50alternates
Title: Naruto Uzumaki and the Treasure of the Nine-Tailed Fox (4)
Author/Artist: ohwhatsherface
Pairing: Uchiha Sasuke x Haruno Sakura
Fandom: Naruto
Theme: other world, #25 dragon
Word Count: 1063
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
So I literally looked at a list of mythical dragons on Wikipedia and wondered which name would sound coolest with 'island' or 'isle' next to it. I read up on Bakunawa a little and I noticed he was also called a serpent by some, which really confused me. Soooooo if you know his legend and dislike me calling him a dragon, my apologies.
In my mind, he is Gyarados.
Anyhow, this follows chapters 10 (treasure), 11 (air) and 23 (naiad). Enjoy!
"We need to go to the Isle of Bakunawa," Sakura ordered, pointing to the place on Sasuke's map.
He frowned. "Do you want me to die?" She could only raise an eyebrow at him before he rolled his eyes. "Fine. Take that up with my men," he said. Around him, various crewmembers looked away shamefully, not wanting to make their fear of the great sea monster's known. "No ship would willingly sail into that territory."
Sakura merely glared back at him. Sensing the tension, Karin cleared her throat and asked: "Why do we need to go there?"
"I need my powers back," Sakura explained with a shrug. "As an Ancient, Bakunawa can restore them. You see, captain, Kyuubi's treasure will be well-guarded. Aside from the usual monsters that will want to end us, Kyuubi's fire demons will be around. What better way to get past them with two water spirits?"
Sasuke stared at her sternly for a few moments. "Is this absolutely necessary?"
"Would I tell you otherwise?" Sakura replied snidely.
The captain rolled his eyes and turned to his men. "Well? Any objections?" There were no responses, but Sasuke knew better. "We'll return to the Sound Islands before setting sail for the Isle of Bakunawa. Whoever fears that monster is free to stay behind. I understand. Many of you have families to come home to." He then smirked. "However, for those that do not fear a glorious death at sea and wish to attain the treasure of the Nine-Tailed Fox, we shall set sail in a fortnight."
When the Kusanagi eventually did leave Konoha two weeks later, Sasuke couldn't help but observe Sakura. She'd been much livelier since she took Karin's elixir, although they still did need to take occasionally breaks at various islands for her. He scowled, remembering how he couldn't join her on the land and she'd go off with that stupid boy that was captured with her.
"Who is he?" Sasuke finally asked her. Sasuke knew he was important for this quest but Sakura had yet to tell him why.
She grinned back smugly. "Does it bother you that you don't know?"
They were finally nearing their destination, putting both of them in better moods to the joy of everyone around them. Finally, there were at least civil with one another.
"Perhaps," Sasuke replied. But he wasn't in the mood to play mind games. "You care about him."
Her smile softened and Sakura looked away. "I do," she said quietly. "When I was in Konoha, I worked as a barmaid." Her cheeks were flushed, but Sasuke guessed that was more so a result of irritation than embarrassment. Sasuke knew how most women were treated in those places. "Naruto often helped out there as his uncle owned the establishment. He'd be sweeping and cleaning most of the time. One day the boy noticed I didn't quite have a home—"
"Where did you live?" Sasuke interrupted.
"The beach," Sakura admitted shyly. She ran her finger along the wooden rails distractedly. "I… I still wanted to be close to the sea."
Sasuke looked away with a curt nod. "Of course."
"Anyhow," she continued, pulling him away from his train of thoughts, "he and his mother took me in. It wasn't until a few years ago that I noticed the branding on his back."
"Branding?" Sasuke repeated. He watched as she drew a IX on the wood, seemingly unaware of her actions, and it him. "He is the key?"
Reluctantly, she nodded. "I'm not sure how, but I know his presence will be necessary for anyone seeking the treasure of the Nine-Tailed Fox."
"Do you think Kyuubi did it to him?"
Sakura shrugged. "I honestly have no idea—" She was cut off the boat suddenly rocked harshly, forcing her into Sasuke's arms. When she finally steadied herself, she scowled at his mischievous look.
"Well now I can only assume we are now in Bakunawa's territory," Suigetsu muttered wryly. "And that we're doomed." Sakura snorted at the man steering the ship. She had to admit that she found his attitude a good source of amusement during the less than enjoyable times on the Kusanagi.
"Are you sure he'll actually give you back your powers?" Karin asked, coming up to the bridge.
Sakura blushed. "Well, it would be most presumptuous to say he would but—"
"Sakura Haruno…"
She cringed at the monstrous voice and turned around to face the water. Judging by the awed expressions on the crewmembers' faces, the Kusanagi had found what it was looking for her. Sakura kept her head bowed out of respect. "Bakunawa-sama—" But she was cut off by a loud roar that terrified the men. She saw the sky darkening and felt the waters growing rougher. "I've come to beg you to—"
"You wish for me to restore you to your former glory, you foolish girl?"
Sakura bit her lip, hearing his complete lack of sympathy. "Yes," she whispered, knowing he could hear her.
The great immortal finally rose from the waters revealing blue scales the size of a person and a monster that towered high over the Kusanagi. His gold eyes glowed in the surrounding darkness as he reared his head back and roared. Finally, he curled down to be leveled with the ship.
"You disgraced your kind when you allowed Orochimaru to take away your immortality," the dragon chided, "Why should I help you?"
Sasuke stepped in front of her and stared at the dragon defiantly. "Bakunawa," he shouted confidently, "You will restore the former sea goddess' immortality and you will let us leave your waters peacefully."
Sakura's eyes widened at Sasuke's audacious move as many of his men gasped fearfully. Everyone expected the dragon to crash down onto the Kusanagi out of spite when Bakunawa let out a demonic roar. Instead, he dived back into the water, leaving them to his great waves. Sakura tried to go to the ledge to see what had become of the dragon only to feel an extreme weight on her body. At first all she felt was pain, as though she was being torn apart, but it faded just as quickly as it came. She froze, understanding the new feeling within her.
She grabbed Sasuke's shoulder to turn him around. "H—how—"
Her words came to a halt at the sight of red eyes.