Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

Birthday Parties are Fun

I desperately tried to contain my temper as the banner once again slipped from my fingertips. Slowly bending down, my fingers fumbled to pick up the end of the thin ribbon. I sucked in a breath, preventing a scream that so desperately wanted to be released, recollecting myself to try again. I had only a limited amount of time until people would start arriving, and unfortunately I had started preparations a lot later than I normally would have. Part of me wanted to surprise Hanabi at least a little bit, so I stopped myself from setting up days earlier, resigning myself to decorating the day of her party.

The biggest problem was that I was not in the mood to deal with this shit. I clenched my shaking hand, attempting to steady myself before snatching the ribbon off the floor. Standing up way too quickly, I fell heavily against the wall. Once my vision cleared, I stood on my tiptoes to try and tape the banner in place. Just as I had deemed it in proper position, my fingers inexplicably let go as a tingling numbness engulfed my hand.

I wasn't able to fully suppress my scream this time, a frustrated distress noise escaping me as I tore a book off of a nearby shelf, whipping around to throw it. I opened my eye to see Neji blinking owlishly at me.

"Do you... need any help?" he gently asked, taking a few steps towards me and removing the book from my hand.

"Yes." I stated simply.

Neji silently returned the book to its rightful spot, picked up the banner, and stuck it in place. He glanced at me, concerned.

"Sorry you had to see that." I mumbled before speed walking into the kitchen. I looked around, mildly panicked. What the fuck was wrong with me? What was Neji going to think about me now? Have I forgotten something?

The timer of the oven went off, causing me to jump with a shout before scrambling over to try and remove the pot. I felt a hand grab my shoulder.

"Let me get that." Neji asserted, "please." he tacked on after a pause. With a huff, I stepped back and allowed him to take care of the oven. I began to pace as I thought of what else needed to be done. Neji watched me for a moment, bewildered. He drummed a finger on the counter before grabbing a glass and filling it with water.

"Sit down." he gestured to the table. I shot him a borderline offended look which he countered with an unimpressed one of his own, repeating his gesture. With another huff I sat down. Neji placed the glass of water in front of me.

"Why are you so stressed out about this?" he asked genuinely, "Hanabi will be happy no matter what we do."

"I don't know if you've noticed, Neji." I hissed, "But I get stressed about everything."

He let out a deep sigh, "But it isn't usually this bad."

"I can tell you, mijo, that at any given moment I am experiencing a flight or flight response." I chuckled, picking up the glass of water and taking a sip. Neji's brow furrowed.

"That... isn't good." he stated lamely, "You do a pretty good job of covering it up most of the time I guess."

I simply nodded in response before tilting my head back and downing the water.

"I get it." he mused, "You're dehydrated, malnourished, and, let me guess, didn't sleep well?"

I pouted at him, unhappy that he figured it out so easily. He threw up his hands in frustration.

"If you don't take care of yourself, how do you expect to take care of Hanabi?" he asked, a touch of anger in his tone.

"Y'know, Neji, it isn't as easy as you make it sound." I grumbled, trying to keep the anger down.