- You can't just do that. You have to ask for the things you want. - I was exhausted of Sasuke. Exhausted of his arrogance, of him acting as if everything should revolve around him. Exhausted of always being tired.
- Today, I and some guards are going up to the third floor to wait for the prince and Karui. We want to see their show. Would you like to come with us?
If I could, I would have slapped him right there. But I swallowed. In the ballroom, Naruto and Karui were dancing, laughing together. She dismissed any chance of him asking me to dance.
- You said you didn't love him. But I know you love me. I know you do. - He squeezed my wrist hard, and I moaned. He wanted to hurt me, to fill me with doubt, to isolate me until I had no one but him.
- I love you... I just don't like you anymore.
Then C showed up to step on my toes - he danced worse than me, but I had fun anyway. Then Prince Kankuro appeared, flamboyant and sticky with compliments. And then came Itachi, as if he were just fulfilling an obligation to the queen.
- Miss... - Sai approached, holding out his hand.
I declined. There was only one man I wanted to be with. And if it wasn't appropriate for a lady to ask a gentleman to dance, I would do it anyway.
- Prince Rabbit? - My voice shook. - Will you dance with me?
This is the moment, madam. If you want him, fight for him.
- Of course.
Deep down, I knew exactly who I was: intelligent, generous, funny. But somehow my personality got stuck in my throat and I said the wrong thing. I was afraid. Afraid that Naruto was another Sasuke. Afraid that he really was having dates with Karui. But then he would smile, look at me as if I were the only one, and I would feel his touch of jealousy embedded in every beautiful word.
I needed courage. Courage for me, because I deserved to be loved. Courage for Naruto, because I knew I would make him happy.
I leaned my head against his chest, listening to the drumming of his heart. Every beat is yours, he had said. He wanted me. Wanted me. He loved me. I wouldn't be foolish enough to throw that away. I wouldn't go back to a man who broke me. I wouldn't choose another man I barely knew.
It was Naruto. It had always been him.
Him and his kindness. Him and his broad chest, perfect for resting his head on.
I intertwined our fingers.
- Come with me.
We ran out, up the stairs. And when no one was looking, we kissed in the corridors. My fingers slid down her body, trying to record every contour, the texture of her skin, the warmth. In the hall, the shouts of congratulations echoed, but we were no longer there. We went up to my room. The door closed behind us
- You look beautiful tonight," he murmured, as I slid kisses down his neck and took off his blazer.
- You say that every night.
Naruto tugged impatiently at the strings of my corset, easing the pressure against my waist. I took a deep breath for the first time in hours. When the corset fell off, he threw it away, and the dress followed suit. I was in my lingerie when he stopped to watch me. He took off his white shirt, revealing hot skin and tense muscles. The boots? Lost somewhere.
- I love you," he said.
- Ah, Naruto... - I moaned when he nibbled between my breasts, his hands sliding down my thighs.
Then he slapped my ass. Once. I reacted instantly, rolling on top of him, wanting more.
- Gods... - I gasped when he repeated the gesture.
Naruto sank his fingers into my hair, pulling it back, forcing me to arch my back. He bit my ear before whispering:
- You must hold tight to the cell, I'm not a docile pony.
It was raw electricity, fire and stars, all at the same time. I moaned his name, begging for more, asking him to get rid of his clothes, to strip me completely. But before I could undo his belt, I collapsed against him, and a second later, so did he.
Exhausted. Sweaty. Still wearing my clothes.
And that just made me imagine what it would be like when there were no more barriers between us.
I ran my fingers over his face, panting.
- Make me your queen. I want to.
Naruto took my hand and kissed it.
- I love you.
***
I didn't sleep. There were more interesting things in my bed.
My hand slid through Naruto's golden strands as he drew imaginary circles on my bare back. It must have been past midnight, but I was still so awake, so alive. I felt alive.
After 1 a.m., the party ended with a fireworks display. We watched it lying in bed, cuddled up to each other, without the slightest desire to move. Karin always ended birthdays like this. And since I would be there for the next one, I didn't bother getting up to watch the show.
- My parents would like you if they knew you," Naruto murmured, kissing my forehead. His voice was slurred, sleepy, almost a whisper.
- Would they? - I asked in the same tone.
- They'd love you... just like I do. - He let out a tired little laugh. - Well... not exactly like I do.
I smiled, feeling my chest warm.
- I'd be happy to meet you.
Naruto sighed and turned his face slightly against the pillow.
- When we have our children, I want one of them to look like my mother. Red hair and all... That way, I'll always remember her. And Karin too, when she leaves for the Land of Waves.
I turned to face him. The soft moonlight bathed his tanned skin, highlighting the features I loved so much. His broad chest rose and fell in a calm rhythm, and a few golden strands fell over his forehead. My eyes roamed over his neck, his arms, his intense eyes, his thin, soft lips, the marks on his cheeks, his eternally messy hair... right down to his almost pointed ears. I loved every detail of him.
- A red-haired son? - I smiled.
- And one with pink hair, to look a bit like his beautiful mother. - Naruto ran his fingers through my hair and pulled out a lock. - With emerald eyes and a heart-shaped face.
He kissed my nose, and I sighed, laying my head back against the pillow.
It was the happiest moment of my life. That moment.
So happy I could cry. So happy that I was afraid I'd wake up and discover it was all just a dream.
- I love you; you know that? - I whispered.