Hinata's birthday was a few days later, and Hiashi had planned a little dinner with his close family to celebrate. Neji heard a few clanmates complaining, but the clan head did what he wanted to. Neji played with Hinata while they were waiting for dinner to be ready. She loved the gifts he gave her, claiming she'd sleep with the plush toy because she loved it so much. Neji knew his bond with Hinata could not be broken. They loved each other like siblings. Hinata was his best friend too. Neji didn't really care for any other clanmate his age. And he didn't know anyone outside his clan yet, though he couldn't wait for the academy to meet Lee and Tenten. This time around, he'd be nicer to them.

When it was time for Hinata's bedtime, their grandfather read the book Neji chose to them. Both children fell asleep as soon as he was done. Neji wasn't even sure if Hinata heard the end of the story.

Neji barely woke up when his father lifted him to carry him home. He noticed the cold air of the night brush past his cheeks when they left the main house. Snow fell on his head that had slumped against his father, unable to stay upright due to how sleepy he was.

"Maybe we should have let him sleep with Lady Hinata, they looked well together," Neji heard his mother saying. He smiled at the thought. He would have loved it.

"I know, but tomorrow's a big day for the clan," his father answered. "Neji as well, and I wanted to make sure he had a good night of sleep. I know earlier that Father told him about the responsibilities of the branch family. Hiashi reminded me about tomorrow as well. I didn't want to risk Father wanting to seal Neji earlier than others or something."

Neji's heart started pounding again. He had forgotten, but it seemed that he would get that seal the next day. His grandfather had told him plenty about it today, and it had made Neji a little dizzy. He could already feel the pain of the mark, knowing from memories of another timeline how it hurt. He wanted to postpone that moment forever. While Hinata seemed more ready for her role as the heiress, she still mentioned to him how she wished he was the heir of the clan, when they were meeting at Hanabi. Hinata would have been happy with a serving role, and they both knew how stronger Neji would grow to be than she would ever be. But Hiashi was the first born between the twins, and Neji knew he couldn't change the Hyuuga's way. His uncle was not a lost cause, but his grandfather was very strict on the main and branch family. Neji was convinced he was only invited to Lady Hinata's birthday because the former clan head wanted to give that speech to him.

Neji fell asleep before they reached their house. He didn't dream of anything and was woken up by his father the next morning, feeling like the night was gone in a minute. Neji felt very tired still, despite sleeping all night. Struggling to open his eyes, he noticed it was fully bright outside. Which meant he had slept in, because in December, sunrise happened after his usual waking time.

"How long I slept?" Neji asked, rubbing his eye with the side of his hand.

"About an hour more than usual. I let you, because you went to bed later than your routine. But I couldn't wait and have you wake up by yourself, we need to be in the compound meeting room in an hour.

Neji immediately felt his chest tighten. A ball formed in his stomach. He suddenly remembered his parents talking the previous night. Seal day. He wasn't the only branch family member to get it today. Neji recalled the pain from that moment in his previous life. There was no way to avoid this part of his destiny, but it didn't mean he was happy about it.

He struggled to eat his breakfast. It just didn't want to go down as easily as usual. He had always had a good appetite in the morning, but not today. He was too nervous to be hungry. He feared that forcing himself to finish his plate would only make it worse, especially for the moment he'd get the seal on his forehead. Neji recalled that day in his previous life that he did something that didn't please the elder of the clan, and the seal hurt so badly he ended up throwing up. He didn't want it to happen again. Neji gulped. This time, he'd accept his destiny and rebel less. He'd be a good branch ninja, and protect Hinata along the way.

"Neji, you should eat some more," his mother said, and Neji realized he had been staring at his plate for the past five minutes. "I know you're probably worried about today, but it's not that bad, it'll be okay." She smiled a little, trying to encourage him. She didn't know he had lived today before.

Neji took just enough bites to satisfy his mother, and soon enough, it was time for him to leave. His father accompanied him. The man took Neji's hand in his. Neji wouldn't admit it aloud, but he needed the reassuring gesture from his father. He needed to be held, to be told it would be ok. He wanted to believe his parents.

They entered the building where the meeting room was. The elder of the clan and Lord Hiashi gave a speech about their destiny, the protection of the Byakugan and other things the elder had already all told Neji the previous day. Neji listened to half of it before starting to get lost in his thoughts.

Then, they were asked to form a line starting in the hallway and finishing in that meeting room because there were too many people. Neji and Hizashi succeeded to be at the half of it. Everyone was waiting to get the seal. Most children were with one or both their parents. Some young ones were crying, wondering what was going on. Some other people complained about how long the line was. Some that were more rebellious on the idea of the seal hated how short it was, probably feeling like Neji. They wanted to never be contained. To remain free for as long as they could. Neji understood the protective part of the seal. To keep the Byakugan within the clan. But he couldn't comprehend why using it to hurt someone. That was what Neji feared the most.

They advanced further through the line quite rapidly, and soon enough, Neji felt like he needed to use the bathroom. He had gone just after finishing his breakfast, so he found it a little odd. He supposed it was the stress falling on his bladder. But there were not a lot of people in front of him now. A woman with her young toddler, two academy-aged children and their parents, three complaining genins and a teen with a chunin vest.

The feeling of a full bladder didn't go away as they walked a few steps towards the room where the seal happened. Neji was starting to squirm. Hizashi kneeled at his height.

"I know you don't want to be here and probably want to go play outside, but behave please," his father said with a serious tone, looking Neji in the eyes. "I am Lord Hiashi's brother, people are looking at us. So please, contain yourself and wait your turn without causing trouble."

"I have to pee, father," Neji whispered as Hizashi stood back up.

The man sighed, he looked very annoyed. "Didn't you just go?"

Neji looked at the floor in shame. "Yes, but I don't know why, I need to go again."

"Well, you'll have to wait a little longer, I believe. It's almost our turn now. Surely you can hold it."

As if Hizashi feared Neji's squirming would attract looks, he lifted Neji up and installed him on his hip, holding him firmly. Or maybe Hizashi feared Neji would run out to the bathroom. Knowing the clan, and Hizashi's moments of rebellion against his father and brother, they'd start rumors about Neji trying to escape his destiny.

With his father's ear now in reach, Neji turned towards his father as best he could and whispered, "I'm not sure I can hold it."

Before the man could even question his son, Lord Hiashi and the elder called up someone in front. But instead of returning to that small room, the clan head approached.

"Ready to fulfill your destiny and protect your family, Neji?" Hiashi said, offering a warm smile.

The boy felt suddenly shy from the main branch's attention. But he mumbled he was ready, cheeks blushing, and trying to hide his worry feelings. Truth was, he was suddenly more focused on not letting his bladder fail him right there. Which probably looked very bad, because Neij was not a good actor. He was sure he had a worried and panicked look on his face now. He was very about to wet himself and couldn't ignore the feeling anymore. He didn't understand why he suddenly needed to go so badly, he never needed to go every hour before. Sure, he was nervous, but to the point of peeing himself soon? Something was wrong.

He squirmed in his father's arms. The pressure on his bladder was becoming too much to handle. He met his father's eyes, trying to show how bad he was doing and with urgency in his voice. "Father…"

His father's eyes grew wide open. He had understood the urgency. He looked at the short line in front of them, and then turned to his brother.

"Neji has to go to the bathroom. Can he?"

Uncle Hiashi looked at Neji frowning for a few seconds, in silence. He was clearly observing Neji, but the boy couldn't figure out why he didn't grant the request. "Oh, you really do, don't you?"

Neji nodded, balancing his head up and down very fast. Give me the permission already. Neji insisted, trying to do puppy eyes. He wasn't sure he'd make it to the bathroom now, especially since Neji wasn't sure of its exact location.

Hiashi bit his lips. "Hizashi, keep your son's place in the line. I trust that he's not faking to escape his destiny, but in case he is, I'll go with Neji." He then turned to the boy. "Come on, let's go before you wet yourself."

Neji was thankful that Hiashi walked with a fast pace. He made it to the bathroom just in time. There was a burning sensation as he started peeing, which caught Neji by surprise and made him wince in pain. His teenage brain immediately understood why he felt like something was wrong. He must have an infection of some sort. That was the only way.

"Is everything ok, Neji?" Hiashi asked, on the other side of the toilet stall. "Did you have an accident?"

Neji blushed. "I made it in time," Neji said, not wanting to explain why he was hissing when he started peeing. He hated that his voice sounded insecure. He was repressing his tears. Why did it burn, and why today? It was humiliating, especially in front of the clan head.

Neji left the bathroom stall soon enough. Hiashi observed him again, as if he was passing judgments.

"You don't seem okay, Neji. What happened?"

Neji looked down, squirming in place in embarrassment. "It kind of hurt? Like it burns?"

"Oh, I see. I'll let your father know, you could have a bladder infection or something like that. It would explain the burning feeling and the urge to go." Hiashi said. Neji wasn't pleased with having an infection. "Don't make this face, it's not your fault. If you think you are done, we'll go back to the line, because it must be soon your turn. And I don't want people to think I'm playing favoritism. I'd do your seal right here, but your grandfather wants to see me doing so. He thinks I'll chicken out because you're my family and I'd let you go without giving you the mark."

Neji looked at his uncle in surprise. Would he do that if he could? His uncle had always seemed so strict, in both Neji's lives, that he never considered Hiashi to be nice, or break a clan rule. Especially during this time, Neji hadn't done anything for his uncle to like him. He was friends with Hinata, but nothing more than that. Was he Hiashi's favorite, after his own daughter of course? Was it their elder's idea, to keep the tradition?

Neji followed Hiashi back into the line. He was embarrassed. Everyone was looking at him, clearly questioning what the clan head was doing with his nephew, especially accompanying him to the bathroom.

Hiashi didn't have time to explain to his twin, because it was their turn to enter the clan head's office. Neji's grandfather was waiting for them there. The elder didn't have a nice look on his face.

"Finally, Hiashi, you're back. Can you tell me where you were? Don't tell me you got caught up chatting with Hizashi?"

Neji noticed the clan head taking a breath. He always thought those two got along very well, but what if it was not the case? Neji could bet the man was the reason why his father and uncle didn't have a good relationship since childhood.

"I took a bathroom break, that's all."

Neji was stunned. His uncle was lying to save his nephew's face, now? The boy was impressed. The elder made him sit on a chair, and asked Hizashi to hold him firmly. Neji went from embarrassment to panic in a second. He had almost forgotten why he was here in the first place, and now he feared the pain. Neji closed his eyes. He didn't want to see if it was his uncle or grandfather that sealed him. Nor the hand signs, because he'd never get to learn those anyways. Hinata could be the next one to execute this seal. And it made Neji sick to think about it.

The pain was sharp on his forehead. His eyes grew in terror, but no sound came out of his mouth. Everything was suddenly blurry, and Neji didn't know if it was from tears or dizziness. He heard his father's voice telling him it was over, he'll be okay, and Neji wanted to believe it. Even Uncle Hiashi looked shaken. He caught the clan head mumbling about hating the day. Surely it was not a pleasing day, to seal dozens of people, especially kids.

Neji's legs were shaking as he left the office. He just wanted to go home and play in his room, near the bathroom. But Hiashi ran behind them. He talked about the incident in the bathroom, keeping his voice low enough that the curious parents around wouldn't hear. Hizashi nodded when Hiashi mentioned visiting one of his clansmen. Neji recalled that person to be one of Konoha's doctors from a certain hospital. Neji sighed. What an awful day.