- Why are you telling me this?
- Because I know you don't want this burden. I know you want to be just a girl from the Tea Village, with a well-fed and happy family. And I can guarantee that if you ask Naruto to let you go.
- Why are you making me this offer?
The princess smiled, as if I were a big joke.
- Being queen takes a special kind of strength, dear. And I'm sorry to say that you don't have it.
It was one thing to hear Deidara call me an uneducated slut, or Ino irritate me because of my forehead, or even Pain yell at me when he was angry. But it was completely different when a girl, who didn't care one bit about being a princess, told me I wasn't good enough and threatened me in a silent way. I didn't like that one bit. And I had no obligation to put up with her, because I didn't like her.
- The prince has a different view. And, as the rules say, only he can send me away.
Princess Karin Calliope Bellanar Namikaze Senju looked at me with contempt, as if I were garbage. But that's when she got scared, because I stared back at her with the same indifference, as if we were equals.
***
I didn't tell anyone about Karin's visit, or about the kiss with Naruto. The kiss, in particular, was something all my own, a memory I wanted to keep to myself. In a way, Naruto was the first thing I never had to share with anyone. Of course, there were more than ten girls in the squad at the time, but deep down I felt unique among them. I asked Naruto for some time, some time to accept that he was part of my reality and, perhaps, to bury any remaining feelings for Sasuke. Which wasn't easy, since Obito and Itachi were in the castle, with the same eyes, lips and hair as Sasuke.
In addition, a new member of the Queen's Guard had arrived: Sai, a pale and impressive man, personally in charge of Prince Suigetsu's safety. He had been sent directly by the prince's brother, King Mangetsu, from the Land of Waves, a land where the Hozuki family had ruled for over a century and a half.
- Miss. - Prince Suigetsu bowed to me when we met in the garden. - You look more beautiful than all the flowers this afternoon.
- Good afternoon, my prince. You are very gallant.
- I was looking for you to find out more about the kiss. - He said suddenly, and I felt my cheeks blush so much that I thought they might fall off my face. The prince of the Land of Waves laughed when he saw me embarrassed. - Don't mind Sai, he's my sworn sword and a real tomb. Isn't that right, Sai? - He said, without taking his eyes off me.
- Certainly, Your Majesty. - Sai replied in a hoarse voice.
- Tell me. - he said, taking my hand and leading me to a bench. - My boy did well? He didn't ramble on about Temari, did he? He always does.
I tried to gather as much information as I could about Prince Suigetsu. He was the grandson of a king, the nephew of a king, the son of a king and the brother of a king, yet his brother Mangetsu was in full health, making it impossible for him to inherit the throne one day. This, however, didn't seem to faze him. The prince always wore a calm, carefree smile, a simple beauty that nevertheless carried a regal air.
- Temari is my cousin," he explained in a casual tone. - Our mothers were sisters, both daughters of King Onoki, princesses of the Stone Country. Normally, countries exchange queens, except for the country of Fire.
- Ah, I see... - I replied, trying to keep up.
- Of course you don't understand," the prince exclaimed, laughing at me. - Even I don't understand this mess. Karin says I have a claim to the throne of Stone Country, but if that's the case, so do Kankuro and Gaara. And my aunt Kurotsuchi is in the running and is the most likely candidate for the position. Isn't it awful to think how much we care about what happens when an old man dies?
- Don't you want to be king? - I asked, intrigued.
- Oh, no," he replied, with a nonchalant gesture. - A heavier crown, a lot of work... Who would want that? But my fiancée wants to be queen, and I'd do anything for her.
Anything for that annoying girl? What did Suigetsu know that I didn't? What was it about her that made his eyes light up like that?
- She's difficult, very difficult. I don't love her, but I want to. But she doesn't seem interested - his normally tranquil eyes turned wistful. The prince had very beautiful eyes. - Maybe if I give her a crown, she'll love me after all. Love is poison, Sakura! Damn it, I'm talking about Karin! The subject here is Naruto and you. - He abruptly changed the subject, approaching me.
- Me? - I asked, confused.
- You'll be the mother of my nephews, I know you will - he said, with a mischievous smile. - You can visit us in the Land of Waves whenever you want, you'll love the castle. Karin calls it a floating island, because when we open the gates and flood the moat, it looks just like an island. Do you like dates? They're my mother's favorite fruit. My father planted a field just for them, an exaggeration, of course.
- Do you miss your country, Prince? - I asked, curious.
He paused to think for a moment and, for a second, I imagined he looked more handsome in silence.
- I miss my family. My father has gone to the Gods, my mother tends her own garden, but she always does everything wrong and the plants die. My brother and sister-in-law are lovely when they're together. - He smiled nostalgically.
Just then, Naruto appeared in the garden and looked at us, interrupting the conversation.
- Aren't we going to watch the new movie? - he asked Suigetsu.
- Sure. Can Sakura-chan come too? - Naruto hesitated for a moment, his cheeks flushed, trying to avoid my gaze.
- Yes.
There was a movie theater just below the castle, with comfy red seats, popcorn poppers, sweets and a list of the films playing. Suigetsu turned on the popcorn popper, chose a movie and sat alone in front of the big screen, licking his fingers covered in butter. Naruto and I stood next to the popcorn machine, waiting for the batch of sweet popcorn.