A/N Happy New Year everyone! Alright, not a very happy chapter, but we're meeting Hadiya's father for the first time (thanks to KariGilmore for the name).

Oh boy, I hope he isn't cliche, or anything like that. I mean, he is Pazu's kid, so it's not like he's going to be all nice and loving. You guy's will have to let me know how he comes across.

Reading back over this, I've realized that I forgot to plan this story out. I'm sorry if it seems like the chapters aren't very connected, cause I tend to jump around. It'll be better though, I promise.

Hope everyone enjoys!

x x x

Hadiya's father was working the support crew. They were the ones that made sure every tunnel was secure and there was no danger of a cave in. Currently Hadiya and Timon were several feet behind them, checking for loose beams as they had been told. They kicked lightly at the foot of each one, watching closely for any wobbling. It was boring work.

"Don't see why they assigned me to this. It's stupid really. Stupid work for a stupid kit..."

"You're not stupid, you just don't work well with dirt." Hadiya sighed.

"Don't work well with dirt? I just don't work! I guarantee you that my side will crumble before much longer." he scowled as he gave a particularly angry kick at one of the beams. It fell aside and he was showered with dirt. "See?" he looked so upset and dirty that Hadiya couldn't help but feel bad as she giggled at him. He shook it off huffily. "Not funny!"

"I know, sorry. It's just...oh, heh heh...you're just..."

"You could lend a hand you know." Hadiya had stopped laughing. She stood staring at him, her eyes wide. No sound came from her mouth but it was opening and closing anyway. Timon raised an eyebrow worriedly.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"B-blood..."

"What?" Timon cringed. The mere thought of blood and insides made him sick. He didn't want to know why she was looking at him.

"You're head! It's...it's covered!" she rushed over to him and he winced as he felt her fingers on his scalp. "There must've been a stone or something in all that dirt!" she held her hand in front of his face so he could see her fingers slick with the red stuff. Rather than panic he did the only thing he could do.

He screamed.

Then he passed out.

x x x

Hadiya was a sensible kit, and luckily one that could keep her head in situations like this. She approached the support crew, breathlessly seeking out Max. Eventually she found the older meerkat berating a few workers.

"I've told you a million times, big end on the bottom, that way they don't tip while you're securing them..."

"Mr Max! Mr Max! Timon needs help!"

"He'll have to wait, I'm busy now." he shooed her away, but she persisted, pulling his arm urgently.

"It's important! Some dirt fell on him and there was a rock! His head-"

"Good lord, did he cause a cave in?"

"No no no..." Hadiya said, a little peeved that this was the first thing he assumed. "It was only one support, but his head is bleeding and I don't know about stuff like that!" Max allowed her to lead him back along the tunnel, yelling at the crew to get back to work as they went. Hadiya's father, Habali, broke away from the crew to follow them.

By the time they got back to him, Timon still hadn't come to. He was lying where Hadiya had propped him against the wall. Max was grumbling about someone doing a shoddy job as he bent over his nephew.

"You say you were just checking them like you were told?"

"Yes sir."

"And this one just came out?"

"That's right." Timon was groaning as Max picked him up. He opened an eye and pouted.

"Aw man, you had to go get Uncle Max?" he whined. Hadiya shrugged.

"What else was I supposed to do? He was close by."

"Snitch.

"Wuss."

"That's enough." they turned, startled. None of them had noticed that Habali had followed them. He stepped close and took Hadiya's arm. "I want to talk to my daughter, Max."

"Don't let him!" Timon hissed, but his uncle shushed him, his gaze shifting from to the kit next to him. Hadiya didn't look back, she was too busy studying the floor.

"It was an accident."

"Yes, I heard."

"She didn't do anything."

"I'll be the judge of that." Max was glaring at him now, but a small sniffle reminded him suddenly that his nephew was in need of some attention. Glancing back at Hadiya, he made his way down the tunnel and out of sight. Once he was gone Hadiya's father turned to face her.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me." his voice was dangerously low. She flinched and tried to pull away from him.

"I'm not, dad! I was by the other wall. He did it to himself!"

"Did it to himself? I wouldn't believe that for a minute. You're a liar just like your mother."

"She's is not! You'd have to be stupid to think so!" she felt his grip on her arm loosen and she desperately tore herself away from him, dashing frantically away. Being young and short, she wasn't quite as fast as she had hoped. She gasped as something flew into the back of her head, sending her face first into the dirt. Dazed and feeling tears coming she curled in on herself, looking up to see Habali had picked up the support beam Timon had knocked over. He glared down at her as she cowered before him, his expression one of utter contempt as he raised it over her.

"You don't run away from me."