Chapter 1
Hyuga Hinata
I remember what happened that day, because it was snowing.
"Hyuga Hinata, for the past several months your father has been ill. It has come to the council's attention that we don't foresee his health getting any better. With that in mind, we feel it's in our family's best interests to have your father step down." The Hyuga elder peered over his glasses, looking at me. All around I could see everyone's eyes staring right through me.
"I know...my..." My voice began to shake. I felt faint until a warm hand touched my shoulder. Surprised to have someone behind me, I turned to see my cousin Hyuga Neji.
"This event does concern the Branch family and all the members of the family." Neji seemed confident as he stood there beside me. He was the opposite of me, calm and always collected—something that I always aspired to be.
"We understand that the Branch family wants some say in the matter, but this is a Head family discussion and you should know your place as a Branch family member. Now, Neji, step down or we'll have you removed," the first councilman coughed, turning his attention back to me. His eyes were almost clear, as if see-through. The only thing whiter on his head was his long snowy hair. It was long like Neji's—tied back into a clean ponytail—not even a hair moved from place as he started to speak again.
I could see Neji glaring at him from the corner of my eye. He was still unmoving, unshaken, just showing true determination to be heard by the Head family council.
"We ask one more time, either step down or--"
"Neji-nii-san has a right to speak!" I blurted from behind my cousin. Everyone around the room froze. Around the room, everyone's facial expressions turned to surprise. Never in all the years of my life, has anyone ever heard me speak up, let alone for someone else's behalf.
"Hinata-sama," Neji whispered as he turned around to face me. I was still shaking but my posture had changed-I had become determined.
"I am Hyuga Clan's next leader, and as the heir, I give Neji-nii-san the right to...speak," My voice broke at the last moment—I was still nervous about speaking back to the elders.
Without warning, all my strength vanished from my eyes, leaving me quiet again. I seemed to confuse all the people around me, especially Neji. Their confused stares only made me feel worse. I bowed my head, looking down at the floor as if there was something interesting at my feet.
"How dare --" the second councilor was interrupted by a harsh voice from the back of the room. Everyone turned their attention to where the voice was coming from.
"Though I may not look it, I am still alive. Hinata is my eldest daughter, and if she has given Neji the floor, then you should be mindful of your next leader." For the first time Hyuga Hiashi, my father stood by my words, leaving me in shock. I always felt as if I was a lost cause, but this moment and those words from him made me feel as if I finally existed.
I smiled brightly and nodded to Neji to take the floor and speak. The council members looked at each other, growling and grumbling. "You are right, Hyuga Hiashi-sama, we have spoken out our turn. Please, Neji. You have the floor." The old man said with a tone of hatred.
The council members had always made it very clear to the Branch members that they are below the Main Brach. But in this one instance, a Branch family member had the floor at a Main Branch meeting.
Neji gritted his teeth at the old man's tone and began to speak, "Hinata-sama is the most-likely family member to take her father's place, but as a Branch family member, we also need a leader to stand beside Hinata. And, since I am Hyuga Hizashi's son, I have the right to that position, as it is also my father's wish for me to protect her."
"We were going to discuss that at a later date." The councilman interrupted. "Like I have said before, today's business is of a different matter. Before all of this confusion, we were discussing Hinata taking the place as Head leader. It is our judgment that on Hinata's 20th birthday, or the death of her father Hyuga Hiashi, ever which comes first, she will take the head of Household. We also pass judgment that by that time she will either have to find a suitable husband for marriage, or marry the leader of the Branch family. That is the word, and our word is the law."
No one spoke a word. The only thing to escape my lips was a small gasp as I covered my mouth with my hand. This wasn't to be expected, not this soon, yet I knew by looking at Neji that he felt my pain. We have never full resolved our own issues, yet the Councilman thought it would be best to have us wed. This was to be the end of my carefree youth, and the start of the long cycle of adulthood.