It was just as she had predicted.
Children flocked to her. She was everyones friend, and the academy was beyond easy, having already learned all the math they taught, and read every single one of Itachi's academy textbooks.
She had studied her butt off at home for exactly this reason-to free herself up for pr.
And,
To make new friends.
She had never seen Sakura before until the ceremony speech, and had zoned out staring at her hair. She would become extremely powerful later on, and even before the series was top of the class and one of the only people 'decent' to Naruto.
Sasuke squinted suspiciously up at her.
"What are you doin now?" he grumbled.
Sasuke had been cranky ever since the academy started. Maybe it was because he couldn't sleep in anymore, maybe it was because Miko's attention wasn't solely on him anymore, and maybe it was because they couldn't see their family until the academy was over.
Sakura, who was hiding behind her, clenched the back of her dress.
It had been by turns both easier and harder than had had initially thought befriending her. Sakura was desperate for friendship and looked kindly on anyone who was kind to her-despite their intentions. Miko knew this first hand.
But she was hesitant to get close to anybody, suspicious-and rightfully so. It's not like Miko had any nefarious deeds planned for her, but she would be using her. Sakura was scared of getting hurt and that was understandable.
But her biggest selling point?
Sakura had a crush on Sasuke. And she was Sasuke's sister.
It wasn't as big as it would be later in the academy, but it was clear she admired him.
"You two be friends." She said, pushing Sakura down next to Sasuke. They regarded each other before Sasuke crossed his arms.
"H-hello." Sakura poked her fingers together.
"Hello."
"Oh! Is that the history of Konoha? I read it and thought it to be wonderful!" Sasuke had borrowed it from Itachi to read when he got bored.
Sasuke turned fully to face her, uncrossing his arms.
"You read this?"
Miko beamed. They were getting along splendidly. She stood up to leave, the two paying her no mind as they discussed Tobirama and the history of the police force.
The grass cleared in front of her as kids scrambled out of her way. Perhaps she should explain? Miko and Ino had been labeled as the two most popular girls in their grade. Instead of the power struggle that would have normally resumed, they shared it. They had been amazing friends before (thanks to the meetings and play dates) and both saw no reason to quit.
The nicknames going around for them respectively were Queen-bee for Miko due to her honey talking tongue, and Ice-Queen for Ino- presumably for her eyes, because she had a very bubbly personality. Fantastic. When the two of them paired up, people ducked and covered.
But perhaps the most notable of all?
Her admirers.
She had plenty, due to the fact she was taking after Mikoto and she was gorgeous. But there was a person who admired her who she wasn't too surprised about. Shikamaru. She even played a bit of shogi, winning a few of the rounds. But that could have been because she had purposefully kissed him on the cheek beforehand.
But the other one?
Naruto.
Naruto.
She hoped Sasuke would never catch wind of this or else that rivalry would never end.
It might have started in the park, when she had unknowingly played with him. Or on the first day, when she had apologized for bumping into him. or when she had smiled at him-seeing one of the shirts the Uchiha donated to the orphanages. At any rate, he was always there, peeking around a classroom door, watching her during a history discussion, or hiding behind a tree during recess-looking like he wanted to asked her to play again.
It would be a long couple of years.