- Okay, let's go save the poor Hyuga," the shinobi rose from his favorite chair and led me toward the guest rooms of the house.
As I walked down the hallway, Shenesu stopped in front of the door behind which there were quiet voices and pushed it open, entering. I moved to follow him and found myself witnessing a 'rabbits before boa constrictors' scene, where the role of the former was played by two Hyuga girls who looked a bit like most of the clan of Byakugan wielders, and the role of the latter was played by Setsura.
- Honey, stop torturing our guests with questions," the clan patriarch smiled a little strainedly under the stern gaze of his better half, "let Ryo-kun meet them.
I let that pass, however, surprised by the familiar face of one kunoichi. Even though she had gotten even more beautiful since the last time I'd seen her, and she'd grown a bit bigger and rounder in all the right places, I couldn't help but recognize those soft features and shy smile.
- Hitomi-chan?!
- Hello Ryo-kun," she stood up from the couch and bowed formally.
- Ryo-san, good afternoon," her neighbor hurriedly repeated her actions, "my name is Haruhi Hyuga.
- Greetings," I bowed to the girls in the same manner.
- Oh, you two know each other? - Shenesu asked, shifting his gaze from me to Hitomi and back again.
- We went to the academy together," I explained and turned to my friend, "so you volunteered to join our clan?
- Someone had to do it," she shrugged, "there wasn't much keeping me in the clan.
- Well, it looks like you two have a lot to discuss amongst yourselves," her uncle chuckled and turned to the other kunoichi, "Haruhi-chan, would you like to join us for a cup of tea?
- Hai, Nara-sama," Hyuga nodded, casting a quick glance at her neighbor.
I looked gratefully at the shinobi who winked at me-the last time I'd seen Hitomi was over a year ago, and we had a lot to talk about. When everyone else had left, I took a seat next to the girl on the couch.
- To be honest, I'm surprised to see you here, Hitomi-chan," I smiled slightly at her, "I thought you were married long ago.
Usually, the elders of a biakugan have to find a mate by the time they're seventeen, unless there's something wrong with them, like a defective or weak dojutsu, like Sensei.
- I had a young man, but the elders didn't approve of the marriage, planning to marry someone from the main branch," the kunoichi sighed and explained at my questioning glance, 'girls with strong byakugan are left for boys from the main branch in order to strengthen the kekkei genkai, and in my case, the elders just didn't have time to agree among themselves, and Kosuke-kun found someone else,' she said sadly.
- I sympathized," I sighed, already understanding why she had agreed to leave the clan.
Chifuyu told me that the Uchiha also keep their blood pure, using a variety of tests to determine the compatibility of their partners, and if they find that there's no chance of a sharingan awakening in their children, they forbid the marriage and select the most suitable ones. Targeted selection is practiced in many large clans.
- He has a child now, so I took the first opportunity to leave the clan quarter, even if it was to marry one of the two Nara of the ruling family," Hitomi sighed with a faint smile, "Besides, marrying you is not a big sacrifice.
- О? And why is that? - I raised an eyebrow.
- Well, I liked a certain boy with beautiful scarlet hair when I was at the academy," she looked away from me, her cheeks turning slightly pink, "and Kanade-chan spoke very warmly of you.
- I hope she didn't tell me all the details," I rolled my eyes. - I rolled my eyes.
A very expressive silence was my answer. That's fine.
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