- Hold your breath, miss.
I obeyed, and once again I was squeezed by the dress. I felt like a soldier going to war. The armor was different, but the idea, ah, the idea was the same.
That night, I was going to defeat a man.
Kakashi sprinkled pink glitter over my shoulders and hair, and soon the extensions, now almost wavy and curly, fell down to my thighs. A clip with spring flowers attached a small section of my pink hair. My make-up was subtle but striking, and my lips were red... I knew that that night, Naruto would only have eyes for me. I would tease him, and he would want no one but me.
- A sexy priestess? - Samui tilted his head, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
- A samurai. - Kakashi added with a satisfied smile, slipping a Sakura flower into the pink corset, as if the result was exactly what he had hoped for.
***
I wanted to ask my mother why my whole family was dressed up as animals, with fluffy ears and cute little tails. But before I could open my mouth, my parents rushed into the queen's presence. Pain and Konan seemed too entertained talking to Prince Kankuro, and Moegi was running around excitedly with Tenten's little brothers.
Ino and Karui came to greet me at the foot of the stairs, pulling me up to dance. Before I could even cast a puzzled glance at Karui, the three of us were already on the dance floor, like long-lost but finally reunited friends.
My eyes searched for Naruto. No sign of him. With so many fantasies, recognizing him wouldn't be easy... But it was Naruto. And no matter what disguise he was wearing, I would still find him in those blue eyes.
When Princess Karin's waltz began, King Ay-that monstrously large man-positioned himself in front of me and held out his hand, inviting me to dance. His lightness of movement was surprising, something I would never have imagined.
-"I must warn you that I'm not very good at it," I said, smiling.
He smiled back.
-"I'm glad to see you're as witty as they say. I've also heard that you're the prince's favorite.
I blinked in surprise.
-I'm not aware of that.
And indeed I wasn't.
That's when I saw him. Naruto. Dressed as a rabbit. An impeccable white suit, long ears and a small pompom adorning his tailbone-something that almost made me laugh. Almost. Because he wasn't alone. In Hinata's arms, he smiled, completely oblivious to what the scene meant to me.
I wasn't his favorite.
-"You seem to get on well with almost everyone," King Ay continued. - I'm waiting for Darui to ask me to organize a Selection for him. If he can meet ladies like you, I certainly will. You're a real lady.
His words hit me in an unexpected way. No one had ever called me a lady before. Genius? Yes. Complicated? Several times. Beautiful? That, I knew. But ladylike? Never.
When the second song ended, Darui appeared, dressed as a tattered zombie.
-"Give way to the young, old man," he teased, offering me his hand. I accepted the invitation, smiling.
-Did he ask you boring questions? - Darui asked, leading me down the lane. - My father loves to talk politics while dancing. I think it's a kind of fetish.
I laughed and looked around the room.
Darui pulled me to him, although he kept a respectful distance between us. Even so, I knew that this distance wasn't what he wanted.
-Have you ever traveled abroad, miss?
-I've never had that honor, my prince.
Something shone in his dark eyes.
-You can call me Darui. Although I love monarchical titles, I also like it when beautiful maidens say my name intimately.
I blushed.
-Then just Sakura to you.
He smiled.
-I think you'd like the Land of Lightning. If we ignore the storms and natural disasters, there are a couple of beautiful days left in the year. I'd like you to spend a season in my castle when all this is over.
The invitation took me by surprise. I stumbled, but I didn't fall. He held me firmly, waiting for an answer.
So he didn't believe I would win.
King Ay said I was the prince's favorite, but Darui wanted me as his favorite.
I felt watched. I would have thought it was just my imagination if I hadn't met the watchful eyes of Princess Kurotsuchi. A few meters away, dancing with Kankuro, she had heard everything.
-"My uncle will ask her to marry him soon," Darui commented. - She won't refuse. Kuro isn't someone worth worrying about.
But I wasn't worried about Kurotsuchi.
I was worried about Sasuke, who was watching us from behind his mask with a closed expression. I was worried about Naruto, who, even though he was involved with Hinata, seemed to be paying attention to what I was saying.
And, above all, I was worried because there were already two men in my heart.
And I didn't need a third to mess things up even more.
- It would be an honor, sir... Darui. But I don't think it's wise to talk about dates. I'm promised to someone else at the moment.
Darui watched me with those shrewd eyes, and I couldn't help the blush that rose to my cheeks.
- You're too beautiful, Sakura. Perfect to be in the arms of a zombie. So, when I'm prince again and you're a free woman, I'll be waiting for you in my kingdom. A single letter from you, and I'll take you to my castle. No competition, no thirty-three other girls, no need to share my time with anyone. You'll be my queen.
Something in my expression must have amused Darui, because he laughed before walking away. I... I'd just been sort of proposed to? The prince of the biggest country in the world wanted me to be his queen?
- A lady shouldn't be without a partner, I believe.
Obito's voice brought me back to reality. He bowed and I accepted his offer to dance, still trying to absorb the previous conversation.
Darui was now talking to C, but they were both casting discreet glances in my direction. What if it was a test? A plan by Princess Karin? If there was any indication that I had relations, kissed or had any involvement with a man other than Naruto, it could be considered treason against the crown. And treason... meant death.
A few meters away, Karin was dancing with Suigetsu, completely oblivious to my concerns. But I knew better than to let my guard down. She was capable of anything.
Then Sasuke appeared. Unlike Obito, he didn't ask if I wanted to dance. He just grabbed me and began to follow the rhythm of the music, his feet firmly on the ground, not at all lightly.