Thank you for all the follows, favorites, and reviews. I truly appreciate it. I've gotten some suggestions and opinions on certain things, and it's all awesome, but I want to say I already have a big chunk of this story already written, so the chapters I am posting have been done for a while because I'm still importing this story. That means I can't change the plot and what I have in the next few chapters because it could affect chapter 45 or something when it comes around :P It's kind of messy, but I will let you know when this is all up to date and when I'll be writing the latest chapters instead of just transferring them over to this account, if I'm making sense o.O Regardless, thank you so much for the feedback, and I promise there is more to come!

Also, when I originally posted this chapter on my other account I had it as chapters 25 and 26 in one chapter to fix a numbering problem I was having. What I'll do here is post it as two individual chapters at the same time so it's not so strange. That's why this first chapter is a little shorter than usual. Chapter 26 should be up right after this.

"Tell Sasuke I said hello," Ryuugi smiled.

"Ah," Kokoa nodded, stepping up to her front door.

"Sayonara, Kokoa. See you soon." He waved before heading off. Sighing, she stepped inside.

"Yo."

"Kakashi-san?" She blinked, surprised to find him inside.

"Long time no see, don't you think? I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd check up on you, you know?" he smirked.

"Well thanks. You're about the only one who cares," she mumbled.

"Now, now. That Ryuuji fellow seems to care quite a bit," he commented. She looked away, not saying anything.

"If you don't like him, why are you spending so much time with him, hm?" he inquired.

"I don't have anything against the kid. It's just...Sasuke is very fond of him, and wanted me to invite him over for dinner. I gave in. Now Ryuuji comes around almost every day to see Sasuke or drag me somewhere. He's nice, but I just don't have it in me. It's so hard though because Sasuke loves him, and if I don't spend time with him, Sasuke will think I'm lying or being mean. I just..." She rubbed her face.

"That boy likes you, Kokoa. Let him pamper you. You deserve to be happy."

"He's not who I want to be happy with..."

"You're going to have to accept it eventually. Your future with him is over. It has been."

"I know," she whispered. "Don't worry, for Sasuke's sake, I'm going to have to keep this act up. I'll be spending plenty of time with that Ryuuji. Besides, we've only been fishing and out for lunch. He hasn't actually asked to take me out on an official date. We're just two fellow shinobi. I hope it stays that way."

"You're so difficult."

"I'm not difficult. I'm tired of not having any answers. And I'm sick of being watched like some criminal or strange experiment. Put yourself in my shoes and maybe you'll begin to understand what it's like. I'm trying not to bring more suspicion upon myself all while lying and faking a smile for Sasuke. Itachi left me with nothing; no answers, no explanations, no guide as to what to do."

"And yet, you can't seem to forget him."

"Would you be able to forget your closest friends? Your family?"

"My friends and family never did what he did, Kokoa."

"Hn, of course not. You know, Kakashi-san, I feel like we always have the same conversation," she sighed.

"It's because you haven't quite moved on."

"Not as easy as it sounds, especially when you're constantly reminded of it."

"You're a shinobi, Kokoa. You'll have to learn eventually."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Well, I'm off. I have some business to get to. Sayonara."

"Sayonara, Kakashi."

"Why are you so dirty?" Kokoa inquired, brushing the dirt from Sasuke.

"I got into a tiny fight."

"Tiny? Fight?"

"A boy in my class. He always picks fights with me."

"Doesn't mean you have to continue the fights, Sasuke. Who is this boy?"

"Uzumaki Naruto," he pouted.

"Ah. The cute blonde," she giggled. He gave her a look. "You're cute too. Don't worry." She ruffled his hair.

"Go wash up and put on some new clothes. I don't need you dragging all this dirt around my house."

"Hai, hai." He walked off with a slight smile.

"What are you so happy about?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm glad you're happy." He faced her with a full smile. "It makes me happy."

"Oh...well, the same for you." She managed a small one of her own. He skipped off to clean up.

"You're wanted by our lovely leader," Kisame grinned, leaning on a wall across from Itachi. He looked up.

"Did he say why?"

"Nope. Only that he wants you. It's urgent. What trouble have you gotten yourself into, Itachi-san?"

"I didn't do anything to raise alarm or suspicion. I have no idea what it could be about." He rose to his feet.

"Well go find out, and be a good friend and fill me in. It's gotten quite boring around here, ne?" he smirked. Itachi let out a sigh, heading off.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Itachi, from what I've seen and what others have said, you seem...distracted," Pein said, not wasting any time. The Uchiha glanced over, spotting Konan.

"I don't understand."

"It's as I said. You seem distracted. You aren't focused. While your mission reports are flawless, I can't help but wonder if you're completely here, completely committed to Akatsuki." He narrowed his eyes.

"I killed my clan and fled Konoha. I could have gone anywhere or done anything I desired. I came here. Akatsuki is my everything. I am committed, regardless of what others say. I may seem distracted, but I assure you I'm not. Sometimes my mind wanders when I am alone, is all. It doesn't interfere with my work."

"Alright…you've convinced me. How fortunate for you. Like you said, Akatsuki is your everything, and you're expected to do everything, and make any sacrifices for the goal we all share."

"I understand."

"Good."

"If you don't start knocking on the front door before stepping into my house, there's going to be a problem," Kokoa spat, turning to find the same ANBU member.

"You talk big, Kuroki, but I know that's all it is, talk."

"Why are you here?"

"My mission. I thought I explained all this the last time we met."

"Mission? You're still watching me? Couldn't you make it a little less obvious?" she sighed, falling to the couch.

"I could, but...where's the fun in that?"

"Heartless bastard."

"Such big words for a small girl."

"This small girl will smash your face in."

"I don't fear you, Kokoa, or your empty threats. You're just a girl who was prematurely promoted to jonin. A shame, really. You can't even control your emotions."

"Heh, what are you saying?"

"Chasing after a rogue ninja and acting out due to an unstable emotional state, I don't believe you're fit to be a shinobi of any rank. Perhaps turning in the vest for a while would be good."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" she scoffed. "Don't worry. I haven't been assigned anything in weeks. I don't have to resign to be out of work. I'll just sit here in Konoha enjoying tea time, remaining blind to the world."

"Hn, you've been blind to the world from the beginning. Uchiha Itachi was your world. Even now, in your bitter solitude, you continue to only see him, or, his back at least, considering he turned away ages ago."

"I don't understand why you do this," she whispered. "I don't mean to disrespect you, but you always push me. You always push me!"

"To see where your loyalties lie. I can see you haven't given up on him, which leads me to wonder if you're waiting for something. That's why we're watching you, Kuroki. You're not helping yourself by staying locked up in your house moping around, or crying over that photograph of yours, or admiring that pendant around your neck."

Her eyes widened.

"I'm not doing this because I hate you. I don't know you, but acting on my orders and as a shinobi of Konoha, if I suspect you may still have relations with Uchiha Itachi, I will watch you, and I will do what I have to." He was gone. Kokoa bent over, struggling for a deep breath. She was close to the edge. A few more steps and she'd fall.

Ever since he spotted Kokoa and realized she hadn't turned her back, Itachi found it hard to think about anything else. Apparently it was quite obvious something was on his mind, considering Pein had questioned him. It was getting dangerous. He knew he couldn't return. They would never have their happy ending. Even if she still cared, he wasn't allowed to.

Itachi would never forget her, and he would never want to hurt her more than he already had, but it was time he severed the ties between them. He had to turn his back completely this time, with no ounce of hope of things going back to the way they were. For Kokoa's sake and his own, he embraced the qualities of a shinobi. He hardened himself, wiped his mind of the worry and hope, and numbed his emotions. Uchiha Itachi became a member of Akatsuki; a cold, ruthless missing ninja who heartlessly massacred his clan, abandoned his brother, and ruined the girl who loved him most.