Chapter 2
Years had passed, and she was twenty years old. She had gotten over her self-conscious self, and was outgoing. She was kindhearted and caring, though she had her temper. She was strong in all the ninja arts: Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu. She trained with every Jounin, and the Fifth Hokage. She learned super strength and average medical jutsu's. She grown her hair out long, down to her waist, but she liked to look innocent by taking her hair down from its low ponytail and covering her face, like she used to do when she was younger, and it made people slow down, enough for her to get a chakra-filled punch in.
Tsunade said she was as strong as she would ever be, and Emi decided it was time to look for Itachi. She went to the Hokage's office, and said, "Hokage-sama…" Tsunade looked up to acknowledge the ANBU captain. "I need to…leave for a while…" Emi wasn't sure how to say it, but Tsunade understood. "Emi…I know you really want to do this, but…it's dangerous." "I can handle it, Hokage-sama." Emi said stubbornly. Tsunade looked at her a moment, and said, "I can give you eight months, but no more than that. If you decide to stay with him…" Tsunade sighed, "We'll lose one of the best ANBU captains in the whole history of this village."
Tsunade made eye contact. "If you stay with him, you'll be considered an S-rank Missing Nin, Emi." The young woman nodded, understanding the consequences. Tsunade, knowing she couldn't stop the stubborn ANBU, said, "Fine…you may go." Emi smiled brightly, and said, "Thank you, Hokage-sama…for understanding." She left in a flash, and went to her apartment to pack her things. She was ready by nightfall, and decided to leave in the cover of darkness…a true ninja through and through.
She was running through the forest, the darkness almost suffocating, but she forged on. The smell of smoke drifted through the air after she'd been running for a while, and she jumped to a low branch and looked down to see a normal sight, a small group of people camping. She continued, silent as the shadows, and deadly as the silence. She searched for two months, not finding a single thing, and she was resting in a low branch of a large tree. She breathed deeply, tired, but never letting her guard down as she ate some fruit.
She heard someone talking, but she couldn't tell what the person was saying. It perked her curiosity, and she got as close as she could while still being effectively hidden. She saw two figures around a campfire, with black cloaks, with red clouds. She only saw the larger figure clearly, and he looked kind of like a…shark?
She was confused, but listened to what he was saying. "Why are we here anyway? If ANBU catches us…actually, I hear they have a strong ninja there now. I can't wait to see her blood…" Emi shivered slightly, but stayed completely silent. "…I wonder how she'd do in a fight against you, Itachi." Her heartbeat quickened, and she looked at the silent figure. She knew it was Itachi! It had to be! She was masking her chakra, and went to the bushes below, seeing if he'd notice someone was there. "…Come out…" The larger figure grabbed his sword, and she came out, slowly.
Any sudden movements could mean her death. "Itachi…" He stared at her with his Sharingan. "It's me…Emi…" His eyes widened slightly. "Emi…" The larger figure stood, saying, "I don't care who you are. I'll kill you anyway." She tensed, and Itachi said, "Kisame…don't." Kisame looked at his partner a moment before backing off. Itachi stared at her impassively before saying, "Why are you here?" "I…I've been looking for you." "Why?" She looked him in the eyes, a dangerous move, and said, "I…want to join you…"
Kisame said, laughing, "A little girl like you?! You must be joking!" She glared at the giant shark. "I'm not." She looked at Itachi again. "I'm not the same person I was before. I'm stronger. I can help…" Kisame was thinking, and said, "…Emi…Michiyo?" She nodded. "Aren't you that ANBU captain from Konoha…they say you've never failed a mission…" She nodded again, and said, "I just want to go with you, Itachi…" He looks away, saying, "No." She felt a knot in her throat, but she keeps her eyes steely as she says, "I guess everyone else was right…you have changed…" She turned, and walked into the forest.
She walked slowly, and, when she was far enough, allowed the tears to come out of her eyes. "Emi…" She turned to see Itachi, and said, "I thought you didn't want me to go with you." He went up to her, and wiped away her tears, saying, "I never said I didn't want you to come with me…I just don't want you to ruin your life for me…" She said, her eyes stubborn, "I know what will happen if I go with you. People tell me every day…but I don't care. I just want to be with you…" She smiled. "You were my only friend."
It was quiet for a moment, and she said, blushing, "Itachi…" He looked her in the eyes. "I've…wanted to tell you something…for a long time now…" She didn't know how to say it, and her blush grew deeper. She breathed deeply, thinking, 'I should just tell him! If I don't, who will?! But…I guess I'm still the shy little girl from before…' "Emi…" She looked up again. "You can tell me." She trusted him, and said, "I…I…love you…" She said the last part silently, and some of her hair covered her eyes, reminding Itachi of when she was younger.
"Emi…" She looked up again, still blushing, when she felt his lips on hers. She blushed the deepest crimson before relaxing and returning the kiss. They separated, and her heart fluttered in her chest like a bird. "I love you, too." He whispered in her ear, and her heart melted. "Itachi…" She hugged him, saying, "Please…don't leave me again." He understood, and wrapped his arms around her, saying, "I'll always protect you."