Paths of Divergence

The Embodiment of the Heart

***The above music is to set the mood for the rooftop section. Feel free to play it.***

~~~Dedicated to @LilWhiteNeko, hope you feel better soon!~~~

Chapter 36

-The Embodiment of the Heart

As Sakura and Shizake round the corner, they exit the flower garden and come to a path that leads to the main road. They step on the road and notice a massive crowd has already filled the streets. Joining the crowd, they both notice no one is moving an inch or budging whatsoever.

"Ahhh we'll never make it!" Sakura exclaims frustratingly.

Shizake nods his head, trying to peer over the crowd. "It doesn't look like anyone is going anywhere. Sure, we'll be able to see the fireworks but it won't be the best viewing spot." Shizake replies.

The two of them grow extremely claustrophobic as the crowd becomes more dense by the minute. Soon enough they find theirselves surround on all sides, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other people. They struggle to retain even a minuscule amount of personal space and find themselves nearly suffocating.

  *

"Wonder where they're at... they're gonna miss the fireworks and shooting stars," Ino thinks out loud.

"I'm sure they're fine probably just spending some alone time together," Nitatchi replies.

The Hyuga and the Yamanaka were able to find a cozy spot at the front of the crowd, even able to secure a comfortable mat to rest on. The two of them rest on their knees, hands on their laps. Nitatchi scoots slightly closer to Ino, blushing as he does so. Ino turns to him and smiles brightly yet apprehensively at the same time.

"Something the matter?" the Hyuga asks, taking note of her body language.

"I just wanted to make something clear with you," she responds.

"I'm all ears. Please, go ahead," he says.

"I came here for Sakura's sake. She was unsure of the whole thing, so... I gave her a little push," Ino begins.

"O-oh," Nitatchi mutters, looking away and towards the ground.

"But! That's not to say I didn't enjoy spending time with you, seriously, today has been great," she exclaims.

The Hyuga smiles brightly before rubbing the back of his neck," You're really fun to be around. I still can't believe you beat me at that ball throwing game!"

The blonde tilts her head back with a small laugh, "And I thought Hyuga were supposed to have pinpoint accuracy!" she teases.

Nitatchi winks with a playful smile, "Maybe I let you win."

A fire ignites itself within her pupils as she raises her fist, "You better not have! You're so on for a rematch if we get the chance!"

Both of them chuckle at one another's playfulness, scooting even closer to each other. They watch on as several men and women begin setting up the fireworks display. Every once in a while the both of them scour the crowds looking for their two friends but to no avail.

"Really hope they're okay," Ino says quietly.

Nitatchi closes his eyes, reopening them with the Byakugan activated. He searches and searches the mass of people, deeply examining his surrounds in an attempt to look for Shizake or Sakura's chakra signature. After a moment he shakes his head and plops back down next to Ino.