Hot water poured down my back and over my head. I sighed, leaning back in the tub. The hot water was extremely soothing to my sore muscles. It felt like ages since I have had a nice bath.

"Hey, Rai! We have to start getting ready!" TenTen's knocks on the thick, wooden door were hard, making sure I heard them.

I couldn't help but groan slightly, sore arms lifting myself out of the bathtub. I wrapped a warm towel around my body, a smaller one around my head. Slowly, and carefully, I wiped away every drop of moisture. The bath had left me feeling refreshed, more awake, and slightly less sore. With my body sufficiently dry, I pulled on my undergarments, and the lower garment that remained unseen underneath the kimono, low-cut neck, short-sleeves, stopping at my knees, cinched tightly around my waist.

I let TenTen in to the bathroom then. I could hear the rustling of fabric as she walked, telling me she was carrying something over her arm, a large amount of fabric.

"Mind if I paint your nails, first?" she asked, setting whatever she was carrying in her arms on the vanity.

I nodded. "What color?"

"Black."

I bit my lower lip. "Isn't that a little dark?"

She laughed softly. "It will look perfect with your kimono. People will barely notice it."

I nodded again.

For the next five minutes, several coats of black lacquer were applied to my fingernails, which were rather long, seeing as I haven't clipped them in a while.

After those dried, I was told to slip on fingerless fishnet gloves that fit all the way to just above my elbow. I'm guessing in case the wide sleeves slide up my arms.

Over the slip I already wore, the actual kimono was pulled on. TenTen described it to me as she tied the obi around my waist.

The main color was a deep black. It was decorated completely by white roses and green thorned vines connecting them. The edges were a deep purple, with ruffles of the same color sewn on the inside edges, just peeking out at the neckline, sleeves, and bottom. The obi was a solid black, no pattern, but edged in the same color purple. Around it, a purple cord, tied in to a bow slightly off center.

In my hair, just above my ear, a glass, black, sakura with five white beads in the center provided a way to hold my bangs out of my eyes. I gently ran my fingers over the fragile petals, examining the craftsmanship of the handmade item.

A small smile spread across my lips. "What are you wearing?"

She chuckled. "I'll tell you later. Come on, everyone is waiting."

She started to pull me toward the living area, and I stopped, pulling out of her grasp.

"What's up?"

"Are you sure, this looks okay?" I tucked a strand of my bangs behind my ear, only to have it fall in front of my face again.

"In truth, you look like a porcelain doll. And you know how pretty those are."

I blushed. I had one growing up. She's still in my room, I believe. Not that I'm about to go in there and check... I tugged gently on the cloth. How could TenTen compare me to something that pretty? I said nothing and followed my friend.

A few rooms down, I could hear several voices, all of them I recognized. Mika-san's team was on their way out. Neji-san, Lee-san, and Gai-sensei, along with Mika-san were still inside, waiting for TenTen and I.

"You ready?"

I nodded. The two of us headed in to the living room.

The talking ceased the moment we walked in. I felt several pairs of eyes tracing myself.

"Geeze, is that really Rai-chan?"

I blushed. "C-can we leave now, please?"

"Of course. We don't want to be late." Mika led the way to the exit.

After stopping a moment to slip on out shoes, we were on our way.

I ended up walking beside Neji. Having not replaced the bandages around my eyes, I kept them focused on the ground in front of me.

"You look nice."

My head shot up, sightless eyes settling on the male beside me.

"What?"

"Did you just say-"

"I didn't say anything."

I shook my head, returning my gaze back to the ground. A small smile played on my lips. He approves...

Well, that made my day.