Chapter Twenty-Six:
Diata sprinted through crowds of people, all of them running the opposite direction than her. She weaved through them in her lioness form, trying to keep and eye on where she was going as well.
The crowd began to thin and Diata could see that she was in the marketplace. Or at least, what was left of it. Diata looked around, trying to find the fastest way to get to where she needed. Then, she saw two children, a boy and a girl, and three shinobi surrounding them. A look of evil was shone so clearly in their eyes.
Diata ran towards them, jumping, and knocking down one man. His head slammed against the pavement and blood leaked from it. The other two looked at her, but that was just about all that they did. She pounced on one of the men, driving her claws into his vest to keep steady and using her teeth to rip out his throat. Blood was everywhere, and probably all over Diata.
The last man grabbed her around the waist, trying to pull her off the dying man. Diata twisted around and bit his wrist, her teeth sinking down to the bone. He screamed trying to fling her off. Diata let go, allowing herself to fall to the ground, then jumped back on him, using her claws to scratch out his face. He trashed wildly as Diata blinded him and eventually tore out his throat, killing him.
The two children stared in shock and horror at her. Diata looked, there was a few flecks of blood on the young girl's face. She came to her slowly and the girl screamed in terror. But, Diata simply licked her face with her rough tongue, removing the blood. Then she back up.
The girl stared at her, blinking. Diata tossed her head, signalling for them to go. When neither of them moved, she huffed, coming behind the girl and pushing her with her head. "I think it wants us to go, c'mon," The boy finally said, standing. They both began to run, but the girl turned around and smiled at Diata.
"Thank you!" She said, and then they were gone.
Diata ran again as fast as she could. She was close to the apartment. Just a few blocks and she would be there.
Diata turned a sharp corner but continued to run. She could see the restaurant front, it was right there.
Diata ran faster, pumping every ounce of energy that she had to get there. Just as she neared the door, someone stepped in front of her, grinding her to a stop. She glared up at them, and then froze.
Kabuto grinned down at her. "Hello, Akane-chan."
Diata morphed back into her human form, glaring at him. "Get away from them, Kabuto," Diata hissed.
"Now why on earth would I ever do that, Akane-chan?" Diata's eyes flared and she growled at him absolute rage in get eyes.
"Get away from the children, Kabuto," Diata said again. Each word slow and dripping with anger. She exposed her claws, that were blood-crusted and twitching.
Kabuto grinned showing off his chakra scalpel. Diata tried not to wince at the sight of it. She hated that jutsu.
The stared at each other fire a minute, sizing their opponent up. Then, they attacked.
Kabuto went low, aiming for her legs, and Diata jumped immediately, to far for his scalpel to reach. She twisted and brought her hand down, claws outstretched.
Diata swiped at his face, and he inhaled, pulling away. He kept a hand to his face that had began to bleed terribly. Diata jumped a few feet back. Then, she watched him for a minute, before going to strike again.
With one hand healing, Kabuto was forced to go on the defense, swinging wildly at wherever Diata tried to strike. Diata morphed into her lioness form, and sank her teeth into his thigh.
He clenched his jaw and swung his free leg around. Channelling chakra into his foot, he kicked her, the force of the blow making her body curve, and hit the cement wall of a nearby building.
Diata groaned for a minute, morphing into her human form to stand. Her side was bruised and Diata hugged it, breathing sharply through clenched teeth.
Kabuto watched her, his grin ever-present on his face. Diata snarled, and he raised his arms in a shrug. "Well, Akane-chan, this wouldn't be much of a show without a formidable opponent, right?" He whistled and immediately, Diata heard stood pounding of feet.
She turned to the direction it came from, just as a huge wolf jumped over her head and landing at Kabuto's side.
Diata stared, at first confused by the familiar looking fur of the wolf. Then, she gasped, eyes wide. Chills ran down her back and Diata nearly fell to her knees.
Akinyemi stood beside Kabuto, his dark eyes dull, beady, and crazed. He was trembling, but not with fear, but with excitement. Bloodlust.
Kabuto snapped his fingers and Akinyemi morphed to his human form. Tears flooded Diata's eyes as she looked at this new, strange face she was not accustomed to. He was rugged, a few bits of facial hair timid to grow underneath his now and on the sides of his face. His hair was cut awfully short, something the people in her village never did. Hair was sacred, and to see his gone as it was hurt her even more.
His body was muscular, as if he worked hours in the field - non-stop. He had on the clothes a shinobi would, not a villager's clothes. Diata saw glimpses of old scars lining his dark skin, and she trembled with anger. Diata saw his big grey wolf ears on his head, and one of them had been bitten off at the tip, making them both uneven.
"Akinyemi," she called to him in her native tongue. "It's me, Diata. That man, he's evil, don't listen to him. Come back to me and we can go home together."
Akinyemi did not respond. He's beautiful brown eyes that used to shine hazel in the daylight was dead and looked at nothing.
"Kill her," Kabuto ordered and immediately Akinyemi pounced. He morphed into his wolf form and Diata flipped back, morphing into her lioness form. He growled, and slashed his paw at her, dangerously sharp class outstretched as he aimed for her face. Diata jumped away, just barely dodging his attack.
"Akinyemi, please! I'm your cousin!" Diata screamed, narrowly dodging his attacks. He snapped his jaws at air and swiped his paws at nothing. "I am Diata Amari Efe Ekene Chimaka Berta Jaheem," she told him. "You are Akinyemi Abebe Nuru Efe Zalika-Ah!" Diata tripped over an overturned trashbin, landing on her side.
Akinyemi pounced, his paws holding her down as he snapped his jaw at her. Diata morphed back into her human form and kicked his hindleg. He stumbled over her, his knee unwillingly bending. Diata scrambled to get up, breathing heavily. Akinyemi growled at her, morphing to his human form too.
"I don't want to hurt you," she told him. He didn't hesitate. He kicked her, and she blocked it with her forearms. He flung a punch at her, and Diata moved. He went again and she ducked. He went low, aiming for her gut and this time, he struck. Diata inhaled, winded by his strong attack. He used his other hand to grab her shoulder, and then slammed his forehead into hers.
Diata stumbled back, dazed. Akinyemi grabbed her by the shirt, yanking her to him and punched her in the jaw. Diata saw stars for a second as he continued to land blow after blow on her face. They both fell to the grass and Diata eyes closed for a minute. Blood dripped down her face as she tried to focus.
Diata could feel Thema getting angry and overstimulated from the action, but Diata didn't act on it. She couldn't hurt Akinyemi - she loved him. He was like her brother.
Diata felt the dirt and something clicked to her. She began to slowly perform a jutsu, and Akinyemi paused, confused. Asuka taught it to her while she was in the woods. It was a variation of one of her favourite jutsus. "Earth style," she managed to mumble. "Earth Dragon Jutsu." She channeled all of Thema's overworked energy into the earth. She felt the energy flow like a waterfall from her and into the ground.
Diata breathed and performed more handsigns. "Earth style: Sink hole jutsu." Diata hurried to get up as Akinyemi was distracted, dragging herself to the concrete grounding.
The ground began to crumble beneath them just as a large dirt dragon rose from the earth. It swept Akinyemi up just as a large hole appeared under him, and both he. And the dragon fell into it.
Diata breathed for a minute, feeling blood and tears leak down her face. She knew that it would begin to swell soon and that she would not look great, but at least she bought herself enough time. She hurried as fast as she could - but, with her injuries, it wasn't very fast at all - and ran into the apartment.
It was a mess. The tables were overturned and the kitchen looked like a wreck from where she could see. Diata hurried through the building, fear and tension building in her chest. She ran into the kitchen where the stairs leading upstairs were. Pots were on the floor and the cabinets opened.
"Is anyone here?" Diata called out, her voice hoarse and was choked with blood. She opened the door to the stairwell. That was when she saw the first body.
Diata stared, her heartbeat racing as she looked at one the children - her children. Her name was Akita. Diata remembered her, she loved her stories the most, especially the ones with Akinyemi and her other friends in it.
Now, she was dead, her eyes lifeless and staring at nothing. The spark of imagination that once held itself in her eyes were long gone now. Her neck was cut open and blood still pulsed from it.
Diata wanted to vomit, but she kept herself from doing so. She couldn't, she had to find the others and make sure nobody else was hurt.
Diata gave a short prayer for the girl and made her way up the steps. And she ran, as fast as she could. On her way, she saw several other bodies, all dead in the same fashion. Botan. Hana. Haru. Jiro. Juno. Miki. Midori.
By the time Diata found where he had been, she was sobbing and filled to the brim with absolute rage.
"Kabuto!" Diata screamed, her voice nearly fully taken over with Thema's as well. She followed his scent into the unfinished bedroom. With a sharp kick, the door was off it's hinges and on the floor.
Diata first saw Kai, the boy who had originally brought her to the lost children, and Kyo, Itsuki's younger sister. They were holding hands and Kyo was crying. When they saw her, relief swept over their faces.
Diata ran to them and took them in her arms, "Where is he?" She whispered and Kyo pointed to the side room, too busy sobbing to talk. Diata nodded and ushered them to an empty closet. "Stay here," she ordered, them closed the door.
Diata pulled out a kunai and entered the room tentatively.
Kabuto and six other children were sitting down. Kabuto held a knife at Arata's throat. He was one of the youngests. Diata looked around the room, Mei and Na'omi weren't there. They must be hiding, Diata hoped.
"I'm so glad you could join us!" Kabuto smiled wide, Diata watched him and did not rest her kunai.
"You killed my children," she spoke coldly, her voice like ice.
"Well, no," Kabuto denied. "The majority of the children you kidnapped were only suspected of having kekkai genkais. I weeded the useless ones out for you. You should be thanking me."
Diata inhaled, trying to keep her composure. "It is me you want. Leave the children."
"Don't be so full of yourself," Kabuto laughed. "I want the children." He dug his kunai deeper into Arafat's throat and Diata shook with anger. "This one in particular is from a bloodline of special shinobis who were known for their black blood. See?" He moved his kunai and, just as he said, black blood was spilling from his neck. "They specialised in poisons, their secret ingredient being their blood."
"Kabuto, he only four years old," Diata reasoned. "Please, leave him be."
"I didn't come all the way here to be swayed by your moral compass," Kabuto scoffed. "How about, I take him and a few others of my selection to be medically examined and I leave you and the rest of your pitiful orphans here." He didn't say it like they could negotiate his offer.
"They are children, Kabuto-"
"They're scientific advancements. If we are only able to harness this ability, to use, and recreate kekkai genkais so that amyome may be able to use it-"
"They would abuse it, just as you are doing now," Diata glared. "Special abilities are given to the blessed. For ayone to corrupt such a gift would be considered evil."
"You don't understand," Kabuto laughed. "After two years of working with us, you'd think we'd clean your savage ideals."
"Do not disrespect my people!" Diata snarled loudly, her tone raging loudly. Diata took another step forward, but Kabuto held firm to the kunai. Arata started crying again.
"Just think of the things we could do, Diata," Kabuto said. "Join us, help us."
Diata stared at him and swallowed. "Three years ago, you and that Snake took me from home. Not day goes by that I do not dream of it. Dream of returning there, talking to my father just one more time. I dream of the things I unable to have because you and that Snake robbed me of it before I had idea of good and evil. I believe Orochimaru did same to you. He came and took you from everything you thought you knew. I know the pain of that, Kabuto. I will not allow you to do that to these children."
Kabuto blinked, eyes narrowed, "Well, that was a lovely speech. But, your petty words won't stop me from killing him."
"No," Diata agreed. "But, Asuka will." She pointed to the window, just as Asuka shot an arrow from a huge blue, glowing bow. Kabuto ducked, letting Arata go. The arrow shattered the window and the children screamed in panic.
Diata took her chance, running towards them and grabbing the children. "Get out! Go! Go! Go!" Diata ordered, and the children ran out of the room. Asuka entered the window just as Kabuto was getting up. He glared at both of then, his big, round classes cracked.
"Help the children. Kyo and Kai are just in closet over there," Diata ordered Asuka. Asuka was dressed in all black with her face mask on, and Diata remembered that she was an ANBU shinobi.
"Will you be okay?" Asuka asked.
"I be fine," Diata assured, and then Asuka ran.
Kabuto glared sharply at Diata. "Well, if I can't have the children, then I will just have you. Your cell was rented out to your little werewolf friend, but I'm sure you two would love to be roommates."
"You will not have to worry about him, Kabuto," Diata assured calmly. "When I finish, the only person you want to concern yourself with is you." Diata attacked.
She used her kunai to get a grazing slice on his fore arm. Kabuto used his chakra scalpel, getting close enough to Diata's arm that she could feel it nearly sever the connection.
Diata jumped back, then morphed into her lioness form. She jumped at him, slashing her paws against his chest, his thighs, anywhere she could find an opening. Once she hit, she'd jump away before he could touch her.
Diata landed a sharp cut on the side of his arm, but Kabuto was prepared. He used a kunai and drove it into her shoulder blade.
Diata inhaled, which came out as a whine, and jumped back again. She morphed back to her human form, holding a bloody shoulder tight. Kabuto smiled at her, "Not... Having so much fun now... Are you, Akane-chan?"
"I have... One more trick up my sleeve," Diata admitted, and then lunged again. Kabuto waved a hand, getting his chakra scalpel on one of her arms, making it to limp, but Diata didn't care.
She wiped her blood all over Kabuto's, stunning him. Once she finished, she stumbled back and grinned. "Wha-What is this!? Why would you put your blood on me!?" He practically screeched. "That's-That's disgusting!"
"Very true," Diata conceded, but she was still grinning. "But now, Akinyemi has two targets."
Kabuto blinked at her, "What?"
"He not simply a wolf," Diata explained. "If he cannot find me. He will hunt by scent - by blood. And now, you have my scent." Then, Kabuto heard scraping, as if claws were driving themselves into the brick of the building.
Kabuto staggered back from the window, and Diata did too. She morphed into her lioness form and waited.
A second later, Akinyemi came charging through in his wolf form. He looked haggard, dirty, and searching for blood. He looked at both Kabuto and Diata, confused for a minute.
"Akinyemi," she spoke softly, and Akinyemi looked at her, teeth bared and nostrils flaring. "You've been lost for so long. How must Anti (Aunt/Auntie) Ekene wait until you come home. Your iya must be worried too. Stop fighting, you stupid dog." Akinyemi froze, staring at her. Diata smiled warmly.
He morphed back to his human form and she did too. Akinyemi didn't take his eyes off her, but Diata could see the twinkle of hazel returning a little. "... Di... Di-Diata?" His voice was coarse and all grown up. Diata had missed years of fun with Akinyemi. "Is it really you?" Diata nodded, tears brimming her eyes.
Akinyemi stumbled to her and Diata wrapped her arms around him. She held him tight. She never wanted to let go.
Akinyemi pulled away first and stared at her. "Diata, your face!?" Diata blinked surprised. She forgot about the beating she took earlier. One of her eyes were completely swollen and Diata was pretty sure she had a concussion.
He gently wiped a thin trail of blood away, eyes full of sadness. "I did this."
"You didn't know what you were doing," Diata argued. "You had no choice."
Akinyemi was silent, then he said, "Everyone has been so worried about you. Three years - Diata, your father-!" He didn't finish. Kabuto had snuck over to the window and jumped out, running away from the scene before either of them could catch him. Diata sighed, but turned to Akinyemi again.
"What happened to my father?" Diata demanded, and suddenly Akinyemi looked nervous. He turned away, gnawing at the inside of his cheek. "Akinyemi!" She snapped, and he sighed.
"He's been devastated. He usually stays at home, grieving. He lost the title of leader. It was given to Ounku (Uncle) Chiemeka."
Diata blinked, "Ounku Chiemeka? His brother?" Akinyemi nodded. "Bu-But my Baba is strong. Surely, he didn't... He..." Diata felt sick. Her father lost the title of warrior because she was taken. To lose your title was an act of disgrace - and even worse if it was to your brother.
"I must go back," Diata pressed. "How long have you been away?"
"About eight months," he supplied. His eyes lowering, recalling his time with Orochimaru. Diata didn't blame him. Eight months with Orochimaru was enough to break a person. Diata only survived three years because she has always been so hopelessly stubborn.
"Don't think about it," Diata said, taking his arm and wrapping it around her shoulder. "Come. We have to go find the rest of the children." Akinyemi nodded and Diata began.
The two walked together slowly. Both of them were hopelessly exhausted, but that didn't stop them. Whenever Diata passed the body of a child, she began to cry silently. Akinyemi held her closer as she began to cry. He look away, and shut his eyes, sending the same prayer she did as they passed.
Eventually, they made it to the ground level where Asuka had rounded up the rest of the children. When she saw her, her eyes widened in relief. Then, she saw Akinyemi and tensed.
"Who's that? Where's Kabuto?" Asuka demanded, coming to her side. Akinyemi stepped back, allowing Asuka to take her in her arms.
"Kabuto escaped. This is Akinyemi, my... Cousin," Diata explained, having to remember the word Kakashi used to describe Asuka to him.
"You speak their tongue!?" Akinyemi growled in her ear. "Diata, they're the enemy! Speaking their tongue is like-"
"Rubbing your tongue on sand, I know Akinyemi," Diata sighed. "They are good. They saved me from Orochimaru - that Snake." Akinyemi huffed angrily and turned away.
"Is everyone fine?" Diata asked, turning back to Asuka. She was watching them curiously, probably wondering what they were saying to each other.
"... Yes," Asuka replied after a second. "Nobody but... The seven children..." Asuka sighed for a minute before recomposing herself. "Everyone else is accounted for. Only minor injuries. Mei and Na'omi hid the other children and are attending to them now."
Diata nodded, "We need to help anyone we can. We go spread the word, let them know that this place is safe. We bring those in need of help here. The snakes at the border-"
"Are being taken care of by other shinobi," Asuka finished. "We need to worry about any other injured civilians. Is your cousin reliable? We can use your animal forms to transport civilians."
Diata frowned and turned to Akinyemi, "Do you know any healing abilities from your mother?"
"Yes," Akinyemi replied. "I was training to he be a healer before..." He didn't finish, but Diata understood the gist of it.
"He is healer," Diata told Asuka. "He stays here. You, me bring civilians here. There is first-aid kit in back. We use that and Akinyemi's healing jutsu."
Diata looked at all the children who were trembling and scared. She waved them over and slowly, they came to here. "I am sorry you had to go through what you saw," Diata said. "But, right now, I need you to be brave, alright?" The children shook their heads.
"Are we gonna die, Iya?" One child asked, and Akinyemi turned at the mention of the word Iya.
"Nobody else is going to die," Diata assured. "I need you to split into two groups, alright? Nine and up over and anyone under that, over here." The children began to divide themselves into the specified groups, Na'omi and Mei helping them.
When they finished, Diata counted them and made sure they were both even. Then, she pointed to the group of children older than nine. "Go in twos. Find as many people as you can. Stay with your partner. Bring anyone you find back here. Use your abilities if you have to." The children's eyes widened, both with fear and excitement. "Be careful, and only bring back one person at a time, if you can help it. Repeat what I said."
Diata gave them the instructions several times until they all spoke in unison. Diata smiled and looked at Mei. "You are in charge of them. I will be with you."
Diata turned to the younger children, who looked a little more confused and a lot more scared. "You will stay here. You protect each other and anyone that comes here. Do not fight, but make sure everyone is safe." They nodded eagerly and Diata made them repeat their - much easier to remember - instructions. Diata looked at Na'omi and Akinyemi, "You two are in charge here. Protect children and any newcomers at all costs." Diata repeated the instructions for Akinyemi and he nodded.
Diata looked at Asuka, "Go. Do your job."
"I can help here," Asuka told her, looking very worried.
"You do more out there. Tell others that we will protect them."
Asuka smiled warmly, impressed with Diata's leadership abilities. "If you say so, boss," then, she teleported away.
Diata stood tall and smiled at everyone. "You have your orders. Be brave and be smart. Now, go."