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. So here is chapter 26. Check out chapter 25 if you missed it! Thanks :)

"Glad you agreed to come in the end," Ryuuji said, standing in the doorway.

"Well Sasuke can be a bit persuasive," Kokoa smiled softly, glancing over at the child.

"Have fun!" he laughed. She shook her head, following Ryuuji out.

"You look very nice. It might be the first time I see you in clothes other than your vest."

"Oh? I guess so," she replied, glancing down at her simple outfit.

"Ok. I'm starving. I hope you are too."

"I could eat."

"Let's go then!" He led her off.

"So would you ever consider working only within the village? Like Iruka-san."

"I wouldn't want to teach, but if there were other positions I could fill, I would consider them. That would mean I wouldn't have to leave for days on end. I could be there for Sasuke," Kokoa explained.

"I see, I see. You really care about him."

"Mhm."

"Why go so far? I know you're friends, and you've always looked after him, but to go so far as to take him in, especially when you're still young yourself," Ryuuji inquired.

"Well, it's because I have always looked after him, like you said. He's precious to me, and he's been through a lot, something no child or person should ever have to experience. I'm the closest thing to a family he's got, and I also promised."

"Promised?"

"I promised him a long time ago that I would look after him if anything happened. We agreed to be there for each other."

"I still can't believe Itachi would do that, especially to his brother. I can't imagine why he would all of a sudden, unless he always was the cold monster he turned out to be, you know."

"Yeah..."

"People still talk about it. I guess they always will. The Uchiha was one of the oldest and largest clans in Konoha. Their eradication is a part of history if you think about it."

"Ah..."

"It's a shame you had to get all tied up in it. What was it like?" he questioned.

"What was what like?"

"You were involved with him, right? What was it like? Did you know or suspect?"

"I -"

"I don't mean to make this an interrogation, I'm just curious. I've heard a lot from other shinobi and civilians, but I thought I'd ask."

"Well...he was kind. He was kind to me and Sasuke. I don't know where it all changed, or why, but he truly was kind," she whispered. "He was a gentle boy."

"Turned out to be an act, huh? I'm sorry you had to go through that. Sorry he dragged you through all of this. You don't deserve it."

"I'll be alright." She shifted in her seat.

"You're strong. I believe you," he smiled. "Enough serious talk. Let's enjoy this food."

Sasuke wanted to stay up and wait for Kokoa, but after a long day of learning and bickering with Naruto, he found himself dozing off on the couch. He would hate himself for being unable to resist sleep, but his body left him no choice. In minutes, his head hit the pillow and his mind drifted off to dream.

"You were right, Kokoa. This dessert stand is amazing. I can't believe I've never tried it!"

"It is good," she agreed.

"It's all the way out here. How did you even find it?" he chuckled.

"I've explored the various dessert and sweet places with friends in the past."

"Mmm. Good choice. So, speaking of friends, who do you hang out with?"

"Well..." She fiddled with her thumbs. The sun began descending. The day neared its end as they walked the less crowded streets.

"It's been some time since I've met up with anyone from my academy classes. Recently, it's just been Kakashi-san. He's almost like an older brother or guardian, but not quite," she chuckled softly.

"And me. Can't forget me."

"True."

"I like being with you, Kokoa. You make me happy," he smiled.

"Oh?" She stared at her shoes.

"You're interesting, and even though you don't say much, you're still sweet, and very pretty." He blushed. She glanced up, a bit confused.

"O - Oh."

"I'm glad you came tonight. I really am." He took a step forward. The street began to clear. Gently taking a hold of her arm, he leaned in, bringing his lips near her own. Pushing him away, she stepped back, horrified.

"What are you doing?" she spat, eyes wide.

"I was - I was going to kiss you. Did I move too fast? I'm sor -"

"Why? Why would you do that? Why would you even think that?"

"I - uh - it felt right -"

"It felt right? You just kiss me?"

"We were having fun on our date. I thought it was a good time."

"Date...?" She fell quiet.

"Yeah. That's what all of this is. Today was a date. Didn't you know?"

"I -"

"I took you to dinner, dessert, and an evening walk. What else would this be?" he furrowed his brow.

"Not a date. I thought we were just hanging out, another random outing." She shrugged.

"Even if it wasn't an official date, isn't it obvious I like you, Kokoa? I mean Sasuke must have told you already. Can't you see?"

"Like me?"

"Yeah. That's why I kept coming around and asking you places." He gave her a look.

"You don't just ask me out or - or kiss me." She took another step back.

"Sorry if I freaked you out. I didn't realize you were this shy -"

"It's not because I'm shy. You just don't - you can't do that," she said firmly.

"Can't do that? What the hell do you mean by that?" he spat, growing irritated. "Who do you think you are?"

"I'm not looking for a relationship. Had I known this was a date, I would have never come."

"Wasn't it obvious that I liked you? How could you not see it? How could you lead me on like that?"

"I didn't lead you on. I'm not at fault here. You are."

"Me? I, Ryuuji, am the one at fault? For what, asking a pretty girl out? For liking her? What's so bad about dating me anyways? You make it seem like I'm not worth it, like I'm not good enough for you. What is it, Kokoa? I'd like to hear...say something."

"I..."

"Well?"

"It's –"

"Go on," he urged. She fingered the Uchiha crest. His eyes widened

"You've got to be joking. That's the reason? He's the reason?"

"Huh?" She looked up confused

"You won't give me a chance because you still have the ridiculous notion that Itachi will come back for you? After killing his own flesh and blood and ditching the village, did you really think he'd come back for you."

"I didn't say anything of the sort –"

"You didn't have to, Kokoa. You're wearing the crest. Being a non-Uchiha I assume he gave that to you. You won't let me kiss you because you're still chasing after that murderer. What is wrong with you!" He took a step forward.

"He is a villain, a traitor, a missing nin who abandoned Konoha, and you still wear his necklace? You still think of him? Want him? Love him?"

She swallowed hard, speechless, terrified.

"You're pathetic. The others and the villagers were right. You're hopeless and just as bad as he is for still wanting him, for still wearing that." He grabbed the pendant. "I thought I would give you a chance. I would try to see the real you and ignore the rumors, but they aren't rumors. You probably were involved and you probably know what he's up to. How I ever let myself get into this situation is beyond me. You sicken me." He ripped the chain from her neck, throwing it to the ground. She flinched, putting up her arms in defense as he did so.

"Enjoy living out the rest of your life alone, Kokoa, because as long as you still feel for Uchiha Itachi, no one will ever want to get close to you. Sayonara," he spat, turning on his heels, grinding the necklace into the dirt as he walked off, leaving her alone in the empty street.

Crouching down, Kokoa gently picked up the necklace, brushing away the dirt with her fingers. She eyed it sadly. Ryuuji wasn't the first, and he wouldn't be the last to judge her for wearing it, but it didn't matter to her. That necklace was one of the most important things to her, and she would always wear it. Slipping it back over her head, she began to wander, fighting against the tears, trying to cope with his cruel words and humiliation. She lost that battle.

Kokoa hadn't gone home. Instead, she found herself standing before non-other than Naka no Kawa, the Naka River. Coming close to the edge, she watched the powerful water pull anything and everything.

"Shisui…" Did Itachi really kill his best friend, or was Shisui sick of it all? Did he throw himself in the river of his own will? She took a step forward. For the rest of her life, Kokoa would be talked about. She would be under suspicion. She would be judged and glared at, treated like the jinchuuriki; blamed and judged for something beyond their control. She had fought back, and she had tried to stay strong, but now the cracks started to show, and she simply couldn't handle living like this. No one would accept her beliefs and her feelings about Itachi.

"Ryuuji was right…I'll always be alone." She took another step. She gasped at how terrifying the river seemed at night. More tears flooded her eyes. Itachi was gone, and she couldn't keep up the act for Sasuke. Perhaps dying would be best. Konoha wouldn't be able to harass her anymore. The villagers would be relieved she was no longer a threat. And Sasuke…

"He needs me," she whined to herself, struggling to make up her mind. "I promised. I promised." She rubbed her eyes aggressively, crying out and gasping. Sasuke did need her, and she needed him just as much.

"But I can't do this anymore. I just can't…why did you have to leave me like that? Why did you run away? You know I would have followed you. I would have tried to understand. I would have loved you. Why did you do this to us, to me?" She took one more step, ready to throw herself in the raging river and end it all. A violent wind rushed by, making her lose her balance. She wobbled in place. Her foot slipped. Had it not been for her quick reflexes, she really would have fallen. That fear, that moment, she realized she didn't want to die. She just wanted the pain to end. She just wanted to be happy, even if just a little. She crawled away from the edge, over to the grass, and laid in it, tears still falling.

Kokoa cared for Sasuke, and she couldn't stand leaving him alone, to let everyone have their way with him and mold him into what they wanted. He was hurting, and so was she, and they would help each other. She had to stop lying so much to him.

Kokoa also didn't want to die because deep in her heart she still believed the Uchiha massacre wasn't what it seemed. If Itachi did single handedly wipe them out, there had to be a reason. No matter what anyone tried telling her, she knew Itachi couldn't fake his kindness. He couldn't fake the emotions they shared. Underneath it all, he was a human being, and she knew that human, she knew that boy, and she would hunt him down, and she would hear his side of the story. She would hear his truth from his own mouth with no interruptions or outside influences.

She wasn't sure if she'd ever see him again, or if he'd even take the time to hear her out or respond, but she had hope. For now though, she decided it would be best to take Kakashi's advice. To move forward with Sasuke, Kokoa would become cold. She would become hard and closed off. She wouldn't care about anything or anyone other than Sasuke. She would grow up faster than expected. She would become a true shinobi and kill her emotions and step away from everything. She would have to "forget" Uchiha Itachi.

What now my love
Now that you left me
How can I live through another day
Watching my dreams turn into ashes
And all my hopes into bits of clay
Once I could see, once I could feel
Now I'm numb
I've become unreal
I walk the night, oh, without a goal
Stripped of my heart, my soul
What now my love
Now that it's over
I feel the world closing in on me
Here comes the stars
Tumbling around me
And there's the sky where the sea should be
What now my love
Now that you're gone
I'd be a fool to go on and on
No one would care, no one would cry
If I should live or die
What now my love
Now there is nothing
Only my last goodbye
Only my last goodbye

All right folks, this is the end of the first part in this story. The time skip happens, so next chapter will have Sasuke in Team 7, and all that jazz. Older Kokoa, older Itachi, more drama and angst; the good stuff. Thanks for reading ;)