Before long, the air inside Hyuga Hiashi's residence had grown so heavy it seemed ready to drip.
The traditional Japanese sliding doors were shut tight, cutting off the noise outside, but they could not contain the suffocating tension within.
Hinata knelt on the tatami, her head bowed deeply, her hands clutching the fabric over her knees so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Before her, Hyuga Hiashi sat upright in the seat of honor. His pure white Byakugan held no warmth, like two icy blades slowly carving away at Hinata's nerves.
Beside him, the seven-year-old Hanabi Hyuga stood with her arms folded, her eyes full of indifference, as though she were looking at a worthless piece of trash.
"Hinata."
Hyuga Hiashi finally spoke. His voice was frighteningly calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority.
"Some rumors about the Hyuga Clan have been circulating in the village lately. I assume you've heard them."
Hinata shuddered violently, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
"F-Father..."
"Those rumors all stem from you."
Hyuga Hiashi cut her off. There was no anger in his tone, only deep disappointment and disgust.
"As the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Main Family and the future heir to this clan, you've done something that disgraces our honor."
"Entangling yourself with an outsider, even wanting to become his student? Do you know what people are saying about the Hyuga Clan?"
"They say the head of the Hyuga Clan is a senile old fool who can't even discipline his own daughter, and that's what gave Neji, that traitor from the branch family, the chance to desert the village!"
"And now you, my eldest daughter, have done this..."
Hearing her father's words, Hinata could only keep her head bowed. But at the mention of Neji, she jerked her head up, tears