After not only receiving the e-mailed invitation that had gone out, but also the personal invite from Karla herself, which had been very kind, Hinata was all but obligated to show up.

So she did, with Yei gently cradled in her arms.

"A-Ano," she said, "I am not bothering anyone with the kitten?"

At the very least, she knew she wasn't bothering Karla by bringing the kitten. Not with the way Karla doted on Yei. That box of toys still amused her.