- Miss, what can I do for you?
- I'm just going for a walk, soar.
He gave me the go-ahead, perhaps thinking that there was no way I could cause trouble by walking at dawn. He was wrong. And so was I. If I'd known that the princess was in her pajamas and robe in the ladies' lounge, I'd never have left the room.
- HOW MUCH DID YOU LOSE?! - Karin shouted.
I took two steps back, but I could still see the queen's disheveled blonde hair. She moved on the sofa, and then the sound of breaking glass echoed through the hall.
- Forty-two...
- FORTY-TWO?! - Karin shouted. - ALL THE ROYAL ESTATES ARE IN THE HANDS OF BANKS AND LOAN SHARKS, AND YOU LOST FORTY-TWO THOUSAND IN A SINGLE DRUNKEN NIGHT?!
Through the crack in the door, I saw the queen stand up, swaying with uncertain, drunken steps, before hitting Karin with a slap. Then another. And another. Karin screamed and tried to hold her back, but it was no use. The blows continued to find her face.
I covered my mouth with my hands and turned to run - but I hit something. Or rather, someone. I jumped backwards, almost screaming, but the person silenced me with a look.
Itachi slung an arm over my shoulders. As he led me back into the room, Karin's screams still echoed down the corridor, mixed with the sound of something breaking, slaps and punches.
- You're supposed to protect her! Your mission is to protect the royal family! - I accused as he left me at the foot of the stairs to the dormitories.
- Not the queen.
Another high-pitched scream from Karin. I took a step forward, but Itachi grabbed my wrist.
- "The prince doesn't know," he said firmly. - I know he heard about the debts. I know he saw the beating. But the prince doesn't know anything. If you tell him... I'll tell the queen where your little friend is hiding.
I shuddered.
I couldn't let Ino go through any more suffering.
- Does she always do that?
- When she's drunk. She's an addict.
- Addicted...?
- To alcohol and gambling. It started when King Dan died, but at first it was just a little game to distract her. When King Minato died and she had to be queen again... everything got worse.
- Why does she do this to Karin?
- Because the princess can't keep her mouth shut.
***
The Land of Thunder was famous for its violent storms, devastating hurricanes and, oddly enough, its cozy New Year's nights, full of laughter and presents. Every year, every citizen of the kingdom celebrated a second Christmas - but without the divine connotation, just with the warmth of brotherly love.
Darui loved the sparkle in Sakura's eyes when she received her new cell, a gift from her Uncle Bee. The rosy-cheeked girl threw herself into the elder's arms in a strong and sincere hug, full of gratitude.
- She's good," said the King, her beloved father, for perhaps the millionth time since Sakura had arrived to live under his protection.
Sakura had left Prince Naruto behind and, a month later, a letter reached Darui. In it, she asked him to keep his promise and introduce her to his world.
And he did.
Now there she was, with her long pink hair that he loved to run his fingers through, her playful green eyes that filled the corridors with laughter. She had lit up the castle, filled his heart.
After presenting Bee with a pair of sunglasses-which drew laughter from everyone in the room-she turned to Darui, flushed and beautiful, holding a small decorated box. He quickly unwrapped the present and found a watch with five different markings. He frowned, curious, and Sakura's giggle made him smile.
- It's a world clock," she explained, pulling out the box to show him. - Each symbol represents the time in a different country.
She pointed to each symbol, explaining its meaning: lightning represented the Land of Thunder, a flame symbolized the Land of Fire, three waves marked the Land of Waves, two twin rocks indicated the Land of Stone and a circular whirlwind distinguished the Land of Winds.
- I love it," he said, placing the watch on the table. Then he took Sakura's left hand. She held her breath when she saw him kneel down.
- But my present is even better...
He took a small box out of his pocket and opened it. The red ruby reflected in her emerald eyes.
Her mother's ring. The engagement ring that every queen of her country had worn before her.
- Haruno Sakura, from the Land of Fire - Darui's voice sounded firm, but full of emotion. - Will you marry me?
She threw herself into his arms, covering his face with kisses, laughing and crying at the same time. And Darui knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was complete.
***
- Your Highness?
When I opened my eyes, I found everyone staring at me with inquisitive expressions.
- Your Highness? - Counselor Jiraiya called out again.
C cracked a joke, as if to remind me that I was a big joke. I didn't allow my cheeks to blush, but I couldn't help yawning. I had fallen asleep in the middle of the meeting. What would my father have done if he had been here? He would probably have fallen asleep with me.
- Right, master counselor? - I replied with the politeness that years of etiquette and tutors had taught me.
- Did you mention anything about the southern colonies? - Jiraiya gestured for me to continue with what, to my misfortune, I didn't even remember saying.
- He didn't mention the colonies - Naruto's voice broke the silence. - He spoke Sakura's name.
His blue eyes, feline and sharp, met mine, carrying a silent hatred that plunged the room into palpable discomfort.
- But I think it was just a dream. Jiraiya, please continue.
The meeting dragged on for the rest of the day, without a break. The central topic was the precarious colonies of the South, a lawless land - and, according to Naruto's suspicions, a hiding place for rebels. The problem was: whose side? Akatsuki or Taka?
King Onoki had pledged to reclaim that vast and desolate territory, bringing order to the chaos. A noble gesture, if the little king wasn't actually eyeing the fertile soil for cultivation and the abundance of low-caste citizens who would work tirelessly in exchange for crumbs to keep them alive. In the end, Onoki left empty-handed.
Now, as the settlements marked the main border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Thunder, it was up to Naruto and me to solve that problem.