Chapter 47 was the last chapter I posted before Quizilla shut down, meaning this is the first chapter that's new to everyone! I'm so glad I'm done importing the story and I'm able to post newly written material. These last three chapters, 48-50 will end the current time period. 51 will be Shippuden at last. I'm excited for that. And as always, I'd like to thank everyone for the great feedback, the follows, favorites, all of that beautiful stuff. I truly appreciate it. Stay tuned for more and follow the Facebook page for updates!

Kokoa paused before the door, hand resting on the knob. She expected to be locked away far longer than she had been. Like Zaji said, running after her lover was one thing, but hunting down Orochimaru was another. Fortunately for her, Jiraiya had heard what happened and managed to help the girl out before leaving for personal business. Kakashi also played a role in her release. They still watched her of course, Zaji leading the show, but she knew. Kokoa knew she had surprised him. She had faced him for the first time, and he realized she was not the same naïve girl anymore. He saw the familiar face. He saw Akihiko in her and put up his guard.

She unlocked the door and stepped into the dark apartment with a deep sigh. No lights. No sound. No smell of food or dirty dishes piled up. No ninja gear lying around. No Sasuke. No home.

"He really did leave." She slid out of her shoes. Kokoa felt it. She felt the emotions, the buildup, the barrier in her begin to break. Orochimaru had denied her request. Sasuke had left. Akihiko was murdered. But before she fell to her knees and broke open, before she crumbled and all heartache and tears gushed like a river, she walked over to the shelf, plucking the folder, slipping out the picture, a single tear landing on her beloved Itachi.

"My father left. You left. Sasuke left. I think, Itachi-san, it's time I left." She brushed aside the tear, gazing down at their smiles with half lidded eyes. "I never believed in myself. I never thought I was strong, but you told me otherwise. You said I could become someone great, and now…I am someone. I'm a Kuroki, my father's daughter. You and Akihiko have helped me. I will become that great someone you said I'd be. And I will find you."

"Sasuke –"

"Kokoa-chan!" He ran up to her with a wide smile. "I missed you, Kokoa-chan."

"Missed you too, Sasuke." She messed his hair. "I'm in a hurry though. Could you do me a favor?"

"Mmm, depends," he said with a shrug.

"Eh?" She eyed him. "I need your help. There was an emergency mission, so they had to whip up a team real fast. Most of the others are busy, so they've sent out Itachi-san, Shisui-san, and I."

"Oh wow! Why?"

"We've worked together before, so there won't be problems. We'll do for a last minute team, you know. But I need help. I can't find your brother. He's not training, or at the lake, or the dango stands."

"Mmm, Ni-san is hard to find."

"Do you know where he is? Shisui was near Hokage-sama's building, so he's waiting for us near the front gate. I just need Itachi-san."

"Sorry, Kokoa. I don't know where he is." He started off.

"Oi, Sasuke, you have to have some idea. He's your brother! He's been busy these last few days, so I haven't seen him much." She rubbed her arm as she spoke.

"You miss him," he stated. She glanced away shyly.

"S – sure – of course I do, but that's not the point. The point is that I need him for this mission, so please tell me where he is. I'll buy you candy! I'll teach you a new jutsu!"

"You can't always bribe me, you know." He crossed his arms.

"Sasuke…" She rubbed her face with a sigh. "Listen to me you little punk." She crouched to his level, blue eyes staring into onyx. Before he could react, she had scooped him off his feet.

"Ko – ko – aaaa!"

"Where is your brother? We're on a schedule. This is not the time to be selfish, Sasuke."

"You're so weird. That's why you two like each other. You're as weird as Ni-san," he sobbed, struggling to break free.

"What am I looking at?" The two froze, turning their heads to see Itachi.

"She's bullying me, Ni-san!"

"I highly doubt that, Sasuke."

"He was home the whole time? Sasuke, you little –"

"Why are you here, Kokoa?" he inquired.

"Hu? Oh, the Hokage needed a last minute team. He knows we've worked well together before, so it's me, you, and Shisui," she said with a smile, dropping Sasuke to his butt. He rolled over, rubbing his sore bottom.

"A mission? Now? I had no idea."

"I was trying to find you, but a certain someone wouldn't tell me where his big brother was," she said, softly kicking Sasuke.

"He's just jealous I get to go on cool adventures with you and he's stuck at home with our parents."

"I am not jealous, Ni-san!"

"If you say so, Sasuke. Is Shisui ready?" He turned to Kokoa.

"And waiting for us by the gate. We have to hurry."

"You go on ahead. I'll grab my things and meet you there."

"Sounds good. Make sure a certain boy doesn't hold you back." She nudged Sasuke one last time.

"You're mean, Kokoa-chan," he pouted.

"She's just doing her job, Sasuke," Itachi said, crouching down. Stuffing both hands under Sasuke's arms, he hoisted the boy up and to his feet. "If we don't do our jobs, then things fall out of order. It's up to us to get these missions done and to protect the village." He brushed the dirt from his tiny shoulders.

"I know," he sighed. "I just don't want you to go. The both of you."

"We'll be back soon," Kokoa said. "It should be an easy mission. We're not just going to leave you, especially not your big brother! And when we do come back, we can all go to lunch! Food and snacks, and maybe Shisui can come too if he's not too busy. How does that sound? You like that, Sasuke?"

"Mhm!"

"Good. I'm glad." Itachi set a hand on his head.

"So the gate? See you there, Itachi-san?"

"Ah. Don't worry."

"Sayonara, Sasuke! Behave, and don't fight with that blond kid!"

"No promises!" he called out after her.

Kokoa noticed something as she neared the front gate, something uncomfortable beneath her foot. Crouching to investigate, she laughed at the pebble caught in her sandal, flicking it off to the side. She stepped back in surprise upon standing, finding an old man before her, a man with bandages and cold eyes.

"Kuroki Kokoa," Danzo spoke, voice as cold as his gaze.

"H – Hai."

"So Sarutobi has assigned you a mission?"

"Hai. Last minute."

"With two Uchiha?"

"Hai?" She eyed him.

"A Kuroki and Uchiha." He looked away.

"Is there…a problem?" she inquired politely. Kokoa forgot his name, but figured he was one of the elders. He held a certain presence, an authority. She glanced back over her shoulder at the sound of running, spotting Itachi rush over, and when she returned to Danzo, he had vanished. She stood quietly in place, perplexed.

"Did I keep you waiting long?" Itachi asked, finally catching up.

"Hm? Oh, you're fine, Itachi-san." She smiled warmly at him. She bent down again to adjust her shoe. Itachi scanned the area with narrowed eyes. He knew. He knew Danzo had paid her a visit.

"Let's not keep Shisui waiting. He gets impatient," he said with a soft laugh. She nodded in agreement and dashed off with him.

"This mission is so simple. Why did they need two Uchiha and a Kuroki?" Shisui, sighed, crossing his arms.

"You make it seem like I'm something special," Kokoa said, taking a swig of water.

"Duh." He gave her a look.

"Don't be silly." She shook her head shyly, eyeing her feet.

"Oi." Itachi poked her forehead, staring down at her in disappointment.

"Naaaani?" She glanced up, rubbing the red mark.

"What did I say about being too harsh on yourself?"

"But –"

"You're a jonin. You're a shinobi. You're strong. Stop thinking you aren't. You have no idea what you're capable of –" He fell silent, jaw clenched, deciding he would say no more on the subject. Shisui raised his brow, amused.

"I'm sorry, Itachi-san. You know I've always been self-conscious and critical," she said, rubbing her arm.

"You're strong, Kokoa. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise," Shisui said. She nodded happily. Itachi turned away, sighing deeply.

"We should keep going. Let's pack up," he said, adjusting his weapon pouch. Kokoa hopped to her feet. Shisui followed.

"You really don't look good."

"I'm fine –"

"Shisui is right, Kokoa," Itachi said, walking over to her. The three sat huddled beneath a large tree.

"I'll live. I can finish the mission."

"Kokoa." He crouched down to her level, pressing a hand to her forehead. "You're warm, and you're shaking."

"Itachi-san –"

"I won't make you quit the mission, but you have to listen to me. Get some rest, as much as you can."

"Fine." She pouted.

"You sleep. Tachi and I will keep watch," Shisui said.

"And by that he means he'll pass out in a minute, and I'll keep watch," Itachi sighed.

"What he said," Shisui said with a grin. Kokoa smiled, head bobbing gently as she struggled to stay awake, her slight fever pulling her to sleep.

"Go ahead and sleep. I'll look out for you," Itachi assured her, running a hand through her hair. Obeying, Kokoa was out in minutes.

Itachi sat with the contents of his pouch sprawled out before him on the ground as he went over each one.

"So you noticed too?" Shisui asked, glancing over at his friend.

"Ah," Itachi sighed, drawing his knees to his chest, arms wrapped around. "I'm ANBU after all. It's hard to ignore."

"She doesn't know?"

"Why would she? They're good at their job, and she hasn't done anything for her to worry about being watched."

"Does it bother you, Itachi?"

"Of course, but there isn't much I can do."

"Why do you think they're watching her? I mean it's only the occasional shinobi watching her every once in a while, but still…Could it be related to the document I found?" He glanced over at Kokoa, relieved she was still asleep, before returning to Itachi.

"Now we know it's not just some random document. It's about the Kuroki, her clan. It belongs to her. After you showed it to me, I did some research. There isn't much, but her father was Kuroki Akihiko. All I found out was that everyone feared him, Konoha in particular."

"So they're keeping an eye on her because of her father? Or because they're afraid she'll become like him? Maybe it's because she's too involved with us Uchiha now."

"All three, probably."

"Monitoring the Uchiha and watching the Kuroki girl. Heh, Tachi, you two really are perfect for each other," Shisui chuckled sadly. "Will you tell her? About any of it?"

"She doesn't know who she is or the power hiding in her. If Konoha will hurt and harass her because of it, perhaps it's best if she doesn't know for now. She will find out in time, but right now, I'm not so sure she could handle it. I don't…I don't want her becoming like the Uchiha. I don't want her to bear ill feelings towards the village."

"It's your call, Itachi. You're the only family she has."

"That document was hidden, stuffed away out of sight and reach. No one was meant to find it, and the only reason we could read parts of it is because of the sharingan. Maybe her father hid it. Maybe it was meant for Kokoa and Kokoa alone. I'll keep it safe for her until she's ready, until she can face Konoha. I don't want it falling into the wrong hands. I'll protect it. I'll protect her."

"Things are spiraling out of control, Itachi. With our clan…"

"I know." He shut his eyes.

"Will you tell her?"

"I can't. I don't want to bring her down, to get her involved."

"She's involved whether you like it or not. By being with you, Itachi, Kokoa's life has been altered, and depending on what the Uchiha decide to do, her fate depends on yours. You are connected."

"Shisui –"

"I know you don't want to hear it, but it's true. You're her world and everyone knows it. Whatever happens to you will affect her. You say you don't want to bring her down, but you can't really walk away from her, can you? You love her too much to just suddenly let her go." Shisui drew circles in the dirt with a twig as he spoke, looking up momentarily at his friend. Itachi held his face in his hands, defeated. "Tachi…" Shisui looked on with sad eyes, glancing back at Kokoa. What was going to happen? What would Itachi do?