Katsu didn't remember anything about her mother. The only thing she remembered was the warmth around her. Once her mother died, she never gained that warmth again. Her father used to supply her with that loving warmth but it soon faded. Everything was now cold.

The words 'you're just like your parents' were the worst. She hated those words. They taunted her, reminding her she will forever be related to those she never knew. Katsu denies being related to her parents. She was nothing like her father and Katsu didn't have the same warmth as her mother.

Katsu was Katsu. She wasn't some copy of her parents like others would think. But there was no denying the similarities.

After all, both her and her father loved running away.

Takeshi was fast. He could out speed many ninja and was probably one of the fastest. It was one of the skills he felt pride in. With his speed, he went through battles quickly.

Except for one battle.

Coming late to a battle caused his wife's death. He was at fault then. It was his fault for getting caught up in meaningless battles when this was the only one that mattered.

And so he blamed himself along with everyone around him.

Coming back to the village was worse. The eyes stared, pitying the poor man who lost his wife. Ninja and civilian both alike avoided him, deciding to 'give him space'. Explaining the situation to his young daughter was harder.

Her wide green eyes that were reminiscent of Rieko's. Her short blonde hair matching his wife's bright yellow ones. They were almost like twins except for the fact that Katsu had lighter skin.

Takeshi couldn't help but wince at his daughter, the flashing images of his bloody wife in his arms. He tried so hard not to yell at his daughter. He tried so hard not to blame her.

But his efforts were useless. He began breaking down day by day until he snapped.

"WHY ARE YOU JUST LIKE HER!"

Young Katsu sat in the corner, covering her ears as tears ran down her face. A few vases were smashed on the floor and papers flew everywhere. It was an absolute mess. Katsu had a few cuts from the vase pieces and cowered away from her father.

"WHY COULDN'T RIEKO STAY ALIVE! NOW ALL I HAVE IS YOU!"

This was the tipping point for Takeshi. He too had tears in his eyes as he yelled at his daughter. His yells were more desperate than angry but Katsu didn't know that.

Takeshi took a step back, regaining his breath. He had realized what he had yelled out. In his frustrations he grabbed Katsu's wrists.

"You're a disgrace." His voice was hoarse and tired, "Go to your room."

Child Katsu quickly pulled her wrist away from her father and ran off. Takeshi knew he had done something wrong. He knew he was at fault.

His daughter deserves much better. Katsu needed something better than what he could do. Takeshi couldn't hold back the falling feelings of him so he did what he thought was best and ignored.

He ignored his daughter, taking every mission he could get. He left his daughter alone in the house. After all, she deserves more.

Fujio was worried. He hadn't seen Katsu in a whole week. Maybe he was being paranoid but Katsu had never missed a single day. Even if she was sick. So not seeing the girl for this long was new.

It was became even more worryingly when Shisui came to his shop.

"Fujio-san!~"

The voice yelled out, catching everyone's attention. Fujio groaned as a familiar head of curly black hair came into view. He had only encountered Shisui a few times but already hated him.

"Good morning!" He chirped as he came to the counter.

"Don't ya have any ninja things you should be doin." Fujio hissed, as he avoided eye contact with the ninja.

Shisui leaned against the counter, shaking his head, "Nope! None today so I thought I could visit my favorite person in the world!"

"Well, you're in the wrong place kid." Fujio replied.

Shisui let out a laugh, irritating him more. Fujio didn't understand how a kid like Katsu could know such a person.

"Nah! I'm here for somethin else!" Shisui laughed, her eyes looking around the shop.

Fujio took notice of this and tilted his head, "Lookin for somethin."

Shisui didn't usually come to his shop for weapons as the uchiha regularly supplied most of them for him so he didn't expect him to actually buy anything.

"Uh, yea. In fact, I was wondering if you have seen Katsu around anywhere."

Fujio narrowed his eyes at the ninja, suspicious. For all he knew, Shisui was looking for Katsu to try to get that Itachi kid to be friends with her.

"Why do ya ask?"

Shisui raised his hands in defence at the sound of Fujio's suspicious voice. "Woah woah! I'm not gonna kidnap her or anything." Shisui's face scrunched up slightly, "It's just that Itachi has been telling me that she hasn't been to the academy in days."

Now this worried Fujio even further.

"I know Katsu likes working at your shop so I guessed she would be here." Shisui shrugged.

Fujio's eyebrows furrowed at Shisui's words. Katsu usually didn't like missing days. She never came late to things and hated being absent. It was one of her quirks. It was out of character for her.

"To tell ya the truth, I haven't seen the kid in days as well. She usually comes at least three times a week but she hasn't come over for a long while."

Shisui blinked. He expected Katsu was just skipping academy to come here but he was wrong. It was strange for Katsu to just disappear like that.

"Is she alright?" Shisui asked, his voice becoming worried.

"I honestly don't know…"

A/N- I rewrote this chapter a few times but this one I finally like. I haven't done anything with Fujio recently so I wanted his side on this. He's just a old man worried for his apprentice. I also really love the talks with Fujio and Shisui and planning on establishing more of a relationship there. I also wanted more of Takeshi before anything else cuz I have to establish why he does this before something in the future. Itachi might be put to the side a little however.

ALSO! I edited the prologue to remove one half of it. Just pretend that was never there... I made that prologue before anything in the story was established and planned soooo it's pretty bad and not accurate for the future. However, the first part I still like so I kept it up there. Just pretend the second half never existed...

Thanks for Seshaddict and Jazzmeene for leaving a review!