- Do you love him?
I looked deeply into his eyes, which were almost invisible in the darkness. For a brief moment, I didn't know what to say.
- No.
He pulled me close with almost savage force and kissed me with overwhelming intensity, his hands tightening around my waist. Everything good in the world seemed to come back to life. The minty smell that had previously marked his presence disappeared, replaced by something stronger and more familiar. Every touch, every movement was a reminder of the past.
- They're going to kill you for this," I said, breathing hard, trying to move away, but not really.
- And I'll die if I don't.
I struggled to find the strength to tell him to stop, but I knew my attempt wouldn't be sincere. A thousand things were wrong at that moment, but Sasuke was there. Naruto was with the others. Sasuke loved me. Naruto kissed others and gave them gifts. Sasuke was comforting. He was there, and so was I. And I let his hands run up and down my legs, caress my breasts and kiss my neck. God, how I missed that.
- I hate you so much," I mumbled when he picked me up and carried me to bed, never stopping kissing me.
- I know, Saky. I know, Saky.
Saky. The way he called me, his touch... I felt like I was in another dimension. Despite my nervousness, Sasuke's presence took me back home.
But that peace was short-lived. In less than two minutes, sirens sounded and screams echoed in the garden. An iron ball engulfed in fire crashed through the window, knocking over my dresser and causing the flames to spread.
- Hell! - shouted Sasuke, quickly getting up to grab his spear. Another iron ball smashed through the opposite window and would have landed next to me on the bed if it hadn't been for Sasuke's strength pulling me towards him.
- Fuck, shit! - cursed the soldier.
He ran to the door and locked it.
- Are you crazy? You're going to burn us alive! - I screamed, but Sasuke didn't care. He grabbed my arm firmly and dragged me into the bathroom. I heard banging on the door, muffled screams. They were trying to break in.
Akatsuki or Taka? Akatsuki or Taka? If it's Taka, we're dead. If it's Akatsuki, what do they want? Sasuke locked the bathroom door and began to move the towel cabinet, revealing a small iron door.
- Come in, now.
- Are you coming with me? - I trembled, my voice breaking.
- Go ahead. This will get you to safety. Don't look back, don't stop for anything! - He pushed me inside and, before I could say a word, heavy blows echoed against the bathroom door. Sasuke kissed me with a desperate intensity, as if it were a final goodbye. But I held him by the collar, preventing him from pulling away.
- I'm not going anywhere without you. - Sasuke's gaze wavered for a moment. - I love you. Don't leave me again.
He acted quickly, pushed me through the door and came in right behind me, locking it with a little more delay. In the tunnel, I could stand, but Sasuke had to walk with a stoop. The staircase was illuminated by lights every two meters, but my haste caused me to fall twice.
I couldn't say how long it took, but finally, the narrow path led us to an artificial cave. Several more stairs spread out in front of us, and I saw other girls, Prince Suigetsu comforting Princess Karin. And then I saw Naruto. He was there, discussing something with Itachi. He seemed fine... He was...
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I began to sob. Ino hugged me, and I was overcome with a relief I didn't know I needed.
- Hey, what's up? - Ino asked with a serene smile, her gaze turning to Sasuke in gratitude. The two of them settled down on the floor of the cave, hugging each other as the tears flowed, and a feeling of relief washed over us. In the midst of our crying, we thanked each other silently for our safety.
***
Most of the girls were able to return to their rooms through the secret passages, but Yugito, Pakura and I were relocated to empty rooms. Kurenai made a point of keeping us away from the bodies, but the blood couldn't be cleaned up so quickly. She tried to make conversation, talking about crystal chandeliers as if her words could disguise the atmosphere of death that hung over the castle.
My new room was at the end of the corridor, the first of them all, Katara's old room. It was so similar to mine that I could barely notice the differences, but I knew they were there. That was the point. I lay down on the soft bed and pulled the sheets up to my chin, allowing the tears to flow. The fear, although almost gone, still dominated a part of me. My hair was a mess, the result of the whirlwind of events. I made a simple bun, but a few strands kept falling over my eyes. That's when someone knocked on the door. I got up quickly, kicking the sheets and stumbling along the way.
- Naruto... - I thought. - Please let it be Naruto.
I opened the door with hope in my eyes.
- Hello, sweetheart.
It was Kurenai. She pouted, probably trying to show some kind of comfort. She came in and soon saw the look on the face of someone who had been crying.
- Come on, don't tell me you want to leave too? Well, actually, nothing much happened, darling.
- I'm not leaving," she said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. - Did someone ask you to leave?
She let out a disappointed sigh.
- Yes, silly. Without the nerves of a queen, they wouldn't do anyway. Naruto let them go, like the good boy he is. I'll call your maids; the prince has demanded that they all be present for breakfast.
Ran, Hana and Shiore left before breakfast. I didn't know if it was because of Kurenai's efficiency or the girls' state of nerves.
We were all sitting at the table, eating in silence, with no laughter or smiles. Queen Tsunade was not present, not even her advisor Jiraya, and Captain Itachi had left the safety of the prince and princess in the hands of Obito.
- Pakura, isn't that divine? - I asked, nibbling on the best tart I'd ever eaten. I've never tasted anything like it.