Karin let out a scream and, in a ferocious gesture, dug her nails into my neck. The burning only fueled my fury. I grabbed her crimson hair and pulled hard, pulling out a tuft.

  Someone grabbed my shoulders - a guard. But before he could restrain me, I slapped Karin across the face, splitting her lip. She squirmed in pain, her eyes sparking with hatred.

  In one swift movement, she picked something up off the floor - a share from the broken cup. Before I could react, she felt the makeshift blade cut my cheek and ear. The heat of the dripping blood made me step back, staggering over the soldier behind me.

  I tried to advance again, but two more guards appeared, blocking my way.

  - DID YOU SEE WHAT SHE DID? I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, HARUNO!

  - SHUT UP, YOU FUCKING PRINCESS. AND DON'T EVER TALK ABOUT INO AGAIN.

  - You're a psychopath! I'll cut your hands off for that!

  Behind me, Hinata began to cry. My body froze, and reality hit me like a blow. I was dead... or, at the very least, mutilated.

  - S-Sakura... - Pakura muttered, covering her mouth with her hands.

  Tenten was pale as paper.

  - Princess, please have mercy, not her

  Karin raised her hand, silencing her instantly.

  - DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME? I WANT HER HANDS! - The princess shouted to the guards. My body trembled in his arms.

  - No one will touch her.

  The firm voice cut through the chaos. Jiraiya burst through the door, followed by Itachi and Obito, who quickly calmed the guards.

  - Jiraiya, look what she did to me! - Karin cried, pointing to the cut on her lip. - I'll tell Naruto everything!

  - No one will see Naruto now.

  When Jiraiya spoke, everyone stopped to listen. I had never met a man with so much presence. I could never have imagined that he came from Caste Six.

  - Itachi, take Sakura to the infirmary. I'll look after Karin.

  The hospital wing was spotless, a long corridor with beds lined up against the walls.

  - Hold the ice, miss. - The nurse instructed.

  I had three stitches in my ear. I wish Karin had had a few too, but I knew her cut was only superficial.

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  - Thank you.

  Itachi Uchiha was leaning against the wall. When the nurse left, he closed the screen behind him and approached.

  - This is yours.

  He handed me a letter. The elegant handwriting on the envelope read: Izumi Uchiha.

  I tore the paper without delicacy, fumbling a little with the seal.

  “Dear Sakura,

  I'm doing everything I can to find Ino's whereabouts. I will find her, wherever the prince has sent her. My provisions and help will reach her. I want you to be safe, stay out of trouble and don't worry about Ino-I'll take care of her.

  Don't let your life die. Or what I know is brewing between you and the prince.

  Laugh, laugh out loud and always laugh. And when the occasion calls for silence, smile.”

  I ran a hand over my head, trying to take it all in.

  - What will happen to me?

  - You'll probably be expelled. - Itachi said bluntly. - Stripped of your caste... It's hard to say.

  - Thank you for giving me the letter. It means a lot to me.

  A small smile appeared on his lips.

  - Izumi always knows what to say, doesn't she?

  - Yes... - Tears began to run down my cheeks. - Why don't you ever come home? Why don't you answer her letters?

  Itachi straightened his posture, his gaze firm.

  - Izumi is promised to Neji Hyuuga. And if Hinata doesn't marry the prince... she'll be my wife.

  A shock went through my chest. Izumi would never accept that. She would rather die than be forced into marriage-she had told me that a thousand times.

  - Does she know?

  - No, she doesn't.

  The sound of rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor. Naruto was hurrying down the infirmary stairs.

  - Do you love her? - I asked, my voice breaking.

  Itachi pursed his lips.

  - That's none of your business.

  He bowed to Naruto and left us alone.

  The prince sat on the edge of my bed, his blue eyes analyzing the bandage on my ear.

  - I'm sorry... - His voice came out low, sincere. - For everything.

  I couldn't hold back the tears. I hugged him tightly, sobbing against his chest.

  - I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

  Naruto ran his hand through my hair, holding me against him. I don't know how long I cried. I don't know how long we stood there, together, as if nothing else existed but the two of us.

  Then he pulled away a little and sighed.

  - How can I justify this, Sakura? King Mangetsu and Queen Ajisai are still here. All of Lightning's offspring too. What do I tell them?

  My heart squeezed.

  - Are you going to send me away?

  A day ago, I wanted to leave. Now, just imagining the possibility felt like half my heart was being ripped out.

  Tears streamed down my face again when I saw Naruto's silence answer for him.

  - It'll be better, won't it, darling?

  - Who will you choose? - I couldn't stop crying. No matter how much he dried my tears, there were always more when he came back.

  - If my grandmother insists, I'll have to choose Tenten. But that would only happen if Hinata decided to leave. She's the best option.

  - Hinata is a good choice. She'll make a much better princess than I ever could.

  He smiled, amused.

  - She's less exciting. God knows what would happen to the country if you were in charge.

  I laughed. Deep down, he was right.

  - It would be total ruin.

  Naruto continued to smile.

  - Maybe the country needs to be ruined.

  The silence stretched on for a minute. My fingers slid down his arm, as if to memorize his skin, his warmth. I needed to record every detail - his blue eyes shining with sadness, because this was the last time. Because it was all my fault.

  - Do you love me? - he asked, his voice low, hesitant. - Do you still love me after what I did?

  My lips trembled. The words were there, but I couldn't say them. My chest was burning, and the bandage on my cheek was already soaked with tears.

  Naruto smiled, a soft smile full of something that made me ache even more.

  - When I saw you for the first time... not in the garden, but in the Selected photo... The short, unruly hair, the eyes full of hope... I thought: “I'm going to love this girl forever”.

  He kissed my forehead, the touch as delicate and irreversible as a goodbye.