Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

Lee Makes Everything Better Pt. 3

I couldn't have been more conflicted in this moment.

I laid in my bed, staring into the eyes of the dog that sat before me. This was how I spent most of my free time since receiving this angelic creature. It was at once a source of great joy and great strife, a representation of my friendship with Hinata, but also a warning sign.

Why had she apologized to me? I was clearly in the wrong. I knew that was something I recognized very rarely in myself; I usually tried to not let myself think about stuff like that, but every time I looked at this dog I couldn't help but feel the weight of how I've treated my friend.

More than any self-pity or self-hatred, I felt concern. How could she have convinced herself that she was the one at fault? Yes, her words were incredibly harsh, and, yes, the situation probably could have gone many better ways, but I couldn't help but think that she said exactly what I needed to hear. But, then there was also the mark. I thought they had sealed it, but it seemed her outburst might not have entirely been her own.

I needed to make it up to her now, but I was honestly terrified of seeing her again. Was it all a bluff? But, no, she couldn't apologize genuinely on a good day, so there was no way she would make herself apologize as a lie. That and getting a dog is pretty extreme for a bluff. There was little doubt that she probably thought she had fixed everything, which might have upset me more than if she was still mad.

I refocused my attention on the dog. It had remained motionless through my musings.

"Oh, Lipstick," I sighed, "What am I going to?" I propped my head on my hands.

The dog gazed back and I let myself become lost in its majesty. Amidst the seemingly never ending expanse of its knowledge, it reached out to me.

"I know, I need to go talk to her." I sighed, "Tell her I'm happy for her and all that... apologize." I grumbled, "But I don't know how."

Once again the dog bestowed upon me its insight.

"Lee? What can he do?" I thought for a moment, "Oh! His never ending positivity would be a great way to lighten the mood, hanging out with him would be an easy way of keeping things casual, and I did promise I would have her draw for him."

I rolled off of the bed, "Thank you, Lipstick! Your wise words will not be forgotten."

I don't think the dog even noticed I had moved. I waved as I closed my door and headed out to find my friend.

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Apprehensively, I knocked on the door. There was a moment of silence before the door slowly creaked open. Hinata's tired face peeked from the opening, before she stepped out fully.

"Um, hi Sakura, can I do anything for you? Is there something wrong with Lipstick?" she fiddled with her sleeves anxiously.

"No, the dog is amazing. I still can't believe you did that." similarly to her nervous tic, I began to play with my hair.

"You were sad, and I needed to apologize," she shrugged, "It seemed like the best option to guarantee your prolonged happiness."

"Why do you always have to talk like a robot?" I chuckled.

"Dog makes you happy. You needed more happy. I got you dog. That better?" she scoffed sarcastically.

"You're being mean to me," I whined, "And here I was trying to make it up to you!"

"You... what?" She looked at me in disbelief.

"I'm here to say I'm sorry, Hinata." I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to keep any sass out of my tone, "I'm apologizing."