Author's Note: Okay, first off, for those of you joining Emiko's world for the first time – Welcome!  What you've discovered here is a side story to a much bigger OC story which can also be found on my account. I don't think it's necessary for you to have read the main story in order to enjoy this one; so, please feel free to keep reading and tell me what you think.

This side story was written for a couple of different reasons. The first was that I decided I wanted to establish when Emiko and Naruto first met. However, I knew I couldn't make a whole story out of just their first meeting, so I tried to come up with something a little bit more plot-involved. In the end it was my cousin who helped me to really flesh everything out by allowing me to use (and probably abuse) one of her OC characters. Thank you! :) Since she allowed me to use her, I figured it was only polite to try to make this story into a bit of an introduction for that character, as well. And if you find yourself interested, then I highly encourage you to go take a look at Musical Uchiha's profile to read more.

*takes a deep breath* Yay! The author's note is FINALLY finished. On with the story! 

10/28/2009 - UPDATE - Once again, thanks to a wonderful bit of brainstorming with Orodruin, I've altered this story. I was never really satisfied with the original monster used here, but I just couldn't find anything else that fit all of my criteria...until now! I won't spoil anything for those of you reading for the first time, but I'll just say I'm much happier with the creature now. YAY!

Catch Me If I Fall

Side Story #2 – Demonology

Chapter 1

With an audible sigh of relief, I wave goodbye to my final customer of the evening and gratefully lock the shop door. I'm not sure why, but business has been hectic lately and the display shelves, which are normally overflowing with new books are beginning to look bedraggled and bare. Not that I should complain – extra business is always a good thing when money is involved.

With practiced ease I begin straightening up, restocking gaps on the shelves and putting fresh titles on the end caps. I've just headed back to the till to count out the money when a loud crash reverberates from upstairs. Cursing under my breath I leap up the spiral stairs taking them two and three at a time, expecting the worst. When I arrive at the upper landing, I'm irritated to find one of my bookshelves leaning haphazardly back against the wall, books scattered everywhere, and a single busted window.

"Damn you, Mizuki!" I mutter under my breath. For the past several months it's been one act of vandalism after another. But it was always minor stuff before – nothing worth reporting; this is something else entirely. It's going to take me hours to get everything back in order! Grumbling under my breath, I've just stooped to gather up the nearest books when I hear muffled sobs coming from behind the toppled shelf.

Cautiously, I pick my way through the remains of the store's mythology collection and peer beneath the lop-sided piece of furniture. What I find is not one of Mizuki's ill-conceived pranks…but a young, tow-headed boy who can't be much older than four or five. He hasn't noticed me yet, so I crouch down slowly and say with a smile, "Generally my customers use the front door."

Startled, the boy backs away on all fours, knocking the shelf, which teeters precariously. Settling the shelf deftly with one hand, I try to calm him down. "Hey, it's alright; you're not in trouble. I just want to make sure you're not hurt, okay?" I hold out my hand, trying to coax him closer. "My name's Emiko; what's yours?"

The boy sniffles loudly, wiping roughly at his dirt-stained face, and stammers, "N-n-naruto Uzumaki."

Uzumaki?! For a split second I can't help but stare…can this really be the boy with the nine-tailed fox trapped inside him? He looks so…unassuming. Pushing my thoughts aside with a smile, I reply, "See, that wasn't so hard was it? Now, why don't we…" Suddenly there's a loud banging from downstairs, and Naruto jumps like he's been shot, looking guilty and desperate. "Can I assume that's for you?" I ask with a chuckle. He nods, wide-eyed, as tears begin to form. "If I can make them go away will you promise not to run off?" Looking hopeful, he nods again. "Alright, just stay here; I'll be right back."

Slowly, I make my way downstairs, part of me hoping that whoever it is will give up if I take long enough, but instead the banging comes again, followed by a muffled shout. "We know the boy's in there! Open up!"

I unlock the door and open it just enough to seem cautiously curious. Standing on the stoop are three angry-looking ninja, at least one of whom I recognize from my frequent visits to Konoha's archives; Youta, one of the head archivists. "Is there something I can help you with?" I ask pleasantly, allowing just a hint of annoyance to creep into my voice about being disturbed after hours.

Youta steps forward, bowing slightly. "Emiko, forgive our intrusion, but we have reason to believe that one Naruto Uzumaki has escaped onto your premises. We would like permission to search for him."

I raise one eyebrow in feigned disbelief. "It takes three full-fledged ninja to track down one little kid?"

Suddenly red-faced, Youta fumes, "He ransacked half the archives! It will take us months to put everything back in order! He needs to answer for his insolent behavior! Now, stand aside."

Naturally, part of me can sympathize with the man's anger. After all, I've got quite a large mess to clean up, too…but it wasn't really Naruto's fault…besides, I'd given him my word and I wasn't about to break it now. "I'm sorry, he's not here. I…"

But Youta interrupts, "Don't protect him! That boy has been nothing but trouble since the day he was born!" The restless ninja takes another step forward, so that we're almost nose-to-nose. ".In."

I stand my ground. "No."

Youta's face is getting redder with each passing moment, and all of my instincts are screaming at me to back down when a young voice from behind them suddenly calls out, "Hey! Are you the guys looking for the Uzamaki kid?" All three men turn to face the new comer – a blonde girl I don't recognize…although she appears to be about my age…definitely not any older than sixteen.

One of the men replies, "Yeah, you know something?"

The girl smiles, her blue eyes twinkling mischievously. "I saw him head out across the rooftops, going north. You just missed him."

Youta looks back at me, glaring with uncertainty. I simply shrug and say with a smile, "I told you he wasn't here."

Grimacing, the three men glance at each other briefly before leaping upwards and vanishing into the darkening sky. We both watch them go and when I'm sure they've moved on, I grin at the girl and say, "Thanks…I really didn't want that confrontation to go any further…Youta's usually a pretty nice guy."

She comes closer, up onto the stoop and smiles with determination. "No problem…I've sort of made it my mission in life to keep Naruto out of trouble whenever possible. I'm Ameko Namikaze, by the way."

She holds out her hand and I take it, immediately recognizing the name. But I ignore my curiosity and simply say, "Emiko Nagataki, pleased to meet you. Why don't you step inside?"

Once we're both back in the shop and the door is secured behind us, Ameko asks, "So…where is the little rugrat?"

I nod towards the stairs. "Well…he was buried up to his waist in my mythology section…"

"Huh?"

Sighing, I reply, "In his rush to escape Youta and the others he sort of crash landed through one of my upstairs windows."

Ameko groans, shaking her head in disgusted disbelief. "I swear…that kid is such a klutz! Is he okay?"

"I didn't get the chance to check, but maybe now that his pursuers are gone he'll let me look him over." Pulling a piece of tarp out from under the counter, I motion Ameko towards the stairs. "Go on up, I'll be there in a second."

She nods and quickly ascends as I search for some heavy duty tape for the tarp. Finding it, I head up the stairs and reach the landing just as Ameko's voice shouts out, "You did WHAT?!"

Suddenly Naruto comes careening out from behind the shelf, shouting, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He spots me and makes a beeline, colliding against my legs and instantly forming a death grip on my lower body. The tarp and tape go flying as I reach out for the banister to keep both of us from crashing back down the stairs.

Ameko comes storming after him. "How could you be so dense?! The archives are NOT a playground!"

Naruto is nearly in tears again. "But…but…it wasn't my fault! I was taking my frog back to the lake, and he got away. Someone would have smushed him for sure! I had to get him back, Ameko! I HAD too!" Tears slowly begin to spill down his cheeks.

Slowly I pat Naruto's head as he buries his face in my leg. "C'mon Ameko, don't you think the kid's been through enough for one night?" I ask, trying to diffuse the situation.

The blonde almost visibly deflates, compassion washing instantly over her features. She nods, looking slightly guilty, before saying to Naruto, "I'm sorry, kiddo; I guess I over-reacted."

Wide-eyed and cautious, he looks over at her hesitantly, but keeps his arms locked around my legs, then he glances up at me as an ear-to-ear grin spreads across his face and whispers, "She always over-reacts; that's what makes her so much fun!"

"Hey! Just because you're whispering doesn't mean I can't hear you, you little twerp!" The words sound harsh, but there's a grin on Ameko's face, too. She shakes her head in bemusement as Naruto finally releases my leg and runs over to hug her. After a few moments, the blonde nudges him and says, "Well, don't you have something to say?"

He looks at her, confused. "Huh?"

"To Emiko…?" she prompts.

"Oh…" With his eyes focused solidly on the floor, Naruto mumbles, "Sorry about the window…and the books…"

Smiling, I walk over and kneel down beside him. "I'm actually more worried about you than I am about this mess; that was a quite a tumble. Are you okay?"

He looks up at me in shock as Ameko kneels down beside him, too. "See," she teases. "I told you I wasn't the ONLY one in Konoha who liked you."

Tears threatening to start again, Naruto sniffles and says, "I'm alright…but…"

"But…?" I ask, encouraging him to continue.

"Well..um…I'm kinda hungry…."

Ameko snorts, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Now there's a surprise."

Naruto sticks out his tongue at her as I reply with a chuckle, "Well, I think I can fix that…if Ameko doesn't mind helping me cover my busted window first."

Although Naruto is excited, the blonde teen looks uncertain. "Shouldn't you ask your parents first?"

Shaking my head, I reply, "My father is…well…he's sick, so he eats in his room and my mom died when I was little. Please stay; I'm not a bad cook, I promise."

Naruto looks up at her with pleading eyes, tugging on her shirt. "C'mon, Ameko! It's free food!"

She laughs and says with a teasing sigh, "Okay...I guess we're staying for dinner."

I grin at the two of them happily, "Terrific! Let's get this window patched up and then I can get some food started." Standing, I retrieve the tarp and tape and step carefully over to the busted window. With Ameko's help, the repairs go quickly and while we work Naruto entertains himself by rummaging through the scattered books.

"Thank you," I say to her, as the last bit of cloth is secured. "This should keep everything protected until I can get someone out to fix it tomorrow."

The blonde smiles softly. "Happy to help."

"Is it time to eat now?" Naruto interjects, bouncing up and down happily.

Ameko eyes him in annoyance and says, "It will be…as soon as you give Emiko her book back."

The boy looks startled and then a little bit guilty. "I wasn't going to keep it…I just wanted to look…" Slowly Naruto holds out a small picture book, which he'd been clutching so tightly to his chest I never even noticed he had it.

I can't help but laugh. "So, despite all this mess, you found something you liked, huh?" I look at the book he's holding out and am surprised to find that I recognize the title. It's one my father used to read to me when I was little – The Demon in the Darkness – a beautifully illustrated legend about the 2nd Hokage's epic battle with a water demon in the cavern systems just south of Konoha. "Hey! You picked a really good one! That was one of my favorite books when I was about your age."

Naruto grins at me, obviously relieved that I'm not angry. He nods. "I can't read all the words, but the pictures are really cool!"

Suddenly I get an idea. "Hmm…I'll tell you what, Naruto. Let's make a deal. If you come back tomorrow to help me clean up the rest of these books, you can keep that one – no charge."

His eyes go wide. "Really?! I don't ever have to bring it back?"

"Nope, it'll be all yours. Do we have a deal?"

"You bet! I'll be here bright and early!"

Then Ameko speaks up. "Umm…I don't want to spoil the moment, but what about the archives?"

Seeing the worry wash over Naruto's face, I quickly reply, "Let's not worry about it tonight. We'll give Youta a chance to calm down, and tomorrow I'll have a talk with him and try to work something out."

"Are you sure?" Ameko looks hesitant.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine, I promise." The words are more for Naruto's benefit than for hers, but I still mean every word of it. "Now…is anyone still hungry?"

Almost immediately, Naruto is jumping up and down, waving his arms in the air, shouting, "Me, I am, me!"

Ameko and I both begin laughing as all three of us head back downstairs to get some dinner."

The rest of the evening passes quickly. Naruto wolfs down almost five bowls of noodles, while I try to find out a bit more about the oddly-paired duo. However, over and over again the boy asks me about nothing except my promise to keep him out of trouble with Konoha's archivists. I try to convince him everything's going to be okay, but for some reason my words just aren't enough. More than once he asks Ameko if there's anything he can do to make it up to the Hokage and for some reason seems convinced that the accidental stunt will keep him from getting into the academy. We both try to reassure him, but nothing works. In the end, worn out from his earlier escapades, Ameko finally convinces him to lie down on the couch. Naruto curls up with his new book and eventually drifts off to sleep.

Afterwards, the two of us continue to talk and the blonde happily tells me about herself; she's fourteen, and a Chuunin like I used to be…although judging from the ANBU tattoo on her arm it's easy to deduce that her skills are much more advanced than my own. When I casually ask about her relationship with Naruto I'm surprised to see her become both defensive and nervous. Not wanting to distance my new friend so quickly, I change the subject, but store the question away for another time.

Remarkably, I somehow manage to keep the information about myself to a minimum. Deception doesn't come naturally, but I try to be as vague as possible without actually lying. It's possible Ameko suspects what I'm doing, but she doesn't call me on it, which I'm grateful for. However, despite my decision to keep my past a secret, I can't help but feel at ease with her. Our conversation flows so naturally that before I know it, the clock in the hall is chiming midnight.

Ameko looks as startled as I feel. She stands and says, "I can't believe it got so late so fast; I have to be up early tomorrow for a mission debriefing." She glances at Naruto's resting form with a mixture of concern and sadness. "He can't come home with me…would you mind if he stayed here tonight?"

Smiling reassuringly I respond, "Of course he can, but won't someone be worried if he doesn't make it home?"

Anger flashing briefly across her features, the blonde says bitterly, "I doubt they'll even notice. He'll be better off here, anyway."

"Then he's more than welcome to stay," I reply, walking with Ameko to the door.

She smiles at me gratefully. "Thank you, Emiko. Naruto may not say it…but having you treat him like a normal kid…it really means a lot - to me, too."

Shrugging, I do my best to keep the sadness from filling my eyes. "Well…I know a bit about what he's going through…people can be cruel…" Opening the door, I try not to sound too hopeful as I ask, "So…I guess I'll see you around?"

Ameko smiles again as she steps out onto the stoop. "You can count on it."

The next morning I come downstairs to find Naruto awake and completely engrossed in his new book. While fixing breakfast, I tell him the story several times, which isn't hard since I've had it memorized since I was six.

After finishing it for the third or fourth time, (with a short break to take some food to my father) Naruto asks, "So…that knife the Hokage lost…it must of been really special, huh?"

"Hmm? You mean his kubikiri? Yeah, I suppose so. After all, it was an important symbol of the Senju clan; that's why the Hokage got so angry when the demon took it from him."

"So it would be a really big deal if someone were to find it, right?"

Smiling slightly, I reply, "It's just a legend, Naruto; I don't think anyone will be finding the 2nd Hokage's weapon any time soon."

He looks a little disappointed. "But the book has a map and everything; it's just gotta be real!"

"Well…I guess there might be some truth to it…but more than a few ninja have gone looking and none of them have ever found anything."

"I bet they were just reading the map wrong. I could find it easy! No problem!"

I can't help but grin at the boy's steadfast determination. "Naruto, something tells me that if anyone could find that kubikiri, it would be you – Now, if you're finished with your breakfast, why don't we get started cleaning."

Together, the two of us enter the shop using the entrance attached to the kitchen and quickly make our way upstairs. I'd almost managed to forget the full extent of the mess. Trying to decide where to start, an unintentional grimace settles on my face.

Nervously, Naruto tugs my hand. "Please don't be mad…I'm gonna help…just like I promised."

Looking down at him, I give a small grin and ruffle his hair. "No worries, kiddo – I'm just trying to figure out the best place to get started."

"Well…um, maybe the shelf should be fixed first…?" he asks hesitantly.

"I think that's an excellent idea. Wanna give me a hand?"

The boy nods happily and we carefully manage to shift the bookshelf back into place. From there the cleaning goes a lot faster than I anticipated. Despite Naruto's young age and klutzy tendencies, he makes an impressive and concentrated effort to listen and follow my instructions. By a little after 11 a.m. we have the upstairs looking almost as good as new.

Turning to the blonde-haired boy, I say, "The shop is looking great, and I couldn't have done it without your help. Thanks, Naruto!"

He blushes softly and shrugs, looking down at the floor. "Well, it's was kinda my fault…so…"

"But you helped get everything put back together, which I really appreciate. So, since we're pretty much finished here, how does some lunch sound?"

Naruto immediately perks up. "Can we have ramen?"

Grinning, I reply, "I think that can be arranged."

"Alright!" the boy cries, nearly knocking me over with a huge and unexpected hug. "Thanks, Emiko!"

After lunch Naruto heads off to look for Ameko…presumably to tell her about what a good job he did helping me. I quickly stop in at a nearby home repairs store to see about getting my window fixed and then head over to Konoha's archives. Stepping inside, it only takes a second for my eyes to adjust to the dim light – but it take several minutes before I'm able to grasp what I'm seeing. There are people everywhere - cleaning, straightening, repairing, stacking…it looks like a war zone.

As I stand there, trying to understand how one small boy could do so much damage, a voice speaks up behind me, "You have a lot of nerve showing your face around here; I still can't believe you helped that little brat."

Sighing, I turn to face Youta. "I had no idea the damage was this extensive…but even so, it doesn't give you the right to terrorize some five-year-old kid."

"You know as well as I do that he's much more than just some kid!"

Youta's voice is steadily getting louder. "Please calm down…I came to help, didn't I? I think Naruto would help too, if you'd let him."

"I'm not letting that monster anywhere near these archives ever again! If I so much as sniff him headed this way I'll…"

"Okay, okay, I get the picture." Youta's self-righteous anger is getting old fast. "Look, you may find this hard to believe, but he feels awful about what happened. And you've got him convinced that he won't be able to get into the academy because…"

"Exactly! I have friends over there – lots of them - he won't be getting in as long as I've got something to say about it!"

"Honestly Youta, be reasonable!"

"Reasonable?! A kid like that doesn't belong in the academy…who knows what could happen…"

Since it's obvious I'm not getting through to him, I try changing tactics. "Alright…so what would it take for you to let Naruto off the hook?"

Youta snorts derisively. "You mean other than an act of god?"

Tired of his contemptuous attitude, I roll my eyes and turn to leave. "Fine."

"Wait!" he calls out, and a small part of me is pleased at the hint of desperation in his voice. "I thought you came to help?"

Trying to keep some of the acidity out of my voice, I reply, "Oh, I'm sorry, what was that? Something about forgiving Naruto?"

His eyes narrow. "Alright, fine. I'll leave the academy out of it…but I'm not allowing him back in here…ever."

I consider Youta's offer, but not for too long. After all, it's the academy that Naruto's most worried about, not access to the archives; I'll worry about that part later. "Okay, it's a deal."

The archivist lets out a small sigh of relief. "We could really use your expertise in the mythology and folklore section. I know you have a good working knowledge when it comes to that sort of thing. Would you mind starting there?"

Nodding, I leave Youta behind and make my way to the room. There isn't anyone else around when I enter, just a whole lot of books and scrolls scattered haphazardly amidst empty and toppled shelves. Sighing, I begin the tedious process of sorting and stacking each item, something which takes most of the afternoon. Eventually Youta appears with one of the other archivists and between the three of us we're able to straighten and adjust all of the shelves back into place. I continue working until the light outside starts to fade; it's time to get home and fix dinner. Quickly, I finish up what I'm doing and head for the exit. I've almost made it out the door when Youta stops me.

"Emiko…may I speak to you a moment?"

Not really looking forward to another conversation like earlier, I almost keep walking, but then the memory of a time when our conversations were more friendly flickers through the back of my mind. Sighing softly, I turn to face him. "Yes?"

"I wanted to thank you for your time today."

Suppressing a small smirk, I ask, "Even though I blackmailed you into it?"

The older man grimaces, but nods. "Help is help…and yours was appreciated. Can we expect you again tomorrow?"

I think about it briefly; the shop's been doing pretty well lately. I could probably get away with not opening until after lunch. "I suppose I could do that…but only in the morning."

"That should be fine."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow."