Downtown
The heat lessens in the evening, and that's when the village comes alive. Stores are open later because of the longer days and cooler nights, and the streets are hung with bright paper lanterns.
People recognize both of them, even when they're not in uniform and not displaying their hitae-ate so prominently. Shinobi always have an air of mystic about them, and clan members intensify that. Neji's white eyes are easily spotted in any crowd, and Itachi's face would be known as an Uchiha's face anywhere. Some whisper behind their hands about the two clan members walking together as though they were lovers, but they don't press the questions to the two shinobi. For those who know Itachi and Neji, they know it's rare to see them looking so pleased.
As always, they stop at the stand selling weaponry of all shapes and sizes, from huge blades worthy of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, down to the most basic sets of kunai and shuriken, for beginners. Neji's hands move over them, itching to try some out. He pauses at a short sword, but lets it go. He'd never use it anyway.
"Do you want it?" he hears, and suddenly feels the press of Itachi's body against his side. One hand is on his back and the other goes to the sword, examining it carefully. "It's a fine sword."
Neji's flustered by his companion's closeness and the fact that he'd spend so much money for a gift for him. "N-no, thank you. Perhaps another time."
The weight and the hand are gone, and they move on to the next stall.