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Flotsam
Chapter 10
"You want me to come with you? To the Sands?" Sakura repeated, and Sasuke just stared at her blankly in response. He did not look like he was going to dignify the question with a response, but Sakura was insistent.
"Why? I just failed the very first mission you gave me."
Sasuke does not want to give her the full truth, especially not after that embarrassing display of him actually blushing, like he was some lovesick child. He did not want to tell her that he wanted to keep an eye on her; that he did not trust the men of his crew to protect her. Besides, it was not her place to demand he explain his decisions. He was still her Captain.
"Would you rather I take Naruto and leave you under Neji's command?"
A chill ran down Sakura's spine at the thought of being alone with that man. He obviously did not like her, and Sasuke knew that as well. In fact, it was hard for anyone to miss. If he was not outwardly stating it, he made it clear through his actions. She shook her head no.
"Well then." He finished, and he was finally prepared for her to actually depart. But she did not, and he looked up at her, wordlessly indicating that if she had another question she better just spit it out. He was not going to ask.
"I-Is there anyone else coming?" Her demeanor changed to nervous, and he tilted his head at her, his eyes narrowing once more.
"Is that a request, Sakura?"
"Well, I just know that Neji is also not a fan of Suigets-"
"No."
Sakura was shocked to be cut off so quickly, especially since she was not wrong. If he was trying to avoid mutiny, leaving that absolute buffoon with Neji and Naruto would be just as dangerous.
Then again, she only wanted him to come in the unlikely event she were to get harmed again. Because no matter how much she trusted Sasuke's ability to fight, she did not believe in her ability to avoid all bloodshed. This stupid human skin was fragile if nothing else.
"Why not?" She asks, narrowing her eyes back at him. He had become tense after rejecting her request, and she wanted to reveal the real reason why.
Was he jealous? Of Suigetsu? How ridiculous! The two of them were barely friends!
"I think it's best if you two spend some time apart. He follows you like a lost child, and now you suggest him on a mission you know nothing about?" Sasuke shoots back, and Sakura can feel the hostility dripping from his words.
'He is actually jealous! Of that stupid water spirit!' Sakura can feel herself blinking far too much as she tries to find some semblance of sense in this realization. To think, her plan to befriend the Captain would be thwarted by such a stupid misconception.
"He is my teammate, of course I want to bring him. We understand each other in battle!" She defends herself, not realizing how defensive she sounds. But she is defensive, because Sasuke would never be able to truly understand their connection. He was a spirit of the sea, and she was one of their creations. She was still a mermaid, but that, Sasuke could not know.
"Your understanding each other is exactly why he would get in the way." Sasuke's voice is filled with disdain, and Sakura can barely hold back her desire to laugh at the incredulity.
"Captain, if anyone's feelings are getting in the way of reason, they are yours!"
Sasuke did not hold his shock, nor its quick transition back to anger. The snarl on his face was the scariest Sakura had seen him yet.
"You will be coming with me, alone, and if that is a problem for you and your little lover then that is not my problem."
Sasuke's voice had heightened to the point she was certain the crew could hear him through the walls. But that was the least of her worries as she shouted back at him.
"He is not-!"
"Then why, Sakura? Why do you cling to him?" Sasuke cuts her off, swiftly approaching her as he stares down at her, looking ready to pick her up and toss her off the ship at the next port. She can feel the heat in her face, but if she doesn't clear this up now, she is afraid she will not be able to redeem herself later.
Sasuke was prepared to explain just how many times he had found the two of them missing together. How often he had come down to her quarters just to find him there as well. Every dock, the two were not to be seen for several hours. If he was nothing to her, then surely she could explain. But the red on her face and the stutter in her voice showed there was something she was hiding.
She was lying.
"Captain, have you forgotten our conversation from mere minutes ago?" Sakura asked, bringing her hands up to her chest, trying to close herself off from his scrutiny with a physical barrier. He just stared at her, waiting for her to continue.
'By the goddess, why must I spell it out for you? So much for you being clever!'
"I failed, Captain! I was on my own and I failed. I do not want to become a deadweight for you!" She pleaded, her hands tightening around her shirt, trying to withhold her desire for his trust.
"I cannot be yet another problem for you!"
Sasuke seemed to accept the answer well enough, and his threatening aura fell back as his posture relaxed.
He was so tired of this cat and mouse game. Why did she have to be so frustrating? He felt himself constantly caught between anger and compassion. This was exactly why he chose to ignore emotions. They were so incredibly stupid.
Yet, her words annoyed him still. Does she really believe him so incapable? He looks at her with a plain face, trying to receive an accurate response to his question. He waits for her to look up at him before he asks her the question burning in his mind.
"Do you think I am not capable of protecting you, Sa-ku-ra?"
The way he asks the question is so contemptuous that she flounders for a response. He is mocking her!
His gaze follows down from her quickly reddening face to her slender, exposed neck. He can see her pulse, and he notices that it is hard and fast. She is just as nervous as her face makes her appear.
'It is interesting what bothers you, Sakura.'
"Hn."
Sakura is still gaping at him, trying to find some response. She is between infuriated and smitten, and it is utterly confusing. He really was only acting so childish because he thought her heart belonged to another.
'You really aren't clever at all, Sasuke!' Her inner voice mocked. Yet the way he was acting caused the other part of her to swoon. To think she could command his emotions in such a way. Still, it would only spell danger for her later on down the line. The first of such dangers was now fast approaching.
She would have to travel far from the sea; a mermaid in the desert without even the spirit of the sea to assuage her pain.
"You may go now, Sakura." Sasuke says, waving her off before turning back and sitting at his desk, clearly not interested in a continued conversation. Sakura, unable to think of anything to save her, decides it is best to listen to him for once and quickly departs.
"You're what?" Suigetsu tried to whisper back, but it came out at much too high of a volume. Sakura had dragged him into her quarters as fast as she could, trying to explain the situation before Sasuke came out of his cabin. He was pretty pissed, so she imagined she would have some time.
"I'm going with Sasuke to the Sands." She repeated, obviously frustrated with the idea, as well as having to repeat herself.
"How the hell did you manage that?" Suigetsu asked back, still failing at lowering his voice.
"He invited me." She answered, struggling to believe the idea as much as Suigetsu was. He runs a hand through his hair, trying to get the story straight. Sakura would be leaving with Sasuke for a week long trip away from the water, on a whim? No way.
"Why? Why would he invite you?"
Sakura suddenly looks nervous, and blushes while shrugging slightly. "I-I'm not entirely sure." She mumbled, convincing herself that it wasn't exactly a lie.
"This doesn't make any sense. Are you sure he hasn't figured you out?"
Sakura takes a deep breath, and avoids looking at him. "I mean, no, but..." She started, and Suigetsu's temper is quickly growing.
"But what?" He demanded, and she sighed loudly. She obviously did not want to talk about it. Suigetsu suddenly had the suspicion something had happened between the two of them.
"He thinks we fancy each other, Sui!" She finally whines, covering her face with her hands. Suigetsu stares at her with wide eyes, completely dumbfounded. As Sakura takes a seat on her cot, Suigetsu bursts out laughing.
It doesn't take long for Sakura to pick up her small pillow, smacking Suigetsu as hard as she can with it. "Oh hush! Why do you find this funny?"
Suigetsu is still laughing, and when he finally gets a break, he wipes a tear from his eye. "I had no idea he was such an idiot!"
Sakura's mouth has puckered into a pout, and he knew he should probably stop laughing before she actually got mad. But the way she was staring at him so hurt only made it worse. Luckily, she began to smile, too. She swung the pillow at him once more, although much lighter.
"Why is it so silly to think a man might fancy me?"
"Listen, don't take it so personally poppet, I just like girls that are a little less..."
At that very moment, Suigetsu tried to come up with a word that separated Sakura from the woman on his mind. The longer he tried, the more he struggled. 'Well, shit,' He thought to himself. 'You're a lot like her, aren't ya?'
In fact, Sakura even shared his favorite nymph's absolute obsession with the Captain. Suddenly, it wasn't very funny to him anymore. Not only had he just put together that he definitely had a type, but that the type included women like Sakura. Sasuke wasn't so stupid as he was astute. He was smarter than Suigetsu.
"Less what?" Sakura asked, still smiling, although it faded the longer Suigetsu's silence continued. He realized he would have to say something to distract her from the realization he just had. He definitely didn't like Sakura, but if he didn't cut off that possibility of her misinterpreting his actions herself, then his mission would never work. And he definitely couldn't start to actually like her.
She had to be disposable.
"Ah, I just realized I had a conversation with the Captain about you before. Sounds like he took it way too seriously." Suigetsu thought, trying to justify the observation of the Captain without revealing more than he wanted to. Truthfully, he was just projecting for most of the conversation.
'Bastard doesn't know how nice he has it! He doesn't even have to try!'
Sakura cocked her head to the side, wondering what kind of conversation they would have that would make Sasuke believe he liked her. Then again, based on his strong display of jealousy earlier, it must not require much.
"What were you talking to him about?" She asks, but Suigetsu is done with the conversation. He doesn't want to go down that rabbit hole. She'd read way too much into it. He didn't like her, so it wasn't a problem to be had.
"What are you gonna do, huh? You haven't been to the water in over a week, and now you'll be gone for another."
Sakura stops, and is disappointed in herself for not having thought about it before now. What was she going to do?
"I-I'm not sure. I was going to ask you."
Well, that was a lie. But she didn't want him to think she was some sort of lovesick idiot. But Suigetsu is not so easily fooled, and immediately deadpans back, "Seriously? You forgot?"
Sakura just laughs nervously, scratching the back of her head. Suigetsu rolls his eyes. He sits down next to her, trying not to look at her now that he can't stop thinking about the similarities she shared with Karin.
"Do you think I can get away after we dock and before we leave?" Sakura asks, even though it is an obvious suggestion that need not be said at all.
"Doubtful. If he's already jealous, how am I gonna get away with you? He's definitely not gonna let you go by yourself now that you went and got hurt."
Suigetsu stared down at the pointless bandage. He couldn't help but feel partially responsible. He was so busy getting her into the mission he didn't stop to think she might actually fail. But of course she would, or at least it was a high possibility. She had never done anything like that before. She had barely spoken to humans before this.
Sakura huffed, laying back onto the cot while Suigetsu stayed seated next to her. She covered her face with her pillow, mumbling out, "This is so stupid and unfair!"
Suigetsu needed to get back before the Captain himself came down to check on them. That's quite literally the last thing they needed at the moment. He stood up, and waited until she removed the pillow to look at him.
"Well, you better try and figure out a plan to get in the water before you leave. Cause if you don't, you'll just be a puddle in the desert."
With that foreboding note, he left her alone in the quarters.
However, unknown to Sakura and Suigetsu, someone was standing outside the door during their conversation, listening to every word. And when Suigetsu's footsteps fast approached the door, Hinata panicked, and quickly took off down the hall.
Later that night, Hinata and Sakura are lounging on their beds in silence. Hinata can tell that the other girl cannot sleep, and she understands why; she was carrying a heavy burden.
"Are you excited to travel to the Sands, Sakura?" She asks in her typical, quiet voice. Sakura turns to her, obviously not noticing she was awake.
"Oh, I suppose so. I am always excited to see new lands." Sakura's voice betrays her words. She really is excited to see the Sands, but she is not so excited about everything else.
"I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous to be alone with the Captain."
Hinata nods, deciding to let that thought go unfinished. She wants to say she understands, but it is clear that she does not. She looks down at Sakura's arm in the darkness, seeing the white bandage wrapped around it.
"Can I ask you a question, Sakura?" Hinata asks, and Sakura is taken aback. She nods, choosing not to speak out of the fear she will sound guilty. She doesn't even know what the question is, but something about Hinata's hesitance makes her nervous.
"Why are you still wearing the bandage, when your wound is gone?"
Sakura jumps up into a seated position, completely abandoning the plan to remain subtle. 'How did she...?' She thinks, and Hinata responds as if she can read her thoughts.
"You do not change it often, and after you do it is never wet, like it would be if it were still weeping or you were actually disinfecting it. Also, I will not lie, I did see your arm once while changing. It is gone."
Sakura is hoping she can still play this off like paranoia. Hinata's reasons for knowing are quite normal. Of course she might have seen her; they shared a cabin.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps to remind myself that I got hurt at all?" Sakura posed the idea as more of a question than an answer. It was true, though. The bandage did serve as a reminder of her failure. It encouraged her not to make such a stupid mistake again.
Hinata accepts the answer, but is disappointed. Sakura still does not trust her. Maybe that was understandable, but it was a problem for her right now. If she did not press Sakura at all, she would risk Sakura's existence altogether. She was her only chance.
Suigetsu and Sakura had failed to come up with a plan, that must was obvious. Sasuke had been sure to keep Sakura far too busy over the past few days. She barely had enough of a break to eat. The Captain swore it was to get her back into the swing of the work, and as a punishment for failure. He wanted to show that he did not play favorites among his crew.
But that was a lie. He was doing it to keep the two of them apart. Hinata knew that as well as Neji did. And that was what Sakura did not know.
She was not the only person on the ship with secrets.
Jiraiya was not a stranger to the busy pirate markets. At the same time, he was not exactly subtle. His reputation preceded him, and the tattoos on his face were quite distinct. He knew that going through unrecognized was unrealistic.
But drastic times call for drastic measures, and so here he was, in the middle of the crowded market where most people avoided his eyes. The person he came to find likewise would avoid him. After all, he knew why Jiraiya had come to find him. The fact his target was here at all meant he likely has the information him and Tsunade sought.
However, he proved to be more elusive than Jiraiya had hoped. Unlike most pirates, this person could not be found in bars or brothels. No, he considered himself a moral pirate. The rarest kind.
It was also likely that he was wearing a disguise, or using some technique to hide his true identity. That was what he was known for, after all. There was no point in asking if people had seen him – they would lie out of fear, or genuinely not know they had seen him at all.
There was no more elusive combination than a quiet, moral pirate that struck fear in the hearts of men. It was this realization after a long day of searching that led Jiraiya to almost give up. Just as he was about to set on his way back to the other coast, he saw a familiar cloak flash through the crowd.
Focusing on the color as it traveled, he watched it settle down an alley, the wearer crouching and leaning against the wall. Jiraiya slowly approached, wondering why the man seemed to be in such a rush. He clearly was not a true vagrant; the cloak was far too ornate.
Keeping his distance, he noted the labored breathing of the man. A mixture of nerves and the actions of fleeing, he concludes. But that barely made sense—the cloak he wore signaled a particular brand of magic. He was not mistaken, and no one would dare wear that pattern if they did not possess the required magic. It would be a death wish.
'Is it you... Kakashi?' Jiraiya wondered before finally taking a step close enough that the suspected man would definitely be able to recognize. As soon as the step was taken, the figure took off in a mad sprint.
Well, shit.
"Wait!" Jiraiya yelled out, knowing that it may stop Kakashi if he were not already on edge. Surely, he would not be that terrified. The information they sought would bring him no harm. The only people at risk were the subjects of the information. And Kakashi, being a reasonable man, should know Jiraiya would not let unnecessary harm befall them.
But the figure did not stop, and so Jiraiya took off after him, knocking over a few people in the process. Normally he would apologize, but with such a good opportunity, they would have to wait. Even if it turned out to be someone else, their flight made it obvious they had something to fear when it came to him.
He watched as the man vaulted over a fence, and Jiraiya praised the gods that the old, splintered wood managed to snag his cape. He jumped up, tugging on the distinguished fabric. But the wearer quickly disrobed, continuing to bolt through the other half of the alley.
Jiraiya watched, debating his choices in his head. It would not be hard to follow him, but it he couldn't do it without causing a commotion. The man likely knew that Jiraiya was bound by the laws that required him not to use any magic around so many commoners. The price for such unrestricted magic was the death of all who saw; a price he was not willing to pay, even if it were the lives of mere pirates. Deep down, Jiraiya did have a soft spot for the scoundrels of society. So many were not there by choice.
The man was quickly retreating, but the lack of cloak allowed Jiraiya to spot a holster on his waist. Sure enough, ingrained in the leather were three black tomoes. It was the man he was looking for.
"Kakashi!" He yelled, hoping that a last stitch appeal to the man may cause a change of heart. He was not there to hurt him, and he must have known that.
'Why are you running?'
The thought was immediately dispelled as the man glanced over his shoulder, still covered in the shadows of the alley for a moment more. His hair was short and dark brown, and his aura stunk of death.
The last detail Jiraiya could see before he had lost sight of the man entirely was the swirl of his dark orange mask revealing his right, blood red eye.
That was not Kakashi.
"Captain."
Sasuke turned at the mention of him, and was unsurprised to see the origin of the quiet call was from their cabin girl.
"Yes, Hinata?" He responded, albeit a bit impatiently. There was not much he wished to discuss right now, with the Sands fast approaching. He had far too much on his mind to deal with an issue with her that could have easily been dealt with by Naruto.
"I would like to request an opportunity for Sakura to leave the ship with me."
Sasuke was not expecting that.
"Why?" Was all he responded, suddenly watching the girl with much more attention. She barely flinched under his gaze, which actually seemed abnormal for her.
"I wish to have a conversation with her." She muttered, suddenly looking rather embarrassed, more on trend for her. He continued to watch her, not moving at all when he instructed, "Have it in your cabin."
"I cannot, Captain." Hinata insisted, her face turning a deep shade of red, holding her hands out in front of her. Interested in her reaction, he probed further. "Why not? What do you plan to discuss?"
"U-Um." Hinata stuttered, looking down at the ground before her. "It is a womanly concern, Captain." She finally blurted out, and that was all it took for Sasuke to cease caring.
"Fine." He said, shrugging his shoulders in disinterest. Hinata seemed to be relieved, and was preparing to leave him alone once more, but stopped. She did not look at him when she said, "Thank you, Captain. I know it is not preferable for her to leave."
"I don't care what she does." Sasuke lies, and is grateful when Hinata does not challenge him. Although not threatened by the girl, something about her was utterly unsettling. He blamed it on her eyes.
"I plan to leave at nightfall. The desert is cooler at night. Make sure you return before then." Sasuke explained, and Hinata nodded before finally leaving, closing the door behind him.
The Captain watches the closed door for a while lonegr, reviewing the strange interaction in his head. The two women did not go out together often. In fact, even though they lived in such close quarters, the two did not seem very close at all. They barely spoke to each other on the deck. If it were not for Sakura's friendship to Naruto, he wondered if they would speak at all.
Ultimately, the Quarter Master was the reason he accepted her request at all. Before she began her relationship with Naruto, the only true perspective he had of her was the one provided by her cousin. It was not a very favorable opinion.
But Hinata adored Naruto, and has shown to be very willing to do whatever it took to help him. He doubted she would ever do anything to hurt him.
Then again, maybe Neji was right about both of the women. Maybe they truly were manipulative masterminds, persuading men to do what they wish. Naruto was not exactly known for his wit.
But something in her pale, lilac eyes made him want to believe her. He wanted to believe that both of the women were there for honest reasons. He thought of that maddening pink haired woman, her bright jade eyes inches away from his face, and he wanted to believe that she was telling the truth.
Then again, maybe he was just a hopeless fool, too.
The sun was about to begin its travels over the horizon, and Hinata knew she did not have a lot of time left. She spotted Sakura on the deck, and as they began to fast approach the dock, she pulled the girl away from the crowd.
"Eh? What is it, Hinata?" Sakura asked, holding onto a bundle of rope she was still trying to pull. Hinata shuffled closer, leaning into Sakura's side and whispering hurriedly in her ear, "I heard you and Suigetsu."
Sakura suddenly dropped the rope she was holding, unable to move from surprise. She felt like she was going to be sick.
"Oy, if you can't even hold the damn rope, get lost, would ya?" Kiba shouted from across the deck, suddenly loaded with a much heavier weight without Sakura's assistance.
"Damn useless wenches." He muttered, and usually Sakura would stay to fight him. She would show him just how much help she was, and pull the rope by herself, as she easily could. But with the shock of Hinata's words still burning through her brain, she mindlessly walked behind Hinata, who was retreating very quickly back to the amidship.
Once they get to their cabin, Sakura's sense returns. She shuts the door quickly behind her, trying to catch her breath as she hoped that this was some sort of twisted misinterpretation. Maybe, hopefully, Hinata had heard them speaking and misconstrued the words. Perhaps she wanted to ask about their conversation regarding Suigetsu's fictional affection for her.
"What do you mean you heard us? What are you talking about?" Sakura's voice was barely audible over the noises of heavy footsteps above and the normal creaking of the wood.
"I heard Suigetsu saying you needed to return to the water before your voyage to the Sands." Hinata whispered back, and Sakura was grateful she was talking to the mild-mannered girl instead of her blonde beau.
But she could barely process the words in her state of anxiety. Hinata knew she needed to return to the water, which meant it was only a matter of time before she understood why. The girl was already suspicious of her—she had known the bandage around her wound was superfluous. How much longer would it take for her to figure it out?
Sakura can feel the world spinning. She is nauseous, and reflexively clutches her chest. 'She's going to find out.' She thought to herself, staring back at her panicky roommate.
"I don't know why you need this, Sakura." Hinata assures her, and Sakura releases her breath. Hinata continued, "But I do know that it is the same reason for your bouts of seasickness."
Sakura doesn't want to respond, and chooses to stay silent, waiting for Hinata to say something else. If refusing to answer worked for Sasuke, maybe it would work for her.
"I do not want any harm to befall you, Sakura. I just want to be helpful. I have not spoken a word about this to anyone, not even Naruto."
Sakura was shocked by just quickly the girl was calming her. Every word further felt like a bigger wave of relief. Why was she so certain that Hinata was telling the truth? Why was she so comforted by her presence?
"I know you are not fully human."
'That certainly shattered the tranquility!' Sakura immediately jerked back into a defensive position. Hinata just stayed there, becoming increasingly crestfallen by Sakura's mistrust.
"Please do not deny it Sakura. I know it is true." Hinata spoke, a rare confidence in her voice. She reached out, and Sakura originally flinched, but did not retreat. Hinata lowered the hand onto her friend's shoulder. They were locked in that position for a moment longer as Hinata contemplated telling her the truth. They could hear the men yelling; they were about to make landfall.
"Because I am not, either."
Sakura wanted to relax from her defensive posture, but the words incited the exact opposite effect. She was not human, either? What did that mean? She had never seen a mermaid with such eyes! She must be lying; she was not any sort of water spirit. Sakura was sure of it!
But Hinata urged Sakura, "Please, let me help you!" Sakura wanted to trust the girl, she really did. She wanted to believe that Hinata was telling the truth, that they were just two mythical women on a ship full of pirates. Sakura had done it herself, perhaps Hinata had a similar experience.
Sakura nodded at Hinata, not sure what the gesture meant, herself. But Hinata looks so happy, so it must have been the correct response. She begins to lead her out into the hallway and back toward the deck. "We must hurry, the sun will be up soon."
Everything seemed to be passing so smoothly until they went to cross the gangplank.
"Where are you going?" Neji demanded, his voice as stoic as ever. Hinata turned to face him, her shoulders held high.
"The Captain has permitted this." She said, and the determination in her posture bled through into her voice. Neji did not appreciate the answer, and quickly shot back, "That does not answer the question."
After a moment of silence, and an obvious trepidation, she regains her conviction and responds more forcefully, "I do not answer to you."
Sakura watched with a smirk, wondering when Hinata became so bold. 'Your time with Naruto has changed you, Hinata.'
But has Sakura changed? She fears she has not. Deep down, she is still insecure and anxious. Handling a sword has done nothing to quell the fears of mediocrity that still burn from within her.
"Hehe, you hear that, ya bastard?" Naruto joked, in a fit of giggles as he teased the Sailing Master, who looked thoroughly unenthused. Neji replied forcefully, "Get back to work, idiot."
With nothing else stopping them, the girls cross the gangplank and are soon enough running down the beach. Each step further feels like weights being lifted from weary muscles.
Sakura takes a deep breath of the crisp nautical dawn air, feeling relieved to have a moment away from the chaos. For years she has not felt free. But now, with the sand under her, waves lapping against the beach, she looks ahead of her to the long raven hair of her first true friend.
She is not with Suigetsu, the constant reminder of her obligations. She is not with Orochimaru, nor Tsunade. There is no one here to hold her down. The expectations of others distancing themselves from her as quickly as her feet can carry her.
Sasuke's strange, painful gaze cannot find her here. There are no questions, only companionship. However, as soon as the thought crosses her mind, Hinata breaks the silence.
"Are we far enough away, do you think?" Hinata asks, trying to catch her breath at the same time.
"Yes, this will be fine."
Hinata then turns her back to Sakura, walking further up the beach facing away from the water. She takes a seat on the sand, closing her eyes as she lets the wind blow through her hair, enjoying the respite from the ship all the same.
"I will stay lookout," She says gently, idly drawing her fingers through the sand. She heard Sakura's hesitation behind her, but did not turn around. Sakura was trying to decide whether or not she was to be trusted enough to allow her to turn around.
But she would decide against it, and that was fine. Her hesitance is understandable. Hinata hears as Sakura begins to disrobe before taking off in a mad dash towards the water. She hears as the waves foam, crashing against her. She smiles to herself.
'You may not recognize me now, Sakura... But one day you will see how connected we really are.'
After three failed attempts to connect with Ino, Sakura begins to wonder if her sister is ignoring her. She can see the twilight breaking, and she begins to get nervous. She had to speak to her sister now, before the risks of this trip.
She tries one more time, sending out a final, desperate call. And just as she's about to give up entirely, knowing there was not enough time, Ino's voice came to her.
"Sakura?" She asked hesitantly, and Sakura quickly responded, "Ino!"
"I wasn't expecting a call from you so soon after last... Where are you? You feel so far away." Ino's voice was solemn, like her question was futile.
"I'm on the beach of the Sands." Sakura says, unsure of whether she should reveal anything else. She did not particularly want to tell Ino how close she was to danger not that long ago. But Ino was already infuriated by the little information provided.
"What? You are so far from home! In such a dangerous place, no less! Have you gone mad?"
"I did not have much of a choice!" Sakura scoffs. It was not like she had decided where to set their course. She was not the Captain, and in fact her Captain cared very little for her opinion, so she definitely had no control over this.
"You always have the choice to stop this nonsense and come home, Sakura!" Ino shouts back, and Sakura is torn between feeling guilty and righteously angry.
"It's not that simple, sister..." Sakura mumbled, still in limbo between the two emotions. "I have made promises."
"Like the promise to be careful?" Her sister jokes back, and Sakura laughs, thinking to herself her sister has no idea how much she has failed at that promise.
"I am being very careful!" She says through the giggles, and Ino knows she is lying. So once the moment passes, Ino brings up the thing she has wanted to alert Sakura to for weeks. She had only stopped herself out of fear of what her sister would do.
'Just how much have you promised, Sakura?'
"Listen, Sakura. There have been a lot of mermaids going missing..." She started, and she could tell by the ceasing of laughter that her sister was already on edge. Ino still pressed on, "The council has suggested your name as a conspirator."
"Surely you do not believe such lies!" Sakura cries back, shocked at her sister even bringing such a thing to her attention. How could the council believe that? She would never hurt another mermaid, no matter the reason!
"I know you are innocent. So does mother. She is furious at anyone who brings up the idea. But Sakura..."
"But what?" She asks, her body tensing as the conversation continues. How dare her own pod doubt her! She would never do anything to harm them.
Then again, wasn't she being so selfish, to dally with forbidden magic just to chase a stupid human man?
"We know the snakes are a part of this." Ino concludes, and Sakura can feel herself shaking under the stress of her tensing muscles.
"I know of no such plans," she manages to get out, but she knows Ino will not accept that answer. It was true, though. Sakura did not know of any plans to harm a mermaid. Orochimaru had assured her several times that the only risk of harm was to herself. She was willing to pay that price.
"Do you really, truly know anything about him, Sakura?" She asked, displaying her uncanny ability to read her sister's mind. She was right. Sakura knew basically nothing about his plans, and so she decided to avoid the question. Her sister would know any assurance was a lie, anyway.
"I am sorry." Sakura finally mutters, and suddenly the distance between them seemed so much larger. "Please do not worry if you do not hear from me soon."
"Don't be a fool, I will always worry about you." Her sister is trying to be reassuring, but it pains her all the same. Ino has never understood why she is doing this. But how could she? She had never seen the beauty of the land. She had never met him. She did not know him like Sakura did.
"I love you, Ino. I know this cannot be easy for you."
She can feel the way their hearts break. She can feel the tears welling in Ino's eyes as she realizes there is more than water between them. Sakura could not give up the land, and Ino would not leave the water.
"I cannot wait to be with you again." Sakura forces out, but they both know it is not true. Sakura was not planning on returning to the water.
"Me either, Sak."
Upon returning to the ship, it did not take long before Suigetsu was at Sakura's side, eyeing the renewed vigor she carried with her. He could tell she had gone to the water, and was obviously criticizing her for doing such a reckless thing with Hinata around.
"How was your trip, poppet?" He asked without his usual jovial tone. The way his eyes bore into her face, scrutinizing her features reminded Sakura exactly why she had enjoyed the trip so much. She couldn't exist for a moment here without someone trying to figure her out. She was exhausted.
"We had a wonderful walk down the beach." Hinata said agreeably, and Suigetsu turns his gaze to her. Hinata seems so calm and collected, not at all like she would be had this been a shock to her.
He couldn't help but wonder if Sakura had been lying to him. Had she told Hinata about her? The worst part was, he knew it was not a big deal. He could recognize Hinata from a mile away, but still, he knew that Sakura could not. If she told Hinata of her own accord, it would mean the pinkette was a dangerous, reckless fool.
Hinata was not a threat to them, and Sakura was lucky for that. Perhaps she had imparted that knowledge onto Sakura, but he doubted it. The Hyuuga were nothing if not secretive.
Suigetsu shrugs his shoulders, pretending like he is disinterested by their feminine activities. But he could see Hinata continuing to stare at him with those seemingly empty eyes, and so he chose to make his exit.
"Ah, well, I guess I should go prepare for the final hours." Sakura mentioned to Hinata, sighing at the chore. The conflicting fear and anticipation resurfaced, and just like that they were just two shipmates once more.
Sakura retreated back to their cabin, trying to relive the joy of bounding down the beach, forgetting the fact the council had named her as a traitor, and that she would have to spend at least seven days with that beautiful, dim witted, jealous-!
"Captain?" Sakura asked, shocked to see Sasuke standing her cabin, staring at the empty desk that sat in the corner of the room, seemingly lost in thought.
"You've returned." Sasuke noted, finally turning back around with one hand in a pocket of his black bottoms. Sakura nodded mutely, still trying to determine why he was in her cabin when neither her nor Hinata were present.
"Did you enjoy your freedom, Sakura?" He drawled, and she nodded once more, a bit more cautious. "It is nice to have another woman around."
Silence enveloped the room, and the Captain made no move to exit at first. His eyes were roaming around what he could see of the room from his position, like he were searching for something important. He removed his hand from his pocket, and the action broke the moment, allowing Sakura to speak once more.
"... Why are you here, Captain?"
"I came looking for you." He responds, and she supposes that is the most obvious reason. There were many other reasons he may be snooping through her room, but of course he would not share those with her.
"Is there something you need from me?" She challenged, but he did not bite. Instead, he replied coolly, "Not particularly."
The confusion on her face was hard to hide, and for a moment she speculated about whether her Captain was actually admitting he had no reason to need to see her. Perhaps he simply wanted to, and that thought filled her with joy. Joy that he knew must be crushed.
"I wanted to see if you would leave with her." Sasuke finally provided, and Sakura was on edge once more. She could not believe him – He had given Hinata permission just to trick her? For what purpose?
"Was I meant to refuse?"
He does not answer, and that only annoys her further. Instead, he takes a seat on her cot, staring at her all the while.
She is convinced he is trying to cover up some other purpose, because if he had intended her to refuse, why had he not stopped her? To see if she would return? An absurd concern! Of course she would return to him, she had sacrificed so much already to be with him. How could he not understand that?
The way he is watching him gives her chills, like he was reading the thoughts in her head as clearly as he could if she spoke them aloud. What was she to do, if not even her thoughts were a refuge from him?
That's when she recalls that his hand was in his pocket. He had gone through her things, hadn't he? He was waiting to see if she had left because once she did, her cabin was open to him. Hinata was not there, either. He could do whatever he wished, and carefully analyze all of her belongings.
He is still such a fool, she thinks, as if she would leave incriminating evidence alone with him. If he thinks she is smart enough to have manipulated him this far, why would she be so stupid? The only distinctly nonhuman object she had brought with her was her compact to contact Ino, and even that was useless without both her and the water.
She stares back at him, meeting his gaze in a silent dare. He finally turns away, allowing her such a small victory. She is happy, still. She knows many would not be granted such a privilege.
However, now that her mind was no longer preoccupied, she realized she must face other thoughts about the raven-haired man. This time, her treacherous mind pointed out that he was sitting on her cot, her most private place on this ship.
She recalls their earlier conversation, and she feels the blood rushing to her face, and she begs her body to stop being so childish. But she cannot help it, because he had only just admitted to her that he had avoided this exact scenario with other women.
Her heart soared as she wondered what it must be like to have him appear here under different circumstances. What would it be like for her to return home, just to find him there waiting for her?
She stopped herself. She could not think of such things around him! It was too distressing; she would surely be caught.
And caught she was. Sasuke had noticed the change in disposition and was watching carefully through his peripherals. She had suddenly become flushed, wringing her hands together and rocking ever-so-slightly side to side. He knew the look well, and he smirked at the implication.
'You really are interesting.'
"Are you nervous, Sakura?" His silky voice buzzing in her head, Sakura managed to collect herself enough to whisper, "N-no, not particularly." What a fool she was, thinking that would be convincing with such a stutter.
Sasuke rises and approaches her slowly, the wooden boards beneath his feet creaking in the suddenly much too small room. He bends down slightly to inspect her eyes, which had begun searching everywhere for something else to focus on.
"Are you lying to me?" He teased, and this time she knows better than to talk. She shakes her head in a firm no, still not looking him in those deep obsidian pools.
Sakura refused to be caught twice in the same trap! He knew the effect he had on her and he was using it in such a childish manner. And for him to be the same man who dared doubt her intentions with him! However, he finally relents, and she lets out a shaky breath.
"Well, I am glad you enjoyed your freedom." He says with his voice returning to its typical steely disposition. "I do not plan to let you wander for the next week."
Sakura felt so dizzy all at once, and demanded her legs keep her standing until he leaves her. She could not stop thinking of how taxing it would be, to keep up these games with him.
Why did she bother him so much? Why could he not just treat her with the same nonchalance he offers all other women? Although, she supposed that would be even more painful in the end.
Sasuke walks past her, no other commentary left to give. She is grateful for the silence, and decides it is best to get her rest before the long trip ahead. A mermaid in the desert with her lover turned stranger; this would be harder than she had anticipated.
Sasuke lets out a breath he did not know he held once he is alone in his cabin once more. He slowly brings his hand to his pocket, retrieving the item he had taken from her room. Truly, he did not intend to snoop when he had entered her cabin. He was there to see if she had gone with Hinata.
However, he was also there because he felt some burning need to see her. He had to know what she chose to do with these last few previous hours before the two of them left the crew. Who would she see, under what circumstances, and for what purpose?
She was not there. She had chosen Hinata, and something in him was relieved that she chose something that served no threat to him. Hinata had the decency to at least request his permission before whisking away that infuriating woman.
He had not spent long in her cabin, as she arrived shortly after he did. In those few moments where he was by himself, he had noticed a single strand of her blossom pink hair strewn across her cot.
Sasuke did not consider himself to be the kind of man to snoop on women. He did not appreciate the idea of violating a woman's privacy, especially for his own curiosity (or worse, pleasure). But surely a strand of her hair would do her no harm, and it could help him unravel the mystery shoved in his desk drawer.
So he had taken it. He had taken it and was intending to place it with the rest. He honestly had no idea what he expected to happen, but he was determined to try. So he unscrewed the jar, ignoring the sounds he had grown so use to.
Gods, he would enjoy the silence during this trip.
He dropped the strand into the jar, and held his breath. It slowly floated to the bottom amongst the rest, and each second longer he was convinced he had lost his mind. He had spent too long at sea and fell for a merchant's trick.
But the music changed, the volume lessening, and the singing turning to a pleasant humming. He was certain he was going insane. He had convinced himself that there was something special about her. This was all the product of his desire for a simple answer to his complex problems.
But she was nobody. There was nothing special about her, there couldn't be, because while the rest of the strands sparkled under the weight of the water, that strand lay dormant. It was notably, remarkably different. The braided lock could not be hers.
Sasuke wasn't sure if he should be pleased with this development or infuriated that he was back in the same placed he started. He had let her overwhelm him so much he almost got caught doing something so perverse as invading a woman's privacy.
The evidence was in front of him. She was just another woman. He did not need to concern himself with her any longer. She would be there, and he would tolerate her. But he must learn to sever these pathetic feelings as soon as he could. Perhaps this trip was a bad idea, but it would be over soon.
Sasuke considered discarding the jar into the ocean, but stopped himself. First, he had to figure out how to stop this godforsaken noise before he lose track of it. So he tossed it back into the drawer and closed it, not knowing that at that very moment, the strand wound itself into the lock, sparkling all the same.
Author's Notes: We get to learn more about a bunch more characters! I'm excited to explore everyone, but I can't stray from my loves for too long. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying everything the new year has brought you!
For those like me returning to school, best of luck this semester! I am a graduate student and currently have a full course load, so expect to see significantly less updates. As always, I am thinking of this story and missing it as much as you all do.
I hope to be back soon!