- I knew it... - Naruto replied, his voice fading into sleep.
I fell asleep in his arms, enveloped by his scent, his presence, his love.
I don't know how long I slept, but darkness still reigned when there was a knock at the door.
- Prince Naruto - Itachi Uchiha's voice broke the silence.
I shook Naruto, who woke up in a jolt.
- Prince Naruto - Itachi called out once more.
- What does he want? - I whispered, as Naruto stood up and buttoned his shirt.
- Karin must have suspected that I didn't go to my room... - He yawned, rubbing his eyes.
He went to the door.
Itachi opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when he saw me awake, the sheets pulled up to my shoulders, my eyes sleepy but alert.
- What do you want, Captain? - Naruto asked.
- Queen Tsunade and Princess Karin requested your presence immediately.
- In the morning, I...
- I have orders not to leave here without Your Highness.
Naruto looked at me over his shoulder and smiled.
- I'll see you in the morning. - he said.
- I love you. - I mumbled as he started to close the door.
- I know. - I heard his reply before falling asleep again.
***
My maids didn't knock before coming in, which was unusual. They always tried to let me rest as much as possible, and after the party - and Naruto - I really needed it.
I rolled over in bed and saw Samui and Shizune carrying a bag of clothes. Another new dress? Where was Kakashi? He always made a point of showing me the choices first.
- Miss Sakura, it's time to get up.
- Can't I get some more sleep?
- No. - Samui answered short and to the point, like an iron dagger. - Your parents are expecting you immediately.
An involuntary smile appeared on my lips. Naruto wanted everyone together. He would announce the end of the Selection, reveal to the world that I, Sakura Haruno, a Four, daughter of the smallest village in the country, was now his fiancée, his princess... and soon, his queen.
But then, from inside the bag of clothes, Rin pulled out a black mourning dress.
My heart squeezed.
- What's going on? - I jumped out of bed, snatching the dress from Rin's trembling hands. My eyes went from Samui to Shizune, searching for answers. - What's going on?
- The orders come from above. You'll have to wait.
They bathed me in silence, and I put on the dress in disgust.
- Who died? - I asked as Rin prepared to braid my hair. She startled, and her trembling fingers dropped the brush to the floor. The dry sound echoed through the room. - If something happened to my family, it doesn't matter who gave the orders...
- No one died. - Samui picked up the brush and handed it back to Rin. - Thank the gods for that when it's all over. No one died today.
She said no more.
Shizune brought an overly light breakfast. When I tried to repeat the pancakes, Samui refused.
- That's enough. They're waiting for you.
Before leaving the room, Shizune pinned a brooch with my name on it to my chest.
Rin entwined her trembling fingers with mine and led me down the corridor.
- I'm scared. - I say when she leaves me to walk down the steps alone.
- Don't stay, miss. You can't stay.
I bow my head slightly and walk forward, my eyes downcast.
To my surprise, almost everyone was already there. The black mourning dresses and the brooches with their names made the scene even more somber. Only Ino and Karui hadn't arrived - as always, the last ones, delayed by their exaggerated preparations.
- There's the fourth. We can go. - One of the guards says to his companion.
- Aren't we going to wait for the others? - Pakura asks.
The guards exchange glances, but don't answer. They just tell us to follow, which we do.
At the bottom of the flight of stairs, a group of soldiers is waiting for us. Our families are there too. My gaze wanders over the familiar faces, counting and memorizing each one. No one is missing. They're all there. We're fine.
I look for my father and mother, hoping for an explanation, a sign, but my mother just shakes her head and my father shrugs his shoulders. I clench my fists. Where's Sasuke? My gaze passes the men in uniform, but he is not among them.
Then I see two guards escorting Mr. and Mrs. Yamanaka out. My eyes scan the area for Deidara, but he is nowhere to be seen.
- Stay close to your sister, Pain. This is not a good mood. - My mother mutters.
Pain stands behind us, alert, as if something could happen at any moment. Konan wraps her arm around mine and holds Moegi's small hand tightly.
Outside, the Palace gates are wide open, opening directly onto the street. We're being led to a stage set up outside and, before we've even set foot on the street, we hear the screams.
Screams of fury.
- What's going on? - Hinata whimpers behind me, clinging to her father's arm, as if he could protect her from whatever is coming.
We're taken to a stand. But, contrary to what I imagined, the crowd cheers us on as we walk. The tension in the girls' shoulders begins to dissipate. The people shout our names. They throw flowers our way.
I lower my eyes as I hear my name echoing through the crowd. I force a smile at Pain, trying to calm him down. It must just be a parade for people to meet our families.
But then, as I sit down next to mine, I notice the stage.
In the center, a dark and worn ironwood trunk. Four pairs of chains hang from it, two at the bottom, two at the top. They jingle gently in the wind, but the sound sends shivers down my spine.
The crowd erupts again as the Queen, Karin and Naruto appear to take their thrones. They are serious. Dressed in black, like us.
I nod to Naruto, but Karin notices and, for a brief moment, I see a glimmer of pity in her eyes. My stomach turns.
That's not a good sign.
Then the cries of love change.
Ovation gives way to insults. Shouts of hatred, curses of the lowest caliber.
I cover Moegi's ears, but it's too late.
My heart is racing.
My world collapses.
Guards pull Karui and Ino through the crowd. Handcuffed. Dragged like violent beasts.
Ino's lips bleed. She's still wearing her angel costume - now in tatters, dirty with dirt.