Years went by and Kakashi felt comfortable in raising Mieko, he knew everything there is to know about babies and kittens so his daughter would have the best life she could have. He treated it just like a mission, he would do it to the best of his abilities and make sure it was a success, meaning that his little kitten would become a strong, beautiful, smart and kind woman when she gets older.

Mikoto had been a great help in raising his child. Sasuke had grown a little crush on Mieko, he would giggle and babble happy words whenever Mieko would come over for their play date and would cry when she had to go. His crush continued even as they grew older, If their friendship stood the test of time well, they could be a great team if they decided to become Shinobis.

He wished that Minato and Kushina could have met Mieko, they would have loved her. He felt terrible about ignoring the baby Naruto but he couldn't look at him. He looked too much like his father that it caused him great pain. He did not hate Naruto like the other villagers, it was not Naruto's fault that the nine-tailed fox nearly destroyed the town. In fact, it was his parent's sacrifice that sealed the beast within the boy, if anything he is a hero. The Copy Cat Nin felt that Mieko and Naruto would get along quite well if he is anything like his parents.

As Mieko grew she became more beautiful by the day, and wiser. She was much like him when he was a child, smarter than the other kids and full of talent. Given time she would become a prodigy like him as well.

At just five years old she had come up to him to ask if she could become a ninja, it was rather surprising as most kids would rather play with dolls and friends at that age. Though the only friend she had was Sasuke, it was still surprising.

He was hesitant to give her an answer as he didn't let her outside the apartment much as people would stare at her with disgusted or queer looks. Since she looks different and was unknown people looked at her as if she was an outsider. It was painful to keep her like a prisoner but it was for the best. Perhaps that was why she was so much like him.

In the end, he decided he would prepare her before he would send her to the Shinobi Academy. You could enter the school at whatever age so long as you were skilled but most people would enter their kids at 8, just as he would do with Mieko. She needed to be normal and not teased like Itachi was when he joined early.

From that day forth he began to train her. He started with theory, it is better to know how to do something before trying it. He versed her in weaponry, chakra, strategy and any normal form of education like mathematics, English and history. It is better to know about the past so you are not doomed to repeat it.

Then after he knew that she had all the knowledge he taught her down pact he started the physical. It was hard to teach Mieko when he had returned to Anbu duty. Luckily he wasn't on as many missions as before. He was actually thinking about becoming a Jounin so he can be the one to continue her training.

After three years of training, he believed she was ready and prepared to start school. Her skills would help her to be seen as a skilled Kunoichi and not a mutated human. He had heard that Sasuke was also joining school so at least she had one person she already knew.

"This is going to be so much fun, papa!" Mieko yelled chipperly, her excitement was palpable. For someone so wise she was still quite childlike.

"Remember the reason you are joining, this is not a play school, it is a place of learning" Kakashi scolded his daughter which caused her to pout.

"Of course Papa, I'm sorry for letting my emotions get the best of me" she bowed her head slightly.

Kakashi smiled and stroked her hair, he didn't want to ruin the high ponytail she had painstakingly crafted. "It's fine, this is your first day and you are still a child. Just remember to do your best and try your hardest" she nodded and hugged him around the waist when they arrived at the front door. Many other parents and children were doing the same, wishing good lucks and saying goodbyes. "I wish you luck and I know you will make me proud."

"I love you papa" she kissed his covered cheek when he leant down and quickly ran off when she saw a familiar head of spiky black hair. "Sasuke-Kun!" she called out to the young boy who clung to his brother's arm.

"Hey Mieko-chan!" he called back as she ran into his arms "can you believe it!? We're gonna be Ninja!" he cheered as they separated.

"This is gonna be soo cool!" she squealed as she turned to Itachi "Hi Itachi-kun."

"Hello Mieko, are you ready for today?" he asked her with a kind smile, as an Anbu, he did not show any emotion but when it came to Sasuke and Mieko he was willing to show a smile or two.

"Yes, papa has been training me for this moment" she looked over at the door "we should probably enter, I'd like to pick my seat before anyone else."

"Good idea, see ya Nii-san!" Sasuke hugged his brother and dragged Mieko inside. "Are you alright Mieko-chan?" he asked when he felt his friend fidgeting with his hand. her tail was twitching from left to right.

"I'm nervous, this is the first time since I've been around so many people" Sasuke was well aware of Mieko's lonely upbringing, he's the only friend she has and though he was honoured to be such he felt bad that she had no one else.

"You're gonna make lots of friends today! I promise!" he sent her a winning smile that made her cheeks redden.

"You are the greatest person I've ever met" she squeezed his hand as they finally reached their classroom. They were early so there weren't many other students. "here we go…" she muttered to herself as Sasuke opened the door.

They stepped inside and ignored the curious stares "whose she?"

"She's really pretty!"

"She has a tail!"

"She's weird!"

They were a mix of good and bad comments, either way, she tried not to care. As long as she has Sasuke then she would be fine.

"Oh Sasuke-Kun, who is this!?" a girl with cherry pink hair jumped in front of them, making them jerk in surprise.

"Oh…Sakura, this is Mieko Hatake. My childhood friend" Sasuke replied with a monotonous voice. he hated all his fan girls. "Mieko…Sakura Haruno."

The tiger-like girl put on a smile but she could tell that Sasuke did not like this girl. The blushing cheeks and shining eyes directed at Sasuke told her that this girl liked him very much. "It is a pleasure to meet you Sakura Haruno," she said with a short bow, though she didn't like this girl either. She didn't like anyone who gave Sasuke the look the pink haired girl was giving him.

"Nice to meet you!" Sakura cheered back, though she was screaming on the inside.

No, there is another rival for Sasuke-Kun's love! This girl is a freak!" she would win Sasuke's love, no matter what.

"Come Mieko, let's find our seats" the girl nodded and followed her friend, ignoring the jealous glares sent to her by the many females in the class.

Sasuke sat at the very edge of the seat whilst Mieko sat next to him, this was obviously a ploy to make sure no one would get near him.

Suddenly, the door slammed open and a blonde haired kid strode in. His bright blue eyes were hopeful yet nervous. She also noted the strange whisker marks and beastly chakra the boy had. Much like her own yet different somehow, who was this boy? She decided she would find out after class.

Mieko's first day was fantastic, everyone was so happy to learn and the lesson was great. There were things that her father had yet to teach her and things she already knew. Her teacher, Iruka-sensei, knew absolutely everything on anything.

Right now she was wandering the streets, looking at everything with fascinated eyes. She was meant to head to the Uchiha compound as she was to have dinner with Sasuke and his parents tonight. Maybe Shisui would be there, she liked him, he was so funny and happy.

"Oh look, it's that child again" Mieko stopped to listen to the two ladies talking at a nearby café "I don't know why he sits on those swings every day, he should just stay home" she looked over to where they were looking and there, sitting on the swing was a boy which she had learned was called Naruto Uzumaki in class today. He was so happy and confident today so why does he look so…sad.

"I don't know why they allow him to stay in the village after what happened."

"Shh we're not allowed to talk about that," the other woman says, Mieko walked passed the two ladies who looked at her and headed over to the boy.

She stopped before the boy and waited for him to look up before speaking "Hi."

"…hi" the boy replied, feeling confused as to why this girl was talking to him. He saw her in class today, she's really cute and he liked her tail. He assumed she would not talk to him considering she was Sasuke's friend.

"Why are you sitting by yourself?" she asked innocently, not knowing the reason.

"No one wants to play with me, and the adults of this village hate me" he looked at her curiously "Why are you talking to me?"

"Because you looked sad so I thought I should say hi, no one deserves to be alone" she sat down in front of him.

"But won't your parents get angry that you're near me"

"I can worry about my papa later" an idea suddenly popped into her head "Hey why don't we play a game!?" she jumped back on her feet.

"You want to play a game?" he was still confused but you could clearly see the excitement in his blue eyes "But you don't even know who I am?"

"I know your name is Naruto Uzumaki. Mines Mieko Hatake."

"Well Mieko, what should we play?" he asked as he stood on his feet, this day may become better.

"How about we play tag!?" she touched his shoulder and began running away "You're it!" Naruto smiled and chased after her, it was the first time that he ran through the village and ignored all the stares directed at him. His focus was on the girl he was playing with, the first person to actually play a game with him.

"Mercy! Mercy I can't run anymore" Mieko was laughing and panting from running all afternoon, she collapsed on the floor with Naruto following "That was fun!"

"Yeah it was!" the blonde hadn't had so much fun in ages "It's pretty late huh?"

"Yeah, I should be getting to Sasuke's house" she pushed up from the floor then helped Naruto "We should do this again sometime," she said, smiling sweetly.

"I agree!"

"MIEKO!" the whitette froze when hearing her name, she turned around and smiled sheepishly at a raven-haired boy who was stomping his way towards her "Where have you been I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Sorry Sasuke" Sasuke nodded then frowned when he noticed Naruto.

"What are you doing with him?" Naruto and Mieko frowned.

"I was playing tag with him! It was really fun!" she smiled and looked over to Naruto.

"Well you're coming home now" Sasuke grabbed Mieko's hand and began pulling her away.

She turned around and waved at Naruto who was frowning "Bye Naruto I'll come play with you tomorrow!"

"Ok bye Mieko!" a large smile grew on his face, he finally had a friend.

Mieko had a great dinner with Sasuke and his parents…until it turned into the worst night of her life.

She was clinging to Sasuke tightly, his arms were around her so her face was pressed into his chest so she didn't see any more of the bloodshed before them. He stared into his brother's eyes with pure hatred at what he did, he not only scared Mieko but he murdered every Uchiha "W-why?" he whispered, he felt betrayed by the one person who mattered to him more than anyone on the planet.

"You are weak…only with hatred will you gain the strength to defeat me" Itachi looked at Mieko "Better keep her safe Sasuke, she's special" with that he turned around and left, tears streaming down his face, what he had just done will haunt him for the rest of his life.

"S-Sasuke" Mieko whimpered pathetically, blood, there was so much blood.

"Don't look Mieko" he spoke, although he knew she already saw.

"I'm scared," she said in-between sobs.

"Don't worry Mieko, I'll protect you" he tightened his hold on her, making a silent promise that he would protect her and kill his brother for making her cry.

After who knows how long of cowering in the corner, the door slammed open and a group of Shinobi entered the house and gasped at what they saw. "Is anyone still alive?" a Shinobi asked.

"Over there, in the corner!" another yelled, pointing to the two cowering children. The white-haired man cautiously walked over to the two kids, he froze when the boy glared at him and tightened his hold on the girl protectively.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you" he raised his hands in defence "My name is Takao Minta and I'm a Shinobi" the boy relaxed but only a little "Can you tell me your name?" he asked softly.

"Sasuke Uchiha" Takao nodded.

"And the girl," he asked, pointed to the sleeping girl in the boy's arms.

"Mieko Hatake" Takao nodded once more.

"Well Sasuke, am I allowed to take Mieko from you so I can take you both to the hospital?" Sasuke nodded but reluctantly, he kept his eyes trained on Takao as he walked with Mieko in his arms.

"Mieko!" Kakashi shouted in fear as he arrived at the Uchiha compound, he ran straight to Takao and pulled his sleeping daughter into his arms. "is she alright?" he asked the Shinobi.

"Terrified out of her mind no doubt but she has sustained no injuries" Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Sasuke.

"Are you alright Sasuke?" the boy nodded, a glare stuck on his face. Kakashi saw the look of pure hatred in the boy's eyes and began worrying about them both. how could Itachi do this?

Sasuke sat on the chair beside Mieko's bed with Kakashi standing on the other side silently. Both of the kids had been checked for injuries and so now they were just waiting for Mieko to awaken before asking her the same questions they asked Sasuke "mmm" Mieko groaned and opened her eyes, becoming panicked when she didn't know where she was.

"Mieko calm down" she relaxed and turned to look at Sasuke, tears beginning to spill.

"S-Sasuke" she sniffled and clutched her bed sheets tightly. Kakashi remained silent, deciding that Sasuke and Mieko should have this moment.

"You're fine now" he replied emotionlessly.

"But Fugaku and Mikoto-"

"Are gone, don't think about it or you'll feel worse" she nodded and did as he suggested, "I have to get the Shinobi who carried you here, he wants to ask you some questions" she nodded once more and watched him leave.

"Are you alright Mieko?" she jumped and turned to the voice beside her only to realise it was her father.

"Papa…" the tears were never-ending. Without another thought, she jumped into her father's arms and cried. He held her tightly, thinking that he had failed to protect her.

They broke apart slightly when the door opened. Instead, Kakashi slipped onto the bed and placed Mieko on his lap so her back leant against his chest "Hello there Mieko, my name is Takao Minta" he gave him a smile and stood beside her bed "Tell me Mieko, how are you feeling?"

"Ok I guess" she spoke softly as she fiddled with her dad's hand.

"And do you remember…what happened?" he asked cautiously, frowning when he saw tears threatening to spill as she nodded "I see…" he was going to ask more questions but stopped when he saw Kakashi glaring at him "that's all I wanted to ask you, I will come back if I need anything else" she nodded and watched him leave, turning to the glaring Sasuke.

"Are you ok Sasuke?" she asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, Mieko I'm ok."

"Why don't you return to your room Sasuke and get some sleep" Kakashi offered, he could see the shadows under the poor boy's eyes.

"Of course" he nodded and left the room, still stuck in his darkening thoughts. He would kill his brother if it was the last thing he'd do.

"You should get some sleep as well my kitten."

"Can…Can you stay here papa?" she whispered fearfully, she didn't want to be left alone. she was afraid that Itachi would come back to finish the job.

"Of course, I will never leave you" she nodded and closed her eyes, slowly falling asleep as she pondered on the events that had just happened. From now on she would become stronger so she could protect Sasuke like he would for her, she wanted to get stronger so she could protect her new friend Naruto. And she wanted to get stronger so that her papa never had to worry about her again.

Everything has changed.

3 years later

"So Sasuke, do you think you will graduate this year?" Sakura 'flirted', if you could really call it that.

"Of course I will graduate" Sasuke snorted.

"I hope we will be on the same team then" she giggled but then frowned when she heard a snort from behind her "Got a problem Mieko" Mieko merely looked up from her book with a bored expression then looked back down "What a freak" Sakura mumbled.

"I suggest you not insult her when you are next to me" Sasuke growled.

"Ahh sorry Sasuke I didn't mean it!" Sakura yelled, fearing that the love of her life would begin hating her.

"Of course you did Sakura!" Naruto yelled from his seat in front of Sasuke, he screamed when Sakura slapped him on the head "What was that for!?" he screamed.

"YOU'RE BEING AN IDIOT!" Sakura screamed

"Why does she never shut up?" Mieko muttered to Sasuke who smirked.

"Don't be so loud forehead" Ino mumbled, though it was loud enough for Sakura to hear.

"Shut up Ino pig!" Sakura snapped angrily, she hated the blonde as she was another rival.

"Alright be quiet so we can begin" Iruka sensei called from the front of the class after he walked in "Open your books and finish the questions we started yesterday" the class nodded and did as was told.

Halfway through the class, Sakura noticed Mieko reading a book and not doing the questions, a devious idea crossed her mind. Now everyone will see that she isn't cut out to be a ninja! "Mieko you're supposed to be doing the questions" the little tigress did the same as last time, she looked up from her book in a bored manner then returned to it "Iruka Sensei! Mieko isn't doing the questions!" Sakura yelled, smirking on the inside, the entire class stopped working and looked at the trio.

"Don't be a tattletale Sakura!" Naruto yelled out defensively.

"Mieko you are supposed to be doing the questions as I asked" Iruka sighed, knowing her answer would further annoy the pink haired student.

"Sensei, I finished the questions the night before and my papa has already taught me this" she opened her book and gave him the questions when he walked up to her.

"Huh, it seems you did, perhaps Sakura should check before trying to get her peers in trouble" Sakura was steaming with anger, Sasuke was merely smirking and Naruto was staring dreamily at Mieko "Alright, return to the questions" with that the class went silent.

"Did you steal another one of your dad's books?" Sasuke asked as they sat on the roof of the school. They didn't get to sit with the other kids as they had to hide from the girls who would chase Sasuke around.

"Yes, the man who writes these books are really imaginative" she replied with a smile. Her papa liked to read Icha Icha Paradise by the legendary Sannin Jiraiya.

"Your dad will kill you if he finds you reading that…isn't it porn?"

"Its technically called smut but yes…its porn with words" she giggled "it has a really good story though."

"Of course it does" Sasuke shook head "we should probably head back to class."

Mieko placed her book in her satchel and stood up from her perch. "Well, we better hurry then" Sasuke nodded and silently followed her back.

Mieko was walking home with Naruto as Sasuke was running around town so he could get away from the fangirls like usual "So, do you think I can pass the test?" Naruto asked hopefully.

Mieko thought for a moment before answering "Yes I think you will pass with flying colours" Naruto gave her a soft smile.

"Thanks, Mieko, that makes me feel way better" Mieko nodded and faced the front.

"Well that is what I do, make people feel better" Naruto snorted happily.

"Except for Sakura" now it was Mieko turn to snort "What you know it's true."

"I'm not denying it" she replied as they turned the corner.

"Why do you ignore her, you act like she doesn't exist."

Mieko sighed, not wanting to explain "She allows her emotions to rule her when in a fight, her obsession with Sasuke will one day put everyone in danger and I ignore people who will eventually get people hurt or even killed" Naruto frowned "Why are you frowning" she smirked "Angry that I offended your crush" she teased.

Naruto blushed and began waving his arms around like a maniac "What!? No I don't like Sakura!" he yelled with a heavy blush, if only she knew who he really liked "Besides…everyone says I don't take my training seriously so why do you talk to me" Mieko stopped and looked at him with a frown, she grabbed his arm and looked at him intensely.

"Naruto, you do take your training seriously. You may not study but you practice every day, you have dreams like I do so why would I ever ignore you" she then smiled "Plus I don't think I could ignore my energetic friend."

"Thank Mieko" she nodded and continued to walk "So what are your dreams?"

"I want to become stronger so I can protect everyone I care about…I also want to marry a man and have lots of babies!" she giggled at his blush.

He thought about what she said and shouted, "But I want to be the one to protect you!" Naruto shouted determinedly.

She laughed loudly "Naruto I'm not some damsel in distress, I am a ninja as well."

"Yeah but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop protecting you, it just means that I won't have to protect you all the time" he defended.

"Alright, I suppose I will allow you to protect me but you can't get in my way when I am fighting."

"Never! Only if you're hurt or about to die."

"Ok deal" Naruto nodded and continued walking to their apartments with a huge smile.