Paths of Divergence

Memories

The above picture was drawn by Kutuya10080 there is a picture of Hideo as well but it won't let me post for some reason. I'll post it on the next chapter. Oh also! To avoid any confusion Kutuya is not actually Shizake's sister. She is his sister in Kutuya10080 's story Darkness before Dawn. Shizake is a single child in my story.

Chapter 27

    -Memories

Opening the door, Shizake walks back in to see Sakura finishing cleaning up the mess.

   "Thank you, you didn't have to do that," He says.

   Sakura smiles, pushing a strand of her hair back behind her ear, "It's nothing. You went through the trouble of making me breakfast. It's the least I could do. I... heard shouting out there, was everything okay? Who was that?"

   "Oh uh we're on a team together. She was just giving me an earful because I filled out a mission report incorrectly," Shizake explains. A lie.

   "O-oh! Makes sense," Sakura suspiciously accepts. "You know, I've always meant to ask you. How come you wear that black sleeve on your arm?" Sakura says, pointing.

   An internal panic rings through the boy, scrambling to find something to say, "One day on a mission I was injured pretty badly. A torn ligament that never healed properly, the doctors said."

   "I could take a look at it, you know! It could be possible to reconstruct the ligament," Sakura says.

   "I would say yes but even Lady Tsunade took a look at it and said there's nothing that could be done. She recommended I wear this compress sleeve to give it some extra support," Shizake replies, continuing to lie.

   "It must have been bad then if not even Tsunade could fix it." Sakura finishes up cleaning, placing the broom back in the closet.

   "I... I'd like to talk more about my past. If it's okay with you?" Shizake asks, quickly changing the subject.

   Sakura warmly smiles, walking towards the boy and hugging him again, "I'm fine with that but are you sure? I don't want you to be in pain again."

Shizake rubs his hand over his heart, remembering the feeling from earlier, "I did feel better for a moment there, like a weight lifted off my chest. Plus, it'll help resolve some of these feelings."

"I'm all ears," She responds.

***

It was a warm and cloudy day in the Leaf village. A normal day like any other. However, for the Uchiha clan, it was a special day. A day to remember and honor the creation of the clan and all it holds dear. While the Uchiha were a prideful clan, on this day their pride shone through like a blazing star.

Within the compound were streamers all around running from building to building. They glittered and sparkled against the bits of sunshine that passed through the clouds. Candle lamps were hung on every corner of each household emanating a dim light. Street vendors prepared assortments of food along the Main Street, the smells wafting through every nook and cranny.

"Yumi! If we don't hurry up we'll miss the whole festival!" Hideo shouts across the household.

Yumi rolled her eyes, handing her young child a pair of socks, "You heard him," She teases with a smile. "We wouldn't want to miss the whole festival right, Shizake?"