I hope you enjoy the chapter... and I'll see you on Tuesday.

  It was noticeable that the man seemed a little softer with Karui's manner. Ah, so that's what she was doing... He was silent for a moment, as if he was getting caught up in her sympathy, but soon seemed to recover and straightened up.

  - Well then, miss, if you would be so kind as to apany me. We'll take you to the pne, which will leave for your new home.

  The flight, which was only really scary during take-off and nding, sted an hour. There were movies and food, but I just wao look out the window. The try below seemed so vast, so immense. I stared at everything, amazed at the immensity of it all.

  Karui preferred to sleep during the flight, which, to my surprise, was a favor. Shion, oher hand, pulled out a book of poetry and, as she read it, looked even more delicate, if that were possible.

  - “She's so elegant...” Ino whispered in my ear, pointing with her in Shion's dire. - I think she's cooler thaher one...

  - “...Thunder Vilge is much bigger...” - I imitated Karui, pompous void all. Ino ughed quietly, but we soon froze when Karui let out a grumble from her armchair, causing us to freeze in pce.

  Ino held my hand and made me look at her.

  - I know something's happened. I don't know why you don't want to tell me, but I'll always be here, Sakura.

  On an impulse, I hugged her tightly, as if she could put the piey heart back together. I knew she couldn't, but the way she hugged me back gave me the feeling that being away from him would perhaps be my fresh start.

  When we nded, we found a silent atmosphere along the path, surrounded by guards, between the pne and the terminal. But as soon as the doors opehe deafening screams took over.

  The terminal acked with people jumping and cheering, and a golden carpet led the way, surrounded by cordons. Guards circuted at regur intervals, watg ily, ready to act at the first sign of danger.

  Luckily, Karui was leading the way and started waving. I realized that this was the right rea, and not to cower as I had pnned. Ino, always petitive, vied for the lead with Karui, and Shion gged behind, maintaining his characteristic elegand calm.

  I was in the middle, the crowd shouting my name, and, as if that wasn't enough, pcards were raised.

  I lowered my head for a moment and saw a little girl crushed against the parapet. She must have been no more than twelve years old. In her hands, she was holding a card that read: “Rosada is going to smash”, with a small drawn in the er and little stars scattered around.

  She wanted an autograph. The boy o her wanted a photo, and the persoo him wao shake my hand. A mother held out a baby, and I stood there, smiling and signing my name for the photos. The baby got a kiss, and that's when I felt a soft hand touch my arm.

  - It must be o be the favorite,” Shion said, smiling sweetly at me. Behind her, many people were calling her name, but she didn't seem to mind.

  - The way the prince looked at you when you were selected... He didn't look at any of the others like that. These people think you're the prirue love. - Shion smiled, as if revealing ai, and pulled me into a hug. - Enjoy it while it sts, Haruno Sakura.

  ***

  After the big wele party and the awkward versation with Shion, we arrived at the veo get ready. Kakashi said he would be there to wele, and I almost jumped for joy when I saw him at the doors.

  With little more than a “hello”, two women grabbed me by the arm and dragged me inside.

  - Five us for rushing, Miss Sakura, but we're already te,” said Kakashi.

  There was a human anthill behind those golden doors. I could see rows of professionals cutting the girls' hair and doing their nails. Clothes were hanging from hangers and people were shouting things like “I've found the tone!” and “You look fat like that!”

  Kakashi put me in a chair and the two women looked at me ily.

  - So, here's the deal. Who do you want to be, Haruno Sakura?

  - What, Kakashi? - I ughed, a little silly. - I could just be Sakura.

  - Which Sakura do you want to be, Mileide? - asked one of the girls. - The sexy Sakura? The smart Sakura? The coy Sakura?

  - The seductive Sakura? The elegant Sakura? - added the other.

  I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was always cut short to make it easier to work, my cheeks flushed from the sun. I hardly ever wore make-up.

  - I want to be me, but young,” I tried to expin, and Kakashi ughed.

  - I hope you like her,” he said softly in my ear.

  One of the women started rubbing my body, as if I was incapable of doing it myself. Then every bit of bare skin was smeared with essences and oils that left me smelling like vanil. Acc to one of the women, it was the prince's favorite st.

  As soon as they had finished making me soft and smooth, all attention turo my nails. They trimmed, filed and paihem emerald green, the color of my eyes.

  Then Kakashi appeared, carrying several locks of pink hair. I widened my eyes in surprise.

  When he'd finished, my hair, which always hit my shoulders, was now at the end of my back.

  - Whoa... - said a green-haired girl o me. - I like it. I ge stylists with you? Mine wants to dye my hair bd stuff.

  - Your name is Fuu, right? - I asked, trying to keep the versation light.

  - Myself, from the Seven caste. We didn't have much choi the Vilge of Wings. But you're Haruno Sakura, aren't you? - She smiled, her eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and petitiveness. Somehow, all the girls saw me as a threat, and they were all impressed by me. Shion had mentioned something about how the prince looked at me when I was introduced.

  - You came with that Karui, didn't you? Terrible little girl. - Fuu ented, a slight smile of derision on her lips.

  I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of tension in the air. The whole hall could hear Karui's shouts, as she arrogantly ordered her assistants to hurry up or simply get out of the way.

  - You have no idea... - I muttered, sharing the frustratioh ughed quietly.

  - Look, I think your hair is beautiful. - I said, trying to ease the tension.

  Just then, Fuu's stylist returned.

  - Oooo, Kisame, let's do it like this, no bck hair. Let's leave it the way it is, it's perfect. - He said with a smile, starting to adjust her locks.

  Vaku