- Staying?
- It turns out that one of the girls is going back home with her family. Naruto will have to eliminate someone after meeting all the parents.
- You don't look very happy. Do you think he'll send you home?
I shrugged.
- Come on, Saky! By now, you should know if he likes you or not. If he does, there's no need to worry. If he doesn't, why would you want to stay?
- I think you're right.
He stopped walking.
- Which of the two options?
It was a bit embarrassing to talk about it with Pain.
- I think he likes me. He says he does.
My brother laughed.
- So you're doing well.
- But he's been a bit distant this week.
- Sakura, being Sakura, if she's not the only goddess worshipped, it's not enough.
Don't laugh.
- He's the prince. He should be passing laws or whatever princes do...
I didn't know how to explain that Naruto seemed to have time for everyone but me. It was too humiliating.
- I guess so...
- And is this castle like the ones we see in the movies, full of secret passages and paintings with eyes?
Pain opened her eyes even wider with her fingers and I laughed, remembering a secret passage in my old bathroom. I wondered if there were more like it.
- This place is crazy. Full of doors and panels everywhere. If we pushed that vase, we could fall through a trapdoor. I tried to touch the vase, but Pain held me by the wrist.
- No such thing. No trap doors for me. I'll be careful on the way back to the room.
- What you need to do soon. I have to pick up Moegi from Ino's room to prepare her for tea with the Queen.
- You and your teas with the Queen. He joked and walked away from me.
And just when I thought he was a perfect "One", Pain Haruno sat on the banister of the nearest staircase and slid down like a six-year-old.
- Bye-bye, little monster! He waved and disappeared down the corridors of the visitors' rooms.
It was almost impossible not to jump for joy in the corridors. I was so happy to be with my family that I could hardly contain myself. If Naruto didn't send me away, it would be harder than ever to part with them again.
I turned the corner towards Ino's room and found the door open.
- What's he like? I heard Moegi ask and I stopped at the door.
- Handsome. Very handsome. With blood-colored hair that never stays in place.
Moegi laughed, and Ino did the same when she finished speaking.
- I always think about his hair," whispered the blonde wistfully.
I've known Ino Yamanaka forever. Ever since I saw her, we became friends. Ino told me everything and, some days, we stayed together just to keep quiet. I knew everything about her, everything that was worthwhile, everything that mattered and even what didn't matter. I knew every story, every scar, every trauma. I knew Ino had never liked a boy, never fallen in love, never sighed for anyone. Never. Ino had never loved. I'm sure of it.
- What's it like to love? Moegi asked.
I peeked through the door and saw Moegi sitting between Ino's long legs, her orange hair falling loosely and being braided with delicacy.
Ino gave me a sad smile.
- It's the most wonderful and terrible thing that can happen to you," she said simply. You know you've found something incredible and you want to take it with you forever. And a second after you have it, you're afraid of losing it.
I let out a sigh. She was right. Love is a beautiful fear.
- Moegi! Look at you. Time to get ready, you little pest.
I shouted outrageously and entered the room. When my eyes met Ino's sky blue ones, I thought of the red-haired boy she had described. Who could he be? I went through all the boys Ino had come into contact with, the models, stylists, make-up artists, Deidara's friends, the Caste Two playboys who always attended her parties. None of them had unruly red hair.
- As long as you're here, you'll be my little doll, Moegi. I'll make you as beautiful as the Queen.
Moegi shook her head.
- No one is beautiful like her. She protested, turning quickly to me. Don't tell Grandma I said that.
- I won't. I swore I wouldn't. Come on! I held out my hand and Moegi took it. Before I left, I looked over my shoulder at Ino.
- See you at tea.
- See you there. She blew me a kiss.
***
The queen walked through the hall next to the princess, greeting everyone. She had never been so close. She asked our mothers sweet questions about embarrassing stories and sometimes told us something embarrassing about what Karin and Naruto did as children. I was in a little group with my mother, Pakura, her mother and the Queen.
- I didn't have any godmothers," said the Queen, smiling.
- I want some godmothers, I said, smiling at her. Konan, Ino, Izumi. Only the ones that matter.
- I don't want bridesmaids either. They'll only distract attention from me, and since everything will be televised...Pakura said, and her mother patted her on the back. She didn't know if she was approving of the answer or warning her to be less direct.
The Queen's honey-colored eyes turned to me.
- What more do you want for your wedding?
I ran. My mother elbowed me in the ribs, hurrying me along. I glared at her, feeling the pain.
- Well, I only thought about the moment when my father hands me over to the groom. You know, when he takes your hand and gives it to the husband-to-be? I always think more about that part. I want to make sure that my father approves of who I'm going to marry.
- That's nice, sighed Pakura's mother.
- I'm sure he'll approve. No matter who it is.
That last sentence was said suddenly, as if the Queen had realized in mid-sentence that Naruto would be the one.
I wondered if Naruto would tell her about us. Moegi tugged at the hem of my dress and led me into a corner.