"Sealed." It has such a nice ring to it, doesn't it? You seal a jar of food to preserve freshness. You seal a pact with a handshake. You seal a wedding vow with a kiss. Jutsu seals are used on scrolls and tags to protect the user or whatever object they are cast on. Protection, that's what a seal represents… or that's what they want you to think it represents.
Now think about the word "branded." A brand is something that you burn your cattle with to show your ownership. A brand is a trademark, a stamp. And no matter how you use it, the word "branded" always seems insinuate a feeling of helplessness and servitude.
That's why I prefer it.
And as you already know, I'm not the only one who prefers it. That's the funny thing about people, if you put them together in a closely knit group and systematically oppress them for generation after generation, eventually they will turn on you. The rebellion starts as a small simmer, a glare here, a changed word or phrase there. But eventually someone loses their cool and the whole thing starts to boil over.
To the Main branch, the "seal" is for protection, but it doesn't protect the children it is forced upon at three years old, no, it protects the sacred kekkei genkai of the Hyuga clan. And yet even though protecting our dojutsu is so "terribly important" that we painfully brand children, it's apparently not important enough to necessitate "sealing" the Main family's eyes. They're so worried about us Branch members dying and another village stealing our eyes, but I guess there's not even the slightest chance of a Main branch member being in that same position?
No, what the Hyuga brand really does is all included in the word, "brand." It marks us. It owns us. And with just a simple hand seal from Main branch member, it can inflict excruciating pain on us, killing our brain cells one by one.
I just can't do it anymore. I've laid there, seizing and writhing on the floor, as a Main family member "punishes" me and wished with all my heart that they would just keep going until I had no brain matter left at all. Every one of us has had this thought at some point. Some end their suffering themselves, but I know I could never muster the strength.
And that's why I'm leaving. After tonight, I've realized that my life will never be my own unless I do. Tonight has proven to me that a Main branch member really can do anything to a Branch member, and see it as their "birthright" to do so. They may own my eyes and hold my life in their hands, but I won't allow them to own me body and soul. I can't live like that. No one should have to live like that.
But I can promise you this: they're all going to pay. I'm going to turn this disgusting excuse for a family upside down, even if I have to take the whole damn village down with them.
And the most ironic part is: they'll never even see it coming. Besides, who's going to suspect that a lowly Branch member could become the undoing of the entire clan, or waste effort searching for a missing Branch member? I'm only useful when I'm present to carry out the Main family's bidding. And after death my eyes are useless anyway. Whether I'm missing or dead, the clan's future is safe and sealed.
Or so they think.
I'm only telling you all of this because I know how openly resentful of the Main family you were before, and I know that deep down inside you still are. But for the sake of Hinata, I know you don't say it.
Be ready. You'll know when it's happening. And when it does, find her and take her away someplace safe. She's probably the only good thing ever come from the Main family, and I know you want to protect her. You're a good friend, Neji. That's why I'm warning only you.
The Main branch will pay.
Burn this letter.
- Miyuki