Hellooo. I know I said chapter 50 would be the last before I jump to Shippuden, but it was too long to post as one chapter. So here is this one, and I promise that chapter 51 will be the last before the time skip. In fact, Itachi has a large role in #51, so it's worth the wait, at least I hope haha. Just wrapping some things up, and then Shippuden at last. As always, thank you so, so, so much for all the feedback, follows, and favorites. I truly appreciate it, and I'm glad you like the story. Ja na for now.

"So you need Jiraiya-sama and I?"

"Hai. I need to request a transfer. I'm leaving Konoha."

"Leaving? What – why?" Kakashi asked with a tilt of his head.

"There's nothing left for me anymore here in Konoha. My parents are dead, and my Itachi and Sasuke are gone. I'm just living in this oversized prison cell while ANBU and Root wait for another mistake so they can swoop in and arrest me. I need to start over. I need to sort out some things."

"What happened?"

"Hm?"

"Something's changed in you." He eyed her. "Kokoa?"

"I…I just have this bad feeling. I have to find a document that belongs to my clan, and then I have to leave. But I need help, and I can't raise suspicion. That's why I'm asking Tsunade-sama. That's why I need your help. Please, Kakashi-san."

"Kokoa –"

"After all these years, all that I've said and done, you've still been a friend to me. You still treat me with respect and kindness. Even if I'm harsh at times, I truly do appreciate all that you do, Kakashi-san. I have one last request. Please, I need your help."

"You've always tried to handle things on your own ever since Itachi left," he said, "so it's about time you ask me for something."

"Kakash – arigato!" She bowed in respect.

"Hai, hai, hai. We just need to find Jiraiya-sama."

"I saw him with Naruto not too long ago. He should still be in the village."

"Let's go then."

After dragging Jiraiya from the hot springs and explaining Kokoa's mission, the Sannin, the Kuroki, and the Copy Ninja dashed to Tsunade's. Kokoa stressed how time was an issue and that she feared Root would begin to suspect something was up. This had to be done quickly.

Tsunade sat leaning forward with both elbows on the desk, her face in her hands. She sighed deeply.

"Is this really what you want?"

"I need to leave. I don't have anything here anymore. I'll go mad just sitting around."

"This isn't as easy as you'd think," the Hokage said.

"I know. And if it means I have to step down as a shinobi, I'll do it. I'll resign. I'll do anything. I just need to leave. I need to start over. I can't keep clinging to the hope that someone will come back for me. Please, Tsunade-sama."

"There will be paper work."

"Of course, yes."

"And it also depends on Suna's response."

"I think they'll be ok," Jiraiya said. "Who wouldn't want this pretty lady?"

"Hokage-sama, you have the both of us vouching for her. Kokoa has suffered a lot in life, and she's always going to be haunted and judged for her past. She just wants to start over, to live her own life away from all of this. You do know she's being watched all the time. She's suffocating." Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder as he spoke.

"Shinobi must learn to bear such burdens. Surely you know what it's like to suffocate, Hatake Kakashi," Danzo said, slithering up beside Tsunade, Zaji in tow. Kokoa's eyes darkened. Her jaw tightened. He had Akihiko killed. Danzo was the root of all her problems, and she did not even know his involvement in Itachi's pain. She wanted to run. She wanted to hide, to avoid their eyes because they were always watching, but she remembered her father's words. She remembered her promise. She would not let them forget Akihiko.

She straightened up, the anxiety leaving her.

"She's requested the transfer properly. If Suna accepts, there's no reason to deny her," Tsunade said. "I understand you've had her under watch all this time for her possible involvement in the Uchiha massacre, but Suna is well aware of her record. If she goes, Kokoa becomes their responsibility."

"The Uchiha tragedy is Konoha's problem, therefore Kokoa is our responsibility. We can't let a Kuroki who was involved with Uchiha Itachi run free," Danzo said.

"She won't be free, Danzo," she sighed. "You think Suna would let her do as she pleases? They're stricter than us in many aspects."

"She was involved with Itachi. She met up with him recently. She also had a little run in with Orochimaru. Can you really let her go? Is that wise, Tsunade?"

"With the mess Sasuke caused, I don't have time to worry about this. Jiraiya and Hatake Kakashi stand behind this girl. As does another shinobi I trust," she said, referring to Naruto.

"What are you afraid of?" Kokoa spoke, eyes on Danzo and his dog. He furrowed his brow. "Why are you so desperate to keep me here, Danzo-sama?"

"You should know."

"I told you and Sarutobi years ago that I was not involved in the Uchiha massacre, and that I'd die saying that."

"People lie."

"Oh how they do."

"What are you planning?" Zaji questioned, once again unsettled by the look in her eyes.

"I just want to live somewhere where you aren't watching my every move. Itachi left me, and Sasuke is gone for revenge. I'm done living for other people. I just want to live for myself."

"Beautiful," Danzo scoffed. "Sounds lovely, but that's not how the system works."

"The system? Heh, you think I care about the damn system? The system turned on me the second things went sour. I don't care about the system or your backwards ways and rules. I want to leave Konohagakure, and as I said, I will resign if I have to. Suna can watch me, and they can work me like a dog, but I'll take anything over this village. You should be relieved. Kuroki Kokoa will no longer be here. I'm leaving."

"Oi, enough you two," Tsunade said. "I stand by my previous comment. Suna has to accept first. If they do, we'll start the process and see where it goes from there."

"You're making a mistake, Tsunade-hime," he warned.

"The only mistake is pinning the massacre on this girl," Jiraiya said. "Questioning her at first in understandable, but do you really believe she was a part of it?"

"You were not here to see her interact with Uchiha Itachi back then. She would have gladly given up her life for him. She did everything he asked. Isn't that right, Kokoa?"

"Tch." She kept quiet. Oh how she wanted to say it, to say that she still would do anything he asked. That she still would give up her life for him, that she loved him, believed in him, respected him, but that wasn't the place or time. She shifted her gaze elsewhere.

"I've made my decision as Hokage. If I need any of you, I'll send word. Everyone is dismissed." Tsunade waved a hand, annoyed. Danzo disappeared with a huff, and Kakashi and Jiriaya left.

"Oi," Tsunade stopped Kokoa. "What is your deal with Uchiha Itachi? I know you were seeing him, but it seems there's more to this."

"I loved him," she said, meeting her eyes. "He was my only family, my everything. I loved him…but he left. I lost him. Can you understand? Can you understand that pain?" She rubbed her arm, a heavy sigh escaping her. Tsunade shut her eyes, remembering Dan's last words, his last breath.

"Uzumaki Naruto is fond of you, Kokoa."

"And I of him. He really is something special, that kid."

"That's why I'll help you."

"Tsunade-sama?"

"I came into office only to have you and your past thrown at me while Danzo tries to have his way. I wasn't here when Itachi left. I wasn't here to watch you all these years. So the least I can do as Hokage is make one solid decision concerning your case. You will go to Sunagakure."

"Arigato gozaimasu," she said and started to leave.

"I met Akihiko once," Tsunade said. Kokoa paused, her back still to her. "He was quiet and intimidating; a true shinobi. No one knew what went on in his head, but from what I've heard, everyone that's encountered him and lived could not forget his eyes. Your eyes."

Kokoa smiled to herself. So they saw. They saw her newfound determination, her resolve and pride. Perhaps she really would become feared like her father. She was already famous.

"Ah." She was gone.

"Again. That's the second time, Danzo-sama, that I've seen those eyes in Kokoa. It's never happened before until recently," Zaji stated, pacing before the older man. "I know those eyes. I know that look. That is Akihiko."

"Oh?" Danzo looked up from where he sat, catching the anxiety in his subordinate's words.

"There's something new about her. Something strange. And now her father's eyes. Could it be – Danzo-sama, you don't think it's him, do you?" He came to a stop.

"You killed Akihiko all those years ago, did you not, Zaji?" he spoke, sitting up.

"I did, Danzo-sama. You know I did. I laid his corpse at your feet. You wanted him dead and I made sure of that."

"Then what has you so anxious?"

"I'm trying to think of an explanation to Kokoa's odd behavior."

"She's his daughter. Akihiko was off and strange, so it's not surprise she is as well. Besides, she's still growing, developing. Kokoa will have episodes. She has in the past. What makes you think it's more than that?"

"Maybe I'm looking too far into it, Danzo-sama. It's just…to suddenly see his eyes in her…I was not expecting it. I was not expecting to face another Kuroki. It makes me wonder if she'll become like her father."

"We won't let that happen," Danzo said. "We have been watching her after all, from the moment she was born. Akihiko was excellent and terrifying, and that made him and anyone he held dear a threat, especially his own child, one who inherited his power and will and has the potential to surpass him. How fortunate we were for the conflict with the Uchiha." The old man stood up to stretch his limbs.

"We've been keeping an eye on Kokoa from the very beginning, making sure she doesn't step out of line, making sure she doesn't become like her father, but it's hard to justify keeping tabs on a loyal Konoha shinobi without proper cause, especially a young, orphaned girl. Kokoa's friendship with the Uchiha was just what we needed. Her relationship with Uchiha Itachi, what a gift. Being the loyal shinobi that he was, Itachi ended his clan and left Konoha; the perfect excuse to heighten security around Kokoa. Everyone knew she loved him dearly, so convincing them she might have been involved was easy. We call her a suspect in the Uchiha massacre when really we're making sure she doesn't become like Akihiko."

"And if she does become as strong as her father?" Zaji inquired. "Danzo-sama?"

"Then you end her life as you did Akihiko's."

"Understood…though it seems the Hokage is allowing her to leave."

"No worries. If Kuroki Kokoa does become strong, it will take time. As far as we know, she's still clueless about her clan and abilities. She'll be fine even if we aren't there. Besides, I have eyes everywhere. If it comes to it, I trust you with the task, Zaji. You've been the one hovering over her shoulder all these years. The one who knows just how she works. In the end, it is yours to do."

"Hai, Danzo-sama."

Days passed and still no sign of the document. Kokoa was exhausted from her search, and anxious about leaving. Sasuke left, and suddenly her world turned to chaos. When Itachi left she had Sasuke. They leaned on each other. Now all she had were Akihiko's words and her confidence that there was more to Itachi's story.

"Yoo, Kokoa-chan."

"Jiraiya-sama?" She turned, finding the man in her home. "What – I didn't sense you."

"I'm good at what I do," he grinned. "I have something for you."

"For me?" She took the package from him.

"Ah. Your papers."

"Papers?" She looked up at him.

"Sunagakure accepted the transfer request. Looks like Tsunade has a heart after all."

"Suna? They did?" She slipped the stack of documents from the folder.

"The ones on top are from Suna and Tsunade. The bottom stack has all the papers you need to fill out. You'll take that to Tsunade once you're finished, and well, you get to leave not too long after."

"So it's finally happening, huh…" She stuffed them away and set them over on the shelf.

"You look upset. I went to the trouble of convincing the old woman to let me be the one to deliver the news."

"I appreciate it, Jiraiya-sama. Honest, I do. It's just this is all happening so fast. One minute I'm in jail begging Sasuke to stay with me, and now I'm about to leave Konoha, the place I've always called home. It's scary, to turn your back on everything you've ever known. Even though I'm miserable here and harassed, I'm used to it, you know."

"This will be good for you though."

"Hai."

"I am sorry, Kokoa."

"What for? Oh, would you like some tea? Juice?" She started for the kitchen.

"No, no. Thanks. And sorry for having to abandon you a while back. I told you that I might have an answer to your migraines, but I never got back to you on that. I suspected it had something to do with your ability, with your father. I did some digging around, but there was nothing. I had to drop the subject to avoid suspicion, which is also why I had to keep away from you for a while."

"I understand. Kakashi-san explained it to me. I appreciate you trying."

"It seems as though you don't need my help on the subject anymore. There's something different about you…as if you know something. "

"Ah." She kept her back him, not wanting to discuss her encounter with Akihiko. "I've been afraid of leaving and starting new, but every time I doubt my decision…I have to leave. There's just one thing. There's this document that belonged to my clan. Our history, our treasure. I believe my father died without the document in his possession. It's somewhere, but I can't find it. It belongs to my family, to me, not Konoha," she spat in the end.

"I don't know, Kokoa. If I start looking for it, it'll be obvious we're up to something."

"I know. It's just that it would be a part of my father – a real – something physical to hold onto even though he isn't here." She fingered the Uchiha pendant as she spoke.

"You're not giving up on him, are you?" he inquired, glancing at her necklace.

"Never."

"You're a lot like Sasuke, but sometimes you're as foolish and stubborn as Naruto," he sighed.

"We all have that one thing, that one person we're willing to fight and die for. Uchiha Itachi is mine, regardless of what anyone says or thinks." She stepped closer. "I've always felt as though there was more to his story, and with my father telling me I may have the power to read hearts, I'm all the more convinced that things are not what they seem. I wanted Itachi's truth all these years, from his own mouth, but I never did anything about it. That's all about to change."

"Your father?" Jiraiya stepped back, bewildered. But as he stood there processing, thinking everything over, he soon began to realize that somehow, in some way Kokoa had spoken to her father, and her sudden decision to find the document and leave Konoha was all his doing.

Kokoa noticed the change in him, aware that he knew about Akihiko. Neither said anything, but the sannin nodded gently and Kokoa could not help but sigh in relief.

Water dripped endlessly from the stalactites of the damp, dark, cave. One by one they phased in through the Gentōshin no Jutsu - Magic lantern body technique.

"The last time we met like this was seven years ago when Orochimaru left the organization." The jutsu distorted each voice.

"And Orochimaru has gotten a hold of the sharingan…Itachi, is it your brother?"

Itachi stood motionless and quiet, expression stoic save for his eyes that sat narrowed and crimson with the sharingan. Sasuke had fallen into Orochimaru's trap. What did that mean? Did Sasuke choose to leave? And where was Kokoa in all this? Though he joined the Akatsuki meeting through the Gentōshin no Jutsu, his physical body lay hidden somewhere in the wild, ready to resume his trek to Konoha as soon as they wrapped things up.

"Don't rush things. We'll kill Orochimaru eventually, yeah. More importantly, we only have three years. Will we all be able to complete our tasks? Hm."

"Yes. Our objective is to obtain them all...including the Kyuubi."