Fog. It was everywhere. You could see nothing, not even the ocean you were on. It almost seemed unnatural. In all the quiet, suddenly, a voice was heard, that of a little girl, about twelve. She sung. She sung of Pirates.

We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.

Drink up, me hearties, yo ho,

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack, drink u-!

"Quiet, missy," said a tall, white, spiky haired man, "Cursed Ninja sail these waters. You don't want bring them down on us, do ya?"

"Master Jiraiya, that will do." Said a tall man in the typical green attire of a Konoha sailor. A decorated officer.

"She was singing about pirates. It's bad luck to be singing about pirates and Ninja with us mired in this unnatural fog," Jiraiya said in his very weak defense, "Mark my words."

"Consider them marked," the officer said, "On your way."

"Aye, Lieutenant," Jaraiya said, then he began to mutter, "It's bad luck to have a woman on board, too. Even a miniature one."

More than done with Master Jiraiya, the young girl turned to the officer, whom she now noticed was not even twenty years of age, "I think it'd be rather exciting to meet a Ninja."

"Think again Miss Haruno," the officer said, straightening his green trench coat, covered in medals of valor. "Vile and dissolute creatures, all of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a ninja headband does get what he deserves. A short drop and a sudden stop."

Not understanding, the girl looked over to Jiraiya, who responded by using his long pony-tail to create a make-shift noose.

At the sight of the girls reaction, a middle aged man walked to the officer, "Lieutenant Lee, I appreciate your fervor, but I'm, uh, concerned about the effect this subject will have on my daughter."

"My apologies, Governor Haruno." Said Lieutenant Lee as he began to make his way back to the other parts of the ship.

"Actually, father, I find it all fascinating." Sakura said in Lee's defense.

"Yes, that's what concerns me." Said he father before returning to his quarters.

Sakura turned back to look ahead at the grey nothingness, when she realized that the fog had lightened just enough to let her see the water beneath the ship. She gazed at it, wondering how the crew knew where they were going. when suddenly, she saw something floating in the water. An Umbrella? Out here in the middle of God knows where? Then she looked out farther and saw a little piece of wreckage with something on it. Or someone.

"Look, a boy! There's a boy in the water!" She shouted to the near by crew.

Lee hopped on the rail for a better look and suddenly shouted, "Man overboard! Man the ropes, fetch a hook!"

The crew suddenly changed their formerly dull pace and did as their superior told them.

"Haul him aboard." Lee told his crew.

Captain Guy suddenly came forward and watched, but remained quiet, impressed by his lieutenant's leadership. I may just recommend him for Captainship. He thought.

As the boy was lifted aboard, Lt. Lee knelt down and checked his pulse. "He is still breathing." He said.

Jiraiya, who was not focusing on the boy as he would live, looked ahead of the vessel and whispered, "Mary, Mother of God." Most of the crew looked up at him and then followed his gaze until they all thought the same thing. They all saw a ship, burning and sinking at the same this. It looked to be a merciless disaster. The girl, however, did not look away from this other twelve year old.

"What happened here?" asked the Governor. Only now did the young Miss Haruno turn and see the flaming wreckage.

"It was most likely the power magazine," Lt. Lee answered, "Merchant vessels run heavily armed."

"A lot of good that did them," Said a very stern Jiraiya, masking his fear with firmness, "Everyone's thinking it, so I'll just say it. Ninja."

"No, no," said the Governor, attempting and failing to mask his fear like Jaraiya. "There's no proof of that. It was probably an accident."

The daughter of the Governor returned her focus on the boy, who wore a dark blue shirt with a high collar. She became completely un aware of the commotion around her.

"Rouse the captain immediately. Heave to and take in sail. Launch the boats." Lt Lee ordered.

A sailor picked up the unconscious boy to make room for the boats. Governor Haruno then spoke to his daughter. "Sakura, I want you to accompany the boy. He'll be in your charge. Take care of him." She obeyed.

As a group of men rowed to the remains of the ship looking for survivors, Sakura found herself staring at the boy before her. As if on impulse, she brushed his wet hair out of his face, to which he reacted by grabbing her hand in a vice like grip. He gasped and began to breathe heavily.

"It's okay," Sakura said, "My name's Sakura Haruno."

After a few seconds, the boy finally stuttered out, "Sasuke Uchiha."

"I'm watching over you, Sasuke." With that, Sasuke fell back out of consciousness.

She only now noticed a chain around his neck. She took it out of his shirt and saw the gold medallion. It was a clockwise circle, the universal symbol of the Shinobi. "You're a ninja."

"Has he said anything?" The Lieutenant asked from behind her. Startled, she hid the medallion behind her back and said, "His name's Sasuke Uchiha. T-That's all I found out.

Lt. Lee nodded, looked at his men, then said, "Take him below."

No other survivors were found.

As they made their way, Sakura glanced astern, unable to get back to the bow because of the commotion. She look at the medallion and then out, back to where the other ship had just sunk. but she saw something else. Yet another ship, sailing the opposite direction as they, but this one was different. It was completely black, even the sails, which were torn. It looked haunting, the very sight made you feel cold. She closed her eyes thinking it was just a mirage or a dream. And then she opened them.