Neji stood at head of a long table, on the left side of Hiashi-sama, resplendent in the dark gray robes of a Main House member. To the left of Hiashi-sama, stood Hanabi, also clad in the robes of a Main House member, her expression bordering on infuriated. Neji took note of his youngest cousin's face, and began to wonder if there were things Hinata-sama hadn't told him. He looked around, and began to wonder where his other cousin was. Hinata-sama hated attending clan meetings - receiving disapproving glances and barely concealed contempt from her fellow Main House members. Still, for a meeting of this kind of importance, it was unusual that Hiashi-sama's elder daughter was not present.
Arrayed in long rows divided by a central line, were the Branch and Main House members. The council of Elders sat along the long table, grim expressions on their faces. For his part, Hiashi's white eyes and blank face betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
"This is a strange situation for which no precedent has been set," Hiashi began after calling the meeting to order, "Never in the history of our clan has one been gifted with so much of the Hyuuga blood, as Neji. He has surpassed the abilities of any and all before him, mastering the bloodline limit techniques at the age of 13, with no prior instruction. With talent such as his, it would be foolish not to elevate him as the future Head of this clan."
"Agreed," one of the Elders said, acting as spokesperson, "The council appreciates your sentiment, Hiashi-sama, however, a Branch Family member cannot be Head of this clan. The by-laws make it clear, and the 'cursed seal' would put him at a severe disadvantage to those he would supposedly command. Your proposition must be turned down." The other Elders were nodding in agreement, ignoring the angry mutters of the Branch House members.
"There is a technique," Hiashi replied softly, "Which would remove the seal. We could then easily adopt Neji into the Main House." The Elders were on their feet in protest immediately.
"Hiashi-sama," one of them shouted angrily, "That technique is forbidden! The by-laws ban its use."
"I am the Head of this clan," Hiashi replied icily, "I will decide which by-laws we shall follow. I acquiesced to your demands ten years ago, and it nearly led us to ruination. I will not allow you to destroy our best hope for the future!" The Elders glared at Hiashi, but broke first under Hiashi's icy stare.
"Your decision is a bold one," the first Elder replied softly, "There is merit to your reasoning, thus the council will follow your ruling. Have you prepared for the ceremony?"
"I have," Hiashi replied calmly. There were several mutters of discussion amongst the Elders, until one finally rose to speak.
"Very well Hiashi-sama. Let us begin the ceremony. We look forward to the strength that will be brought into the Main House once again," the lead Elder stated, giving Neji a calculating glance.
"Excuse me for a moment," Hiashi murmured, swiftly departing from the council meeting room, two attendants in tow. In the soft murmuring that followed, Hanabi moved over to give her older cousin a baleful glare. Neji turned to regard his youngest cousin with a puzzled look.
"Hanabi-sama. What is the matter? I was under the impression that you agreed to my inheritance."
"What choice did I have?" she snarled back, "I can't believe you agreed to this! From what my sister said of you, I thought you were a better person!" Tears began to water her fierce white eyes, and Neji was completely taken aback. What was she talking about? Just then, Hiashi reappeared, with a hooded figure clad in the robes of a Branch House member. The two attendants followed behind them, and the noise in the meeting room died down. Gesturing for Neji to approach him, Hiashi nodded at the attendants. With a gentle tug, they pulled down the hood, and Neji felt his innards collapse in on themselves.
Standing directly in front of him, clad in the Branch House robes, was Hinata-sama. The Main House members were whispering amongst themselves again, subtly nodding with agreement. It was appropriate that one such as she would be cast out of the Main House. Hinata regarded Neji with a gentle smile, and bowed low to the ground. Turning to Hiashi with startled confusion, Neji whispered to the Hyuuga elder in hushed tones.
"Hiashi-sama! What is going on here? Why is Hinata-sama dressed as a Branch House member?" Hiashi regarded Neji with a fleeting expression of wistfulness before blocking emotion from his face. With a nod, Hiashi gestured towards Hinata, whose own face betrayed nothing.
"For our House to gain a member, so too must the Branch House. Hinata will take your place in the Branch House, and serve under you."
"No!" Neji nearly shouted, "I did not agree to this! She never mentioned this when we talked." Hiashi looked surprised, and turned to look at his eldest daughter, an unspoken question in his eyes.
"I knew you would not accept it, Neji-niisan," Hinata replied softly, "But it is the only way. For father to remove the seal from you, he must place it on someone else. It is impossible to simply remove the seal. I'm sorry for not telling you. Now let us begin."
Hinata spoke with such finality, that the attendants moved forward and began to exchange hand seals in preparation for the exchange technique. Hiashi watched his eldest daughter, a mixture of grief and pride on his face. From the head of the table, Neji heard Hanabi stifle back a sob. In his mind's eye, he began to feel the cage of entrapment beginning to lift from his soul. A cage that had cut off the light of free choice and honor removed itself from his life, and began to close around the soul of another. Standing with quiet dignity, Hinata remained where she was, and Neji watched the cage that had tormented him his whole life, begin to close around her.
Stop complaining about fate, and how it can't be changed. Because…unlike me, you're not a loser.
With a howl of denial, Neji leapt in front of Hinata, knocking back the two, stunned attendants. Assuming the Gentle Fist stance, he glared at the shocked faces of the gathered House members. Turning to face an equally stunned Hiashi, Neji began to gather chakra in his body.
"Forgive me, Hiashi-sama," he said quietly, "I am honored by your offer. However, I cannot accept."
"Neji!" Hiashi said angrily, "This is the only way I can give you what you deserve without completely violating the mandates of our clan."
"Neji-niisan," Hinata said quietly, "Your fate can be changed. I am going to help you do it. I want to do this."
"Neji," one of the Elders barked, "If you know what is best for you, you will accept this gift! The strength of the Hyuuga clan's future rests upon your shoulders. Do not spurn your responsibilities."
The council gestured for several of the guards to assist the attendants in completing the ceremony. As one, they moved towards Hinata. Again, Neji blocked their path.
"Again, please forgive me, I cannot accept this," Neji replied, allowing chakra to gather into his eyes, activating his Byakugan. There was a collective gasp of surprise from the gathered House members.
"If you touch her…," Neji said with calm menace, "I will kill you." The silence that followed his statement was deafening. Finally, Hinata put her hand on his shoulder gently, trying to pull his arms down, to no avail.
"Hinata-sama," Neji said, not taking his eyes off the attendants, or her father, "I swore an oath to protect you. It was an oath made in bad faith, but an oath nonetheless. In the 9 years since I made that promise, I have been a complete failure. I will fail you no longer."
"Neji-niisan," she said softly.
"You're right about fate," he said quietly, "It can be changed. But you don't have to sacrifice yourself in the process! What is the point of earning happiness and not being able to enjoy it?" He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her away from the attendants. Bowing to Hiashi and the council, he led the stunned girl out of the meeting room. Before leaving, he turned to give the gathered Hyuuga members a brief smile.
"I will become the Head of this clan," he said confidently, "But I'll do it on my own terms. You can count on it."
After they had left, Hiashi did what he could to bring the meeting back to order. Just when the conversations had died down to a manageable level, Hanabi stood, a determined grin on her face. Hiashi suppressed an urge to groan.
"Just so you know father," she said daintily, "Neji-kun has my vote." The eruption of shouting and accusations went on for another ten minutes, during which, Hanabi slipped out, a gleeful look in her eyes. Hiashi watched his youngest daughter leave, a soft smile threatening to spill over his expressions. The winds of change were about to shake up the stagnant sails of the Hyuuga clan. Hiashi only hoped he would live long enough to see it.