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  As the days went by, I survived. That's what the Four did: we survived. I went bay horses, my saanure and my thoughts about Sasuke. A thousand times I wao cry, but I held back.

  I dragged myself through Friday, ging to the hope that everything would return to normal as soon as they annouhe Sele and I wasn't among them. There were two vacies for the Tea Vilge and a thousand prettier, more iing, mifted girls. I didn't o worry.

  I'd already fantasized it all in my head. Sasuke sneaking in at dawn, askiive him, tellihat he loved me and that he'd been a fool. Maybe even a marriage proposal. Or maybe it was too soon to think about it. For now, having him back was enough for me.

  It was ten minutes before the Official Journal started, and we were already i was impossible that my family alone wouldn't want to miss a sed of the annou.

  Konan made pop as if we were going to watch a movie.

  - I remember when Queen Kushina was chosen. Oh, I knew from the start that it would be her,” she said nostalgically.

  - Did you take part in the draw, Grandma? - Moegi asked.

  - No, my sweet. Grandma was too young to enter. I was lucky because I got to stay with Grandpa - my mother patted my father's chest twice before snuggling up to him. My father put his arm around her shoulders and held her close. I could have taken a photo of that moment, but instead I made a silent request that my wedding would be like that one day.

  - She was beautiful. The most beautiful,” ented Konan, pig Moegi up from the carpet and sitting her on Pain's p, who was in the armchair. The dowo me.

  - She would have been a great queen if she'd had the time... - my father murmured regretfully.

  Finally, the clock struck eight. The coat of arms of the Land of Fire appeared on the s, apanied by an instrumental version of the national anthem.

  The Queen appeared shortly afterwards and made a brief statement about the war. The other messages were also short, veying a light mood. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Perhaps the Sele was exg for them too.

  Finally, the master of ceremonies came on stage and annouhe arrival of Orochimaru, who addressed the royal family.

  - Good evening, Your Majesty,” he greeted, bowing slightly to the Queen.

  - “Orochimaru, it's always a pleasure to see you,” she replied, and her light brown eyes sparkled with genuiement.

  - Anxious about the annou, Your Majesty?

  - Oh, yes. Yesterday I was in the hall where the lottery was held and I saw some of the selected girls. They're all lovely.

  Orochimaru arched an eyebrow, his green eyes sharp like those of an experienced journalist.

  - So, does Your Majesty already know who they are?

  - Just a few, just a few,” replied the Queen, with an enigmatic smile.

  - And have you shared this information with Yhness? - he asked, turning to Naruto.

  The prince smiled, trying to hide his nervousness.

  - No, not at all. I'm going to meet them at the same time as the rest of the try.

  o me, I felt Konan hold my hand, which was resting on the carpet, as if seeking support.

  - “Your Majesty,” Orochimaru called out, now addressing Princess Karin, who until then had been talking to Prince Suigetsu. She didn't hesitate to move away from her fiand walked elegantly towards the journalist.

  - Any advice for those selected?

  Karin smiled serenely. I was very young when Queen Kushina was murdered, but if the princess really did look like her, I uood perfectly why King Minato only had eyes for his chosen one.

  - Enjoy your st night as normal girls,” said the princess. - Tomorrow, your lives will ge forever. And an old but valuable piece of advice: be yourselves.

  - Wise words, my princess, wise words - praised Orochimaru.

  He then turo the camera, adopting a solemn tone.

  - And now, dies alemen, the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived. We're going to reveal the thirty-four young women chosen for the Sele! Please join me in gratuting the new representatives of the Land of Fire.

  The national coat of arms returo the s, followed by Naruto's fa a small frame iht-hand er. The iion was to capture his reas as the photos of the selected girls appeared on the s.

  Orochimaru was holding some cards and was ready to annouhe names of the girls who, acc to the princess, would have their lives ged forever. The Sele was starting right then and there.

  - Miss Mitsashi Tenten, from Key Vilge, Caste Three.

  The image of a young brue appeared on the s. Chocote brown hair and eyes. Maybe she was my age, but there was something about her that made her seem more mature. Naruto whispered something to Prince Suigetsu.

  - Miss Hyuuga Hinata, from Nadeshikino Vilge, Caste Two.

  A picture of a delicate girl appeared. Por skin, refined posture. She looked like a real dy. Naruto perked up.

  - Miss Yamanaka Ino, from the Tea Vilge, Caste Two.

  The shout I let out made Konan startle a go of my hand. My bucket of pop flew upwards as I grabbed the phone.

  - Sakura, let go, it's not over yet! - My mother held my wrist while I tried to dial the Yamanaka's number with my other hand.

  That's when I heard it.

  - Miss Haruno Sakura, also from the Tea Vilge, Caste Four.

  My gaze went back to the TV, stuhere was my photo - taken shortly after I found out that Sasuke was going to propose. My face radiated happiness, hope... and love. A love that, to anyone, would seem to be directed towards Prinaruto.

  My mother shouted in my ear. Konan jumped up, scattering even more pop on the floor. Pain got excited and started practig a dah Moegi. My father smiled at me, an enigmatic smile, before being covered by an avanche of kisses from my mother, who could hardly tain her excitement.

  I, oher hand, had pletely lost any trace of Naruto's expression.

  The ph.

  And it kept ringing day after day.