POV Sakura
It must have been early morning, and I was still somewhat dazed from sleep that refused to let go. I woke up to Naruto caressing my face with his fingers, and that delicate gesture made my heart race unexpectedly.
— Good morning, my beautiful and cruel thing. — He whispered, kissing my left eyebrow gently.
— Good morning. — I replied, kissing his cheek softly. But something felt different. My thighs were sore, as if I had ridden for hours on a steep road or spent too much time at the training grounds. It was strange, like my body was remembering something I didn't want to recall, something I couldn't put into words.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to understand where I was. The small room was still dark, as if the night hadn't yet gone away, but the fact that Naruto was there brought me a comforting sense of warmth. I looked around, searching for something to give me a clue about our location.
— Will they find us? — I asked, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of normalcy. I spotted Naruto's dress shirt hanging over a shelf, swaying slightly as if the night was still lingering. Wrapping one of the blankets around my body, I quickly walked over, grabbed the shirt, and put it on. After all, a shirt was better than nothing.
Naruto whistled as soon as I stood up, his lighthearted and carefree tone acting as a relief to my anxious heart.
— Of all the dresses you've ever worn, this one is my favorite. — He said, a smile on his face revealing a truth only he knew. I couldn't help but smile back like a fool as I buttoned the shirt.
— Don't flatter me, Your Majesty. — I replied, trying to hide the happiness growing inside me.
Naruto stepped closer and, as naturally as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world, he said:
— I have something for you.
I looked at him over my shoulder, trying to understand what he meant. Naruto knelt before me, still dressed only in his pants and blazer, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that stole my breath away. From the inner pocket of his blazer, he pulled out a red armband, small enough to fit around a finger.
— Sakura Haruno, would you accept becoming Sakura Senju in the near future and make me the happiest man of all titles in the world?
I couldn't believe it. What was he asking me? That simple armband, such a small gesture yet so full of meaning, suddenly became the most precious thing I had ever received. I could have fainted at that moment. I could have screamed, cried out in joy, but instead, I simply wept.
I held out my hand, jumping in excitement as Naruto kissed my fingers and placed the armband there, as if it were the most expensive engagement ring—but to me, it meant more than any jewel the future king could ever offer. On impulse, I threw myself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
That was when the door to the shelter burst open so suddenly that I nearly fell backward. The morning light flooded the room, and the sudden brightness made me dizzy for a moment.
— THEY'RE HERE! — Someone shouted, and in an instant, a swarm of guards and attendants rushed into our refuge.
— Were you unable to make it to the shelter, Your Highness? — One of the attendants asked, trying to make sense of the situation.
Naruto, however, didn't answer—he simply raised a hand, silently asking them to stop questioning. What he was thinking, what he was feeling, was something I couldn't fully comprehend. But there was something he knew, something already set in his mind.
— We lost twenty-five men in this attack, Your Majesty. — One of the guards' voices was sharp, and I saw Naruto's expression harden. The words were heavy, as if the weight of the loss was settling upon him at that very moment. The smile he had before vanished, replaced by something darker.
I was there with him, but the danger was getting closer. What was supposed to be a moment of happiness was turning into something more perilous, more urgent. Yet, looking at Naruto, I knew he would face it all. He always did, no matter what. And I, as always, would stay by his side.
I brought my hand to my mouth, feeling the familiar ache that always surfaced whenever Sasuke's name crossed my mind. The worry was instant, a concern that never fully faded, no matter how much time passed. He would always be my Sasuke, and somewhere inside me, I would always care, even if the distance between us was nearly irreparable.
"I pray that he's safe," I thought, my heart tightening with hope.
— Bastards! — Naruto's voice cut through the silence, anger dripping from every word. The tension in him was visible, a fire burning inside. He had always been like this, unable to hide his deepest emotions, and at that moment, rage and concern were written all over his face.
And then he walked in.
Itachi.
His dark, intense eyes locked onto Naruto's regal figure. The energy between them was heavy, but when Itachi's gaze shifted to me, everything seemed to calm. I wasn't sure what was happening between them, but in that moment, they both seemed at peace. He recognized me, and I simply nodded, trying to convey a hint of calm, even though I was just as lost as everyone else in the room.
Kurenai was the first woman to appear, as always, exuding authority. She mentioned something about bringing me a robe, but my mind was elsewhere, absorbing the chaotic reality unfolding before me. The feeling of despair was tangible.
— Your Majesty... — Itachi began, his voice carrying something I couldn't quite decipher.
Naruto, however, was entirely focused on his own concerns.
— Karin... How is my sister? Has she left the shelter yet? — He asked urgently, and I could feel the weight of every word he spoke. He loved her deeply, and her suffering seemed to affect him more than anything else. — What about the other Elite girls? My grandmother, Suigetsu...?
Itachi, ever composed, responded calmly, his expression unreadable:
— All are safe, sir. The princess was in a hysterical state and had to be sedated.
— By the Gods! — Naruto exclaimed, his eyes darkening with concern. — I have to speak with her.