Naruto: Chosen

- We have nothing more to say.

He hurried off, and I followed. The staff watched us - they looked at my wet face, then at the redness on Sasuke's face. When he reached the front door, I shouted:

- Uchiha Sasuke, don't you dare move!

My voice sounded fierce. He stopped and finally faced me.

- Are you rehearsing for when you become one?

If it hadn't been for his eyes, I would have believed it was just a joke, but the offense was clear. Sasuke got on his bike and I stood there in the doorway, tears streaming down my face. The phone rang again.

- Hello? - Moegi answered, her voice broken. - No, my aunt isn't here... my aunt died.

The next morning, I put on the uniform of the selected girls: black pants, white shirt and, in my hair, the flower that represented my province - a white rose. The shoes, however, were my choice, and my mother's mouth twitched when she saw me in my shiny riding boots.

- Sakura! - she exclaimed, visibly upset.

I wanted to make it clear from the start that I wasn't born to be a princess.

Now I was a Three. There was something about those chosen from the lower castes, those from caste Four downwards, who, after the Selection, couldn't adapt to their old lives. For this reason, those chosen from these castes were automatically given a passport to the third step.

***

The day didn't start well. Professor Guren, Konan's mother, appeared unannounced on our doorstep, trying to re-establish the family ties that she herself had severed. Pain had been grimacing ever since, but Konan, after so long without seeing her mother, looked radiant. Her eyes were watery - after all, it was her mother.

The car that would take me to the central square was white and old, with enough room for my whole family. I sat between my father and Pain, who suggested that I be accompanied by the men of my family.

Pain was my only consolation. He held my hand tightly, trying to give me a bit of enthusiasm. We were still holding hands when we took the first step into the square, which was packed with people. It seemed like the whole village of Tea was there to say goodbye to me and Ino.

Another car, identical to mine, was parked next to mine and a woman who must have been a queen got out. Ino, with her hair loose and curled at the ends, wore the rose with a grace that made it seem as if it had always been hers, while I, in my riding boots, began to feel immensely embarrassed. The boots I had chosen looked ridiculous compared to the elegant red pumps that adorned Ino's feet. She hugged me, and I felt a lump in my throat.

- I couldn't have chosen anyone better to be with me," she said into my ear.

- Ah, Ino... - I replied, and we started to cry, like two silly girls. The flashes of the cameras enveloped us before we climbed onto the huge platform.

Standing on the platform, I could clearly see the division between the castes. Waneesa Wandgor, a Three, was glaring at me, as were her parents. Sarah Lynn, a Seven, was kissing me. The upper castes looked at me as if I had stolen something from them. From the Four downwards, everyone was cheering for me - the ordinary girl who had been elevated. I then realized the weight of my significance to everyone there. I represented something to them. I focused on the faces around me, holding my head high. I was determined to stand out. The crown was Ino's, but I still had a chance to do well. Sakura Haruno, the champion of the lower castes.

The mayor began his speech, gesturing wildly.

- The Tea Village was cheering for the beautiful daughters of Fire, Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura! - Ino stood erect, receiving the applause and votes of the upper castes, but it was I who received the kisses from the Seven and the shouts from the Six. I was happy about that.

I let that sound wash over me for a moment, absorbing the energy of the crowd. I smiled and waved to everyone when Maito Guy, a Six, threw a carnation at my feet. I thanked him with a smile.

Then I went back to watching the crowd, but this time with a different goal.

I wanted to see his face one more time. It didn't matter if it was with an expression of disgust or fury, I just wanted to see him. I didn't know if he would come. Nobody forgets the person they love overnight, I wanted to believe that, but suddenly I began to question whether he really loved me.

After scanning the crowd twice, I finally found him. I wish I hadn't. Sasuke was there, behind Arana Seltigar, wrapping his arms around her waist and smiling at her.

Maybe some people really can forget others overnight.

Arana was a Three, about my age. Pretty, no doubt, but she had nothing to do with me. Sasuke had apparently changed his tastes with alarming rapidity. He smiled at her and then walked away, heading towards his family. Izumi waved and cried at me, while Mrs. Uchiha, with a provincial flower in her hair, looked stunning. Colonel Uchiha, with one of his arms around his wife, didn't applaud, didn't wave, didn't smile.

When I looked at Sasuke again, he was staring at me intensely.

- Sas...

- Would you like to say a few words, my dear? - The mayor's voice whispered softly to me, while Ino gave me a curious look. The party was coming to an end, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't take my eyes off the idiot who was hypnotizing me.

- Thank you, but I'm so overwhelmed that I don't think I can say anything at the moment. - I replied, trying to hide my discomfort.

He then gently took my hand, holding it between his, and with a reassuring smile, said:

- Of course, young lady. Don't worry about it. Leave it to me, I'll take care of everything.

The speech this time was a string of compliments directed at me and Ino. On the other side, my friend watched me with a suspicious look. I decided to ignore her. When the mayor mentioned that I was "too beautiful for a Four", I forced the fakest smile of my life.

As my eyes roamed the square, I spotted Sasuke's face again in the crowd. His expression was distant, pained - the complete opposite of the one he had shown Arana minutes before. Another game, Sasuke? I'm tired of playing.