, but she never expected to be this late. Thanks to Kakashi's instructions and description of the interrogation building, she found it easily. Hesitantly, she opened the door and stepped inside.

The welcome center area was very busy. People were talking to each other, or rushing down the halls, with handfuls of papers. Others seemed rather sluggish, like a lazy sloth on a warm summer day. Everyone seemed to be talking at once, which hurt Diata's ears. She winced but hurried to the main desk, where a woman sat. She wore a black suit that hugged her chest as waist. She looked exhausted as when she saw Diata, she rolled her dark eyes.

"Look, kid, if you want to get a close up at a interrogation, then—"

"The Hokage sent me," Diata interrupted. "My name is Diata Amari Efe Ekene Chimaka Berta Jaheem. He had a — how did Kakashi say it? — app... Appointment?"

The woman gave her a wary looked and opened up a binder in front of her, "You said your name was Diata Amara...?"

"Diata Amari Efe Ekene Chimaka Berta Jaheem," She repeated and the woman gave a sigh.

"What's your surname, kid?"

"Oh, Jaheem." The woman began to flip through the pages, repeating Diata's last name to herself. "Here we go. You had a interrogation scheduled twenty minutes ago with..." The woman trailed off, squinting at the page, "Morino?! What the hell..!?"

"I am late?" Diata asked, and the woman snapped her up at Diata, confused and shocked.

"Very," a voice beside her spoke up. Diata turned to see a tall man, his skin tanned and his eyes dark yet cold. He wore a hair that also had his hitai-ate on it, and a large trench coat that almost touched the floor. "Come on," he turned, his trench coat billowing behind him. Diata followed, waving kindly at the woman as she went.

The man led her into a room that had a table and two chairs on opposite sides. He lead Diata to one side of the table and he sat on the other. "This is how this is going to work: I'm going to ask you some questions and you'll answer them. If we think that your answers are inconsistent or invalid, we'll use the alternative way of getting to it."

"What is that?" Diata asked curiously.

"I will go into your mind and view your memories, taking the ones that I find are useful." Diata stiffened, but didn't argue with his words. He pulled out a sheet of paper and began to write. "I'll begin. When did Orochimaru first find you?"

"In forest outside of my village," Diata replied. "The tall trees with red leaves."

The man nodded, "How did he get you?"

"He did not. I was taken away and sold to him."

"Why did Orochimaru express interest in you?"

"He wished to take Kinium — lioness spirit bonded to me."

"How would he have taken 'Kinium'?"

"By getting me to forsake to name. He wanted me to believe I was someone I am not, if I did, Kinium would leave me."

"By what means did he use to get Kinium?"

"Torture."

"Could you describe that?"

"He would hurt me."

"How?" He pressed, irritated.

"I... Do not wish to answer that question." The man looked up, annoyed.

"I need to know what he did to you exactly, Diata-san."

Diata looked at him, and bit her lips, taking in a shuddering breath. "He would burn me or stick me with sharp things that made my insides burn. He would allow strange men into cell and..." She stopped, but cleared her throat. "He would make my mind believe I was being eaten alive, or had b... Bugs crawling in me. He would make me believe I killing children, or even myself. When that didn't work, he would bring people to hurt me, give them money if they got me to forsake my name."

Diata closed her eyes, shaking. She was able to see him torturing her behind her eye lids. Her breathing increased, and she flexed her claws in an attempt to calm herself down. It wasn't working. "He–He would starve me for months, or stick me underwater until lungs felt like they were on fire. Sometimes, he would set animal just outside of reach, and watch me slowly tear myself apart just to eat something, anything. He taunted Kinium's bloodlust, letting someone else slowly bleed out until scent of blood would drive us both insane."

The man didn't say anything for moment while he furiously scribbled something down, "Why did he leave you?"

"I do not know," Diata admitted and he looked up. "When he left, he said leave me for something, but I did not understand the last word he said."

He nodded, "If Kinium were to be released, what would happen?"

"It depends," Diata replied. "If I die, Kinium would take soul to spirit world with her. If I forsake name and she is casted out, she will be trapped here, in our world, and without host, she die in hours. She could also go into the nearest capable host, but if they are unable to hold power, they could po... Potentially die."

He nodded and stood, "That's it. Kakashi-san and Asuka-san asked to see you once we finished. Thank you for cooperating." He stuck out his hand for her to shake, and she accepted it.

"You are welcome, Mister..."

"Morino Ibiki," He finished. Diata nodded, and gave him a sharp toothed smile.

Asuka came through the door suddenly, tears glistening in her eyes. She scooped Diata up, hugging her to her chest. Diata gasped, feeling her tail appear at her surprise. "Diata-chan, why didn't you tell me all that happened to you!?" She cried.

"Yo–You did not ask," Diata stammered from lack of oxygen in her hold.

"Then, speak up next time, damn it!" She snapped, "I shouldn't have to tell you to talk about something like that!"

Diata chuckled, and gasped, "I apologize," she squeaked.

"Don't apologize!" She hissed, "I'm going to kill that snake bastard for hurting even a single hair on your head!"

"You might kill her before you get the chance to tell him," Kakashi mused. Asuka looked down at Diata, who's eyes were about to roll back into her head. She dropped her quickly, and Diata was left gasping hungrily for oxygen on the floor.

"Hehe, sorry, Diata-chan!" Asuka laughed nervously, helping the young girl up.

Diata sat down in her seat, "Do not worry, I will live."

"Why didn't you say anything, Diata-san?" Kakashi asked, much more seriously than his cousin did moments before. "This could take a serious toll on your mental health if you don't speak to someone about it."

Diata shrugged, "I did not think I needed to."

"You should go talk to someone about that," Asuka said. "Kakashi-kun and I are always here, and—"

"I rather not," Diata replied. "It not something I would like to remember." Diata gave them a forced smile and stood, "I have to go. I promised Naruto I treat him to ramen, and I still have to finish apartment."

"I'll work on the apartment for you," Asuka offered, "What do you need done?"

Diata blinked at her offer and grinned, "The Hokage said kitchen things I need would be coming tonight, should be finished tomorrow. I need to watch it, make sure everything done, then I put the children to sleep."

"I think we can do that." Kakashi turned to Asuka, confused.

"'We'?"

"Yes, Kakashi-kun!" Asuka smiled dangerously, "We will help Diata-chan with anything she needs. Let her take a break for a few minutes, it's the least we could do~."

Kakashi gave a sigh, knowing there'd be no way out of that. "Thank you, Asuka," Diata smiled, getting ready to leave.

"Anytime, Diata-chan! Have fun on your date!" Diata blinked, date? She didn't know what that was.

"Thank you...?" She laughed, and headed out the door.

Diata met Naruto at his house, knocking lightly on the door. A second later, it opened revealing a rather disheveled blonde boy. Diata giggled, "Hello, Naruto."

Naruto blinked, rubbing at his eyes, "Diata-chan! I didn't know you came back, dattebayo!"

"I did last night," she replied. "I thought you would want to get ramen, I will treat you."

Naruto's eyes lit up in excitement, "Really, dattebayo!?"

Diata nodded, smiling, "Get ready. Meet me at Ichiraku's," Naruto nodded, and raced inside.

Diata chuckled at his antics and headed towards the familiar ramen shop.

Naruto arrived at Ichiraku's just as Diata finished setting up a tab for the meal. He beamed when he saw her. He jumped up on the seat, ordering two miso ramen for each of them. They chatted about random topics, mostly Diata's plans with the orphans, or the two missions she missed out on while she was absent — they were only D-ranked ones, though.

Soon, their meal was served and Naruto dug in. He had only been eating the leftovers of Diata's food for the last few days and certainly enjoyed being able to eat his favourite food again. Once Diata finished her bowl, she turned go Naruto, "Would you like to... Live in apartment with me?" Naruto choked on his noodles, and fell into a hacking cough. Diata blinked, surprised, but he finally spoke up again.

"Sorry, dattebayo," he laughed, "I didn't expect you to ask that." After a second, he frowned, "Don't you need the room for the orphans though?"

"I have more than enough," Diata reassured. "In fact, we only take up the middle level. We could fit forty more children. And, I am starting café too! I cook every day."

Naruto gawked, "Every day?!" Diata nodded proudly, "What about missions, dattebayo!?"

"I still be shinobi," she assured. "I find people to help cook when I am away."

"That's... A lot of responsibility, dattebayo," he murmured.

"You will not have to work—"

"I mean for you," Naruto corrected.

"I will be fine," Diata replied. "I need to do this."

"Why?"

"If I want to go home, I need to show the Hokage that I responsible, trustworthy," Diata explained. "Then, he would be willing to—"

"Why do you want to leave, dattebayo?" Naruto asked, confused. "Don't you like it here?"

"I do, but... I want to go home."

"I don't understand," Naruto frowned. "This is your home, dattebayo."

"I... I mean my real home, in Land of Lightning with Cloud people, and back in my village, Naruto. I want to go home to my people, with my Iya and Baba."

"So, you're going to leave me...?"

Diata sighed, "That's not what I mean, Naruto."

"That is what you mean!" He snapped, his voice raising and drawing attention.

"Naruto—"

"You're just going to leave me, just like everyone else, dattebayo!? I thought you were my friend, Diata-chan!"

"I am your friend," she assured.

"Then stay here, in Konoha."

"I cannot."

"Why not, dattebayo?!"

"They're my family, Naruto, my ebi. I haven't seen them in two years! They... They probably think I dead..." Diata looked down at her hands, "I missed them, Naruto. I want to see them again."

"And I don't want to see you leave," he argued, his voice quivering.

"I have to!" Diata cried, "I want to go home! I want to be with my Iya and Baba and Akinyemi! I want to see faces and tell them I love them! Can you not understand that!? They are my ebi — my family — and they always come first, no matter what!" Naruto's eyes were wide for a second, but they darkened when her words began to sink in.

"I guess I wouldn't understand that..." Naruto muttered bitterly, jumping down from his seat.

Diata stared at his retreating figure, "Wait, Naruto!" But he had disappeared into the crowd. Quickly, Diata paid Tenchi, and ran after him.

With it only being late afternoon, the streets bustled with people, all wanting to go home. Diata searched through the crowd, trying to distinguish from all the different sounds and scents, but it was too overwhelming. Everyone was talking at once, making it so loud, Diata had to cover her ears. The vendor's food all blended together, making a large, wafting distracting scent, and also making it harder to track Naruto's.

Diata pushed through the crowd, trying to focus her mind on one thing, but there were way too many! Usually, Naruto was with her, and she could focus on him, but now he was gone, and she was vulnerable.

Diata moved towards the back streets, which was much less crowds and only occupied by passed out drunk men. Diata sank to her knees, covering her ears. This was way worse when she fist arrived — then, it was at night, not too many people to worry about. And when she came in the day, she came when very one was at work or at the Academy, and the streets were partially clear.

Now, they were full and there was too many things going on at once. Diata was still upset with her argument with Naruto, and she didn't have a clue where he was.

Diata sighed, thinking. She could use the back alleys to get to Naruto's apartment. He'd definitely go back there after their argument. If she ran in her lioness form, she could get there before him, hopefully, and explain why she had to leave better. The only people back here were drunks, and if anyone got suspicious, she'd morph back in her human form.

Diata morphed into her Lioness form and began to run. Her padded paws light and swift against the hard, concrete ground. Diata swiftly ran toward Naruto house, trying to think of what to say while she ran. Diata was surprised to find that she was having a hard time imagining what she would say. He was upset with her because she wanted to go home, how could she tell him that she didn't have any other choice?

She needed to go home, to see her family, check if Zabuza was truly lying about Akinyemi, and protect them from Orohimaru! Surely if she told Naruto this, he'd understand, right?

Something pulled her tail, and Diata let out a cry of pain. With the momentum she was running and being suddenly stopped, made her drop, skidding a little. Someone picked her up by the scruff of her collar before she could continue running. The scent of alcohol reeked from the man and the closeness of it made Diata cringe and turn away.

"Finally fucking gotcha," the man wheezed, fishing for something in his pocket, and pulled out a needle. Months of being experimented on and tortured by Orochimaru flashed in Diata mind, and her breathing escalated.

She thrashed in his hold, panicking. He man squeezed his hold on her, his dirty nails diving into Diata's flesh. Diata cried out in pain, tears biting her eyes. The man jabbed the needle into her shoulder, emptying the contents into her blood.

Diata raked her claws on his arm. It sliced through his shirt, making blood spill out. The man dropped her, holding his arm to his chest. Diata landed on her side, but scrambled to get up, trying to run. Diata got as far as the end of the block, because the drugs in her system began to catch up to her.

Diata sluggishly stumbled out of the alley, into the street. All the lights and people began to blur together, becoming one. Someone crouched in front of her, speaking, but Diata couldn't listen, she was so tired.

Diata saw the man emerge from the alleyway, angry and bleeding. Instinctual panic settled in her gut and she moved trying to get away. She whined when the person in front of her stop her retreat. She didn't want to be... What did Asuka call it? Peached? She didn't want to be peached, and this person was stopping her!

The person scooped Diata up in their arms, and began to run, disappearing into the crowd. Diata breathing began to slow, and her eye lids closing, she was tired, so tired. She decided to rest for a few minutes while this person took her away, maybe, when she woke up she'd be safe? Diata let her eyelids droop and allowed herself to be carried to safety.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! GO KISS A PERSON — with their consent, of course, or that would be assault.

But really though, happy new year guys, I hope you guys had a wonderful year last year, unless you spent it moping over how bad 2016 was, lol. Now it 2017 and people won't be dying as much anymore, I guess.

I wanted to start off this year with a 'poosh' and a 'pang', so here! 6000 word chapter for my bby Diata! (I also want to start a short story book for all my OCs, but that's a whole 'nother story.)

I hope you guys enjoyed it, if not then vote anyway, lol. I'll see y'all next time, and remember, my little Ice Pops,

Don't melt~!

~ Happyritas OOO