When I reached the first floor, I pulled my hood over my head and snuck through the palace corridors.
Some guards passed me, casting suspicious glances. They must have thought my grandmother had released me from my punishment.
If I was quick, they wouldn't realize the truth until it was too late.
The last corridor was empty.
The palace must have been in chaos after everything that had happened the night before.
And I was about to plunge even deeper into it.
As I took the quickest route down the corridor to the hospital wing, a door suddenly opened and I bumped into Karin.
She let out a groan at the impact, and a sealed metal box fell from her hands, making a hollow sound as it hit the floor.
- What are you doing out of your room? - She asked authoritatively, slowly bending down to pick up the box.
It was only then that I noticed her name engraved on one of the sides.
- I'm going to the wall," I replied, straightening my jacket. - I want to find out if I've made a mistake or not.
Karin hesitated as she stood up, her movements slower than usual.
- I can assure you it was a mistake.
- Would you like some help?
- No, I don't. - The answer came too quickly, and she looked away. - I'm just going to my room. And I advise you to do the same.
- Karin.
My calm tone made her finally face me.
- Our mother always said that the Caste One had the upper hand... We can change things. That's what I'm trying to do. I want to be like our father... I...
She grimaced.
- You're not our father.
The silence that followed was heavy.
- You never pay attention. - Her piercing gaze made me hold my breath. - No wonder Suigetsu was the only one to tell you about Grandma's vices. You didn't see her projects being done, you only saw the poverty and threw it all on the fan on a national network.
She crossed her arms.
- I'll tell you what it means to be One: discretion.
Before I could reply, a scream cut through the air.
Our bodies stiffened at the same moment.
We turned our heads at the same time towards the garden and saw a crowd of guards moving frantically.
- Sound the alarm! - someone shouted. - They've gone through the gates!
- Weapons at the ready! - another shouted even louder.
- Alert the Queen!
Then, like a swarm of bees, everything happened at once.
The gleam of blades glinting under torches, shouts of command, hurried footsteps. A guard was hit and fell backwards, hitting his head on the marble with a dry, disturbing crack.
Blood began to pool around his head.
Karin screamed.
I didn't think twice before pulling her back. One of the guards pushed us down a narrow corridor, leading us to one of the palace's secret passages.
Inside, the air was heavy with tension. Only one guard was watching the entrance.
My grandmother was talking to Suigetsu and Itachi, while Jiraiya and some advisors were arguing in hushed tones.
Hinata, Pakura and Tenten were sitting on a bed, holding hands, their eyes wide with fear.
My eyes swept the room.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five times.
Until a chill ran down my spine.
She wasn't there.
- My prince! - Jiraiya called out.
But I didn't hear.
- HARUNO! - I shouted, demanding an answer.
Everyone in the room stared at me before looking around, searching for a pink head of hair that wasn't there.
Prince Darui and C were entering through one of the entrances when I bumped into them, without slowing down. I ran out.
Fire. Screams. Gunshots.
I heard Karin shout something, but I didn't stop.
I dodged the soldiers and shot towards the rooms of the Chosen. I could have gone all the way up the stairs, but a glimpse of pink hair disappearing into the back library made my heart freeze.
Sakura.
Before I could get there, someone pulled me by the shoulder and a sharp punch hit my cheek.
I fell to the side, my head pounding.
I looked up and, taking advantage of my position, kicked the attacker's knees as hard as I could. The woman screamed as she fell.
Another woman, ragged and with a sooty face, emerged from the shadows and put a knife to my neck.
- Hold it right there, Your Majesty.
I didn't hesitate.
I spun around and hit her with a hard elbow to the stomach. She screamed and pulled away, but not before tearing my cheek with the blade.
Before she could pull herself together, a group appeared in the doorway of the hall, rushing towards me.
Shit.
Three guards appeared to protect me, and I took advantage of the gap to shoot towards the library.
As soon as I was through the door, I locked it.
The silence inside was absolute, as if the chaos outside didn't exist.
- SAKURA! - I shouted. - Haruno Sakura!
I saw her come in. She had to be here.
A low cry echoed through the dark room.
- Sakura?
I moved forward blindly, bumping into furniture on the way. The sound came from under the desk.
And there she was.
Sitting on the floor, hugging her legs, motionless.
- Sakura!
I touched her and she cringed.
- I'm scared... I'm scared... - her trembling voice was barely more than a whisper.
I stroked her hair, which was as soft as I remembered.
- Let's get out of here, my love.
Her body trembled. I'd never seen her like this, so shocked by a rebel attack.
- Look at me, Sakura. - My voice came out softer. - If you just look at me, you'll know you're safe.
She raised her face slowly.
Dried blood stained her cut cheek.
Someone had hurt her.
Anger boiled up inside me.
- Naruto... - her voice was a thread.
- Come on.
I helped her up, groping the wall for the secret button. As soon as I found it, the passage to the shelter opened.
The metal panel closed behind us as we descended a few steps.
The space was small. Shelves with dark plastic packages and a few thin blankets. Mattresses leaned against the iron walls. On the other side, there was a sink and the entrance to a bathroom.
The air smelled of metal. No sound of battle reached there.
I spread one of the mats out on the floor and made her sit down.
I grabbed a first-aid kit and started to clean the wound on her cheek, my heart still pounding.
She was safe.
At least for the time being.