Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

A New Group of Ladies

Much had changed, I couldn't help but consider that as I carefully walked along the apex of the shingle roof beneath me. Comically enough, the thing that stood out to me most was that I was walking alone somewhere. For someone who enjoyed solitude, I had the oddest habit of being constantly surrounded.

Of course, my destination would net me once again surrounded by friends. Friends who cared about me; friends that I didn't have to fear. Yet, I still felt reluctant. My safety net was no longer with me, and what was supposed to be a routine, normal outing with the other kunoichi just couldn't feel the same.

Things weren't all bad to be sure, everyone else seemed to be relatively happy and better off than I had left them, and having a super-affectionate boyfriend was certainly not unappreciated. Even Neji seemed to have more of a drive to him; it was hard to explain, but he just seemed more confident now, it made me happy.

The consequence of my introspection seemed to be my motor control, and in a brief moment of distraction my foot slipped from the smooth ceramic of the tile. I careened off to the side, instinctively crouching down and somersaulting off of the roof, landing on my feet in a state of mild shock.

I glanced at my surroundings, seeing the road to be almost empty, and dusted myself off, noting that I had landed close to the cafe. With a huff, I shoved my hands into my pockets and entered, eyes quickly landing on the splash of colors sitting in a corner booth.

Ino's hands shot up enthusiastically waving me over with a friendliness that I still wasn't quite used to receiving, "Good, you're here!"

"Did you think I wasn't going to come?" my lips quirked into a confused smile.

"Yui, didn't think you'd come." she pouted in response.

Yui frowned at her briefly before propping her head on her hand in disinterest, "I considered that you might have 'better things to do'."

Tenten rolled her eyes, scooting over in a clear invitation to sit next to her. I slid in to be met with a teasing smirk, "Well, to be fair, you seemed pretty busy with your roof walking."

I blinked at her, feeling an embarrassed blush creeping up on me, "You saw that?"

"'Cat always lands on her feet.'" Yui quoted dryly.

Ino nodded in agreement, "It was fairly catlike."

I leaned my head against a hand, trying to hide my embarrassed smile, "I like being high up, okay?"

"Just admit that you're basically a cat." Tenten hummed, reaching a hand up into my hair and forcing me to move my hand to my mouth to stop a sigh of contentment from escaping. It had been too long since someone had played with my hair, and since Sakura was gone I was fearing that I'd have to wait even longer, perhaps not.

Ino's eyes widened at the response, Tenten's interest seeming only to peak as she continued stroking her hand through my hair, "I'm basically a cat." I giggled out.

"Hyuga Princess, former Akatsuki member, student of Orochimaru, a war hero." Yui mused, "And you're melting into your chair because someone's playing with your hair."

"Shut up." I grumbled happily.

Ino smiled, leaning forward to be more eye-level with me, "So, I've heard that our little 'Cat Girl' has reclaimed her Dog Boy."

I sat up, Tenten's hand leaving my hair in surprise, "How'd you know?" I'm not quite sure why I was defensive, but it wasn't like I was leaving my apartment a lot or hanging out with him in public. These girls must've just been magnets for information.