Across the Ocean

by Onesie Queen

It was said to be a legendary gem. One that pirates were desperate to find. Father said that the gem was long lost. Mother said that it was hoax. I thought it was an adventure just waiting to happen. So what better way to start this adventure by sneaking onto the world's most notorious pirate ship?

2. Chapter 2

HELLLLLOOOOOOOO!

Thank you all for the positive feedback for this story! I'm glad you all like it so much! You guys are seriously great. You inspire me so much to write.

Please enjoy~!

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"You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather." -Pema Chodron

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It was raining today. Not like the drizzling baby rain that children liked to run outside and play in the puddles in. No, this was a downpour, thunder booming every few seconds and shaking the house slightly. It pelted harshly against the window that I was leaning against from my spot on the window seat, the glass cold as ice against my head. This was dangerous rain. The rain came down so strongly and thickly, my eyes couldn't even see past the road that my house was by. I could barely see the ocean, but I could definitely hear it. It was roaring and crashing against the beach and harbor in erratic, staccato beats.

"The ocean is angry today," Father commented from his recliner chair in the middle of the room. It was an early Monday morning in the middle of November, but one wouldn't have been able to tell since there was no sun and shadows to tell the time. Mother was lounging on the beige couch, black reading glasses on as she read one of her favorite books, Pride and Prejudice. Father was reading the daily newspaper, eyes lazily skimming over the words like he wasn't actually paying attention to what he was reading. A typical everyday morning.

Except for the fact that I was home and not at school. My parents were adamantly against me walking to school in this rain despite my protests. School was not important to them if my health was jeopardized.

"Today just feels like an angry day in general," I said idly. I grabbed a strand of my long (abnormal) pink hair and twirled it absentmindedly through my fingers. By no means was I feeling angry. I wasn't an angry child, but I did feel something. Something about today was off. And it didn't feel like it was the rain that was putting me off.

"You both are crazy," Mother said bluntly, looking up from her book and giving us her sternest look. "It's just raining. It's nothing to be so overly superstitious about."

Mother never believed in things such as Fate or Destiny or anything of the supernatural kind. One might think that secrets and supernatural would tie in together, but in Haruno Mebuki's mind, the two were on completely opposite sides of the spectrum. She was too serious of a person to accept that Fate or supernatural creatures existed. She barely even believed in the Bijuu, even though there were pictures and rare books dedicated to the Tailed Beasts and their known Jinchuuriki. If she couldn't see it, then it didn't exist. Rather simple-minded and pigheaded, but to each his own.

Father let out a deep chuckle. "Oh come on, Mebuki, lighten up. We're not being that serious about it."

Maybe you aren't, but I certainly am.

Mother snorted derisively at us and turned back to her book.

Mother and Father had a very strange relationship. Haruno Kizashi and Haruno Mebuki were both very different people. Complete polar opposites. Nobody could understand how their relationship has worked out for so long after having me. Kizashi was just so laid-back and happy-go-lucky all the time and Mebuki was serious and stern and just all around a hard woman. She wasn't submissive and liked to be independent, which I knew was off-putting for most men. What I realized with my Father was that he took it in stride and basically just let her do her own thing, which I knew was something my Mother enjoyed immensely. I came to realize quickly that they trusted each other immensely and that there was no need for secrets between them. They knew everything about each other and didn't question the other's motives or goals. They didn't always see eye-to-eye, but that never put their marriage in danger by no means.

Thunder boomed from outside.

I suddenly realized something.

"Mom, Dad, you two aren't going to work today, are you?" I asked, nervous to hear their answer.

The two chanced a look at each other. That was one thing I hated about their relationship. Their ability to communicate without saying anything.

"If the rain doesn't lighten up soon, then no, we won't be going anywhere today," Mother said decisively, Father nodding along with her. I sighed in relief. Father caught the sigh and gave a me a cheery grin.

"You worry too much, Sakura," He said. "We're not crazy enough to risk going outside in that storm."

"Says the one that tried going to work in the middle of a blizzard after the town called for a snow emergency and all work and school was cancelled until further notice," Mom retorted sharply. Father had the decency to look slightly ashamed. "Sakura has every right to question us, especially when her Father is quick to act without thinking." I smiled at that.

I know where I got that part of me from now.

"Sakura?" I straightened at the tone of Mother's voice. She arched an eyebrow and I swallowed when her gaze traveled up and down my form. "How long are you going to stay in your pajamas and that bedhead? It's almost 8:30." I blushed and quickly rose from my seat, hurrying towards the stairs. "Bring a brush down with you!" Mother called up to me. I let her know I heard her and took the stairs two at a time, reaching the top in no-time. Taking an immediate right, I opened the only door on this side of the hall.

My room was average, with the same white walls and bark brown carpeting as the rest of the house. My computer desk and vanity, both of which were a complete mess, were against the wall opposite of my bed, which was right by the door along with my dresser. The remaining wall had two glass sliding doors that opened up to a small circular balcony that overlooked our whole street and gave an amazing view of the ocean.

Opening my closet door, I shuffled through some of my outfits, ruling out quite a few of them due to the rain and the inevitable cold that would stick around today once it stopped. Deciding on a plain, but cute, red, blue, and black cuffed flannel and black skinny jeans, I quickly stripped and changed into the outfit, grabbing a pair of brown ankle boots with a slight heel and laces to go with the outfit. Snatching my hairbrush from my vanity and forgoing any make-up today, I walked back downstairs trying to brush through the worst of my tangles.

My hiss of pain made Mother look up and she sighed in amused exasperation, closing her book and putting it on the table. She uncrossed her legs and pointed to the spot in between them on the floor. "Sit."

I quickly sat between her legs on the floor, handing her the hairbrush when she reached for it. I relaxed way before she even began pulling the brush through my hair. Mother was so gentle when it came to brushing hair. She always brushed mine when I was little and even now, when I was thirteen and fully capable of taking care of my own hair, she still insisted on brushing it every once in awhile. I played with the frayed sleeves of my flannel as Mother brushed, wincing every once in a while when she caught a particularly stubborn knot. Soon enough, she was done and merely continued to run the brush through my long hair. Her fingers caressed the strands almost lovingly.

"Your hair is so beautiful, Sakura," She murmured, putting the brush down on the table and separating the strands into three sections. "I'm surprised you let it grow so long like this." I hummed, not really having a good answer as to why I kept my hair long other than I just liked it long and that I felt like I looked weird with short hair. My baby years were a horror every time I went back and visited them.

I looked up when she was done braiding my hair and my hand automatically reached back to grab the braid. I was pleasantly surprised when I felt the small, multiple strands of a fishtail. "I thought you didn't know how to fishtail." I looked back at Mother. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I have a lot of free-time after work when you're out wandering around. I practiced."

"On who?" I knew my Mother was not a person who could learn things just from reading about it. She had to do it a couple times herself to even get a basic grasp of whatever it was that she doing.

Father coughed. "I'll give you one guess." I looked at his semi-long hair despite his weird hairstyle and suddenly, it clicked. I couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up my throat. Mother smiled triumphantly at her husband, pleased with my reaction.

Father tsked and folded up his newspaper, placing it on the small coffee table beside him. "Ha ha, laugh it up, you two. I can assure you that I'll get the last laugh eventually."

"You say that and it always ends in the same way every time you try; you failing and just proving my point."

Father merely grunted and stood from his chair. Stretching his no doubt sore back, he stalked his way up the stairs while rubbing the back of his neck in that sheepish way that only he could pull off. I could faintly see the red tint to his cheeks and I couldn't help but smile. My Father was such a good-natured person. He couldn't get mad at anybody, not even Mother when she was teasing (making fun of) him. I turned back to Mother.

"What are your plans for today since you two aren't going to work?" I asked her, turning so that I could look at her from my spot on the floor.

She shrugged her shoulders and got up from her seat. I had to crane my neck all the back just so that I could maintain eye contact with her. "Hopefully if the rain slows down, you and I can make a trip into the market. I need to get some more thread to finish the bracelets I've been working on." Her face suddenly darkened and I swore that she was pouting. "And I need more sewing needles."

"Did you lose the ones you bought last week?"

Mother's fair complexion made it so easy to see the dark red blush coat her cheeks. "I didn't lose them."

"Then what happened to them?"

"Stop pestering me with these questions, Sakura!" She exclaimed, flustered. I giggled slightly, pleased with my teasing. She began brushing off her shirt of imaginary dust and straightened up to her full height, slowly composing herself again. "Anyway, I'm going to go shower and get dressed. Hopefully by then, the rain will be more agreeable and we can make our trip to town relatively safely. Please find something to do other just sitting on the floor." That said, Mother gracefully left the room with a little more of her dignity in place.

Her words suddenly made me a whole lot more nervous than I honestly should've felt. I mean, for God's sakes. We were just going into town to get supplies for her business. Just like any other day! I slapped my cheeks and tried to think of more positive things, wincing at the sting in my hands and face. Nothing bad was going to happen today. Nothing. Not at all. But not even my attempt at positive thinking could stop the uneasy feeling in my gut from swirling viciously around and around in dizzying circles.

Climbing to my feet, I marched to the kitchen to make myself breakfast, thinking that maybe eating something will help calm my frayed nerves.

I quickly learned that not even eating could calm me down. That horrible, foreboding feeling stuck with me the whole time I sat in the kitchen looking outside the window and waited for my Mother to make her appearance after her shower.

.X.

My earlier prediction had been right. It was very cold outside. Like, bitingly cold. The kind of cold that instantly made you want to turn around and walk right back into your house where at least it was warm and dry. I should've worn layers before leaving the house. At least I had the sense to throw on a sweatshirt.

I easily kept pace with Mother's hurried steps, somehow managing to stay underneath her umbrella as we speed-walked to the market. It wasn't raining as hard as it had been earlier, but it still came down in buckets. My shoes were already soaked from all the deep puddles I'd stepped in and mud was beginning to splash against the back of my jeans. I kept my hood up to stay marginally warmer than I felt.

Lightning flashed on the horizon.

"Hurry, Sakura," Mother said, speeding up her pace. I quickly adjusted to the change. "We need to beat the next wave that is coming." We hadn't watched any form of the weather channel today, but there was no doubt in her mind that there was going to be another torrential downpour coming within the next hour.

We reached the market within a couple minutes. As expected, there weren't that many stalls open today due to the weather and it was barren of the usual flow of people, but there were a few brave souls out that dared to best the weather for the few dedicated customers that always came by to buy their wares. I couldn't help the disappointment that flooded me when I saw that my favorite Dango stand wasn't up.

Mother gave me a push forward. "Go find shelter somewhere nearby," She ordered, eye-balling the stand to her left that sold her favorite type of thread. "I'll come find you when I'm done here. I'll be quick so we don't have to be out here for very long." Nodding my head, she left my side to go bargain with the owner of the stand, who already had a gleam of challenge in his eyes when he saw his favorite customer.

A cold gust of wind had me shivering from my head all the way down to my drenched boots. Shaking off the shiver, I looked around. Maybe one of the few stalls around her could keep me occupied for a bit until Mother was done with her business. Happy with that thought, I began walking around.

There definitely wasn't much to the stalls that were out that could catch a budding teenager's attention. It was mainly farm-grown food or antiques that were for collecting. Quite a few of the stalls were already packing up due to already having served their customers for the day or because the cold and rain were beginning to pick up again. I didn't hesitate to help the elderly stall owners who were struggling against the wind and cold. They thanked me greatly for the help and hurried to get inside their homes. A few offered me a place inside to warm up. I kindly rejected all the offers, saying that I was just waiting for my Mother.

After walking around for a few more minutes, I concluded that there weren't that many interesting wares out and turned around to go wait for my Mother, but out of the corner of my eye, I stopped. There was a slightly rickety stall tucked into the corner of a small building, looking like it would topple over if I so much as touched it. The wares had me interested immediately. Books.

"You're a brave soul to brave this weather, kid," The gruff man behind the stall rasped when I came to stand before him. His beard was brown (quickly turning a silver grey) and his hair was flattened to his head with a copious amount of gel. The smell of firewood and smoke was strong around him and seemed to coat him like a layer of skin.

"So are you for setting up a book stall when it's raining like this," I retorted, making sure my voice was polite. I couldn't express how many times Mother had ripped into me for my tone of voice. Sometimes my sarcasm got the better of me and my words came out as degrading and rude.

He gave a grunt. "Gotta do business somehow."

I nodded, agreeing with him as I skimmed over the books. "Are all of these books relevant in some way or are they just collector's items?"

"They are not collector's items," He stated sharply. I jumped at the sharpness of his reply and looked up. His blue eyes were fierce and glinting dangerously. I suddenly felt nervous and frightened at the look he was giving me. "I would never do business with a customer that is just going to let these books wither away on a shelf, never to be read."

Well, great. I just pissed him off.

I chose my next words carefully. "My apologies. I didn't mean to offend you." He stared me down. My entire being was highly uncomfortable with his scrutinizing, my blood going as cold as the air around me at the coldness in his eyes. Not even my Mother could give me that look. As her child, I know I was prone to making her seriously angry, but she had never given me such a look. A look that could kill. I was almost tempted to haul ass away from this man, but something in him shifted for he finally relaxed and slouched his straightened shoulders.

"They aren't all relevant, but there are a few that are a series together."

I literally just escaped his wrath by the skin of my teeth.

Turning my attention to the books so I wouldn't have to look into his sharp blue eyes anymore, I quickly became fascinated. Quite a few of them were documentaries about the beginning of the bigger villages, like Konoha and Suna. One was dedicated entirely to the Hokage of Konoha, which, after opening the first few pages, showed information and the backgrounds of the first four Hokage that have ruled the village. Something in me twitched at the detail that was in this book, but I shoved it away as I closed the book. I was excited to see a book about all the Bijuu and some information about their past holders.

Maybe this book will have some information about the Bijuu Gem.

"I'd like this book."

He arched an eyebrow at my choice, but took the few bills I gave him and roughly handed me the book. I noticed how scarred his hands were and noticed the beginning of a black tattoo peaking out from under his long-sleeved shirt before he snatched his hand away and shooed me away. I tucked the book underneath my sweatshirt to protect it from the rain as I walked away.

What kind of business in this village could cause a man's hands to be so scarred?

Unless he was a Blacksmith, which was understandable. That was a tough business to be a part of and wasn't taken lightly. I paused. We only had one Blacksmith and I knew him personally. That man wasn't him. He was some type of book merchant and I highly doubt he got those scars by getting paper cuts and wood cuts from setting up that old-looking stall.

Shaking my head, I tried to forget the man. He wasn't worth my curiosity. He was just a grumpy man who seemed to hate his job. Chancing a discreet glance behind me, I saw him gathering his things. He was leaving. I was almost tempted to follow him.

My nosiness is going to get me killed.

"Sakura." I froze just as I turned.

Saved by an Angel.

"We're leaving." Mother's voice was short and clipped. Just short of hurried. I blinked at her in confusion and noticed the white-knuckled grip she had around her umbrella. She hadn't bought the thread she'd wanted either.

"Is something wrong?" I asked. What could have possibly ruffled my Mother up so much that she was trying to leave so quickly without buying what she came here for?

"Nothing is wrong," She said, voice level and almost believable. "We're just heading home now."

As she pulled me along with her with a rather strong grip on my forearm, I couldn't help but notice how the shadows in the alleyways on my both sides of me jumped and twitched.

The loudest BOOM of thunder all day shook the very sky and ground. Vibrations rushed up my legs.

That bad feeling from earlier escalated three times more.

.X.

I literally had to run to keep up with my Mother. She wasn't speed-walking or anything remotely close to it. She was almost running at this point. She pushed through the strong winds blowing against us like they were nothing, never hesitating or faltering in her steps. I, on the other hand, struggled. More times than I could count, I tripped over my own feet and stumbled over the slippery ground as I tried to keep up with her.

"Mother, why are we rushing like this?!" I cried over the wind. My legs were beginning to burn and my sweatshirt and black skinny jeans were drenched straight through the fabric. I hate wet clothes. "What's the hurry?"

I don't know whether if she couldn't hear me over the wind or if she was just ignoring my question, but she never answered me. My voice only seemed to spur her forward even more. I felt my book beginning to fall out of my sweatshirt and scrambled to keep it safe, sticking my hands under my sweatshirt to keep it in place and warming my hands marginally. I couldn't feel my face one bit, my cheeks, ears, and nose stung red from the cold.

God, I couldn't wait to get back inside.

Mother suddenly stopped. I rammed straight into her back, grunting in pain and holding my nose as I took a step backwards. I looked around her, seeing her frozen face. I'd never seen such an expression on her face before. "Mother?" She didn't respond, eyes straight forward. The umbrella fell from her grip. I followed her line of sight. My jaw dropped and my body turned to ice.

All of the windows the house had were completely shattered, like someone had thrown rocks at them. Shards of glass littered the walkway and grass, gleaming dangerously. The shutters were blowing all of this way and that as the wind caught them. They banged against the house loudly, causing me to flinch at the sharp noise. Scratches lined all around the front door, which was barely hanging on to its hinges, creaking pathetically.

"Oh my God." The words came out as a whimper, my voice cracking and catching. Mother's eyes narrowed, green eyes scary and vicious and so cold. Blue eyes flashed in my mind and I shivered at the resemblance.

"Sakura, stay here." I barely registered her words before she was quickly making her way towards the house, footsteps scarily silent and breathing low. Even though I could obviously see her, it was like her presence disappeared entirely, like she was there, but she wasn't. She slinked through the fallen door without so much as a wisp of air.

Shadow.

My feet automatically moved forward after her, words on my lips as I trailed after her. I froze. What the hell was I doing? Going after her so quickly? My whole body trembled, my mind working a mile a minute, and my heart pumping a fast beat in my chest. I was scared. So, so scared. I didn't want to go in there. I didn't want to see what I would find. I wanted to run away and never look back. I didn't want to be nosy this time, even though this situation could easily be tied with following a complete stranger to his home because I believed him to be suspicious. I wanted to find help.

But that would mean leaving Mother and Father behind. You won't ever know what happened to them.

I bit my lip.

My parents...or my own cowardice...

You can do this...just walk in. Pretend it's like you're coming home from school.

Unable to steel my resolve completely, I took shaky steps forward. One, two, three. I was almost to the door. My courage failed me and I stopped completely. A lump lodged itself in my throat. I couldn't swallow it down to save my life. Nausea curled in my gut and I felt like I was going to be sick. I could faintly make out shuffling noises inside and my mind clouded with fear and tension and ohmyGod,whatisgoingtohappenifIgoinside?

I stepped up to the door. Deep breath. I slipped around the fallen wood and took a cautious step inside.

Darkness.

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"You can't always save everyone. It is physically impossible to do so. You're not God. You can't do everything alone."

"I never believed that I was a God. That'd be conceited of me to believe such a thing, but that's not going to stop me from attempting it. I'd be a terrible person if I didn't at least try."

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I seriously love doing those little quotes at the end. I have so much fun with it.

CHAPTER COMPLETED! Thank you to Miku007, Hana-Taisho, Guest, and Guest for the reviews! You guys are the real MVP's! Now for review responses!

To Miku007:

Awwwww. Thank you very much! I'm happy to hear you like this idea! I've honestly only read one story about pirates in the Naruto fanfiction and it was SO GOOD. That story inspired me a lot to add on to the pirate bandwagon. I hope this new chapter didn't disappoint you!

To Hana-Taisho:

I'm glad I answered that question for you! That was actually one of the last things I added in before I posted the story. I was re-reading it and looking for errors and I realized I never elaborated her age. In my opinion, if I hadn't written this story, I would've guessed she was younger than she actually was simply because the wording gives off that vibe to me.

To Guest:

I like how you instantly connected "Little Brat" with Sasori. xD That just made me laugh so much. I won't reveal who it was! It could've been anyone. ;) You will see those three soon! Just not in this chapter. Sorries. x( Do you have a specific nickname you go by or may I give you one? So I don't confuse you with other Guest reviewers?

To Guest:

Thank you very much! I hope you like this one, too!

Thank you for reading, everyone! I hope you all have a lovely day/night! Ciao!

-OQ