Chapter 1

A young girl with dark, dirty blonde hair that covered her face and went down to her shoulders and bright hazel eyes, with tints of blue, green, and purple, was sitting on a swing set outside of her school. She was the invisible one in the ninja academy, and strived to stay that way.

She was strong, but she had a lack of confidence that made her back down somewhat easily. She would have looked prettier, if she moved the hair out of her face and wore something with color. She always wore gray, or black, maybe white. She was seven, and was watching the other kids leaving with their parents or siblings. She didn't have anything like that. Her father beat her, insulted her, saying she should be stronger, but it only made the problem worse.

She swung silently on the swing, not wanting to go home, when she noticed Itachi Uchiha come out of the building, and her cheeks were a light tint of pink as she looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. He had taken the Genin test already, and had his headband. He obviously noticed she was there, and found it strange that she wasn't going home or talking with friends.

He remembered her from class. She was really quiet, but she was pretty strong…her name was Emi Michiyo. He sighed, and noticed she was looking at him, though not directly. She saw him look back at her, and she looked away, her face crimson. She wanted to talk to him, maybe get to know him, but…she just didn't have the courage to do it. He went over to her instead, and said, not well with social interaction either, "Hey…"

She looked up, and said, "H-Hello…" She tried to think of something to say. "Congratulations…for graduating…" He nodded, saying, "Thanks…" It was quiet for a moment before Itachi said, "You know…you could have graduated, too." She looked back up at him, her eyes bright with surprise and curiosity. "You're strong…you need to stop hiding in the background…show them that you can do what they can…maybe more…" She thought about it, and said, "Itachi…"

He looked at her, because he'd been looking elsewhere. She smiled, and said, pushing some of her hair behind her ear, "Thank you." He felt a light blush taint his cheeks, and said, "You're…welcome." They talked for a while, before both of them had to go home. They met up with each other, and became fast friends. He was able to convince her to take the Genin test, and then the Chuunin exams. When they were thirteen, she had gotten more self-confidence, but it seemed Itachi was becoming more…reserved.

Her hair had grown longer, but she kept it out of her face with a dark headband, and she decided to go see Itachi, just to see if everything was all right.
It was dark, and her hazel eyes were carefree, until she heard crying. She paused, trying to locate the sound, and recognized it as Itachi's younger brother…Sasuke…She followed the crying to see Sasuke lying on the ground, crying hard, and she ran over. She put a hand on his shoulder, and he cringed from the contact.

"Sasuke…it's okay. It's me…Emi…" He looked up and recognized her in a moment. He hugged her tight, and she asked, "What's going on, Sasuke?" "Everyone's…dead…" He sobbed out. Her heartbeat quickened, and she asked, "What about Itachi-kun?" "It was…his fault…" "Sasuke, what happened to Itachi-kun?" She pushed to know. She needed to know her friend was alive. "Emi…" She looked up to see a somewhat shocked Itachi, with blood on his ANBU uniform.

"Itachi…" She smiled, saying, "I'm glad you're okay! What happened?" Sasuke was shaking violently, and she heard him whisper, "He killed…everyone…" "Who killed everyone?" Emi soothed, trying to understand. "…Itachi-nii-san…" Her heart was caught in her throat, and she looked at Itachi with wide eyes. "You didn't…did you?" He didn't answer, avoiding eye contact, and her eyes stung with tears.

"You…killed them…why?" He didn't say anything as he turned his back to her, saying, "Goodbye." "Itachi-kun!" But her cry came too late, he was gone. She thought she'd heard him apologize, but shook the thought away as she lifted Sasuke onto her back and went to the Hokage. He took care of Sasuke as she sat on the Hokage monument, silent tears running down her cheeks, and soft sobs wracked her throat and chest. She didn't understand…why had he killed them? They were his family!

She couldn't answer these questions, so she stayed there all night, thinking of him. She made a promise to herself. She'd become as strong as she could, and go look for Itachi, even if he didn't want her with him. Her eyes were determined, and she was prepared to go to her very limit…for what she knew was right.