Yay, we've finally reached chapter 20!! It seems like only yesterday that Itachi found Emiko in the grass. Now, we're at the beginning of the Shippuden saga. I'm so happy that so many people enjoy this story and I hope it will continue to entertain all of you.

"Chibi-chan, where are you, un?" Deidara sighed as he looked around the forest, finding no traces of the elusive child. "Danna's getting really impatient, un."

"Danna is always impatient."

Deidara chuckled and looked up at the tree he was standing by. "Come down, un. Danna and I have to go on our mission and you need to wait in the cave."

Emiko pouted but did as she was told. She was now taller and had lost most of her baby fat. Her hair was cut just above her shoulders. She still wore her Akatsuki sundress. "What's your mission?"

"Is that really any of your business?" Sasori had walked over to the two. He was inside his puppet, Hiruko.

Emiko frowned. "Who are you going to hurt this time?"

Sasori growled. "That's none of your business. Now, get inside the cave."

Emiko reluctantly did as she was told. She frowned as the giant boulder was shut behind her, trapping her in the dark cave. Ever since she had been brought back from Konoha, she had become very defiant, not approving of her family's organization. She sat on the ground and pulled a picture out of her pocket.

The picture was of her and Sasuke at the festival. Sasuke was holding her in his arms while she smiled brightly, holding the goldfish he had won for her up proudly for the camera to see. Though he wasn't smiling, Emiko could see a glimmer of happiness in Sasuke's onyx orbs. Emiko sniffled and brought her knees up to her chest. "I hope you're okay, Sasu-chan."

"I thought I told you to get rid of that thing."

Emiko quickly stood up, pulling a kunai out in front of her for defense. "Don't scare me like that, Papa."

The shadow of Pein glared disapprovingly at Emiko. "I told you to get rid of that thing. You are to forget you ever met those people."

Emiko clutched the picture tightly to her chest. "Why?"

"They taught you weakness. Loving and caring for others is a form of weakness that does not exist in this organization."

Emiko looked down forlornly at the ground. "Then what Orochimaru said was right."

Before Pein could ask her what she meant, the boulder was moved. "You two are late."

Emiko turned around and gasped. In the tail of one of Deidara's creations, was Gaara. She watched as the bird disappeared, placing Gaara on the ground. She quickly ran over and knelt beside Gaara, taking in his battered appearance. She felt tears fill her eyes when she saw that tied around the strap that held Gaara's gourd to his back, was the red ribbon she had given him nearly three years ago. She placed a hand on each of his cheeks and touched her forehead to his. She allowed her tears to fall freely. "I'm so sorry, Gaara-san."

Deidara looked down sadly at Emiko. He hated seeing her cry. He gently pried her away from Gaara and walked outside with her. He placed her on the water. "You have to stay out here, un."

As soon as Deidara let her go, Emiko tried to run back into the cave but it was too late. Deidara was already back in and Pein had sealed the cave shut. Emiko pounded her small fist on the boulder. "Leave Gaara-san alone!"

For three days, Emiko hit, kicked, and attacked the boulder that separated her from Gaara. She screamed until her voice was hoarse. She didn't eat and barely drank any water. It was on the third day that she finally collapsed on her knees, crying.

"Is that you, Emiko-chan?"

Emiko spun around. "Ah!"

Gai and his team stood behind her. Gai grinned at Emiko. "I knew it was you, Emiko-chan! What are you doing in a place like this?"

Emiko stood up, tears still streaming down her face. "Are you here to rescue Gaara-san?"

Lee smiled brightly at Emiko, giving her a thumbs up. "Of course we are!" He blinked curiously at Emiko. "So, is it true that Akatsuki kidnapped you?"

Emiko's surprise showed on her face. "Who told you that?"

"It's what Jiraiya told Gai-sensei."

Emiko shuffled her feet nervously. "Well, I guess you could put it that way."

"Stand back, Emiko-chan!" Lee shouted. "I'm going to break down this boulder!"

Emiko rolled her eyes. "You can't do that, Lee-san. There's a barrier around the boulder. I've been trying to get in for three days."

"You can't get in because it's a five-seal barrier."

Team Gai and Emiko looked up in surprise. Emiko's eyes immediately saddened. "Naru-chan."

Naruto looked at Emiko with shock and hurt. "What are you doing here? You're family didn't let you stay to watch how they work?"

New tears fell from Emiko's eyes. "I'm so sorry, Naru-chan. I didn't know!"

Naruto's eyes softened. He had missed Emiko, no matter how much he tried to hate her and blame her for what happened. He thought she had known all along what was going on, what they were doing. He kneeled down on the water and held his arms open to her. "It's okay."

Emiko let out a sob and ran into Naruto's arms. She hugged him tightly around the neck and rubbed her cheek against his. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I wanted to stay with you! I wanted to stay with Sasu-chan! I didn't want any of you to get hurt! I'm sorry! I didn't know!"

Naruto slowly stood up, cradling Emiko in his arms. He let out a small laugh. "You're a lot heavier now, Emiko-chan. I can't just hold you in one arm anymore."

Emiko smiled and wiped her tears away. "I'm not four anymore. I'm seven now." She looked around curiously. "Where's Sasu-chan?"

Naruto's eyes saddened and he held Emiko tighter. "We'll tell you later."

"Right now we need to focus on save the Kazekage." Kakashi said.

Sakura came and stood beside Naruto. "You look much more grown-up, Emiko."

"Thank you, Sakura-san."

Sakura laughed. "No more silly nicknames?"

Emiko stuck her nose up in the air. "I'm a lady now and lady's don't have time to play such silly games like making up nicknames."

Kakashi chuckled and then gave Emiko a serious look. "Do you know where the seals are, Emiko?"

Emiko frowned and shook her head. "Papa never tells me anything."

Kakashi sighed and looked over at Neji.

Neji activated his Byakugan and began searching for the tags.

Emiko looked over to the side and noticed the old woman looking at her. She wriggled out of Naruto's grasp and walked over to the woman. She tilted her head to the side. "Who are you?"

"I'm Chiyo, an advisor for Suna. So, you are the young girl that Akatsuki raised."

Emiko frowned. "Yes. Is that a problem?"

Chiyo chuckled. "Not at all. I was merely wondering if you knew Sasori."

"You mean Danna? Of course I know him. He used to always tuck me in and tell me bedtime stories with little puppets."

Chiyo hid a smile. "I see."

"How do you know Danna, Chiyo-baasan?"

Chiyo knelt down and motioned for Emiko to come closer. She whispered quietly in her ear. "I'm his grandmother."

Before Emiko could say anything, Naruto grabbed her hand and dragged her over to one side of the boulder. "We need to get in our positions now, Emiko-chan. You're gonna help us save Gaara, right?"

Emiko gave Naruto a determined look. "Yes." Emiko watched in awe as Sakura smashed the boulder apart with her fist. Emiko squeaked indignantly as Naruto dragged her into the cave.

"So, which one of you is the Jinchuuriki?" Deidara's smirk was wiped off his face when he saw Emiko. "What are you doing, Chibi-chan, un?"

Emiko put on her best glare. "You shouldn't be doing this, Deidei. It isn't right to kill other people for your own personal gain."

Sasori was becoming irritated. "You're going to be in trouble with the leader if you don't get over here right now."

Naruto moved protectively in front of Emiko, his eyes never leaving Gaara's lifeless body. "I'll kill you, you bastards!" He continued staring at Gaara. "Get up, Gaara! Why are you just letting that bastard sit on you!?"

Emiko grabbed Naruto's hand, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Naru-chan, stop it."

Deidara laughed. "You should listen to Chibi-chan, un. He's dead."

Naruto yanked his hand from Emiko and leapt at Sasori and Deidara. "Give him back!"

Kakashi quickly jumped in front of Naruto, preventing him from going any further. "Calm down, Naruto."

Emiko rolled her eyes as she listened to Deidara and Sasori begin to argue. "If they aren't fighting about art, they're fighting about something else." Emiko explained when she saw Sakura's curious look. She watched as Deidara's creation swallowed Gaara in it's mouth, leading Naruto out of the cave. She hesitated, looking between Sakura and Naruto, not sure whether to stay or go.

Naruto looked back at her. "It's safer for you here, Emiko-chan. Wait here and once I come back, we'll go find Sasuke together."

Emiko blinked and looked at Sakura. "What's he mean 'find Sasuke'. Where's Sasu-chan?"

Sakura looked away. "I'll explain later. Right now, we should focus on what's going on here."

Emiko watched as Kakashi chased after Naruto. She looked back over at Sasori and winced, looking away guiltily.

"So, what are you going to do, Emiko." Sasori asked.

Emiko bit her lip. She didn't know if she should help Sasori, her family, or Sakura and the others.

"Sakura, Emiko stay back." Chiyo said. She gave Sasori a stern look. "How can you possibly ask a child to do what the Akatsuki does?"

"You don't know anything." Sasori growled.

Sakura smiled reassuringly down at Emiko. "Don't worry, Emiko-chan. We'll protect you."

Emiko continued to stare out the ground, biting her lip. That was the problem; did she want them to take her away from her family? She had to decide now who was more important to her; her family in the Akatsuki or the family she had found in Konoha.

I wonder who Emiko-chan is going to pick? You'll find out soon…or will you? Yeah, I'm really tired now so leave your awesome reviews and let me know what you thought!