Previously on Finding My Way:

"I'M LATE!"

"Good luck, Yasuko."

"She's just a kid!"

"Good morning Shika-nii."

'How warm.'

Now [Chapter 8: Heartbreak]

- - - - - - - - -

"Wah~ this is delicious~"

"T-thank you, Yasuko. I'll be sure to tell my mom how much you like it!"

A trio sat below one of the trees of the Academy. One could be seen lying, presumably sleeping while his two companions chattered and ate away, sharing a large bento between them.

"No, thank you, Chōji-nii! You didn't have to share your lunch with me, especially since we've only just met."

The Akimichi blushed, shaking his head as he took another bite of his mother's cooking.

"No, really, it's fine. I couldn't leave you to starve, especially after Shikamaru told me you didn't have anything to eat. It would go against everything my mom taught me." The big-boned boy nodded in assurance, reaching over to pat the much smaller girl's head. "Plus, you're Shikamaru's friend!"

Yasuko's eyes widened minutely as a hand rested against her chest as she realized the weight of Chōji's words.

'Friend?'

Eyes filled with wonder as a strange warmth grew in her heart at the brunet's words, she smiled, ducking her face into her collar to hide her pleased expression.

'Is this what feels like to have friends? It's so... warm and comforting.'

Chōji took in the joy in Yasuko's eyes that wasn't quite there during their short time together. Rather than call out on her behaviour, he nudged the bento closer to the youngest member of their trio. "Come on, you need to eat some more."

Nodding, Yasuko followed, her chopsticks hesitating over the food. Noting her sudden nerves, Chōji hummed, waiting patiently for her to gather her courage.

"We're friends too, right, Chōji-nii?"

He blinked, taken aback by the sudden question before he beamed. "Of course!"

Yasuko shared his smile, and from his place, Shikamaru relaxed further in the shade of swaying leaves, a satisfied smirk on his lips.

* * * * *

Waving goodbye to her sensei, Yasuko bounded out the Academy, eyes catching sight of the few students who've stayed behind, probably waiting for their guardian to pick them up. Her heart clenched, frowning as her mind strayed to the Akatsuki, most notably her Papa. It's been nearly three days since her capture. Hopefully, her Papa wasn't too hard on himself, but if she knew him well, and she did, he probably that it was his fault and was punishing himself by upping his training again.

'Mama, please watch over Papa, so he doesn't hurt himself more.'

"Hey, you."

Yasuko tensed at the cold voice. Looking over her shoulder, her heart dropped, seeing near-identical onyx eyes glaring at her own.

"H-hello, Uchiha-san." She murmured, bowing politely as she clenched the bottom of her shirt.

"Who are you?"

She blinked, brows furrowed.

"I introduced myself this morning, Uchiha-san."

He growled, stepping forward, causing the smaller girl to step back.

"Your name, kid. Your clan. What is it? Where are you from?" He demanded.

Yasuko struggled to speak. The Hokage had deemed her origins an S-Rank secret. She was forbidden from telling anyone, and she wholeheartedly agreed, considering the threats within and outside the village. However, they have never discussed a cover story in case anyone got curious or in Sasuke's case, realized something suspicious about her. That was a mistake on their part. They should have known that the Uchiha survivor would see similarities between his clan and her particularity with his brother, her father.

"I-I..."

"Tell me! Are you an Uchiha?!" He glared, hand twitching to his weapons pouch.

Yasuko tensed, ready to run. Sasuke's sharp eyes caught on the act and with swift movements, he had her pinned against a wall.

"Are you his daughter?"

Yasuko gulped, eyes flickering around for anyone that could help her. Taking her actions as an answer, Sasuke growled, pushing his arm firmly against her throat.

"Where. Is. He?" He gritted out.

Yasuko whimpered, eyes shutting, wishing she had taken the time to wake Ru instead of leaving him behind with Kakashi for the day.

Soon the alarming pressure against her throat was gone, as she found herself struggling to regain her breath. In her hazed state, strong arms lifted her up, a hand surrounded by green chakra reaching up to examine her neck. Glancing over her saviour's shoulder, she shivered as her fellow Uchiha glared heatedly at her held back by ANBU Hawk, the threat of nearly being killed just hitting her now. She sniffed, hiding her tears into the ANBU's shoulder, which she vaguely recognized as Usagi.

"LET GO OF ME! SHE'S HIS DAUGHTER! SHE SHOULDN'T EXIST!"

Yasuko shook in Usagi's arms, the kunoichi's chakra dissipating as she finished her healing and diagnosis.

"Uchiha Sasuke," Hawk intoned, "This girl here has taken refuge in Konoha and is under the protection of the Hokage. She is innocent. Your actions, however, are unjustified for an upcoming shinobi of this village. If we were to follow your words, would you not be in the wrong as well? You are, after all, his brother."

Sasuke froze, glaring at the ANBU.

Hawk peered down at the boy, not at all threatened by his looks.

"As per the Hokage's orders, Yasuko's origins and relations are an S-Class secret. Any hint of this news spreading whether they are rumours or not will be a sign of treason against the village. Do you understand, Uchiha Sasuke?"

Said boy clicked his tongue, but acquiesced to the orders.

"Fine. Keep her out of sight. I don't want to see her when she looks so much like him."

Yasuko whimpered, burying her face further into Usagi's shoulder. The two ANBU nodded curtly and soon teleported away with the child in their care, leaving no hint of their presence behind.

* * * * *

"Yasuko will remain in the Academy and Kakashi's care. The ANBU on Sasuke's watch will be given orders to observe him carefully for any signs of hostile actions towards Yasuko. Those on Yasuko's watch are to run interference if they cross paths again outside of the Academy. Understood, Hawk? Usagi?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama!"

The two ANBU disappeared, presences once again concealed as they moved to spread out their leader's orders.

"Kakashi."

"Hokage-sama?"

The Copy Ninja leant nonchalantly against the window. Still, Hiruzen could see how his hand was nearly clenching around the explicit book in his hands and the way his eyes shifted towards the child resting on the floor, her faithful companion curled around her to keep her warm and protected.

"When the time comes, get Sasuke to see reason. Yasuko is Itachi's daughter, but she is still his family. We cannot afford her death... not when it could lead the Akatsuki's attention to us or the chakra anomaly on her heart to activate."

Kakashi's forehead creased, "That will be difficult, Hokage-sama. Anything involved with Itachi is a source of anger for the boy."

"Then use the fact that Yasuko is not just Itachi's child alone."

Kakashi's head tilted as if recalling a memory.

"Haruka... I'm not sure what Sasuke's relationship with her was, but I know Fugaku-san and Mikoto-san were very fond of her."

"Haruka was loved dearly by the Uchiha and the village. Sasuke must have had a connection with her before her untimely passing. Try and get him to see her in Yasuko."

"It won't be easy, Hokage-sama. The boy is hell-bent on his revenge."

"There's more to life than revenge. Sasuke just needs to see that he is not alone in this world. Yasuko can help him if he'd just open his eyes."

The Hokage sighed as he gazed down, regretfully at the young Uchiha in his care. Tear stains remained on her cheeks, showcasing the sorrow she felt at the rejection of her own blood. Despite their aloof nature, Uchiha's loved strongly. They loved and felt emotions at a level that would typically be detrimental as shinobi, but it was what made them so much more dangerous when their loved ones were in danger.

Their love is what fuelled them in battle, but it was also their downfall. For it is love that can start wars, love that strengthens resolves, and love that can lead to utter madness for the sake of revenge.

- - - - - - - - - -

A/N I know. Hate me. I totally changed how Sasuke reacts to Yasuko. Trust me, I loved the original, but I'm being bit realistic here. Sasuke's hated Itachi since the massacre and when the one connection his brother has is right there, of course all the deep rooted anger would be projected onto her. It will get better, promise. Like in the original chapter, this is dedicated to MightyEmpress.

Thanks for all the dedicated readers. I felt really good today so I decided to post early rather than next week :D Almost done with my first semester as a university student!!! Can't wait for the break to start!

UPDATED: 02/12/19

- - - - - - - - - -

Next time on Finding My Way:

"I will ask once. Where is Yasuko?"

"What do you fuckers mean that the little bitch was captured?"

[Chapter 9: Lost Treasure]