Gaara's POV
I scrubbed the rusted pot harder as I attempted to clean it before cooking the meal I wanted to present to the crew and Sasuke. Since this morning, I had been slaving away cleaning the small room Sasuke called a galley. All of the pans were unusable and quite disgusting, excluding the one I am cleaning. They are far from the silverware that I am acquainted to seeing or using in the royal kitchen. Yet they will suffice for the people I am to feed.
I had contemplated giving up trying to cook anything. Thoughts of going back into Sasuke's room and simply not showing my face for the entire journey had crossed my mind over the day. But, when I came upon this ship I made a promise to the group of men that I would prepare their food, so that I would shoulder some burden. On the rare occasions my father had me join in on some sort of journey across Suna, he would be sure that I helped with some chores. He would not allow me to laze about like some pompous fool.
I sighed scrubbing even harder. They didn't greet me with any good regards, primarily remarking about my appearance being similar to a woman. Despite being accused of the wrong gender there were more jeers made in his direction. Many of the jeers pointing out the fact that he is royalty and had no business being on a pirate ship.
I stopped scrubbing and stared at the cast-iron pot. His arms hurt from the scrubbing. Let us turn our thoughts to a much more pleasant thought. Immediately the memory of his first night on the ship came into his mind. He felt his cheeks growing warm at the memory.
*FLASHBACK*
I stared up at the wooden ceiling as the moon provided light in the room. I had been awake thinking about the activities of the day. Not only did I get to finally meet Sasuke, but I managed to establish that I would be helping contribute to the crew. However, they were not the center of my attention anymore. No, there is something far more demanding…it is the man lying next to me…Sasuke.
I slowly glanced over at him. He slept flat on his stomach with his face turned facing me. From what I could tell, his arms were at his sides in a peculiar way. You would think a person who had many enemies would instead sleeping on his back so that he could easily defend himself if he heard someone about to strike him.
Since he came into the room and lied down on the bed, a bed I now assume is his own. I have not been able to sleep a wink! I slowly moved closer to him. I know the risks and the consequences of doing such a scandalous thing, yet…it is Sasuke. Someone I have admired and have come to love….
Suddenly his eye opened. I caught my breath and simply stared at him staring at me. He rolled over to his side facing me, his eyes closed. He groaned slightly I watched as his arm reached over to me and took me by my waist. He pulled me closer to him. I, awkwardly, turned facing him before we got too close. He did not seem to mind the strange position. I did…I knew the better position yet I needed to keep us from becoming any closer and this way would keep such a thing from happening.
I felt his warm breath on my neck. My eyes went wide at the sensation. I slowly looked down at the sleeping Sasuke. His lips held my attention the most. Their light pink color was enticing as well as the small part between the top and bottom lip.
How is he even sleeping? Sasuke rarely sleeps, well the Sasuke in the stories. Could there be something wrong? Is he exhausted? I felt my cheeks flush even more as he moved his body closer to me. I started to reach my hand up to his head. I am truly this close to the man I have always admired. I felt my heart filling with joy.
Suddenly four loud knocks interrupted my thoughts and made me put my hand back to my side quickly and shut my eyes just as fast. "Cap'in! We need yer help!" A boisterous voice shouted from the other side of the door. I heard Sasuke growl and felt him sit up slowly.
"Why can I not at least get a few minutes of sleep?" He shouted in reply. I stayed completely still, afraid to move. "I am getting up, you can open the fucking door." He said. I felt him get up from the bed mumbling curse words. I heard the door open and someone come in, "We think a storm is comin' ya need to tell us whatcha need us to do fer this one." I heard the man say. I could hear Sasuke shuffling around. I heard them walking out of the room and when the sound of the door locking came I sighed and relaxed.
I smiled rolling over to my side. Even if it was just for a minute, I was able to be so close to him. I bit my lip. Suna's laws have no jurisdiction outside of the country, so I felt no guilt with the thought we had shared a bed together. Not only that, but I am also no longer the prince, considering that Kankuro has taken my place.
I can do anything I want! I felt the excitement building up at the thought of being able to pursue a relationship with Sasuke. I felt my mind beginning to race with dreams of our journey. I have spent my entire life catering to the relentless lessons and work that the king of Suna must undergo. Every day thinking of when I could finally do something I wanted to do, finally that day came.
I have finally met the person whom I admired as a child. One would assume I would wish to admire their father, or even some legendary person…yet I only admired Sasuke. I spent my spare time, whenever I had some, listening to stories about the raven-haired pirate. At first it was pure childhood fascination, then it grew into some sort of righteousness to bring the pirate to justice. Yet…as I as became more adult I found my attraction towards him was more…physical.
I frowned. Even if I am no longer in the country and temporarily removed from the crown, I still cannot cross that line. I sighed feeling disappointed at my own fear of going against Suna law. I finally get the chance I have always dreamed of and I cannot do anything! The old, tiresome laws of my ancestors should not have such a strong hold over me…it is not as if I intend on getting some woman pregnant and having an illegitimate child. I turned my head into my pillow. If only I were not a prince held by the laws and customs of a country knee-deep in the past.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Three loud knocks brought me out of my thoughts. I glanced up at the doorway and smiled seeing Sasuke standing there. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. I looked back down at the pot to keep from gazing any longer at him, "You have given me quite the task." I spoke as I continued scrubbing.
"I did not assign you to such a task. You gave it to yourself and you try to place blame on me, a person who allows you to sleep in his own bed a luxurious option compared to others on this ship." He said as if I had not already pleaded to sleep with the other members. I scoffed and glanced at him. "You jest, I insisted that you allow me to sleep with the rest of the men and yet you put me above them giving me an honored privilege to rest in your personal quarters as well as…" I looked down feeling my cheeks flush with heat at the memory of him sharing the same bed, "…sharing your bed.
Sasuke was silent for a few moments. "Apologies, I do not wish to have you around such men who would take advantage of both your small stature, as well as your innocent nature." He said. I scoffed and looked at him. "I am not to be underestimated. I can handle myself. If I were to be attack in the nature that you speak of, Shukaku will protect me until he has drawn his last breath." I told him and smiled. He did not seem to hold my same confidence. He crossed his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.
A remarkable sight, it only served to show me how truly captivating he is. His body hailed an aura of masculine prowess. His body, I could tell, is lean and muscular, reflecting someone who took pride in his figure. I bit my lip as my gaze slowly trailed down his body, fully embracing the raven-haired pirate in his element, well somewhat his element. To see him standing on deck shouting orders is something I have not yet witnessed, yet I yearn to.
My eyes, at some point, found their way back to his gaze. A small smile played on his lips. I realized he had seen me staring at him. I looked away immediately and scrubbed the same spot I had been scrubbing even harder.
"I do not see you as a weakling. However, compared to them, you are not of the same class." He said. I poured salt water into the pot and began to slosh it around gathering up the soap. "And so you seek to allow us to continue to be in separate classes?" I asked sternly and looked up at him.
He scoffed and looked at the wall behind me. "I only wish to provide you with a less demeaning experience while you are on my ship." He muttered. I walked to the small window, which seemed within my reach, yet standing at it now; it is at least two feet over me. I attempted to lift the pot up and tried to pour it out. When I began to pour it, I felt most of it pour on top of me. I gasped and foolishly let go of the pot.
I waited for it to fall on my head, but it did not. Instead, I heard the sound of it being put down on the counter. I started to move to see what happened, but stopped when I felt a body close behind me. I felt my heart begin pounding against the bone cage that protected it. I knew who stood behind me without having to ask. I slowly leaned back against the body behind me. I prepared for the body to move away from me.
I felt arms come around me in a close embrace. What? I glanced to my right and saw Sasuke resting his head on my shoulder with his eyes closed. I felt the small spark I had since my younger years, burst into a wildfire that engulfed me entirely. The warmth from Sasuke's body spread an inferno that I feared could set the entire ship aflame. I closed my eyes in acceptance of the burning passion he set off inside me.
When Orochimaru first mentioned the ludicrous trip, he offered me all the men of the sea, even my old comrade Naruto had been offered. Yet, it had to be Sasuke. Now, here he is holding me close to his own body. A body used to the art and the act of seduction…however, it is the only body I would ever wish to have close to mine.
"Did you truly wish not to share the same bed?" He asked in a meek, almost pitiful voice. I bit my lip slowly opening my eyes. I turned my head to face his. Our eyes met instantly. The question of whether he had asked other people the same question pried at my mind and created a wall between our bodies. I cannot allow myself to fall to temptation. Simply being with Sasuke will suffice.
"Captin' are you in here?" One of the men called down. Sasuke moved away from me quickly. I turned around and watched as he walked to the doorway and stopped. "Yes I will be right up." He called back. I immediately regretted not responding to his question.
"If you wish, you can dine with the crew tonight, as opposed to dining in my cabin." He said turning back around to me. I smiled, "I would like that." He returned the smile with his own and left the galley.
I served the last man of the crew. They came in to the galley in a mad rush to eat. I stood at the stew to exchange words on the day at sea. Most of them grumbled in reply and others simply ignored me. Despite their dissatisfaction with me, they seemed satisfied with the food. After several of them had made their second and third helping, I made my bowl and looked for a table to sit at. I saw one with two burly men and a man who seemed as if he needed several more helpings of food. I walked over to that table and sat down beside one of the burly men. They stopped eating and looked at me as if I had made a mistake in sitting at their table.
I looked up and glanced at each of them, "Is it good?" I asked nervous at the possible response they would make. I am sure it was bold of me to sit among them, yet my father instructed me to not let other men force me to isolate myself.
They started laughing loudly, but it did not outweigh the loud voices of the rest of the crew. I felt my cheeks flush as my embarrassment grew. The one I sat beside slammed his hand onto my back hard causing me to wince.
"Does it truly matter if it is good? It is food!" He boomed and laughed. I looked at the other two and they were laughing too. I smiled relieved. They calmed down and went back to eating. I began to eat the overly flavored stew. I suppose if they do not mind then I should not as well.
"Ya knew it surprised us that Capin' would let you out of his quarters." The man across from me stated. I looked up at him, "Well I wish to pull some weight while I am a guest upon his ship." I told him. He shoved a mouthful of the stew and took a sloppy bite of his piece of bread. I wish I had not seen that.
"Tis not what he meant yer majesty." The skinny man spoke and snickered. I tilted my head and looked at the other men. They, too were beginning to snicker like small children. "What did he mean then?" I asked curiously. "Ya see when anyone goes into the captain's cabin at night, they dunt' usually come out until day break the next day." The man beside me replied and chuckled.
I felt my cheeks flush with heat at what they were suggesting. "I would not allow myself to be taken by him. As the future king of Suna, I must reserve my sexual nature for my future…wife." I replied bitterly. As true as that was…I had already allowed myself to succumb to the pleasures of my youth. Yet it will be an unnoticed fact by my future wife.
Well already you're a pretty high status if you stay in Sasuke's cabin." The man beside me stated. I looked at him, then at the one in front of me, "I had tried to persuade Sasuke to let me sleep with the rest of the crew, but he would not allow such a thing." I told them and took a bite of my bread.
"Calm down, we meant no harm to yer royal duty." The skinny man said and rolled his eyes. I looked down at my stew then looked back up at them, "Is that the only reason someone is allowed into his quarters?" I asked pondering the thought that another person had been in there and shared the same bed as him.
The man in front of me sighed deeply, "Well, Sasuke does not sleep with anyone. I mean I was surprised he even could get a wink of sleep while you were in his bed." He said. I nodded realizing the came to wake Sasuke up.
He swallowed his food, "Ya didn' hear this from me, understand?" He asked. I nodded, "Of course." I replied. He leaned in and glanced around at the other tables. I leaned in as well. The other men acted uninterested and both left to go get more food.
"In the walls at Sakura's brothel I would hear rumors that he was banished." He began and stared at me. "Banished?" I asked shocked that I had not heard such a tale. Banishment is the most severe punishment aside from death. People who were banished to any of the banishment islands would die within a month. The lands were treacherous, with creatures of a child's nightmare lurking within the forests on the islands.
"Yeah, back when he was just a youngin' he travelled the sea with his family, the Uchihas." He said. I nodded. The Uchihas were known throughout the world as the birth family of pirates. They made their living on the sea. If you were to marry into the family, you needed to either pack your belongings and join them on the sea, or live alone on land. Rumors ranged from them being children of a sea god, to their blood being seawater.
"Well, it is rumored that his oldest brother had done horrific things deserving of a shallow grave. Yet he shoved his younger brother ahead of him as to blame." He muttered and looked at the stairs; as if looking for Sasuke. "Everyone knew better, yet bribery swayed the judge and he banished Sasuke." He muttered.
"But Sasuke…" I started to say and he held his hand up nodding. "When Orochimaru came to power he removed the banishment and let Sasuke go, with the price that Sasuke stay in his castle for the rest of his days." He spoke and leaned back sighing.
I leaned back taking in a deep breath. I had never known that about him. "And that is why he does not trust us, or many people for that matter. He trusts us as a crew, but not as comrades. He still has not forgiven his former crew or his brother for abandoning him." He said and shrugged.
I bit my lip and looked at the stairs. I nearly jumped when I saw Sasuke. He stood in the entranceway with Shikamaru standing beside him yawning. He is talking to one of the crewmembers who, like me and Sasuke, had a guardian dog. I wish Shukaku wanted to come out from under the bed. He hated water and since we came on the ship, he hid under the bed. He only came out in order to sleep on the bed.
Sasuke smiled as he talked. I felt my chest tighten. Seeing him caused my entire body yearn to be beside him. How can I leave him after this? Soon this journey will be over and we will have to go our separate ways. I do not want to think about it, yet it burrowed into my mind every chance it got.
"Perhaps the little one begged Sasuke to let him stay in his cabin?" I heard someone ask. I turned to the men, feeling my face burning with fever at the words spoken. The man in front of me contained his laughter well, while the skinny man had his mouth wide open laughing in silence.
I felt my cheeks gaining more fever as I watched them struggling to keep from laughing aloud. "I do not know what you are talking about." I replied and looked down at my food and shoved some of it in my mouth.
I glanced up to see the skinny man punched the bigger man's arm, "I think he would rather taste Sasuke's cock than the stew." I leaned over spitting my food back into my bowl. I coughed choking on some of it.
I looked up at them angrily after recovering from having almost choked on the food. They burst out laughing uncontrollably. I stared at them trying to hide my own amusement at how blunt his comment had been. Despite his crude words, I still found some humor in what he had said. Yet I felt like I need to resist laughing or even smiling and hopefully they will stop with their boisterous laughter thinking I did not find their humor amusing.
I felt a hand on my back. I turned and saw Sasuke smiling down at me. I took my handkerchief out from my sleeve and wiped my mouth quickly. "Are you well?" He asked concerned. I smiled embarrassed, "Yes of course, I just am not used to such flavorful foods." I told him, not exactly lying. He smiled, "Well from what I have heard, many of the crew members like the stew you have prepared. I am thinking of taking some up to my cabin." He said and looked at the other men at the table.
"Well why don't you join us, surely the captain would like to grace his crew with his presence." I suggested and looked at the other men. I smiled cunningly and raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure they would not mind." I spoke. The other men frowned, and then smiled realizing that I was getting them back for their previous comment.
Sasuke sighed, "I am not too sure about that." He replied having noticed their frowns. I stood up and looked up at him, "Then allow me to make the decision for you." I said and moved him to my seat. He sat down and smiled at the other men. They returned the smile, but focused on eating their stew uncomfortably.
I went and got Sasuke a bowl of stew. I squeezed in between him and the burly man I had been sitting beside. I observed how Sasuke interacted with the other men. He treated them as fellow men. The conversations ranged from their work from that day to things that will need to be done when they reached the next port.
Over time, many of the crew left the galley, most of them coming by our table and speaking to the captain. The way they quietly and almost timidly approached our table it seemed they had never done it before. One of them in particular, seemed extremely anxious to approach Sasuke. Whe he spoke to him he did so in a whisper so low even I could not hear him. The men around us eventually gathered up their bowls and left us sitting with each other.
When the entire galley was empty, Sasuke finally spoke to me, "Why did you want me to sit down here?" He asked taking a final spoonful of his stew. I sighed and stood up, "Well I feel as if you should be around your crew." I told him. I took my bowl from the table.
He shook his head, "And I should follow your orders on my ship?" He asked. I rolled my eyes, "I am a prince, one of higher status, as you and your men have reminded me of and I suppose I should act as if I am a prince upon your vessel." I told him in a voice I only use inside my court. It is a voice I had been taught to use from my various mentors. Sasuke chuckled and turned around on the bench reaching his bowl out for me to take. I smirked and grabbed his bowl.
"I am sure a prince, like you, seeks the warm embrace of a stranger." He said referring to earlier this evening. I walked to the pot and pretended his words did not faze me, nor make my heart tremble at the memory of it. I looked into the pot to see there was none of the stew left. I set our bowls on the table and turned around to him. "You are no stranger to me. In fact, I know many things about you." I told him smiling.
He smiled and stood up. He walked over to me, "I pray you tell me, these things you know about me." He said. I stared up at him in such close proximity to me. "I know that you have Uchiha blood and that binds you to the sea." I spoke. He smiled, "Of course, such is common knowledge, is that all?" He asked confidently.
"And…you have a raven as a guardian, one you may have gotten while you were banished…" I spoke without hesitation. I watched as his facial expression became darker, something I had expected. As much as I knew it would possibly bring old scars, I had to be sure that is true or not. Judging by his facial expressions it seemed to be true.
"You know about my banishment?" He spoke coldly. I swallowed hard feeling the tension in the room growing, "My father's cook and his wife knew of many rumors concerning your life, both current and past." I lied. They only knew a few stories, some of which were possibly lies. I learned others from my fighting mentor and Naruto. He often boasted his winning streaks while we would...indulge ourselves.
He sighed, "I did not receive Aoda while on the island. But I must say you certainly have done your research on me." I bit my lip, "Well, you are someone who I truly admire as well as lo-…" I stopped before I could voice my heart. He looked at me and I could tell that he knew what I would say. "As well as look up to." I finished my sentence with a lie and fake smile.
Sasuke stared down at me as if trying to confirm if what I had said was the truth. I smiled bigger, "I am truly happy that I could make this journey with you." I told him. He smiled, "I feel honored to be someone of such great importance in your mind." He said putting his hand on my head. I clenched my fist tightly. I wanted to correct him.
The childlike admiration I held for him remained, yet the spark of a new type of admiration burned stronger. I would not say the word, yet I am sure if I were to continue being in his presence, he would soon realize it.
I woke up to Sasuke's incessant, loud shouting. I sat up slowly and looked at Shukaku sleeping where Sasuke had slept for only a few hours the night before. Between Shukaku and I, laid a long pillow. Sasuke had placed it there when he came to sleep. I figured it was to keep us apart, which hurt a little, but it is necessary.
I started to get up when I felt the ship rock roughly. I waited anticipating another rough wave, but it did not come. I got up from the bed and quickly got dressed. I unlocked the door and opened it to see the crew running about the deck securing different things. I maneuvered through them and went up to where Sasuke was standing as he shouted commands to the men.
I admired Sasuke as he shouted the orders and would often bolt off to aid his comrades. I looked behind me and saw the city we were coming to. It held no candle to any of Suna's ports, as few as there are on the borders of the country. I stared at the crowds of people who gathered in the marketplace buying and trading goods under the multi-colored awnings. There are seven other ships at the port; all of them were of different sizes, differentiating their purposes from simple fishing vessels to cargo ships.
When we arrived at the port and weighed the anchor Sasuke called everyone to the main deck. I stayed up where he had been shouting orders. I walked to where I could better see them gather on the main deck. The only person I did not see was Shikamaru. I continued looking around, but did not see him.
"This will be our last port and we will be here for at least four nights. See to Kiba for your wages and do not return to this ship until daybreak on the fifth day." He ordered with his hands on his hips. He turned and looked up at me. He motioned for me to come down. I nodded and quickly went down to his side.
"I'm sure I do not have to remind you, but I will. If you see him in any type of confrontation, do not falter to question the situation. Find your feet and quickly find me. I will come to not only his aid, but also your own. He is of great importance to our journey. See to it that he is not harmed." He told them. They nodded their heads, all except for the man who had the dog. He shook his head as if irritated.
"I do not wish to have the smell of sex in the galley as few of you have already learned from our venture to pick up the prince. Women are not allowed on this ship and that includes even when you wish to fuck them." He shouted. There were several shouts from the men. I had not noticed a particular smell in the galley.
"I cannot believe it is Sasuke who is limiting where his men can fuck!" A woman shouted. We all looked to where the voice came from. A tall blonde woman stood on the rail of the ship. The men began laughing. She jumped down grinning. She had long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail with long strips of her hair in front of her brow. She wore dark brown britches that were tight on the bottom half of her body. She wore a black long-sleeved shirt that is too big for her figure. It hung off her tan right shoulder and revealed her cleavage. Around her waist, she had a belt that held her cutlass as well as her gun.
The smile she had on her face displayed the vast amount of confidence she had. She walked over to us. Sasuke moved away from me and further away from her as she came near. "Oh scared of a woman that commands men, like you command the sea?" She asked. He scoffed, "As if that is worth something. I command a violent beauty, whose nature is everything but forgiving to those who do not give her proper respect. You command cock. There is no fathomable way you scare me." He said showing greater confidence.
She grinned grabbing his cheeks. He didn't move and his expression stayed confident. I stared at them, as did everyone. With her hands holding his cheeks, they looked like a couple fit for the high tides. Her seemingly rough demeanor and his solid build fit perfectly. He put his hands on her shoulders gently. She pulled him down and their lips crashed into the each other's like waves crash against each other.
What? I felt my chest tighten. Then I realized just who it is that is kissing him…Ino of Konoha. She is one of the few female pirates. She came from a wealthy family, yet set her sights on sailing the sea. Honestly, I found her to be quite brash from the stories I had been told. Thus far, she has lived up to such expectations.
Sasuke gripped her shoulders and slowly pushed her away staring into her eyes. She stared up at him. For a moment, her eyes lost their fierce gaze and became gentle and calm. I glanced at Sasuke's expression and surprisingly it is blank. I am aware that they have shared the same bed. Many of the more romantic stories were of his relationship with Ino. I had been extremely envious of her closeness to Sasuke and yet I can do nothing. Seeing them together only further instilled the fact that I could not be able to attempt to be with him. Their relationship has been growing over the years and I've only just met him.
He pushed her away more and stepped back from her. "What are you doing here?" He asked coldly, a stark difference from his previous mood. She seemed to take note of this and smiled timidly, "Well I saw your ship and I thought…I thought you could come to my villa." She said tenderly. Her entire demeanor changed in an instant. Both of their attitudes changed and it seemed odd. I looked at the men and they were getting off the ship at this point.
Sasuke smiled and shook his head, "No I cannot I must watch over my precious cargo." He said and looked at me. I felt my heart flutter at his comment, then I quickly scolded it. I cannot allow his sweet notions and words to persuade me against my resolve.
Ino turned and looked at me with a glare which seemed as if it could set me aflame. I quickly shook my head fearing that she would take my life with her cutlass. "No, Sasuke you do not have to escort me. I will be quite alright with you being with Ino." I replied. Sasuke rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
She smiled brightly reaching her hand out. I took it, "Well it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, ma'am." She said. I started to correct her, but the remaining crewmembers burst out in laughter before I could say anything. I looked at them and smiled. She looked at them then back at me, "What are they laughing at?" She asked. Sasuke, clearly holding back his laughter, stepped between us and pulled our hands apart. "Gaara is a boy and I will not let him go around this port alone." Sasuke said and I felt his grip tighten on my wrist. I glanced up at him and realized that he was trying to make me stay quiet.
She stared at me for a few moments then looked at Sasuke. "Can you come tomorrow?" She asked. He shook his head, "Ino, I am currently too preoccupied to seek pleasure in your arms." He told her. She cursed and shook her head. She walked to where she had come from. She turned back around, "Well, in any case, he wanted to speak with you." She said and smiled. She turned and started walking down.
Sasuke sighed, "Wait Ino!" He shouted and looked at me. "Gaara stay here on the ship." He said and started to walk in the direction Ino had gone. "But I don't need someone to watch over me." I replied. He stopped and turned back around to me. He walked back to me and grabbed my chin, "Listen, I do respect that you are royalty, but I am the captain of this ship. I wasn't asking you if you needed someone to watch over you. I was ordering you to stay on this ship." He said sternly. I felt a fever coming into my cheeks at his deep tone.
I nodded slowly. He smiled and turned walking in the direction he had been going in. I felt as if I would collapse under such an intense gaze. I walked back up to the where I had been before and watched the men as they collected their wages from Kiba down at the pier
I sighed seeing Sasuke and Ino walking together. Ino had wrapped her arm around his arm possessively and placed her head on his arm. I groaned turning around and sitting down. I put my hands in my lap and glared at the floor of the ship.
Who wants to speak with him? Was that just a ploy for her to get him to go with her? Ino had done that numerous times before, but they were all tricks to lure Sasuke into her bed…well she didn't have to lure him, I am sure.
I heard someone let out a deep sigh. I looked to my left and saw Shikamaru standing beside me at the small stairs. "Do you want to talk?" He asked. I shook my head slowly partially shocked to see him. "Good." He said moving around me and lying down on the floor.
Sasuke's POV
Ino held my arm leading me to his bar, despite my unwillingness. Yet today, I could not muster any strength to fight against her. I can only bear to put up with so much today, her kiss made me aware of it. This morning I had woken up with an immense headache. I had dreamed about the trial last night.
The dream consists of me sitting in front of the fat, old judge as he read his bribed verdict. While I had been banned, my entire family had been captured and executed for crimes they committed. All except Itachi, whom had gotten a lighter sentence for luring his own family to death. These were facts I had learned from Kakashi when he got me from that accursed island.
Then I relived the numerous years I had spent on the island, alone. I never doubted that I wouldn't live. I remembered everything my family had taught me about survival. I never allowed myself to think about death. It was something I could not afford, not as long as vengeance fueled my desire to live.
Waking up and seeing Gaara's sleeping face. It brought me some type of comfort, yet seeing it I could only feel deep regret. I could not do the same thing to him as was done to me. I could not allow someone who had nothing wrong to suffer.
He even said I am someone of great importance to him. Someone as undeserving of such an honor as I am I still accepted it. He knows my stories, my treacherous ways and yet he admires and even looks up to me. I had done the same to Itachi…could I really destroy the admiration Gaara holds for me? Destroy it to the point where he would no longer speak my name with gratitude, but with scorn and hatred.
"Sasuke we are here. You can stop ogling the women" Ino said. I left my thoughts to simply be addressed when I met with him. I smiled and walked past her to the door. She grabbed my arm before I could open the door. "What?" I asked not turning around to face her. "Sasuke, will you come to my bed tonight?" She asked in her typical blatant manner, yet her eyes portray some sort of desperation.
I chuckled, "No, I have to watch over Gaara." I told her and pulled my arm from her hand. "What are you his mother? Or…are you two lovers?" She asked. I shook my head, "No I'm just an escort to be honest." I replied and opened the doors.
I quickly closed them behind me and turned to see him wiping the bar down. "Go ahead and lock that." He said. I turned back around and locked the door. I turned back to him and saw him lighting several candles. I walked up to the bar and sat on one of the stools.
I smiled as he came to me. The tall man had been a friend and mentor to me following my banishment. He had actually been the one that sailed to retrieve me from the accursed island. He tamed the vengeful nature I had developed while being there and then also after I had left Orochimaru's imprisonment.
He had wild gray hair, some of which defied gravity by sticking out to one side. He wore an eye patch over his left eye, only doing so when the bar is open, but otherwise he displays an old scar he tells various stories about how he received it.
"So what do I owe the pleasure of you calling me away from my crew?" I asked. He chuckled, "As if you truly wish to concern yourself with them." I shook my head, "I guess I'm trying to erase past scars." I replied grabbed a small cup and held it up asking for drink.
He poured some rum into the cup. "You cannot erase scars, you only learn to live with them." He replied in a dark tone. I sighed and swallowed the entire cup full.
I put the cup down, "Back to business, what did you need me for?" I asked wanting to return to Gaara…to the ship. "Well the men have been talking while inebriated and have brought various rumors to my attention, concerning Orochimaru." He said.
I looked up at him and shrugged, "What makes you tell this to me?" I asked already feeling defensive. Kakashi did not find Orochimaru to be the most pleasant ruler, which not many people did. However, he had long ago retired from his days of service for the tyrant king.
"I know you feel like you owe Orochimaru some type of debt, but do not allow him to sway you into going against the sand crown." He warned. I stared into his eyes, "Well it's too late for that now." I told him. He slammed his hands down, but I didn't falter as I used to would have.
"Sasuke, what is he having you do?" He asked. I rolled my eyes and looked behind me at the door, then back at him. "He's having me take the sand prince on a goose chase to find the golden-tailed mermaid." I told him. He groaned, "Why are you helping him?" He asked staring at me angry.
I shrugged, "Because he offered to clean my men's slates, and mine as well. Not only that, but he is also willing to pay for our wages and once he's taken over the land of sand then he'll pay us for any aid we provide with patrolling the seas." I told him. He groaned and shook his head. "Do you honestly think Orochimaru will do any of that shit?" He asked. I opened my mouth to reply, but he held up his hand.
"Oh not only that, but what was it that you said? You are taking the sand prince on a goose chase for that false mermaid?" He asked. I nodded slowly knowing this to be his way of replying to any of the requests given to me.
"Damn, Sasuke you can't do that. I mean do you know what could happen to you if the Orochimaru's "plan" fails?" He asked. "Not only that, but haven't you thought that perhaps this prince would know what is going on?" He asked. I stared at him realizing that he is right. Gaara is a prince. Yet, the way he behaves has not shown me any sign that he would know his fate.
"Have you seriously thought this through? Or has Orochimaru have you blindly following him as usual? Gaara is a prince of a pretty wealthy kingdom. I'm sure he has informants across the world. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure he is well skilled to fight any type of enemy. After all, he is from the land of the sand." He said and sighed. "Sasuke…do not underestimate your prey. It may be small, but that does not mean it is defenseless." He said.
"In any matter…I no longer wish to carry on this task." I shouted slamming my cup down. It was perhaps unnecessary, yet I needed to take his attention away from my foolishness. I sighed deeply, "I don't want to hurt Gaara…in fact I want to return him back to his country and forget about this entire venture." I told him.
I scoffed. I don't truly want to return him to his kingdom. I would be satisfied with keeping him on my vessel. Even if he couldn't lift a pot of dirty water, I want to keep him around me.
"Good…at least you've regained some sense." He said. I looked up at him and smiled, "Only to lose some in another regard." I spoke bitterly. He furrowed his brow as he became confused as I knew he would.
Suddenly the door slammed opened. I turned around and Kakashi looked up, both of us surprised at the loud sound. Standing in the doorway is Kabuto. I stood up from the stool and started to walk in his direction.
"Oh, just stay where you are my friends." He spoke calmly. I stopped and began working out how I would attack him. But maybe that wouldn't be necessary. However, the fact that he's here is cause to believe that there is a reason to be cautious.
"So, Sasuke I couldn't help but over hear that you were planning on not going along with Orochimaru's plan." He spoke calmly and smiled. I returned the smile, "You're right. There's no sense in hiding what would have happened right I had come to my senses." I replied confidently.
He chuckled, "Well you fail to underestimate my master." He said raising his hand to his specs. He gently pushed them up, "If Orochimaru wishes for something…or should I someone, to be taken care of…he will insure it happens." He spoke threateningly and a wide grin came across his face.