Author's Note: Hey, Heartsy here! Okay, I'm sorry I'm late. I said a week, but I'm only a LITTLE off. I'm really excited for this chapter! I hope you are too! ENJOY! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Thoughts

Normal

Emiko's POV

Opening my eyes, I'm assaulted by the blinding sun. I close my eyes to protect them, but it doesn't do any good. Even with my eyes tightly sealed, the sun finds its way through my eyelids as a reddish hue. Blinking until my eyes adjust, I ponder my situation. I'm not on the ground anymore, but I'm supported. Plus, I'm moving…

In just a moment, Chichi's face is in my view. At that point, I realize he's giving me a piggy back ride. He smiles at me and remarks, "You sure had a nice sleep. You've been out for about two and half days. We'll be in Konoha soon, un."

My eyes widen slightly. Two and a half days? That's crazy. Chichi whispers, "You always sleep a lot after a lot of emotional stress. When you first… came into my life as my baby girl, you slept for a week after you stopped crying, un."

Emotional fatigue, huh? I'm so not used to this. I'll need to keep my stress low so I'm not sleeping! Why does this have to be a problem for me? Why do I have to be so weak?

Shifting my view to the three Akatsuki members, I allow their critical gazes to penetrate my being. Let them judge me. I need to get used to it. These humans only look at what you've done, how you look, and how you act. No one looks at the why or care to help.

Yawning, my eyes water slightly. Kisame falls into step with Chichi to walk along side us. He ruffles my hair and teases, "You quite a cat nap there, kid. Did showing Sasori up tire you out?"

Giggling slightly, I peak at the growling Sasori. Speaking loud enough for Sasori to hear, I respond, "Nah, that didn't take much effort. I just didn't want to hear Sasori whine about his poor, broken tail."

Kisame snickers at this, while Chichi chuckles. Itachi's eyes light up in amusement, though Sasori is seething. Well, it did take effort, but I can do better. I'm being a bit… okay, really bratty to Sasori, but he already hates me. I don't see how I can make it worse.

Sasori warns, "I will kill you, kid. I honestly don't care about what happens to you. Leader only wants your dear Chichi, but you aren't needed. I can just drag him to the base after disposing of you."

Chichi's eyes darken with killing intent. He gently lowers me towards the ground, where I slide off his back so I can walk. Glaring daggers into Sasori, Chichi threatens, "If you dare touch my daughter, I will not hesitate to destroy you, un. I will-"

Halting for just a moment, Chichi pulls me forward and covers my ears before continuing. I have no clue what he said, but judging by the slight horror that crossed Sasori's face and turned to anger, I'm guessing it wasn't pretty. Chichi releases my ears as he finishes, "Is that understood, un?"

Sasori turns away from us and quickens his pace towards Konoha. Keeping his eyes ahead, he questions, "We are taking her to Konoha, correct? I don't like to be kept waiting. Let's get it over with, quickly."

Looking up at Chichi, we continue on. Birds are chirping merrily as we walk through the forest. Of course, this is when my nervousness sets in. Will I be able to trust anyone? Am I going to be attacked or used? Will I see Chichi again?

My thoughts are cut off as the enormous walls of Konoha come into view. The walls quickly become much closer and taller. In just a moment, the walls are looming above us about forty yards away. The guards have yet to look our way. Itachi grabs my arm, bringing me off the path and into the forest with the others following. Directing his statement to Kisame and Sasori, Itachi declares, "You two are going to stay here with Deidara, while I take Emiko into the village. I'll get everything set for her."

Without any question in his voice, Chichi informs, "I'm coming into the village as well, un."

Itachi simply shakes his head. He denies, "You can't come. You are a missing-nin from another village. No doubt you're in everyone's bingo book, plus you don't know your way in or around the village. It'll only put Emiko in danger."

Chichi sighs in defeat. Slowly, he kneels down in front of me with sadness in his caring blue eyes. He brushes hair away from my face and grabs my hand. Softly, he comforts, "You'll be fine, un. I'll try to visit; secretly of course. Send me messages, okay? Make some friends, un. You'll find someone you can trust. I promise, un. When you find that person, don't ever let them go. Bye for now. I love you, Emiko, un."

Wrapping my arms around him, I take his words to heart. I gush, "I love you, too, Chichi. I'm not gonna say good-bye because this isn't good-bye. I know I'll see you again. I love you."

Tightening the embrace, I begrudgingly let go. Without another word, I walk with Itachi to the walls of Konoha. Itachi takes a blank scroll from my bag and begins writing. After a minute, he hands it to a crow that landed on his shoulder moments ago. Quietly, the crow heads towards the Hokage tower as we scale the walls with chakra in our feet.

Making it to the top, I look around in fascination. There are so many houses and people. What I assume to be the Hokage tower stands proudly by the Hokage Monument. Not far from us are three guards. Unnoticed, Itachi and I travel through the shadows towards the tower.

Within minutes, we arrive at our destination. Waiting out of sight, the crow pecks at the window to get the Third Hokage's attention. The Third takes the scroll from the crow, unravels it, and walks away in a matter of seconds.

Not long after the crow had pecked on the window, the Third, holding the scroll, appears in front of us in the shadow covered alley we are hiding in. Itachi apologizes, "I'm sorry Lord Hokage, but I need a favor. Thank you for meeting me here based on the vague description I gave on the scroll. This little girl, Emiko, needs a home and a village. I'm hoping for her to be in the academy because she has potential and her father wants her to be able to protect herself."

Quizzically, the Third responds, "Itachi, you know we'll welcome her into the village, but why is she alone? You mentioned her father, so why isn't he here with her."

Without missing a beat, Itachi admits, "He's being forced into Akatsuki. He cares for Emiko, though and wants her safe. She managed to get the better of one of the members. I think she'll be a great ninja for the Leaf."

Thinking for a moment, the Third decides, "Okay. I'll get her into the academy and an apartment, but you have to continue to keep an eye on the organization. I'm assuming she'll be informing you about Sasuke, so you put information on the Akatsuki in the replies. Emiko, you will be the go-between. All information comes straight to me, understood?"

Nodding my head, I thank him. I'm getting a home and something to do. I'm wanted somewhere. Maybe I'll be okay. Chichi: I promise you I'll never let go of someone I can trust. I already let you get away, but I won't let it happen again. I'll do my best. I'll do it for you.

Author's Note: HOPE YOU ENJOYED! Emiko is finally at Konoha, but who knows if she'll survive? Jk, lolz I'm not that crazy! Why would I kill someone off in five chapters? That's just stupid, maybe later though. ;D But maybe not. O.o ANYWAYS...PLEASE REVIEW! I'll love you forever! I like to know what I need to fix or what's good because then I can make my story better! Better story= happy readers= happy me! :D UNTIL NEXT CHAPTER!

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