Reina was sleeping in her bed when her door creaked open. Shika stepped inside and quietly walked over to her bedside. "Birthday girl, it's time to wake up."

Reina stirred and opened her eyes. "What time is it?"

Shika smiled. "It's time to rehearse for the festival."

Reina giggled. "Work o' clock?"

"Precisely." Shika nodded while removing the covers from Reina's body. "Also, what on earth is that?"

Reina looked to where the elder was pointing and struggled to hold in her laughter. "That's a giant stuffed panda bear."

"How long has it been in here?" Shika inquired.

"About a week." Reina quickly jumped out of bed. "I'm gonna take a shower. I'll be out shortly."

"Dress casually! You want to be comfortable for the next few hours." Shika called as she watched Reina shut the door. Shika eyed the panda bear and shook her head in disbelief before leaving the room.

Reina was sitting outside watching as people decorated the streets for her festival. White cloth was strung about to act as an awning. Massive flower bouquets the size of Reina were being placed in various locations for decoration. Long, wide, rectangular tables were placed in the central area of the festival and were covered in white table cloths. Flowers were placed in spaced intervals and white chairs lined the tables. It seemed as if they were going for a more communal look, rather than segregating the clans too much. Reina smirked since it was very much a Hashirama touch. He would want everyone to congregate and get along; eating together and pouring drinks for each other like brothers.

Reina got up from her seat and walked over to Shika who was speaking with a group of event planners. "Excuse me, Shika?" She spoke as not to interrupt the elder's conversation.

Shika faced the young Senju. "Oh, Reina! I was just speaking with the event planner about where the musicians will be."

"Musicians?" Reina looked surprised.

"Why yes. Of Course! What's a party without a little music?" Shika smiled. "It'll be nice, and traditional. Elegant and classy."

Reina nodded. "Oh, okay… I'm fine with that. I just wanted to know when we will be working on the etiquette stuff and when I can eat."

Shika nodded. "I understand. The etiquette practice will happen when they're finished setting up the platform." She pointed over to a wooden platform that was being decorated in a minimalistic fashion. "The band will be up there, but because there will be such a crowd, we need you and your brother to be elevated so people can see you speak in the beginning."

"Ah, yes." Reina grinned stiffly. "And what about eating?"

"Is that really all you ever think about?" Shika inquired.

"Yes." Reina said plainly. "I've been up for the past three hours doing nothing. I'm starving."

Shika sighed. "You can't wait until this evening to eat?"

"Woman, are you insane?" Reina looked baffled. "If you want me to have no energy and faint then yes."

Shika waved her hand. "Go eat, but make sure it's healthy. There's food over at that table for the workers."

"Thank you, Shika." Reina said with slight frustration. She walked over to the table and saw various items like sushi, sashimi, rice, bread, salad, a build your own ramen set-up courtesy of the new Ichiraku stand, and a plethora of sweets. "The workers here get better food than I do! What the heck?!" Reina loaded her plate with sushi and mixed veggies and walked around while shoveling food into her mouth. She was about to go for seconds when she heard her name being called.

"Reina! Don't even think about it!" Shika called to her.

"Can I at least have dessert?" She called back.

"No! Get over here! It's time to rehearse!" Shika waved her over.

Reina sighed and tossed her plate in the trash. "Comiiiing!" She whined.

After many hours, the festival set up was complete. Reina and Hashirama rehearsed their speeches together in front of Tobirama and the elders. When finished, everyone returned back to the tower to get ready for the festival. When Reina walked into her room, there was a group of ladies waiting for her. Her room was transformed from a cozy, sterile sleeping space to a full-blown salon.

Reina chuckled nervously. "What's all this?"

"We've been waiting for you, Lady Reina!" One of the ladies said. All of them were dressed in black, but this lady seemed to be the leader. "We've been hired to help you get ready for the festival."

Reina smiled and waved her hands. "I appreciate it, but I can take care of myself. Perhaps you should help Shika. She really needs it."

"Oh, but she has her own team! Everyone does." The woman stated and walked over to Reina. She shut the door behind her and guided Reina into the room. "My name is Aki. This is my team of beauticians! First things first! We are going to give you a bath."

Reina blushed. "I already took a bath today. Do I offend?"

"No! We are simply going to do a body scrub to get your skin glowing as the first step." Aki smiled and walked behind Reina. She put her hair up in a bun and spun her around to face her. "Please remove your clothes and step into the tub."

"What?!" Reina froze, but realized the woman was being serious. She shyly stripped down and stepped into the warm tub. "Okay, this isn't the worst. What should I scrub myself with?"

"We're going to take care of that for you, honey! Don't worry! Come in girls!" Aki called.

Reina's eyes widened as all of a sudden Aki's army of beauty gurus entered her bathroom and began scrubbing each limb, nook, and cranny. "Ah! Hey! W-wait! I can wash myself there."

"We all have the same parts. Don't fret." One of the girls stated.

"Wow, you have a beautiful body." Another spoke.

"Th-thank you?" Reina blushed.

Eventually, the torture was over and Reina was dried off as she stepped out of the tub. The ladies moisturized her body and put a silk robe on her. They walked her into her room and sat her down in a chair where they proceeded to give her a facial, manicure, and pedicure. Reina was impressed by how efficiently they were working. After her facial, the lead began to do her make-up.

"We are going to do a soft, natural, pink look to match your kimono. It'll go great with your pink, flesh-toned nails too." Aki said while applying foundation to Reina's face. "I know we just gave you a facial, but your skin looks beautiful."

"Thanks, I'm prone to dark circles though." Reina chuckled.

"Same." Half the women said in unison before giggling together.

Reina watched as they cleaned up around her. "You ladies are so quick and efficient."

"Well, your family hired the best for you." Aki said sweetly.

"Awe! That's so cute!" Reina exclaimed feeling a tad special.

When Aki finished doing Reina's make-up, one of the ladies began to do her hair. "My name is Mio. I'll be doing your hair." She took Reina's hair out of her bun and looked at its dark, chocolatey color. "Your hair is rich and ashy in different places. How unique."

Reina smiled. "Thanks a lot. What a confidence booster!"

Mio grinned. "I'm thinking we do a loose, natural, curly updo with a braid and some hanging pieces to frame your face."

Reina blinked a few times. "I don't know what that means, but go right ahead!"

Mio styled Reina's hair as planned. When finished, Reina stood up and looked closer into the mirror. She smiled at what she saw. They enhanced her image without masking her features. Reina was brought over to her closet where the ladies helped her dress into her kimono. They placed the matching hairpin in her hair and slipped on matching shoes.

Aki smiled and looked at Reina. "All done! Want to see the finished product?"

Reina grinned. "Of course!"

Aki guided her over to her mirror and giggled. "Tadaaa!"

Reina gasped. "I look like royalty! How is this possible?" She admired the kimono. It was white with silver flower pedals and a light pink obi. The sleeves were also very long and flowy. It was the kimono, specifically a furisode, from Kimi Ashikaga. Reina held back her tears, thinking about that clan and how grateful she was for them. She stared at herself in the mirror. "I'm… beautiful."

"No, honey. You're stunning." Aki said and all the women surrounded her. "You do look like royalty."

Reina giggled. "Thank you, ladies."

By sunset, clans from various lands were making their way into the village. Music was playing as guests meandered through the outdoor venue. Waiters and event planners greeted them with warm hospitality and checked them off the invite list. By the time half of the clans have arrived, Hashirama entered the venue. Clansmen bowed as the first Hokage made his way through the crowd, greeting everyone, thanking them for coming, and making them feel welcome.

Hashirama was dressed in a montsuki-haori hakama with a white kimono instead of the typical black one. Many of the party guests were dressed similarly, but in various, rich colors with intricate patterns. Hashirama watched as clans, who were once enemies, congregated into one location and were laughing, drinking, and enjoying hors d'oeuvres. So far, the evening was successful and it warmed his heart.

"Hashirama!" A man called from behind.

Hashirama turned around and grinned. "Madara! Glad to see you."

Madara was dressed in the same formal kimono, but his was black. His spiky hair was pulled back into a low ponytail with loose hair framing his face. "This is quite the display." He said, looking at the outdoor venue, food, and people. "Looks like everyone dressed their best."

"What do you expect? They're fighting for Reina's hand. A lot is at stake." Hashirama smiled. "I can't wait to see her. She probably looks like a goddess." His eyes began to water.

"Please stop being dramatic, brother." Tobirama mutter as he walked up from behind him. Tobirama was dressed in a light blue, formal kimono. "Madara, pleasant seeing you."

"You as well, Tobirama." The two bowed to each other. Madara examined the potential suitors form each family. "Is this everyone?"

"About seventy-five percent." Tobirama stated and sighed. "It's going to be a long night."

"And a judgmental one at that." Hashirama sighed. "I can't wait to hear Reina's thoughts on some of these guys." The trio chuckled and drank as they watched the sunset.

"So, when will Reina arrive?" Madara inquired.

Hashirama sipped some sake. "Right at sundown. That's when everything starts."

Madara nodded. "How exciting. Well, I'm going to scope out my competition. If you'd excuse me." Madara bowed and began perusing through the crowd. He stood by a group of men, casually sipping wine as he listened to them talk.

"I wonder if she's even pretty." One man said.

"Yeah, hopefully. I wouldn't want to be with a troll."

"But in the end the marriage is only important for political reasons. Who cares what she looks like?"

"True, but don't you want someone attractive in your bed?"

Madara was appalled and moved toward a different crowd. "She wouldn't want to touch a guy like you anyway." He thought as he left that group of pigs. Madara walked over to a different group of men and listened.

"I hear she's beautiful."

"That's a relief. I'm curious to know about her power. Do you think she can use wood style like Lord Hokage?"

"That would be interesting."

"I got stabbed by his tree roots once. Not a fun time."

"War was never a fun time."

Madara smiled to himself. "People who like both peace and power. Interesting." Madara was about to make his way over to another crowd when a young man interrupted him.

"Excuse me, Lord Madara Uchiha?" The man bowed.

Madara turned to face him and raised a brow. "Can I help you?" He examined the young man. Tall, slender, light skin, dark, slick-backed hair, hazel eyes. He was attractive and couldn't be much older than Reina.

The young man straightened himself up and looked at Madara with shimmering eyes and a charming smile. "I just wanted to say that I've always admired you and your power on the battlefield. Your clan is truly exceptional." He grinned flashing a handsome, white smile. "Pardon me. Where are my manners? My name is Arata Mita of the Mita clan. It's a pleasure to meet you under much different circumstances." Arata stuck a hand out for Madara.

Madara gave a soft grin and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Arata. You may call me Madara." He let go of his hand. "So, we've met on the battlefield?"

"Yes! Very long ago! I was sixteen when I battled you last. Our clan had to retreat. A few days later, my clan suffered a great casualty and my father, the Mita clan leader, was killed. I assumed the role as clan leader and we went into hiding for some time as we plotted to regain our strength and command within the war. However, now that the war has ended, there is no need to! Isn't that grand?"

Madara nodded. "I see. Did my clan take your father from you?"

"No! Not at all." Arata held his hands up in defense. "Even so, the war has ended. We've all suffered casualties. It's time we move forward as a race and attain true peace."

"I couldn't agree more." Madara internally sneered. "He just might be Reina's type." Madara gave a curt bow. "Well, Arata, if you'd excuse me. I must return to my comrades."

"Of course! It was a pleasure speaking with you." Arata bowed and left to accompany his clansmen as well.

Madara walked over to Hashirama and nudged him. "Hashirama…"

Hashirama turned to face his friend. "Madara, what is it?"

Tobirama interjected. "Brother, it's Mito Uzumaki and the Uzumaki clan." He pointed in her general direction.

Hashirama blushed. "I didn't know if she was going to make it here or not."

"Hashirama, I need to speak with you." Madara interrupted to regain his attention.

Hashirama cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Madara. What can I do for you?"

"Hashirama!" Jirou called from behind and walked up to him with Shika. "It's sundown. Reina will be out any minute. You must get up on stage and gather everyone's attention."

Hashirama sighed and looked at Madara with a sincere expression. "I'm so sorry, Madara. Can this wait?"

"It doesn't seem like we have a choice here." Madara smiled. "Go ahead, Hashirama. We'll handle things later."

"Thank you." Hashirama bowed to Madara and turned around to leave for the stage.