Last time:

"I am a member of the branch family, and I was given the duty of guarding Lady Hinata."

'Those were my exact thoughts! And my name has not been mentioned in her presence!'

"How about you show me around the village, Hinata?"

"Set up a rendezvous point for us to meet. My crew will be ready to set sail at dawn."


Tsunade smirked. "Giving out orders, are we? Well, 'Captain,' I must say you are rushing into things. For all you know, it could take weeks to meet up with Kakashi."

"Better to be out there looking than waiting for Kabuto to strike," Sasuke countered.

Too bad her assistant Shizune had hidden her personal supply of alcohol; moments like this made Tsunade crave some sake. The stubborn brat before her was attempting to call the shots, and the idea of following an outsider's orders did not sit well with her. However, she held her tongue. Why look a gift horse in the mouth? With this opportunity, Kabuto would be disposed of once and for all, and the Uchiha would take all the blame. He and his crew were already wanted criminals, whereas Konoha had to remain secluded in order to function properly. The solution was obvious.

Tsunade leaned back in her seat. "Have it your way. Jiraiya shall provide the coordinates for a rendezvous point. Rest here tonight, and if you want supplies, haggle with the locals. We are not a charity."

"And my companion?"

"We'll have her quarters prepared. Now get out of my office! Unless you would prefer to take a little trip like your friend did," she sneered as she cracked her knuckles.

The Hokage did not need to ask twice. Sasuke silently turned to leave; Sakura made sure to bow respectfully before following. That left Jiraiya, rooted to his spot as he stared at the hole where the door had been.

"Odd couple, wouldn't you say?"

Tsunade sighed, "Yes, well… something tells me they have been through a great deal just to get here, and there will be more troubles to come."


"Man, just where did everyone go?!"

Kiba, Sai, Shino, and Rock Lee had opted to stay behind to guard the ship instead of exploring the village. Kiba, however, was beginning to regret his decision. He had grown bored in a matter of minutes, and now he chose to voice out his complaints.

"Come on, it's not like out ship is going to walk away! We should do something!"

"I already am 'doing something,'" Sai commented as he held up his sketchpad. Kiba merely rolled his eyes in response; it was not that surprising.

"You really need to get a life."

"Never fear, dear Kiba!" Lee announced. "Although we are duty-bound to protect our ship, we can pass the time with physical training! Let us begin with five hundred push-ups!"

Kiba groaned as he scratched his head. "I think I'll pass."

His canine partner nudged his hand, causing Kiba to grin. He playfully rubbed the soft fur on Akamaru's head.

'You did not bother to ask me,' a neglected Shino thought to himself.

"OI!"

The crew flinched at the familiar call; apparently the first mate had returned.

"Took you long enough!" Kiba bellowed as he jumped to his feet. He rushed to the side of the ship, expecting to see the captain and Sakura as well. What he saw nearly made his eyes bulge out of their sockets!

It seemed Naruto had made a new friend.

"Naruto! Who's the chick? And where's the captain?"

Even the remaining three were curious enough to observe the new arrival. Not only had the obnoxious first mate returned with a fair maiden, but he was also grasping her hand! The poor girl was left blushing as the blonde remained oblivious to the significance of his actions.

"This is Hinata Hyuga!" Naruto announced.

"Hyuga?!" Lee exclaimed. "Does that mean she is a relative of Neji's?"

Naruto waved his hand, "Well, technically, but that isn't important right now."

(Behind the man, Hinata was imagining the wrath her cousin would be displaying if he had heard that statement…)

"Anyway," Naruto continued, "Sasuke was still settling things with the Hokage when I last saw him. He and Sakura shouldn't be too far behind."

"Are you certain?" Sai inquired. "I have done plenty of research on human behavior for mercenary training, and since a man and a woman are alone together—"

"Just stop, Sai!" Kiba cried out as he covered the mouth of his socially awkward shipmate. "Lee might get curious!"

As the scene unfolded, Hinata gave Naruto a questioning glance. The blonde laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"They really are nice guys, Hinata. Just a bit weird."

"What, and you're not?!" Kiba argued, resulting in a glaring contest with Naruto.

"You callin' me weird, mutt-face!"

"It's the truth, moron!

"Why don't you come down here and say it to my face, you coward!"

Kiba smirked as he descended from the ship. "With pleasure!"

And so the brawl began. Hinata, in an effort to protect herself from getting caught, attempted to keep her distance. Thankfully, the silent one with dark glasses had appeared and brought her aboard the ship and out of harm's way.

"No need to fret!" the energetic one assured her. "This happens all the time!"

Hinata smiled, a bit relieved that this was not out of the ordinary. Turning her attention back to the men below, she was finding herself oddly feeling at home.


In time, the rest of the crew returned. Choji and Shikamaru came first, along with the blonde gypsy called Ino, who had chosen to tag along out of curiosity. Later came Sasuke and Sakura, though the atmosphere around them had once again grown tense. It did not take a genius to guess why. Then there was Neji; no one had noticed his arrival at first, but it was noted that he kept close to the female Hyuga.

With everyone aboard, Sasuke relayed the conversation he had with Lady Tsunade.

"…in other words, Konoha shall provide shelter and protection for Sakura. In return, we will be the ones to dispose of Kabuto."

No one protested the idea. Although most of them were unaware of the details of Sakura's situation, they had grown to be rather protective of her. She was one of their own, and if that nobleman was after her, they would see to it that he never got near her.

"So what are your thoughts, Captain?" Neji asked. "How do you intend to find him? If he is out there searching, he could be anywhere."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Come on, Neji! He's a powerful bad guy, and a noble at that! Instead of getting his hands dirty, he's probably calling all of the shots from his base."

Shikamaru chose that moment to finally put his two cents in. "Both of you may have a point. However, we will need some sort of direction either way. Venturing out into the middle of the ocean without a clear destination would only be troublesome."

"Konoha already dispatched a spy in Kabuto's ranks," Sasuke explained. "We will meet at a designated location and move from there."

The navigator was surprised by this news. "Seriously? How is that even possible?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Apparently he has been on their hit list for quite some time."

"And we happen to be Konoha's scapegoats, eh? No surprise there."

"Who cares?" Naruto jumped in. "As long as that bastard gets what's coming to him, it doesn't matter who takes the blame!"

There was a silent agreement among the men. At least no one was protesting the idea. Personally, Sasuke would enjoy taking the credit for Kabuto's demise.

Now that a plan was set, they could—

"I don't like this."

Everyone turned to Sakura, who was biting her lip and trembling, as though she was holding something back. She had not intended to let that comment slip, but the deed was done. Choji, being the one standing closest to her, cautiously placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sakura?" he gently prompted with concern.

Without much warning, her head shot up and she shouted, "I don't like this! In fact, I hate this! How on earth am I supposed to stand back and watch you all risk your lives for me?!"

Her gaze locked on to Sasuke; she kept her shoulders back and her head held high, despite the tears that were threatening to fall.

"If you are going after Kabuto, then take me with you."

The crew and the two other women were taken aback by her bold actions. All eyes turned to the captain, awaiting his response.

Cold onyx eyes stared into the blazing emerald orbs.

"No."

"And why not?!" Sakura countered. "I can help you! This is my problem, Sasuke, not yours!"

Sakura was truly at odds with herself. She had wanted to be left behind to keep her friends out of danger. But if they were heading straight for the enemy, she would rather fight than be left behind!

"Sakura, you will not be aboard this ship when we depart. That is an order from the captain," Sasuke proclaimed with enough authority to make the entire crew shrink back. Why was he being so harsh?

Sakura had to bite her lip so hard she was positive some skin had broken.

Suddenly Ino was beside her, draping her arm around Sakura's shoulders in a half-embrace.

"I know it is painful, but try to bear with it. All of them want to protect you, and you should respect that."

'That may be true,' Sakura mused, 'but that does not mean I should play the helpless damsel for their sake!'


The crew decided to enjoy the evening to the fullest! The enchantress had suggested heading to the village tavern; it was so popular, the Hokage herself would make regular visits. And it just so happened that when they walked through the door, Tsunade and Jiraiya had already shared a few cups of sake.

The old man beamed when he noticed the group's arrival. "Ah, look what the cat dragged in! Come in and enjoy, children, because the next round is on me!"

Tsunade immediately grabbed him by the collar. "What do you think you are doing, idiot?!" she hissed. "You are going to blow through what's left of our funds if you keep this up!"

Jiriaya simply grinned. "That round includes you as well, Tsunade."

The woman flinched, and her grip eased. He had her, and it was far too easy. Anyone who was close to the Hokage was aware of her weakness for alcohol, but he had to give her credit for trying to resist at first. Perhaps he could be kind and chip in with his own money instead.

As a result of Jiriaya's generosity, everyone drank to his hearts' content. Except Lee; he was banned from alcohol consumption for the night.

There were a few new faces among the crowded tavern. Ino even introduced them to a woman named Tenten, a master of weaponry. Apparently, Lee and Neji were intrigued; it was not long before they left to spar.

Kiba challenged the captain to a drinking contest along with Shino and Sai. Unfortunately for him, the captain never drank much in front of his crew. Because of that, Kiba was completely unaware of Sasuke's high tolerance.

After many drinks, Sasuke rolled his eyes as Kiba shouted slurred nonsense for the umpteenth time. Sai had lost focus long ago and was staring at his drink in fascination. Shino might have still been in the game, but there was definitely a red tinge under his shades.

'I cannot believe I am doing this…' Sasuke mentally groaned. There was a reason he never joined these "challenges"; they were pointless. What can a person gain from having a higher tolerance of alcohol, besides responsibility for his drunken mates?

This foolishness was clearly beneath him, yet tonight he agreed to it. Why? Because he had to keep himself busy. Otherwise, his mind would continue to stress over Sakura.

She was giving him the cold shoulder again, ever since he had used his rank against her back at the ship. It was not surprising that she was angry about it, but that failed to make her behavior less irritating!

'She's so damn emotional! One minute she says she wants to leave for our sake, and the moment we agree, she insists on staying! Just what does that woman want from me? I don't get it!'

Sasuke quickly downed another cup of sake; he had to break from the path his mind was taking.

'Stop worrying about it. She'll get over it eventually. She has always been a hot-head, even when we were kids.'

It was the truth; there was no denying that Sasuke and Naruto feared Sakura's quick temper. Sometimes, it was just like a time bomb that could go off without warning any moment! Sasuke smirked at the memories of Sakura punishing the dobe's stupidity with a punch in the face!

A sigh escaped his lips as he thought of the past again, when it was just the three of them. The girl back then was never afraid to give them a piece of her mind, and he had learned to handle that. He would prefer her rage over the passive aggressive methods she was using now. Had things truly gotten so awkward between them that they cannot remain on speaking terms?

"Ugh!"

A growl of frustration broke Sasuke's thoughts. He turned to the table where Sakura, Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino sat. Sasuke did not miss how the enchantress was holding both of Sakura's hands in hers.

'What is she doing?' he wondered as he decided to eavesdrop.

"Hey, Ino, are you all right?" Choji asked with concern as the blonde woman panted.

"I… I just… I just don't get it!" she suddenly cried out. "I was not able to fully enter your mind! I was close, but—"

"I knew it," Shikamaru interrupted. "Sakura is not as easy for you to read while my thoughts when we met were obvious. You can quit the scam now."

Ino grit her teeth. "For the final time, it is not a scam! I was able to retrieve some bits and pieces of her memories, but I was abruptly forced out of her mind!"

This new information piqued Sasuke's interest. Was Sakura that mentally strong?

"It is as though you have locked your memories away."

Sasuke's breath hitched. He had a sneaking suspicion that he knew what the enchantress was talking about. Judging by the look on Sakura's face, he had no doubt about it.

'Her years of captivity.'

No one had asked her for the details of her life as Orochimaru's prisoner. They would not dare. There was no telling what horrors she had gone through all those years.

"I'm sorry, Ino," Sakura finally said. "It's just… some memories are better left in the past."

Ino stared in confusion. It took a great deal of power to push her out like that. Sure, some people could block her out from the start, but once she was in, it would be harder to get her out. Whatever Sakura was hiding had to be extremely private or dreadfully serious.

Choji patted her back, snapping Ino out of her thoughts. The big guy grinned cheerfully. "Come on, Ino. Let's find another test subject."

That distraction did the trick; the gypsy practically lit up before scanning the room for her next victim.


Meanwhile, little Hinata Hyuga had found herself in an awkward situation. She was sitting next to Jiraiya, who was drunk again. As much as she wanted to leave, she could not. The old drunk pulled her back down to her seat each time she tried to escape. At the moment, his arm was slung around her shoulders, successfully holding her down.

"So whaddya say, Hinata? With all of these male visitors, you could take your pick and have some fun!"

Hinata winced as his horrid breath reached her nostrils. She attempted to push him away.

"Th-that is enough, M-Master Jiraiya!"

But her efforts were in vain as he pulled her closer.

"Don't be such a stick in the mud! They're leaving in the morning, anyway, so—"

WHAM!

A fist had made contact with Jiraiya's head! Hinata looked up to see a seething Naruto looming over them.

"Leave her alone, you pervy, old drunk!"

He pulled Hinata to her feet, freeing her from Jiraiya's clutches. The girl blushed as Naruto protectively wrapped one arm around her shoulders.

Luckily, Jiraiya was not too upset. In fact, he was laughing hysterically! Naruto and Hinata gaped in pure confusion.

"Haha! 'Pervy, old drunk!' Ha! You really don't soften your blows, kid! Even your father wouldn't talk to me that way!"

Naruto flinched. "My father?"

"Oh, yeah," Jiraiya continued. "Minato was his name. He was a student of mine, I'll have you know! That guy was too soft to stand up to me, though! That was Kushina's job!"

This time, Hinata tensed. 'Kushina? Is he referring to Kushina Uzumaki?!'

She cautiously looked up at Naruto. No wonder his surname had sounded so familiar! Plus, now that she was aware of it, Naruto did resemble Minato Namikaze.

Speaking of Naruto…

He seemed to be in a state of shock. His body stood frozen with wide eyes as Jiraiya laughed away, blissfully unaware of the consequences of his words. Hinata, still under his arm, was not sure what to do.

"Na… Naruto?" she said carefully.

The man blinked out of his stupor. Without a word, he released Hinata and slowly walked outside.

All she could do was watch him leave. She wanted to follow him, but her legs would not budge. Even if she did go to him, what could she do to help? Perhaps it was best to leave him alone…

Hinata looked around the room. Most of the crew was already intoxicated, and those who were sober had not noticed the first mate's disappearance. She could not easily send someone else after him.

'Jiraiya's words seemed to hit him hard. He must have so many questions…'

Hinata clenched her fists and shook her head. 'Now is not the time to be scared! Naruto needs answers, and I can offer what I know at the very least!'

With her mind made up, she dashed out the door before her resolve got the chance to waver.


Dawn came too soon. Sakura had failed to get a proper night's rest, so she decided to head to the docks ahead of everyone else. Hopefully, watching the water would calm her down like it normally did.

"You're up early."

Sakura glanced over her shoulder at the newcomer. "You, too. Strange for someone as lazy as you."

Shikamaru shrugged. "We have a long journey ahead of us. It's troublesome, but I suppose the time has come to get serious."

Sakura nodded before returning her attention back to the water. Shikamaru stepped beside her to stand in a comfortable silence. Still, he could tell something was bothering her. Sighing, he did what had to be done.

"Sakura… I have to ask. Just what did you want Sasuke to do? It seems as though you've been against every decision he's made."

Caught off-guard, Sakura looked up in bewilderment. It was out of his character to be concerned with other people's problems. But his question got to her; it was the same thing she had already been asking herself. Just what did she want?

"I… I don't know," she admitted. "I'm so confused right now, and I don't know what I should do. I want to protect my family, and I don't know how. You are a strategist, right, Shikamaru? What do you think I should do?"

The man simply sighed and scratched his head. "I will never understand you women. Why can't you just put your faith in us once in a while?"

Sakura was shocked as she realized his point. 'I lack faith? Did I really doubt them that much?'

Back when they were children, Sakura could always rely on her "brothers." But after she had lost her parents and her freedom, she had become accustomed to relying solely on herself.

'They may screw up at times, but I know what they are capable of. I may not have any choice but to depend on them this time.'

She smiled, knowing what she could do.

"Thank you, Shikamaru."

"Eh? For what?"

Sakura giggled. Of course he could offer sound advice without realizing it!

"Nothing. It's fine."


Once the Amaterasu was prepared to depart, the crew made sure to give their farewells. Hinata and Ino had arrived to support Sakura as well as see their new friends off. Tsunade and Jiraiya were also there, and they handed Sasuke a scroll containing the location as well as directions for the meeting.

"Remember, this has to be discreet," the Hokage specified. "Kakashi is a valuable member of Konoha, and his position must not be discovered. Am I clear?"

"Hn," the captain grunted.

Naruto had Sakura in a bear hug. It was difficult to let her go again, but he understood what had to be done.

He looked over to Hinata, who was standing next to them.

"Take care of her for me, okay?"

The girl blushed and nodded. Then, Naruto released Sakura and moved to Hinata. He held her in his arms; Sakura noted that this embrace was far gentler than the one she received. The former heiress gasped as her body felt his warmth.

"Thanks again, Hinata. I'll see you soon," he whispered in her ear.

When he let go, Hinata could feel herself becoming faint. Luckily, with her years of practice, she managed to stay on her feet.

"Oi, dobe. Let's go."

Naruto glared at his approaching captain. "Geez, teme, I was just saying goodbye! Besides, isn't there something you need to say?"

Sasuke had no idea if the dobe was attempting to be subtle or not, but his obvious gesture toward Sakura was painful to watch.

Sighing, he faced Sakura. They stared in silence before he finally spoke.

"Hn. We'll be back soon. Try not to cause too much damage while we're gone."

Naruto face-palmed. Was he trying to piss off Sakura? If he wasn't, then this was just pitiful!

The pinkette said nothing at first. Then she folded her arms. Naruto and Sasuke braced themselves.

"…Fine," she calmly stated, "but I have some ground rules for both of you."

Sakura then transitioned into nagging-mode. Hinata thought they looked like a mother scolding her sons.

"No doing anything stupid! The key is discretion, so no destroying buildings! Learn what you are up against before jumping in, and I say that to both of you, not just Naruto! And Sasuke, if Kakashi offers some assistance, swallow that damn pride of yours and accept any help you can get! Lastly…"

The men were surprised as Sakura jumped up and embraced them both!

"Lastly," she said with a cracking voice, "come home safely."

Relieved that she was not furious with them, the men remained in her arms for a little longer. Once the embrace naturally broke, Sasuke dug something out of his pocket.

"This is yours."

Sakura smiled as tears began to sting her eyes. Sasuke gently placed her Uzumaki pendant in her hands. In a way, it was his way of reminding her that they are still a family.

"Thank you."


The three women watched as the ship disappeared through the narrow valley. Ino then placed a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder.

"We're here for you, Sakura. We'll keep you company, and the Amaterasu will be back before you know it!"

Sakura smiled before looking at the exit one last time.

'I'll put my faith in you. Just please come back to me. That's all I ask.'


"I never knew my parents. It was just surprising to hear about them, you know?"

"I.. didn't know them personally, but I can tell you what I've learned about them."

Next time: Bonus Chapter- Konoha's Heroes