— Ah... lovely, indeed. Pakura has a natural gift, to say the least. — He chuckled and brought his mount in line with mine. — Did you know that some servants have their homes within the apple orchards?
I frowned as he continued:
— I think you should meet Carla and Yamana. They pick the apples for your pies.
The sunset was fading, giving way to a terrifying darkness. I could almost imagine rebels hiding behind every rock, knives drawn. Still, I followed the prince into the apple trees.
I couldn't imagine the kind of person who would choose to live so far away, in such an isolated place.
The cottage in front of us was small, painted a muted shade of salmon. The blazing fireplace hinted that in winter, that fire was the thin line between life and death. Mint leaves grew by the window, and before I could lose myself in the scent, a head of unmistakable red hair appeared. Golden eyes, wide as jasper stones.
— Karui. — She shouted my name, but I only looked away when another figure appeared in the doorway and ran towards me.
— Ino.
My knees gave out before she reached me. Ino hugged me, crying and screaming, and the only thing I could do was hold on to her with all my strength.
Beneath her worn linen blouse, I felt the bandages. Her long golden hair had been cut short to her chin. Her eyes, once hidden by contact lenses, were now highlighted by thin glasses, which gave her face an unexpected charm.
—I think you enjoyed meeting Miss Yamana.
I looked at him, confused.
Karui emerged from the house wrapped in wool sweaters that made her look plumper than she really was. Without makeup, she looked like a different person. And her smile… It seemed free. For the first time.
But it was a disguise.
No one would make Karui cut her long, blood-red hair. But no one would look for a chubby Karui Uzumaki. Nor for a bespectacled Ino Yamanaka.
— Gods... — Ino stood up, extending her hand to help me. — You... saved them...
— Not only that. — Karui raised her left hand, showing off an orange knitted ring.
My face burned. Same-sex marriage was illegal. I didn't know much about the law, but I knew this.
- That's it...
"Impossible?" Naruto smiled, shrugging. "The judge didn't seem to realize that 'Yamana' is a unisex name. I think he assumed that Mr. Yamana wanted to marry Miss Carla."
He married them. He saved them. He gave them a life.
My eyes fell on a crooked garden, the seedlings poorly planted, dug up incorrectly. Caste Two girls trying to grow a vegetable garden... I would have thought it funny. If I hadn't been crying.
— Carla, do you have any apple cookies? — Naruto asked, entering the house with Karui.
I stood there, staring at Ino.
Her face was brimming with happiness, and I was lost in it.
—These vegetables are planted wrong. — My voice came out in a scolding tone.
Ino laughed and threw herself into my arms, knocking me to the ground.
— My princess. My special princess. — She murmured, distributing kisses all over my face.
— Well, let me introduce you. — She stepped back slightly, opening her arms. — This is my home. We have a room with a comfortable bed. This is my garden. And I left the beet seeds for you.
She handed me a bag of seeds, and together we began to prepare the soil.
For some reason, I thought the punishments would destroy her.
But no.
She was stronger now. Even her posture was different. She laughed. She giggled.
She was alive. Alive.
— So... Karui, huh? — I laughed to myself.
— Well, she has her qualities. You should get to know her better.
— Karui?
Ino laughed.
— She's funny. Always funny. She's brave. I won't lie and say she's kind. But I saw her cry once, and I knew she was fragile. When she told me everything about everything... I knew I loved her.
My mind went elsewhere. I could never have this kind of conversation with anyone other than Ino.
And she was there. And so was I.
- It is good?
It took her a while to understand, but when she did... she started laughing.
— Wonderful. Wow, so good. No woman should get married before experiencing the wonders another woman can do.
My face heated, and I slapped him on the shoulder.
— Idiot.
There was a pause.
— I've been very lonely without you. I miss you. — I confessed, digging a hole in the ground.
— I miss you too. Maybe when you're a princess, Karui and I can visit the Palace.
I turned up my nose.
— I don't know if that will happen.
— Oh, damn. Why?
I shrugged, remembering Hinata, Pakura, and Tenten. They were still in the game.
Ino squeezed my hand.
— I know a man in love when I see one. I always knew he loved you. And I know you love him too.
I swallowed hard.
— I hit Karin. After you were punished, I...
— God, my God! — Ino hit her own forehead.
— And there's Hinata, Ino. She would make a better queen.
— A better queen, Sakura? Hinata is good at smiling and keeping quiet. I think the kingdom needs more than just a pretty face.
Naruto left the house with Karui, laughing at something.
But I looked at Ino.
— That man saved me because he loves you.
I wanted to believe that this was proof of love.
But it wasn't.
Naruto didn't do that because he loved me.
He did it because every one of his actions reflected the king he was destined to become.
He would be better than your grandmother.
Better than any other.
— Sakura, we have to go. — Naruto called.
— My prince, how were the cookies? — Ino asked, standing up.
Naruto grimaced.
— Divinely horrible.
Ino rolled her eyes, and we all laughed.
— I warned you, love. — Karui grumbled.
And for the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to feel that.
Happiness.
***
Insomnia. From the cold. From the desire for Naruto's body. From the insistent thought of his arms, his back, his tongue, his lips, his hair... The feeling of his thin beard scratching my skin when he kissed my cheek to say goodbye.
"I love you..." he said.
I got out of bed. I needed to distract myself. I left the room and, as I turned the corner, I came face to face with one of Sasuke's guards.