This Chapter I've dedicated to Aka-chansama for her support, and honesty. One can only learn from their mistakes if they are told mistakes are being made. Thank you.

Chapter 8. The Sun and Light of the Hidden Leaf.

The sun started to warm my face as it made its way over the walls of Konohagakure no Sato, illuminating the garden and marking the beginning of a new day. The rays slowly made their way through the garden, creating the first shades of the day and revealing the vibrant colors of spring time. There was silence and peace, and nothing but the chirping of birds disturbed it. I sat at the veranda cross legged with a cup of tea firmly in my hands. I had just finished with my morning routine and was enjoying the quiet of dawn with my brother.

We both had a day off and had decided to make the most of it in each other's company. Shisui was aware that he didn't spend much time with me, but we both knew it was something he didn't need to apologize for. Instead, there was an unspoken agreement, in which we would be in each other's company when circumstances allowed it, and make the most of it while it lasted.

It was a Sunday, shops would open later today and the market would be crawling with shinobi and their families. Tea houses and restaurants would be full the entire day and shopkeepers would have their hands full with work until late that evening. Life in the Leaf was peaceful and plenty, full of energy and color. There was also supposed to be a festival that very night, so spirits around the village would be sky high.

"I have just realized," Said Shisui suddenly. "You don't have a Yukata."

My mind came to a halt. It was true, the last yukata I had owned had been that made by my grandmother, and I had stopped using it because it didn't fit me anymore. The washed out navy garment still sat at the back of my closet, neatly folded and clean regardless of how washed out it was.

"I guess I don't. But I don't think it's a problem, I haven't been invited to a formal event ever since Itachi's birthday." I commented taking a sip of my tea.

Judging by his expression, my brother didn't seem to agree with me. Shisui had always been one to abide by the rules, no matter how much he disliked them. He didn't like wearing traditional clothing, in fact he almost hated the restrictive nature of them; but he still wore them to formal or cultural events. He was well aware all eyes were on him, and he acted in accordance to it.

"We'll go shopping later today, then. We'll get you both a new yukata and a kimono as well." He announced before drowning his own tea.

He was doing it on purpose. He knew I didn't like traditional clothing, in fact, he knew I despised it on a whole other level. It reminded me of Obaa-chan and he was well aware of it. Yukata were confining enough, and I didn't need to own a kimono to know it was even more restricting. Had it been only for the festival, Shisui would have contented himself with buying a yukata, but he was insisting on getting me a kimono too. Something was up, and I didn't think I liked it.

"And where do you plan to get that money from? You spent what savings you had left on that Tantoo, remember?"

Unlike me, Shisui earned quite a lot with each mission he completed but I knew for a fact that blades were not something anyone could afford. And as if buying a blade weren't expensive enough, Shisui had a tendency to like anything with at least seven zeros behind the tag.

"Don't worry, Akane-chan. I've been saving for something like this. I knew for a fact you wouldn't" My brother smiled knowingly and I couldn't help but frown at him. "Anyway, finish your tea and freshen up, the earlier we get to the market, the more chances we have of avoiding rush hour."

….

We arrived at the market at seven thirty. Most shops were closed or about to open, but there were a few that had risen early and had already prepared for the day's work. I had no idea where Shisui was taking me. I had never gone yukata or kimono shopping, so I tended to not pay attention to those traditional clothing shops whenever I walked through the market.

Shisui steered us into one of the narrower side streets of the district, and as I kept walking, dread started to settle within me. These shops all specialized in custom made clothing, which confirmed my suspicions; something was happening and my brother wasn't telling me what. I scanned my brain for any special dates that might be coming up, but nothing came to mind. What the hell was Shisui up to?

We came to a stop in front of a tiny, shabby looking shop. Different types of cloths hang at the entrance as demos, and through the windows one could see rows and rows of clothing hanging in rows that, from the outside appeared infinite. I looked up at my brother, concerned that he might have gone insane. The place looked very untidy, dirty even and it wouldn't do if someone happened to see the great Uchiha Shisui going into such place.

My brother chuckled at my expression and without further hesitation went into the shop. Not one to be left behind or admit how weary the situation made me, I followed suit. The inside of the shop was definitely not what one would call spacious. With rows upon rows of hung kimono and yukata of every color, pattern and texture one could imagine, there wasn't much room left to maneuver. Shisui walked on, headed straight for the back of the shop where I supposed the owner was.

"Why exactly do you want me to get a kimono, Nii-san?" I whispered, feeling like if I raised my voice inside that place, something would happen.

"You have been invited to next year's clan meeting; Akane-chan. Fugaku-sama requested your presence himself." My brother's countenance sobered noticeably, and I understood, it wasn't something I should feel happy to hear. "You don't have any traditional clothing and it is essential for you to dress your best when you are in the presence of the clan head and elders."

I felt the weight of the world fall off my shoulders as I heard my brother explain himself. I also couldn't help but feeling guilty for thinking that Shisui could have had something planned that would affect me in any way. But even as relief rushed through me, Shisui's severe countenance remained in the back of my head. What was it about a clan meeting that he didn't like? I decided not to ask yet. Clan matters were delicate, and if Shisui was unhappy about having to take me to one, then things couldn't be going entirely well.

I shoved the matter to the back of my mind and decided to make the most of the time I had with Shisui. We bought new clothing for me, as well as new shin guards and a pouch. Everything I'd owned up until then had at some point belonged to my brother, and with how easily everything tore during training, people could definitely tell all of it was hand-me-down. We were having a great time. I got to see sides of Shisui I hadn't known existed. Yes, I had heard how charming and outgoing he could be, as well as flirty, but to witness it myself was something that both amused me and intrigued me.

Unfortunately, our time together was cut short. I was having such a good time; I couldn't even bring myself to be surprised when a masked shinobi demanded Shisui's presence in the Hokage's office. Needless to say he apologized endlessly. He even managed to make the other shinobi uncomfortable enough for him to apologize for the inconvenience as well. I understood it was all part of his duty as a shinobi of Konoha; but he owed me for it. I couldn't really be mad at Shisui, not when he seemed so genuinely bad about having to ditch me.

I smiled, if only for my brother's sake. I kept it all in, a real shinobi understood the inconveniences that came with the job; a real shinobi didn't wish her brother would spend more time with her, not when he was protecting the village.

Once my brother left, I allowed myself to drop the façade I'd put up. I definitely did not drag my feet or sulk across the market. No, that would be unbecoming of an Uchiha like me. Instead I bought myself some dango and perched myself on a roof to do some people watching and pass the time. If I had to walk home carrying all of the bags Shisui had left me with, then at least I would treat myself before I had to.

But when I sat on one of the tallest buildings at the side of the market, I didn't expect to have any company. Like a flash of yellow lightning, a blonde head appeared on the horizon, jumping from roof to roof in an attempt to lose the two men following him. I recognized the Uzumaki kid instantly, and before I knew what I was doing, I motioned him over. He hesitated for a second, but the two chunin were gaining on him, and he was running out of options.

He rushed over to me, and before he could say a word, I flashed through the signs of a jutsu I barely used. The kid before me vanished behind me under the cover of a very basic camouflage jutsu. He gripped onto the back of my shirt and didn't let it go until the two shinobi were out of sight.

I let go of the technique and turned to him.

"What was that all about?" I asked him as he tried to catch his breath.

"Wow, Nee-san. You really saved my skin there, thank you a lot!" He grinned, panting still. "I made these…uhh, modifications to the Hokage monument and it seems like they didn't like it much. They have no idea what art is dattebayo!"

I couldn't help but laugh at that. I had heard that the Uzumaki kid made it a habit to vandalize the Hokage faces once in a while, but to hear him admit it so bluntly was a first for me. I was very much used to being around people who kept everything in, I myself took to that habit and bottled up everything that could be considered impractical. To have meet someone this carefree was a breath of fresh air.

"Well, it looks like being an artist is quite tiring. Would you like some dango? I bought way too much."

And that is the reason why Uzumaki Naruto was now sitting at our dinner table helping himself to more rice and miso soup. The kid had been overly excited about the prospect of being invited to someone's house. We had talked about how people didn't seem to like him much, and how he never really knew why. When I told him I had gone through the same experience in the academy, his eyes became so bright I had to look away. The child was seriously overwhelming and he radiated his energy wherever he went.

When my brother got home, he was quite surprised to see such a new face sitting at our table. Every worry I had about him being mad flew out the window as they started to speak. Shisui had a way with people, regardless of their age, and Naruto was no exception. He even volunteered to train with us after dinner, and to walk Naruto home after. I had never been so impressed by my brother. I knew there was something about Naruto that made people not like him, and seeing that Shisui was different in that respect made me very happy.

That night marked the start of a new routine. The boy with sunshine in his eyes would be coming to the Uchiha compound with increased frequency, and within no time, he would become part of our little family. That and Itachi's and Sasuke's visits would mark an era where that big lonely house, would finally be full of life once again.