Cat and Raccoon (a Naruto fanfic)

[kararayn]

Chapter 1 - A Girl and Her Cats

Itachi Uchiha, the resident prodigy, and older brother of the school heartthrob; shocked her one day, by wondering if anyone had adopted the male blue - cat. He asked, and she shook her head no. He started to go to her, every once in awhile, for her to tell him about the cat.

Happy, but surprised he was interested, she answered, and told him. Eventually, he shocked his fangirls by walking over to Kumi, who sat alone, and talking to her during lunch. Knowing the social rules, she blushed embarrassed; Only for him to speak, saying it was alright. He knew she wasn't a fangirl, and she didn't have to worry. People around or not, she should act the same.

Relaxing, they made plans for Itachi to adopt the cat, and she was to bring him over later. The older Uchiha would be free, and ready then. She smiled, and nodded; earning a quick smirk from him. They spent the rest of lunch, having her memorize the directions, and chatting a little. Surprisingly, he wasn't that hard to talk to, and put her somewhat at ease.

She smiled as she opened the door; greeted by a fast - moving orange fluff - ball. It jumped into her arms, purring loudly, and for a long time; nuzzling against her neck and shoulder. Laughing, she stroked along the cat's back, only making the purrs grow louder. "Good boy Tobi," she smiled, scratching under his chin, and behind his ear, before setting him down.

Walking into the kitchen, a muffled mew greeted her quietly. Reaching down, she scooped up the bright blue cat. "Hello Kisame," she smiled, scratching his cheeks, and along his back; earning soft, rumbling purrs.

"I think I found you an owner." Kisame's ears flattened, fearful. "No..no.." she kissed his forehead. "I'll be checking on you, and if I even see one sign, you're coming straight back." One ear flicked a bit, but he wasn't convinced just yet.

"You're always welcome in my home," she added, and scratched along his back, while he purred. Now satisfied.

Cooking some meat scraps, before adding gravy over their food, she fixed them both homemade meals, setting it on the table. They both hopped up, eating quickly. Sighing softly, she pet them both, making them grumble as they ate. She laughed, and pulled away to walk out onto her porch. Scooping the rest of the food, into the bowls on the porch, and clearing out the old water, to switch it for fresh, in more.

She debated for a bit, but opened the latch on the bottom half of her door, leaving the kitty - sized opening out, and moving the bowls inside as an after thought. She took down the wooden crates, and lined them with small blankets, around them, and smiled, when she'd finished. Only a knock on her door, pulled her away from the dishes, as her two shadows followed after her.

Swinging it open, she found a familiar face. "Mr. Hyuuga.." she bowed politely.

"Are you the owner of this cat?" he had the long - haired boy beside him, hold up a crate. Peering inside, she sighed.

"Hidan...oh not again.."

"So, he is yours?"

"I'll return him to Ms. Jas, if that's alright." she nodded once.

"I'll have a talk with her myself. She really ought to remember to cage him in, by now." As if, he was finished, he stormed down to the house, leaving the two teens to cringe sympathetically.

"Here." The boy opened the door, earning himself a scratch in the process. "Ow!"

"Sorry, Neji.." she pulled the near - white, silver tabby into her arms.

"How do you do that?" he asked, fetching himself a bandaid. She shrugged, and both mused over the familiarness of this routine.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm just used to it?"

"I've never even seen him scratch you."

"I don't know then."

"Hmm."

"Mmnm."

He shrugged then. "See ya in school then."

"See ya Neji."

He waved, and was gone.

Shaking her head, she sat the cat down. It zoomed over to the food, gobbling up half the bowl. She laughed, and shut the door once more, before scooping up the blue cat, once he'd finished to brush out his fur. "Alright everyone..." she started. "Wish Kisame luck. He's going to try to get a new home today." She set down the brush, and walked outside with the cat. Setting him down in the basket, she lifted the latch, and headed off on her bike. Waving at Neji when she pulled up beside him.

"Where are you headed off to?" he asked, jogging slightly.

"To the Uchiha's."

"Why?" he looked at her strangely.

She motioned her head to the cat in the basket. "Kisame's new home, I hope."

"Good luck," he stopped.

"Thanks, Neji!" she called over her shoulder.

Her confidence drained rather quickly once she'd pulled up to the compound. She parked her bike, and glanced around. The shingles were patchy, most of them looked like they needed replaced. One of the inner walls was caving in. Picking up the cat, she gulped, feeling nervous now. "What the heck are you doing here?" a voice asked, and she jumped at the sudden noise.

"Um..I was supposed to be meeting with your brother.." she mumbled slightly.

"Come on then." he waved his hand, and led her inside one of the houses. Relief came, at the tell - tales signs of this section being better kept. He motioned to a cushion, inside the door, and she removed her shoes, setting them down, before kneeling down. "What's with the cat?" he asked, sitting down himself.

"Kisame's why I'm here."

"Kisame?"

"The cat?" she tried.

"Oh, that's it name?"

"Yeah," she laughed.

"Why Kisame?"

"That was his name when I got him."

"His?"

"Male cat."

"Oh."

"Yeah.." she sweatdropped.

"Oh shit!" he jumped up then, and dashed into what she assumed was the kitchen. Apparently her guess wasn't far off, as he soon returned, to toss out the burnt remains of..well, something anyway.

"Sorry.."

"For what? I can't cook very well anyway." he shrugged.

"Want me to make something?"

"You cook?"

"Yep."

"Sure if you want."

She set down the cat, and he followed after. "What do you have?"

"Beef, lots of spices, some mystery dish from last thursday, and veggies. Oh and rice."

"Okay then.." she laughed, and rolled up her sleeves. She washed her hands, pulled out the goods, and a skillet. Heat up the stove, spice the meat. A little oil to speed up cooking, while waiting on rice in the cooker. Soy sauce in, a little ginger, and wait for it to cook. Mix it all together when done, and serve on rice or in seperate bowls.

"Done!" she set it down before him. He cracked apart his chopsticks, and tasted a small bite.

"It's good!" he began to eat.

"Yay." she smiled.

He smirked. "But you made too much.."

"Well, maybe your brother will eat the leftovers. Or you could have it for lunch sometime."

"You sound like a mom.."

"Sorry.."

"Nah, it's kinda nice. Wierd, but nice." he laughed.

"I bet Sakura would be really mad if she found out though." she laughed, and he choked slightly.

"Don't tell her.." he managed to say, once he'd swallowed again.

"Like anyone would believe I cooked for the Sasuke Uchiha?" she giggled.

"True." he smirked.

"Hey!"

"How come you never talk this much in school?"

She paled slightly. "Uh..I don't..know." she stumbled.

"You're lying." he frowned.

"Who would I even talk to?" her tone hardened slightly.

"Me?"

"To be fair, when have you tried either?" she asked quietly.

"I..didn't." he admitted, after thinking about it for awhile.

"I get people - shy at school.." she sighed.

"Why?"

"I really don't want to talk about that.."

"Why not?"

"It's a really bad memory. Ever had some?"

"Several." his tone was icy.

"I'm sorry.." she whispered.

"Stop saying sorry, when you didn't do anything to be sorry for," his tone warmed up.

"Okay."

"Wow, it's late." he glanced at the clock.

"Holy crap! Eleven o' clock?"

He chuckled.

"Obviously." a quiet voice spoke from the shadows.

"Itachi.." the younger uchiha soured.

"Sasuke.." the other gave a nod, before turning to ask. "Did you bring the cat?"

"Kisame?" a mew at her feet, revealed the blue cat. He bent down, to scratch behind it's ears, earning a happy, rumbling purr that filled the room. She laughed.

"Is that his name?" Itachi asked.

"Yes." she nodded. "Well...his full registered name is Kisame Hoshigaki."

"Registered?"

"He came with papers."

"Papers?"

"He's a purebred cat."

"What were you requesting for him then?"

"I just want him to have a good home."

"Surely that can't be all."

"He has a new collar. There's a leash, and, new food and water dished inside the carrier."

"Carrier?"

"For if you happen to need it." she walked out to her bike, and handed it to him.

"Oh."

"Well, take care of him please."

"We will." he nodded.

"Goodnight." she bowed, and got on her bike. A rumble of thunder sounded, just as she pulled up the brake. "Oh great..." she groaned.

"You better hurry.." Sasuke told her, eyeing the sky.

"Nah. I'll end up getting caught anyway."

"How far away are you?" he raised his brow.

"About twelve blocks, or so."

"Twelve?!"

She shrugged. "See ya in school." she called over her shoulder.

"Yeah, see ya.."

She hurriedly shut the door closed behind her, while scrambling to lose her layers of soaked clothing. She ran for the towels, and a basket, before drying herself off. Picking up her clothes, she tossed them in the washer. "Great,..bloody muddy mess I made.." she sighed, and scrubbed the floor. Then, into the tub to get warmed up. Dried her hair, and off to bed she went. Only the sound of several protesting mews, got her up out of the covers again.

A dozing orange fluffball on the end of her bed, revealed it was another, and she began to look around for the culprit of the mewls. Only when she went downstairs, did she open the door, to three very familiar, and very wet cats. She grabbed the towels, and rubbed them dry. Heated up the gravy food mix, and set it before all three, and blanketed two beds for them to share. The smaller bed, was claimed by a , now - content, white cat. The second, claimed by a blue, and dark orange pair.

"May I go to bed now, Leader - sama?" she asked the orange cat, last to fall asleep as usual. One mew, and a dip of head, she took that for a yes. Walking back to her bedroom, she crawled back under the covers, just before an equally extausted fluffball, curled up on her stomach, purring away. She fell asleep to the sound of it's rumbles echoing off the wall.

[kararayn]

Chapter 2 - Enter Kumi

She had passed through the gates, early as usual. She forced herself not to slump, but yawned all the same, as she took her usual seat in the last row. Looking over at the wall, she mused over the cats, who'd still been there come the morning. It had been unusual for them, but she soon learned why. Shivering in her hoodie, she'd had to walk her way to school. There was frost everywhere, and she'd fallen just a block away from the gate. Her arm still stung, from where she'd hit it off the pavement.

The door slid open, and her attention was drawn to the excited whispers, and squeals of the girls in the rows before her. She glanced up at the raven - haired figure. He was grimacing. She covered her mouth to keep from laughing. The girls really were relentless, and already the blonde, and pink haired girls were arguing. Though it seemed this time, it was going a bit differently.

"I'm done, Sakura!" the blonde known as Ino Yamanaka declared.

"With?" the pink haired girl asked.

"I think it's time you back off, of Sasuke."

The other gaped. "But I thought you were over him!"

"Of course I'm over him! I'm going out with Chouji!"

"What?" said boy paused from eating at that.

"Eh..um..I mean..." Ino blushed, embarrassed. "Would you like to..."

"Go out with you?" he finished.

She could only nod.

"I'd like that." he smiled. She squealed excitely, and hugged him.

She smiled at the sight, and also at the flushed, angry look on Sakura's face, as Sasuke turned her down for the umpteenth time this year. But her own eyes widened slightly, as he moved on past his usual chair, and suddenly stood before her. When he wasn't moving, she blurted out the first words that came to mind. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting next to you." he smirked, and did so. She could only stare, as the familiar blonde boy followed after, and sitting behind him.

"Um..why?"

"So we can finish our talk from yesterday."

"What part?" her cheeks flushed involuntarily.

"About how you learned to cook like that."

"She cooked? When?" Naruto asked them both.

"She came over to my house."

"Oh?" the blonde grinned.

"Not like that."

"Like that, then?"

"No." he shook his head.

"When in the world did Kumi cook for you then?"

"Last night."

"You know my name?" she asked then, but quickly facepalmed.

"Well, you are in alot of the same classes."

"I think this is the most I've ever heard you speak." Naruto spoke up.

"I didn't get a chance to talk much before." she shrugged.

"You transferred last year though!" he threw up his hands.

"Well..yeah."

"How can you both be so quiet! It would drive me nuts!"

Sasuke smirked at that.

"See!" he continued. "Speak darn you!" he shook the boy before him.

She laughed, as they both started to shake the other. They looked over at her grinning.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Sasuke asked him.

"Yep!"

"Oh..no.." she tried to back up, but Sasuke mussed her hair, while Naruto tickled her.

"Stop!" she laughed, trying to protest. "Need air, need air!"

They both let her go, and she kept giggling for a long while afterward.

"Eh - em.." Sasuke cleared his throat, and pointed at her hair.

"Eep!" she pulled it out of the ponytail quickly, and brushed it straight once more.

"So long!" Ino gasped.

"I - it's not that long.." she ducked behind her bangs then.

"It's past your waist!"

"And longer then even Sakura's before she cut it." Ino pointed out.

The bell rang then, and she fled into the halls. Excusing herself to the nurse's office, from her next class, she sighed with relief. Telling the nurse it was cramps, she was allowed to stay for a period. She thanked Shizune, only groaning into a pillow once the lady had left. Tucking up her legs, beneath her, she closed her eyes. The door slid open.

"Cramps, huh?" the person spoke. She bolted upright then, turning beet red with embarassment.

"eh...uh...um..." she stammered.

"Faker." Neji chuckled.

"Shut..up.." she facepalmed.

"Heh. I heard about what happened in class."

"From who?"

"Who do you think?"

"Just tell me.." she glanced over at him.

"Kiba."

"He's talking to you again?"

"Apparently." his expression soured.

"Don't pout. I didn't have the update yet."

"Update?" he mused.

"You know what I mean."

"You've been here for a year, and your still out of the loop?"

"I'm new, compared to the rest of you."

"Sai came after you did."

"Sai isn't exactly shy."

"True."

"And he was still here." she laughed.

"Okay, okay.. I get the point."

"Why'd he do that?"

"Who knows?"

"You tell me." she poked him.

"I know nothing..." he teased.

"Liar.." she grumbled.

"No pouting.." he narrowed his eyes.

"You know you can't resist the puppy eyes."

"Tell no one." he warned.

" Awww, and here I was thinking about telling Tenten.."

"No!" his eyes widened.

"So tell me!"

"That Uchiha doesn't tend to explain himself very often."

"Eh..."

"If you're feeling well enough to talk in my office, I suppose your ready to go back to class?" Shizune called from the doorway.

"Just waiting to tell you." she smiled, and they both left quickly.

"Phew.." she sighed, once they were out of hearing range.

"What class do you have next?" Neji asked.

"Lunch. Why?"

"Perfect."

"For what?" she barely got out before the bell rang once more.

"Later!"

"Neji!" she called after his retreating form.

"See ya, Kumi." he waved, and she flushed red.

"Great.." she grumbled, and stomped off to the lunchroom.

[kararayn]

Chapter 3 - Lunchroom

Left curious, and confused, she made her way to the lunchroom. Knowing better then to eat what was provided, she sat down as the first empty table she could find. Scanning her eyes over the room, she covered her mouth to keep from laughing. Tenten was with Neji, sitting at their usual table. Lee was obviously regaling them with some message of youth, as he was bouncing around excitedly again. Kiba was laughing. Shino was smirking behind his hoodie. And Hinata was watching it all, quietly smiling as well.

On the table beside that, were the newest couple, Ino and Chouji. Apparently Ino had learned to cook, and he was trying out what she had made. She smirked when she noticed Sai, and Shikamaru were into another debate. Chuckling, she noticed Sakura was fuming, as she turned away from Sasuke, when he approached. He smirked, and sat down anyway. Naruto was following behind him, energetically telling him a story of some sort.

A tap on the shoulder, snapped her out of it. She turned around to look, and blinked with surprise. He yanked her up out of the seat, and pulled her towards the tables she'd been looking at only a moment before. "Neji! What the heck do you think your doing?!" she demanded to know, as she started dragging him back toward where she'd been.

"Getting you in the loop." he hoisted her over his shoulder, and she struggled to get down the whole way there.

"Put...me...down..now!" she protested.

"As you wish." He dropped her to the ground.

"Did you have to do it that way?" she stood up, and brushed herself off. She glared at him, only to have her eyes widen in horror, as she realized he'd dropped her right in front of the table.

"Hi Kumi - chan!" Naruto spoke up first, cheerfully. She was speechless, and shut her mouth. She clenched her hands into fists, and glared at her offender. Neji only chuckled, looking smug. An idea came to mind, she smiled. Walking calmly over to him, she pounced, and tackled - hugged him.

"Oof!" he grunted, and fell to the ground. The others only stared, or fell into laughter. "What was that for?!"

"For what you did!" she told him.

"Fine...okay.." he was turning red, and facepalmed. "Can you get off me now please?" She looked down, and realized the way they'd landed, she was straddling his lap.

"Oh my fucking god!" she jumped off, and to her feet. She was beet red. She buried her face in her hands.

"Nice one, Kumi." Sasuke smirked.

"Shut...up.."

"Make me." he dared, and she punched him across the cheek. "What the heck!" he demanded.

"I'm going now. Cya Neji.." she was completely red, and fled to the empty table. Burying her face in her arm, she groaned as someone yanked her up out of her seat.

"How dare you touch Sasuke, you bitch!"

"Great. Just what I need.." she sighed, and glared at Sakura.

"What is that supposed to mean!" the other girl shrieked.

"For you to back off. I don't give a damn because I'm not a fangirl like you!"

"How dare you!" Sakura punched her across the face. Smirking, she began walking away. Glaring at her back, she grabbed the pink - haired offended by her hair, and bashed her head against the table. Pinning her with her hands behind her back, and with a knee in her spine, she growled.

"Back the hell off." Kumi warned, before letting her go, and shoving her back to the tables.

"Kumi.." a calmer voice spoke.

"Neji.." she sighed.

"Calm down." he told her, and patted her head.

"Fine.." she pouted.

"How do you two know each other?" Naruto popped out from behind the Hyuuga.

"Neighbors." they replied in unison.

"For how long?" he tilted his head to the side.

"Six years." they said again, before looking at each other and laughing.

"HOW COULD YOU HAVE?!" Naruto yelled, shocked.

"I d- don't know her..." Hinata spoke quietly.

"Of course not. Your usually away when she comes over." Neji snorted.

"How was she not in school before last year?"

"I was homeschooled.." she spoke quietly.

"Wait..what? Seriously?" Kiba asked.

"I had to be. My mother was sick at the time."

"For how long?"

"Nine years..."

"Well, since your in school, she must be better, right?" Naruto asked., cheerfully.

"She's dead." Neji answered for her, flatly.

"What about her dad then?"

"He's been missing for a long time now." she laughed to show it wasn't a big deal.

"Wait..wait..so you live alone?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Aside from the cats." Neji grumbled, rubbing a scratch on his arm. She chuckled.

"Cats?" Sasuke asked then.

"She has an hyperactive furball...and then she insists on taking care of like all the ones from the neighborhood!" he explained.

"I'm a sucker for animals.." she shrugged.

"Why cats?" Naruto asked.

"My mom got me Tobi."

"She got you a cat named after the mass murderer?" Sasuke raised his brow.

"Yep."

"You realize your gonna have to explain that to them, right?" Neji blinked at her.

"Maybe later." she laughed.

"Why later?" Naruto asked, just before the bell rang.

"That's why." she walked to class.

[kararayn]

Chapter 4 - The place

She yawned, as she took her seat in the backrow the next day. Someone poked her on the head, and she rubbed her forehead after. She looked up into the amused eyes of a certain blonde. "Good morning, Kumi - chan!" Naruto told her. She groaned at his loudness.

"Since when am I a chan?" she asked, grumpily.

"Oh..uh.." he scratched the side of his nose. "Am I not supposed to?" he asked, awkwardly. Realizing she was being a grouch, she sighed.

"Sorry, and good morning Naruto - kun." His eyes lit up at the familiar term, and she smiled. There was a disgruntled grunt from behind her, and she flinched. Turning around, she was forced to meet the onyx eyes of a very angry looking Uchiha.

"Why the fuck did you punch me yesterday?" he growled.

"Eh - heh...Sasuke...?" Naruto sweatdropped. A glare in his direction, however, shut him up.

"Gomenasai...Uchiha - san," she whispered. Standing up, she bowed, and fled.

"Kumi?!" several voices called after her. She scurried into a bush, and buried her face in her knees.

"Where'd she go?" Naruto's voice spoke up nearby.

"What the hell did you do, Uchiha?" Neji was furious.

"All I asked was why she punched me!" Sasuke snapped back. She sighed, and crawled out from behind the bush. She tugged on Neji's hair lightly, and he whipped around.

"Are you okay?" he asked quickly.

"I'm fine..I just needed to get out of class for a moment."

"Why?" Sasuke asked quietly.

"Honestly?" she flinched under his gaze. "I was afraid of you, just then."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Bullshit." he growled.

"Sasuke," Naruto spoke up then. "Chill."

"Come on, Kumi." Neji nudged her.

"It was the look, I was afraid of how you were going to react. Okay?" she admitted from only a foot away.

"Fine." he spoke tensely.

"Gomen.." she whispered and bolted.

"Where is she going...NOW?"

"Home." Neji told them.

"Where?"

She quickly opened her door, and slammed it shut behind herself. She slid to the ground, and was surrounded by worried mews. An orange blur appeared in her lap purring. A white cat nudged her hand, while two meows drew her eyes to a blue and orange pair on her counter. "Life waits for no one, right?" she laughed a little, and fixed four meals before serving it to the cats.

She went out onto her porch, and slipped onto the porch swing. She pulled her legs up to her chest, and buried her face in her knees. "Why are you crying?" a voice asked, as the swing was stopped.

"I'm not..."

"Then what's wrong, Kumi - chan?" Her head snapped up then. She blinked her disbelief at the head of a certain blonde to her right. "Kumi - chan?" She sighed, and rubbed her eyes.

"What are you doing at my house?" she asked.

"The usual." Neji replied.

"I meant them," she nodded to the others.

"Seeing if your okay." Naruto mumbled, embarrassed.

"Well, you got to see my house." Sasuke smirked. "It's only fair that I'd get to see yours."

"Yeah, and are any of you going to walk back in the rain?" she pointed at the sudden downpour behind them.

"Um..w-well.." Naruto stammered. She shook her head and laughed.

"Come on in," she got off the swing, and opened the door. "Just watch out for - "

BAM.

"Mrowwww!"

"Owwwww!"

"...the cats," she finished, and walked over to the swearing form of Naruto on the floor. She scooped up the hissing Hidan, and calmed him down, before picking up her first aid kit, and cleaning the scratches.

"Guard..cat.." Neji said between his laughter. Even Sasuke smirked.

"Very funny." Naruto frowned.

"No. He's being serious." she rolled her eyes and shrugged.

"Damn cat draws blood everytime." Neji snorted.

"How many cats do you have?" Naruto asked.

"Um..well.." she paused. "Tobi's technically the only one that's mine." She pointed to the fluffball at her feet.

"And the others?"

"Well..." she laughed. "Hidan belongs to Mrs. Jas, but he comes over all the time." She pointed to the silver - gray cat. "I don't know who the two on the counter belong to, but they come over too."

"So, four?"

"It used to be five, but Kisame was adopted."

"Did you name all your cats after murderers?" Sasuke asked.

"Yeah, she did." Neji nodded. "And I better go. Have fun." He smirked, and bolted out the door.

"Gee. Thanks!" she yelled after him. He was already headed through his gate. "Grrr..." she grumbled.

"Uh...Kumi - chan?" Naruto spoke up quietly.

"Hm?"

"Would you rather we go?"

"Nah," she shook her head. She pointed out the bedrooms, and then darted for blankets. "Are you hungry?" she asked, coming back with an armful.

"Used to this much?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"I don't have anyone come over anymore." she shook her head, no.

"Why not?"

"Who would I ask?"

"Neji?" Sasuke tried.

"To stay alone in a house with a girl? Mr. Hyuuga would never allow it."

"What are the blankets for?" Naruto poked them.

"I..um..don't have heating." she admitted.

"Oh."

"Hn."

"Yeah.." she rubbed the back of her neck.

"What are we gonna do about clothes?" Naruto asked, and the other two paled.

"Well..." she laughed awkwardly. "I could go get them."

"My house is twelve blocks away." Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Well...it would work." A knock on the door interrupted them. She answered it, and they all blinked their surprise.

"Itachi?" Sasuke spoke first.

"Apparently you have gone missing." he spoke quietly.

They exchanged looks, and laughed at that. "So, now what?" Sasuke asked.

"We go home." Itachi sighed. "You too, Naruto. I'll give you a ride." He motioned with his hand.

"No way!"

"Why not?" Sasuke looked over at him.

"I wanna try her cooking!" he cheered.

"And how will you get home?" Itachi asked.

"I'll stay here." he chirped happily.

"Very well." Itachi turned to go.

"And clothes?"

"We'll go get some." he nodded, crossing his arms.

"Okay." Sasuke shrugged, and drove away with Itachi.

"Well...let's go." she said, grabbing her keys.

"Go?"

"Clothes?" she laughed.

"Oh..right.." he laughed, and they headed out into the rain. Walking side by side in the downpour, but shrieking and chasing one another on the way there. They raced to his apartment. He unlocked the door, and she laughed the entire time he fetched his clothes. "Ready?" he asked, holding on the bag.

"Yep." They walked back slowly, until the cold made them hurry through the door. She grabbed towels, and they darted into seperate bathrooms to shower, warm up, and change. She took the wet clothes, and tossed them into the washer when they'd come back out.

"Uh..Kumi - chan?"

"Hm?"

"Do you have any ramen?"

"Hungry?"

"Heh." he scratched the side of his nose. "Yeah," he chuckled.

"Sure."

She quick-boiled the veggies: dicing up the corn, peas, and carrots, with cabbage to add. Waiting on the noodles, she diced up chunks of beef and pork, cooking them thoroughly. She added the seasoning first, then the eggs. Stirring quickly, she turned it off, and added the meat and vegetables. She fixed both large bowls, and they cracked the chopsticks.

"It's good!" he told her.

"Thanks." she smiled.

"Nyeh..Kumi - chan?"

"Hm?"

"Why do you live alone?"

"Well.." she paused, thinking how to answer. "My mother passed away." she shrugged, leaving it simple.

"What about other family?" he tilted his head to the side.

"They disowned me a long time ago." she shook her head.

"Oh...sorry.."

"It's okay."

"So, where do I sleep?" he asked, changing the subject, and breaking the silence that had followed.

"Anywhere you want." she laughed.

"Mm. What if i want to sleep with you?" he grinned.

"Eek! Pervert!" she laughed, and waved her hands teasingly.

"I was only kidding!" he ducked and covered his head.

"I know!" she laughed. "I was teasing back.." she shook her head. "I'm not Sakura, I'm not gonna hit you."

He chuckled at that. Scooping her up into his arms, she squeake in surprise. He carried her to the bed, lay her down, and crawled in beside her. She fought the burning in her cheeks, as he bid her goodnight, and flipped over to face away.

"Good night Naruto." she told him.

* * *

"I see you survived the night," a voice spoke up the next morning.

"Yeah," she laughed. "And good morning, Sasuke - san." He frowned, but nodded and sat down behind her.

"So...you and Naruto, huh?"

She tilted her head to the side, feeling confused. "Me and him, what?"

"You know.." he grinned wickedly.

"Um..no, I don't know."

"Oh my god, seriously?" a female voice shrieked, and Kumi found herself being dragged to the front.

"What the hell." she grumbled.

"Spill it." Ino said, sternly, still clinging to her arm. Sakura was grinning from her other side.

"There's nothing to tell.."

"Oh, really?" Sakura raised a brow.

"But Tenten confirmed that you came to school with him alone!" Ino pointed out. "And we know for a fact, his house is several blocks in a different direction!"

"I'm gonna...Tenten is...Ugh!" she walked over, grabbed Naruto by the wrist and pulled him over the girls.

"Kumi - chan?!" he looked at her confused.

"Please tell them the last thing we did together before this morning."

He paused a moment. "We slept together!" he announced loudly. She facepalmed.

"Uh.." Ino sweatdropped. Sakura had gone into shock. Kumi, meanwhile, was beet red. A slap to the back brought her out of her own shock.

"Nice job." Neji was smirking as he patted her head. She groaned slightly in response.

"Kumi - chan, did I say something wrong?" Naruto asked, appearing along her side.

"Not wrong, just..." she mumbled from behind her hands.

"Then what?" he asked, worriedly.

"Um...I..uh.." she stammered.

"Since when are you two going out?" a sleepy voice spoke up.

"Shikamaru.." she shook, and grit her teeth.

"Oh, I see."

"See what, exactly?"

"Uh.." Naruto interrupted with a tap on her shoulder. "So..they?"

"Yep.." she nodded.

"And I..?"

She nodded again.

"I'll fix it." he ran off.

"Wait...!" she tried, even as he went around the corner. "...how?" she grumbled.

"Just believe it." Neji winced.

"I can't believe you said that."

"Neither can I." he shook his head.

"He's rubbing off on you." she laughed.

"Possibly." he shrugged, then turned serious. "Never tell."

"I won't." she nodded as he walked off. She leaned over to Shikamaru. "Tell me you got that!" she grinned.

"Of course." he smiled, and sent the vid to her cell.

"Thank you!" she cheered, emailing it to herself, before deleting.

"Give it!" Neji plucked her phone. He checked it over. "Alright." He handed it back.

* * *

"With Kumi?" Kiba turned after school. "No way." he shook his head. "I've known her as long as Neji, there's no chance."

"But that's what I've been trying to tell everyone!" Naruto protested.

"Has she? Wait...nevermind. Let me guess, she goes tongue - tied?"

Nod.

"Turns red?"

Another nod.

"Figures."

"What am I gonna do?"

"Tell her the truth."

"What's the truth?"

He sighed. "Naruto.."

"Yeah?"

"Your not gonna be able to fix this one."

"Why not?"

"You can't fix her."

"But she wasn't what I was trying to fix..."

"Just a warning."

"Why?"

"You want to be attached."

"Huh?"

"Friends, thickhead!"

"Oh."

Kiba shook his head.