Ohayo! I love your descriptions, greenteamoose, even if you don't like 'em. I got to say, you would be a great beta. You have great plot ideas and you're really good at grammar and spelling. Chapter 37, alright!

Me: Disclaim. Someone.… Please?

Sora: I'll do it, only because you begged. TheContheDistance doesn't own that idiot main character, or this stupid show, Naruto.

Me: Uh, who are you?

Sora: Sora. You know, Shippuuden? I'm in the fillers!!

Me: Ohh that's why. Sorry Soma.

Sora: It's Sora! Idiot!

The orange-haired girl sat on the rooftop of her apartment, staring at the midnight sky. Huddled next to her was a small white ball of fur, making the only noise in the hushed night.

She had decided to stay up at night, as a way to avoid her memories. It couldn't be helped in the end, as she would still suffer lack of sleep. At least she wouldn't have any new memories to hang over her head. Emiko wanted to feel closer to Gaara by staying up, it was… reassuring to know that on some other roof in Suna that the redhead was staring at the same sky. She really needed that assurance.

The cat purred as it uncurled itself, stretching languidly and yawning. Emiko gave it a glance and pet its head wearily. She turned back to watching the sky, a sudden breeze stirring an agitated feeling in her muscles. Whenever she would stop moving or doing something, that very sensation would emerge from her feet up, until it completely filled her. For all her analytical skills, and understanding underlying meanings to actions and words, she didn't understand this about herself.

…………………

She stood up, relishing the release and tense of her muscles. She had a feeling that she had been growing recently, and she was taller than Sakura to begin with. In that sense her body was vastly out of proportion because she was abnormally thin and she was still growing taller.

Emiko walked along the edge of the roof, surveying Konoha's streets. At the dead of night everything was pleasantly quiet and still, like anything could break the peace. She liked it, still walking along the roof, Tsuki following for a short distance. The white cat ran off to chase after a mouse, leaving Emiko to her thoughts.

The stores along the street seemed to be brighter and cleaner. There were new decorations lining the windows and banners streaming from one side of the street to the other. Maybe all the villagers felt the need to impress any visiting nations, it sure seemed like it. There was a palpable sense of unease between foreigners and locals, though not nearly the same as the forced civility in Suna. However, everyone managed to forget about all awkward political courtesy during the third exam, though. The general anticipation stampeded any necessary civility and the atmosphere became much less uncomfortable.

It was strange that none of the participants could recount what happened at the Exams. The tasks would change every year, so it didn't make sense that it wasn't permitted to speak of them. Sakura had told her about the last one, and Kakashi didn't seem to care. But Kakashi didn't seem to care about a lot of things. Yet, it helped that she didn't know much about the Chuunin Exams, the less she knew the more her interest grew. She couldn't wait for the final exam.

"Where were you last night?" Temari mumbled as she shuffled around the apartment, "you missed out on barbeque."

Emiko sighed, rubbing her itching eyes irritably. She snatched an apple from the counter and looked at it thoughtfully.

"I was having ramen with my sensei."

"If you are saying that you would rather hang out with your sensei than with your friends, I'm insulted," she raised an eyebrow and scowled. The other kunoichi made an indifferent noise in response; she managed to successfully avoid Sakura yesterday, and she hadn't caught a glimpse of her so far. Sakura wouldn't qualify as a 'good friend' at the moment.

There was a knocking sound next to the kitchen; Temari opened the door, tugging on one of her ponytails.

"Shikamaru! What are you doing here?" she exclaimed. The Chuunin walked into the apartment, black slumped and hands in pockets; he looked like he was woken up five minutes ago. Shikamaru yawned causing Temari to roll her eyes and mutter 'lazy' under her breath.

"Tsunade-sama woke me up so I could bring you to her office. Troublesome women." He failed to stifle another yawn. Emiko nodded, she contemplated the reason why the Hokage would want to seem them. It's not a mission, there's only three weeks before the final Exam. Temari groaned and left the room. They could hear her yell 'Wake up! Baka!' a thud and then yelping. Kankuro staggered out of the living room of Emiko's apartment where he was sleeping and winced as he rubbed his head.

"You need more control of your hormones! Good luck with her, lazy."

"Why you little-" she battered her brother's head with her fan.

"Inconsiderate!-" Smack. "Perverted!-" Smack. "Annoying!-" Smack. "Little brother!"

Shikamaru sighed and muttered 'troublesome'. He was slightly indignant that Kankuro had suggested he and Temari were… he and Temari were… he couldn't even finish that thought in his head. He blatantly ignored the flush on his cheeks as well. What a pain.

"Oi, Tsunade-sama's expecting us," Shikamaru interrupted Temari's sadistic attack on her brother. He gestured limply to Emiko, who was already half-way out the door. The two siblings sweat-dropped and followed him out.

"You wanted to speak with us, Hokage-sama?" Kankuro asked, struggling to maintain a good image of Suna. It was very hard with several bruises on your face and an evil hormonal sister glaring a hole into your back. She gave a noise in agreement. Emiko folded her arms across her chest and Shikamaru merely looked out the window as he always did.

"Gomenasai Tsunade-sama!" Sakura burst through the doors, looking abashed and drained, "I was late."

The Hokage nodded and leaned forward on her desk, managing to lock eyes with all the shinobi in front of her. Even Shikamaru, pulled himself away from cloud watching to listen to what she said.

"As you all know, the final task in the Chuunin Exams is coming in three weeks. Shinobi from neighboring countries have already started coming through," she gave a quick nod to Temari and Kankuro, "As well as feudal lords and other important people. As customary, every year we hold a festival before the final matches in the Chuunin Exam. I expect you all to go to the festival for more than just entertainment; you each have a purpose.

"Shikamaru," he looked up warily, "you were the only one to graduate to Chuunin last year. You are the village's trump card and you should prove yourself worthy of that title at the festival. Make Konoha look good.

"Sakura. You are my new student, and as my subordinate you need to be the epitome of courtesy and consideration and show what the best kunoichi in Konoha are like. You should associate yourself with other shinobi from other countries.

"Temari, Kankuro, going to the festival is crucial to you both. Gaara has only recently become Kazekage, and quite frankly, many people doubt his leadership. Even the Elders of Konoha are unwilling to weigh too heavily on the treaty with Suna. It doesn't help that Gaara was only a Genin before he was elected Kazekage. You both have to be a symbol of your brother's credibility and restore Konoha's trust in Suna. You must represent both of them well.

"Emiko," Tsunade grimaced, "It is known as a fact that you are a Missing-Nin, and it is known that you have been attracting Hunter-Nins from Kiri to Konoha. The only reason we have not engaged in war with Kiri is the lack of people who know who you are, maybe even the Mizukage doesn't know. Regardless, the Village Council considers you as a concern; you are bringing more trouble to Konoha by staying here. There are troubles, otherwise, about your stability and control. You must prove that you are both respectful and consistent to the Council." Not to mention that they are willing to exile you from Konoha permanently.

Emiko's mouth twitched. What are they going to do to me? This…this isn't fair!

"This is a very important mission, you must make sure for your village, and your own sake, that you do well. I expect you all to present yourselves well, wear nice clothes and be courteous. Buy new kimonos and yukatas. The festival is in two days, and I expect you all to prove yourselves to be reliable."

………………………

Why of all people, them? Why Ino? Why Isamu? Why did they have to come along? Why did Tsunade-sama make Temari and Kankuro stay, I wouldn't have had to deal with this if she didn't.

Emiko shuffled alongside the other two kunoichi. This just wasn't her day, it was bad enough with Sakura and Ino, but their sensei's decided to chaperone as well. Kakashi, Isamu and Asuma hung back, talking lowly so the girls in front of them couldn't hear. It didn't matter either way, because Emiko found it hard to even hear herself think above Ino and Sakura's squabbling. There wasn't an end to their argument, it spawned from who Sasuke liked more, to why he liked them more, to their looks, then to their skills as a kunoichi and why they deserved Sasuke's love. Then it started all over again.

"I don't plan on giving up on Sasuke-kun, Ino-pig!"

"Like he would ever be attracted to that shiny forehead, Sakura!" she snapped. Emiko inwardly groaned, this had been maybe the third time she had heard them say that. Are they ever going to stop? She grimaced and sent a withering glare to her sensei. He was the one that wanted her to be more "social", and wanted to com along. She quite frankly didn't care whether or not she was being cold.

"Well you- ne, isn't this the store, Ino?" Sakura forgot her come back and stopped in front of a plain-looking building. The blonde kunoichi stood next to her and put her hands on her hips.

"I suppose that brain is good for something, billboard-brow…. You and your huge forehead first, Sakura." Ino gestured to let Sakura go through the doorway. She stuck her tongue out childishly behind her rival's back anyways. Emiko followed after Ino, shaking her head and wishing she was training.

"Perhaps they'll stop fighting when the world will end?" Isamu suggested. Asuma shook his head, laughing lightly. Kakashi closed his eyes and grinned, he liked being with the other Jounin, and he didn't mind Isamu being there.

"They're way too stubborn to stop. They declared themselves rivals, after all," Asuma grinned. Kakashi chuckled, and leaned into the doorway of the store.

"We'll be outside," he winked and pointed out to the street where the other two shinobi were.

"Hai, Kaka-sensei!" Sakura chirped.

The store owner wilted slightly at the sight of the three kunoichi. They sweat-dropped, and walked away to the racks to avoid her. The lady then dropped her head on the counter and groaned loudly. Not again, more customers?!

"Hey Emiko-chan…"

Said girl turned around to see Sakura next to her; she was leafing through the yukata on the hanger and biting her lip. She was trying desperately to bring up their argument they had the day before without making Emiko angry again. All she wanted to do was apologize, maybe explain herself better. And… she had been thinking about living away from her parents. Even before Emiko yelled at her, she had been refusing to admit that she missed them and how she should move back in. Now Sakura was certain that she wanted to move back home, and she was planning on telling them that as soon as they came back.

"What is it?"

Sakura averted her gaze and appeared to be looking at the hangers again. Her eyes widened when she spotted yukata behind Emiko, and she immediately dove for it.

"Emiko-chan, this is perfect for you!"

The summer kimono was pale blue and white, small motifs of black and midnight blue flowers spread across the torso. It was much like a regular kimono, but the lighter, more flexible fabric made it suitable for summertime. The sleeves were cut short to the elbow, allowing more ventilation.

Emiko took the robes from Sakura and looked over it apathetically. She nodded her head and Sakura decided against squealing, in favor of beaming happily.

"This will do."

The orange-haired girl turned away and frowned. She was feeling preoccupied with her thoughts, and her anger at Sakura melted into slight irritation. That was how her angry feelings worked, she always remembered why she was furious, but she didn't keep it on the surface. She held a grudge, or as close to a grudge as she could if it was concerning a friend. But the more her frustration and irritancy were buried, the more those feelings cemented into hatred.

She had been brainstorming plans in her head the past couple of days, and she only came to a reasonable conclusion she liked the night before. Emiko was never a patient person, and it was worse when it concerned her own life.

"Ano… is something on your mind, Emiko-chan?"

"…I don't think I can stay in Konoha anymore. I need to train, and I'm not getting stronger here. I want to be an ANBU and its best that I leave so I can get better."