It seemed like the chicks would need to amuse themselves, Sasuke realized with an internal sigh, and tried to communicate Behave with a stern look. Mostly it earned him skeptical chirrups in response, so he corralled them to a rug to avoid leaving talon-marks on the flooring and turned his attention to his teammate.

It only took a look to determine that Hinata wasn't in good spirits. The situation outlined by Neji made it tempting to suggest once again that one or both of them simply elope, but Sasuke could understand the importance of needing to keep a name intact.

"There are examples in the medical records of the results of too-close inbreeding," some from his own clan, embarrassingly enough, and some appalling when Sasuke had looked into the records. "You'd need formal permission from the families to pull some of the Hyuuga records specifically. Do you have any allies within your clan?"