Dango For Two

A/N Good to be back. I don't know how many of my readers are left but thank you all for the long wait. Sorry it took me so long to post the next chapter. Stuff happened and I kinda lost my writing spirit for a while. I'm still a bit rusty but I'm slowly getting myself back in the game. The chapter's a bit short but I hope you enjoy the new chapter /

Chapter Four Hinamatsuri

Despite the differences in cultures, the celebrations held within the hidden villages were very much the same. The 3rd of March, Hinamatsuri, was one of these celebrations. However as times changed, a fair few civilian families had begun to forego the tradition of displaying ornamental dolls. Clans such as the Uchiha and Hyuuga had yet to do so though.

Mikoto in particular had been waiting eagerly for this day to come. Having yet to have a daughter of her own and with her cousin's absence in Mizu's life, Mikoto had taken it upon herselfto give Mizu the best Hinamatsuri she could have.

While Kagami tried to decline her offers at first, when it became apparent neither he nor Shisui had a clue on how Hinamatsuri came about he gladly let the Uchiha matriarch do her magic.

"Kakkoi!!!" Shisui exclaimed when be saw the rows and rows of ornamental dolls laid out in their living room. "Mizu-chan is going to love this."

Mikoto beamed in delight at these words. "I do hope so. But just in case I've prepared a little something to catch little Mizu-chan's attention."

Confused, Shisui trailed his eyes to where Mikoto was pointing to. He had to stifle a snort when he saw the tiny bite-sized desserts placed neatly in front of the display of dolls. "I'm so betting with otou-sama on which she eats first."

Just then the father of two appeared behind his son and with a straight face said, "It's either going to be the Imagawayaki or Anmitsu."

Funnily enoufh Shisui actually looked conflicted after hearing Kagami's option. "I was going to say the strawberry mochi cakes but now that I think about it..."

Leaving the father-son duo to their mumblings, Mikoto quietly make her way up the stairs to where the two toddlers were napping. She woke them as gently as she could but whilst Itachi took only a few minutes to wake, Mizu continued to doze off. She lazily leaned her head against Itachi's back to shield herself from Mikoto's view. As cute as it was Mikoto knew if she indulged the girl now Kagami would be handling a cranky toddler later in the night so she took Mizu into her arms and carried her down the stairs with Itachi following right beside her.

At first Mizu was reluctant to open her eyes. But with Mikoto's persistent urgings Mizu reluctantly peeked open her eyes and gasped at the sight before her.

"Kawaii!!!" She exclaimed, almost immediately trying to free herself of Mikoto's tight hold. Mikoto happily complied with Mizu's demands and propped her right in front of the dolls. As soon as she was set free Mizu took Itachi by the hand and started excitedly pointing at the dolls laid out before them.

"Itamin! Itamin! Look!! So pretty!"

Affected by Mizu's excitement, Itachi nodded enthusiastically to Mizu's babbling. While he listened closely to herwords Itachi noticed the trays of sweets nearby and grabbed two of the bite-sized sticks of dango.

"Mizu-chan. Dango." He said, holding one of the sticks out to his childhood friend. Mizu excepted the dango stick with a toothy grin. "Arigattou Itamin."

Mikoto watched the two toddlers in amusement while Shisui and Kagami let out a set of groans.

'Does that even count as her first treat?'