It's been so long! Too long. And I apologize about that. This was my last semester, and things got crazy. But I'm still working on this story. Fear not. I wanted to jump back into things with this chapter. To show where everyone is without taking up too much time or space, so it moves fast. I wanted some action, too, to show Kokoa on the move and hint towards what'll happen next. I didn't want it to drag, because I do sometimes take my time getting to the point :P Also, I won't take months on the next chapter!

"You think your father will ever like me, Itachi-kun?"

"Hm?" Itachi, on his back in the grass beside Kokoa, peeled open an eye.

"Your father, he doesn't like me much."

"He's just picky. Stubborn, too. He doesn't even know you," he said.

"He thinks I'm a big mess."

"You are. Just a little bit," he said, pinching two fingers.

"Shush!" Kokoa inhaled deeply. She rested an arm over her eyes, smiling softly at the sun's warmth. "I wonder what's next."

"Next?" He glanced at her again.

"After this chapter. I'm jonin. You're ANBU captain. But what's next, Itachi-san?"

"We settle down," he said, fingering the bottom hem of his shirt.

"Settle down?" Kokoa rolled over on her stomach and propped herself up on an elbow.

"Get our own place. Our own lives. Away from...from all this." He waved a hand.

"I'd like that."

"Have our own rules. Expectations. A family." He didn't look at her that time, thinking if he didn't, maybe she wouldn't notice the pink in his cheeks. Kokoa shut her eyes and only hummed happily in response.

"The first will be a boy," he said. "An Uchiha boy that looks just like me and my father and Sasuke. And we'll raise him to be strong and brave. The best big brother to his little sister, a baby girl with a scarlet bow in her hair and her mother's bright blue eyes." He gazed up at the sky, squinting once he caught the sun.

Kokoa rolled again, back on her back, only closer to Itachi this time. She grabbed his hand, admiring rough palms and the lines of his fingers.

"We'd get to watch the sunset."

On the road for some time now, Kokoa hadn't a clue where to go next. Her severe migraines were back, too, and that made focusing and travelling all the more difficult. Akatsuki had settled down a bit after the Kazekage incident. No one had heard from them, and she couldn't ask anyone who might have an idea. Gaara labeled her missing for a while, cooperating with the council. But they soon gave up searching for her. He declared she was dead and called off all Suna shinobi. Kakashi knew what she was up to, having had that conversation with her just before she left, but he and Gaara were the only ones. And it would stay that way. For now.

"Did you hear, Itachi-san?" Kisame asked his partner, who sat tapping fingers on a tabletop. "Word's spread that Kuroki Kokoa is dead. It seems she disappeared after our little show with Suna, and now they've called off their search."

"That crazy bitch? Good riddance," Deidara said, eyeing the stitches where Kakuzu reattached his arm.

"I wouldn't speak about her that way in front of Itachi. You might land yourself in some trouble."

"I lost my arm because of her and her Konoha friends. Like I care. They even took out Sasori no Danna. I'll kill her if I see her again, hn."

"Don't be so sure you can," Itachi said, glancing at his fingernails.

"She's fast, I'll give her that, but that's all she's got, yeah."

"Kuroki Kokoa walked away from my Tsukuyomi."

"Eh?" Deidara fell quiet.

"And considering the things her father passed down to her that no one knows about, she's got a lot more," Itachi said. Kisame smirked to himself. How did Itachi plan on convincing everyone he was over Kokoa if he jumped to her defense all the time? He was going to have to give into his emotions sooner or later, and Kisame hoped it was sooner. He wanted a front row seat.

"Well if we cross paths again, it isn't gonna be pretty, yeah."

"Tch." Itachi turned away, a hand at his forehead. Sasuke was still Orochimaru's target. Kokoa was supposedly dead, but he was sure she out there somewhere, angry and on the hunt.

"Don't stress yourself out, Itachi-san," Kisame said. "It's bad for your health."

Naruto and Sakura prepared to set out with their new team. Yamato and Sai were Sasuke and Kakashi's replacements for now. Naruto, missing Kakashi and frustrated with Sai, wished more than anything for Kokoa's help, but she was gone. And even if she wasn't, there's no way she and Sakura would work together. Sakura had tried to kill her, after all.

"This doesn't feel right," Naruto said.

"What?" Sakura stepped closer to him.

"She should be with us. Sasuke was her family."

"Who?"

"Kokoa. She knew him better than we did."

"Naruto, Kokoa abandoned Sasuke the second she sided with his brother. She doesn't deserve to be a part of this rescue mission. She's dead anyway, right?"

"I don't know…

"You don't think she's dead?" Sai asked. Yamato peered over his shoulder at the others. Kakashi had filled him in on most of Kokoa's story and her relationship to Naruto and Sakura, leaving out a few details, including the fact she was alive and on her way to Itachi.

"She can't be. Kokoa-chan is tough. I don't think she's dead. I won't believe it," Naruto said, clenching his fists.

"Kokoa is in a similar position as her Uchiha friends," Sai said. "If alive, she's rogue."

"What do you…" Naruto hated where he was taking things.

"Kuroki Kokoa was imprisoned by Konoha twice. She was in jail a third time when she first transferred to Sunagakure, too. She has a history of running off and causing trouble. If she's no longer under Suna's watch and authority and if she's not dead, well, she's rogue. A wanted shinobi. Dead or alive. Just like Uchiha Itachi. Just like Uchiha Sasuke. Enemies of the Leaf. Just like her father."

"Kuroki Kokoa is dead, as far as we're concerned," Yamato said. "And if she isn't, her business is with Itachi, not Sasuke. We won't be running into her. While you think a reunion would be nice, Naruto, she doesn't belong here."

"He's right," Sakura said. Naruto kept quiet.

"Are you going to go look for her?"

"No."

"You should, Itachi-san. Before someone else finds her first," Kisame said. They sat in their own quarters, Kisame tending to his sword, Itachi picking at his nails.

"Who are you referring to?" he asked.

"Now that she's brought some attention to herself, I'm sure there are bounties out there. Akihiko's child, hmmm, I wonder the price."

"I doubt it -"

"Enough with this denial. You know Konoha wants her head. They can't afford both you and her on the loose with their secrets. Suna has to keep up their end, too. And those powers of hers...Ne, Itachi-san, just what is she capable of?" he asked. Itachi kept his gaze low, hanging on to Kisame's every word.

"She can read a person's heart, their true intentions."

"Ho?"

"A skilled enough shinobi can control their thoughts, but the heart," he said, tapping his chest, "is your truth."

"Is she able to read minds liker her father could? What a monster." Kisame smiled a smile that sent shivers down Itachi's back.

"I think it's only a matter of time before she can," he admitted.

"There you go, Itachi-san. She's wanted by two villages at least and anyone who's after bounty money. Everyone knew her father. Everyone knows what she can do if angry enough."

"What are you getting at, Kisam-san?"

"Since I'm not blind or stupid, I know you love this girl. I'm not sure what losing her would do to you. Find her. Bring her back. And get yourself together. We're not here to play games."

"I told you once, she's not coming here," Itachi said.

"And I'm telling you it's not a matter of if she comes, Itachi. It's when."

Earlier enjoying the yellow sun, Kokoa found herself crouched low with her back against a boulder. Sweat trickled down her face. Her heart raced. A terrible chakra swallowed her. She moved the slightest bit, peeking to see the source, and caught glimpse of red clouds on black. But was it Itachi? She moved back, taking a second to catch her breath. Breathe in. Breathe out.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

In.

She took another peek. They were gone. A heat rushed through her. She turned back only to find three large blades at her neck. She did not speak.

"Who the fuck are you?

Out.

He sat up in bed, coughing hard, coughing loud.

"Orochimaru-sama!" Kabuto rushed to his side. Orochimaru shook his head, telling him he was all right. "You're almost at your limit, Orochimaru-sama. You'll have to do the transfer."

"I will, Kabuto. Soon. Sasuke-kun is almost ready."

"You can't wait much longer," the medic said, pushing up his glasses.

"Why so impatient, Kabuto?" Orochimaru leaned back against his pillows.

"What if Sasuke-kun fights back? What if things don't go as planned?"

"You said it yourself, even he can't resist the technique. I will have him."

"Sasuke isn't my only concern, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto said. The sannin eyed him, waiting for more. "It's Kokoa."

"Akihiko's daughter. Yes, yes."

"She knows Sasuke is with you and what you plan to do. People are saying she's left Suna. She's no longer affiliated with any village, meaning there aren't any rules for her to break. What if she comes after Sasuke-kun?"

"Kokoa isn't coming here."
"How can you be so sure, Orochimaru-sama?" he asked. Sasuke happened to walk by at the mention of her name. He made sure to conceal his presence, but it was too late. Orochimaru had already sensed him but said nothing, deciding it was a chance to play with the boy's emotions.

"Kuroki Kokoa isn't coming for Sasuke-kun, Kabuto," he said. "She has more important things in mind."

"You don't think…"

"She somehow escaped Konoha, and now she's slipped through Sunagakure's fingers. She isn't coming here because she's on her way to Akatsuki."

"For sure this time."

"Ah. She ended her business with Sasuke-kun a long time ago. Uchiha Itachi is her priority. I wonder…" Orochimaru failed to hide a smirk. "I wonder what she'd do if faced with both brothers. Would she let Sasuke-kun kill Itachi? Would she join Itachi? Who would she choose?"

"I can't say, Orochimaru-sama. I haven't the slightest idea. I would think Sasuke-kun, but -"

"But you've never seen the way she speaks about Itachi. There's a fire in her eyes. A passion. I can't say for sure either, Kabuto, but that's what makes things so interesting."

Kokoa had been having harsh migraines for the last few weeks. They seemed to get worse under stress. She shut her eyes, grimacing at the pain, terrified of the blades at her neck.

"I asked you a question," the man said. "Don't make me force it out of you, though, I wouldn't mind."

"Hidan, what are you on about?" Kakuzu approached his partner.

"I found the rat, Kakuzu," he said. "She's kind of hot, but she won't answer my question." Hidan pressed his scythe against her skin. She shivered at the cold. Kokoa slowly raised both hands.

"I'm not here to fight," she said.

"Ho, ho, it speaks," Hidan said. "Who the hell are you, and why the hell are you sneaking around?" He pressed his weapon harder. Kokoa suddenly stiffened and crumbled to dirt.

"Bunshin?" Kakuzu said. He and Hidan turned around. Kokoa stood a few feet away. She held up her hands again.

"I swear, I'm not here to fight," she said.

"Do we look stupid?" Hidan asked. Kokoa remained quiet. She looked at Kakuzu, realizing he was the more sane of the two.

"If you're not here to fight, then why are you here?" he asked. "And why do you look familiar?"

"Maybe if she told us her damn name…"

"Hidan, enough."

"I'll tell you my name if you promise not to approach," Kokoa said, knowing full well she didn't stand a chance against them.

"How about you tell us your name, and we'll do whatever we want?" Hidan said, leaning against his scythe.

"He's right. You're in no position to be calling the shots," Kakuzu said.

"I'm Kuroki. Kuroki Kokoa."

"Kuroki?" His eyes lit up.

"Koko - a? I've heard that name before." Hidan scratched his head. "Oh yeah, that girl causing trouble for Itachi all the time! So you're the crazy bitch, huh? Nice to finally meet you. You really pissed Deidara off. I have to thank you for that."

"You look just like your father," Kakuzu said.

"You knew him?" she asked.

"I almost fought him. I wondered how that would have gone. From what I've heard, his heart would have been fit for my collection."

"Heart?" Kokoa furrowed her brow, confused.

"Enough memories. Why the hell are you sneaking around. Who sent you?" Hidan said.

"No one."

"Bull shit. Come on. I'm smarter than I look."

"I swear. No one sent me. I'm here alone, for my own reasons."

"And what are those reasons?" Kakuzu asked, narrowing his eyes. Kokoa sucked in a sharp breath.

"I need to find Uchiha Itachi."

"Itachi?"

"I need to see him. We met again recently, when Akatsuki went after the Kazekage, but he ran off, like always. I'm after Itachi. That's it. I have no other motive."

"I find that pretty fucking hard to believe," Hidan said, running a hand through his hair. "A Konoha ninja running around looking for Akatsuki?"

"I'm not a Konoha ninja. Not anymore. I'm not with Suna either. They'd kill me if they found me. Some even think I'm dead. I'm here because I need to see Itachi. That's it. I'm not after Akatsuki. I don't care what you do. I just need Itachi!"

Kakuzu, using the black tendrils running through his body, suddenly bound Kokoa's feet. She looked down in surprise. More threads burst from the ground and coiled around her wrists. He pulled her to her knees.

"You shouldn't yell," Hidan said. "Fucking disrespectful."

"Please," Kokoa said, turning her face afterwards. Her head throbbed. She heard her blood gush in her hears. She heard something else, too. Something she couldn't quite understand. It sounded like Hidan, but when she looked at him, he wasn't speaking. The edges of her vision blurred, but the Kuroki held on. She had to.

"All I am asking is to see Uchiha Itachi. Take me there bound. Blindfold me. Knock me out cold. I need to see him."

"A little pathetic, don't you think?"

"I don't care at this point. I'll do what I have to," she said. "I need your help."

"Not many people know this, but," Kakuzu interrupted them, "there's a certain someone out there who is willing to pay for your head."

"What?"

"Someone wants you. They said dead or alive. Preferably alive. I assume you have some information."

"I have no such thing. I don't know anything about anyone. I barely know about my own family," she said. "Who is this? Who wants me? Is it that bastard Danzo?"

"Oh? You know Danzo?" Kakuzu raised an eyebrow.

"Of course I do. He had my parents murdered and spent all these years watching me in case I turned out like my father. That son of a bitch took everything from me."

"Maybe you aren't so pathetic," Hidan said, grinning at her foul language.

"Don't listen to Danzo. He'll play you. He hated my father and killed him. He wants me dead, too, and he'll do whatever it takes. Even if it means accepting help from Akatsuki. You'll get nothing."

"Funny, the wanted girl is telling me not to turn her in," Kakuzu said.

"Listen," Kokoa said, tugging at her restraints. "Listen, please. All I want is Itachi, ok? Take me to him. Take me to your group, to your leader. You'll have the advantage."

"How?" Hidan asked.

"Itachi killed his clan and fled the village. He was an ANBU captain who held a lot of information. Now he's with Akatsuki. I was a jonin back in Konoha, with my own set of information. I'm on the loose and I'm angry and people are afraid of my abilities. That's two Konoha ninja with information. If you take me to Akatsuki, then you have me and my secrets and my powers. I will do whatever you guys want. Use me. Lock me up. I don't care. I just need to see Itachi. But if you turn me in, I lose and Danzo plays you."

"What do you think, Kakuzu?" Hidan looked over to his partner. "He didn't say how much money, did he?"

"No," he said. Kokoa shut her eyes, her head spinning again.

"Is the bitch playing games?"

"No games. I promise," Kokoa said.

"How?" Hidan froze.

"What?" Kokoa blinked hard.

"You knew. I didn't say anything."

"You said if I'm playing games."

"The hell I did," he said.

"Did you think it?" Kakuzu asked him.

"Yeah. Don't tell me she's pulling some gen-jutsu bull shit."

"No, it's not gen-jutsu," Kakuzu said, approaching Kokoa. He crouched down to her level and met her eyes, never saying a word.

"You can hear me, can't you, Kuroki Kokoa?"

Kokoa swallowed hard. She shook in place, horrified.

"You can hear me. Just like your father could."