A/N: I have updated both this final chapter and epilogue.
Chapter 26: Final
It was just her and her baby now, travelling alone in the world. There was loneliness, but there was also content, closure, and happiness as well.
Emiko softly smiled, looking up at the clear sky. It was a perfectly beautiful day, and she had arrived at her destination. The light breeze fluttered her hair and Yuri sneezed from the tickling in her nose caused by the wind.
"Bless you," Emiko giggled and gave a quick kiss to her baby on the cheek. Looking ahead, she sighed with satisfaction, realizing that she had arrived safe and sound. "We made it, Yuri, we made it."
The tumbleweeds rolled along the abandoned streets of the city. There was not a single person in sight, for who would live in a city that was left behind? Emiko only knew one.
"Is that you Emiko, nya?"
Pausing and looking down, the girl couldn't help but grin. She crouched and lightly scratched the cat behind his ear. "You've grown so much Denka! Where's Hina?"
Denka gave a Cheshire grin, his whiskers twitching, "She's with Nekobaa. And who's that?" He hopped onto her shoulder and peered at the blanket. Emiko pulled at the blanket lightly and Denka couldn't help but meow in surprise. "Is that your kitten, nya? She looks just like Master Itachi."
Emiko nodded fondly, "Yeah, she does." And the two entered the underground hideout, following the dark passages until they came upon the largest room. Entering, the Hatake girl bowed lowly. "It's so nice to meet you again, Nekobaa."
"Emiko child," Her rather rasped voice acknowledged her with surprise, "Whatever are you doing here?"
"This is the safest place I know to keep Yuri safe; I hope you do not mind."
"Yuri, eh?"
The elderly smoked on her pipe but nonetheless held the small baby in her arms. Humming loudly, she nodded, "She's an Uchiha, alright. I understand."
Emiko thanked her endlessly before petting the various cats that were surrounding her. She loved dogs, especially her brother's ninken, but cats were also too cuddly. Especially when they look at her with those enlarged eyes. "Oh! Emiko-sama!"
"Tamaki-chan!" Emiko gasped, "You've gotten so big!" She ruffled the girl's hair, remembering her when she was just a little toddler and Nekobaa had taken her in. About Sasuke's age, she remembered when her and Itachi had brought him here to play with her and all the cats.
Tamaki giggled but noticed Yuri and her eyes sparkled with awe, "She's so cute!" she squealed, beginning to play with the baby. Emiko smiled and watched the two interact, but couldn't help but sadly sigh when she noticed the pictures on the wall.
There were many of Itachi's, Sasuke's, even hers with the two of them. There was also a framed photo of her, Itachi, and Shisui when they had first brought her to this Uchiha hideout. "They sure bring back memories don't they?" Nekobaa asked with a small smile.
Emiko hummed, "Yes; Nekobaa you must have heard about the war?"
"Of course. I've been with the Uchiha for generations and I never thought the clan head of hundreds of years ago would start such a battle." The elder lady looked at the young girl from the corner of her eyes. She smoked on her pipe when a thought hit her. "You want to go on the battlefield, don't you?"
The girl turned to her in surprise, "How'd you know?"
"I've known you since you were little; don't insult my intelligence. I can see that look in your eyes."
Emiko sheepishly chuckled, "I guess it can't be helped. I want to go...I want to help out; I just want there to be peace...I want to make sure Sasuke's okay."
"Then go."
"I cannot, of course! I have Yuri; she can't just travel with me, especially towards war! I'd be the most terrible mother in this world!"
"And are you forgetting about Tamaki and I? We shall take care of little Yuri in your absence."
Emiko shook her head, "I can't place a burden on you, Nekobaa. You have this entire place to take care of, and I wouldn't want anything to interfere."
"You are stubborn, child. But Tamaki and I are plenty enough to take care of her. It seems like Denka and Hina have taken a liking to her too." Emiko looked behind and noticed them freely playing with Yuri, and the baby was in a happy mood, blowing spit bubbles and giggling. "Go, Emiko." Nekobaa placed a hand on the girl's shoulder with reassurance.
She nodded, "I will leave first thing tomorrow. Thank you, Nekobaa."
~~~
Emiko looked at the colorful setting of the sun, slowly climbing down the horizon, splashing colors of red and orange across the sky. It was a little chilly so late in the evening, and it was getting close to nighttime.
"Have you packed your things, child?" Turning around she saw Nekobaa behind her holding a small sac in her hand.
"Hai; I've replenished my supplies and everything."
"Here," Nekobaa handed her the sac, "Take these chakra pills. You have been weakening and these will help you a little."
"Thank you," Emiko smiled and gazed at Yuri who was wide awake in her arms. The mother carefully kissed every inch of the baby's face and two of her hands as well, "Kaa-chan loves you, Yuri. Be safe okay? And don't cause to much trouble for everyone else."
Yuri only squealed loudly and tapped both of her clenched fists against Emiko's face causing her to lightly laugh, "Hai hai, kaa-chan will bring back a souvenir for baby Yuri okay?" And with a final kiss, she handed her over to Nekobaa.
The elderly gravely nodded her head, and Emiko beamed at her, "I'm at your care, Nekobaa. Please do me that one last favor."
"Of course, child."
"Ja ne! Bye Yuri!" Emiko jogged ahead while waving back at her baby, "Kaa-chan will miss you okay?"
Yuri giggled and flapped her hands.
~~~
Emiko loudly panted as she made her way across the tree branches, flashing as fast as she could. Granted that she was not as strong as she was a few years ago, but damn it, she wouldn't let that hold her back.
"Fuck all of you!" She screamed as she sliced across the White Zetsu that was coming straight towards her.
She had probably killed hundred and hundreds by now; surprisingly, they were weaker than she thought. Just what the hell is going on? Being a sensor ninja, she had felt plenty of chakra, their strengths, and memorizing the signatures.
But the multiple chakra she was feeling at the moment was almost life threatening. It felt like the aura was zapping the strength out of her. The chakra was so demonic, and enormous. It was off the charts, and there wasn't only one, but so fucking many.
Emiko felt herself getting close, real close. She had followed the traces of chakra all over the lands until finding the one she was looking for.
Halting in her steps, she froze as her eyes widened, scanning her surroundings. Automatically gasping, she could only watch in horror at the multiple bodies that lay at her feet, dead. Not only that, but the moon. The once glorious, pearl moon that casted it's glowing light, was now the color of crimson.
The sickening smell of blood protruded the air making her want to gag. And she did when she found herself stepping in a deep puddle of the liquid. Shrieking, she flinched backwards, and ran away further.
Only a few survivors could be seen, and so many of them were covered in a fire-orange surge of chakra. Her eyes narrowed in confusion. The Kyuubi's chakra? But how?
The terrain was now changing. The flat ground beneath her feet started becoming rocky, and more uneven. She could see the last of the forests behind her and only cliffs and mountainous rock ahead. Suddenly, a gut-wrenching feeling blasted her from the inside.
Falling to her knees, her voice came out in choked noises, "T-This chakra..." she gasped. The intensity of it was overwhelming to the point that she could barely stand. An eerie shiver ran down her spine, but she couldn't stop. No, she had to keep moving.
Opening up the sac with shaky hands, she swallowed an instant chakra replenishing pill. Emiko could feel the boost in her energy; it was enough to counteract the ominous chakra that was crushing her.
Not giving up, she kept running. Note to self, don't start being a kunoichi after birth.
She could feel it in her veins.
This certain chakra. And she tracked it. Up ahead she saw a colossal cliff that was radiating an orange glow, and that's where this energy was coming from. Emiko guided chakra to the soles of her feet and attached herself on to the wall of the cliff, her body parallel to the ground, and she sprinted up.
~~~
Kakashi frowned at the situation they were in. He couldn't help but feel exhausted from the battles he had involved himself in. And now, he could only watch as his best friend lay on the ground, gasping for his life.
The Ten Tails had just been extracted from Obito, and the boy felt like he was nearing his death. Because he knew that once a tailed beast is taken from the host, that host dies. His single Sharingan and Rinnegan eyes stared up at the darkness of the night, thoughts filled with memories of Rin.
Minato bit his lip, watching both of his students suffer. But his thoughts were interrupted by Kurama's consciousness within him, as he had the essence of the Nine-Tails surrounding his body which changed his appearance to looking like a huge ball of sunshine. But the blackness around his eyes remained, for he was still in the Reanimation state that Orochimaru had casted.
"Kakashi," Minato called causing him to look at his sensei, "Kurama just told me that Obito will not die because he still linked to the Gedo Statue from inside his body. So you don't have to worry."
"I see, then...his life is... I was hoping he would atone for his past deeds, but it seems he can't move. Just stay put. Sensei," Kakashi called, "Please watch Obito for—"
A sudden gasp caused the two of them to swiftly turn their heads to their new visitor. Kakashi's eyes widened with astonishment, "Emiko?" But her eyes were going back and forth from Minato's form to Obito's on the ground.
"M-Minato...ji-san a-and Obito-nii?" she whispered as her slow footsteps headed towards the two of them. Minato was surprised to say the least. The last time he had seen her was when she was only a few years old, still in the academy.
"Emiko? Is that you?" He wanted to openly gawk at the state she was in, but didn't comment on it. Simply put, she looked like a wreck.
"I should be the one asking you that!" She exclaimed, "I knew the reanimation jutsu was cancelled by Itachi, but what the hell is going on with you two! And you," she pointed to Obito, "You were supposed to be dead!"
Minato sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "Well you see, Orochimaru reanimated us upon Sasuke-kun's request."
"Hold it!" she put up her palm indicating to stop, "Did you just say Sasuke? There's only one Sasuke I know... damn it Sasuke! You're so dead when I find you." She cursed under her breath and knelt down besides Obito, who blinked back up at her, still trying to cling onto life. "Spill it."
His lips slowly pulled to a smirk, "Tobi is very sorry to upset Emiko-chan!" His high pitched voice rang in Emiko's ear. Her jaw dropped before narrowing her eyes. Grabbing onto his collar, she pulled him close.
"You were Tobi and you even threatened me??! You were Madara Uchiha all this time...How dare you—"
"Maa maa, Emiko," Minato carefully pulled her up, "You're killing him even more."
She hissed, "That's the point!" she sighed, "I can't even think how I believed that he was Madara. I mean c'mon, like he would ever come back."
"...Actually..." Minato trailed off, "Madara Uchiha is back as well, well he's reanimated."
Emiko face-palmed, "I can't believe this. I feel so out of the loop." She turned to see Kakashi staring the ground, not meeting her eyes. Frowning, she walked up to him and pulled his chin up. Her eyes equally met with his and she gave a small smile, "No matter what you do or how you do it. No matter what mistakes the both of us make, you'll always be my Kashi-nii and I will always love you."
Her eyes softened at the almost desperate and vulnerable Kakashi she could see in his eyes, and pulled him into a hug. His large arms immediately wrapped around her, bringing her closer than ever, and he buried his face into her hair, "I missed you, Kashi-nii." She whispered.
"Me too." He replied softly and pulled back to kiss her forehead.
"Guess what," she whispered into his chest, "You're an uncle." He froze before his single black eye and Sharingan stared down at her in shock.
"W-What?"
"You. Are. An. Uncle." She emphasized poking his chest with each word, "After all this is over, I'm dragging you to meet your niece."
"Niece...niece, I have a niece..." he muttered under is breath, repeatedly. She could only roll her eyes, but frowned when she realized that there were more important matters to attend to.
Obito clasped his fingers together; all three of them snapped their attention to the Uchiha boy, who was solemnly looking up at them. "What are you trying to do?"
"...The same jutsu that a man once used to betray me. I never imagined I'd end up doing the same thing."
"It can't be," Kakashi's eyes widened.
"What jutsu is he talking about?" Emiko asked.
"Gedo Art of Rinne Rebirth."
Kakashi shook his head, "But that jutsu will result in your...!"
"I guess I won't have much to say to Rin on the other side."
Emiko paused as she understood the fact that this jutsu was life threatening. You're literally trading in a life for another. And it made her remember something similar to it.
"No," Kakashi frowned, "You should live, rather you could live and atone for your mistakes."
Obito smirked, "No. That's the easy way out," But before he could even speak of the jutsu, a sudden explosion occurred with a black hand rooting from the ground and wrapping around Obito's body, where the fingers pierced his stomach.
"Black Zetsu!" Emiko gasped, stepping back, "What the...what do you think you're doing?!"
"Ara ara, Emiko-chan. Didn't think I would meet you here," The lone yellow eye stared back at her almost sinisterly, "But alas I'm not here for you." She could only watch in horror as Black Zetsu literally integrated into Obito's body, taking over half.
"Art of Rinne Rebirth!"
And suddenly, Black Zetsu tore himself out of Obito, "Obito, your usefulness is over."
Emiko couldn't be anymore confused but a sudden impact made her wheeze for air. That feeling was strong, a bit too strong. She had never heard of the jutsu before, but she knew that it had something to do with the Rinnegan. "What did you do?" she coughed loudly as she felt more vulnerable than ever.
"Madara...has come back to life."
So that's whose chakra I felt...
The other three couldn't help but gape at him in disbelief and fear, "W-What?"
"You performed the Rinne Rebirth," Black Zetsu turned towards the Uchiha, "So you will die." He was about to grab Obito's Rinnegan eye, however, seeing Kakashi and Minato run towards him, Black Zetsu attached himself onto the boy once again. "He'll last a little while longer while I'm attached to him. Until he does, I'll use his body to fight you."
But before Obito's body could make a move, his eyes glazed over before a pulse sent a shock down his spine. The ground shook relentlessly underneath their feet His body collapsed on the ground before a huge figure sprung out from his abdomens, growing with size each time. Emiko could only stare agape as her neck tilted back to see the enormous statue.
"W-What the hell is that?" she gasped.
Minato narrowed his eyes, "That's the Gedo Statue: vessel of the Ten Tails... You think you can fight that, Kakashi?"
Kakashi gave a single nod, "I'll see what I can do. Kamui!" His eyes shifted to the Mangekyō Sharingan but before they could have any affect, the statue completely disappeared.
"I-It's gone..." the two men muttered.
Emiko looked at it in confusion before an unnerving feeling sent shivers down her spine. No...NO! That chakra! Her eyes lined with tears as her breathing became erratic. She dropped to her knees as she clenched her lungs, trying to gasp in as much air as she could.
"Emiko!" Kakashi shook her shoulders, bending down, "Snap out of it!"
"S-Sasuke..." she whispered as tears streamed down her cheek, "His chakra..." Her hands clenched into her hair as she pulled the long strands, "I-I need to see Sasuke!"
She quickly snapped out of her thoughts and jumped off the cliff they were standing on ignoring Kakashi's protests. All she could focus on at the moment was Sasuke. Using her sensory abilities, Emiko was able to quickly scope out the direction of where he was and followed that trail.
She came upon a barren part of the land where the surrounding mountain and boulders had been destroyed and then she saw him. Emiko screamed his name and used her teleportation jutsu to drop right next to the young boy.
She gasped at the large blood stain on his back, and slowly flipped his body over. Tears from her eyes dropped onto his cheek, "Sasuke!" Emiko placed her ear on his chest. Her eyes widened when she realized there was no pulse, "Damn it, no!"
Her hands caressed his cheeks softly wiping away the blood on his mouth. Lips quivering at no movement on his part, she quickly blinked away her tears before adrenaline shot through her body, "You will not be dying on my part, Sasuke," she whispered rolling up her sleeves and placing her hands on his chest, "I made a promise to you and to Itachi that I will do anything to protect you. Nee-chan won't let anything happen."
Emiko closed her eyes and felt the chakra in her inner core. She could sense how little it was from the impact of her illness. Memories of her life flashed in her gaze. Yes, she had been happy. She had a family, she had a lover, a beautiful daughter, and a little brother she could die for. Yes, her life had been contempt.
Her eyes shot open and her hair gently rose through the wind that was surrounding the two of them before her eyes flashed a blinding light, "Soul Transfer Jutsu!" she screamed and impaled her arm into his chest.
Pain seared through her abdomen like a branding iron and her mind screeched from the scorching like fire that bubbled in her inner core. A tear streamed down her cheek but it was nothing compared to the emotions she would have felt if she lost him.
Her pulse beat against her skin and piercing cries escaped her lips. It felt that someone slowly was ripping her life essence out of her. The streams of blood began to fill her ears and leaked out coating her neck in the color of red. Eyes watering in agony, she continued on in perseverance.
She couldn't disappoint Itachi. She had to do this for him and Sasuke. The young boy still had his whole life ahead of him, and Madara Uchiha or anyone else, couldn't take that away. Not under her watch.
Emiko could hear footsteps behind her until she could see two scaly feet in front of her, "What the hell are you doing?!" she heard a male yell. The person bent down and stared at her in disbelief. Her eyes flickered up for a second before they widened.
"It's you..." she muttered before wincing as she applied more chakra to Sasuke's body, "Don't fucking interfere." She harshly spat at him before focusing on her task.
"You didn't have to do this!" he yelled at her before he looked behind her to see four others coming in their direction. "Orochimaru-sama..."
Orochimaru and his three companions stared wide eyed at the situation. "Is that Emiko?" Suigetsu gasped seeing the familiar young woman completely enshrouded in a bright light that glowed golden. "Is that her chakra?!"
A teary-eyed Karin adjusted her glasses and nodded, "Yeah... wait..." she focused before she inhaled sharply, "Orochimaru-sama, it seems that Emiko-san is transferring her life force into Sasuke."
The sannin frowned with a thoughtful expression, "Interesting. At this rate..."
"She'll die." Kabuto finished the sentence.
Emiko smirked, "I know..." she spoke in a soft voice as her breathing increased with light gasps, "I-It's my d-duty to protect him."
"But where did you learn such a jutsu?"
She winced and pulled her hand out a little from Sasuke's body but not completely, "L-Lady Chiyo of the Sand. I trained with her for a w-while."
"Her chakra is depleting; it won't be enough to revive Sasuke," Karin informed seeing the chakra levels of Emiko. The girl bent down by Emiko, "Here, please bite my wrist. It's the least I can do to help save Sasuke-kun."
Emiko glanced up at her with a gentle smile, "Thank you." She whispered before biting. Instantly she could feel Karin's warm chakra within her body and then being transferred into Sasuke. "I-I'm glad Sasuke has people to take c-care of him."
"It's working," Kabuto said as he felt Sasuke's pulse on his neck, "His eyes are starting to have coordination and he's starting to breathe on his own."
"T-That's good..." Emiko sighed before her body shook with jagged coughs. She could feel Karin rubbing her back, but it didn't really help. Her throat gurgled with warm liquid and she turned her head away and spat the blood that was pooling in her mouth. But there was no point. Blood was slowly seeping out from every orifice on her body. Emiko could feel it trailing down her ears, nose, and mouth. Her vision clouded with red as she cried tears of blood as well.
"This jutsu..." Suigetsu grimaced at the sight of the young woman, "Is demonic..."
Orochimaru bent down next to Emiko and observed her. The woman didn't pay attention as she had important things to do. "Her body is breaking down physically. I've never seen the process of rigor mortis start before someone's death. Interesting."
"It's almost time..." Kabuto frowned before he counted the seconds in his mind.
3...2...1...
Sasuke groaned loudly and his body twitched with movement. Eyes fluttering open, he blinked to see his surroundings. The first person he could see was...Kabuto? How did he escape? He thought but saw Orochimaru and Karin as well.
"His eye..." Karim exclaimed with a gasp.
Orochimaru smirked with curiosity, "He got the Rinnegan. Just what did you do Sasuke when you were on the brink of death?" Karin cut him off when she turned her head to see the young woman.
"Emiko!"
Sasuke shot up immediately when he heard something collapse to the ground. His eyes widened when he saw the silver white hair soaked in blood and just... everything was bleeding. He knelt down and scooped her in his arms, "Emiko, damn it wake up!" he yelled her.
Emiko's eyes fluttered slightly, raspy breaths leaving her lips before they pulled to a small smile, "I-It worked." She could feel his hands clasping her own tightly, shaking with fear and anxiety of losing her, "I-Idiot. I'll always be t-there for you, in here..." her single finger shook as she pointed it at his heart.
"Why," he whispered as she could see the unhidden tears lining his eyes, "Why do you always have to sacrifice yourself for me?" his voice got louder but cracked at the end.
She chuckled before shuddering from the pain, "D-Don't you already k-know? It's b-because you're my l-little p-prince." That sentence caused the tears to stream down his cheek and he bit his lip from the ache he was feeling in his heart.
"I can't lose you too." Sasuke's body shook as he buried his face into her neck for the familiar warmth he always felt in her presence.
"You'll never." She rasped, her mouth near his ear, "I-I'll always l-love you, Sasuke. Please don't e-ever forget that. Itachi loves you, y-your parents love y-you... we all do."
He continued shaking his head and Emiko softly smiled, "P-Promise me that y-you'll take care of Yuri? Hm? B-Be her family." Sasuke pulled back and looked at her.
Emiko gazed at those onyx eyes that were so similar to Itachi. She used every bit of her strength and caressed Sasuke's cheek and lightly used her finger to trace under his Rinnegan eye. It looks beautiful on him, she thought.
"D-Do me a favour? T-Tell Kashi and Yuri that I love them..." she sighed as the bit of oxygen left her lips, "And, I-I love you, my prince."
And with that, her final breaths escaped her lips and her eyes fluttered closed. Sasuke's eyes widened as she shook her body, "Emiko? Emiko! Nee-chan! Wake up, please!" he pleaded as his lips trembled, holding her body close to him.
Raw emotions reflected on his face as his cries echoed the area. The others couldn't help but slowly watch the usual stoic boy breaking down completely with emotions. His sobs were stifled at first attempting to hide his grief, but then he was overcome with feelings. His head was buried into her chest, hands desperately clutching at her clothes.
He had lost her.
He had lost that one person who stayed with him and supported him every step of his life.
She was a sister and a mother at the same time to him.
There was no clan. There was no Itachi. There was no Emiko.
He was alone in this harsh world, once again.
End of Ch.26!