- She was born into a Caste Five family, just like you - I retorted.
Her air of superiority faded, as if she had been reminded of her own origin. Despite being a Three by birth, Yugaõ continued to speak, but now with a less dismissive tone.
- You bet, if I win, my family will be trained or deported. I will never allow them to shame me like that.
- What did she do that was so shameful?
- She's drunk, almost staggering. And the rulers of the Land of Waves are here...
- Oh, shut up, girl.
I decided enough was enough and went to get some wine. With the glass in my hands, I surveyed the surroundings, but found nowhere I wanted to stay. The party was stunning, full of interesting people, but I was too irritated to enjoy it.
I thought about Yugaõ's words. If I ended up living in the Palace, would my family change? I looked at the groups chatting about resorts and golf courses. Did I really want Pain to remain himself? For his children to have fun without caring about their behavior?
How much would life in the Palace affect me?
Did Naruto want me to change? Was that why he kissed other girls? Was there something wrong with me?
And would the rest of the squad be so boring?
- I smiled.
I turned back and suddenly the prince was taking a picture of me. I almost fell backwards in surprise. That gesture sapped what little patience I had left. I decided to walk away.
- What?
I shrugged.
- What happened?
- I just don't feel like being part of the national team today," I said, short and blunt.
- Do you want to talk? What happened?
- I just need to think.
- Sakura, did I do something wrong?
I hesitated. Should I ask him about the kiss he gave Yugito? Or maybe confess how I felt now, with the relationship between us changed? How nervous I was about the other girls, now that everything seemed different? Or how I didn't even want to change my family to be part of it all? I was about to explode, but before I could say anything, I heard someone humming.
- Prince Naruto?
We turned in the direction of the voice. It was Karui, talking to Queen Ajisai. Of course, she wanted to continue the conversation with her arm wrapped around Naruto.
- Why don't you run along? And watch out for that one.
I bowed briefly and left the scene.
I headed towards the palace, but halfway there I found Ino sitting alone in the bright sunshine, hidden behind the rose bushes and staring at nothing.
- What are you doing? Get under the tent!
- I'm right here," she replied, short.
- You'll turn red, you'll turn the color of my hair, Ino.
- I want to stay here, Sakura. I prefer it.
Her face carried a tension that she was trying to hide. She didn't seem angry with me, but there was something in the air, a tension that wouldn't go away.
- That's fine. But... InoPorca, get out of the sun.
She laughed and gave me a tongue-lashing as I walked away.
I ran straight to the women's hall and found Sasuke guarding one of the doors.
- Miss Haruno," he said, opening it. It was the first thing he'd said to me in days.
- Uchiha soldier.
When I went in, I found Mito sitting by the window, watching what was going on outside. Now with a full glass of wine in her hands.
- Come on, child, come and hide with me.
I couldn't help but smile and run to sit next to her.
- A hideaway escort, I love escorts. - I laughed.
- You're Caste Five, aren't you?
- Four, actually.
- I remember your face. You were kind at the airport. It's the sort of thing she would have done.
Her eyes turned wistful. I knew she was talking about the late queen.
- She was stronger than anyone could have imagined. She could have wiped out all those rebels who murdered her, if she'd had a gun.
I swallowed, and Mito drank some more wine.
- I was born first, you know? I should have gone first. But she left me. She left me alone, with a boring husband, a rebellious son and wine. She gave me a good supply of wine to cope with her absence.
- What was she like?
- Quite different from Karin, I can assure you. She laughed at her own joke. - I don't even remember what she looked like, child. I have a lot of photos, but... the memory escapes me.
I was sad for that lady.
- Karin is so formal... Kushina wasn't like that. Naruto looks so much like her, smiles just like her and has her eyes.
I thought about how similar the families were, regardless of caste. I also thought that, despite everything, I didn't feel hatred for any of the girls there. They were just girls, with courage on their faces, disguising their desire to hug their mothers and tease their brothers - which, coincidentally, was also how I felt.
- Oh, Mom! Nagato called out, interrupting my conversation with Mito once again.
- Jesus, kid! Leave me alone! Mito got angry and dried his cup. I laughed with them.
***
The Queen's family spent a week with us, while the royalty from the Land of Waves stayed for a whole fortnight. The official newspaper even ran a special section on international relations, with Karin and Suigetsu being photographed during a photo session in the palace's lovely garden.
Once everyone had left, a new visitor arrived: peace. It had been over a month since I had been at the Palace and I felt completely at home. My body had already got used to the new climate, and the gentle warmth of the Palace was simply divine. It was almost the end of September, and although the nights were chilly, I felt much warmer than I did at home. The corners of that vast place, which had once seemed mysterious and imposing, were now mine. The sound of footsteps echoing on the marble, the clink of crystal glasses, the march of the guards - all this had become as familiar as the motor in the fridge at home or the unmistakable smell of apple pie with my mother's secret recipe.
The women's hall was busier after the Queen's two visits, which had shaken up our routine.
- It was so strange when she came in. I was nervous - commented Ino, lying on my bed and leafing through a magazine. - Ah, here it is...