The Uchiha showed up to the Hyuga compound at the break of dawn. After getting past the usual guard runaround, Shizake approaches his friend's household. He knocks on the door, patiently waiting for someone to answer. A groggy Nitatchi answers, his eyes bloodshot from being woken up.

"Dude... do you sleep?" Nitatchi asks while rubbing his eyes in annoyance.

"I was a bit restless. Today is the day... you know. Our trip to Hidden Hot Water Village," Shizake says.

"Right. I'm excited too but you don't need to drag me into your early morning nonsense," the Hyuga groans

Shizake closes his eyes, running a hand down his face. "I kind of ran into a dilemma thinking about this," Shizake replies.

"Well I'm up now, so what is it?" Nitatchi asks.

"It's a festival we're going to, right? Don't we need some sort of... nice clothes?" Shizake asks ashamedly.

The Hyuga perks his head up, realizing how desperate his friend sounds. While his family did take the Uchiha in, Shizake never really had a true father figure after the massacre to show him these types of things.

"Hm. You don't have a Kimono to wear do you?" Nitatchi asks.

"Never really needed one I guess," Shizake replies, flustered.

"Ah, well, I'm sure my dad has one you can borrow," Nitatchi says, ushering the Uchiha into his house. "But first- Breakfast!"

The Uchiha's stomach rumbles as he looks down before nodding his head in agreement. Shizake sits at the kitchen table, relaxing while Nitatchi goes to work making a large breakfast assortment. The Uchiha then stands up, heading over to the counter as he begins brewing some tea.

"Still remember where everything is?" Nitatchi asks, stirring some noodles.

Shizake nods his head, grabbing the tea kettle from the top cupboard. "Yes. This was basically my second home after all," he says.

The Hyuga smiles. "Heheh. Just making sure. Anyways- what's the plan for today?"

"Right. Well. When I met up with Sakura a couple days ago she said that her and Ino would head there early in the morning. They plan on stopping at this tiny village that's about a twenty minute walk from hidden hot water village to get ready and such. We'll meet them there and head into the festival together," Shizake explains.

       "Makes sense. All we have to do is throw on our Kimono's huh?" Nitatchi muses.

The Uchiha lays out the cups in a line, pouring one for himself and three for the rest of the Hyuga household.

Hiroshi appears through the doorway yawning with a wide stretch. He scratches his head, looking at both Shizake and Nitatchi with a smile. "You two sure are up early," he says with a grin.

     "Yes, father. Today's pretty important for us," Nitatchi responds while setting the plated food on the table.

     "Hm? What's today?" He asks.

     "Well. We both have dates today. We're going to the Hidden Hot Water Village for the Twilight festival," Nitatchi explains.

The older Hyuga pauses for a moment before wrapping his arms around the two boys' heads with a massive smile stretched out across his lips. "DATES?! Look at my sons, growing up and going on dates. You guys grow up too fast!"

Sweat drops runs down the younger ones' heads as they sheepishly smile at one another. Hiroshi releases them from the headlock before sitting down at the table and taking a sip of warm tea. "Well you two be sure to have fun and make sure to show those ladies a good time, you hear?"

    "What's all this talk about dates?" Hanari asks as she too walks into the dining area.

"The boys here have a date today!" Hiroshi proudly repeats to his wife.

The woman clasps her hands together with an eyes closed smile. "My handsome little boys all grown up. I hope you all have fun then," she says lovingly.

Shizake warmly smiles, looking down at the ground. The fact that Nitatchi's parents refer to him as their son still causes a warm spot to radiate out from his heart. He then sits down before looking over to Hiroshi.

"Actually I was hoping to borrow a kimono if you have an extra. The ones I have are from when I was a kid... they don't fit any longer," Shizake says.

"Well of course I do! Couldn't let my kid go on a date without something proper to wear. We'll eat first and then I'll give you a couple to try. Sound good?" Hiroshi asks.

The Uchiha nods his head, slurping up the bowl of noodles in front of him. "Thank you fa-" Shizake says, stopping in his tracks.

Hiroshi raises an eyebrow before warmly grinning. "It's okay, Shizake. I know I'm not your father. You don't have to refer to me as such if it doesn't make you comfortable. Just know... you'll always be my son in my eyes."

"You two... you have done so much more than what anyone could have ever asked for. I am forever grateful for everything you've done," Shizake begins shakily. "So th-thank you... Father. Mother," he stutters.

Hiroshi extends his arm out, placing a comforting hand on Shizake's shoulder. The Uchiha half grins before the family goes to eating their breakfast and finishing it. Hiroshi finds a good sized kimono to wear after, allowing Shizake to try them on. The one that Shizake picks out is an elegant shade of red and white. However, the sleeves seem to be just slightly too long for his arms.

Hanari examines the kimono, stating," I can fix this up for you. Just give me a few moments with it, okay?"

Shizake nods his head, watching as she busts out her sewing kit. She begins hemming the sleeves, making light work of it in a matter of mere moments. She then presents the robe back to Shizake. He tries it on, proving it to be a perfect fit.

   "Thanks, mother," Nitatchi says.

   "Of course!" She replies with a smile. "You two have fun, okay?" She then approaches Shizake, embracing him tightly in a hug. The Uchiha, shocked at first wraps his arms around her as well. A rampaging flood of emotions washes through his chest for a moment as he feels tears well in the corners of his eyes.

   "What was that for?" he asks.

Hanari warmly smiles. "You looked like you could use a motherly embrace. I can't remember the last time I hugged you."

"Heh. Thank you, mother. It reminded me a lot of... the past. I needed that," Shizake says, recalling the warm embrace his real mother used to give him. "And thank you, father. For letting me borrow this," he adds.

"Don't sweat it, also it's yours now. Keep it!" Hiroshi says with a broad grin.

"One day I promise to pay you guys back for all you've done for me," Shizake says, holding the kimono tightly.

  *

"Whew! Finally made it! Sakura exclaims, stretching her arms into the sky.

"Luckily it feels great outside. Hopefully the guys find their journey just as easy," Ino replies.

The two step into a tiny humble village meant as a rest stop for weary travelers. A few restaurants and small hotels line the dirt road to provide people on long journeys a place to rest. The two girls check into a hotel and grab a cheap room. They both plop their bags on the ground, Sakura crashing onto the bed to momentarily rest up from the semi long travel.

Ino immediately begins setting up her make-up station, flipping open a portable mirror and setting it upon one of the tables in the room. She starts to apply a light layer of foundation before peeking past the mirror at Sakura.

"You should probably get started soon. We don't have much time to waste now do we?" The blonde asks.

Sakura sighs, propping herself up on the bed. "Ahh you're probably right... I just have butterflies is all." The pinkette too sets up her make-up station directly across from the other girl.

"Butterflies, huh? What for? I'm the one who should be having butterflies!" Ino exclaims. "You've spent quite a bit of time with him from what you've told me."

"You would think so," Sakura begins whilst applying more make-up. "I can't help it, it seems. You're telling me you're not nervous?"

"Maybe a little bit... but to be honest, I felt pretty at ease around Nitatchi. He has a very calming... aura," Ino explains. "Also I think he's more nervous than I am, hehe."

"That's adorable. I wonder how long he's liked you?" Sakura asks teasingly.

The blonde sticks her nose in the air with a wink, "Can't say I'm surprised with these looks."

Sakura rolls her eyes, her lips pulling into a half smile before faltering. "At least one of us is confident."

A clack echoes through the room as Ino sets her makeup brush down roughly. "You know Shizake likes you for multiple reasons, right?"

The pinkette fumbles with her fingers, looking back up at Ino. "Multiple? Reasons?" She asks.

"Do I really have to spell it out?" Ino starts with a lifting her palms upwards in a shrug. "Aside from how you two connect, he's obviously fond of your looks too."

"You really think so?" Sakura lowly asks.

The Yamanaka pushes herself up from her seat, walking around the table and coming to a stop behind Sakura. "I know so. Here, let me do your hair."

Both of them sit in silence as Ino trusses with the pinkette's hair. She ties it back into a traditional bun, tying it together with a crimson red band. Ino then pushes loose strands through the band, allowing a few to elegantly hand down the sides of her head. Sakura's demeanor grows brighter and brighter as she stares in the mirror, admiring her self.

Ino smiles to herself for a job well done. She finishes it off by adding a couple of hair sticks within the bun, to hold it all together. The blonde steps back, placing her hands proudly on her hips. "Finished!" She cheerfully exclaims.

"It's wonderful, Ino. Thank you so much," Sakura says in amazement.

"That'll be sure to knock him dead on his feet! In a good way, of course," Ino says.

The clock in the room strikes 6, signaling the beginning of the evening. The sun begins to dip towards to horizon, replacing the bright rays with warmer calmer shades.

"Six already! They'll be here soon!" Sakura says, finishing her make up.

Ino does the same as both girls hastily yet carefully apply the rest of their make up. As soon as they're finished they each set out their kimonos and put them on. Sakura dawns a sharp red kimono with pink flowers embroidered on the surface. Meanwhile, Ino flaunts an elegant royal purple kimono, shimmering bands of gold lining the edges.

After all is said and done they exit the hotel. There in the middle of the dirt road they spot the two boys waiting patiently. All four sprout ecstatic smiles as they approach one another.

Nitatchi sticks his arm out, looking Ino in the eyes. "Shall we?" He asks.

A very faint crimson hue lights up across Ino's face as she responds with an eyes closed smile. "Gladly!" She says in response as she places her hand around the Hyuga's arm.

Aloof at first, Shizake notices the gesture, imitating it as well. His lips spread into a soft smile as Sakura nods and latches on to his arm as well.

The four then head to the site of the festival.