10 years ago
The waves churned slowly in the late time of twilight. The large ship was slowly rocking to the soft tune of the sea, making the young boy who was leaned against the ship's railing. His dark hair and clothes made him blend into the night. His onyx eyes skimmed over the water, gazing dreamily into thought. The creaks of the floor boards made him turn to find an older man stalking over to him. His matching dark hair and eyes made him as invisible in the night like the younger boy. He slowly made his way beside the boy by the railing and looked over the ocean along with him.
"Now what are you doing out here so late, brother?" The older boy asked.
The younger boy just continued to silently gaze out at the water. Yes, the ocean fascinated him on a regular basis, but something about tonight. It was strange. He just got the feeling that he needed to be watching over the waves that night.
"Sasuke? Did you hear me? Mother will be concerned if she finds you up this late at night."
The younger boy let out a huff of frustration as his older brother pulled out the "mother card", but he just couldn't shake the urge to stay out in the night's breeze.
"Yeah, Itachi. I heard you. I just, . . . have this feeling I need to stay out here." The younger one muttered softly.
He could feel his brother's gaze on him, but he just kept his eyes on the water below. Just when he was about to take his brother's offer to go to bed, something caught his eye. It was darker then the ocean and stood out. It was small and he finally realized it was a person when he heard a small whimper and sharp cough.
"What was th-"
"Go get Dad and the doctor." The younger boy yelled to his brother before jumping over the railing and into the waters below.
As soon as his body hit the icy liquid, his body stung all over. When he was able to push himself to the surface, he greedily gasped for air and quickly moved his arms trying to keep himself from the waves strong grasps. He blinked rapidly, trying to get the salt water and wet hair out of his eyes. He frantically turned his body trying to locate that shape he had seen floating below. But all he could see was the waves harshly lapping against his face. Over the sound of the water he could hear the crew screaming, "Prince Sasuke. What are you doing?", his mother and brother yelling in horror, then there was his father's stern voice shouting, "Sasuke, you get out of there this instant!" But in the mix of all those hectic noises, he heard the same cough that he had heard before. He turned his head trying to find the source of the sound. It came five more times till he finally found the shape twenty feet to his right.
He pushed himself closer till he could tell they were only a foot away.
"Hey," He called out. "Are you okay? Can you hear me?"
There were a few more coughs before he heard a soft and frail voice call out, "Please, help me!"
He frantically moved closer till his hands grazed over wet skin. He tightened his grip around an arm and pulled the small body closer to him. Wrapping one arm tightly around the waist and shouted, "There's someone out here. Throw down a rope!"
He waved his free arm and waited till someone finally threw down a rope. Seeing as there was only one free hand, he held on as tightly as he possibly could and called out to pull him up.
He felt a hard tug on his arm as his body slowly made it's way up the large ship's side. After what felt like hours, he felt the crew man's strong arms pull him back onto the deck. He coughed and gagged out the water that had made it's way into his lungs. As one of the men put a towel around his shoulders, he told them he was fine and to check on the other person.
When he finally was able to see clearly again, he looked over to where they had laid down at his side. Though, he was taken aback by noticing it was a young girl.
She was about the same age as him, around eleven years old. Everything on her was soaking. Her shoulder length pink hair was clinging to her cheeks, neck and forehead. She looked paler then a person should be and she was shaking like a leaf. Her eyes were clutched tight and her teeth chattering. The towel placed over her and the body clinging clothes were making her look so small and fragile.
Everyone was running around and yelling. He could tell she was scared.
He looked up to see his mother telling his father to calm down while his brother knelt next to him and gently patted his younger brother's back.
"Itachi . . . " He started softly.
His brother slowly nodded and stood. He motioned for everyone to give his brother and the young girl some space to breath. After a few moments of protest, they all finally agreed as they started looking around for a ship that she might have fallen from and the women decided to start setting up a room.
As soon as he felt the group was far enough away he turned his attention back to his almost victim of the water.
"Hey," he whispered softly. She twitched a little and let out a soft whimper. "Are you okay?"
He watched her slowly open her eyes to reveal gorgeous emerald orbs. She looked around her surroundings and took in a shaky breath. Soon her eyes landed on him.
"Wh-where am I?" she asked with a soft and innocent voice.
He took a moment to just gasp at her. Girls have always taken a liking to him and his brother, but he'd never taken much interest in them. But she, . . . This girl was somehow . . . breath taking.
"Your on the ship of the King and Queen of Konoha." He told her quietly. He didn't want to scare her by being loud.
She was breathing slower now and seemed to have calmed down a little.
"And . . . And wh-who are you?" She asked.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I pulled you out of the water. Do you know what happened?"
She clutched her towel closer to her body as she answered, "N-no, I . . . I can't remember anything."
They were quiet for a few minutes till he answered, "What's your name?"
She looked at him before answering the question.
"It's Sakura. I-I don't remember my last name."
He gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"Don't worry Sakura, your safe now." He said softly.
He looked over to see the crew starting to make their way back over, noticing the drowning girl had woken up. She followed his eyes to the now approaching group and he saw her start to shrink a little. He let his fingers softly touch her arm. She turned to him and reached for his hand. He was shocked by the action.
"Please don't leave me." She pleaded.
He looked into her scared and lonely eyes and gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he whispered, "I promise. I'm not leaving you."