Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

Hyuga Time: Attack of the Clan

I woke up, already in a somber mood. Sitting up, I ran a hand through my hair, at least it was clean enough that I wouldn't have to bathe. I walked over to my closet and removed the black kimono from the very back, putting it on I turned to the mirror. Makeup and hair were soon taken care of. Yeah, I looked like I was in mourning, but I couldn't bring myself to be in the proper mindset. My mom wasn't the one who died; Hina's mom did.

I slowly made my way down the hall to the main dining room of the Hyuga compound. It was already fairly crowded, and I immediately felt overwhelmed. I took a moment, closing my eyes, and told myself that it would be over soon enough. I suddenly felt a presence next to me. Turning, I saw my little sister, Hanabi, looking up at me warily.

"Um... hi." I began awkwardly. I just didn't know how to behave around her.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"You okay?" I looked back down at her, "do you need something?"

"No," she looked down at her hands, breaking eye contact. I decided not to press the subject further.

Just a few minutes later, I saw my father walk up to us. He said nothing; his expression alone was a silent command to follow. Deciding to keep my eyes on the path ahead of me, the Hyuga walked to my mother's grave. It was considerably elaborate compared to the others and in the middle of a beautiful garden. I decided to entertain my mind by scanning the flora and trying to name the specific plants I could identify.

Rituals were done, incense was burned, speeches were given and soon enough we were allowed back into the main house to have a sort of clan breakfast. I was not looking forward to that.

We all sat, me sitting at a table basically alone with my dad and sister. There was way too much food, and I was in no mood to eat so early in the day. I ate what I could, and then just... sat there. I didn't know what would happen to me if I tried to excuse myself, so I sat as patiently as I was able. I spaced out and came to when I noticed some were starting to leave. I took this as a sign that it must be fine for me to leave.

"Father," I began delicately, he looked up at me, expression unreadable, "may I be excused to my room?"

There was painful silence.

"How dare you."

It felt as if ice water had been dumped down my spine. I immediately felt cold panic settled into my bones as my eyes snapped up to meet my father's.

"You can't finish a meal, can't pay attention, and can't even find the decency to wait until everyone leaves. It's as if you don't honor your mother." He spoke evenly, but the undertone was pure cold fury.

"F-Father," I stuttered, this was bad, "forgive me I-"

"You cannot live up to the family legacy, you cannot honor your mother, you cannot live up to your birthright, is there anything that won't disappoint me?" I was starting to feel indignant. I wasn't used to getting yelled at, and I was not enjoying it, besides the fact he was being unfair.

"Is it wrong for one to want to grieve alone?" I hated how my voice shook, but I wasn't going to back down to this jackass.

"We are a clan," his voice raised a bit, "we grieve together."

"So that's it then," I countered, "what's more important, grieving for my mother or putting on a show for the clan?" This made him stand up and slam his hands on the table.

"Listen here young lady, you've been nothing but a constant source of stress on me," he spat, "you are weak willed, minded, bodied, spirited, and worse of all you continue down a path that I forbade you to travel." It was my turn to stand up.