Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

The Forbidden Room

I usually liked silence. When it came to my team, I preferred it. Silence from Naruto: great. Silence from Sakura: nigh impossible but golden when it happened. Silence from Kakashi: expected but comfortable. But silence from Neji? Unsettling.

It wasn't like he was super talkative normally, and we hadn't had any opportunities to catch up since the war, so we'd both needed a little adjusting, but just walking next to the guy was a little intimidating. I wasn't scared of him, why would I be, but he kinda carried himself like Hiashi Hyuga did, and that was just naturally imposing; once again I had undervalued Kiba's ability to be a social buffer for me.

"How's life been?" I almost jumped out of my skin when Neji asked that question. He asked it so casually too, apparently the silence hadn't bothered him at all. Then again he did live with Hinata.

"Living with my brother has been... an adjustment." I said after a moment, not sure what type of answer he wanted, "I mean, everything feels so weirdly mundane now after everything."

Neji sighed, "I have to agree, I have no idea what to do with myself."

"Guess that's why we're doing this, huh?" I shrugged, "Though I kinda have a feeling that Kiba isn't going to feel the same way for some reason."

Neji eyed me curiously, "What makes you say that?"

"I dunno, his family? His girlfriend? They are probably keeping him busy, and he just seems kinda unlucky, y'know?" I replied matter-of-factly. Was I wrong?

"Unlucky, hm?" he responded; though it was clear that he agreed with me.

"I mean, he was at the scene of two eye gougings." I mused, "Coincidence?"

"Holy shi- Sasuke!" Neji choked on a shocked laugh.

"That joke was in poor taste, and you know it." We turned around to see Shino and Izumi walking towards us, a disapproving glare on Shino's face, but when was Shino not glaring disapprovingly.

I scoffed, "I think I have a right to make jokes like that since I am one of said eye gougings."

"That logic seems sound." Izumi smiled at Shino, who seemed to roll his eyes under his glasses.

"Would you two happen to know where Kiba is?" I guess Neji wanted to get right to the point.

Izumi tilted his head, "When I last saw him he mentioned stopping by Sakura's house. Why?"

"Cause that weirdo needs to start getting out more and not be locked in with his wack job family." I huffed.

"Wow, you're mean." Izumi chuckled.

"Why would he want to go to Sakura's house?" Neji asked, brow furrowing. That was a good question though.

Shino shrugged dismissively, "I try not to question why my teammates do the things they do."

"I guess we're going find out why ourselves then." I asserted, beginning to head off in the direction of my old home.

Neji hesitated a moment before jogging to catch up with me, "Are you sure we shouldn't stop by his house first just in case?"

"Eh, Sakura's house is closer, and I guess I should check on Naruto to see if he's alive or whatever." I replied disinterestedly.

"Aw, you do care." I almost crashed into Neji as I jumped away from Izumi, not having realized that both he and Shino followed us.

"W-Why the hell are you following us!?" I sputtered out; not enjoying the surprise or the call out.

"Kiba wanting to 'make a stop' by Sakura's house is inherently suspicious." Shino answered simply.