Mieko opened the door to Sasuke's home and walked straight into the kitchen where she smelt a pleasant smell of food, standing at the stove was Sasuke "I thought you didn't like cooking?" Sasuke turned his head to the side to smirk.

"I didn't know when you were coming home and I was bored."

"You don't have to defend yourself I like it when you cook" she sat on the chair at the dining table and watched him cook, she liked watching the look of determination on his face as he tried to make the food perfect, it wasn't one filled with anger and hate that he always has when training or fighting.

"Why, because all I ever do is train?"

"Precisely, seeing you do something less…stressful, is very pleasing" Sasuke chuckled and shook his head.

"So how were the Suna kids?" at the mention of the sand kids her smirk dropped.

"I don't like them" she watched as he placed their food on two separate plates "especially the girl" the Uchiha male placed a plate in from of Mieko before sitting on the chair next to her.

"Why would you not like her more than the others, I thought you would dislike the boy with the face paint more" he tilted his head to the side when he noticed a small blotch of pink beginning to spread across her cheeks "Mieko?"

"It's nothing Sasuke, it's a silly reason" the whitette stuffed a whole heap of food into her mouth so she did not have to reply, she really did not want to tell Sasuke that she was acting really possessive, once she had calmed down she waked back home in shock as she realised how…dark and evil she acted, she could not believe she threatened to stab Temari's eyes out if she so much as looked at Sasuke again, she never been that possessive of something before and she really did not like it.

"We don't keep secrets from each other Mieko" he had a small glare on his face, not one of anger but of annoyance, he hated not knowing what went on in Mieko's head, you could say he was a little bit possessive of her and has been for quite some time, even before the…massacre he was possessive and he would never stop being possessive.

Mieko sighed, knowing he was right, they promised long ago that they would never keep anything from each other, neither wanted a repeat of what happens when you keep secrets from the people you love "I…didn't like the way she was looking at you" she muttered, hoping that he couldn't hear but judging from the small quirk of his lips she could tell he did.

"So you were jealous?" she glared.

"Is that so wrong, am I supposed to ignore a foreign girl trying to flirt with you?"

"That wasn't what I meant Mieko" he looked at her with a raised eyebrow "I was surprised that you were jealous, you normally don't care if a girl tries to flirt with me, you only get angry when Sakura takes it too far."

"I don't get angry because I know the girls of Konoha, sure they flirt but they will never be with you but…I don't know the personality of the girl from Suna, she's older than me and has more experience in…romantic entanglements" Mieko looked away, not liking the feel of embarrassment. Sure she had a huge crush on someone when she was little but she's never been in a relationship before, all these new emotions and feelings were overwhelming and they constantly battle with her logic and reason, a ninja must not let their emotions become them, that rule seemed so easy to follow when she joined the ninja academy but recently it was getting harder and harder to follow it. Her father always told her that emotions and logic go hand in hand in making the perfect Shinobi but she never agreed with him until that moment.

"And you think that her tactics will work on me and I will go chasing her like Sakura would to me?" Sasuke looked at her as if she was crazy, she didn't even try to win his affections and yet she did because of who she was so how could some Suna floozy steal his heart when she actually tried! He understood her insecurities, he too was new to the feelings of love and affection and though they were not in love yet the feelings were developing. "Mieko, you won my affection by being you so stop being stupid and show pride that you caught the heart of the stoic Sasuke Uchiha" he smirked when he heard Mieko's soft giggle.

"You're right…I was being stupid and I'm sorry" she turned to him and cupped his cheek "I'm new to dating so these feelings can get a little overwhelming."

"It's fine Mieko" he brought his larger hand up to cover her own "we can work through this together, alright?" she nodded and shyly crept towards him so she could press her rosy lips against his, he smirked in satisfaction that his words worked and pulled Mieko closer so he could make her dizzy, he knew how to make a girl swoon, he wouldn't admit it to anyone but he used to watch…him kiss his girlfriend so he knew to some degree how to kiss and judging by the shivering and slight mewling and purring Mieko was making he knew he was doing something right. Once the need for air was evident he pulled away so he could marvel at his masterpiece "Now enough talk of jealousy and other Kunoichi, let's finish dinner before it gets cold" Mieko nodded silently, not trusting her voice for it would probably sound airy and breathless.

The next day Squad Seven met at the bridge once more, waiting for their lazy sensei to arrive as Kakashi asked them to yesterday, it was quiet for the first hour, the quartet knew Kakashi was late so they stood there silently…well until Sakura snapped. "AAAAAAARGGGHHH! WHY, WHY, WHY, it's ALWAYS THE SAME! HE SETS THE TIME AND WE HAVE TO WAIT HOURS FOR HIM!"

"It's not fair!" Naruto decided to join in.

"What about my feelings, I rushed here so fast I didn't have time to blow dry my hair!" Sakura whined as she tried to straighten the curls and bits of pink hair sticking up in random placed.

"You blow dry your hair?" Mieko asked, more to herself, she pulled her hair in front of her and noticed it was perfectly straight, shiny and neat and all she did was towel dry her hair when she was finished in the shower.

"It's the feline genes" Sasuke commented, finding small amusement in Mieko's confusion, she knew nothing about how to be a girl and yet she looked absolutely perfect.

"Yeah, and I didn't have time to brush my teeth or change my underwear!" Sakura stopped glaring at the sky to look at Naruto in disgust.

"You-uhh didn't? that's really disgusting Naruto" Mieko shook her head, it was too early for those two to start driving the couple up the wall. She was truly thankful when Kakashi finally arrived.

"Hey, good morning everyone" Kakashi spoke cheerfully "Sorry I'm late, I'm afraid I got lost on the path of life."

"YOU LIAR!" both Sakura and Naruto screamed whilst pointing at him, Kakashi ignored their shouting and landed in front of his students.

"I know this is a bit sudden but I recommended you to the Chunin exams, I have been able to get special consideration to have a four-membered team when it's usually meant to be three, there are a lot more candidates this year so it was not a big issue" he pulled out a small pile of papers "here are the application forms."

"Application forms?"

"You're repeating me Sakura. This is all voluntary, it's all up to each of you if you're not ready you can wait until next year."

"Alright!" Naruto cheered "Kakashi sensei you rock" he launched himself towards Kakashi and hugged him tightly.

"Don't slobber on my vest!" Kakashi scolded and pushed Naruto away "Whoever wants to take the exams sign the application and come to room 301 at the academy, it's at 3 pm 5 days from now."

"Sweet" Mieko muttered to Sasuke.

"I'll see you all in three days, be ready" Kakashi looked at Mieko "I'll see you for dinner tonight" she nodded and watched him disappear.

"Chunin exams, I'll be up against a lot of really wicked ninja" Naruto spoke to himself out loud as they all walked away from the bridge together 'like the guy with the mummy on his back, and of course mister attitude…then Mieko can see he's not a good ninja!' he pictured himself standing before a fallen Sasuke and Kankuro with Mieko and Sakura hanging off his arms, he then started picturing himself winning the exams and becoming Hokage with Mieko as his wife and the mother of his two children.

Sasuke was deep in thought as well, the only person he wanted to fight was Gaara, to prove that he was the strongest ninja and he wanted to beat the guy down for looking at Mieko yesterday, yeah he knew that look, he's seen that look on plenty of guys faces both young and old when Mieko walked past them. She really was too unique and beautiful for her age, that was the only thing he disliked about her, she was too gorgeous.

Sakura was standing in the middle, feeling depressed 'this is hopeless, I can't keep up with Sasuke and Mieko, I can't even beat Naruto, I'll never pass these exams' she looked at the ground and sighed dejectedly, the plan of making Sasuke see she was the better Ninja wasn't working out very well.

Mieko was looking forward, thinking on whether she should do the exam, she could do it and see everyone fight but on the other hand she really did not want to see the injuries that people will sustain, Kakashi had taken her to see the Chunin exams before, too many people were killed and others were severely wounded…she did not want to see Sasuke or Naruto in the same state or dead 'but if I join the exams with them then I can prevent that' with her mind made up she followed the Sasuke back to his place for the day. After hanging out with Sasuke she hurried home so she could have dinner with her father and talk to him about the exams "Hey papa?"

"Hmm?" Kakashi hummed but did not look up from his pervert book.

"Do you think I'm ready for the Chunin exams?" she asked hesitantly from the other side of their couch, she hoped her father should she was ready, she would feel horrible if he thought she wasn't good or strong enough.

Kakashi noticed his daughter's hesitation and placed his book down on his lap, he turned to her and smiled with his mask off, she was the only person that was allowed to see his face "you have been ready to take the exams since you were 9" Mieko blinked in surprise "you are a prodigy, much like I was when I was your age."

"If that's the case, why didn't I graduate early and take the exams?"

"Because we are not in a war, this is a time of peace. We have no need of prodigies. I wanted you to live your life like every other ninja child, I made sure the school did not graduate you early so you could become a Genin with people of your own age. It was planned years ago that you would be part of a group with Sasuke and Naruto."

She agreed with his reasons for keeping her in school, she has hated graduating early because she wouldn't be able to see Sasuke and Naruto as much as she wants. She wouldn't have been able to see Kakashi that much either, it was really in her best interest to stay in school with people her own age "So you really think I should sign the form?"

Kakashi nodded encouragingly "of course, no one deserves to be there more than you. I'm proud of you kitten" she smiled and crawled into his lap, her head laid on his chest and her body curled into a ball.

"You are the greatest dad anyone could have."

"You are the greatest daughter anyone could have" she giggled and let out a large yawn before closing her eyes and falling asleep. Kakashi smiled down at his daughter and stroked her hair, making her purr loudly. He was glad he was sent on the mission to investigate Orochimaru hideout if he didn't then he wouldn't have found Mieko and would not have adopted her. He would never regret adopting her at such a young age, she made his life better and his days brighter.

He stroked her hair as he picked up his book and continued reading.

People from all ninja lands were coming from miles and miles just to bear witness to the Chunin exams. Ninjas of all ages were strolling around proudly, they were ready to make their villages proud and show the other pathetic villages who the elite was. Jounin's and Anbu were standing on top of the buildings overlooking the foreigners coming to Konoha whilst the Chunin's where escorting the ninja to their rooms and answering all questions thrown at them, this went on for days and Konoha was filling up quick, the market stalls and shops were ecstatic at the new costumers that overflowed their stores, things were going out of stock quickly and workers had to continuously go to storage to resupply, it was a busy time but no one was complaining.

Whilst all the streets were full Naruto decided to take a walk alone in a more secluded area to clear his head "Hey Naruto!" Konohamaru called alongside his two companions "Come and play ninja with us pleeease!" he begged.

"Suuure! I don't have any dangerous ninja missions so no problem!" Naruto replied with fake enthusiasm.

"Excellent!" the trio cheered but stopped when a strange man appeared behind them, Moegi, a cute girl with big pigtails screamed as she was grabbed "Ahh Naruto!" she called out for help as she wriggled in the man's grasp "Konohamaru help!"

"What are you doing with Moegi you big slug!" Konohamaru screamed angrily, Naruto ran forth.

"Let her go NOOOWW!" the guy merely laughed and ran away with the screaming girl "Come on Konohamaru!" Naruto jumped onto the archways and chased after the man, Konohamaru and Udon nodded and chased after him so they could help their friend.

"Urg Chunin exams" Sakura was sitting on top of a building by herself, ever since she was told about the exams she couldn't stop thinking about it, she wanted to join but she didn't think she would last five minutes.

"Hey" a voice broke her out of her thoughts, she gasped and turned to see Sasuke looking down at her, a Sasuke who was alone…Perfect!

"Sasuke! What's up?" she asked, hoping this alone time could work in her favour.

"Let's take a walk, just you and me" Sakura's eyes widened when she heard those words, did he really mean it? Did he finally realise that she was the better girl? Did he leave Mieko so he could be with her?

"No way, you mean it?" she asked hopefully, she immediately jumped down and followed the boy to wherever he was going.

Sakura soon began to wonder where they were going as heavy fog surrounded them "Umm Sasuke? How come all of a sudden...you know, wanna walk with me?"

"Because I need to tell you to give up on the Chunin exams" Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks "there's no way you can pass them Sakura."

"I was afraid of that" she replied with barely any emotions "You're right."

"These ninjas are very advanced and have no mercy, if you try to fight them you could lose your life" Sasuke turned to face the pinkette.

"But Sasuke, you're telling me this because you care about me!"

"I ahh, guess that's true" he replied with one of his small smiles.

A deep and sinister laugh echoed through the fog "two sweethearts, how touching" a man replied from behind Sasuke, the ravenette narrowed his eyes, annoyed at the man for thinking they were together.

"Get lost unless you wanna die" he warned.

"Talk is cheap!" the man jumped into the air and threw several shuriken towards Sasuke, he pulled out a kunai and blocked them before he ran forth to attack the man.

"Now I'm really mad."

"Be careful Sasuke!" Sakura cried.

Sasuke ran forth and threw a kunai to block the man's larger one "No way!" he gasped when the kunai broke in hundreds and came straight towards him.

"Sasuke!" when the dust cleared she saw her crushes body riddled with kunai "Sasuke…SASUKE!" she ran towards him, praying that he was alive, she knelt over him and began to cry loudly.

"He's finished" the man who attacked Sasuke stated proudly with a malicious chuckle as he looked at his accomplishment "and that's how you'll end up if you enter the Chunin exams."

"Oh Sasuke SASUKE! Ha" she moved back up to show her normal face, her eyes were not red and no tears were staining her face "I saw through that cheap genjutsu at the first moment."

"What!?" the man cried in shock, Sakura stood up, glaring at the man.

"Sasuke inviting me out! Then acting like he's all worried about me yeah right like he'd ever do that, and he never walks around the village unless Mieko is right beside him, that was a mistake, you thought I'd fall for that?"

"Are you calling me a fool!?"

"I would if you were really here but your just an illusion, the real ninja ran away like a coward so you're just the illusion of a coward!"

The man started to cackle madly "are you sure I'm not real!?" the man pulled out another large kunai and threw it towards the pinkette, she walked forward completely calm as the weapon passed through her.

"Yeah, I'm sure" the man started laughing again.

"Just what I'd expect from a Kunoichi trained by Kakashi, but the Chunin exams will be more than illusions, we'll see if you can cut it" the man faded away as if he was never there.

"You don't scare me!" she brought her fists up "Illusions or not bring it on, the Chunin exams! Big bad Chunin exam!" she slumped her shoulders when the adrenalin disappeared "actually I'm really worried about them."

Over in the woods, Sasuke was beating the crap out another one of these men "Stay out of our village" he said calmly, though his words were deep and intimidating.

"That was hot" Mieko muttered from beside him, she had stayed back and allowed Sasuke to take the man on himself.

"Did you have to destroy the moment Mieko?"

"You know I like a man who can defeat an enemy with one kick" she shrugged as if it was nothing "can we go home now, I didn't get to do anything but stay back and watch" Sasuke shook his head and grabbed her hand.

"If you can think of something interesting to do before we get home then we can do that" she nodded and walked beside him.

Kakashi sat on a building as each of his team members defeated their enemy, he spoke when a man appeared behind him "so how did it go?" he asked the masked man.

"They all made it, your squad and the others, all 9 Genin proved themselves ready for the exam" the man replied, a cloud covered his body and Iruka stood in his place "You were right Kakashi, they're good, they've all developed very impressive skills."

"Hmmm but the Chunin exams can break anyone, we'll see if they can tough it out."

The next day was the Chunin exams, Sakura was walking towards her group slowly, almost hesitantly "Sakura you're late!" Naruto yelled as she stopped before the trio.

"Sorry guys" she looked over at Sasuke and remembered the illusion of him dead on the ground "good morning Sasuke."

"Yeah..." he replied, though he was curious about her behaviour 'what's up with her, she's different.'

"Come on let's get inside" Mieko spoke, she had decided that if Sasuke and Naruto where joining then so would she. The quartet walked inside to see two ninjas on the ground from being hit by two guys standing in front of room 301.

"Chunin are qualified to lead missions, the lives of your squad members are in your hands," one of the guys said to the small group "delicate little girls don't belong here."

"We're just thinning out the heard and you won't pass anyway so go home and play with your dolls."

"Ooohh let me kill him" Mieko went to punch the guy's lights out but Sasuke stopped her.

"Let me handle it, I don't want you actually killing him" she nodded and followed him "real nice speech" he called out to the two ninja blocking the door, his hands were in his pockets and an emotionless expression graced his face "Now both of you step aside and let me through, and while you're at it reverse the genjutsu, I can see through your illusion anyway."

"We're going to the third floor" Mieko replied as she stood beside him clad in her most intimidating outfit. She wore a thick black choker and a tight, long sleeved scarlet shirt with black gloved and black leather pants with combat boots with hidden spiked installed on the front and back of the base of the shoe. Her shirt had hidden kunais on each wrist and pouches attached to her belt that had smoke pellets and poison needles. Her hair was put up into a bun with two chop sticks stab through them, they were sharpened and filed to a point and doused with a poison that Kakashi created. She decided to have her ninja headband on her forehead instead of on top of her head. She was covered in weapons from head to toe as her father believed she would have to kill people in one of the tests.

"Well, well" a kid with big spiky hair drawled towards Sasuke.

"So you noticed the genjutsu huh?" the boy on the left with a headband continued.

"Go ahead, tell them Sakura, I'm sure you saw it before anyone else did" Sasuke called out to the pinkette, trying to boost her confidence. They were a team, he couldn't afford to have a weak member, Naruto was bad enough.

"Huh?"

"You have the sharpest eyes and the best analytical skills in our squad you must have seen this coming a mile away" Sakura looked at him dumbly.

"I must have? Well sure, of course, I spotted it right away this is only the second floor" she replied smugly though she wasn't very convincing.

"Right" Naruto chipped in, trying to be smart.

The two ninjas removed the genjutsu and the sign that once said 301 now said 201 "well aren't we the smart ones, so you noticed the illusion-now let's see you deal with this!" the guy on the right brought his knee up to strike Sasuke who in turn did the same, before everyone eyes landed a boy in a green jumpsuit blocked their attack.

"That was awesome" Mieko commented as she stood in front of the green guy, she didn't move away when the attack started and was surprised when the green guy appeared, when Sasuke pulled his leg away he grabbed Mieko's hand and pulled her next to him.

"Hey what happened to the plan?" a guy with brown hair spoke, "I thought you were the one who said to keep a low profile and don't let anyone see out real skill level."

"I know but-" the green guy stopped and looked at Mieko, a blush staining his face, he stood up straight and walked up to the Uchiha female "My name is Rock Lee, you are Mieko Hatake right?"

"Yes last time I checked" the boy winked at her and gave her a thumbs up.

"Please be my girlfriend-"

"No-" Sasuke began.

"I vow to protect you with my life" Mieko could have sworn she saw his teeth sparkle.

"Uhh, no sorry" the boy looked defeated.

"Why?"

"I already have a boyfriend" he lowered his head in defeat.

"Naruto began laughing as he watched Lee look sad and Sasuke look mad.

"Hey you, over here" the guy with the brown hair called to Sasuke "what's your name?"

"It's common courtesy to give your own name before asking someone else's" Sasuke shot back, he pulled Mieko behind him so the brown haired guy wouldn't look at her.

"You're a rookie aren't you, and your girlfriends that prodigy daughter of the Copy Cat ninja" he looked over Sasuke's shoulder and saw Mieko waving at him "How old are you anyway?"

"I'm not obliged to answer" the guy narrowed his eyes.

"What's that?" Mieko glared at the girl with the buns on either side of her head giggled and shot a cute look at Sasuke.

'Goddammit not again!' sometimes Mieko wished Sasuke wasn't so attractive, she followed after Sasuke as he turned and walked away.

"Hey Naruto, Mieko, Sasuke let's go" Sakura called out to her team members, she saw a fight brewing and didn't want to be late.

"My exams never had this much drama" Mieko muttered to Sasuke who smirked in her direction.

"Our entire lives have always been full of Drama."