Chapter 35 - Complications [2]

- He's got a lot of energy. - I said, laughing.

- He talked too much, as usual. - Naruto shrugged, watching the pink popcorn finish popping.

- I told him we kissed.

- Of course you did. He's my best friend, and so is Gaara, but it'll take a while for my letter to reach the Land of the Winds. - I nudged him in the ribs with my elbow and he laughed, grabbing my wrists. - But you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Can you believe it? - he asked, smiling and coming closer to me. - You have the best eyes, the best lips and... - He gave me a kiss.

- We agreed to go slowly and you'd examine all the girls. - He sighed tiredly.

- She's the most boring too.

- I'm not boring, you haven't seen me being boring yet. - Naruto put the popcorn in a bowl and we stood there, eating and talking. Sometimes the silence would take over and I'd lean my head on his shoulder, watching fragments of the movie that Suigetsu had put on, but it wasn't about the movie, or the popcorn, or Suigetsu's screams at moments of action. It was about Naruto. About his smell, about his shoulder and about the comfortable silence between us.

By the time the movie ended, it was night, and Suigetsu led us back upstairs, excitedly asking if we had seen that or another scene from the movie. We turned into a corridor, still chatting about nonsense, when we came across a detachment of Palace guards. More than a dozen soldiers were there, clearing the way and greeting the princes and their escort. I was used to their presence, but even such a large group couldn't take my attention away from Naruto and his smile.

It was a sigh, a low sigh, that made me stop. Suigetsu immediately shut up and turned around, and there he was.

Sasuke.

I sighed too.

- Saky, do you know this young man? - Suigetsu asked, breaking the silence.

I was used to seeing him in top-of-the-range clothes, with expensive brands and impeccable stitching. But there he was, in a shiny, well-fitting Palace uniform. Something was different, but at the same time, familiar. Those eyes... They were Sasuke's eyes, the Uchiha's eyes.

My eyes quickly went down to the nameplate on his uniform: Uchiha Soldier.

The whole thing must have taken less than two seconds.

I kept my composure long enough for no one to notice the storm brewing inside me. I wanted to touch him, kiss him, shout at him, demand that he leave. I wanted to dig a hole and disappear, but there I was.

Nothing made sense.

- Uchiha soldier? - read Suigetsu, with a sarcastic laugh. - Another one? They're infesting the Palace!

I cleared my throat, trying to keep my composure.

- I know him. The Uchiha soldier is from the Tea Village, just like me.

There was no doubt that Sasuke would hear our laughter in the corridor and notice that I was still arm in arm with Naruto. Let him think what he wanted.

Naruto seemed to enjoy the situation.

- Well, what can I say? Welcome, Uchiha soldier. You must be happy to see the Tea Champion again.

Naruto held out his hand to Sasuke, who shook it with an air of indifference. Sasuke's face was impassive, almost carved in stone.

- Yes, Your Majesty, very happy.

- I'm sure you're rooting for her," Suigetsu said, winking at me playfully.

- Of course, Your Majesty," replied Sasuke, bowing his head slightly, as if he were just doing his duty.

- Well, I guess you've had a long day at work. We're off. Have a good day, soldiers. - Naruto nodded and pulled me away.

The stairs to the dormitories seemed endless. Sasuke... Uchiha Sasuke is here! He's really here, and it's not a dream or a nightmare. It's real.

When we finally reached my door, Naruto, who had been watching my behavior, said with a soft smile:

- Good night, then.

Suigetsu had disappeared, leaving us alone.

- He didn't laugh a bit when Suigetsu told him the fish joke. And, let's face it, that joke was great.

- I...? I'm just tired, and... I need to sleep.

Naruto looked at me skeptically, not completely convinced of my answer.

- Okay - he said, still doubtful. - A kiss goodnight?

He smiled, with a hint of playfulness. I leaned in slightly, brushing our lips together before pulling away.

- That's it? - he asked, his tone of voice now softer.

- Yes...

- Beautiful, cruel thing.

***

I decided not to talk to him. Sasuke always looked me in the eye whenever I passed, but he seemed to expect me to take the initiative. To try to keep him out of my mind, I thought of Naruto's kisses. I imagined his hands, his smile. I meditated for three days, seeking clarity. Then Yugito announced in the women's room that Naruto had kissed her. I couldn't believe the pain I felt. The next thing I knew, I was just staring at Yugito, wondering what was so special about her.

- Tell me everything! - insisted Tenten, visibly curious.

Most of the girls were interested, but Tenten seemed the most excited. Ino, in the corner of the room, watched through the window as Naruto and Suigetsu played with Kyubi. Since her last meeting with the prince, she had seemed increasingly disinterested in the competition. Her answers, which used to be scathing and typical of a fierce competitor, were now vague and polite at best.

Yugito, however, didn't need any encouragement. She sat down on one of the sofas and, with her back straight and her hands in her lap, seemed to be rehearsing to be a princess. I felt like telling her that a simple kiss didn't put her ahead of anyone.

- I don't want to go into details, it was our first," she said, feigning shyness. - Well, we went to the art salon, have you seen it? On the fourth floor, with paintings by Picasso and sculptures from ancient Greece...

- Boring... - Karui hummed, interrupting the description.

- He didn't say anything, he just kissed me. - Yugito concluded, twitching with pleasure.

Tenten sighed as she listened, while Karui seemed on the verge of breaking something out of frustration. I remained silent, sitting there, repeating to myself that I shouldn't care. I had encouraged Naruto to do this, after all, I was part of the Squad. And besides, who said I really wanted to be with him?

- Do you think she was the only one he kissed? - Pakura whispered in my ear.

Hinata, who was standing next to me, heard and ventured an answer:

- He wouldn't kiss just anyone. She did something right... - she lamented, with a tone of doubt.