- I wet your little friend who talks too much. I've told you a thousand times not t those chis here. - I said, anger overflowing. Over Izumi's shoulder, I saw that Sasuke still had his arm over the girl's shoulder.

  - Kim, are you all, right?” the girl asked. I knew her, but I didn't know her hat's when Kim freaked out and pushed me and Izumi out of the way to make way for her big show.

  - That Four had the audacity to wet me! - Sasuke looked at me and, with a sudden movement, disentangled himself from the girl. - I demand that she be sent to apologize and repair the damage to my clothes.

  A Four hired by a Two was under his full responsibility, acc to the stitution, but I wasn't one of the Uchiha, I was one of the Yamanaka, and I was far from home.

  - I am a Four uhe responsibility of the Yamanaka, not the Uchiha. They don't ao me.

  Sasuke grabbed my arm so hard that I groaned in pain. His eyes were filled with rage when he said:

  - Don't ever e into this house again.

  - Let me go! - I screamed, trying to pull my wrist free, but to no avail.

  - Let her go, Sasuke! What's gotten into you? - Izumi tried to pull us apart, but Sasuke pushed her away and dragged me into an office, log the door.

  - Hell, do you want to tarnish the name of the Uchiha? Do you want everyoo believe that the servants are in charge here?

  - What the fuck are you talking about? - I replied, fused and furious.

  - Kim is a Hamezuka. While my father is away, I'm in charge of this family. And I'm not going to let someone like you...

  - Someone like me? - I interrupted, sarcastically. - So, tell me, Sasuke, what's someone like me like? A maid? A corral er? Why don't you tell your friends outside who you've beeing involved with? Or tell your mother who yirlfriend is? Or tell that girl you were hugging that yoing to marry me!

  I pushed him away, but he pulled me back with a force I'd never seen before.

  - I would never marry a Four.

  The sp that hit my face made them let me go. I ran outside, but soon Sasuke's two friends held me back.

  - Let her go, now! - Izumi ordered. Immediately, they released me. I fell to the ground awkwardly, but before I could get up, Izumi tried to help me. I, however, ran.

  I ran outside, to the car, to the house. I ran into my father's arms and only there, finally, did the g begin to take hold of me.

  ***

  I just wao be alone. Everyone, with ued delicacy, gave me two days to recover. But at eleven o'clo the third day, Mr. Inoichi was in my living room.

  - Sakura, we talk?

  Mr. Inoichi was tall, imposing like a basketball pyer, with long blond hair and dark brown eyes. His appearance, in a way, reminded me of an older version of Deidara, but he was absurdly handsome, despite his age.

  - Mebuki, could y those wonderful cookies you make? - He asked with a gentle smile. My mother bit her lips, and for the first time, I saw her hesitate before obeying Mr. Inoichi's order. I reassured her with a simple nod, and she disappeared into the kit.

  - Would you like to sit down, Mr. Yamanaka? - I asked, pointing to the sofa. He smiled again and made himself fortable, while I sat down in the armchair fag him.

  - You know why I'm here, don't you? - He began, his voice low and calm. I did. Honor. I had tarhe honor of his house with my little show. He had every right to kick me and my family off his nd, and I k would all be my fault.

  - I've known you since you were just a little girl and I've also known Kim sinht her here. I know you, Sakura Haruno. I hear your story?

  The words came out, heavy, almost choking.

  - She said that my mother should know her pce, that she walked around like a Two. She said that my mother should be more like my father, covered in dirt and always crouched down, staying in her pce. - My voice faltered, choked with tears. By the time I had finished speaking, the tears were ing down hard, wetting my face profusely.

  Mr. Inoichi ran his hand through my hair in a fatherly gesture, and the look he gave me was one of pure pity.

  ***

  The Hamezuka demanded an apology from the Yamanaka, and Kim demanded a new golf uniform. Ino paid for the uniform, and Deidara apologized personally. Mr. Yamanaka smiled, proud of his children.

  - But the girl wants your apology.

  My mother returo the living room with the famous cookies and two cups of tea. Inoichi's gaze was dark when he finally said:

  - Kim demahe Law of the Eye, Sakura.

  ***

  Mr. Hamezuka was a doctor in the region and, as a good professional, he had more pressing s than witnessing his own daughter's revenge. But Kim, oher hand, had brought her mother and two younger sisters to watch the spectacle.

  I k down in front of her.

  - Tsk... Well, well... Who knew? - She ughed, pleased.

  - This isn't a joke, Kim. Just get it over with. - Deidara intervened.

  Behihe Yamanaka lords and their twin sons watched in sile that moment, they were my family.

  One of Kim's sisters handed him a jug, and the girl slowly poured the icy water over my head. Every drop was torture, but what was worse were the smiles. The humiliation scratched deeper than the cold. But the water finally ran out.

  - Get up, Haruno. - Kim ordered.

  I stood up, my dress soaki, my body trembling with anger, my eyes stinging with tears that I refused to shed. It was too much.

  - Your debt is paid to the king, Haruno Sakura.

  Kim slid his cold fingers ay cheek in a gesture that was as desding as it was cruel.

  - Educate your employees better, Yamanaka. I don't want this to happen again. - Mrs. Hamezuka said befetting into the bck limousine. Her daughters followed her, but Kim stayed for a moment.

  She turo me with a calcuted smile.

  - An eye for an eye, Haruno. But I'm not finished yet.

  The into the car and disappeared.

  I stood there, statitil Mrs. Yamanaka approached me and held out a towel, gently drying my face.

  - Let's just fet about it, okay?

  She smiled. A smile that only mothers have.

  And, for a moment, I wao believe that everything would be all right.