Naruto: The Uchiha Prodigy by Rifat

Chapter 7: Fleeting Moments

10 Days Later, Woods, The Uchiha Clan Compound, Konohagakure no Sato.

"Ano, Naru" Kasumi said as Naruto was practicing his bukijutsu.

"What is it Kasumi?" Naruto asked as he stopped his practice.

"I want to ask you something." Kasumi said as she fidgeted with the sleeve of her black shirt. After spending and learning a week from Naruto, Kasumi was wearing less orange. The keyword being less as there was still enough orange to go around for her. In Kasumi's own words, Naruto did not understand 'the true power of the color orange.' But Naruto had also learned a lot of things about Kasumi.

For one she was always overpriced for everything she bought. Her rent was taken care of by the Sandaime, which Naruto probably guessed was due to her being a member of the Uzumaki Clan, and the stores in Konoha had always ripped her off. Another very important thing that he learned about Kasumi was her drive to be acknowledged. Even if the village hated her she did not. She was truly a kind person and wanted to protect the village. She wanted to be the Hokage because that way people would acknowledge her and treat her with respect. Her role model was of course the Yondaime Hokage.

Moving on, Naruto knew that if he was seen walking around the village with Kasumi a new breed of rumors would be born and he would rather avoid such an event. Why? He did not want people to know that he was close to Kasumi, particularly the Civilian Council. They'd probably rant about him being tainted by the demon or something like that. This brought another question to Naruto's mind.

'How stupid could they be to even think that? If the Kyuubi had Kotoamatsukami then it would've been possible.'

"Naru" Kasumi whined out and was doing that cute little pout face. "Did you daze off again?" Kasumi too had learned a fair share of things about Naruto. He was a very quiet boy, just like in class. But there was huge difference between the one in the academy and the one at his house. He was stoic but he was very kind. Ever since she started staying here, Naruto did not want her to do a single chore saying that she deserves a rest from being treated as a pariah for now, Naruto was smart enough not to use that word when discussing this. She had also seen pictures of his family. His parents and his brothers. She felt warm and cuddly when she saw all their pictures. She mused at how Naruto must've felt when his family was alive. And from the pictures she saw, Naruto was quite happy as a child.

However, a problem for both of them rose during this ten day time span. The hormones were acting up.

Naruto knew that Kasumi was by far the most beautiful girl he had seen so far. Her face, hair and most of all her eyes. They intrigued him to no end. He found it quite hard not to stare into her violet orbs. It was too mesmerizing. He greatly appreciated her presence at his house as well. He has been living alone ever since he was seven and Kasumi was great company to have, albeit a little loud sometimes. But he wouldn't change it for anything. Which made him ponder more on his true feelings. Is she just a friend? A close friend? Does he just wants them to be friends?

Kasumi was equally curious about the situation. For the first time in her life she could say that she was not alone. She had someone to see when she woke up. The raven haired boy would treat her kindly. He cooked for them. He would say 'Good Morning' and 'Good Night'. He was training her properly, something most of the instructors bar Suzume and Iruka had not done. He had taught her from the ground up. But most of all, he care about her.

More than the Ichirakus, more than Jiji and her friend Hinata. He would never show it in a excessive display, but after staying with him for 10 days she pretty much had an idea how her raven haired friend functioned. But therein lied her problem as well. Was Naruto just a friend to her? Seeing him shirtless one day certainly did not help that much. Also, when Naruto looked at her it would be much different from the looks Kiba and her other fanboys gave her. It was a reassuring look that he'd be there for her.