Uchiha Yukiho!

Outside the Sunlight Pavilion, the midsummer heat was scorching. The sun hung high over the Uchiha Clan Compound, and cicadas shrilled in waves.

The camphor trees along the road spread thick canopies, casting broad swaths of shade. Hot gusts swept up fallen leaves, filling the air with the stifling heat of midsummer.

It was a day off, and the Uchiha Clan Compound was quieter than usual. Many clan members sheltered beneath the trees, leaving the streets nearly empty.

Hatake Sakumo had only recently returned from his post in eastern Land of Fire. He had traded his standard Shinobi Flak Jacket for loose casual clothes, though a short sword still hung at his waist. He walked over the sun-baked stone path toward Kagami Uchiha's home to visit his teacher.

As he rounded a shaded corner, a clear voice suddenly called out beside him.

"Sakumo!"

Sakumo stopped short and turned.

A petite figure stood beneath the trees in a light-colored kimono. A fine sheen of sweat covered her forehead, and she carried a cloth food box, apparently on her way to visit someone. Sunlight slipped through the leaves and scattered across her hair like flecks of gold.

At the sight of her, Sakumo's usually steady, serious expression turned uncharacteristically awkward. He reached up to scratch the back of his head, a blush creeping over his ears. "Yukiho? What are you doing here?"

Uchiha Yukiho stepped forward and brushed a fallen leaf from her shoulder. Her eyes crinkled with amusement. "I'm a member of the Uchiha Clan. Why wouldn't I be here?"

"Well..." Sakumo was at a loss for words.

Yukiho laughed softly. "All right, I'll stop teasing you. I made some mung bean soup to cool off and was going to bring it to a friend." She gave the food box a