This is if Emiko had gone with Sasuke and yes it's considerably shorter than the other oneshot but this one is actually planned to have at least one more chapter so be happy.

Disclaimer: I'm glad I don't own Naruto, it would've turned out completely different if I owned it.

"For the most part I never lie,

Who knew that words could mean so much.

In the end Romeo and Juliet failed too,

just like this." -My friend, Mary Russel

The radio played a gentle hum of music in the background, echoing hollowly through the bare bedroom. A form lay bathed in the faint light of the street lamps just outside the spacious windows, the steady rise and fall in the chest told of a peaceful sleep. Music halted and the radio D.j. spoke for a few moments before another tune picked up over the sound waves, washing over the atmosphere with calm resolve.

In the corner shadows shifted before the door cracked open, allowing a thin strip of golden light to cross across the slumbering person. Pale complexion and thick locks of onyx, the young man seemed to wince under the light before he turned away. Quietly the door opened further and a form slipped out unnoticed.

Long waves of messy brown hair fell over her shoulders as she followed the wall, her eyes downcast and hand gliding in an almost trance like state as she passed through the sparsely lit halls. She wore plain pajamas, as she did every night, but this night something stirred in the air. She walked delicately around the rooms where the poisonous buzz of conversation could be heard, stepping as lightly as possible with her head always bent as she shifted through the halls.

"Where are you off to tonight?" She froze and raised her head, her unique colored eyes widening for a second before she glanced over her shoulder. Standing in the shadows, with the pallor of a cadaver and the aura of a deceiver, was a man she knew only too well.

"Just my room." She replied calmly, immediately adverting her eyes to a door in attempts to ignore the way his gaze hounded on her.

"I would hardly think Sasuke would like that-" Her attention snapped to him and her eyes hardened as she cause the slithering suggestion beneath his tone.

"That's not what its like." She bit back an angry remark but loosened the reign on herself a little as she stared coldly at him. "I'm going to my room because I want to. Sasuke doesn't get to decide where I sleep."

Truthfully she doubted whether he even noticed a change when she sometimes showed up unexpectedly in his room while he was asleep. It had only been after a harsh encounter that she'd snuck into his room in an attempt to remind herself of why she was there. She had then fallen asleep in the chair and occasionally from then on she would end up sleeping in a chair or on the couch.

"You do remember what tomorrow is don't you, Emiko?" He stated curiously, golden eyes bearing into her like a massive hound.

"Of course." She replied shortly, pushing strands of hair behind her ear. "I need to go to bed though, I'm pretty tired." She quickly dashed off, barely able to restrain the need to run and drown herself. As soon as she closed the door behind her she let out a weak sigh and hurried to her dresser.

Of course she knew what tomorrow was, she was only haunted about it every time she saw Sasuke, glimpsed a cheerful ray of sun, or saw a Sakura blossom. Tomorrow was the day. The needle was drawing closer and soon she wouldn't be able to dodge the moment any longer. It would be the day she would finally sit in the cold seat, strapped in around her wrists and chest and forced to feel the continuous gnawing pain as her life was slowly dotted away. She would receive her mark and become a permanent member of the gang.

Slowly dragging her hand up she flicked on the radio, jumping slightly at the sudden blare of volume before she quickly dimmed it. A few seconds later she set it to the same station as Sasuke's radio and hurried to her bed. Rather than climb into it and wrap herself in the covers to rid herself of the day she crouched down and uncovered a suitcase strategically hidden within the folds.

She was quick as she quietly unzipped the top and hurried to her dresser, pulling out whatever she could and stuffing it hastily into the small space. Soon she had no more room and stared at the dresser, the drawers now pulled out eratically and spare garments lying haphazardly across the floor.

Another shallow, unsteady breath later she was zipping up the suitcase, occasionally jumping on the top to force the gatherings in. It had only been a few minutes since she'd first entered when she stood before the window, staring at her transparent reflection with a hint of remorse.

'The things that could have been,' she thought to herself. 'If I hadn't come.' First to mind were people: Naruto, Sakura, Megumi, her father and so on. How she missed them so much. She blinked furiously as she remembered a vivid picture of Naruto's face as he'd seen her standing behind Sasuke.

A pain ripped down her chest as though her heart had split along the seams and she looked away, trying to forget the memories that had plagued her life. Her father, she didn't even know where he was or how he was. Looking back she realized how much of a fool she'd been, how selfish. Tears sprang into her eyes as she thought of her father and the life she'd had before Sasuke had come, she couldn't tell what hurt more, knowing the life she'd had or not knowing the life she could've had.

She heard no news of her friends either although she knew they must have realized what had happened. Emiko, the loyal one who tried to keep everyone together, the one who made friends with the outcasts, had deserted them. She brushed the tears away before they had a chance to fall and pulled a cell phone out of her pocket.

With trembling fingers she dialed and waited for the person to pick up. After all these years she knew it was more likely that he wouldn't and she was right as she heard a monotonous tone stating the person's name.

Beep.

"Hi, Sasuke," Emiko cleared her throat, feeling her voice growing faint and raspy from the silence. "I…I know that tomorrow they'll be wondering where I am so I thought I would make the job easier for everyone." She paused and strode to a plain mirror hanging on the wall. For seconds she stared at her reflection, noticing the weariness clawing through her face and the dull reflection in her eyes. She opened her mouth repeatedly but never managed more than a small inaudible sound. Suddenly there was another beep.

'Crap!' Emiko cursed, hitting herself on the forehead before she realized that it wasn't a painless thing to do and stopped. Clicking the end button she stared at her cell phone, wondering whether to chance calling back or simply leave. Both had their battles and victories but neither won the war as she flickered between options.

Glancing at her reflection a faint smile lit her face before she dialed again. She stared again at the reflection, reminding herself of why she was leaving and why she deserved a new life. Once again the voice message played and once again the painful 'beep' resonated in her ear.

"Sorry 'bout that," Emiko managed a light laugh. "I forgot there was a time limit." She paused again and took a deep breath. "Sasuke I'm leaving-"

"Hey?" She dropped the phone with a loud clatter to the floor and listened in suffocating silence as Sasuke's voice murmured from the phone.

'SHIT!' She cursed, almost hitting herself in the head again as she heard the sound of buzzing meaning he had hung up. Her plan scattered out before her as she realized he would check the messages. 'HOLY CRAP IN HISTORY!' She mouthed as she scrambled to pick up the phone and end the dial tone.

The phone shook in her hands as she raced around, no longer concerned about stealth while she grabbed the suitcase and made for the window. At least one part of the plan had stayed intact so far, she thought as she opened the window. A two foot drop separated her from freedom.

In the distance a sudden warning call sounded in the form of fast approaching footsteps. Emiko flung her suitcase out the window and followed, landing softly on the ground. She wasted no time in grabbing her bag and dashing into the shadows, her heart beating feverishly like a caged animal against her ribcage.

She was gone…

sorry about grammar and writing