Paths of Divergence

Amazement

*The above music is to highlight the theme of the festival. Feel free to play it while reading.*

Chapter 35
-Amazement

       The four step into the bright and beaming village. Immediately they are greeted by a large welcoming committee. Spritely young women line the streets dancing in unison to the cheery and uplifting music in the back ground. Flower petals glide throughout the air, showering the small village with a dazzling array of colors and smells. Sunlight shines bright and true, mixing with the colored flower petals to create bewildering sparkles that glitter through the air.

      Further down the main road past the dozens of dancing girls stand food vendors. Mouth watering aromas waft through every nook and cranny as dozens of different delicacies are all being cooked at once. A young woman dressed in a bright white kimono greets the four with a brilliant welcoming smile and a courteous bow.

      "Welcome to the twilight festival! We're so glad you could make it," she begins. "Is this your first time here?" she asks.

      The four of them nod, still awe stricken by the bombastic welcoming into the village. Shizake, a bit taken back at first, slowly acclimates to the lively environment. Sakura notices his uneasiness, gripping his arm more securely to show her support. The boy turns to look at her and is met with a compassionate smile.

     "I had a feeling judging from your faces! Newcomers are easy to tell. That being said, may I give you a run down of what all is happening today?" she asks.

"Yes, thank you! It looks like there's a lot to do," Ino says.

"Correct! We have many activities planned for today. Walk with me and I can show you where everything is!" The woman adds with a wave of her hand.

The small group walks down the main road, taking in the sights slowly but surely. Innumerable vendors line the streets filled with citizens from all over the world. Children scatter all around, running and dancing and stuffing their faces with food and treats. The woman thoroughly explains each and every activity with precise detail without skipping a beat and with almost overwhelming persistence.

Finally they stop at the end of a large cul-de-sac. The woman swivels around on her heel, facing the four teens. Her cheery smile still spread across her lips as she hugs her itinerary to her chest.

"Well that's everything there is! Lastly, there's a fire works show at sundown that'll lead right into the shooting star viewing. I hope you guys have fun and thank you for celebrating with us!" she says cheerily before practically skipping back down the main road.

"That sure was a lot," Ino starts. "There's one thing for certain though and that's how hungry I am!"

"Same here, Ino. Let's get some food first and then we can enjoy everything else from there!" Sakura adds.

Nitatchi gazes around at all the vendors, his stomach rumbling all the while. "Well we can't eat just one thing. We'll have to sample everything!" he says.

A sweat drop falls down Shizake's forehead as his lips pull into a sheepish grin. "You sure have quite the stomach on you," he says jokingly.

   "It would be a shame to miss out on all these delicacies. Some of this stuff you can't even get back in the Leaf village!," Nitatchi says enthusiastically. "So, how about it?" he adds with a warm grin to Ino.

The blonde playfully giggles while latching onto the Hyuga's arm and allowing him to lead the way. Shizake half grins while sticking his arm out for Sakura to grab. She happily does so as they follow the other two to the varying food vendors.