After Kakashi had regained more chakra, he was able to walk around with crutches. Michiko went to help them train, but the moment she found out it was just the tree climbing exercise, she left to train by herself. She punched a tree, breaking through it, and pulled her fist out, seeing the cuts heal themselves. She sat down in a meditative stance, and started going into the inner recesses of her mind. She found the demonic cat, and confusion filled her mind. It looked like a giant eight tailed white tiger with piercing cat green eyes and fangs like a saber toothed tiger that reached down to it's chest. She seemed asleep, but Michiko doubted it. "Chiaki…" she moved closer, trying to smother her fear, and the cat demon lifted her head. She didn't seem as…malevolent as she would have expected. "Chiaki…the eight tailed lightning cat demon…"

"Yes…and you must be the girl I was sealed in…Michiko Hatake…I've seen your thoughts and memories…it isn't that bad…being you…" she rested her head on her paws, and Michiko sat Indian style on the floor. "Why did you attack that village before?" "They killed my litter of kittens…and I wanted revenge…much like you with your mother…" Michiko understood, and said, "Why haven't you tried to take over my body before?" "I'm not as bloodthirsty as most demons…when I feel a kindred spirit in pain or anger, I don't kill them…I help them…but you're still in pain…" "So you won't help me afterward?" "I can't do that…because you'll still be scarred…my power is yours to use until you don't wish to use it anymore…"

Michiko nodded, saying, "So…you saw what happened to my mother…" The large demon nodded, saying, "And all the thoughts that ran through your head when it happened…" Michiko nodded slightly, eyes downcast. "I…gotta go…" Michiko woke up from her trance, but she sat there for a moment, thinking of her mother. She looked up at the clouds, and almost thought she saw her mothers face. She started to sing a song her mother had once sang to her from a story, and her voice sounded like the twinkling of silver bells…

I Want A Mom That Will Last Forever:

I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom to make it all better
I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom who will love me whatever

I want a mom that'll take my hand
And make me feel like a holiday
A mom to tuck me in that night
and chase the monsters away
I want a mom that'll read me stories
And sing a lullaby
And if I have a bad dream to hold me when I cry

Oh,
I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom to make it all better
I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom that will love me whatever, forever

When she says to me, she will always be there
To watch and protect me I don't have to be scared
Oh, and when she says to me I will always love you
I won't need to worry 'cause I know that it's true

I want a mom when I get lonely
Who will take the time to play
A mom who can be a friend and a rainbow when it's gray
I want a mom to read me stories
And sing a lullaby
And if I have a bad dream, to hold me when I cry

Oh,
I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom to make it all better
I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom that will love me whatever, forever
I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom to make it all better
I want a mom that will last forever
I want a mom that will love me whatever, forever
I want a mom
I want a mom
I want a mom that'll last forever
I want a mom that'll last forever
I want a mom
I want a mom
I want a mom that'll last forever
I want a mom
I want a mom that'll last forever
I want a mom that'll last forever
I want a mom...

Her voice faded away at the end, and she was lost in her thoughts again, never noticing that Sakura had heard her, and was running off to tell Sasuke and Naruto. Michiko stood up, and headed back to Tazuna's house, and ate a quick dinner before heading upstairs, to the room she was sharing with Sakura, and sat on the bed, grabbing her backpack. She pulled out white gloves that reached her elbow, made of toughened material, with a black cherry blossom on the back of the glove, with the stem wrapped around the length of the rest, covered with thorns. 'These were mom's…' she pulled them on, seeing how they seemed to fit her perfectly.

She pulled them off, grabbing a baggy gray t-shirt and dark blue shorts before going to take a hot shower. As the water washed over her, she thought, 'Why can't I control myself…? I'm a Jounin, damn it!' she almost punched something, but she didn't want to burden Tsunami. 'Why can't I be like dad…I never see him lose his temper…but I do it all the time…' she stepped out of the shower, dried off, and changed quickly before heading back to her room. Sakura entered shortly after her, and she had already put all her stuff away. "Michiko-chan…" Michiko looked up to meet her eyes, showing she was listening. "I know…I haven't always thought of asking you about your past…but I'm willing to help you…" Michiko nodded, saying, "You guys were eavesdropping on me and Kakashi…"

Sakura blushed at being caught so easily, but she nodded. Michiko sighed, saying, "My life isn't…perfect…but I was never mad at anyone for not comforting me…it helped make me stronger…I'm not mad at you…or any of my other friends…" 'Except one…someone I once called friend…' Sakura nodded timidly as Michiko got into bed, facing her back to Sakura as she tried to sleep. 'It's just that…you saw your mother die…I can't help but feel I should be helping you feel better…' Sakura thought as she changed and crawled into bed.

'I always thought you were perfect…you're strong, fast, smart, kind, generous…selfless…but inside you're still a four year old girl that misses her mother…' that was Sakura's last thought before going to sleep, leaving Michiko to stay up thinking late into the night…