《Chosen Story》 Chapter 1 - Beginning [1] My mother was ecstatic when we picked up the letter from the post office. For her, this solved all our problems, as if they had simply ceased to exist. The only obstacle in her brilliant plan was me. I never saw myself as a disobedient daughter, even though my mother loved to claim otherwise in her conversations with her friends. I hid on the roof, the only place where I could escape the chatter. From there, I could see the city lights twinkling in the distance, while I tried to find an argument that would convince my mother. But, until that moment, all I had was a collection of honest opinions... and I doubted she would listen to any of them. The irresistible aroma of roasting meat filled the air, announcing that dinner was coming. I knew I couldn''t avoid her for long. With one last glance at the horizon, I turned away from the window and, without hesitation, jumped into my room. My mother greeted me in the living room with an angry look on her face, but remained silent. My father lowered his glasses, gave me a brief look and, without saying anything, went back to reading the newspaper. - But are you going to die if you fill in the form? - she said, unable to contain herself. - The Selection could be an incredible opportunity for you... for all of us. I sighed deeply, feeling that filling in that form would be like signing my own sentence. It was no secret that the rebels - the underground colonies that hated the Fire Country, our vast and relatively young territory - were stepping up their attacks on the palace, making them increasingly frequent and violent. We had already witnessed their actions in Konoha: Colonel Uchiha''s house had been partially burned down, and vehicles belonging to members of Caste Two had been destroyed. But apart from the threats, the thought of the Selector made my heart ache. Still, I couldn''t help smiling as I remembered all the reasons for staying exactly where I was. - ¡°The last few years have been cruelling for your father,¡± my mother cooed, as my father closed the newspaper. - If you have the slightest bit of compassion, you''ll think of him. My father. Yes, I wanted to help him. And Pain, and Konan. Even my mother. But I couldn''t smile at the way she explained the situation. - Stop torturing the girl, Mebuki,¡± said my father, his voice hoarse and exhausted. He was tired of spending the day pruning the Yamanaka lords'' plants and, at night, having to prune their ladies'' fights.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Our situation wasn''t so desperate that we feared for our survival. We weren''t miserable, but we weren''t far off either. Our caste was only four steps above rock bottom. We were farmers, and the gardeners, who occupied a slightly higher position, were still very close to the dirt. Literally. Our money was scarce, the house we lived in was a debt to the Yamanaka, and we lived at the mercy of a delicate balance. Our income depended directly on the changing seasons. We couldn''t plant when the snow was falling or when the sun was scorching the earth. There were only a few months between these extremes when planting was possible, and without these harvests, my family was totally at the mercy of the Yamanaka mansion, with our income halved. My father dedicated himself to the estate''s gardens, tending to everything with the zeal of a craftsman. Pain and Konan worked on our family plantation, making sure we had enough vegetables to sell at the market. My mother was housekeeper at the Yamanaka house, commanding the servants with the same rigidity as she treated us at home. And I looked after the horses, alongside Lee. Mr. Yamanaka had a collection of racehorses, fast as the wind and as expensive as the queen''s jewels. Moegi was still too young to carry a sack of manure or tame a stallion, but she was only seven. There was still time for that. Soon, the leaves on the trees would begin to fall, and our little world would rock once again. Six mouths to feed and only five workers. Income would be halved for at least three months. When I thought like that, the Selector became a rope I could hold onto. Maybe that stupid letter was the chance to get off the bottom, and then I could take my family with me. I looked at my mother. Guy always said she was a beauty at my age, with straw-colored hair that reached down to her waist and emerald green eyes that made the boys crowd around my grandfather''s door. Mebuki Haruno was getting chubbier with age, her hair cut to shoulder length and the lines of age marking her face. She was still beautiful, but with a tired, simple beauty. Moegi was still too young to carry a sack of manure or control a stallion, but she was only seven. She still had time. Soon, the leaves on the trees would begin to fall, and our little world would be shaken once again. Six mouths and only five workers. Income would halve for at least three months. When I saw it like that, the Selector seemed like the only rope I could hang on to. That stupid letter could be my chance to get off the bottom and maybe, with luck, take my family with me. I watched my mother. Guy used to say that she was a beauty when she was my age, with her waist-length golden hair and emerald green eyes that made boys flock to my grandfather''s door. Mebuki Haruno, however, had become a little chubby over time. Her hair was now cut to shoulder length, and around her eyes, the marks of age were visible. She was still beautiful, but a more tired, simpler beauty. - Mebu, let''s eat! - said my father, getting up from his chair, putting down his newspaper and walking over to the solid wood table. Konan appeared in the kitchen doorway, with Moegi by her side, licking her jam-smeared fingers. Pain was already sitting at the table and, seeing Konan approach, kissed her softly on the lips before she sat down next to him. I watched Konan for a long time, unable to look away. Chapter 2 - Beginning [2] She had originally been a Three, a writer, maybe even a teacher, like her parents. But, out of love, she abandoned everything to plant in the ground with Pain, taking a step down to stand next to him. Maybe I wanted silly things. Or maybe things I could never achieve. But they were still my dreams. I wasn''t willing to sacrifice them, no matter how much my family meant to me. Besides, I''d already done enough for them. I looked after Mr. Yamanaka''s prize-winning horses all day and studied in my spare time. But with the arrival of that letter, everything I had done no longer seemed to make sense. In my mother''s mind, I was already a queen. If I had been smarter, I would have hidden that letter before Konan, Pain and Moegi arrived. But my mother had already put it in her apron pocket, and took it out in the middle of the meal. - To the Haruno family home,¡± he said, with a joking tone. I tried to take the paper from her hand, but she was too quick for me. Sooner or later, everyone would find out anyway. But if my mother acted her way, everyone would be on her side, not mine. - Mom, please don''t! - I begged, my voice breaking. - I want to hear it! - Moegi shouted and, as expected, her reaction didn''t surprise me. My niece was an exact replica of my brother: her orange hair and dark eyes reflected her resemblance to him, and there was barely a trace of Konan. I felt my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. My father let out a deep sigh, while Moegi could barely contain his joy, jumping up and down with excitement. Pain and Konan watched intently, not saying a word. My mother, clearing her throat, took the floor and moved on. ¡°We confirmed in the last census that a single woman, aged between sixteen and twenty, currently resides in your house. We would like to inform you of an imminent opportunity to honor the Land of Fire.¡± Konan let out a scream as shrill as her daughter''s and suddenly grabbed my arm tightly. - It''s you! - exclaimed Moegi, grabbing my other arm. - I know, you little monkey. Let go, or you''ll end up breaking my arm. - Our dear prince, Naruto Senju,¡± my mother continued, her voice carrying a solemn tone. - This month, he will come of age. To begin this new stage of his life, he wishes to have a companion by his side, a true daughter of the Land of Fire. If your daughter, sister or prot¨¦g¨¦ is interested in becoming Prince Naruto''s fianc¨¦e, and the beloved princess of the Land of Fire, please fill in the attached form and hand it in to the Prefectural Services Department in your locality. The girls will be chosen at random to meet the prince, and will be hosted at the Palace in Konoha during their stay. The family of each participant will be generously rewarded.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. My mother prolonged the words, as if seeking to create a greater impact. - For their service to the royal family. - she concluded, with an almost imperceptible smile. - ¡°Generously,¡± scoffed Pain, and I rolled my eyes in exasperation. That''s what happened with princes. Princesses, on the other hand, were simply negotiated into strategic marriages, with the aim of strengthening relations with other countries. It was necessary, but I didn''t agree with it. Princes, on the other hand, married commoners as a way of boosting the nation''s morale. Ultimately, the Selection seemed to serve only to remind the people that the country had risen from practically nothing. - And of course he''d love Sakura! She''s so beautiful! - my mother sighed, completely enchanted. - Mom, please! If I get an average grade, that''s great. - Not at all! - interrupted Moegi, with a mischievous smile. - I look like you, and I''m beautiful! She smiled so broadly that I couldn''t contain my laughter. - What about you, Pain? What do you think? Do you think I''m pretty? - I asked, joking. All eyes turned to the firstborn, who replied with a smile. - A beautiful country bumpkin, that''s what. - Pain, please,¡± Konan let out an annoyed, but not entirely sincere, sigh. - Saky, you know you''re beautiful. My father looked up for a split second, and it was then that I understood his silence. He didn''t want me to go, but he couldn''t ignore the benefits we''d get if I stayed in the contest. - Someone''s going to win, Sakura. And I''m not Mebuki Haruno if I don''t get you to sign that paper. Then she threw her napkin on the table and left. Konan told Moegi to take a shower and left too. I started to clear the table while my father and Pain remained in the same place, sipping their tea in silence. - Sorry, Dad,¡± I mumbled, breaking the uncomfortable silence. - Don''t be silly, my love. I''m not angry. - He stood up and kissed me on the forehead. - I need to sleep; the rose bushes are waiting for me in the morning. The dining room fell silent once again, except for the sound of Pain cutting the meat. - You know we need... - my brother began. I felt an irritating heat rise throughout my body and I looked at him angrily. - So why don''t you sign up? - he narrowed his eyes defiantly. - If I could, I would. I''d do anything for my family. - I laughed, but the sound was laced with sarcasm. - Like when you preferred to get close to the professor''s daughter instead of finishing college? - He stood up, without adding any more words, and left me alone. A sense of frustration engulfed me, making me nervous. I had said too much, as usual. I went out of the house and sat on the balcony. The wait until midnight seemed like an eternity. But shortly after the appointed time, I heard the sound of a car and low headlights approaching. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to tame it and make it as neat as possible, before running towards the hedge. When I was a kid, I used to have picnics with Ino, Deidara and Pain near those rose bushes. We would play all day, and our favorite game was pirates. Deidara was the cruel pirate who had kidnapped Princess Ino, while I was his first mate, a task that boiled down to sweeping the deck and preparing dinner - a ¡°feast¡± made up of dirt and twigs in a pot. He pretended to eat, throwing what was left over his shoulder, forcing me to sweep up again. But I didn''t mind. I swept happily until Prince Pain appeared to engage in an epic broomstick fight with Deidara. I reached the rose bushes and realized I wasn''t alone. Someone was there, hiding in the darkness. In one swift movement, he pulled me by the wrist and brought our bodies together. I met their black eyes, as deep as the night, and smiled. - What''s up, beautiful? - He smiled a mischievous smile that sent a shiver down my spine. Chapter 3 - Garden That corner of the garden was my secret refuge. A swing for two people, hidden behind a high hedge, covered in pearl-white roses. It was far enough away from the house that I could talk freely. Sasuke sat on the swing. - Please don''t call me beautiful. First my mother, then Konan, and now you. He frowned, confused. - But I always say you''re beautiful. His legs were wide apart. Without much thought, I settled between them, like a child seeking comfort. He kissed my nose, and for a brief moment, everything seemed lighter. - Sorry, I''m not in the best mood today. It''s just... we got that stupid notice in the mail. Sasuke sighed. - Ah, yes. The letter. We got the one from Izumi. Of course. Miss Izumi, with her long brown hair and eyes as black as night, was still only twenty years old. - She''s going on a hunger strike so she won''t sign up,¡± Sasuke continued, with a mischievous grin. - Something about loving Itachi and blah, blah, blah. I slapped him on the shoulder. - You don''t have a shred of romanticism. - And you have the weakest slaps in the whole province. That was enough. His lips touched mine, and suddenly nothing else mattered. There was no Selection, no poor family, no Fire Country. There was only Sasuke. His warm hands on my back, his lips brushing my neck, the whole world dissipating between us. - I didn''t even use one percent of my strength,¡± I muttered, pulling away with my face on fire. Two years, and he still managed to make me blush. Sasuke was the most handsome boy in town. Of all the castes. Pale, intense black eyes, even darker hair and a smile that always seemed to hide something. Tall, slim, strong. The pale moonlight highlighted his dark circles - he''d probably spent the whole week at the police base with his father. His white cotton T-shirt was impeccable, and the jeans he wore must have been worth more than my TV. And yet all I wanted to do was lie next to him, massage his tired shoulders, talk him out of working late and cook something for him. I didn''t want to be the princess of the Land of Fire. I wanted to be Sasuke''s princess. Being away from him hurt. All it took was a few days and I''d go crazy wondering what he was doing. When I couldn''t stand it any longer, I took refuge in Katsuyu. Mr. Inoichi should thank Sasuke for taking such good care of his prize mare.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. He drove me crazy. And that was dangerous. Sasuke was a Two. The Uchiha were a traditional and prestigious family, known for their loyalty to the royal family. His brother, Itachi, commanded Queen Tsunade''s personal guard, one of the most important positions in the kingdom. I was intelligent and beautiful, but I was unlikely to be accepted into such an influential family. Of course, Mrs. Mikoto adored me, and Izumi treated me like her little doll, always making me up and dressing me up when I visited. But things were much more complicated than a simple weekly visit. Because I loved Sasuke. I had loved him for almost two years. And he loved me. With him there, sitting next to me, smoothing my hair, the idea of taking part in the Selection seemed impossible. I was already in love. - And what do you think of that? I mean, the national team? - I asked. Sasuke shrugged. - I think it''s normal. The poor guy needs to find a girlfriend somehow. Itachi said that the prince''s only female companion is Princess Karin. I could sense the sarcasm in his voice. - Sasuke... - She''s unbearable, really. If they managed to get that prince Suigetsu for Princess Karin, why not get a princess for the prince? - He sighed. - But on the other hand, it''s kind of a good idea. It''s exciting. He''ll fall in love in front of everyone. Anyone could be the next queen. - So, you''re encouraging Izumi to take part? - I asked. He let out a short laugh. - As if you didn''t know her best friend. Izumi only has eyes for Itachi. He promised to marry her when we were, I don''t know, twelve. And she''s still waiting for him to come back from Konoha to keep his promise. - I think that''s romantic,¡± I muttered. - It''s bullshit! My father is certainly looking for an advantageous marriage for Izumi. And Itachi... will probably be promised to one of the prince''s rejects. - Someone popular enough to boost the Uchiha''s morale, right? - I got up from his lap, taking a few steps away. - It''s all nonsense to you. Izumi and Itachi. Konan and Pain. My gaze met his. - Me and you. The silence that followed was suffocating. - This isn''t about us, Sakura,¡± he said, his voice tired. The minutes dragged on like centuries for the low-caste girl in love with a Two. - Sakura? - Sakura? - I whispered. - Are you going to enter the Selection? - No! Of course not! - I answered immediately. - I don''t want anyone to think that I even considered the idea of marrying a stranger. You''re the one I love. Sasuke kept his gaze fixed on me, without looking away. - It would be perfect, Sakura. If you were selected, even for a single day, you would become a Three. My father couldn''t object if I married a Three. - Have you gone mad? - I got up from the swing, but before I could move away, he grabbed my hands. - Promise me you''ll do it. Promise you''ll do it for me. I shook my head in disbelief. - This is absurd. The Tea Village has two vacancies, and there are thousands of girls here. - So why bother? - Sasuke... - In the worst case, we''ll just have to face my father. Anguish caught in my throat. - I don''t want to be a princess; I just want to be with you! - My voice came out choked. Sasuke pulled me into an embrace, pressing his lips against my forehead. - And you will. But if we can do this without breaking up my family, why not try? He knew exactly how to disarm me. When he set himself up as a victim, I couldn''t say no. And in the end, he was right: the chances of me being chosen were non-existent. All I had to do was follow the process and please everyone. - Please? - His whisper in my ear made my whole-body shiver. I let out a defeated sigh. - Right, bossy! - I replied, smiling. In an instant, Sasuke lifted me into the air, laughing as he covered my face with kisses. He had to leave minutes later. The black Lamborghini sped off, disappearing down the dirt road before the 00:45 patrol showed up. Announcement! Good afternoon! I''m just stopping by to let you know that this story is now available on my Patreon with 40 chapters ahead of schedule. Honestly, I feel like I''m releasing too few chapters compared to what I charge, and I plan to adjust that in the future. However, at the moment, I literally write during working hours because I don''t have much free time outside of weekends. In short, I''m still not earning enough to make a living from it, so I hope you understand the situation. I write mainly because it''s relaxing for me and, of course, I try to earn a bit more from it too.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. For anyone who wants to support me, here¡¯s the link to my [P-atreon.com/Vaku_sensei] NOTE: Remove the (-) after the P. For those who don¡¯t plan on subscribing, I truly appreciate you reading my story. It really makes me happy. Chapter 4 - Photo [1] Her coat was gray, with touches of white that gave the impression that a thin layer of snow had settled on her body. Katsuyu was her name, Mr. Inochi''s prize mare. - You really should sign up! - said Deidara, adjusting his helmet. Deidara Yamanaka was my childhood best friend. At twenty, he was already a famous jockey and, like all Yamanaka, a Two by birth. - I know they say that even Katsuyu is more polite than you, but... what have you got to lose? Ino is so excited that she spent the whole morning getting ready for the selection photos. - Photos? What''s the point? Isn''t it a draw? - I asked, frowning. Deidara let out a little laugh and gave me that smile of someone who knows a joke that the rest of the world is still unaware of. - I''m already giving you the hint, Saky. Look as beautiful as possible. No riding boots or tool belts. I rolled my eyes and fastened the saddle on Katsuyu. The mare didn''t even stir like the other horses; I knew that game and I knew I was the best at it. As soon as Deidara mounted, she shot down the track at the slightest sign. I took the opportunity to sit on the fence and watch. - Hey, Testuda! - The old nickname made me turn on instinct. Ino Yamanaka was a goddess in that small province. Deidara''s older twin sister, she took her position in Caste Two as a model, gracing the covers of magazines I couldn''t even afford. But in her spare time as an unattainable goddess, she was my best friend. - InoPorca, shouldn''t you be running to the Department of Provincial Services? She rolled her eyes, letting out a laugh. It was funny how she and Deidara had the same laugh. - You shouldn''t mock your future queen! - she declared, pretending to be offended. I laughed and, with the lightness of a cat, jumped over the fence to the side where she was standing. - Forgive me, Your Majesty! Forgive my rude Caste Four manners! - I made an exaggerated bow, but even that didn''t make her smile falter, although her eyes laughed silently. - I condemn you! I condemn you to the guillotine! - God, no! Mercy! - I condemn you for that hideous shirt and those pants four times your size! - My shirt isn''t hideous! - I stopped the joke, sulking.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. - You''re right, it''s worse! These colors should be considered a national crime! - She laughed even louder when my cheeks flushed with anger. - Sakura! Time to go! - Pain''s voice rang out, full of impatience. He was still furious with me for the argument the night before, but he had breathed a sigh of relief when I announced that morning that I was signing up for the circus. Ino would take a limousine to the Department. For me, that left the old rusty orange truck that smelled of manure. My mother made me shower and put on something that almost made me look less like Four before practically pushing me into the passenger seat. She got in next to me, excited. The silence in the car lasted more than five minutes before she asked: - Did you have a fight? - Some people talk too much,¡± Pain replied, without taking her eyes off the road. - Some people are sorry,¡± I admitted, because I knew I deserved it. And Pain knew that this was as close to an apology as a Haruno could get. - Some people should talk less,¡± he retorted, before giving me a nudge on the forehead, smiling. My mother smiled with satisfaction and rested her head on my shoulder. - You smell like blueberries,¡± commented my mother, Mrs. Haruno, in a sleepy voice. I didn''t reply and just let her doze off on the way to the local department. Obviously, we weren''t the only ones interested in handing in the application. When we arrived, the street in front of the Tea Village Department was already packed with women. In the queue, I recognized several girls from my neighborhood, each accompanied by three others. The line stretched halfway down the block. All the girls from the province were there to sign up. I didn''t know whether to be scared or relieved. My application was only a requirement from Sasuke, but seeing myself surrounded by so many competitors, my competitive heart raced. Instinctively, I scanned the crowd with my eyes, assessing who could be my biggest rival. - Mebuki! - someone called out. Pain, my mother and I turned at the sound of her name. Mrs. Mikoto Uchiha was walking towards us with her usual elegance, accompanied by Private Lee. Behind them, Izumi came in soft, dragging steps, her countenance showing that she would rather be anywhere else. She was wearing a long dark blue dress made of light fabric, with no necklines or flashy details - a true Uchiha lady. But to be honest, Izumi looked good in anything. - Hello, Mikoto. How are you, Private Lee and Miss Izumi? - greeted my mother. Izumi finally snapped out of her sulking trance and forced a convincing smile. - More than fine, Mrs. Mebu! - she replied with dramatic exaggeration, before pulling me by the hand. - I''m being forced to do this, Saky-chan, save me! I let out a laugh. - Stop laughing! My uncle Fugaku said he''d send me to Suna if I didn''t come. - But you like Suna,¡± I said. - I do, but not now. Itachi is almost back. I sighed and tried to smile. For Izumi, Itachi was always coming back... but it had been almost two years since they had seen each other. - You look so beautiful, Izumi. Like a real lady,¡± my mother complimented. I realized the implied criticism. Her green eyes turned to me briefly, silently condemning my pants. - I wanted to look good for the photo! - Izumi shrugged with forced animation. - You look very beautiful yourself, Miss Sakura! - said Private Rock Lee, blushing like a bell pepper. I smiled at him. - Photo? What photo? - My mother''s eyes widened. I looked around and noticed the stark difference between those who knew about the photo and those who had no idea. Just behind us, a girl - probably from Caste Seven - was still wearing her work clothes. Her mud-covered boots might not appear in the photo, but the dust on her apron wouldn''t go unnoticed. A little further back, another Seven was smeared with grease from head to toe. At the opposite end, a girl had her hair up in a bun, leaving a few curly strands loose. Next to her, I recognized one of Ino''s model friends - a Two, no doubt - whose cleavage seemed endless. Others had exaggerated their make-up so much that they looked like caricatures. But at least they were making an effort. Chapter 5 - Photo [2] I knew about the photo, and yet I only applied lip gloss. I didn''t want that. So not looking pretty was a relief. At least I''d be about ten points below Izumi. She had that natural, understated beauty: big black eyes, long brown hair and the shy dot in the corner of her eye. I could almost see her as queen. But if that happened, it might mean the end for Sasuke and me. No. He had promised to marry me long before the Selection. He loved me. He loved Sakura Haruno, The Beautiful One, not Sakura, The Chaste Four. - That one looks like a Christmas tree,¡± said Pain to Lee, but we all heard. - I don''t know why some exaggerate so much. Look at Sakura, she''s so beautiful,¡± said Mrs. Uchiha. - I''m glad you didn''t follow that path. - I''m nothing special. Who would choose me over Izumi? The Rock Lee soldier raised his hand in excitement, drawing laughter from everyone. - Don''t be silly! - Mrs. Uchiha winked at me. - Every time Sasuke comes back from the police station, he says that Sakura Haruno has passed the intelligence and beauty tests twice. - Really? Sasuke is always so kind! - said my mother, absent-mindedly, as she analyzed the competition around her. - He''s a great son, so hard-working. - He''s going to make a girl very happy one day,¡± added my mother, rummaging through her bag in search of makeup. Mrs. Mikoto laughed softly, catching her eye. - I think he''s already found someone! - What''s she like? - my mother wanted to know. Even though I was planning my wedding to a complete stranger, there was always time for gossip. - He hasn''t introduced me to anyone, but I know my children. And I know Sasuke even more. - He''s been whistling,¡± contributed Rock Lee. - And singing,¡± added Izumi. - Singing? - repeated Pain, puzzled. - That''s right,¡± confirmed Izumi and Mikoto in unison. - So, he really is with someone! - my mother speculated. - Who could it be? - I don''t know. But she must be a wonderful girl. He''s been working very hard... Fugaku is proud. I think he''s saving money for the wedding.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. My heart raced, and a squeal of excitement escaped before I could control myself. Fortunately, everyone assumed it was just because of the news. - Nothing makes me happier. He''s taken on so many responsibilities at the Police Station. Any girl who makes him happy is like a daughter to me. - You''re a lucky girl! Sasuke is a wonderful boy,¡± commented my mother. I felt my face heat up, and a smile began to form without me being able to contain it. I... simply had no words. He was really going to ask me to marry him! It was the only thing going through my head: Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke. I got in line, signed the papers confirming my information and had my photo taken. Before facing the photographer, I shook my hair twice, giving it a little more life. No other girl in the whole of the Land of Fire was smiling more than me. *** It was Friday. The Official Fire Country News started promptly at eight. It wasn''t an obligation to watch it, but ignoring it was almost an unforgivable mistake. Even the Eight - the beggars and wanderers - found a place, whether in stores or churches, to follow the news. And with the date of the Selection approaching, the Official Journal became an almost patriotic obligation. I''ve never been much of a patriotic person, but at 7:57 on that Friday, I was already sitting on the fluffy carpet in the living room. - Do you think they''ll announce the winners today? - asked Konan, while braiding the hair of Moegi, who was next to me. - No, the winners have nine days to submit their forms. We won''t know for at least two weeks. - My mother replied, leaning on my father''s shoulder and giving him a tender kiss on the cheek. - I can''t wait! - said Pain, entering the room and throwing himself into the old armchair. Moegi, who was no longer interested in the hairstyle, ran into Pain''s lap. - I carried that little thing around for nine months so she''d fall in love with her father! - Konan grumbled, with false irritation. Unable to continue styling Moegi, she started braiding my hair. - Pain told me you spent a long time in the queue. - Konan commented. - I don''t know why give it another nine days. I swear everyone from the village was there. - My father laughed softly. - Was it fun analyzing the contestants, Saky? - he asked, an amused smile on his lips. The national anthem began to play and the portrait of the royal family appeared on the screen. Queen Tsunade was sitting on a chair, with all her royalty, and next to her, Princess Karin on the left and Prince Naruto a little behind. The picture had changed over the years. When I was only four, there were two other people in the picture: King Minato, with his serene and gentle expression - I remember thinking that he looked more like he was made of plaster than flesh, but his smile was welcoming - and Queen Kushina, beautiful and smiling, with her flame-red hair, a true daughter of the Land of Fire. - Mother? - I whispered, so as not to distract my father. - Yes? - Queen Kushina... What was she before the Selection? I mean, what caste was she? - Caste Five. - My mother replied, with a tone that mixed nostalgia and longing. A Five. She had grown up in a world where music or clay were her companions, perhaps she could even sing like an angel. The Five were only three steps away from the mud, literally. But something enchanted King Minato, something in her personality, perhaps a joke, a special talent. It was easy to fall in love with a girl full of gifts; it was hard to love someone who only knew how to carry sacks of manure and put stalls on horses. The camera focused on Queen Tsunade. To her left was Princess Karin, a redhead like Queen Kushina once was, and to her right, the object of every girl''s sigh: Naruto Senju. The prince was undoubtedly handsome. Not like Sasuke, but still in a way that captivated. His sun-blond hair and deep blue eyes were reminiscent of the ocean. Naruto had a summer face, I could imagine him with a surfboard on the sands of Suna, or laughing, laughing with that irresistible smile. I bit my lower lip hard, trying to push the idea out of my head. Chapter 6 - Official Journal [1] - Sakura, are you giving in to the prince''s charms? - Pain said jokingly, but with a tone of jealousy. That''s silly. Queen Tsunade began to speak, and I concentrated on her words. - This morning, a Taka attack damaged our troops. However, we are confident that next month''s recruits will arrive to renew our strength and pride. I hated war. Our young country always seemed to be at war with someone. Perhaps we wouldn''t survive another invasion. The last one had taken the lives of King Minato and Queen Kushina, and if something happened to Naruto and Karin... God, I didn''t even want to think about it. After the Queen, it was the turn of the head of the economy committee, a tall, strong man with long bone-colored hair and eyes as black as a starless night. Mr. Jiraiya, Queen Tsunade''s best friend and Naruto and Karin''s godfather, was in charge of economic news. Some said that he had been rejected by the Queen seventeen times. He started talking about the debt owed to the Land of Waves and, with a smile, mentioned how Princess Karin''s engagement to Prince Suigetsu was helping the country. The conversation continued with details about road construction and the future visit of the Land of the Winds. Then he gave the floor to the master of ceremonies. Orochimaru. - Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As you all know, we''ve sent our lucky ticket to every daughter of Fire. I''ve just received the first batch and, I must confess, I felt a twinge of envy for the prince. Princess Karin let out a laugh, while the prince shifted in his chair, grimacing. - Nervous, Your Highness? - On behalf of the royal family, I want to thank you for your enthusiasm and patriotism. With a bit of luck, we''ll be celebrating the engagement of our beloved Prince Naruto to a charming, beautiful and gentle daughter of Fire in the New Year. The advisors present applauded. Naruto smiled, but didn''t seem completely at ease. When the clapping stopped, Orochimaru continued. - Of course, we''ll have many hours of television programming to get to know the young women on the team, including specials about life in the Palace. Orochimaru was a living legend. He had been commentating on the Festival of Gratitude parades, the Christmas concerts and any other event held at the Palace for about twenty years. I''ve never seen an interview with members of the royal family or people close to them that wasn''t conducted by Orochimaru. - Saky, maybe you know Orochimaru! - hummed Konan.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. - I''m lucky that next month I''ll be seeing the thirty-five prettiest girls in the country! Any idiot would love that job! - said Orochimaru, winking at the camera. - But before we meet these lovely ladies, I have the pleasure of chatting with the man of the hour, Prince Naruto Senju. On cue, Naruto walked across the carpeted stage to the two chairs set up for him and Orochimaru. The prince straightened his tie and adjusted his suit, as if he needed to look even neater. He shook Orochimaru''s hand, sat down opposite him and picked up the microphone. The chair was high enough for Naruto to rest his feet on the bar between his legs. He looked much more informal this way. - It''s a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness. - Thank you, Orochimaru. The pleasure is all mine. Naruto''s voice was hoarse and imposing, a voice capable of rousing crowds. Yet there was a softness to it, a gentleness that I had heard so many times, but only now realized how comforting it really was. - In less than a month, thirty-four women will be moving into your house. How are you feeling? Naruto laughed. - To be honest, it''s a bit stressful. I imagine there will be a lot more noise with so many guests, and Karin will lose her position as the main talker. - The camera focused on Princess Karin, who rolled her blushing eyes, while Prince Suigetsu held back a laugh. - Well... even so, I''m looking forward to that day. - Well, you already live with two beautiful women. It would be natural to ask your grandmother and sister for suggestions. What have they already said? A mischievous smile flashed across the prince''s tanned face. Okay, he was certainly a handsome guy. - Suggestions come, even when they''re not asked for. Karin already has a well-defined type for the perfect sister-in-law, but I think Prince Suigetsu has become my greatest confidant. The camera cut to Prince Suigetsu, who smiled softly - a prince''s smile, I''d say. - Our time is running out. I''d like to ask you one last question: what would the perfect woman look like to you? Naruto leaned back a little in his chair and, for a moment, I had the impression that his face had flushed slightly. - To be honest, I don''t know. I think this is the best part of the Selection. No two women in the competition will be the same, either in terms of beauty or personality. Throughout the process, as I get to know everyone and talk to them, I hope to understand what I really want,¡± said the prince, with a delighted smile and his eyes shining with anticipation. - Thank you, Your Highness. An excellent answer. I speak on behalf of the whole of the Land of Fire in wishing you the best of luck. It took a few seconds for the camera to cut away. We watched the prince look at his grandmother, as if to make sure he had said the right thing. The next shot was a close-up of Orochimaru''s face, leaving me unsure of the queen''s reaction. - Sadly, we''ve come to the end of today''s broadcast. We thank you all for following the Official Gazette of the Land of Fire. See you next week. And with that, the music began to play, and the team''s credits appeared on the screen. - Sakura and Naruto are dating... - sang Pain, accompanied by Moegi''s giggles. Without thinking, I threw a pillow at them, but I couldn''t contain my laughter. I fled to my room after dinner, finally escaping Pain''s taunts with a few good punches to the ribs. When I closed the door behind me, I could still hear his provocative music, and a silly grin still insisted on staying on my face. I threw myself on the bed and only then realized how sore my arms were. That''s when it hit me: I was exhausted. It wasn''t long before sleep overtook me. The noise that woke me up was strange and hard to identify, but as soon as I opened my eyes, I surveyed the room in absolute silence, trying to understand where it was coming from. Chapter 7 - Official Journal [2] Ring, Ring, Ring. I slowly turned my head towards the window. There was Sasuke, with a discreet smile, looking straight at me. I got out of bed on tiptoe and went to the door, locking it carefully. Then I went back to bed, unlocked the window and opened it slowly. An unexpected heat, which had nothing to do with summer, surged through my body as soon as I saw Sasuke jump through the window and fall gently onto my bed. - What are you doing here? - I asked, my voice still full of surprise. - I needed to see you. - He said, his lips so close to mine that I could feel his warm breath, as he wrapped me in his arms and made me lie down on the bed. - ¡°I have so much to tell you, Sas.¡± My voice faltered, overwhelmed by his closeness. - ¡°Shhh, don''t say anything. - He whispered, interrupting my words. I obeyed, and his lips traced a warm, urgent path down my neck. Every kiss he left there made my skin shiver in a way I''d never experienced before. When his lips met mine, the kiss was intense, full of lust and love, making it clear that I was his. His hands went down to the hem of my blouse, and before I knew it, I was no longer wearing it. - God, it''s a sin that you''re so wonderful. - He whispered in my ear, kissing between my breasts. I struggled to control the moans that were about to escape, my body begging for more, but we knew we couldn''t make a sound. I snuggled closer into Sasuke''s body, and the heat of the night, combined with the rush of our touches, covered us in sweat. A stolen moment, before I could understand what was happening. - We should stop. - I said, interrupting his kisses and pulling away a little. - What... why? - Sasuke asked, coming to his senses, surprise and doubt in his voice. - You know why. - I didn''t need to say any more. He took a deep breath and fell beside me on the bed. If it went any further, and we left behind any evidence, it could take us to places we couldn''t escape. It was one reason why everyone married young: waiting was torture, and doing it before was a crime. - I have to go. - He whispered; his voice heavy with urgency. - Can''t you stay a little longer? - I asked, my voice choked with silent sobs, as I put my blouse back on. - Sasuke...This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. - We need to go. We''re pushing our luck. - He got ready quickly, and before jumping out of the window, he touched my face and kissed my forehead. - Sakura Haruno, one day you''ll sleep in my arms every night. I love you, Sakura. - I love you, Sasuke. - I replied, feeling my heart squeeze. He smiled and left. It could have been just a hot dream, but it was real. Moments like that gave me the courage I needed to move on. Courage to face my mother''s disappointment when I wasn''t chosen, and courage to deal with the surprise when Sasuke''s family finally found out who his secret girlfriend was. *** - Look how pathetic they are,¡± said Izumi, approaching the huge windows in the living room. Outside, in the garden of the imposing Uchiha mansion, a select group of young people were competing for a wedding. The Selection even eased the situation a little for Sasuke, but a few days later, the girls returned to their original suitors, leaving the prince on the sidelines once again. - I just came to bring the week''s vegetables, Izumi! - I replied, heading towards the kitchen. Izumi followed me, after all, nobody leaves an Uchiha lady talking to herself. I arranged the vegetables on the worktop. - Have some tea with me. You know that your presence intimidates these matchmaking girls. Izumi looked impeccable in a light blue dress and a headband of the same color. She was the picture of elegance. I, on the other hand, was wearing an old black and gray checkered flannel shirt, a white tank top, worn jeans shorts and leather boots that Mr. Inoichi had given me for my birthday. - I''m not the type to drink tea,¡± I said, washing my hands in the sink. - Then a Coca-Cola,¡± my friend shrugged. - I just don''t want to be alone with these chickens. - I have to go, I have class, Izumi. I turned to leave, but before I could get through the door, I bumped into Kim Hamezuka, one of Caste Two. She looked me up and down, a venomous smile on her lips. - Izumi, dear, you''re so responsible for taking Mrs. Mikoto''s place with the servants... - Kim, you''re such a fool. Did Sasuke get tired of you drooling over his golf clubs? That''s when I noticed Kim''s clothes. She was wearing a black and pink golf uniform, with a white glove in her hand. I could never afford something like that. - I have to go. Bye, Izu... - I said, getting ready to leave. But Kim blocked my way, pulling a note out of his pocket. - I''ll have a cold water, Sakura. - Her dark eyes sparkled. A Four couldn''t afford to deny a request; it was an unspoken but clear rule. - Don''t make me recite the constitution of the Land of Fire, love. - Kim sang, with that insolent tone. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the bar. I picked up a gleaming crystal glass and headed for the fridge. That''s when Kim started. - You shouldn''t treat the staff like that, Izumi. Soon they start to get ideas. Sakura''s mother walks around with her nose stuck out like she''s a Two, but her father... Ah, at least he knows his place. Every time I go to her house, he''s covered in dirt, crouching down, just like where he belongs. Kim''s words dissolved into thin air, but the anger blinded me. I didn''t notice when I turned and poured the water all over her. Her make-up melted and her fine linen jacket was completely soaked. I knew I was screwed. That''s when Sasuke walked into the kitchen, with his arm around the shoulders of one of Kim''s friends, and two of his friends behind them. - What''s going on here? - He asked, with a confused expression. I was speechless, but my friend wasn''t. Izumi took the cup from my hands and stood in front of me, as if that would make me disappear.