They waylaid him after the meeting, an assembly of his peers from the both the Main House and the Branch House had gathered together and dared to issue their challenge.
Neji heard their steps on the nightingale floors. Their footfalls echoed with the sounds of a familiar assassination strike, each plank chirping as the group milled about. He had walked these floors his entire life. They remained soundless beneath his feet.
"How can you stand to defend her? After everything she's put this clan through...after everything she's put us all through," yelled one girl hidden in the midst of the gathering.
Neji continued past them, his pace quiet and steady. As he moved away, he could hear the chorus of twittering fall silent. With his back to them, he spoke.
"How could you not?" His was voice all gentle timbre, understated, yet encompassing the iron of his intent.
They could only watch him go, the words they wanted to shout back at him stuttered in their throats. Neji's steadfastness disarmed them.
In that moment when he had his back to them, still and broad, his voice breached the air and he had been the specter of her justice.
The hush remained as he departed.