Hinata giggled once, twice, before she could no longer restrain herself and burst out into an uncontrollable fit. Hiashi watched, stone faced, as she set her empty sake cup down and clutched at her sides. She was crying again, but he had a suspicion that they weren't shed out of heart-wrenching sadness.

"G-Gomen," she sputtered and pressed a hand to her mouth in an attempt to stifle any residual laughter. Hiashi's expression had not changed once, and it was the somber etch to his face that sobered his daughter.

"Gomen," she said again, firmly, and bowed her head in deference. "B-But, are you f-feeling well?" Though she addressed her lap, Hiashi knew the question was obviously directed to him. Unless the stress of the revelation had finally made her mind snap.

Hiashi calmly took another sip and rested the porcelain cup on his knee. "I am as well as someone my age can be."

He took a final drink, emptying the cup of its contents, before setting it down on the tray. His now vacant hand shook slightly, and Hiashi flattened his palms again, intent on maintaining his stoic mien, even if it killed him.

"Hinata, look at me," he commanded, so sudden and forceful that the girl looked up immediately, on instinct. He gave her the look, the one where his eyes were nearly slits and his mouth was a stern line above his chin. Hinata shuddered but otherwise gave no indication that she was affected by it. "Hyuuga Hinata does not exist."

Now it was her turn to give him the look, although she made it look as terrifying as a puppy with its hackles raised. Cute, endearing, and a bit pitiful, but he would humor her nonetheless.

"P-Please correct me if I am wr-wrong, but am I n-not here?" She asked innocently enough, though the small tilt to her head and the slight pull of her lips made it apparent she was teasing.

"Yes, you are, though that does not mean Hyuuga Hinata is present," Hiashi told her slowly, willing her to understand. He could already feel the backs of his hands beginning to itch, the familiar sensation of anxiety rooting in the pit of his stomach. The contract prevented him from just telling her outright what he meant, but if she found out on her own volition, he would have no choice but to confess all.

Hinata smiled kindly at him and reached out to pat his knee. "I-I think you need to rest." Obviously, his mind had snapped. "You are b-being worked too hard."

He glared at her, hard, and her hand fell away.

"Hinata, you're a smart girl," he told her quietly. It was the first time he had ever complimented her, and he noted this with a sharp pang when she started crying. Again.

"F-Father..." she sobbed softly, and Hiashi felt the compulsion to abandon the Hyuuga composure and simply gather her in his arms and never let go stronger than ever. But he instead softened his stare minutely and counted to ten.

"Control yourself," he told her, not unkindly, and waited for her to recover.

"I s-suppose you can no longer t-tell me I am a d-disgrace to the Hyuuga for sh-showing emotion," she sniffled quietly with a forced smile, as if the matter of her banishment had become a private joke that only she found funny.

"I should have never used that phrase as encouragement in the first place," he admitted stiffly and tried to ignore the hopeful look in his daughter's pale eyes.

"Y-You mean, I was never a disgrace?"

"I mean you were never a Hyuuga."

She sat silently for a moment, and Hiashi tensed, waiting for her to finally lose it. One could only be submissive and genteel for so long. He held his breath as she formed a seal with her hands (she was still holding that damn note) and activated her blood limit.

"I h-have the Byakugan," she informed him, as if that settled the matter.

"An unfortunate mutation. It would have been easier if you had been born with your mother's eyes."

"M-Mutation?" Her voice quavered, more-so than usual, and her eyes widened when the rest of his statement sunk in. "M-My mother's eyes? But I d-do have them. We... We all have them," she stated, her voice dry and strained from crying so long.

"No. You have my eyes. My brother's eyes. My father's eyes."

"I-I'm afraid I don't—"

"They were green," he interrupted her, and she watched in amazement as his expression changed from severe to wistful. "Such a beautiful green. The color of healthy plant leaves. So deep... you could lose yourself in them." Hiashi blinked and shook his head, snapping himself out of his reverie. He focused again on his daughter, who looked like he had just told her he personally destroyed all of her stuffed animals (that was the gravest sin against her that he could think of).

"Hyuuga Hinata does not exist." he repeated gravely.

"Th-Then what am I? Wh-Who am I?" she demanded, not caring that she sounded more than 'just a bit' hysterical.

"I cannot tell you that just yet. To understand, you must first know the history between your mother and I. Of course, that is if you are willing to listen." Hiashi tried smiling again, to calm her nerves, but the gesture seemed to upset her more. She bit down on her lower lip, turning the pink flesh white as she kept her emotions from bursting out of her in a rush.

"I am." Her reply was no more than a breath, but she looked so sure of herself that Hiashi felt proud of her, despite the situation. He poured them both another glass of sake, and this time he swallowed his in one gulp. Hinata had taken a ginger sip of hers before setting it beside her on the sun-warmed wooden floor and folding her hands politely. Hiashi refilled his glass and closed his eyes, choosing to swirl the contents of the cup around and around instead of drinking it.

"I met your mother was in an okiya in Shukuba Town."