To Remember You

AN: Sorry the story had to be taken down last time. It won't happen again. I don't own anything so enjoy the first chapter. I will need 10 reviews to update! Enjoy!

Once upon a time there were two kingdoms that bordered one another. Both prospered in every aspect of daily life. Both kingdoms were peaceful and the two interacted with the two utmost of ease. Despite all of these pleasant similarities, one thing continued to separate these two friendly neighbors…They were two entirely different races. You see these kingdoms were actually located in the deepest depths of clear Caribbean waters. These two kingdoms were made up of two mystical races: the merpeople and the nagas.

Human knowledge knew very little of either of the two peoples. However, merpeople were the more well known of the two. Merpeople were the fantastical creatures that had the upper body of a human and a long flowing fish tail made up the lower body. Tails came in all different colors and some speculated that the color reflected that person's personality. Also, transparent side fins located inches from the hips were natural to mermaids. The merpeople possessed tremendous amounts of magical powers commonly known as chakra.

The unique abilities of chakra were also native to the naga race though not as much as the merpeople. The nagas were similar to their mermaid neighbors in the fact that they too had the upper body of a human. However, there were some characteristics that were distinctive to their kind. Nagas possessed a serpentine tail which had barbs that started where the back of the thighs would be and ran along the tail's length each barb about six inches long. Like merpeople, tails came in all different colors. Nagas also had fangs among the normal looking teeth as well as claws located on each one of their fingers instead of fingernails. Lastly, it was common knowledge that males of the naga royal family possessed a bloodline ability known as the sharingan. The sharingan would usually only activate if a mate or potential mate was in trouble. It allowed the user's eyes to read the enemy's chakra before the opponent, himself, would know, therefore giving the male an extreme advantage in protecting his mate. Even though ninety nine percent of the naga population did not have this rare ability, they were second to none in battle.

It was, for many years, the wish of both kingdoms that they somehow be united. But how? It was then that the kings and queens of each kingdom came up with the perfect solution. At that time, the princess of the mermaid kingdom and the prince of the naga were the same age. It was decided that these two would be betrothed in hopes that their future marriage would finally bridge the gap between the two kingdoms and therefore two kingdoms would become one…

"Are you serious! No way!" Princess Sakura screamed defiantly when her mother, the queen, informed her of the news in her bedroom that day. The queen sighed deeply. She knew this wasn't going to be an easy task.

"Now come now, honey, I'm sure the prince is probably very nice," the queen tried to console her fuming daughter. Sakura's jade colored eyes widened.

"Nice! Mother you make it sound like this is some kind of stupid play date! Do you honestly expect me to date him and then just marry him, no questions asked! No!" The queen hadn't thought it possible but her daughter's shrieking had reached higher decibels. The "inner Sakura" was just as furious. "Cha, this stinks!" A moment later the king burst into the room.

"What's going on in here?" her father demanded. Sakura turned heated eyes on her father.

"Please don't make me do this! I can't marry him! I don't even know him! Besides, he's a…a…a naga," Sakura's voice trailed off into a barely audible whisper. The king's gaze hardened.

"You will stop this whining at once and start behaving like the princess that you were raised to be! You will be betrothed to and marry the prince as is your duty as princess and that is final!" Sakura looked defiantly into her father's eyes.

"Well, maybe I don't want to be princess then," Sakura growled out her fists clenched tightly at her sides. The king looked at her coldly.

"You have no choice." Sakura felt like screaming and crying all at the same time, so she did the next best thing: she stormed out of the room.

"I'm going to the market with Hinata!" Sakura called as she left leaving her parents to wonder if this marriage was really worth it…

"Can you believe them Hinata, they just want me to date some guy I've never even met and then someday marry him!" Sakura ranted. The extremely introverted mermaid next to her, nodded in agreement.

"It is… rather unfortunate." That's what Sakura loved best about her best friend; Hinata was always honest and treated Sakura more like a regular girl rather than her princess. Hinata was a small mermaid who had short plum colored locks and pale skin. She also had pale lavender eyes that matched her tail.

"I'm sure…everything will hopefully be…alright," Hinata comforted softly. Sakura sighed in despair as she looked at jewelry on one of the market stands.

"I guess…because I have no choice…it has to be alright…"

"What is alright?" Immediately Sakura's entire body went rigid. She knew the male's voice behind her anywhere. That voice sent cold shivers down her spine. Frantically, she looked to the left and right for a way of escape. No such luck. Reluctantly she slowly turned around to face her fate. Upon sight of him she winced. The soup bowl haircut, bug eyes and unbelievably bushy eyebrows were a dead give away that the merman in front of her was none other than Rock Lee. Inner Sakura was raging "cha he is such a weirdo!" but on the outside, she replied with

"Oh…hi, Lee." Meanwhile, Hinata was giggling at her best friend's predicament. Usually, she would help her escape, but she thought maybe Lee could distract Sakura's thoughts from the betrothal.

"Oh hello Sakura! It is now a magnificent day now that I have spoken to you. Oh Sakura I love you with the white hot intensity of one thousand suns!" Lee vowed passionately. Sakura sweatdropped. What a weirdo! Sakura thought as she tried to smile.

"Well, I have to go now Lee, Hinata and I have some shopping to do so goodbye," Sakura said hurriedly. However, she was involuntarily halted by the grip on her wrist. Sakura looked into Lee's desperate eyes. She was getting nervous; Lee had never done anything like this before.

"Lee, please let me go," Sakura tried to keep her voice calm.

"But Sakura, you always spend all of your time with Hinata! Why can't you just give me a chance!"

Sakura was getting pretty scared now. She was struggling to get free but Lee was too strong. Hinata was trying to help but Lee kept her at bay with his other arm and it seemed like everyone else was too busy to realize that their own princess was in danger.

"Please, please let me go," Sakura pleaded.

"Sakura, I do not understand, can't you see that we are meant to be together!" Lee said refusing to let her go. Hinata was practically hyperventilating by now and it seemed like everyone on the street was too busy to notice that their own princess was in danger…or were they…

"Lee, please let me go." Sakura was on the verge of tears.

"But Sakura…"

"You heard her, let her go," a new male voice commanded. Everyone's heads whipped around to see who the voice belonged to. There before her, was the most attractive male she had ever seen.

He had short spiky black hair with pale perfect skin. Fierce onyx eyes, matched with his nose and lips made up his faultless face. If his face wasn't enough than his body had to be perfection, biceps, abs, and pectorals all were included on his chiseled body. What really caught Sakura's eye was his tail. It was that of a serpent's. He was a naga. Dark blue scales starting at the hips colored his tail while white scales ran along the under belly. Now she noticed the claws and she didn't have to see them to know that he had fangs. To make things even more interesting, he wore the head band of a ninja…

He had noticed her as well. At first, he was annoyed that she was staring at him so shamelessly, but before long he too fell into the same trap. She was gorgeous. Long light pink locks fell to her hips. She had emerald eyes, and a cute button nose. She was breathtaking like a goddess, a mermaid goddess. She was a petite mermaid but still had curves in all the right places. But most of all, those cherry pink lips, they just invited him to come and just…

"You, with the attitude, just who are you?" The naga was ripped from his fantasy. This freak with the bushy brows was calling him.

"I'm not obliged to answer, now let her go," the naga replied coolly.

"And if I refuse," Lee boldly challenged. The mysterious naga smirked.

"Then I'll just have to make you let her go." Lee got into a defensive position while still holding onto Sakura.

"I accept your challenge, but know this naga, you have no chance in defeating me. Your skills are inferior compared to mine!" Lee had no more than proclaimed this when the naga's tail had shot at Lee like lightning and wrapped it around Lee's wrist and yanked him toward the naga at break neck speed. In order to defend himself, Lee was forced to let go of Sakura's wrist. However, he was unable to block as the naga's fist impacted onto Lee's face, instantly knocking him out. The naga unwrapped his tail checking to make sure that Lee was indeed out cold. All of a sudden, a loud voice was heard coming from down the street.

"Sasuke, you idiot, where are you!" The naga's eyes widened. Crap, that loser wasn't supposed to find me yet, he thought to himself. Without thinking, he grabbed Sakura's wrist and took off swimming with her down a deserted alleyway. Hinata screamed as she helplessly watched as her princess was kidnapped.

Meanwhile, Sakura was swimming as fast as she could just to keep up with this stranger. For some reason, she was unafraid of him as he swam in what seemed like all different directions. They ended up in a secluded cave that overlooked the city. Upon reaching it, the male naga let go of her hand and swam over to sit on a large rock in the middle of the cave. Sakura's heart was thundering in her chest. Here she was, alone with the hottest boy she had ever seen. He seemed to be catching his breath after all of that swimming so Sakura decided to take the initiative.

"So, what you did back there, I wanted to thank you for saving me," Sakura said blushing madly. It was a wonder she had thought of anything to say at all. The naga stared at her emotionlessly before replying with,

"It was of no consequence, I just thought someone would have intervened before I had to do something," he replied coldly. Sakura's eyebrows furrowed.

"You make it sound like saving me was some kind of chore," Sakura said in disbelief.

"It might as well been, seeing as how you could never get away from that freak," he continued. Sakura's eyes widened. The nerve of this guy!

"You arrogant jerk." Sakura said trying to keep her voice down.

"Shouldn't you be thanking this arrogant jerk for saving you from that bushy browed loser?" Sakura folded her arms and turned away from him.

"Hmph, I wish I was with him right now instead of you!" Sakura shot back.

"Me too." Sakura was outraged.

"What did you say!" she said through clenched teeth. The naga remained cool.

"Hard of hearing?" Sakura was ready to scream about how he was nothing but a disrespectful good for nothing naga, but instead she sighed and just gave up on him.

"You know what, if I had known that I was just going to burden you then…I'm sorry and I'm sorry for yelling at you. I just….thought you were a really nice guy is all," Sakura ended softly. The naga's eyes widened. She really thought that about him? At that moment, he saw her in a different light. At first, he thoughbt that all of the merpeople were prejudiced against the nagas, but he was wrong. She was different…she actually cared about him. Ay that moment he couldn't stand to see her upset.

"Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you, it wasn't your fault that guy was after you."

Her face lit up anyway. His back was turned so he couldn't see the pretty blush on Sakura's cheeks.

"I never did thank you for saving me from lee," she said as she swam over to him.

"It was nothing," but before he could say another word, Sakura laid a soft kiss on his cheek. The naga's face burned. He had never had any kind of that contact with a girl before. He looked away to hide his blush from her but Sakura giggled any way.

"So my name's Sakura, what's yours," she offered cheerfully.

"It's Sasuke." Sakura smiled and sat down on a nearby large rock. Sasuke got up and sat next to her.

"So, was that your boyfriend?" Sasuke spat the word "boyfriend." Sakura burst into laughter.

"That weirdo, no way! But, even if I did like him, it wouldn't matter because I don't get to decide who I marry," Sakura ended softly. Sasuke looked at her concerned.

"And what, you don't have that luxury?" Sakura sighed.

"Not when my father thinks he has my perfect match." Sasuke chuckled.

"And here I thought I was the only one who had that problem," Sasuke said sarcastically. Sakura looked surprised.

"You too?" Sasuke nodded. Sakura looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I wish there was something I could do to save you from that. I mean, it's the least I could do after you saved me today," Sakura said smiling softly at him, her cheeks tinted pink. Sasuke smiled genuinely.

"Likewise," he whispered placing his hand over hers. Both blushed fiercely and looked away. Sakura's view just happened to be overlooking the city. The streets were bustling with the excitement of an approaching parade.

"Oh, what a lovely parade," Sakura said wistfully. As soon as she said this both she and Sasuke tensed.

"Oh no the parade!" both of them yelled simultaneously. In those days, a parade meant that royalty was coming. Sasuke got up and was heading for the exit when he noticed that Sakura wasn't coming.

"Aren't you coming?" Sakura looked panicked.

"I don't know the way back through that maze," she answered hurriedly. Without a second thought, he took her hand in his once again.

"Here, just come with me." Sakura nodded and the two of them raced back though the maze of alleys and backstreets until they reached the street where they had first met. Rock lee was no where in sight. Instead, a blonde naga with an orange tail who was also a ninja was there talking with Hinata who was blushing madly. The loud blonde was laughing amiably until he saw Sasuke and Sakura approach.

"Sasuke you big idiot there you are! Where have you been! Whoa, who your girlfriend?" the blonde said noticing Sasuke and Sakura's entwined hands. Sasuke glared at him but did not release her hand.

"Shut up loser, now come on, we have to go," Sasuke snapped. Sasuke looked into Sakura's eyes once last time before squeezing her hand and then taking off down the street with Naruto chasing after yelling insults. Sakura gazed longingly after the boy who had so quickly stolen her heart, and then left with Hinata and headed back to the palace.

Once back in the palace, Sakura and Hinata rushed to Sakura's room so that Sakura could get ready. In a few short minutes, she was going to meet the prince that she would be forever betrothed to. Despite this, the only thing on Sakura's mind was Sasuke.

"So Hinata, who was that boy I saw you with in the marketplace" Sakura asked slyly, a mischievous grin cemented on her face. Hinata blushed furiously as she twiddled her thumbs.

"H…his… n…name was N…Naruto." Sakura giggled.

"It sounds like you really like this guy, Hinata, and it seemed like he was really into you too if I do say so myself." If it was possible, Hinata blushed harder.

"Sa…Sakura, I remember you met someone too," Hinata said regaining her composure. It was Sakura's turn to blush.

"Sasuke," she whispered dreamily. The raven haired naga was all she could think about. The whole time she spent with him seemed like something out of a dream. All of a sudden, her dreams came crashing down, when the door to her bedroom opened and her mother and father appeared.

"It's time to go, Sakura," her father said solemnly. Sakura's heart plummeted. After this, Sasuke could be nothing more than a sweet memory. Dejectedly, Sakura got up and followed her parents out into the hallway.

"I can't believe you're making me do this. He's probably rude and conceited…" Sakura muttered as she followed her parents to the throne room.

Meanwhile, in a room next to the throne room, Sasuke and Naruto were talking; it was more like Naruto was annoying the crap out of Sasuke by asking him a million questions about that afternoon.

"Man, I wish Hinata was here right now, she would think it was soooo cool if she knew I was the ninja guarding the prince of the entire naga kingdom!" Naruto boasted.

Sasuke rolled his eyes at his best friend. It was true; when they were younger Naruto had been assigned to be his personal guardian. At first, Sasuke fiercely disagreed with this stating that he didn't need a guardian since he was a better ninja than Naruto anyway. That was true as well, Sasuke was one of the top ninja's in the entire kingdom, however, his mother would not allow him to be without a guardian. After a while, Naruto kind of grew on Sasuke and they developed a friendship, although most of the time they would communicate through insults. Ever since they had gotten to the mermaid palace, Naruto had not shut up about the girl he had met in the marketplace.

"Believe it, she was totally into me. I think she thought I looked hott with my headband on!" Naruto exclaimed confidently.

"Loser," Sasuke muttered as he adjusted his golden armband. It was the only kind of jewelry he was going to wear to meet this…girl. Naruto scowled.

"Oh Sasuke, I forgot you can't get any girls." Naruto shot back. They both knew that was the farthest thing from the truth. Sasuke had girls practically throwing themselves at him. But for some reason, he didn't show any interest in any of them. But today, he was…holding hands…with some mermaid Naruto had never seen before.

"Hey Sasuke, who was that girl you were with today?" Naruto asked out of curiosity.

"Sakura…" he whispered almost inaudibly. He too, had been thinking about her ever since they had parted ways. She was unlike any girl he had ever met.

"Huh" Naruto asked scratching his head. Sasuke shook his head and scowled.

"Forget it. It doesn't matter now. I have to be with this girl now." Sasuke scowled even more.

"She's probably nothing more than a selfish brat," Sasuke spat. Then, at that moment, Sasuke's parents entered the room. It was time for him to meet the princess he was going to be stuck with for the rest of his life.

Meanwhile, in the hall across from the throne room, Sakura and her parents waited behind a door. The king turned to his daughter who was trying her best to keep it together. Her father looked at her with compassionate eyes. She was being so brave. Slowly, he placed a small tiara on her head. The king softly took her chin in his fingers.

"Sakura, it is true that you are crowned princess of an entire kingdom and with that comes a lot of duty and responsibilities, but…you are also my daughter." Sakura's eyes widened.

"Sakura, I only want what's best for you, and right now I've never been more proud of you," her father said softly. Her mother was smiling and gave her another hug. Somehow, those words didn't seem to comfort her. The doors to the throne room were opened and Sakura swam in respectfully. She couldn't help but whisper as the doors were shut behind her,

"It's like no one even believes in true…" At that moment Sasuke entered the room from the other side not even bothering to look up. Sakura's heart nearly stopped.

"love." A second later, Sasuke looked up only to look at her the same way she was looking at him. It's her….

Sakura wondered if this was a dream as he swam toward her with a small smile on his face. She pinched herself. She wasn't dreaming. Here was the boy of her dreams, coming toward her and smiling too! It was too good to be true. Sasuke stopped when he was about an arm's length away. Slowly, he took her hand, never breaking eye contact with her, and then placed a gentle kiss on her palm. Sakura blushed pink, unable to speak.

"So, you're my princess, then…I definitely don't want you to save me from this," Sasuke whispered so that only she could hear. Sakura's eyes widened at the remembrance of their previous conversation. He wanted to be with her… Sakura smiled softly as she lifted her eyes to his.

"If you're my prince then… I never want to be saved," she whispered back. Sasuke's smile grew. Meanwhile, the parents, who were watching from behind cracked doors, were ecstatic about the success of their children. Only the four knew the real truth.

From that day on the two were inseparable, and whenever Sasuke and Sakura met so did Naruto and Hinata. The two kingdoms were overjoyed and it seemed like nothing could go wrong, when it happened. A rogue ninja by the name of Oroachimaru, tried to overthrow the naga royal family with his followers. His attack was of course stopped, but when he could not be located fear spread through both kingdoms. Travel was prohibited between the two kingdoms in fears that the mermaid kingdom would be harmed. Over a month passed and nothing had changed. It all came down to that fateful night…

It was the night of Sakura's sixteenth birthday. A grand ball was thrown at the palace in her honor. It seemed like everyone was there and enjoying themselves, well except for Sakura herself. She was on one of the outside balconies crying. She was sitting on the floor leaning against the railing softly crying. She missed and worried about Sasuke so much. She hadn't seen him in so long. What if something terrible had happened to him? She didn't know what she would do if he was hurt. She cried harder, each tear instantly absorbed into the water around her. She was so upset she almost didn't hear a familiar voice calling her name.

"Sakura." Her eyes snapped open wide. She knew that voice anywhere! She looked up to see Sasuke right in front of her.

"Sasuke!" she exclaimed launching herself into his arms. Sasuke smiled and whispered sweet nothings in her ear in order to calm her down. It had been a long time for him too. He had lost sleep wondering if she was alright. When she was away, it seemed like he was going crazy just thinking about her. You see, he had long since realized that she was his true love. He was tired of being apart from her. The need to hold her and see her was overwhelming and now that she was in his arms he was finally at rest. After a few moments of just holding her, Sakura looked up into his eyes.

"Sasuke, what are you doing here? I thought travel between the kingdoms was forbidden," Sakura whispered. Sasuke smirked.

"I had to see you again. Besides, isn't today your birthday, I couldn't miss that could I?" Sakura smiled brilliantly.

"Oh Sasuke" she exclaimed softly, before reaching up to give him a tender kiss. Of course, this brought Sasuke great pleasure. Sakura's kisses were just like her: sweet and chaste. However, Sasuke had waited too long just to receive some quick peck. He wanted more. Ever so slowly, Sasuke ran his tongue across her lips, silently asking for entrance.

Sakura instantly granted it causing Sasuke to inwardly smirk. The way he massaged her lips with his showed her how much he missed her. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck because it felt like her tail was gong to buckle right out from underneath her. Sasuke had his hands at her hips slowly rubbing her lower back. As the kiss got more passionate, Sasuke started to wrap his tail around hers, but Sakura pulled away slowly, bushing furiously.

"Sasuke no, I mean, it's just that, that could lead to other things and well, those thing should wait until marriage," Sakura reasoned. Sasuke chuckled and unwrapped his tail but while she was in his embrace he whispered in her ear,

"Sorry, sometimes I just can't help the way my body reacts to yours." Sakura blushed even harder causing him to smirk.

"Hey, look, I have something I want to give you," Sasuke said untying the leather cord necklace that hung from his neck. On the end of it was a single white fang. Sakura's eyes' widened in pure awe.

"But Sasuke isn't that your…?" Sasuke smiled and nodded.

"Yes, it is, and I want you to wear it." Sakura thought her heart was going to leap out of her chest. A naga's fangs could regenerate. In naga culture, if a male gave a female his fang, it was a proposal for her to be his mate and wife. Tears started to well up in Sakura's eyes.

"Sakura, when we were apart I realized something. I don't want to be away from you anymore. I want you to be by my side always. I want to be the one to protect you. I know we're betrothed already and that we're still young but I want you to know that you're it for me, Sakura. I will always love you and only you, so, will you do me the honor of accepting this and making me the happiest man alive," Sasuke asked his voice shaking with the love and passion he felt for her. Without hesitation, Sakura kissed him with as much passion as she could give. When they pulled away for breath, Sasuke smiled asking

"So, is that a yes?" Sakura beamed before embracing him once more.

"Yes, Sasuke, a thousand times yes!" Sasuke's face lit up and he twirled her around laughing in pure bliss. Afterwards, he set her down gently, and tied the necklace around her neck. He would get her a jeweled chain later. Right now, no one knew of their engagement. Afterwards, he held her in a close and possessive embrace. He leaned down so that his forehead was touching hers. Soon though, concern filled his eyes and he slowly pulled away from her. Sakura began to worry.

"Sakura, there's another reason I came to see you. Oroachimaru has still not been found. We have our best ninjas working on it, but so far we've been unsuccessful. I've decided to help in the search. I had to see you in case something happens to me." Sakura shook her head in terrified disbelief.

"Sasuke, you can't, what if something terrible happens to you?" Sakura cried tears welling up in her eyes only to be instantly absorbed into the water. Sasuke drew her back into his strong arms and she laid her head on his bare chest.

"Sasuke, please don't go, I need you," Sakura pleaded. Sasuke hated it when she cried and tried to cheer her up.

"Hey look, Naruto and Hinata, are getting through this," Sasuke said pointing to the couple that was sitting in the garden below them. Naruto was holding Hinata in his arms and stroking her hair trying to be strong. The sight of the others didn't work. Sakura cried harder. It was breaking Sasuke's heart.

"Sakura, please don't cry, I won't be able to leave if you don't."

"Then I'll never stop crying and you'll be safe!" Sakura answered. A snicker was heard from behind them.

"I don't think so princess," The stranger hissed. Sasuke and Sakura whipped around to see Oroachimaru swimming out in the water before them. In a flash, Sasuke placed himself in front of Sakura, in a protective stance, his fangs bared and the sharingan activated. A moment later, Naruto and Hinata joined them on the balcony.

"Sakura, get out of here!" Sasuke ordered.

"You too Hinata, we'll handle this creep!" Naruto added. Oroachimaru smirked.

"Oh how precious, the little prince thinks he can protect his princess," Oroachimaru

sneered as two other of his followers swam up on either side of him. All of a sudden, a naga with spiky silver hair and matching tail burst through the doors leading to the balcony. Even with his mask covering half his face, you could tell he was ready for battle. He swam in front of Sasuke and glared at Oroachimaru.

"Kakashi, do you honestly think you can protect them from me? I will have the sharingan's power!" Oroachimaru vowed. Kakashi performed many hand signs resulting in a powerful spell jutsu. The last thing that was heard before the blinding light encased them was,

"Not if I can help it."

"The end," a spiky silver haired ninja said closing his book. The raven haired sixteen year

old stood up, stretched his legs, and looked at his sensei with the same cold attitude.

"That's great and all but how does that story have anything to do with me?" The half masked ninja grinned but didn't reply. More than you think, considering you are the main character… Though Sasuke didn't know or remember living it, that story was going to change his life.