Uncharted Seas

by xokatherine229

She was fascinated by their legends and lifestyle. When the most notorious Pirate crew attacks her home, she and two others find themselves hiding on their ship. Soon, she finds herself entering a world of adventure, bloodshed, and mystery as she becomes the key component in finding one of the most sacred treasures that has been hidden for centuries. What will she do to survive?

1. Prologue

Author's Note: I know some of you will not be happy that I reconstructed the story and started from the beginning, but because I could not find my past notes for this story, I see it is only far to start over. This allows me to fix my past mistakes and to make sure there is no confusion between characters and the plot. I am sorry it took me so long to post this new chapter, but I hope you all can forgive me for starting over.

For any anonymous reviewers please give me your email in the review so I can thank you properly.

I hope you all enjoy this new first chapter!

Warning: it is a VERY long chapter

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Prologue

"Whoa…easy there Jai, we can't have any more sharp movements. We must treat her with caution, do nothing that will make the sea upset," a firm but gentle hand was placed on top of the man in question's shoulder.

"Sorry Captain, but these waves are harder to maneuver around the more we continue." Jai held onto the oversized wooden steering wheel as another forceful wave smashed against the side of the boat.

The captain nodded his head as he stood by Jai's side, waiting for impact. We have been fighting with the ocean ever since we left. He pushed his broad shoulders back and fixed his posture as his calculating emerald eyes surveyed the crew. Each sailor stood by their posts, waiting for the strong waves to disconnect a sail's rope. This crew needs to rest. He thought with sad eyes. I must make sure we are on-course. This voyage was not what he expected, but they had come too far to back down because of a few strong waves. He took a few steps away from Jai and pivoted on the back of his leather boot. "Jai, I will return," was all he said before he glided down the mahogany stained steps and disappeared behind the double doors just below the deck.

A firm callused hand gripped the typical bronze passage knob and pushed one of the wooden doors with ease. As he shut the door behind him, he could hear footsteps coming from the back corner of his chamber.

"I wasn't expecting you to be back down so soon," a soft voice traveled to his ears as he waited for the person to appear.

"These waters are rough. I want to make sure we are on-course. The crew, even though they aren't showing it, is exhausted." He looked up to see a beautiful woman standing at the corner of his desk, smiling pleasantly.

"Here," the woman dressed in a simple silk blue form fitting dress that fanned down to the oak floor gently shifted a bundle of blankets and used her free ivory colored hand to grab the neatly rolled map. "I hope this helps," she said as she handed the man the scroll.

"Thank you," he said with a small smile. His emerald eyes looked away from the woman's peaceful heart shaped faced and started down at the bundle of blankets in her arm. "How is she Mebuki?"

Mebuki slowly relinquished her line of sight from the man in front of her and trailed her soft almond eyes down to the object of interest. She used her free hand and removed a small piece of the blanket to create a small opening. "You know how your daughter is Kizashi, every time the boat rocks she giggles and stretches her arms out," she answered with a giggle.

Kizashi started lovely as an impatient head violently moved away more blankets, "she is getting bigger and bigger."

"And is becoming more of a troublemaker! She will wait until I put her down and wiggles her way out of the blankets and I'll find her crawling on the table."

Mebuki watched with irritated almond eyes as her husband unraveled the large blanket from around the infant. "My princess, are you getting restless?" He asked her in a quiet voice.

"Gah!" The baby shouted as Kizashi took the infant into his arms.

A small chuckle exited his mouth, causing the young infant to giggle, "you're just like your father aren't you?" He lifted her arm's length away and stared deep into her wide vibrant emerald eyes.

"It explains the pink hair your family blessed her with," Mebuki retorted with a sassy smirk.

Kizashi's vision moved from emerald eyes to playful almond eyes. His expression transformed into a sarcastic shocked look. "Did you hear that Sakura?! Your mother is jealous of your pink hair!" He pulled his daughter into a tight hug while he playfully took a quick step away from his wife.

"Ha, ha, you're funny," she said while she took back her daughter from her husband's arms. "Isn't there a crew you need to look after?"

Kizashi gave his wife a wink before he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into a quick passion-filled kiss. "We will continue this later." Mebuki kissed her husband back and watched him walk back outside onto the main deck.

Her attention returned to the petite infant in her hands, "Sakura what ever will we do with your father?" she asked her oblivious daughter.

"Ah bo!" Sakura giggled out as her small arms latched themselves to her mother's straight mid-torso length black hair.

"My thought exactly," Mebuki answered with a soft giggle. "Come on; let's go back to the small deck." She watched as Sakura squirmed in her arms eager to return to the salty air and feel the small water droplets from the wave's crashing against the side of the ship. "You have the same sense of adventure as your father does. Hopefully you are more like me when you get older," she answered with a bright smile stretching ear to ear across her face.

Kizashi gave the door a tight pull before he released his hand from the bronze knob. Now it's time to settle on land! With new determination, the Captain turned his back on the door and extended his extra-long, yet well-toned, legs across the wide deck. The crew members watched their captain climb up the stairs towards Jai who had been quietly battling the upset ocean.

"Jai, how are you holding up?"

Jai's hands were placed on either side of the dark-stained wooden wheel. His bare hands grasped onto the pegs with all his might, showing the whites of his knuckles, while he used his fine motor movements to keep the vessel as steady as possible. "I'm…" his eye brows began to twitch while the wrinkles on the side of his mouth began to dance in anxiety. "…it's very hard Captain."

Kizashi watched as his crew member began to flex and relax his entire upper arms, in rapid contractions, trying to compensate for the fickle sea. Jai is my best man to direct this ship. There has to be a way around this. His answer was a blunt crash emitted by another wave, but this time the wave was large enough where water was beginning to ooze over the west side banister.

"Kiz what do you want us to do?" an anxious voice yelled from above.

The captain looked up only to see his main partner jump from a platform halfway between the crow's nest and the upper level deck. The man flew into the air like a swan, bent his knees into his chest, and did several flips until his feet made contact with the wood of the ship.

"Yui…" Kizashi said in a short breath before another wave sent him a few steps sideways.

"Jai let me take the wheel."

Jai looked at the man like he had seven heads, "no one touches my wheel. I will not hand over my ship to a snake like you," he hissed out and glared murderously at the pushy man.

"Touchy," the man shook his semi-long blue locks out of his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. "Kaz, tell him to hand it over."

Kazashi didn't meet the eyes of either Jai or Yui; instead he unraveled the map that was leading his crew through these dangerous waters, waters that have been untouched by any of the countries. There has to be an answer here! His emerald eyes rattled back and forth within their sockets, looking at every type of landmass or body of water. He needed to find an answer, if he didn't…our entire crew, the ship, this journey…my family…will all be buried at the bottom of the sea.

"Kaz," Yui walked over to his captain only to see his large hands grasping the map tight enough to crinkle the edges. He turned to Jai and cleared his throat, "give me your ship. Now." He finished in a very demanding and sinister tone.

By this time, Jai had beads of sweat trickling down his hairline, over his cheek bones, and down his neck. This sea…I have never steered through such an angry ocean. She will kill us all if we don't act fast. He didn't have the time nor the energy to answer Yui, the only answer Yui was given was a snarl.

"Fool! Do you want us all to die?!"

"Jai, please allow me to steer your ship," Kizashi's stern yet questionable tone cut the tension like a knife.

Jai took his grey eyes away from the darkening horizon. Grey and emerald clashed for a millisecond before Jai nodded his head, "take good care of her Captain."

Kazashi nodded his head while the two of them fluidly switched places, "I will make sure to handle her with care."

Yui stood on the side appalled by the change in events. That good for nothing bastard! "Kaz," he walked past the glaring Jai and placed a forceful hand on his friend's shoulder, "I know you're trying to help but do you even know what you're doing?"

"It's only a thought, but at the rate we are sailing, a wave will take us down," Kizashi took the map and gently placed it into the large coat pocket on the inside of his knee-length dark red coat. "Yui, get the crew's attention, I will need you to be my translator."

Yui grunted in disappointment before he effortlessly jumped on top of the banister railing on the upper level deck. "Listen up!" His booming voice rolled over the main deck and his bone chilling black eyes surveyed every crew member as they tried to walk to the center of the deck.

Another wave came rolling across the vast ocean, sending its forceful power straight against the already rocking ship. The sudden attack from another wave sent half of the men on the deck sideways. As soon as the angry wave passed, and everyone regained their position in the middle of the main deck, a gut-shaking thunder was heard from overhead. Every member on the ship turned their heads to the sky only to see a swirling ominous black cloud following their ship. The waves were transforming from the small, slightly tolerable, waves to tsunami sized waves, towering over the crow's nest of the ship.

"The sea is challenging us men!" Yui shouted. "Now is our time to show mother nature what we are made of!"

The crew members looked apprehensively between Yui and the roaring sea in front of them. They have traveled through many raging seas, but nothing like this. No one knew how to process this new information and stood in their positions until the Captain began to explain what needed to be accomplished.

"Yui," Kizashi was standing on the side of the steering wheel as his face began to be covered in sweat, "tell everyone that we must get everything into the center of the ship. Make sure that the items can be moved to other parts of the ship if needed. We need this boat to be able to change as quickly as the tide."

Yui felt a proud smirk spill across his lips. Always the brains of everything aren't you Kaz? With new found excitement, Yui leaped into the air and landed on both feet in front of the crew. "Okay! Gather everything into the center of the ship. Make sure these objects can be moved as soon as I command it!"

The members looked to Jai and the Captain only to see Jai nod his head to reassure them what was about to happen. Once this nod of confirmation was made, every member stood up straight and took off sprinting in every direction. Some took the top deck and gathered all of the excess ropes, row boats, and other miscellaneous items. Each boat was designated to hold all of the small items and at least 2 crew members were instructed to push the boats when needed.

Yui ran into Jai's right hand man, Kai, and pulled him by the shoulder. "I need you to stay on the upper deck. When I say the word, you will tell your men to push those boats in whatever direction I say!" Kai nodded his head and continued to aid his crew members in accomplishing this insane task.

Running off of pure adrenaline, Yui jumped down into the lower decks of the ship. His black eyes observed every crew member that worked feverishly to try to accomplish the rather strange task. His calculating black eyes scanned the crowd looking for the man in-charge. Every member was grabbing cannons from each small window and hoisting them together with rope. Many curses and punches were thrown trying to get everyone working together.

"It's live or die boys!" A large voice screamed as he grabbed the end of his rope and tied it across the barrel of another cannon. "Hurry up!" He pressured his men as they scrambled to push all of the cannon's together.

Yui grabbed the man by the shoulder and tightened his grip around the unsuspecting man's upper shoulder. The man was startled and a short snarl escaped his lips, "What the hell? Get off of me and help out!"

The answer the man received was the sensation of Yui's bony fingers being violently shoved into the back of his shoulder blade, "When you hear Kai's voice you will shout the same thing to the members on this level, understood?"

The man stared at Yui with hateful eyes. What a cocky son of a bitch. "Whatever, now get off me and let me do my job." The fuming sailor pried Yui's hands off of his shoulder, trying to ignore the painful way in which Yui removed his tight finger grip from his shoulder blade.

One more level needed to be inspected before Yui could return to his rightful place at the top of the ship. What grunt work. Kaz knows I'm more useful for other things than this. With the shake of his head, Yui flung open the other trap door and swung himself down into the very basement of the ship.

This level was pitch black and the scent of rum and sweat swept through the area. Such an awful smell. He walked with caution, trying to not slip on any mysterious items that could be rolling around on the ground. It wasn't long before voices bounced off the mahogany walls. Screams and shouting were coming closer, along with a hand candle lit lamp. Yui stood his ground as he waited for the crew members with the only light source to enter his personal space.

"Who is in charge?!" Yui shouted, making sure his voice was the only voice that could be heard through the chaos.

A man as wide as a brick-made home cleared his throat and shinned the poor source of light in Yui's face. "That would be me. What do you want? We are getting everything in the center of the ship!"

Yui made no facial expression but eyed the intimidating sized man before him, "when you hear orders from above, you will follow in their footsteps. There are no mistakes." The large man nodded his head and turned to the other sailor's around him, "take this lamp, make this place light up! We need to see where we are gonna go! Tell Seed and Bean to get everything together from the kitchen, from the rooms, and even the rum! Everything must move!"

Yui reached above his head and used his well-defined muscular bicep and triceps muscles to lift his body back to the second level. Black eyes watched as crew members stood in the middle of their conglomerated collection of guns and people, waiting for orders.

"You!" Yui shouted to the room he just came from. The man came running from the back and eyed the impatient man above him in anxiousness, "stand here so you can receive the order directly." Yui looked away from the large man and hunted down the other person in charge on the second floor. "Hey!" Yui shouted as he stood on top of one of the cannons.

The crew member in charge of the second floor turned around abruptly and glared at Yui, "What?!"

"Stand by the stairs. Don't move. This will make sure you hear the order at the same time as Kai!"

Before the man had a chance to ring Yui's neck, Yui had already sprinted up the mahogany steps to the slippery wet deck. He turned to Kai to see him stationed right where he needed to be. Everything looks good. His attention returned to Kizashi, watching him take suggestions from Jai. He should have let me drive the damn boat. I would have done a better job. However, Yui couldn't dwell too much on his irritation; he needed to join Kizashi at the upper deck.

Kizashi felt the wheel jerking within his grasp. His knees started to buckle as more water fanned across the upper deck. Come on Yui, where are you?! The feeling of Jai's steady hand on his back was reassuring, causing Kizashi to gather enough stamina to station his slipping body against the wheel.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing Captain?" Jai asked in hesitation and fear. My ship can't take much more of this.

"Please Jai, I know I didn't give you a lot of reasons to trust me with your vessel...but please, give me a little bit of support."

A small smile escaped Jai's mouth as he watched the young Captain use his leather belt to tie his body against the wooden pole that held the steering wheel in place. What a rather strange Captain, at first when the Governor asked me to take his man and his family on this voyage I thought he had lost his mind...but I see the special quality this young man possesses.

"Kiz! Everyone is set! What do we do?! Have you been slapping us around for kicks?!"

Jai rolled his eyes as the annoying counterpart returned to their side. Though I can't speak for him and his childish actions.

"Good, Yui hold onto a sail's rope and position yourself so you have decent projection across the ship. Hurry! We only have one shot at this!"

Without a second thought, the eager man jumped onto a sail's rope and used the momentum of another crashing wave to push against the rope and sling-shot his whole body across the width of the wide ship, landing in perfect position between Kizashi and Kai. "Ready when you are!"

"Captain, what are you going to do?"

"Jai..." Kizashi turned to the man with pleading emerald eyes, "I need to know that I have permission to do this."

"What exactly are you going to do to my ship?"

"These waves..." Kizashi looked back to the raging black sea only to see a gigantic wave at the bow of the ship. Its size was just as wide as it was tall. The dark tsunami like wave powered against the roaring waters below it, displaying its monstrous power. "These waves are calculating, it's as if someone is controlling them. I can't explain what will happen right now but I need you to trust me."

Jai followed Kizashi's gaze only to see the most intimidating wave he had ever seen before. He took a deep breath in and a slow breath out. It looks like I have no choice. "Yes, do what you need to do." Even if it's against my better judgement.

Without hesitation Kizashi shouted as loud as he could to Yui, "Yui! Have the majority of the men throw as much weight as possible to the southeast side of the ship. Get as close to the back as possible! Have the sails redirect to the east. Make sure the winds are pushing into our sails! Wait for my mark!"

"Kai! One person per sail! When I say now you will throw everything you got to the southeast of the ship! Tell the other levels!"

The sudden order caused several sailors to stand at every sail's post and the rest were standing, waiting to move the row boats towards the direction of choice. They were all ready, ready to take on this monstrous wave. Everyone was on high alert, muscles tensed, eyes concentrated on the objects in the center of the boat or the sails. The ship rocked back and forth against the vibrating forces emitted from the gigantic wave as it trampled over the smaller waves that dared to cross its path. Jai looked between the wave and the twitching Kizashi, wondering when this man would throw his plan into action. Then the wave got closer and closer. The sailors didn't dare to look towards the Captain or the wave, they were too afraid to miss the opportunity they desperately needed to break free from the clutches of Mother Nature.

"Kiz, what the hell! Hurry up!"

"Wait!" Kizashi shouted in urgency. If we miss our opportunity, then we might as well abandon ship now. His blazing emerald eyes, full on determination and confidence, watched the wave like a lion watching its pray, waiting for it to make its move before he be made his own.

"Captain..."

"NOW!" Kizashi shouted as he took the wheel and threw his entire body to the right of the wheel. "Jai throw yourself against the banister. Use your belt to secure yourself if you need to. It's about to get bumpy!"

"Now!" Yui screamed at the top of his lungs as he used as much force and momentum possible to propel his 130 pound body, of pure muscle, to the opposite side of the vessel.

Once those words left Yui's mouth, every crew member on that ship threw every object to the southeast side of the ship. Sails were turned to the east and the violent tornado-like winds filled the white tattered sails, causing a sudden rush of speed that allowed the giant vessel to jump across the angered ocean, almost like a flat rock skipping across a pond. The force of every object being thrown against the side of the ship caused the ship to suddenly turn to the right side and because of the weight being extremely close to the stern end of the ship, the front of the ship lifted slightly out of the water. The air that filled the sails counteracted the sudden increase in weight and caused the boat to pivot. The abrupt change in motion caused everyone to fly backwards. Jai watched with horror as the back of his ship nearly dipped into the ocean that was coming closer and closer to him. Now the gigantic wave faced the side of the vessel.

"Throw anything that isn't needed! We need to move faster!"

The chain of command was passed throughout the entire ship. Soon the sounds of multiple splashes were heard from both sides of the ship. Extra clothes, extra food, excess rum, even the Captain's bed and other nonessential furniture were tossed overboard. Kizashi straightened out the wheel and untied his belt from the pole. If we are going to move any faster we all need to move to the back of the boat.

"Yui! Tell everyone to move everything left to the back of the ship!"

"Move to the back!" Yui shouted as he jumped off the sails and landed onto the main deck. He looked into Kizashi's bedroom doors to see the majority of the room empty; only his wife and child, who were accompanied by a crew member, remained. Mebuki...don't worry, I'll get you back. However, these pressing matters made him have to leave his position and join Jai and Kizashi at the back of the ship.

Kizashi watched as the sudden gust of wind, and change of weight, worked to their advantage. He used his untied belt to tie the center of the wheel to the top of the post. Hopefully this will hold it in a straight line! Without a second thought, Kizashi sprinted from the wheel and threw himself to the back, joining a pale faced Jai.

Everything went silent. Crew members watched and held their breath. The boat launched itself forward, as if it knew that a giant wave was about to sink it to the bottom of the sea. Kizashi, Jai, and Yui sat as still as stone, while practically throwing their bodies over the banister. The wave loomed over the boat in slow motion, taunting the crew below it, warning them that they will not live after it slams it giant water belly on top of the side of their boat. Somehow, as soon as the apex of the wave reached to the clouds, the slight change in movement caused the boat to receive a strong enough push that projected the ship further across the smaller waves. Kizashi watched with petrified eyes as the larger-than-life wave began to descend towards them. It was as if everything happened in slow motion, Kizashi could only watch in panic as the wave was within arm's reach. The feeling of doubt and despair crossed his mind as he watched the wave almost catch the plank that stuck out at the very back of the ship. As soon as the wave came crashing down into the awaiting water below, Kizashi thought he heard the wave give off a growl of disapproval for meeting the water and not the wooden snack it had been eying.

The vessel became stable, the smaller angry waves began to vanish within the sea, and the once dark menacing sky began to dissipate behind the bright golden sun that was slowly being revealed. Everyone blinked a few times, afraid to move from their spots. It seemed like an eternity before various crew members felt the ability to breathe again. Yui was the first to jump away from the back banister and shuffle back onto familiar ground. He outstretched his arms and screamed at the top of his lungs into the sun's bright shining rays. "We did it! Yahoo!" All the crew members, even those from the lower levels, rejoiced in excitement. The air was filled with their laughter and screams, of badgering the sea, as the vessel sailed across the now calm ocean.

"Well Captain, you surprised me," Jai said with a small smile as they emerged back to the steering wheel.

Kizashi raised his hand and rubbed the back of his neck, "thanks Jai. I'm just glad it worked."

"Capta…"

Before Jai could share his frightened feelings about the plan Kizashi had in store for his crew and ship, a woman's voice cut through the air, "KIZASHI! You are a dead man!"

Kizashi's eyes proceeded to widen bigger and bigger as the strong female's voice cut through the air like a sonic boom, "Shit," he whispered in front of Jai.

Jai watched as his Captain slowly turned around to face the only female on board. Her black long hair swayed back and forth across her back and her blood thirsty almond eyes glared at the coward before her. Attached to her side was a small infant dressed in a bright pink frilly dress with a small hat covering her small head. Jai held back the chuckle that desperately wished to be heard. Oh how quickly the wife has the captain shaking in his shoes. It reminded him of his wife when they were younger. A slight shiver rolled across his body. Those were her scary years.

"Mebuki I can explain!" Kizashi began to plead for his life.

The glare his wife gave him was growing increasingly scarier by the minute. She is going to kill me. His eyes immediately darted to their child sitting happily on the side of her hip, her small little fingers gripping the side of her mother's dark blue silk dress while she stuck her head over her mother's shoulder, hoping to catch more of the wind on her face.

Mebuki noticed her husband's glance and shook her head, "don't think of using your daughter as a way of getting out of this!" Her high heels dug into the floor boards of the ship as she stomped over to her dim-witted husband. "You could have at least told me what the hell was going on! No, instead I had to pull a poor lad into OUR bed chamber to tell me what to do!"

Kizashi looked at his wife with sheepish eyes, "Mebuki, please, you have to understand all I was thinking about…"

The poor man didn't have a chance to explain himself, for Yui came swooping into the conversation diverting his wife's attention. "Listen to him Mebuki. He was trying to save all of our lives."

Mebuki didn't take her eyes off her husband, "I wouldn't give a shit if he was drowning, I should know what is going on!" And with that outburst, the infuriated woman stormed off towards the bow of the ship, daughter in tow.

"Oh man, I really messed up this time," Kizashi said with a heavy sigh.

"Don't worry Kizashi, I'll cool her down." Yui didn't skip a beat and slide down the railing, trying to catch up to the flaming Mebuki.

"She should have been my top priority once I figured out a plan."

Jai watched as the Captain dwindled down into a puddle of guilt. "Take my advice Captain, don't dwell on it too much. You did the best you could in the time that you had. If you worried about your wife during the plan, we might not be alive."

Kizashi shot Jai a pathetic and pitiful expression, "I hope she can see it that way."

"She will. However…"

"However, what?"

Jai's experienced eyes watched as Yui began conversing with Mebuki, the way Yui would touch Mebuki's shoulder longer than necessary, or the way he would try to pick up the infant set Jai on-edge. "You need to watch out for that young man down there."

"You mean Yui?" Kizashi looked at the bow of the ship to see Yui trying to pick Sakura up, but every time he got closer his daughter would turn the other way and try to crawl to a new spot on the deck.

"That man's actions speak of nothing good. He's reckless and tries to make you look stupid in front of my crew. I don't know how you tolerate a man as snake-like as him."

"Yui and I have been friends since birth…I include him in everything."

"Yeah, well don't let your kindness be the death of you."

"I'll keep that in mind Jai," with a turn of his heel the captain began to walk down the stairs hoping to reconnect with his wife.

---

That night every person on the ship slept without a worry in the world. They had escaped death even if they lost their most precious items. Snores echoed through the bottom level of the ship, not a soul dared to move off of their hammock-like bed. While the calm rocking of the ship was a lullaby for others, two members could not find peace the idea of sleeping, it was the furthest worry from their mind.

"Mebuki please listen to me…"

"No! What would you have done if Sakura or I had gotten hurt?!"

"You know the answer to that…"

The flustered woman rose up from her side of the couch and started to pace around the small enclosed quarters. Her almond eyes started down at the floor, glaring intently, unable to meet the eyes of her husband. "It wouldn't have taken any time away from your plan! We are your family, how could you forget about us?"

Her guilty husband flung the thick comforter off his body and stretched out his long legs. In one swift stride he was in front of a clueless Mebuki. She continued to walk towards him, still glaring at the wooden planks on the floor, and before she knew it her entire body slammed right into a tall but firm chest. The sudden impact caused her to look up, making her come face-to-face with dejected emerald eyes. At first she tried to slip away but Kizashi snaked his arms around her, making sure to secure her from moving away.

"This is why I can never look you in the eyes when I'm mad at you," she said as her glare slowly dissipated. "You always make me feel like the bad one."

"I don't try to," he answered as he placed a kiss that was mixed with sadness and regret, on her thin cherry lips. "All I was thinking about was trying to keep everyone alive, you and Sakura the most, when that wave blind-sided us…" his expression changed from being full of guilt to complete seriousness, "all I thought about was getting Sakura and you to safety. You mean the world to me and I would be damned if a wave would end my life with you. I did what I did to save you. I should have told you what was going on when it happened, but I was too focused on my job to keep you two safe," the passion for their safety was evident in his eyes.

A gigantic sigh escaped Mebuki's lips as she placed her dainty ivory skinned hands around his square jaw, her slim fingers barely reached the top of his cheek bones. "I know," she said to him in a very soft voice, almost a whisper. "Kizashi," she moved her hands from his face and trailed her fingers down his neck, over his collar bone, and towards his chest. Almond eyes closed in frustration while her hands held tightly against his night shirt, forming two petite sized fists. "I'm more mad at you for putting yourself in danger!" She screamed. "First the Governor asks you to lead this voyage, and then we are sent out here in this never-ending sea only to have it plotting to wash us away! You always do what's right for everyone else and never yourself!"

"Mebuki…" he stared at his shaking wife as crystal tear droplets started to slide down her face. "No, no, don't cry!" He lifted his wife effortlessly into his arms and carried her bridal-style over to their remaining piece of furniture. She always struggled with accepting this voyage. He thought sadly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to come with me. I just couldn't bear…"

A small finger pushed itself against his soft light pink lips. "No," she said firmly. "I told you I would support you and be by your side through anything." She took her finger away and clasped her hands against his, "We will get through this together," she said as a small smile appeared on her face.

"There's the smile I fell in love with," Kizashi said with a mischievous look in his eyes.

"Oh real…" Her sentence was cut short by a sudden sensation of being pushed onto her back.

Mebuki stared at her husband with love in her eyes before he placed his body on top of hers. She could feel the urgency in his motions as he skillfully untied her nightgown. I only wish we can find what we are looking for, was her last thought before Kizashi began to erase her mind of all doubt and fear by replacing it with feelings of bliss and arousal.

---

"Kiz, we have been following this same path for hours now, we need to go another way," Yui groaned out as looked out at the never-ending azure blue that surrounded them.

The blazing golden sun hung brightly over their heads, causing the temperature on deck to increase dramatically. Steam could be seen rising from the wooden planks that lined the ship. Jai had to monitor the crew's state every few hours to make sure no one would die on board.

Kizashi stood by Jai in a white short sleeves dress shirt, thin tan breeches, and his leather boots. The top of his brow was pouring with sweat to the point where his white shirt was starting to become see-through. His exhausted emerald eyes stared at the map, trying to think of another route before Yui interrupted. After that wave, I'm not even sure where we are… He looked up from the map and stared out at the calm sea in front of the ship. What do I do?

"Hello! Earth to Kiz? Are you listening?"

Jai turned to the annoying man and slammed his foot down violently, "will you shut your mouth!" This outburst caused Kizashi and Yui to look at the normally quiet man with a mix of scared and startled looks. "Let the man do what he thinks it right, stop complaining."

Yui glared at Jai, "don't test me old man, I will throw you off your own ship."

"I would like to see you try."

"Captain!" A cry from the crow's nest caused Yui and Jai to end their mini feud. Kizashi rolled up the map and walked down the stairs to the main deck.

"What is it Jax?" He cried out as he continued to walk towards the main sail that the man was stationed at the top of.

At first Jax went quiet. Kizashi watched as the young, nearly brown colored man, switch his attention between his captain and the eastern seaboard. Kizashi tried to follow Jax's gaze into the horizon but the sun's bright rays prevented him from seeing anything. When the young lad said nothing Kizashi shrugged his shoulders and began to leisurely walk back to the upper deck. I guess it was just a false alarm, which he couldn't blame the poor lad for; it was a very hot and dry day at sea.

Y-You're kiddin'… Jax's brown eyes went as wide as saucers as he held up the small telescope to his right eye, for the fourth time. I thought this was just a rumor… He slowly lowered the bronze telescope from his eye and felt a sense of excitement that he hadn't felt in days. "CAPTAIN!" He screamed one more time.

"Yes Jax?!" Kizashi didn't make it very far across the main deck before Jax cried out again.

"I…I see land…"

Kizashi heard him mumble something but it was too soft for him to truly understand what he had said. "What?!" He shouted again.

Jax blinked a few more times before he snapped out of the trance he was in, "I SEE LAND CAPTAIN! LAND!"

Kizashi felt his whole body go numb. Impossible! His shocked eyes flashed towards Yui, Jai, and the entire crew around him, "I'm going up!" He screamed as he put one foot on the roped ladder and began to climb up the sail.

Yui saw his partner scurrying to the top of the crow's nest and bolted to the very sail he was climbing. What is he doing? "Kiz get down!"

The entire crew, except Jai, surrounded the sail Kizashi was climbing. Eyes full of wonder and confusion followed the path of their captain as his legs carried his entire body, in haste, to the top of the sail. Emerald eyes met deep brown eyes as Jax offered his large callused hand to his captain. Kizashi took the extended hand and took his first steps on top of the platform.

As he stood at the top, his eyes couldn't believe the view Jax had been sailing with, he could see everything from every angle, there was nothing he couldn't see. The crew below was in the shape of miniscule ants, the ocean looked even more of a never-ending body of water, but the serene feeling he felt was the most powerful of all. Never before had he enjoyed the ocean as much as now, he could feel the nearly none existent wind brush against his sweat covered face. The ocean sparkled below him, dancing under the sun's rays in such an innocent manner, masking its evil side they had dealt with only a day ago. He closed his eyes for a moment and took in the peaceful tranquility he had not felt since they first began their voyage.

"Captain…" Jax said softly, feeling scared to knock the man out of his daydream.

"Oh, right," Kizashi turned to the young lad and flashed him an apologetic smile, "I apologize, you have quite a view."

Jax looked at the man with one eye brow raised, "Uh…yea…" he outstretched his hand and held up the telescope, "Captain, look out there," he finished as he pointed towards the eastern horizon.

Kizashi looked at the aging telescope that he took from the young boy. The bronze was slowly deteriorating, as were the swirls that were engraved on the sides, and he could feel the salt from the sea covering the main barrel of the item. With a deep breath, Kizashi raised the telescope to his right eye and quickly shut his left eye. He shifted his body towards the direction in which Jax had pointed but saw nothing; all that filled his telescope was the sparking azure blue sea.

With disappointment he removed the telescope from his eye and shook his head. "Sorry Jax, I don't see anything."

"Try again Captain," the lad demanded. "Stand so the sun is on your left shoulder right where you can feel her burnin' the skin on the side of your neck."

"Okay," Kizashi raised the telescope once again to his right eye and positioned himself using the sun's heat as his guide. Place the sun against my shoulder. He told himself as he switched his left shoulder to be positioned a little in front of him. Feel the burn of her rays on my neck. He stretched his neck out to the right only to feel the sun's gentle kiss of heat burn his already hot skin. A deep sigh escaped his mouth as he concentrated on the view before him. All I see is oce… Right when he lost all hope he saw a glimpse of green enter his line of sight.

Jax heard a small gasp escape his lips, "you saw it too!"

Impossible! Not believing his own eyes, Kizashi removed the telescope from his right eye and switched it over to his left eye. He stared through the small hole and was shocked even more when his left eye saw the same color of green. Just one more look! I have to make sure I am seeing what I am seeing! For the third time, Kizashi removed the telescope from his left eye and closed his eyes, taking a moment to rest his eyes from the cruel sun's brightness. He opened his mouth slightly and took a deep breath in and out, as soon as he was ready, Kizashi grasped the worn out telescope and placed it against his right eye. This time he kept his left eye open and sure enough the color green entered his line of sight without hesitation.

"Captain?"

Kizashi removed the telescope from his eye and turned towards the awaiting crew member. "You were right Jax! You found it!" He shouted with excitement.

A huge smile covered Jax's face as he nodded at his captain's exhilaration. "I thought I was goin' crazy at first."

"Don't worry Jax, we will be on land soon!" Without wasting another minute Kizashi placed the telescope into Jax hands and started to climb down the rope with impressive speed.

"Kiz what is going on?" Yui asked with curiosity in his voice as his friend's feet met the wooden planks.

"Jai!" Kizashi yelled, ignoring Yui's comment. We cannot lose this lead!

"Yes Captain?" Jai called out from the other side of the ship.

Yui watched as Kizashi took off running to Jai's side. What has gotten into him? With annoyance evident on his face, he chased after his childhood friend hoping to get the insider scoop on what was happening.

Kizashi slid across the planks as he reached the upper level. He wobbled a little bit from his abrupt, and unusual, actions but rolled his shoulders back and stood tall as he caught his balance. Jai watched the overenthusiastic man come to his side with a sense of urgency.

"Captain?" He asked, not too sure what had gotten into the younger man.

"Land! Jax found land! He found it!" Kizashi told Jai.

Jai's eyes went wide at the accusation, "are you sure about this?"

"I checked that telescope three times. I am sure!"

To see the normally calm and reserved captain act like a child receiving his first toy made Jai consider believing what he saw. Jai flashed the captain a genuine smile, "tell me where to go."

"What is going on?" Yui interjected getting irritated even more that he missed what was being said.

Kizashi turned to Yui for a quick moment and shot a bright joyous smile his way, "it's land Yui! We have found it!"

"You aren't serious are you? Kiz, we have been at sea for so long are you sure you saw what you think you saw?"

Kizashi was too delighted to pay attention to Yui's disapproval. He turned his back on his friend and turned his full attention to Jai, "turn the ship towards the eastern seaboard, allow the sun's rays to touch your shoulder, but make sure you can feel the heat burn your neck. Once you feel that you will be on the right course."

"Point the sails towards the east!" Jai shouted in a stern manner causing every crew member to reassemble at their designated posts. The experienced driver felt the sails swing towards the east and in one fluid motion he placed his hands on the wheel and sent the ship towards the east, "Make her go as fast as you can!" Jai shouted demandingly.

"Finally, after all this time, we have finally found what we were looking for," Kizashi voiced as a content sigh escaped his lips.

Yui eyed Kizashi with jealousy. If he finds this island, the Governor is going to reward him. What about me? I'll get nothing! I will not allow that to happen. With such thoughts clouding Yui's mind, he walked away from his best friend and began to walk off towards the front of the boat.

"Yui, where are you going?"

The man in question stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around, "I am just going for a walk, you should tell Mebuki about what you found."

"Of course…" Kizashi watched his friend walk away. Something isn't right with Yui, what could be wrong? Keeping a wary eye on his friend, he climbed down the wooden steps and entered his quarters, ready to tell his wife what they have found.

---

For hours, the crew members, Yui, Jai, Kizashi and Mebuki watched with growing anticipation as the vessel sailed across the pristine ocean that was still enough that they thought they were sailing across a mirror. The calmness of the water allowed Jai to maneuver his ship faster than ever before.

"Oh, Kizashi, look!" Mebuki cried out as she balanced Sakura on the side of her hip and pointed out in front of them.

Everyone watched as the once green landmass that looked like the size of a pea started to grow bigger and bigger before their very eyes. Kizashi stared at the untouched landmass with accepting eyes. He turned to his cheering wife and placed a tender hand on her petite shoulder, "we finally made it Mebuki. We finally did it."

"Get ready men!" Jai shouted as he started to turn the vessel to combat the narrow peninsula that poured into the island. "Easy girl, you can do this," he encouraged the boat as he started to steer her straight past the rocky peninsula.

"Tie down the sails!" His command roared over to the crew as the number of rocks beside them began to increase. The sails came down in one swift motion and two members climbed each sail, tying the once proudly waving sails to the wooden masts that would guard the sails until they were needed to be released once again.

Once this was completed, everyone held their breath as the rocks began to grow in height and width. Their superior size acted as a wall between the ship and the outside waters. Each rock would point out a certain points down the long peninsula, Jai kept a close eye on the rock to water ratio as they reached the halfway point between the outlet and the island. The ship creaked as some rocks came close enough to the crew that they felt too uncomfortable to stand as close as they were to the jetting rock.

It seemed like eternity before Jai had successfully steered away from the treacherous rock valley. A breath of relief filled the air once the force of the deeper water and the bottom of the vessel met. "Get ready to set anchor!" Jai ordered as he snaked the ship into a position that would allow them to escape quickly, if needed.

"Set anchor!" Jai yelled one more time.

"Yes sir!" The crew yelled in unison as they uncovered the iron beauty that was waiting to taste the sea once again. In one giant heave, the members lifted the life-sized anchor and tossed her overboard. The sudden dip of the boat indicated to Jai that the anchor had hooked its teeth into the seafloor.

"Kizashi look at it, it's beautiful." Mebuki was speechless as she stared off into what seemed like an untouched island. The golden brown sand looked as soft as her silk sheets and the water was even clearer than the ocean they had been sailing across. She brought Sakura over to the banister and allowed her daughter to sit at the edge. Below them, they could see numerous types of sea life swimming below them, "when can we explore?"

"You're not coming," Yui answered. "Women stay on the ship," and with that blunt reply Yui walked down to the main deck to get ready to jump into one of the smaller row boats they had hoisted against the side of the ship.

"Mebuki," Kizashi tried to divert her attention away from Yui's harsh words, "we want to make sure the island is safe before I can bring you. Give me a day and then I will come back to take you and Sakura inland okay?" He placed a loving hand under her chin and kissed her lips. "That's a promise."

"You better," she said as she smiled into the kiss. "Now go and do what you came here to do." Kizashi flashed a charming smile and a small wink before he ruffled the top of Sakura's hair and scurried down to the main deck.

"What is the plan Captain?" Jai asked as one of the row boats splashed into the sparkling clear water.

Kizashi watched as all eyes turned in his direction, waiting for him to give them orders. He looked between the boat and the crew and then back to the boat. "We don't know what is out there. Jai, I want you to pick five men that you would trust with your life, those five men will row with Yui and I to shore." He looked to the other row boat and then back to the massive crew, "then I want you to pick 9 men to take the second boat. This row boat will stay halfway between the shore and the ship. If something goes wrong you will not wait for us, you will sail back to the ship and get out as fast as you can."

"Yes, of course," Jai nodded and began to deliberate which 14 members would be allowed to leave his ship.

"Those who are picked," Kizashi began again, "you are allowed to bring as many swords and knives as you can carry. No guns."

Yui yanked on Kizashi's shoulder and shot him a death glare. "No guns? Are you mad? We can't kill anything bigger than us with a sword!"

Kizashi placed a reassuring hand on Yui's shoulder and addressed the whole crew as he spoke. "If by chance we run into anything on this island we can't draw attention to ourselves. Say there are humans on this island, we must not give them a reason to fear us."

Yui snickered at this remark, "whatever Kiz, if you get us killed don't blame me for your dumb decision," and with that he disarmed his three shotguns and did a side flip into the awaiting row boat.

What has gotten into you Yui? Kizashi thought to himself as he watched Yui land in the row boat. They had been friends for decades and as soon as they arrived on the island Yui had started to act like he hated Kizashi. It was starting to worry Kizashi.

"I will be waiting in the row boat below," Kizashi told Jai, "send the five men down when you are ready. We will not row away until the two boats are full."

"Yes," Jai said as he took a step away and started to pick between his crew members.

Slowly the two row boats were being filled with crew members and once Kizashi was satisfied with the fullness of the second boat, they detached their ropes from the giant vessel and rowed their way across the miniature ocean. Crew members watched as fish swam around their ores as the wooden paddles entered and exited the water.

It didn't take long for the row boat to slide against the sand, allowing the seven men to take their first steps onto the unclaimed island. Kizashi sunk into the sand as him, Yui, and the five crew members made their way to the top of the sand line. Curiosity took over and he bent down to touch the harmless sand. To his surprise it was as soft as an infant's bottom, never before had he felt sand so remarkably soft.

"Let's do this," Yui stated as he took the lead towards the vast jungle in front of them.

The crew members looked to their captain, waiting for him to give the order. Kizashi started at the intimidating jungle with apprehension. No one has ever been to this island. Many countries have tried and have never succeeded. We are the first ones to make contact with this island. His calculating emerald eyes watched as the sea breeze gently brushed against the tall tropical palm trees. Just below the trees laid several Ti plants, their branches weaved around the trees like an ivory vine. Their dark rose and violet colored leaves, outlined with an evergreen color border, covered the passageway into the unknown jungle.

"Yui," Kizashi spoke before his friend could do anything rash, "do not cut down the trees, we will find a way into the jungle without harming the environment."

Yui grunted at the request, unsheathed his sword that was attached to his right hip, and cut a few of the Ti plants leaves. When he was finished he shot Kizashi a smirk, "sorry Kiz we wouldn't have gotten in if we did it your way."

Kizashi watched with disappointment as Yui entered through the hole he created. The crew members looked at Kizashi waiting for him to give them orders. With another sigh Kizashi took a step forward and looked to each crew member beside him,"come this way Kai, Mizu, Kyo, Kuro, and Nobu. We better stay close to Yui just in case."

As they crossed over from the beauty of the sand and into the shady environment of the jungle, Kai approached Kizashi before they got any closer to Yui. "I understand he is your friend, but if he endangers you or us I will kill him."

"Let's hope it doesn't come down to that," Kizashi answered with a reassuring smile.

"Now what?" Yui asked as he looked around at the many trumpet tree branches that possessed off-white flowers that hung upside down, dangling in front of Yui's path.

Trillions of bigger trees with giant fan-shaped bright green leaves littered the upper half of the jungle. Kizashi watched as a gigantic shower tree stood in the middle of their location. Its petite gold flowers hung on each branch like grapes hanging from a vine. They dangled with certain elegance to them. He looked around the central beautiful tree to see two different pathways distinctly made. One path was covered with mint green leaves, about two feet in length, lying against the dirt path. The other path had simple rich soil that extended off into the other direction where more trumpet trees outlined the path.

"We will follow this path first," Kizashi pointed to the mint green leaves below their feet. "Proceed with caution and do not attack anything unless provoked." These paths indicate that something, or someone, has been here. As he led the group down the first path he couldn't help but pray they wouldn't run into trouble.

It felt like days before Kizashi and his small crew emerged from the clutches of the unfamiliar jungle. It seems like there is no end to that jungle. He thought as they began to load themselves back into the small row boat resting on the shore. Hopefully we find a way through it tomorrow.

"What a waste of time," Yui grunted as he crossed his arms over his chest as Mizu, Kyo, Kuro, and Nobu began to push the row boat away from the shore.

"It's better to be sure there is nothing out here," Kai said as he trudged through the darkening waters and jumped into the row boat.

"Yeah, whatever," Yui grumbled as he followed Kai through the water.

"We better row back to the ship quickly, the sun is starting to set," Kizashi stated as he hopped into the row boat. The last thing we need is to be left on this island when the sun goes down. Without delay the seven men made their way back to the awaiting vessel.

"Captain! They are back!" Jax yelled from the top of the crow's nest.

Jai and Mebuki ran to the very edge of the banister to see the two boats only 100 feet away from the vessel. Jai turned to the direction where a few of the members were sitting against a stack of rope, "get these men on this ship as quickly as possible," he sternly stated. He turned to an overjoyed Mebuki and nodded in her direction, "we better be down there to greet them."

By the time Mebuki and Jai reached the main level of the ship, all 16 men were starting to climb the wooden ladder to safety. As soon as Kai took a step on the boat, Jai nodded in his direction, as if to say "thank you". Kizashi was the last person to step onto the boat.

"Kizashi!" Mebuki exclaimed in a semi-high pitched relieved voice. She walked as fast as she could, with Sakura at her side, and yanked her husband into a one-armed bone crushing hug. "I'm so happy you made it."

Kizashi blushed at the public affection she was showing in front of his crew but encased her and Sakura in his arms, "Me too," he whispered softly in her ear.

Jai watched the couple with accepting eyes but then cleared his throat, "I don't mean to interrupt the moment, but did you find anything?"

"No," Yui interjected, trying to ignore the affection he was witnessing. "We saw nothing, no animals, no people, it's deserted."

"He's right," Kai said with a serious expression. "It was a little too quiet."

Mebuki stood at the side of her husband and felt hope wash through her entire body. "Does this mean we can visit the island now?!"

Before Kizashi could deny Mebuki's request, Yui slid to her side and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "I don't see why you can't visit it Mebuki. It is quite a beautiful island."

"Oh please Kizashi?" Mebuki eyed her husband with pleading eyes.

"Mebuki, do you remember my promise? I will not allow you on that island until we explore it for one more day."

The extreme hurt in her eyes went unnoticed by Kizashi. She took a step backwards, breaking contact with Yui and acquiring distance between her and her husband, "of course. We always have to wait," she finished in a dejected tone as she took a confused Sakura and started to walk back to the upper level.

"Yui, why did you tell her that?" Kizashi asked with a hint of frustration evident in his voice.

Yui shrugged his shoulders, "because it's the truth. There is nothing out there. I don't see why you can't give her what she wants."

"Because it's dangerous Yui! We still don't know what's out there!"

The sudden outburst from Kizashi caused everyone to stare even more at the duo in the middle of their quickly forming circle. Mebuki heard his outburst and couldn't help but slowly turn around to watch what was about to transpire between the two friends.

"Captain has a point," Nobu said, "we only explored not even half of that island. Allowing more of us would be suicide."

Yui ignored the unimportant crew member and continued to stare at his old childhood friend with burning anger blazing in his black eyes. "She has been locked up on this ship for months, the first time we have seen land and you're going to deny her the right to explore? She's your wife! Start treating her like something other than an object you want to keep locked up." He switched his attention to the woman and child that stood on the upper deck, watching their entire conversation with wide eyes. Yui's muscular arms pointed in her direction as he persistently continued to scream at Kizashi. "Look at her!"

Kizashi slowly looked towards the direction Yui's arm was pointing. He watched his wife and child stand there still as stone. Now that Yui mentions it, I can't help but feel like this is all my fault.

"If you don't take her to the island, I will." Yui finished.

That caused Kizashi to stiffen. He abruptly yanked his gaze away from Mebuki and stared intently into Yui's black eyes. Ever since they had arrived on this island Yui has acted differently, and he would be damned if he allowed his unstable friend to put his wife and baby in danger. "No," he growled out, "I will take her."

The reaction Kizashi showed caused Yui to smirk. "Fine, but I'm tagging along," and with that he soundlessly maneuvered his way away from the circle of crew members and began to throw a few items down to the floating row boat in which they just came from.

"Captain, you can't be serious," Jai said in pure worry, "the sun is about to set, this is not a good idea."

Kizashi felt his head grow heavy as he turned his attention to the only other friend he had made on the ship. "Don't you think I know that?" His eyes shifted, briefly, to his awaiting wife, "but I cannot allow him to take my wife and daughter."

"Fine," Jai turned to Kai and they both nodded their heads, "if that is how you feel, Kai, Nobu, Mizu, Kyo, Kuro, and myself will accompany you. We will make sure that you three return back to this ship in one piece."

"You don't need…"

"No Captain, we are and you will not tell us otherwise," Mizu said with a slight smirk. "Besides, if that ass slips up in any way and puts that nice lady in danger, it gives me a reason to slam my blade straight into his throat."

"Uh…" Kizashi didn't know how to handle that last statement but bowed deeply towards the six men, "thank you, I do not know how I will be able to repay you."

"We will start loading more items, just in case," Kuro said as he stepped away and directed a few of the other crew members to grab some items from the basement level of the ship.

"You better grab Mebuki," Jai said with a tilt of his head as he walked off with Kai to begin scavenging around the boat for supplies.

Kizashi turned away from the kind crew members and began to walk to the upper level, only to see Yui gently directing Mebuki and Sakura down the stairs. "Yui, what are you doing?" He asked as he waited at the bottom of the stairs.

"I was just telling Mebuki that her chariot is waiting."

Mebuki took an uneasy step away from Yui as she reached her husband's side. "Kizashi, are you okay with this?" She felt a little apprehensive after hearing the argument between the two of them.

"Yes, it's fine. We have a team that will be taking you and Sakura to the island. Of course me and Yui will be joining you as well."

"Oh goody!" Her mood completely changed as she placed Sakura into Kizashi's hands and sprinted towards their living quarters.

"See how happy you made her," Yui softly stated as he took a step around his partner, "I was even able to secure some late night sex with your wife after this trip."

It took all of Kizashi's will power not to raise his voice to his friend. The sudden mood change within Yui was causing Kizashi to question Yui's relationship with him. Sakura sat in her father's arms staring back and forth between Yui and her father.

"Even Sakura will enjoy it," he shot the infant a smile and reached out to ruffle her short pink locks.

Before Kizashi was able to move Sakura away, Sakura's teeth landed right on Yui's wrist. The force in which she bit down on his skin caused Yui to tense and withdraw his arm as quickly as it came. Kizashi and Yui watched as small bite marks were imprinted on his skin and small drops of crimson blood began to slowly drip down his arm. Right as Yui was about to say anything, the doors to Kizashi's room came flying open, revealing a smiling Mebuki dressed in a tan colored form-fitting gown that reached down to her ankles.

"Are you men ready?!" She shouted with excitement as she spun around in a circle.

"Lead the way," Kizashi answered swiftly as he gently placed his hand on the curve of her back. She took his light push as a sign to go and she sprinted off towards the other crew members who allowed her to climb down to the boat.

The two men followed the overly excited Mebuki and climbed down to the row boat. It didn't take long before all 10 people were squished onto the floating object. Jai looked up to his crew and slashed the linen rope. He used his strong arms to push the row boat away from his vessel and once they were far enough away Nobu, Kyo, Kuro, Mizu, Kai, and Jai picked up an ore and pushed the packed boat back towards the shoreline.

As soon as Mebuki heard the bottom of the boat scrap against the sand she wasted no time in throwing herself off of the ship. Kizashi was still holding Sakura against his chest as he too exited the boat. Yui followed, along with Jai, Kai, Nobu, Kyo, Kuro, and Mizu.

"Make sure that boat is secure enough to stay on its own, but easy enough to push off in one push," Kai ordered Nobu.

"Look at her go," Jai said to Kizashi as he watched the young woman twirl around in the sand. "It's almost like she has never seen sand before."

"Gah bo!" Sakura shouted in baby talk as she clapped her hands in excitement, enjoying the change of scenery.

"Just like her mother," Kizashi said with a light chuckle as he walked up further on the shore bank and placed Sakura on all fours.

She twirled and twirled and twirled around in circles until the sensation of dizziness was too overwhelming for her. It has been too long! She thought in pure bliss as she allowed her body to fall backwards onto her back. The feeling of the sinfully soft sand against her exposed arms brought tears to her eyes. Slowly, she closed her almond eyes and released a giant sigh. Not being able to feel the rocking of the ocean is a feeling I never thought I would miss. She opened her eyes slowly and looked back at the pile of men that sat in a circle around her daughter. The image of the brute crew members and her husband playing with Sakura was an image she was never going to forget. Sakura's smile, even if there were only a few pearly white teeth, made Mebuki feel less guilty about causing a scene. Sakura needed this as much as I did. Afraid that she would miss any more action, she rolled over to her front, used her arms to push herself into a standing position, and skipped over to the small circle. As she placed herself in-between Kizashi and Jai she noticed that Yui had been standing by the boat watching the sun set.

"Is Yui not joining us?"

"He said he wanted some time alone," Kizashi answered while he continued to focus on Sakura who was trying to push the sand out of her way.

"Oh," Mebuki shrugged her shoulders and wrapped one arm around her husband's own arm.

Kizashi looked to his side and smiled at her curled up position. He could see Yui through his peripheral vision and felt a hidden smile form in the back of his mind. I guess Yui was right, Mebuki needed this. He followed his lively daughter as she had figured out how to hold the sand without it falling out of her hands. She even managed to throw it in Kai's face. Even Sakura needed this.

"Kia I'm so sorry!" Mebuki said in horror as Sakura continued to grab more sand and began to fling it at Nobu next.

Kai waved Mebuki back into a sitting position and grabbed the feisty infant, "don't worry about it Mebuki, this little tyke is just havin' some fun."

"Easy for you to say," Nobu exclaimed as he proceeded to wipe the sand from his eyes.

"Guys, look, the sunset," Kyo pointed out.

At the mention of the sunset, everyone watched as the once blistering hot sun began to descend down to meet the calm sea. Rays of golden yellow and amber orange shined across the sky. The once empty light blue sky began to be littered with sparking stars. As soon as the sun met the ocean's horizon, the very sea before them acted like a mirror, causing the gold and amber rays to be projected across the sea. Everyone sat in the sand breathless of the scene before them.

"Amazing…" Mebuki gasped out, never before had she seen such a display of colors before.

Yui walked over to their small circle and managed to slide into the small gap between Kizashi and Kyo. "What a view."

"That it is," Kizashi answered, "we should head back soon before we lose any more light.

"We will get the boat ready," Kai said as he passed Sakura into Jai's outstretched hands, which then passed her to Mebuki.

"A cha!" Sakura giggled out as she threw the sand, which was still clutched in her hand, into the air.

Mebuki shook her head at the wild infant and gave her a giant hug, "Sakura what are we going to do with you? You'll blind the whole crew if you keep this up!"

"Eh, maybe some of the crew would be better if that happened," Mizu said as he shot Kuro an all-knowing look.

Kuro glared at the man and took his own pile of sand and chucked it in Mizu's direction, "I couldn't have agreed more!" Everyone laughed at the playful altercation and proceeded to stand up. Kyo, Kuro, Nobu, and Mizu joined Kai at the boat while Yui, Mebuki, Jai and Kizashi followed behind them.

Before Jai followed his crew, his trained ears heard faint footsteps coming from the jungle. His right hand immediately covered his sword on his right side, even though their group was far enough away from the jungle to impair his judgement he did not want to take any chances. "Did you hear that?"

Yui jumped to the side of Jai and sank down into a defensive stance, "hear what?"

Kizashi pulled Mebuki and Sakura behind him as he took the opposite side of Jai.

"Listen…" Jai turned his head to the side and motioned for Kai and the other men to get closer to them.

Yui and Kizashi held their breath as they tried to listen for what Jai thought he heard. Seconds seemed like hours as the entire group waited for another sound.

"There is nothing old man," Yui exclaimed as he shifted out of his stance and stood upright. "Maybe your hearing is leaving you in your old…"

Before Yui could continue with his statement an unsettling cry echoed from the jungle. Kizashi looked back to see the other men covering his back. He placed his free hand behind his back and grabbed Mebuki's arm. He forcefully pushed her and Sakura against his back. "Stay as close as possible to me." He turned his attention to Jai, "how much of a chance do you think we have of making a run for it?"

"A successful run?" Jai watched as a miniature sea of torches, lit with fire, came rushing through the jungle. He looked back at the boat and then back to the rapid moving lights, "not successful at all."

Shit. Kizashi cursed in his mind as he waited for an attack. He turned his attention back to Mebuki and his grip tightened around her wrist, "if things become too rough, I want you and Sakura to run into that boat, take as many of these men with you, and get back to the ship. Do not turn back and get out of here."

"But Kiz…" Mebuki didn't finish her sentence for the moving torches started to rush out of the hole that was made by Yui earlier that day.

The group watched as a large group of humans sprinted out of the jungle. Their torches held high in the air as their nimble bodies moved across the sand with precision only experience allowed. Within seconds the torch-carrying, sand walking, creatures were face-to-face with Kizashi's group. Infuriated eyes were the only facial feature not covered by deep scarlet red paint. Some possessed rubber skin-made pants, while others were only covered in a hanging leaf that hid their most sacred body part from wandering eyes. They looked back and forth between the group members and each other. With each passing moment they become more and more restless; some began to jump up and down howling into the night's sky while others stood their ground.

"What do we do?" Kai whispered from behind Kizashi.

"Do not do anything to upset them, this is their territory, we mustn't…"

"Screw this!" Yui cried out as he unsheathed his sword.

"Jai watch Mebuki and Sakura," Kizashi ordered quickly as he took a step away from his wife and ran across the other side of Jai.

His abrupt movements caused the raging humans to take a step back. They watched as Yui pointed his menacing sword in their direction and witnessed a woman and child being revealed. Whispers echoed through the group, as they watched a man throw himself against the other male that possessed the sword.

"Yui, stop!" Kizashi shouted as he rammed himself into Yui's side.

The blunt force of Kizashi's body against his own caused Yui to be flung sideways five feet away from Jai. The shocked male stood up on his feet and grabbed onto his sword. "What is wrong with you?!" He started to wave the sword around, planning on sidestepping Kizashi and running head first into the pile of bodies before him.

Kizashi took a step away from the furious Yui and grabbed him by his collar, nearly choking Yui from the sudden pressure against his esophagus. Kizashi could feel Yui's coughs and tossed him in the middle of their group. Yui stumbled to his feet while his lungs tried to gather the missing oxygen that was deprived from his lungs. Kizashi looked to Mizu and Kyo, "grab his sword," he ordered, "make sure he does nothing to set these people off."

"Hey!" Yui squirmed around in the grasps of both Kyo and Mizu, "what the hell Kiz!"

Kizashi turned to his friend and shook his head, "I'm sorry Yui, but I cannot take any chances with your rash decisions right now!"

"Kizashi, you better look at this," Jai interrupted.

In one swift motion, Kizashi returned to Jai's side staring at the bouncing people before them. Mebuki and Sakura moved away from the opening on Jai's side and stood behind both men. She did not want to put her daughter in any more danger than she had already done. Me and my bright ideas, I shouldn't have argued to Kizashi to take us down here after he had already promised he would.

"What are they saying?" Kizashi asked Jai as he watched the people exchange unrecognizable words to each other.

"It's not anything I have ever heard before."

"Nu wa shing!" The man in the front shouted as he took a step towards Jai and Kizashi.

Kizashi slid himself between Jai and the advancing native, "please, we come in peace. We do not want any trouble."

The native looked at Kizashi with apprehension when he spoke. He turned his head towards the other natives and pulled his knife in front of his body, "Kiy su?"

"No, no!" Kizashi placed his hands up in a pleading manner, "no one needs to be killed here. Please, put the knife away."

"Kiy su?" the native asked again as he continued his steps closer to Kizashi.

Voices started to chatter in the background, voicing their own opinion of what should be done. Kizashi didn't know what to do, he had no idea what this man was about to do as he waved his knife around, hoping back and forth, side to side, around Kizashi's unguarded spots.

"Shu sa!" A voice shouted from the very back of the crowd.

The once adventurous native withdrew like he was burned by fire. He dropped his knife in the sand and scurried back into the crowd behind him, almost like a dog retreating with its tail between its legs. They watched as the sea of natives parted down the middle, making a path for the one who screamed.

This new man held his head high, sporting a crown covered in thorns and two bright orange colored leaves that were folded over the top of his head. However, his face was not painted like all the others, his face clear of any type of paint. His wide shoulders, chest, and legs was covered in the same rubber-like material. His muscular legs guided him down the sand, it was as if he was hovering over the sand.

When he reached the end of the hill, the man with the crown stood only a few feet away. Calm amber met questionable emerald eyes as the two stared at each other, neither one of them moved. The overly muscular man broke eye contact to pick up the fallen knife that rested in the sand. Kizashi watched with caution as the man took the knife and held it for a couple of seconds. What is he going to do? Kizashi made no attempt to move and when the man chuck the knife behind him, back into the small crowd, he couldn't help by release an imaginary sigh of relief.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" The man suddenly spoke.

He speaks our language! Kizashi looked into the man's eyes with seriousness and a hint of relief. "My name is Kizashi Haruno," he turned his body to the side as he pointed to the men behind him, and beside him, "these are my crew members."

A slight twitch of the mouth came from the man before Kizashi, "what brings you to my island?"

"A voyage funded by my Governor. We have been looking for ways to expand our country, I had heard of rumors that said there was one island that was still uninhabited by any human or country. I followed that rumor and here I am, before you at this very moment."

Yui started to struggle against Mizu and Kyo's grasp, "Kiz you shouldn't be telling him anything! What the hell are you doing?!"

Kizashi ignored his friend and continued to hold the man's gaze, "I know it is not in my best interest to ask questions but who are you?"

A short chuckle erupted from deep within the man's chest, "Kizashi Haruno, you are an inquisitive one. My name is Haruki." He answered as he looked at the people behind Kizashi, assessing each and every one of them one-by-one.

"A boo!" A small voice cut through the tension like a knife trying to cut butter.

The sudden sound caused Haruki to turn his attention to the location of the noise, "what was that?"

Kizashi stared at Mebuki, who was hiding behind Jai, with a horrid expression. He watched in horror as his wife took a step out from behind Jai and politely bowed in Haruki's direction. "I apologize Sir, my daughter is only an infant," she answered as she held Sakura close to her chest as she bowed slightly.

The man turned his attention back to Kizashi, "Where are you from?"

"We are from a country called the Shimogakure, the Land of Iron," Jai answered as he followed Mebuki's lead and bowed in respect.

Haruki's amber eyes widen slightly at the information. "That is quite a journey. I commend you for coming this far, but you must leave."

Kizashi nodded his head, took a step back, and bowed deeply in respect. "Yes Sir Haruki, we will sail away and you will never see us again. I will make sure that our country does not come back to your island."

At this sudden release of information it caught everyone, even Haruki, off-guard. Yui started to thrash violently within his captures' grasps and managed to break free. The irritated man pounded his feet into the sand and marched right behind Kizashi. He grabbed Kizashi's shoulder and spun him around forcefully.

"Are you nuts?!" Yui shouted. "We did not sail across the world to go back empty handed! The Governor said that if we ran into anyone on this island we were ordered to kill them!"

Haruki narrowed his eyes at the loud-mouth blue haired man. Was that this man's plan all along? His body became tense as he positioned his left hand over the hidden sword tucked in the waistband of his rubber pants. He would be damned if these strangers were going to take his island.

"Yui did you not hear him?!" Kizashi shouted out of pure frustration. "Look at them!" he turned Yui's attention to the crowd of people behind him, "this is their home. I can't kill them! It would be like someone coming to our home and killing everything we have ever known. I would rather lie to our Governor than be part of any type of senseless killing."

Yui's face turned tomato red. He eyed Kizashi with pure hatred and with the raise of his fist; he punched the man square in the jaw. Kizashi did not move from his spot, he took the punch like a man and simply stared at Yui with a blank expression.

"I'm sick of you messing everything up. I should have been the one in charge!" He turned his back on his old time friend and faced a trembling Mebuki, "come with me, I will give you everything that pathetic man could never give you."

Mebuki felt her whole body burn with hatred as Yui spoke those words, "you can go to hell," she spat out as she stepped away from him and joined her rightful place by her husband's side. "He is more of a man than you will ever be."

His hands began to shake with even more anger, "Fine! The hell with you all!" He grabbed his fallen sword in the sand and sheathed it to his side. He walked over to the row boat and began to push it out away from the land, "you'll see Kiz, you all will see! I'm going to go back to Iron and tell the Governor where to find you all! You were always such a pussy Kiz, always too nice for your own good. Now you will get what you deserve."

Jai looked between his crew members and back at Kizashi, "Captain, it was an honor serving you, but I can't allow him back on my ship, we have to follow him."

"Jai do what you have to do," the next statement made Kizashi nearly choke up in sadness at the realization of his words, "and…if you…if you need to kill Yui, do it. Tell the Governor that we both died during the voyage and that the island doesn't exist. You deserve all of the reward money. Take it with a guilty-free conscience."

"Of course…Kizashi," Jai said with a sad smile before him and his men ran after Yui by swimming full speed towards the row boat.

Haruki stood in the background as he watched the strangers interacted amongst each other. The wisdom this man has is astounding. He found himself forming a certain type of respect for the man, even if he had only spoken several sentences with him before his partner went insane. Question is why did he stay on my island? For all he knows I could order my men to kill him…it seems like that is the risk he has chosen to take.

"Why didn't you follow them?" Haruki asked, itching to hear Kizashi's answer.

At the sound of Haruki's calm authoritative voice, Kizashi slowly turned his attention away from the dark blue waters and directed his attention to a much more pressing matter at hand. His once sad eyes changed to determination, now was the time to make sure that this man would not kill his family. Not after everything we have been through.

"Sakura is only an infant. Swimming through that water would have killed her," he stated calmly as he wrapped his right arm around a concerned Mebuki.

Haruki looked away from Kizashi and stared at his young daughter who sat patiently in her mother's arm. What odd hair color. He thought to himself as he examined the small amount of pink hair that was growing on the top of her head. "That isn't your only reason is it?"

"No," Kizashi slowly retracted his arm away from his wife's shoulders and took a small step towards Haruki.

The sudden motion caused the members behind Haruki to become unsettled. The same native that exposed his knife to Kizashi and his crew jumped to Haruki's side, crutching down low to the sand, waiting to attack.

"Ma na su?!" He yelled as he reached down to his side and began to pull his knife out once again.

Mebuki let out a small gasp as she watched the small amount of moonlight reflect off of the metal blade. "Kizashi," she whispered softly as she pressed her body against his back.

Kizashi stood his ground, eyeing the man with the knife, the desire to protect his family shined brightly in his eyes. This desire did not go unnoticed by Haruki and he raised his hand in the air, signaling his rumbustious partner to stop his advances.

The man stood as still as stone when he saw Haruki raise his hand in the air. He turned away from the outsider and stared in disbelief at his leader, "Ba nau?" he groaned out.

"Sa sha," Haruki commanded, leaving no room for the man to argue with his command.

Mebuki and Kizashi watched in disbelief at how easily the once wild man was tamed so easily. "Thank you," Mebuki snuck out from behind Kizashi and bowed as low as she could possibly go with Sakura in her arms.

"Answer the question," Haruki demanded, ignoring Mebuki's gratefulness.

"My hope is that we can work together. I have worked closely with my Governor and Yui, I know if I asked you to leave you will not consider it. This is a mess that I created and I will do whatever it takes to make sure I can make it right again. Yui will come back and hit your home with everything he has."

Haruki was shocked at the stern words that flowed out of the man's mouth. How interesting… He looked at the head-strong man and then to his wife. Just by the tone of her husband's words, she changed from a cowering woman to a more firm woman. The bond these two share is unlike any other, it reminds me of my wife Sayu. The sudden realization caused Haruki to tear up on the inside.

A small smile spilled across Haruki's face, "well Kizashi Haruno you are not like any other man I have met," he slowly bowed towards Kizashi causing all of the natives behind him to gasp in awe.

To say Kizashi was a little shocked was an understatement, not knowing what to do he just stood there flabbergasted by the sudden change in events. "Thank you…?" was the only words Kizashi could speak.

The apprehension behind Kizashi trying to accept Haruki's compliment caused the larger-than-life man to chuckle. Haruki took a step forward and slapped Kizashi on the back. "Come this way," Haruki stood by Kizashi's side while Kizashi gathered his wife and child and followed the natives up the sand hill, through the jungle, and to the opposite side of the island.

Unfortunately neither Kizashi nor Mebuki could see the path in which they were traveling; the sky scraping trees blocked the small source of light, causing them to rely on the torches that were scattered amongst the group of natives that surrounded them. The walk through the confusing layout of the jungle felt like it took forever; Kizashi could see his wife growing tired from all of the extensive walking. The only form of encouragement he could give her was taking Sakura from her arms and using his free hand to help her over the thick roots that covered the ground.

"We are almost there," Haruki said, noticing the struggling woman beside him. "It won't be long now."

"I can handle it," Mebuki said as she gently brushed away her husband and continued to dodge the roots without faulting over them.

It didn't take much longer for them to reach the beginning of a clearing within the heart of the jungle. Before them was a thriving village. A large gate made from two giant tropical trees, their branches intertwined against each other as their green spiked-shaped leaves protruded out in every direction. Their thick trunks sported miniature purple flowers that climbed up the trunks like ivy, hoping to one day reach the top of the trees.

Once the group crossed underneath the nature-made gate, they continued to follow the dirt path deeper into the clearing. As soon as they crossed into the clearing, the number of natives that followed them began to decrease. Kizashi and Mebuki watched as other natives stood outside their nature-made hut, staring intently at the outsiders that their leader led further into the village. Small torches were placed outside each home and Mebuki and Kizashi continued to follow Haruki towards the center of town. They could hear whispers fill the air as they walked into the middle of town.

Right in the middle of the clearing was a tree with billions of cerulean blue flowers spread across the thick branches of the ancient tree. Hanging from each branch was trillions of candle lit lanterns, but these lanterns were not like the typical lanterns back in Shimogakure, made from iron, instead the base of the lantern had a woven pattern made from different types of ivy, stems, and thin delicate branches. The candle's light illuminated a dance of designs around the outskirts of the scared tree.

"That is our sacred tree," Haruki mentioned in passing as they walked past the tree and continued towards a larger nature-made hut. "This is my home, come inside," he said as he pulled the dark brown bark door open.

Mebuki and Kizashi didn't say a word and followed him into the home. Once they all were in the home, Haruki walked over to several areas in the home and lit several candles. Each candle extended down towards the dirt floor, a small dish made of enamel covered the dirt floor, catching the melting wax as it fell. Haruki made his way around, lighting all of the different colored candles, allowing Mebuki and Kizashi to fully study the inside of the home.

They stood in a quant living space, two couches, framed from tree bark and sand filled cushions providing the needed comfort. To their right there was a small area with some chairs, that possessed sand filled cushions, circled around a fire pit. Small shelves made out of different types of bark and lined with fish skin held several different types of utensils and weapons. Before they could pry anymore, Haruki came out from the two rooms hidden on the other side of the house.

"This is my home," he explained to them as he outstretched his arms to allow them a better look at everything. "As you can see, this is my resting area and the area where I prepare meals," he turned to his right and extended a hand towards the two empty rooms, "the room with the green candle is my room," He closed his eyes and opened them before he pointed to the other room, "the room with the orange candle will be your room."

Mebuki walked up to Haruki and planted a soft kiss on the side of his cheek, "there are no words that can describe our thankfulness and gratefulness for your kind hospitality. Thank you for taking us strangers into your beautiful town and home, I know it is not something easy," she flashed him a sweet smile.

Haruki gave Mebuki a small nod, "your husband showed qualities that I have not encountered in a man in a very long time," he turned to the squirming Sakura in Kizashi's arms, "and I could not sentence this child to death."

Sakura looked up at the giant man as he placed his hand on her head and ruffled her short pink locks. Her sweet, innocent, giggle echoed through the empty home causing every adult to slightly chuckle. Her confused expression caused everyone to forget, slightly, of the events that had transpired within the past 24 hours.

"Mebuki, take Sakura into the room, you two have had a long day," Kizashi said as he kissed the top of Sakura's forehead.

"Okay," she took Sakura from her husband's hands and began to walk towards her new room, "don't you two stay up too late now," she ordered in a motherly tone as she disappeared into the room.

"You have a good wife Kizashi Haruno," Haruki stated as he motioned for Kizashi to take a seat on one of his couches.

"Mebuki is one-of-a-kind," he said with a loving smile as he slowly sat on the surprisingly comfortable couch. He watched as Haruki lifted one of the chairs from around the fire pit and stationed it in front of him. "Is it just you in this home?"

The innocent question caught Haruki off-guard, slightly. His amber eyes stared at the floor for several moments before he brought his attention back to Kizashi, "it is now." When he answered that question, he found this strange desire to tell Kizashi, a man he just met hours ago, everything about himself. Remarkable. Never before had he felt such energy from any human before.

"Oh…" he thought carefully about his next comment, "I apologize for whatever happened."

Haruki smiled at the small apology the man gave him. Yes, what a remarkable man indeed. "I had a wife about 7 full moon cycles ago," he began, shocked that he was allowing himself to tell this man everything, "she died when giving birth to my son Sai."

"I'm so sorry," Kizashi expressed as he sat in the couch thinking of what he would be like if Mebuki died while giving birth to Sakura. I would be a mess, a horrible mess. "You have my upmost admiration for being able to handle such a tragedy." But if this house is empty…what happened to his son? But that was a question he did not dare to ask.

"Sai didn't live long," he continued on with his gloomy story, "he died a few days later because of the rough battle he had inside my wife."

"Sir Haruki," Kizashi got up from his spot on the couch and sat on the other side of the couch, closer to Haruki, "I can't begin to understand the pain you go through every day," he made eye contact with the leader that was slowly entering a depressing state. "Think of Mebuki, Sakura, and I as your adoptive family. You have done enough for my family, mainly keeping us alive, and not throwing us to the hands of one of your natives or the wilderness or the ocean. Think of Sakura as your second child."

Haruki could feel the energy emitting from Kizashi as he spoke his true feelings. "I am a mere stranger and you are offering a relationship with you, your wife, and your daughter…" he looked deep into the depths of Kizashi's emerald eyes trying to find some type of reason behind his actions, "why? You just met me…"

"And you just met me," Kizashi combated, "you gave my family and I a chance to live another day and for that the respect, loyalty, and trust I hold for you is what is allowing me to offer this. It is the least I can do," he softly stated.

"Your ability to trust others is remarkable," Haruki said as he felt his nightly depression begin to vanish, "though it does blind you to the evilness of others."

Kizashi scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, "you sound like Mebuki," he answered with a sheepish smile.

"I am grateful Kizashi Haruno."

"You're grateful? I'm the one that should be kissing your feet! And Kizashi is just fine," he added in.

The two men looked at each other and suddenly began laughing uncontrollably at their conversation. Their roaring laughter caused the once silent home to be filled with happiness. It didn't take long for the men to find themselves out of breath from the severity of their laughter. Kizashi found himself blinking away the few tears that escaped his eyes while Haruki's cheeks were cherry red from the pressure of his laughter.

"Well Kizashi, I believe this is a start of a new friendship," he stated as he stood up from his chair and extended his hand.

"Agreed," Kizashi answered as he stuck out his hand and the two of them exchanged a life changing hand shake.

"Tomorrow I will give you, Mebuki, and Sakura a tour of my island," and with that the two men walked into their own rooms and welcomed the sleep that was calling their names.

---

"This is our center of town," Haruki said as they stood in front of the sacred tree from last night. The cerulean flowers seemed even more magical as the sun's rays shined down on the petite pedals of the full blooming flowers. "All of our homes are centered around this tree."

"Is there a reason?" Mebuki asked.

"It makes the people here feel at peace. Some come to the tree for answers, while others find it a symbol of life. Every person has their own view," he turned away from the tree and waved for them to follow him towards the east gate stationed about 1,000 feet away. "Come this way, there is something I want to show you three."

The four of them walked across the center of town towards the eastern gates. Multiple natives waved and smiled at Haruki while staring sheepishly at the three unfamiliar people by his side.

"Are they nervous because we are here?" Mebuki asked with concern as she tried to smile at them, only to have some of them run away in horror.

Haruki chuckled lightly at her question, "they are more curious than scared. Some are wondering what I am going to do to you."

"Mebuki, you would be scared if you saw new people parading around with the Governor."

"I guess that's true."

They reached the eastern gate that looked just like the gate they passed late last night and crossed underneath it. Haruki waved at them to follow him deeper into the same jungle they dealt with last night. Mebuki carried Sakura through the surprisingly clear path while Kizashi stood in the front with Haruki, exchanging light conversation to pass the time. It didn't take long before the jungle started to decrease in size. Once they came across the smaller red Ti plants, that Yui effortlessly cut down on the other side of the island, Kizashi had a feeling they would be entering another coast line. Haruki pushed back the tall red plant and allowed Kizashi and Mebuki to walk in front of him. As soon as they crossed over from the jungle to the sand they couldn't help but ogle at the beautiful ocean before them.

"It's just as beautiful as before," Mebuki's eyes lit up with excitement as she ran towards the coast line and allowed Sakura to crawl around the same sinfully soft sand.

"Judging by the look on your people, they do not encounter a lot of strangers," Kizashi concluded as he and Haruki descended down the sand mound and joined Mebuki by the ocean.

"Because of our location, we are well hidden from outsiders," he turned his head to Kizashi and Mebuki, "actually, you are the first outsiders ever to have found us."

"Why is that?" Mebuki asked with curiosity. "We heard of tons of countries that have tried to make this journey. Some pirates have tried to make their way here too with no success."

"That is a secret only a pure native leader, like myself, will ever know," he answered with a wink in Mebuki's direction.

"How do we become natives, like you?" Kizashi asked. "If we are going to live here we might as well learn the ways of your people."

Haruki flashed the two adults a mysterious smirk, "to become a native of my island you have to follow our beliefs and engage in the most sacred ritual."

"What kind of ritual and beliefs?" Mebuki asked.

Before Haruki could answer Mebuki's question, a cooing baby sound was heard from the distance. Kizashi, Mebuki, and Haruki turned to see baby Sakura sitting in the ocean petting a sea creature. Its giant white head was the size of a row boat and even for its monstrous size it laid as still as the calming ocean while the infant began to run her microscopic hands against the endless dark blue stripes, which ran along the side of its head. Mebuki was about to run to scoop her baby into her arms, but Haruki's light hold on her wrist stopped her.

"Mr. Haruki, please I have to get Sakura!"

Haruki stared wide eyed at the scene before him, "hold on a second Mebuki."

Mebuki looked to Kizashi for assistance to argue with the man's strange demand but Kizashi could only shake his head. Even though Kizashi had no idea why the man wanted to delay them from grabbing Sakura away from the giant creature he knew that Haruki wouldn't put Sakura in danger.

They stood back and watched as Sakura used her stubby little arms to get closer to the slippery creature. The creature's beady blue eyes watched the infant stroke its small head lightly. Sakura placed her small hand in front of the creature's mouth, trying to understand the shape of the small protruding nostrils; this caused the creature to open its mouth. The sudden action caused Mebuki and squeal in fright as she watched her daughter keep her hand in front of the enormous sized mouth of the sea creature. The creature's long, sharp, menacing teeth were the size of Sakura herself but because of the innocence of baby Sakura, she did not retract her small hand. Instead, she kept it there feeling the breath of the animal tickle against her entire body. This sensation caused Sakura to giggle out loud, causing the creature to close its mouth and bring its body further onto the shore. Kizashi and Mebuki watched with anticipation as the gigantic creature revealed more of its intimidating size.

"Are eels supposed to be that big?" Mebuki asked with horror as she examined the two fins that exited out on either side of the creature's neck.

Haruki took a step forward and gently guided the two stunned parents to follow him, "here on this island we have a special creature," he managed to get the two parents and himself in front of the eel. He bowed deeply towards the eel and not knowing what else to do, Kizashi and Mebuki followed his lead.

"It's been a long time Katsuyu," Haruki said as he returned to a standing position.

"Um, Mr. Haruki, you realize you're talking…" Mebuki didn't dare to finish her sentence for Katsuyu was staring right at her. Her whole body didn't move as the piercing blue eyes stared her down, as if studying Mebuki's very soul.

"Is she yours Haruki?" Katsuyu asked in a calming, but powerful, voice.

The idea of a talking eel caused Kizashi and Mebuki to stare in disbelief. Kizashi could feel his mouth opening from the amount of shock he was feeling. An eel…an eel is talking to us…

Haruki shook his head, "no she is not," he turned to the shocked parents and pushed them forward, "these are our new arrivals, she belongs to them."

Katsuyu's eyes rolled towards the side of her body only to see Sakura trying to climb onto her back. A ground shaking chuckle escaped the eel's mouth as she watched the determined Sakura try so hard to climb something Katsuyu knew she would never be able to climb. Her beady eyes returned to Haruki, "it looks like you have a very special one here," and with that she gently nuzzled against Sakura's microscopic body before she slithered back into the ocean.

Sakura watched with disappointing eyes as the eel disappeared into the ocean. Mebuki took this as a sign to grab her daughter, she never felt so happy to have her daughter back in her arms. Even being in her mother's arms didn't bring Sakura's attention away from the ocean.

"Oh Sakura! Are you okay?" Mebuki held Sakura away from her to check for any injuries and was relieved to find not even a small scratch on her body.

"What happened exactly?" Kizashi said as his eyes blinked a couple of times.

Haruki chuckled and motioned for them to follow him. "You just met our guardian."

"Guardian?"

"Yes. She guards our island from strangers that are not welcomed on my island. There is a lot you must learn to be considered a native here," Haruki turned around and stared at the suddenly silent Sakura, "and because of Sakura, it seems that you have the blessing of the island to become a very important native to my island."

"So what do we need to do?" Kizashi asked again.

"Every time there is a full moon in the sky, the entire village gets together and we light a giant fire on the sand. Sometimes the fires reach as tall as the sky, and during this time a select group of people jump into the ocean and grab several eels. We take these eels and gut them from head to tail," he explained as he reached into the ocean and grabbed the head of a small eel. He pulled out his small knife, mumbled a few foreign words, and drove his knife into the skull of the eel.

Kizashi and Mebuki watched as Haruki took his knife and began to gut the eel from head to tail like he explained several seconds ago. "Normally we utilize everything about an eel, use its rubbery-like skin as clothing or use it as roofing materials to our homes, its meat would be used as food for days to come, it's teeth are turned into plates for our candles, and last but not least…" he stopped momentarily as he broke open the skull of the eel and pulled out a slippery organ, "the brain."

Mebuki stared in horror at the brain in his hands, "what in God's name do you do with the brain?!"

"Well," Haruki took his bloody knife and proceeded to cut a sliver of the raw organ, "we eat it."

"You're kidding," Mebuki looked horrified and all the color washed away from her already pale completion.

"You see, our belief is that every animal or human that is killed is reincarnated as a sea creature, any sea creature. We view as the eel as the most powerful creature in the sea. Its boneless body causes it to wander the ocean without getting caught. They are cunning, strategic, and fearless. We eat the brain of the eel hoping to inherit these traits."

"I will not eat that."

Kizashi studied the sliver of eel brain sitting in Haruki's hands. What a strange culture. He thought back to Sakura's encounter with the talking eel and suddenly realized what the confrontation could have possibly meant to Haruki. Having that eel…no…Katsuyu personally interact with Sakura basically told Haruki that he could trust us and make us part of his village. Without saying a word, Kizashi took the piece of brain from his hands. He examined the brain for a brief second before he closed his eyes, plugged his nose, and shoved the part of the organ into his mouth.

"Kizashi!"

The two of them watched as Kizashi's face transformed into several expressions and emotions. At first his face conveyed as sense of shock, then disgust, and slowly the more Kizashi chewed the more his face showed a sign of satisfaction.

"It's actually…not that bad."

Mebuki's mouth dropped to the floor, "you're kidding?"

Haruki cut off another piece of the brain and placed it in his hand, "I promise you won't die from it."

Mebuki passed Sakura to Kizashi and took the piece of brain into her shaking hands. She stared at it with apprehension, not truly sure how to take the action that she was about to perform. If only my father could see me now. She thought as she pictured her father dying, a second time, at the idea of his baby girl eating raw brains. Bottoms up! She cheered herself on as she quickly plopped the brain into her mouth.

"And…?"

Her whole body shivered in response, "all I can say is that I'm happy we only do that once in a while."

"Well, we have to catch you three up with the rest of the natives, so instead of eating it once every full moon, you guys will be eating brains for a while," he said as he cut a miniature piece of brain and quickly placed it into Sakura's mouth. Sakura swallowed the brain without a second thought and extended her hands out as if to ask for more.

"Looks like she takes after her father," Mebuki said in relief as she took Sakura back into her arms. At least I won't have to force feed my child brains.

"We better continue our tour," Haruki reached down to the dead eel and buried her into the sand. May your life be better as another sea creature. Please forgive me for using only for your brain, but it was Katsuyu's command. He then turned towards the jungle once again and led them deeper into the back of the island.

---

They arrived at the very back of the island where another clearing was made. Many natives were sitting against trees, laughing and communicating with others, having a great time. Above the clearing was a gigantic waterfall that rushed into a small cove where young children and families swam around. Multiple vines hung from various tropical trees, some children were swinging through the air on the vines while others used the vines as a way to splash into the waterfall.

"Up this way," Haruki waved towards the path that led to the top of the waterfall.

The climb to the top of the waterfall was nothing short of difficult. Mebuki found herself handing over Sakura to Kizashi to allow herself the ability to drag her own body weight up the steep climb. Kizashi tried to keep up with Haruki's pace but found that it wasn't as easy as he thought it was going to be. Right when the two of them thought they couldn't make it to the top of the waterfall, they realized they had finally made it to the top. The scene before them was breathtaking; they could see the entire island's south coast line. The way the sun's golden hues would skim across the sparkling ocean and the way the waves would crash against the jagged rocks below them made Kizashi and Mebuki feel a sense of accept to their new home.

"Za za za!" a voice shouted from the distance.

The four of them watched as a group of teenagers took a running start across the waterfall's platform. They watched in awe as the boys and girls flew across the cliff and soared into the air. Suddenly, Mebuki's motherly sense started to kick in.

"Mr. Haruki you have to stop them! Those rocks down there are deadly!"

"Don't worry about them Mebuki, the spirit of the eel is within them, if they live it would mean that the eel's spirit is thriving strong within them."

"Do all teenagers do crazy stunts like that?" She asked as they passed by the vey path they ran across.

"My people are fearless, just like the eel. That is only a small portion of what they try to do."

"Kizashi, I believe you're going to be a widow sooner than you think," she told him kiddingly as she looked at the sleeping Sakura. If she is lively now, I can only imagine what she will be like in ten years! Her comment caused both Haruki and Kizashi to chuckle lightly at her small joke.

"Come on, there is one place I want to show you," Haruki said as he increased his pace as they started to walk down a hill.

Their small journey stopped in front of a cave that resided at the bottom of the hill. Haruki checked all around them before he motioned for them to follow him into the cave's mouth. Kizashi and Mebuki walked very close to his side as they entered the pitch black opening of the cave. Haruki reached down into his pocket and pulled out a small torch. He lit it quickly and stood in front of four different tunnels.

"What I am about to show you is something only my bloodline has knowledge of. Please stay close if you wish to get in and out of here in one piece."

With that being said, Haruki started to walk down one of the four tunnels. They walked around ditches, fallen rocks, and across uneasy bridges. It was easy to see if a person did not know their way around the tunnel they would never be able to escape the confusing layout. Thanks to Haruki's frequent visits into this cave, he lead his new natives through the tunnel with great ease, it didn't take them long to reach their final destination. Haruki blew out his torch, allowing the skylight at the very top of the cave to light up the entire opened space.

As the sunlight trickled down the giant hole in the ceiling, the rays bounced off of the crystal-like walls, causing bright beams of light to sway and dance around the walls and floors. As the base of the main beam of light, there was a large platform that possessed an elegant crystal stand. Haruki pointed towards the crystal stand and brought them to the top of the platform. At the top of the crystal platform, there was a vibrant red colored stone. It's bright crystal-like formation gleamed in the light showing its beauty shamelessly.

"What is it?" Kizashi asked as he walked around the stand, looking at the stone at all different angles. What a rate stone. His eyes scanned the flawless sphere-like shape.

"Depends who you ask, some say it's a stone, others say it's an egg."

"What do you call it?" Mebuki asked as she approached the mysterious item, eyes wide as the stone in front of here. Even the Governor's wife doesn't possess jewels as big as this one!

"My family calls it an egg," he stated bluntly.

"Where did it come from? What does it do?"

Haruki smirked at Kizashi's question, "where it came from is debatable. When I was a boy I was told that this is an egg. This egg was bestowed by the Sea God as a present to his mortal wife. You see, Gods weren't allowed to take mortals as wives, it was forbidden, but the Sea God fell in love by this beautiful maiden that rivaled the beauty of the sea. Any human that cold rival the beauty of the sea was someone the Sea God needed. He snuck behind the God's back and spent a lot of alone time with the beautiful human. The Gods found out and banished him to the sea. Before they banish the Sea God, he gave her this island and egg so he could watch over her. Having her on an island would allow him to be able to touch her and feel close to her even during his banishment. This egg that she was given was designed to grant her any wish she desired, all it needed was a prick of her blood. Time passed and the Sea God saw that she gave birth to his child. This caused the Sea God to create Katsuyu, granting her god-like powers in ensure that she could guard this scared place. The maiden used the egg to create an small batch of humans. This is how my ancestors were created."

"Remarkable," Kizashi said with new found belief. If he didn't come across Katsuyu earlier he would not have believed Haruki's story. "So, this egg basically grants any wish you desire?"

"Yes, but only a native that is approved by the Sea God himself has the ability to use it," He turned to the curious family and took a step off the platform. "I showed this room to you because Katsuyu said your daughter was special. There has never been an outsider accepted by the very Sea God's guardian. You two mustn't come here without me."

"Don't worry about that Haruki," Kizashi said with a reassuring smile. "We have no reason to trespass on your family's grounds. I do appreciate giving us some background on your island, but we will make sure Sakura doesn't come here unless you command it."

"Of course," he said with a small smile at the respectfulness Kizashi continued to show him. "We better return to the village, a giant fest is being thrown to celebrate your acceptance as new natives," and with that the four of them exited the cave and headed back to the cave where Haruki, Kizashi, Mebuki's and Sakura's lives would change forever.

---

A year had passed since that day, and Kizashi and Mebuki adjusted quite well to their new living arrangements. Every day Kizashi would join Haruki in his office trying to plan for the day Yui might return to the island. Mebuki spent most of her time at the ocean, trying to learn the ways of fishing and to keep a close eye on her one year old daughter, who was already showing signs of daring actions. Sakura was a brave little one year old, she would test her mother's patience every day by jumping too deep into the ocean, sometimes Mebuki couldn't get to Sakura fast enough, but thankfully Katsuyu was always there to make sure Sakura was safe. It turned out that Katsuyu and Sakura possessed a pretty rare relationship and other natives knew that, causing Mebuki to receive presents every now and again.

One day, Mebuki and Sakura were enjoying their daily routine on the sand. Mebuki was laying down enjoying the sun beating down on her skin while Sakura walked around the water and splashing Katsuyu with all of her might.

Life couldn't be better. Mebuki thought with a smile as she watched Sakura and Katsuyu "play" together. At first I didn't think this whole place was going to work, and now look at how far we have come. She finished her thought and looked out into the horizon. At first she was blinded by the sun, but once she placed her hand over her eyes her entire body went ridged. Oh no! She jumped to her feet and grabbed Sakura in a hurried manner.

"Mebuki, what is wrong?" Katsuyu asked as she studied the horrid expression written all over her face.

"H-He…he is here!" She shouted as she pointed towards the horizon.

Katsuyu slithered back into the ocean and hoisted her lengthy body into the air. Before her large god-like size was a boat, not just any boat, a vessel dressed for war. Katsuyu watched as black cannons stuck out on all sides of the vessel and continued at full speed towards their shore. "Go tell Haruki and Kizashi!" Katsuyu shouted as she sunk back into the ocean and started to thrash her body against the vessel, hoping to sink the ship before it reached the coastline.

Mebuki wasted no time and sprinted off into the jungle. Her nimble feet guided her and Sakura through the forest and through the village. It took her seconds to locate her husband and Haruki.

"Yui! It's Yui!" She shouted as she slammed open their office doors. Kizashi and Haruki stared at the hyperventilating woman with blank expressions.

"Are you sure Mebuki?" Kizashi asked as he tried to calm her down.

"Yes! Sakura and I were at the shoreline and his boat came through the coast line! Katsuyu went out trying to buy us some time. We have to hurry!"

"Stay here, we will gather everyone," Haruki demanded as he and Kizashi ran out of the house and into the center of town.

Mebuki watched from the window of the resting area as every native gathered their weapons and followed Haruki to the coastline. She turned to the worried Sakura and then to her bedroom. I can't have them fight alone! Her inner-native feelings started to shine through as she bolted into her room, grabbed her bow and arrows, strapped Sakura to her back and began to run off after them. Before she stepped outside their home she felt the weight of Sakura's body behind her. Her motherly instincts began to conflict with her daredevil side. What if Sakura gets hurt? She looked into the distance and heard cannons beginning to fire. I don't have time to debate this! Kizashi needs me! She turned her head to the side and started briefly at Sakura. I will hide her in the bushes when I get there.

By the time Mebuki arrived at the shore, it was already too late. Yui was standing at the center of the chaos, hoisting his sword into the air and directing every soldier to attack every corner of the shore, hoping to kill every native on the island. Mebuki looked around to see small piles of bodies, a mix of soldiers and natives, roasting in the sun. The scent of gun powder filled her nostrils as the cannons continued to be fired across the shore and into the jungle.

"Mebuki run!" Kizashi shouted as he slammed his sword into another soldier. The soldier's blood sprayed across Kizashi's body and oozed into the sand. His once clean body was dyed red from the amount of blood that exited the dead soldier.

She pulled out her bow and arrows and ignored her husband's request, "like hell I would leave you alone!" She shouted as she released an arrow from her bow and hit the head of a random soldier. Her determined eyes watched as the soldier stopped dead in his tracks and crashed into the sand.

"Don't think you all will escape me!" Yui shouted as an evil cackle roared out of his mouth.

Mebuki watched as the mentally insane Yui started to thrust his sword into every native that crossed his path. She watched in horror as he made a straight line towards her husband. Taking a deep breath in, she raised her bow and arrow and aimed for Yui's head. Die! She shouted in her head as she was about to release her arrow.

"Mebuki! Move!" Haruki shouted as he watched in horror as a cannon came flying in her direction.

Mebuki turned her attention away from Yui and Kizashi only to see a black ball flying through the sky. Crap! She dropped her bow and arrow and started sprinting over the stand as fast as her legs to carry her. Only missing the cannon by a few inches, Mebuki could feel the vibration of the cannon landing into the jungle that was behind her. The sudden collision of the cannon and the jungle caused an explosion to erupt. The massive amounts of gun powder that resided in the cannon caused a fire to break out in the jungle. The once vibrant, exotic, living plants started to wither away within the flames.

The sudden explosion caused Mebuki to soar through the air. Her hands extended out in front of her as she felt her body slam against the sand and skid across the shore, into the water. The magnitude of the impact rendered her useless for a few minutes, the inability to move her body was frustrating. All she could do was watch as soldier after soldier stabbed her friends. She watched in horror as the natives' blood splattered out of their chests and their bodies sank into the sand. Their once wholesome, untouched, island was slowly being covered in blood. Everywhere she looked she could see carters in the sand from the cannons. She wanted to desperately stand on her feet and attack the very soldiers; she once supported, and drive any sharp object into the base of their skull.

"Wah!" the sudden cry from Sakura caused Mebuki to freeze in horror. Sakura! She was so caught up with everything that was happening that she never hid her away from the violence.

Her mobility slowly came back and once she was able to fully move her legs and arms, she detached Sakura from her back and pressed Sakura against her chest. "Oh Sakura I'm so sorry!" She kissed the top of her forehead and gave her another hug. "Please, please forgive me." Mebuki wasted no time and placed Sakura near a rock that was furthest from the violence, but close to the sea. She turned to the ocean and screamed out, "Katsuyu!"

As predicted, the eel arrived at Mebuki's feet in a flash. The merciless battle had taken its toll on the poor creature. Dried blood was scattered across her entire snake-like body and her eyes shined with tiredness Mebuki thought she would never witness. "Yes Mebuki?" She answered in an exhausted tone.

"I have to help Haruki and Kizashi. Please protect Sakura," she bent down to Sakura and kissed her forehead, "please forgive sweetheart. I love you."

"I will guard her with my life," Katsuyu said as she inched her way up to the shore and placed her beaten body in front of Sakura's body like a shield.

"Thank you," Mebuki said as she bowed towards Katsuyu.

The woman grabbed a fallen soldier's sword and ran into battle, slicing away at every man that dared to get in her way. She saw that Haruki was outnumbered 1 to 4 and she sprinted towards his direction. "Hai ya!" She shouted as she stabbed her sword straight through a soldier's back. The force of her attack caused the sword to protrude through his stomach.

The sudden war cry caused Haruki to take his own two swords and thrust them into the two soldiers' chests that were closest to him. "Nice of you to join Mebuki," he said as he ripped the swords out of their dead bodies.

Mebuki kicked the fallen soldier's body and engaged into battle with the remaining soldier. "I can't let you have all the fun!" She shouted as she managed to dodge the man's swipe.

Haruki grabbed his sword and positioned himself behind the unsuspecting soldier. He gave Mebuki a nod of approval, causing her to continue dodging the man's impatient swiping. The ignorant soldier thought she was running out of energy and pressed even more forward, hoping to connect her neck with his sword. Unfortunately for him, Haruki was planning the same fate for him. Before the soldier could move any closer to Mebuki, Haruki took his sword and used all of his might to slice through the man's neck. They watched as Haruki's sword moved effortlessly across the soldier's neck and as soon as the sword exited the soldier's neck his head disconnected with his body and his body fell backwards into the sand.

"What bloodshed," Haruki said sadly. Ancestors, please forgive me. He thought to himself as he took a second to inspect the pile of bodies, smell of burning gun fire, and the ear piercing screams of his people.

"Hey Mebuki, remember me?" Yui's voice cut through the booming cannons and screams of dying people, bringing Mebuki and Haruki's attention away from the maniacal bloodshed.

Mebuki turned her attention to the evil man. He was dressed in the finest silk vest, cotton beeches, leather boots, and a long black cape. Her body stiffened as she watched Yui hold her husband by the neck.

"Yeah that's right; you refused me and stayed with this weak man!"

"Kizashi!" She cried out as she watched her husband bleed from several stab wounds on his chest and legs.

"This is what you get for saying no to me!" and before Mebuki knew what happened, Yui raised his sword and mercilessly smashed his sword into Kizashi's neck.

"No!" She screamed out in horror as she continued to watch Yui use his bulging muscles to behead her husband. The sword sliced through his vertebrae and skin like it was water. The sound of his ripping flesh and disconnecting tissue could be heard by Mebuki despite the overpowering background noises. "How dare you!" She cried even harder as her vision became blurry with tears.

Her eyes never left her husband's head as Yui held it by his short brown hair. Yui kicked Kizashi's body away from him and stared into his lifeless emerald eyes. "You always had it better than me," he said in anger, "you never knew how sickening your kindness was. You had this coming to you," he finished as he took his childhood friend's head, swung it around in circles, and tossed it into the ocean without a second thought.

"I am going to kill you!" Mebuki shouted in revenge as the grip on her sword tightened. Not caring what happened to her, she rose to her feet and charged, with every ounce of power and strength, towards the sickening Yui.

"If I knew you would be running to me with open arms, I would have killed the bastard sooner!" Yui cackled as he readied his sword for her impact.

"Mebuki! Stop!" But Haruki was too late; she was already running too blindly into the devil's clutches. The poor man watched with hardened emotions as the evil man penetrated Mebuki's stomach with his sword. With sadistic emotions only Yui possessed, he pushed the sword up towards Mebuki's chest and continued to force the sword to cut the already dead woman in half.

Yui's ear piercing laugh was all Haruki could hear after that. He looked around to see his people dropping rapidly. Blood was continuing to stain his precious sand and even the ocean was starting to change colors from the vibrant blue to sickening red. The sky was covered with black and red clouds, hiding the sun from the horrid blood shed that has been happened to his island. His unresponsive eyes caught sight of Katsuyu sitting on the island, the only familiar face he could recognize.

Weaving around the dead bodies, he managed to slide through the sand to join Katsuyu's side, "Katsuyu what are you doing here?" he observed her weakened state and became even more furious with the chain of events.

"Mebuki asked me to protect Sakura at all costs."

Haruki's eyes shot immediately to the surprisingly quiet one year old, "Sakura," he called her name to see her stare away from the battlefield and look at him. "You poor girl," he picked her up and held her close to his blood covered body. "We need to get her out of here," he explained to Katsuyu.

"I have been trying to think of a way to get her out of here, but I don't see a way out," her eyes turned to the back of her head as she stared at a man who had been standing on the sidelines ever since the battle started.

"Who is that?"

"I don't know. He has been standing there watching everything from the beginning. I have not seen him pick up a weapon to fight anyone, soldier or native."

Haruki placed Sakura beside Katsuyu and walked over to the strange man, "what are you doing?" he questioned.

The silent man looked at the approaching Haruki and raised a hand in truths, "my name is Hizashi Hyuga. I come from Konohagakure. I was ordered by Sarutobi, my Governor, to keep a close eye on Iron's plan with this island. I am not engaging in this fight because it is not mine to fight. I find it pointless."

Haruki stared at the strange white eyed man, with long black hair tied in a low-set ponytail. His amber eyes examined the passive man with caution before he felt the truth of the man's words through the energy that was omitting off his body. "If you are a simple third party, then you will come with me." Hizashi said nothing and followed the heavy breathing man to the corner of the beach.

"Who is he?" Katsuyu asked as they entered her personal space.

Hizashi raised an eyebrow as the overly large eel spoke. How can this eel talk? To say he was intrigued was an understatement.

Haruki knelt down beside Katsuyu and picked up curious Sakura, "you will take this child, get in that row boat, and never come back to this island."

Hizashi eyed the one year old baby with curiosity. Pink hair…not a common hair color. This island is full of unnatural characteristics. "Why?"

"She is an innocent bystander in this fight. If you ignore this offer you will die by me," Katsuyu hissed out as she opened her mouth to reveal her gigantic teeth.

Hizashi looked between the man and talking eel with an emotionless expression. He looked back at the child and watched as her attention drifted towards the massacre that was beside her. This child…he watched as Sakura watched the battle without eliciting any types of noise. It would go against all of Konohagakure's morals to leave this child here to suffer the same fate these people have. It goes against my own moral code.

"Fine, I'll take her."

Haruki released a sigh of relief. He reached around his neck and pulled off a locket, the very locket that had been within his family for centuries. "Please take good care of this child," he said as he gently placed the locket around her neck.

"Katsuyu will make sure that you escape without any trouble," Haruki looked to Katsuyu with a nod, "when you clear the horizon sea turtles will be waiting at the surface and will lead you back to your destination."

Hizashi nodded his head as Haruki placed the silent child into his arms. Please Sea God, allow Sakura to escape this hell. Haruki prayed as the child left his arms for the last time.

Without another command, Hizashi got into the only row boat and pushed it out into the inland sea. Haruki looked towards Katsuyu and ran his hand along a small patch under her chin, "once they clear the peninsula, you know what we must do."

"Of course," Katsuyu ducked back into the sea and pushed her long snake-like body to the top of the ocean where Hizashi's row boat was located.

Hizashi looked down to see Katsuyu lifting his boat out of the blood infested water. He looked behind him to see the enormous size of her body. The size of her head shows her massive size, but it is even more massive up close. The quiet Hyuga sat patiently, feeling the sea breeze brush against his face, as Katsuyu delivered him to the mouth of the sea.

"If you row 50 feet out, the two sea turtles will be there. Tell them your destination and they will take care of the rest," and that was the last time Hizashi ever saw the talking eel.

What an interesting trip. He thought to himself as he took each oar and started to paddle out 50 feet just like she instructed. Once he was 50 feet away from the chaotic battle, there were two dark green sea turtles waiting at the top of the ocean. "Konohagakure," was the only word that came out of his mouth. The turtles ducked back into the ocean and submerged back to the surface, but this time they were under his small row boat. Hizashi sat in the boat as the turtles moved at top speeds to his destination.

"Turtle," Sakura said with a smile.

It was the first word Hizashi had heard from the child ever since he watched Mebuki hide the child behind a rock. What makes you so special? He watched her closely as she pulled up on the rim of the boat and reached out trying to pet the turtle. Hizashi quickly scooped her away from the edge and set her on his lap, "I don't think so."

Sakura looked up at him and pouted, not liking that he wouldn't let her touch the turtles. But little did Hizashi know that, that wouldn't stop Sakura. Every time he would put her down she would find new and inventive ways to venture off to join the turtles. Hizashi found himself mentally exhausted by the escape artist the man from the island stuck him with. Sometimes Sakura would get the best of him and almost managed to get both of her two feet onto the back of one turtle. When that happened, he grabbed her by the arm and chucked her back into the boat. We can't get to Konoha fast enough. He thought with an uncharacteristic frustrated sigh.

---

It took the turtles 8 sun cycles before Hizashi began recognizing the coastline. The turtles delivered his boat to the edge of the marina, where he then took some of the excess rope, he found in the boat, and anchored the row boat to the dock. Sure enough, as soon as he took his eyes off of Sakura she was already sitting on top of the sea turtles shells.

"Turtle," her voice caused Hizashi to turn around; if it wasn't for his self-control he would have gasped at the fearlessness the infant showed. There she was, standing on top of the turtle's shells and what was even more amazing was that the turtles didn't move when she started to jump back and forth between each turtle's shells.

Hizashi leaned over and plucked Sakura off of the sea turtles. "Thank you," he found himself thanking the animals that cut his, what seemed like an impossible journey, into a reasonable one.

"Bye!" Sakura waved in Hizashi's arms as the sea turtles disappeared into the sea.

Without anything else distracting him, Hizashi made his way to the Governor's tower. He walked through the main desk and big oak doors to see a worried Sarutobi waiting at his desk.

"Hizashi, you're alive," Sarutobi said with shock as he stood up from his desk and examined one of his most loyal soldiers.

The only way Sarutobi knew that Hizashi was confused was by the sudden eyebrow raise he gave the Governor, "what have you heard?"

Before Sarutobi answered the question, he noticed the infant Sakura sitting patiently in his arms. "Who is this?"

Hizashi looked down at the infant and placed her on his desk, "long story, basically one of the natives told me to take her with me."

"Oh?" Sarutobi watched as the one year old marched across his desk in a cute adorable manner. "Ha, ha, she is quite a character."

"One of the most challenging infants I have dealt with. Neji isn't like her."

Sarutobi didn't get a chance to ask how Sakura was challenging because Sakura ran to the edge of his desk and jumped off of it. Sarutobi watched the one year old sprint off of his desk and land safety onto the cushioned chair that he had pulled out earlier. He looked to Hizashi to see him staring at Sakura, "I can see what you mean," Sarutobi said with a light chuckle.

"You were surprised I was alive. Why?"

Sarutobi walked over to Sakura and picked her up from the chair and held her in his arms. "Iron told me that their crew never returned. With a ship that their Captain received the crew should have been back by now. The Governor deemed the Captain and the entire crew died."

Hizashi nodded his head, "the natives put up a fight that was unexpected. They knew tactics that even some Iron soldiers didn't know."

"So they were civilized? How interesting. Could you find the island again?"

Hizashi took a moment to think about the route Yui and the sea turtles had taken him, but for some reason he couldn't remember the route. Strange. He shook his head, "No, but I don't advise going to that island even if I could."

"Fair enough," he looked down at Sakura who grew comfortable in his arms and started to fall asleep. "What about her?"

"Find a home. I'm not taking her; she will drive my own one year old son nuts."

"Of course. What is her name?" Sarutobi chuckled at the thought of this vivacious infant harassing Hizashi's quiet son.

"Her name is Sakura."

Sarutobi nodded his head, "you are dismissed. Go enjoy a few days off."

"Hai," Hizashi took one last look at the child before he exited the room.

Sakura huh? Sarutobi sat down in his large throne-like chair and coddled the yawning Sakura in his arms. He found himself enjoying her presence, even if she was rather daring at her young age. He turned around in his chair to stare out his giant bay window that overlooked his city. Well Sakura, it looks like I'll take care of you. He thought with a bright smile. He couldn't have thought of anyone else that could handle her fearlessness. I just hope as you grow older you won't be as wild. However, something deep inside Sarutobi told him that Sakura's desire to roam free was something she might never grow out of. Only time will tell, huh Sakura?

Little did Sarutobi know, he had agreed to watch over one of the most challenging children ever to walk Konoha's streets.