Naruto: Chosen

I knew about the photo, and yet I only applied lip gloss.

I didn't want that. So not looking pretty was a relief. At least I'd be about ten points below Izumi. She had that natural, understated beauty: big black eyes, long brown hair and the shy dot in the corner of her eye. I could almost see her as queen. But if that happened, it might mean the end for Sasuke and me.

No. He had promised to marry me long before the Selection. He loved me. He loved Sakura Haruno, The Beautiful One, not Sakura, The Chaste Four.

- That one looks like a Christmas tree," said Pain to Lee, but we all heard.

- I don't know why some exaggerate so much. Look at Sakura, she's so beautiful," said Mrs. Uchiha. - I'm glad you didn't follow that path.

- I'm nothing special. Who would choose me over Izumi?

The Rock Lee soldier raised his hand in excitement, drawing laughter from everyone.

- Don't be silly! - Mrs. Uchiha winked at me. - Every time Sasuke comes back from the police station, he says that Sakura Haruno has passed the intelligence and beauty tests twice.

- Really? Sasuke is always so kind! - said my mother, absent-mindedly, as she analyzed the competition around her.

- He's a great son, so hard-working.

- He's going to make a girl very happy one day," added my mother, rummaging through her bag in search of makeup.

Mrs. Mikoto laughed softly, catching her eye.

- I think he's already found someone!

- What's she like? - my mother wanted to know. Even though I was planning my wedding to a complete stranger, there was always time for gossip.

- He hasn't introduced me to anyone, but I know my children. And I know Sasuke even more.

- He's been whistling," contributed Rock Lee.

- And singing," added Izumi.

- Singing? - repeated Pain, puzzled.

- That's right," confirmed Izumi and Mikoto in unison.

- So, he really is with someone! - my mother speculated. - Who could it be?

- I don't know. But she must be a wonderful girl. He's been working very hard... Fugaku is proud. I think he's saving money for the wedding.

My heart raced, and a squeal of excitement escaped before I could control myself. Fortunately, everyone assumed it was just because of the news.

- Nothing makes me happier. He's taken on so many responsibilities at the Police Station. Any girl who makes him happy is like a daughter to me.

- You're a lucky girl! Sasuke is a wonderful boy," commented my mother.

I felt my face heat up, and a smile began to form without me being able to contain it. I... simply had no words.

He was really going to ask me to marry him!

It was the only thing going through my head: Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke.

I got in line, signed the papers confirming my information and had my photo taken. Before facing the photographer, I shook my hair twice, giving it a little more life.

No other girl in the whole of the Land of Fire was smiling more than me.

***

It was Friday. The Official Fire Country News started promptly at eight. It wasn't an obligation to watch it, but ignoring it was almost an unforgivable mistake. Even the Eight - the beggars and wanderers - found a place, whether in stores or churches, to follow the news. And with the date of the Selection approaching, the Official Journal became an almost patriotic obligation. I've never been much of a patriotic person, but at 7:57 on that Friday, I was already sitting on the fluffy carpet in the living room.

- Do you think they'll announce the winners today? - asked Konan, while braiding the hair of Moegi, who was next to me.

- No, the winners have nine days to submit their forms. We won't know for at least two weeks. - My mother replied, leaning on my father's shoulder and giving him a tender kiss on the cheek.

- I can't wait! - said Pain, entering the room and throwing himself into the old armchair. Moegi, who was no longer interested in the hairstyle, ran into Pain's lap.

- I carried that little thing around for nine months so she'd fall in love with her father! - Konan grumbled, with false irritation. Unable to continue styling Moegi, she started braiding my hair.

- Pain told me you spent a long time in the queue. - Konan commented.

- I don't know why give it another nine days. I swear everyone from the village was there. - My father laughed softly.

- Was it fun analyzing the contestants, Saky? - he asked, an amused smile on his lips.

The national anthem began to play and the portrait of the royal family appeared on the screen. Queen Tsunade was sitting on a chair, with all her royalty, and next to her, Princess Karin on the left and Prince Naruto a little behind. The picture had changed over the years. When I was only four, there were two other people in the picture: King Minato, with his serene and gentle expression - I remember thinking that he looked more like he was made of plaster than flesh, but his smile was welcoming - and Queen Kushina, beautiful and smiling, with her flame-red hair, a true daughter of the Land of Fire.

- Mother? - I whispered, so as not to distract my father.

- Yes?

- Queen Kushina... What was she before the Selection? I mean, what caste was she?

- Caste Five. - My mother replied, with a tone that mixed nostalgia and longing.

A Five. She had grown up in a world where music or clay were her companions, perhaps she could even sing like an angel. The Five were only three steps away from the mud, literally. But something enchanted King Minato, something in her personality, perhaps a joke, a special talent. It was easy to fall in love with a girl full of gifts; it was hard to love someone who only knew how to carry sacks of manure and put stalls on horses.

The camera focused on Queen Tsunade. To her left was Princess Karin, a redhead like Queen Kushina once was, and to her right, the object of every girl's sigh: Naruto Senju. The prince was undoubtedly handsome.

Not like Sasuke, but still in a way that captivated. His sun-blond hair and deep blue eyes were reminiscent of the ocean. Naruto had a summer face, I could imagine him with a surfboard on the sands of Suna, or laughing, laughing with that irresistible smile. I bit my lower lip hard, trying to push the idea out of my head.