Survival of the Fittest

Note: ya! *celebrates* finally...they're at the sea port! Neji and a bunch of other peeps arrives next chapter! *smiles*

~*~

*The next morning*

"Oh my gosh! It's beautiful!" exclaimed Sakura, her eyes widening with delight. The ship was pure white and a blue strip streaked across the middle with the words "Aqua Marine Dream," or "AMD" for short. It really was a dream come true. It had everything...from a swimming pool to their own ball room. The ship gleamed lustrously against the shimmering waves...it was prefect...

Sasuke looked towards Sakura and felt a small smile curve his lips. "I know," he muttered as he moved up to stand right next to her. He nudged Sakura when he saw Naruto and Hinata. "Look," he ordered staring pointedly towards the couple.

Her eyes twinkled with amusement. Sakura leaned towards Sasuke and whispered in his ear, "They look so cute together!" she giggled softly, "I never thought anyone would ever fall for a guy like Naruto." She ran her hand through her hair, before continuing, "It's kind of strange to picture your friends together like that," she shook her head silently before shrugging it off. "I suppose everyone has a soul-mate...it just takes a matter of time for them to find each other."

Sasuke frowned slightly. "How do you know you've found the right person?" he asked, trying not to sound too curious. "I always thought of it as a fairy tale...or a myth made up by some pathetic starry eyed romantic.

Sakura paused for a moment as if trying to contemplate and digest the information. "Well...to tell you the truth I've always believed it," she said quietly. "Someday...I think...I know," she corrected herself. "That the right man would come into my life...someone that I could love and respect. Someone that would return my feelings...and..." she trailed off into silence.

"And what?" he insisted leaning forwards so he could catch her soft whisper. When Sakura didn't answer, he slid his hand into her and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "I can keep a secret,' he stated calmly. "Besides...who could I tell..." he added quietly, his smile turning slightly bitter.

Sakura turned towards him a compassionate expression on her face. "Sasuke...look at me," she commanded while she waited for him to look her straight in the eyes. "We care about you...everyone," she said gently. "You'll never be alone as long as we're with you..." noticing Sasuke's unconvinced expression she added, "Well, if it'd make you feel any better, I care about you."

"What?" he hissed, trying not to look flabbergasted. Why would Sakura care about him? He'd treated her like shit ever since they'd first met. He knew he didn't deserve her trust...or anything from her...

She rolled her eyes. "I said I care about you," she repeated slowly as if speaking to a small child. "You're my friend, and always have been," she added softly.

Sasuke shook his head. "You're avoiding the question." he stated, tilting an eyebrow in amusement.

Sakura threw her arms up in frustration and sighed in defeat before continuing, "I want someone that would love me for who I am...not what I look like," she said in a dejected voice.

Sasuke opened his mouth to say something...however he was cut off when Naruto and Hinata reached them. He shot Naruto a nasty glare before crossing his arms defiantly.

"Hey!" greeted Sakura while she flung her arms out and hugged them both. "Where were you two?" she teased flashing them a sly smile. "If you guys were a few minutes late...you would have missed the cruise," she said shaking her finger in mock innocence.

Naruto and Hinata both flushed in embarrassment. "We went sigh-seeing!" exclaimed Hinata. "It was so fun!"

Sakura smirked when she noticed the ring on Hinata's finger. "Are you forgetting something?" she said pointedly down at Hinata's hand. "Let me guess...it just slipped your mind?"

Hinata blushed again, and raised her hand up so Sakura could look at the ring. "Naruto gave it to me," she said staring at him lovingly. "He said it was a promise ring."

"What are those words?"

"Oh those....it saysBound by love and ramen...yours forever...Naruto," she whispered softly, as her fingers became entwined with Naruto's.

"Ramen?" gaped Sakura looking incredulously at Naruto. "You're...you're..." she stopped...lost for wards.

"The best," Hinata said quickly, giving Naruto a soft kiss on the cheek.

Shikamaru and Kin walked up towards them smiling in anticipation.

"It's going to be great here!" they chimed together while Shikamaru tossed Kin in the air.

"Well it would be...if she didn't come," hissed Kin glaring at Ino who was walking slowly towards them. "That bitch will just ruin everything!" she declared furiously.

For some reason Sakura felt defensive. "How could you judge someone you don't know?" she said protectively. Although they were rivals now...she and Ino were still bound by their friendship...their old friendship.

Everyone's eyes turned on her. Sakura felt slightly disconcerted by their prodding glances. "No really? She could be nice when she wants to be."

Naruto placed his hand against her forehead. "Are you sure you don't have a fever?" he said looking genuinely concerned. "Maybe we should take you to the doctor or something..."

"Yea, I think we should," added Shikamaru. "I always thought the day Ino and Sakura stopped arguing...the world would fall to pieces."

"No, seriously," she insisted trying to convince them.

"Well...she is pretty nice when she wants to be..." muttered Shikamaru softly, ignoring the disgusted glare that was short his way. "Besides...she's my teammate and..." he paused slightly, "...my friend."

Kin couldn't hide the furious expression on her face. How could Shikamaru say things like that? He was suppose to be solely dedicated to her...and support her in every possible way. "He promised..." she thought before someone stopped her train of thought.

"What's going on here?" questioned Ino, while she shot Kin a nasty glare. "Why are you guys so quiet?"

"Never mind," sighed Shikamaru, while he stared at the ship in barely reigned excitement. "Screw the unpleasantries" he snapped waving his hand dismissively. "The ship is about to sail."

"Hell yea," exclaimed Ino as she quickly unbound her hair. "Let's go...be have to check in."

Sakura nodded, "Yea...come on..."

The entire group of teenage ninjas walked...no practically ran towards the check in point. However they stopped in shock when they saw a few familiar faces...

...no...a lot of familiar faces...both friend and foe...

~*~

Note: Hope u liked this chapter! Please Review! me wuv reviews XD