002nd saving smile [voice]

[selfdoubt]

[The journals will be graced by a familiar, soft voice that was quiet for a while.]

I... see that I am back in this place once more. [The voice sounds resigned yet concealed by an otherwise neutral tone. Hinata's really not too happy to be back.] I suppose that the others are still here, then?

[There's a pause as she begins recalling her memories. It takes some time since these memories are still a bit hazy.] Kiba-kun, Shikamaru-kun...? Tenten-san, Sakura-san...

[She trails off because the next name she's going to say is being held back by this lump in her throat.]

... Naruto-kun? Are all of you still here? [Before she waits for a response, Hinata is already on the move.] I- I will be heading back to my apartment. I will see you all, then. Please be well.

[And the voice transmission cuts.]

Comments

Voice 1/2

[keepitcanine]

[Well, someone's finally paying attention to the network for the first time today. There's some loud, high-pitched whines in the background courtesy of Akamaru. Well, what do you know, someone else besides the totally audacious guy is happy to hear you.]

/done

[keepitcanine]

Hinata?

[Give him a second]

Woah. Hey. Oi! Hinata! I know this place is shit, but you would not believe—

[Woah, wait.]

Hey!

[Did she seriously just end the transmission?]

1/2 /o/ <3

[selfdoubt]

[The moment Kiba called out to her, Hinata opens the journal again with a wide, relieved smile.]

Ah, Kiba-kun! It's you!

[selfdoubt]

[Then, she smiles a bit sheepishly after realizing how rude she became.]

I am sorry for suddenly cutting off the transmission- I was not expecting- [She cuts off, trying to re-word her sentence.] I thought you would not still be here.

1/2

[keepitcanine]

The one and only.

[Have a "woof" too!]

[keepitcanine]

It's okay.

[He laughs.]

...I'm not sure whether to interpret that sentiment as optimism or pessimism though.

[selfdoubt]

[She's happy to hear Akamaru too! But her happiness wanes when she hears his last statement. Is she really being pessimistic?]

Ah, I apologize if it sounded... pessimistic. I was just... [Just what?] I do not know what should feel upon arriving in this place.

[keepitcanine]

I was just joking with you, but uh—

[He frowns.]

Everything okay?

[selfdoubt]

Y- Yes, of course. [Lies.] Everything is fine. [And to divert it from herself--] How about you, Kiba-kun? Have you been doing well?

[keepitcanine]

[Well, this is weird. His eyes narrow.]

...Fine.

[WHAT TO DO.

Shit. What was he even—]

I was going to say—[And he cracks a bit of a smile anyway.]—you'll never guess who showed up.

[selfdoubt]

[Curious, Hinata blinks. She really has no idea who this person might be.]

May I know who?

1/2

[keepitcanine]

Wouldn't be half as fun if I just told you.

[A laugh.]

C'mon. Guess.

[keepitcanine]

Though, uh, the guy always smelled like a certain shade of red back home, if you were to ask me.

[selfdoubt]

[Apparent shock immediately graced Hinata's features upon realizing who Kiba meant.]

You- You don't say it's--?

[keepitcanine]

Bingo.

[selfdoubt]

I can't believe this place will also... [She trails off in obvious disbelief. It takes some time before she speaks again.] ... When did he arrive?

[keepitcanine]

Yeah, weird, huh? But Itachi's here, too, isn't he? I'm pretty sure he's dead as far as, you know, walking Uchiha corpses go.

But Asuma-sensei arrived not long after you and Shino left. Hell if I can recall the date, but it was after you guys found your way home.

Kinda makes me wish Kurenai-sensei was here. For a little while. I know this place sucks, but I can think of a few things that suck worse.

[selfdoubt]

Asuma-sensei, too? [Okay, so she knows that this place can bring dead people back to life, but to actually bring him back?] I... agree. This place is indeed strange. But I also agree that with Asuma-sensei here, I wish Kurenai-sensei is here as well.

[She knows just how much he means to her and having her say words she couldn't before he died would be nice.] I'm sure she would want to see him again. [If only for a little while. Even in this place. Seeing him again is seeing him again.]

[keepitcanine]

Haha, yeah. Give him a chance to suggest a terrible name for their kid, that kind of thing.

[A beat.]

Damn, I think I'm starting to sound like a wuss. Probably should have let Ino or Shikamaru tell you. Act surprised for them or something.

[selfdoubt]

[Oh, Kiba. Your way with words always puts a smile on Hinata's face, even just a little one.]

I- I think you don't sound like one. And if you do, it's just because you care for them. [That's not a bad thing.] In any case, I will. I'm sure, one way or another, Shikamaru-kun or Ino-san will mention that to me.

1/2

[keepitcanine]

Or maybe it's because of smell of the cigarettes I get to wake up to every morning going to my head.

[keepitcanine]

But whatever.

[He wants some of his testosterone back.]

Speaking of, your room's still here. Exactly how you left it.

[Including all the romance-love books or whatever the hell those things were.]

[selfdoubt]

[She can't help but give a short giggle at that first statement. You and your wisecracks, teammate. The smile on her face after that remains, though.]

I see. I suppose that's nice. [Still unaware of those romance books btw.] I will stop by yours before I head to mine, though. I want to greet you personally, Kiba-kun.

[keepitcanine]

Sweet!

[Nevermind that his room's a mess and Akamaru's shedding like a cat.]

You'll have to fill me in on what's going on back home, if there's actually anything going on.

[He blinks. And his face suddenly darkens somewhat, a slight scowl tugging at his actual smile.]

And vice versa.

[selfdoubt]

[She can sense that scowl as her smile wanes. There's nothing to really tell him since only a few days passed back home and then she's back here again. That, and Hinata can tell that Kiba's further into the future than her.]

I will. [A solemn nod.] You can count on that.