Note: Hi everyone! I'm really sorry for how late I've been for updating my story! I've been so busy. _ I'm still gonna be busy until maybe the end of April, so if my updates are like spread out or whatever, it won't really go back to normal until around May I'll try and update whenever I can. Thank you guys so much for your patience! Please enjoy!

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Chapter 14

The next day, Sakura woke up late. She fell asleep on the floor, covered by a blanket and a pillow placed under her head. She slowly rose, letting her eyes adjust to the light that shone in their room through a small porthole window on their door. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the room. Her papers, work, and their diagrams were spread throughout the room. They pinned some on the walls and the rest that couldn't fit lain right beside her. She then heard the sound of the shower turning off. She stood up and sat on her bed, pulling her blanket and pillow with her. She coiled herself up and attempted to go back to sleep; they stayed up so late, she could feel the exhaustion tearing at her body and her eyes.

As soon as she almost fell asleep, Sasuke stepped out from their bathroom. He noticed Sakura had moved from the floor back to her bed. He chuckled silently; almost like a child, he thought. He then contemplated whether or not to let her be. He went with the latter.

"Sakura," he called. He soon found that that was a mistake. Sakura barely lifted her head and turned it ever so slowly to reveal the most unpleasant expression he's ever seen on her. It didn't scare him like it would have Naruto, but it did unsettle him. He waved his hand in reluctant defeat, "nevermind. Please, continue."

Sakura huffed at his serious sarcasm and went back to sleep. Sasuke smirked.

Without realizing it, he was admiring her. She was useful last night; her insight proving very much that she can handle their journey. He now found her valuable. Together, they were strong and he...liked that. However, lately she's becoming more comfortable around him. He noticed slight changes in her behavior around him and towards him. She no longer flinched when he walked towards her or looked at her, or spoke to her. He knew it was his fault. The way he was before was cruel, harsh...he was terrible. Looking back to his fight against Naruto that resulted in the loss of his arm, he apologized to Sakura. He mean't every word of it...and the sight of her sobbing...crushed him. She always cried when it came to him. He caused her so much pain that he honestly believes she shouldn't pursue him yet...she has been this whole time. He closed his eyes and shook his head gently, to put his mind elsewhere. But it always came back to her. He noticed the way she smiled more often at anything and everything. How she easily glowed in every step of the way on their journey. She has attempted to speak with him more often, sharing her knowledge with him, even sharing her humor... She always gave him all of her.

If only she could see...could understand...that he can't do the same.

He sighed, and got dressed for the day. He then lay in his bed, also exhausted from last night's extreme strategic planning.

Sasuke couldn't deny that he...enjoyed her company. He never really got to know Sakura and he reluctantly admits that he's glad she came with him. Seeing how much she's grown really did make him proud. Proud that his previous self that was cruel and full of pride, and drunk with power didn't ever get to her in a way that would ruin her. He's proud that she's been strong all this time.

Sasuke slowly dozed and soon he, too, fell asleep.

Sakura woke up a few hours later feeling more refreshed. She turned to look beside her to see Sasuke there, asleep. She sighed quietly in disbelief; she doesn't think she's ever seen him sleep this entire time. She was happy to see him do something so...human. It felt good to know that he did get rest. She's always wondered otherwise, but she always knew what kind of man he was. A man that is always alert. She smiled at him, and quietly got ready for the day.

Once she finished, she stepped out of their bathroom to see Sasuke still asleep. She felt it best not to wake him, so she stepped out and saw that it was past midday. She walked up to the first floor to patrol the ship and the ocean.

Sakura was glad they came on board the ship despite its odd and suspicious circumstances. She doesn't get the opportunity to see the ocean and venture out this far very often. She loved the ocean, she found it so fascinating. It was vast, holding treasure and mystery beyond what anyone can imagine, she felt. It just seemed so...infinite. She loved watching the ripples and waves flow through the water; it reminded her so much of how chakra flowed naturally within the human body. It was one way she was able to achieve her strength, her chakra abilities... She would observe rivers and the ocean to try and understand how chakra should flow, should behave. She needed to feel the same, to be like water. To let chakra flow naturally, to be calm, to be...infinite.

She just...loved the ocean.

Moments later, Lord Kousuke joined her, walking carefully. She noticed him, and stood up,

"What brings you up here, Kousuke?" She asked, wondering if something was wrong. Lord Kousuke merely shook his head,

"Just checking up on you. I notice your friend Sasuke isn't here. So I thought I'd keep you company." As he said this, he sat down across from Sakura. She then did the same.

"Sasuke is resting right now. He needs it, so please refrain from bothering him." She smiled, remembering Sasuke earlier.

Lord Kousuke bowed his head, "Thank you, I will heed your request."

Lord Kousuke wished to woo Sakura, since he was the type of man that women found irresistable. He had the uttermost confidence in wooing Sakura. He felt he could get her wrapped around his finger in no time at all. But so far, she hasn't been interested in him in any way. She never came by to see him, talk to him, let alone look at him. He felt...on edge. He hasn't experienced this before. Usually everything he wanted would walk right into his arms, so to speak. But she proved a challenge that he was willing to overcome.

Sakura, on the otherhand, didn't even notice him trying. To be brutally honest, she wished to be alone, or at least alone with Sasuke if he had been present.

Sakura sighed, "My Lord, it would be best to remain inside the ship. I do not wish to be distracted on my patrol."

Lord Kousuke's eyes flashed in delight, "I distract you? How so?"

Sakura glanced at Kousuke and said simply, "Not to be rude, but you're talking. That alone is distracting me from my duty. Please understand that I take my job seriously."

Lord Kousuke was so upset, he flushed in embarrassment at her blatant response. He stood up,

"Of course. How careless of me. Well then, so long."

With that, he stomped away. When he was out of earshot, she burst out laughing. She's not usually so harsh, or even honest, but she doesn't trust anyone on this ship. She has to be firm to avoid being anyone's friend other than Sasuke.

She wished he'd show up soon. It was getting cold and she forgot her cloak. Hopefully he'd think of bringing her cloak with him.

An hour went by and it grew dark. She was starting to wonder if Sasuke would ever show. Waiting over something so trivial still clutched at her heart. Waiting in general always made her feel weak. Made her feel terrible. She only ever had memories of waiting for Sasuke to return, to come back... She's not fond of those memories or those feelings. She wished they didn't feel so welcome, so familiar... If only she could be rid of it. She wished Sasuke would join her soon so she could avoid feeling doubt again. Doubt of his arrival, his presence... Despite knowing full well he's on board. This fear will always cling to her.

Several minutes passed as Sakura remained on patrol, feeling distraught. Foolishly distraught.

Sasuke soon came up behind her. She heard him sigh deeply, as if in relief. She turned, and there he was. In that moment, she felt...full again. She in turn sighed in what seemed like relief.

Sasuke woke up minutes before, worried over Sakura. He didn't find her in their room when he awoke, and naturally he thought the worst. But seeing her patrolling put him at ease. Patrolling without him, the gall. As if he didn't worry enough, she could have at least left a note. As he searched the room previously, he found her cloak and brought it with him. He noticed Sakura shivering, so he reached behind him to give it to her.

"Here."

Sakura brightened considerably, "Thank you, I was hoping you'd bring it. It's so cold being out in the ocean."

She wrapped up immediately feeling ever so grateful. Sasuke sat across from Sakura, hand on the hilt of his sword that was tied against his waist.

As the night grew darker, and colder, Sakura admired the moon shining against the ocean, watching the waves' foam spray into the light. It all shone as if they were all tiny stars disappearing as fast as cotton candy would in your mouth. The night air swallowed them up whole.

Sasuke noticed Sakura's intense fascination with the ocean. He then soon realized, and remembered, why she was looking forward to this voyage. He was at least glad that she had something to enjoy while out here. He glanced at Sakura, noticing how pale her skin really is, just like his own. Her skin, in contrast with the sky and surrounding waves, was enchanting to him. He never really observed her features before. Only then did he take advantage. Her eyes were so clear, he knew they would shine emerald but tonight they shone so pale, so blue, against the moonlight. Her smile always caught him off guard.

Sakura noticed Sasuke was staring and she smiled, "Something wrong?"

Sasuke shook his head, "Not at all."

Sakura then remembered to tell Sasuke about Lord Kousuke. She recounted the entire conversation and when she finished, Sasuke glanced at Sakura, smirking in approval. She laughed.

That night was a night spent sharing words.