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 protégé is interested in becoming Prince Naruto's fiancée, 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.
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.