Naruto: Chosen

The mayor finished speaking and I smiled, while everyone around applauded. Suddenly, I realized that it was time to say goodbye. Kakashi asked me to say goodbye quickly and discreetly, but Ino, with her usual elegance, walked over to the Yamanaka. I, on the other hand, couldn't resist and ran, ran into my mother's arms, with tears in my eyes.

- No riding boots in the castle, Sakura," she said, whimpering as she smiled, and hugged me tightly.

Konan, next to me, couldn't hold back her tears.

- What am I going to do when you leave? - she asked, her voice broken between tears.

- Don't worry, I'll be home soon," I replied, trying to reassure her.

- Of course! You're the most beautiful girl in the Land of Fire. He'll love you! - she said, and I hugged her tightly, imprinting in my mind the sweet smell of blueberries she always wore.

Then Moegi approached. I bent down to her level.

- Will you miss me, Mo? - I didn't have to wait for an answer. Moegi threw herself into my arms, and I almost fell on my butt, but I managed to balance myself. - Be a good girl, okay? And don't tell people I'm dead," I said with a smile, and she laughed, kissing my cheek.

- I love you, Aunt Sakura.

- I love you too. Don't be sad, I'll be back soon," I replied, trying to hide the sadness in my heart.

When I stood up, Pain pulled me into his arms and spun me around, so that the "discreet" farewell that Kakashi had asked for was behind us.

- You're going to be a princess, Sakura! I know you will! - he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Professor Guren also approached, lining up to hug me. She was wearing gloves and the hug was formal, almost unwilling, as if it were just another protocol gesture. I wanted it to be over soon, but before I could pull away, she whispered in my ear:

- Good luck. Maybe you'll be able to repair the damage your brother caused.

I looked at her with disgust and quickly turned away, trying to push her words from my mind.

Now it was my father's turn. I saw him about to cry, and my heart squeezed inside me.

- Do as you're tell. Stop frowning and be happy. And go back to your old dad soon, Sakura," he said, kissing my forehead tenderly. - You're my princess, crown or no crown.

- Ah, Papa... - I replied, my voice breaking, my throat tight.

- Miss Haruno, are you ready? - Kakashi asked, interrupting me. Ino was already in the car, and I realized then that I was the one who was delaying everything.

- Yes. Everything's ready," I replied, taking a deep breath.

My suitcase was already in the shiny white car, waiting for me. I walked towards it, feeling Kakashi's hand on my back, guiding me.

- Saky! - I heard a familiar voice and instantly turned around.

I'd recognize that voice anywhere. "Sakura!" He was there, in the middle of the crowd, waving his arms desperately, trying to get closer. Sasuke.

Our eyes met. I wondered if that would be the last time we would see each other.

- Come in, miss! - said Kakashi, holding open the car door. I got in quickly and he closed it. Sasuke was still looking at me, his eyes fixed on mine.

- Goodbye, my love! - my father shouted, and with that, I was driven away.

***

It was a strange sensation, as if I had left my heart somewhere and was just walking lifelessly, without expectations. The body went on, but the soul seemed far away.

- Sakura, what's wrong? - Ino asked, holding my hand and forcing me to stop. - What's going on? - She touched my face with her soft hands, and I couldn't help but notice the difference. Ino's hands were so soft, like silk, while mine were calloused, the result of so many battles and challenges. I looked away from her, unable to lie under that deep blue sky.

Ino sighed deeply and touched the ends of my short hair.

- You can tell me anything," she said with a calmness that, paradoxically, made me feel even more distant.

Before I could reply, a loud voice echoed through the large airport waiting room:

- Best friends or girlfriends?

A dark-skinned redhead was walking towards us. She wore a daisy dyed yellow, which matched perfectly with her golden eyes, which seemed to shine like molten gold. The teasing smile never left her lips, and her step was firm, marking a confident gait. Behind her, a girl appeared. She had an almost surreal beauty - she looked like an angel. Her skin was as clear as porcelain, and her pale blonde hair seemed to float around her angelic face. Her eyes were like pearls, and she moved so lightly that she didn't seem to touch the ground. She also wore a daisy in her hair.

- Karui Uzumaki, a Two, and Shion Kouza, a Three, from Thunder Village - Ino murmured, the tone of her voice almost imperceptible.

- What did you say? - Ino asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

- It was a joke; don't you have a sense of humor? - Karui replied, her defiant smile remaining on her face.

- When are we leaving? - Shion asked, his voice soft, completely ignoring the sparks of tension that were forming between Ino and Karui.

- We don't know," I replied, my voice calm, without a hint of fear. Karui finally seemed to realize my presence. Her golden eyes traveled down from my face to my riding boots and, with a sound of contempt, she let out a "Tsk".

- You were a long time coming," she said, with a smile full of irony.

- Sorry, lots of people wanted to say goodbye to us. We couldn't help it. You know, Thunder Village is much bigger than Tea Village," Ino said, with a broad smile and a tone that suggested she knew exactly the effect of her words. As if it was obvious that Thunder Village was worshipped.

And there I was, about to find myself surrounded by girls like that. Wonderful.

A man came through the door just then, as if he had been waiting for the perfect moment to make his entrance.

- I've been informed that our four selected girls have already arrived.

- That's right - Karui replied with a sweet tone that sounded rehearsed to me.