Neji didn't expect an answer, knew there was nothing anyone outside the clan could do. He was so intimately familiar with that concept that it didn't even bother him. No one could come in and resolve Hyuuga's internal politics, he just had to mind himself and not piss anyone off too much. Easy enough to do until they provoke him.

He did expect the question, though it didn't quite come in the form of one, and he didn't answer. Not until another flurry of blows had passed and he'd taken the time to grasp onto the line his mentor had thrown. No, he wouldn't let this defeat him, but it would be so very easy to just give up. His own father had given up long ago, and he could never even blame him for it. Hizashi still defended him, still tried, but he'd given up on himself. Those chains were molded to skin, and the most he could do was try to loosen his son's. But the time was rapidly approaching where his father wouldn't even be able to do that anymore.

"I'm engaged!" he snapped at last, lashing out with a hard fist wildly in contrast with his usual style. He spat the rest, too enraged to manage more of an explanation. "December. Hinata-sama."

And that was it. That was the rest of his life and the rest of hers. Wrapped up and decided before they're even officially adults.