Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

Party Time

I walked to Hinata's house in a worse mood than I would've wanted. Sasuke wasn't here and I hated it. He should've been here to enjoy this party, and he wasn't, and I hated it. I got to the front door and knocked.

Neji opened the door, immediately blanching when he saw me, but then strangely looking relieved.

"Good afternoon, Sakura. Do you think you could help-"

I shoved past him. He was the last person I wanted to see today. Team Ino-Shika-Cho had already arrived, but I wasn't in the mood for chit-chat. I went straight to the couch and flopped down.

Scanning the room, I realized what Neji wanted help with. Hinata was sitting on the couch, staring at her hands. Her face looked empty, but I could tell that she was sad and scared. Of course, I knew both of the reasons why.

One: Hinata hated parties. Honestly, I felt kind of bad for forcing this on her even though it was really important for her. Even if the party was with only people she knows and in her own house, both of those factors almost made things worse. In her mind, she was thinking about how she'd have to keep each of these people happy. Not only that, but they were in her own house, her own domain. Her privacy wasn't sacred at the moment and she didn't have a place to run to. The social pressure was immense and unrelenting.

Two: she thought everyone hated her. Based on what happened during the chunin exams, it isn't exactly an unrealistic fear, but she wasn't letting logic or other people's actions tell her that no one hated her. No matter what they did, unless they outright said it, she would think it. Even if they did say it, she'd still have doubts.

I couldn't help but feel a little bad for being so mopey myself. Here she was, freaking out over legitimate shit, and I was over here being mad that Sasuke wasn't here, and that Naruto was now late.

I sighed.

"Y'know, people will treat you like a normal person if you act like a normal person."

She gave a small nod.

"I understand how you feel, but everyone came here because they wanted to. Who would go to the house of someone they were scared of?" Logic was the best way to reach her.

She took a deep breath.

"You're right." she whispered, "I should just go in there."

"Yeah," I encouraged, "go out there and be the best host you can be."

"What about you?"

"I'm in a bad mood." I shrugged, "Sasuke had to leave, I'll be fine in a few minutes."

She nodded sympathetically and moved to sit up before freezing.

"Ugh! I can't!" she balled her hands into fists.

"You're thinking too hard about this. What's that thing you always used to tell me? The anticipation is worse than the event?"

She nodded again, trying to steady her breathing. I realized I was starting to lose her.

"Hinata?"

I heard Kiba's voice and turned to see him peering into the living room, his face lit up when he saw her. He walked into the room, his elation turning to worry as he grew closer.

"Hey, what's up?" he kneeled down in front of her to look her in the eye.

"I'm scared..." she murmured. He chuckled quietly.

"No one hates you, Hinata." He took one of her tensed hands in his. I quirked an eyebrow at that.

"You can't know that."