Chapter 13. Betrayal

The atmosphere aboard the Will of Fire was filled with a heavy depression, as the ship's Vice-Captain and resident cocky swordsman was laying inside the ship's medbay at death's door. Since Sasuke's initial episode that sparked this whole ordeal, the health of the second in command has only worsened as time went by. However, no one aboard the ship was able to identify just how bad his sickness has progressed. Considering not a single person on the ship had any medical knowledge whatsoever.

The only thing anyone could do was hope for the best and rush to the nearest island as quickly as possible. That is why the entire crew were frantically doing everything they could to increase the speed in which they would arrive at Wave Island. Well everyone except for Itachi, who had not left Sasuke's side since the moment he first found his sickly brother.

The normally stoic and calm pirate was seated at Sasuke's beside with his hands tightly intertwined and his legs nervously bouncing up and down. There wasn't many people that Itachi held close to his heart, but out of the very small list Sasuke was at the top. The two shared a bond that stretched far as the two soul remaining members of their family. In fact Itachi would never admit it, but the one thing the man feared was losing his precious brother like he lost the rest of his family.

"Please." Itachi began in a soft voice, while he rested his hand on Sasuke's chest. "Don't give up little brother." The teenager finished and the room grew momentarily silent. However, the silence didn't last long.

"He will bounce back." The voice of Naruto declared confidently. "He's too stubborn to die."

Turning to the doorframe, Itachi watched his Captain enter the medbay slowly. Noticing the frustrated look that was covering Naruto's face.

"Dark Prince-san." Itachi greeted in a dry voice. "Have we reached our destination yet?"

Naruto nodded and stopped by his friend's bedside. "We are making our approach to Wave Island now. I came down here to help you prepare Sasuke for transport."

Itachi quickly stood to his feet and moved towards a small gurney they could use to carry Sasuke. However, Itachi was momentarily stopped by Naruto. The latter of whom placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder.

"I'm sorry." Naruto mumbled, his voice sounding both sad and aggravated. "We-. . . No I should have prepared our crew more. If we had a doctor this wouldn't be such an issue."

"None of this is your fault." Itachi replied simply, while the older pirate walked over to the gurney. "We are all in this together Dark Prince-san. And we will get through this together, like we always have."

"Yeah, I guess we will." Naruto replied, while he started to help get Sasuke out of bed.

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(With Asuka)

Eyeing the dock that they were anchored at, Asuka noticed a few onlookers pointing at their ship and murmuring about their arrival. This was a common occurrence she was accused to, as not everyone treated pirates with the same response as other sailors. So ignoring the crowd that was growing around their ship, Asuka glanced over to Konohamaru.

"Do you have everything placed in case we need to make a quick escape?" The navigator asked.

Konohamaru who was adjusting the sails looked back to the older pirate with a grin. "Of course Asuka-nee!"

The fire woman smiled and heard footsteps, so glancing back she saw Yugito walking in her direction.

"So has Sasuke regained any consciousness?" Yugito asked in a nervous voice, since the young Uchiha could pose a serious problem for her.

Asuka noticed how nervous Yugito was acting and it wasn't normal for the usually reserved girl. However, Asuka figured her behavior was because of Sasuke's condition and nothing else.

"No he hasn't." The fire woman began softly, while she rubbed the back of her head. "Naruto went below the deck to help Itachi carry him onto the island. Hopefully we can find some help for the poor bastard."

"And what would happened if we were attacked by the Marines?" Yugito asked without even taking a second to think. "Would we have to leave Sasuke behind?"

Konohamaru stepped in between the two girls with a blank expression. "A call like that would be made by Naruto-nii."

Asuka nodded and closed her eyes. "But he would never leave a crew mate behind."

Yugito bit her lip, outwardly she looked concerned and everyone believed it was because of Sasuke's condition. However, her true fears stemmed from Sasuke ratting out to everyone that she wasn't as trustworthy as she seemed.

"I see, that does sound like Naruto." Yugito mumbled softly, while she flinched when Asuka placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Don't be so down Yug-chan, especially for Sasuke of all people." The fire woman began with a light laugh. "We've been in worse situations before and we will be okay."

"Yeah besides we should be a little grateful." Konohamaru began with a small snicker. "This is the most quiet Sasuke has been in years. We should enjoy the lack of sarcastic remakes while we can."

Asuka giggled and lightly slapped Konohamaru on the shoulder. "You have a good point there Kono!"

Yugito tilted her head, as Sasuke's condition was a serious situation. However, the two pirates didn't seem too worried about the boy's deteriorating health. In fact the young tagalong found their ability to laugh at the situation odd.

"How can you to laugh at a time like this?" Yugito asked with genuine curiosity, as if she was in their shoes she wouldn't be able to handle things so casually. "Sasuke could die."

Asuka smirked and rested her arms against the ship's railing before leaning back. "Like I said Yug-chan, the five of us have been through much worse. So there is no way Sasuke won't pull past his sickness. That I'm sure of."

Yugito shook her head and looked down. "I wish I had your optimism."

"It's not optimism, it's faith in my family." Asuka replied in a bold tone that made Yugito quickly glance back up to their fire woman. "Me, Naruto, Kono, Itachi and Sasuke are more than a simple pirate crew. We are a family and a family believes in each other. A family protects its own in times of need and that's why we act the way we do."

Konohamaru grinned ear to ear and held his hands out. "Hey don't forget Yugito-nii is apart of our family too!"

Yugito's eyes grew wide with the boy's inclusion of her, while Asuka merely chuckled. "Yeah you're damn right about that Kono. Member of the Fūjin Pirates or not, Yugito is a honorary member of our family!"

With Asuka and Konohamaru's words, Yugito's hand began to treble and the girl had to hang her head. Meanwhile a mixture of emotions ran through her mind and the girl began to feel her stomach turn. Everyone aboard the Will of Fire treated her with so much love and kindness, but she knew she didn't deserve any of it.

"Well looks like you three have everything ready." The voice of Naruto suddenly spoke up, as the Captain of the young pirates emerged from the bottom deck.

Everyone turned to Naruto, who was walking in the lead and holding a gurney with Sasuke resting on top. Meanwhile Itachi was lagging behind and holding onto the backside of the gurney.

"Yeah we were just waiting on you and Itachi to bring Sasuke." Asuka informed before she caught a glimpse of Sasuke. A sight that made her frown, as the normally prideful and cocky Uchiha had grown even worse.

"Well it's time for me and Itachi to head into town." Naruto ordered before making his way to the side of the ship. "I'm sure there is a doctor somewhere on this island who can help Sasuke."

Konohamaru grinned and was about to leap off of the ship and onto the docks below. "Yeah let's go!"

"Hold it Kono." Naruto called out, which made the boy freeze in place. "You, Asuka and Yugito are going to stay here and hold the ship down."

"What?" Konohamaru whined in response. "Come on let me come!"

Naruto shook his head. "No me and Itachi are more than enough to get the job done. Besides I need you three on the ship in case we have to grab Sasuke and make a sudden escape."

Asuka nodded, as she trusted her boyfriend without question. "I understand and don't worry." Asuka began before walking to Konohamaru and resting her hand firmly on his shoulder. "We will make sure everything is fine on our end. You just worry about getting that bastard better."

"Don't worry about that." Naruto began before he and Itachi made their way off the ship. "We will have one arrogant swordsman starting fights with everyone soon enough."

Asuka grinned and watched Naruto and Itachi descend down onto the docks below. "We will be waiting."

"Yeah you get feeling better Blow Job Queen!" Konohamaru shouted loudly at the unconscious Sasuke, hoping his insult would spark some life in the boy.

However, Sasuke remained unmoving and Yugito felt a slight sickness build in her stomach. Since she knew it was only a matter of time until she would be found out and she couldn't let that happen. She needed to take action and fast, but the question on her mind was what action should she take? Should she run away? Finish Sasuke off herself? Or was there a third option she could take? Whatever the answer was, Yugito knew she didn't have long to decide.

Down with Naruto, the captain of the crew was slowly walking into the island's main village with Itachi and the unconscious Sasuke. Then as they walked down the town's Main Street, Naruto noted the village was quite run down.

"Not the happiest of places." Naruto commented, as he observed the broken windows and damaged buildings.

Itachi looked around and noticed many of the locals watching them. Seeing that they all had a rather defeated look in their eyes. "You mentioned a slave trade is operated through this island if memory serves correct. That would explain why this village seems so run down."

Naruto sighed softly and closed his eyes. "Yeah, but I never pictured the Island was this bad off. However, despite its appearance the only thing we need out of the island is a doctor who can heal Sasuke."

Itachi nodded and got a glimpse of a large wooden building off in the distance. Where a low hanging metal sign held a common insignia most medical practices bore. "I believe we at least have some luck in that regard." The stoic of the group began, as he pointed to the building in the distance.

"Well let's go check it out." Naruto replied, as he and Itachi both approached the building. Then once then came closer they identified the building as some sort of doctor office. Considering they could see multiple people being tended too through some broken windows.

In fact Itachi and Naruto both could see that the small medical practice looked filled with sick and injured people. Meanwhile it appeared that very few people were actually working and giving the people care. However, this did not deter Itachi or Naruto, both of whom carried Sasuke right into the building.

"We need a doctor now!" Naruto declared softly, as he and Itachi rested Sasuke onto the ground.

Instantly a young woman came to the pirate's aid and stood overtop of Sasuke.

"Is it a sickness or was he attacked by the slavers?" The woman asked in a soft voice, while she bent down to look over Sasuke.

"Sickness." Itachi answered instantly, while he hunched over beside the woman. "We don't know anything about his sickness, as our crew lacks a doctor. So we docked here hoping someone could help him."

"Hmm, he's running a high fever." The woman mumbled softly, while she rested her hand on Sasuke's forehead. "Has the patient experienced any fainting episodes before his sickness progressed?"

Itachi nodded. "Yes that is how it began."

"I figured as much, that's a clear sign of a new sickness going around the North Blue. It's not highly contagious, but is very deadly and difficult to treat." The woman explained in a soft voice before pointing to an open bed. "Please place him over there."

Naruto and Itachi listened without question and picked Sasuke up before placing the boy onto the open bed. Then backing away from Sasuke, both pirates watched the woman return to Sasuke's side.

"You said his condition is difficult to treat." Naruto began softly, as his fists tightened. "Is there anything we can do to help him?"

The woman bit her lip and didn't respond.

"We are willing to pay whatever it takes to have him healed." Itachi declared before holding a sack filled with money he had collected over the past few months. "Just name your price."

The woman looked genuinely shocked at the sack that was practically bursting with money. However, to everyone's shock Sasuke's hand suddenly shot upwards and clamped onto the sack. Itachi seeing this tried to tug onto the sack and remove it from Sasuke's clutches.

"Over my dead body." The Uchiha somehow managed to mumble, while also being completely unconscious. A feat that made Naruto and Itachi both glare at the boy.

"Is this asshole really dying and still won't cough up a single Beli?" Naruto grumbled in annoyance, while Itachi merely sighed.

"At this point I'm contemplating on letting him die." The older brother admitted, as he was still trying to pull the sack of money from Sasuke. "Foolish little brother!"

"Actually I'm not interested in your money." The woman began in a nervous voice. "I actually need something else from you."

Itachi released his hold on the sack of money, which caused Sasuke to jerk the Beli close to his body and snuggle up to his newly acquired money. Naruto seeing this had a slight twitch in his eyebrow, but he decided to ignore his second in command for now.

"Well if you don't want paid for helping our friend. What do you want?" Naruto asked in curiosity.

The woman pointed to Naruto's sword. "I take it you're warriors by your weapons." The woman began nervously, while she glanced away. "Well a lot of villagers including the head doctor have been taken by slavers on this island."

"I understand what you're getting at." Itachi began in a slightly exhausted voice. "We can take care of the slavers."

Naruto nodded. "Just take care of our friend and tell me where I should go to find the slavers."

"Their base is on the north coast of the island." The woman explained.

Naruto nodded and rested his hand onto Kurama's hilt. "Okay I'll go kick all their asses and bring back the villagers they took." Naruto explained before pointing at Itachi. "I want you to go back to the ship and tell everyone the situation and then get some rest or at least eat."

Itachi shook his head. "I'm coming with you."

"You and I both know that I won't need you Itachi and you won't be any help to Sasuke here." Naruto began before looking down to his greedy friend. "You haven't slept or eaten in days Itachi and it's starting to show. So take care of yourself and leave Sasuke and the slavers to me."

Itachi sighed in defeat and nodded. "For once you're the voice of reason Dark Prince-san. I'll return to the ship and tell everyone of the situation and get some- . . . Rest"

"Good I should be done in a couple hours." Naruto promised before he started to walk out of the room.

"Thank you!" The woman replied gratefully.

Naruto lifted his hand up in response. "Don't thank me, just make sure my idiot Vice-Captain lives!" The notorious pirate yelled loudly before disappearing.

Itachi nodded and took a bow. "What my Captain said, with an extra emphasis on the term idiot." The eldest Uchiha brother chuckled softly before taking his own leave.

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(With Yugito)

Standing alone in the Will of Fire's kitchen, Yugito was preparing lunch for the crew. However, as she cooked the girl was having a small panic attack at what she should do.

"Okay Yugito think." The girl began in a rather nervous tone, while she stirred the ingredients in the pot before her. "There is a good chance that Sasuke will pull through and he will most definitely rat you out. Killing him is out of the question and I really don't have anywhere to run. . . So I need to think of something and fast."

Suddenly a knock on the kitchen's door made Yugito jump in fear.

"Yug-chan~!" Asuka whined from the other side of the door. "When is lunch gonna be ready? I'm starving!"

Turning to the door, Yugito was a nervous wreck. "Umm just a few minutes." The blond replied in a weak voice.

"You okay Yug-chan?" Asuka asked, while the door slowly creaked open. "I can help you if you need it!"

"No everything is okay!" Yugito quickly shouted, as she ran forward and slammed the door. "I'm just working on a surprise dish for everyone!"

"Oh okay." Asuka began from the other side of the door, while swearing something was wrong with her friend. "Well in that case me and Kono will be waiting for whatever you have cooked up!"

Hearing Asuka walk off, Yugito sighed and slumped over. "What have I gotten myself into?" Yugito asked in a low and defeated voice, before stalking her way back over to the food she was preparing. "If they find out who I really am and what I do I'm in trouble. Then there is no way I could beat them in a fight, since Konohamaru is the weakest of them all and he's still a monster."

Yugito slowly looked down into the bubbling stew laid out before her, while he mind was going into overdrive. "I could always tell the truth-. . ." Yugito began, but stopped herself and gritted her teeth. Meanwhile tears began to leak out of her eyes. "No everyone is the same they aren't loyal to you, they are only loyal to the need of you. Once their need for me changes, so will their loyalty."

Punching the countertop in frustration, Yugito was growing more and more desperate. However, the moment she punched the countertop a cabinet had opened. Revealing a particular bottle that Yugito was all too familiar with.

"This is Niphredil extract." Yugito mumbled softly, while she slowly rotated the bottle in her hand. "In small doses it can be placed in foods to help Insomnia, but in large doses it's incredibly potent."

Glancing at the bottle and then to the food she was preparing, Yugito felt a knot twist in her stomach. However, taking a slow hard swallow the tagalog of the group slowly opened the Niphredil extract and poured the entire bottle into the stew. Then reaching over to grab a small wooden spoon, Yugito began to mix everything together.

"No backing out." Yugito spoke to herself softly, while at the same time she began to shake nervously. "This has to happen."

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(With Asuka and Konohamaru)

Sitting with Konohamaru at the ship's dining table, the two pirates were talking up a storm with one another. Though they were mostly complaining about how hungry they were. However, the two were quickly joined by the appearance of Itachi. Who two both teens surprise came walking slowly to their table.

"Itachi what are you doing back so soon?" Konohamaru asked in surprise, while he watched their oldest crewmate take a seat and sigh.

"Dark Prince-san and myself successfully found some treatment for Sasuke. However, there is some complications with the slavers on this island. Dark Prince-san went off to fix the problem and we left Sasuke in medical care." Itachi explained in a rather exhausted voice, showing his fatigue to everyone from the last few days. "In the meantime I was instructed to come back and inform everyone of what is happening. That and also get some rest to recuperate myself."

Asuka nodded, as that made logical sense. "Well Naruto should be fine alone, I doubt anyone in the entire North Blue could take him on in a fight. So you coming back here to rest was a good decision by Naruto."

"I agree." Itachi replied in a simple tone, but also raised an eyebrow. "So on that note, what's for lunch?"

"We are having stew." The voice of Yugito announced, while the girl made her way over to the table of pirates.

Asuka watched Yugito place a steaming bowl of stew in front of her and groaned in delight. "Yug-chan you're the absolute best!"

"I'm starving!" Konohamaru shouted in delight, while Yugito sat a bowl in front of him.

Itachi watched Yugito place the last bowl before him and raised his eyebrow. Noticing the girl was shaking and rather nervous. "Are you okay Yugito-san? You're shaking and don't have any food for yourself."

Yugito twitched at Itachi's question, while Asuka and Konohamaru both looked at her with confused looks.

"Ya what's up Yug-chan?" Asuka asked loudly, while she like everyone else still haven't taken a bite of the stew.

"You're not feeling sick like Sasuke are you?" Konohamaru asked with worry in his voice.

Yugito rubbed her arm and frowned, while trying to think of a quick lie. "Well truth be told it's a new recipe. So I'm using you three as guinea pigs to see if it's any good." The girl began, as she found some confidence and stuck her tongue out. "If you three like it then I'll have some!"

Itachi raised his eye and watched Yugito carefully, while Konohamaru simply laughed and shook his head.

"Man you're evil Yug-chan!" Asuka laughed loudly, while she grabbed a spoon. "But I'm sure this will be delicious like everything you cook!"

Yugito smiled and closed her eyes. "Well please eat up and tell me what you think!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Konohamaru yelled, as he began to furiously shovel the stew into his mouth.

Itachi watched Asuka and Konohamaru dig into their food, so as his stomach growled the Uchiha shrugged his shoulders and began to eat.

"This is great Yug-chan!" Asuka declared With stars in her eyes.

"It's the best!" Konohamaru added in happily.

Yugito nodded slowly. "Thank you very much."

Konohamaru held his spoon high into the air. "You gotta get some of this for yourself!" The boy began, but suddenly his head dropped hard onto the table with a loud thunk.

Asuka looked at Konohamaru with a confused gaze, while her vision began to blur. "Yug-chan." The fire woman began softly, while she looked up to an emotionless Yugito. However, before she could speak any further she collapsed backwards onto the ground.

Itachi being the genius he was quickly deduced exactly what was happening. So reacting on pure instinct he grabbed a table knife and in seconds had Yugito pinned to a wall, while the knife was held closely to her neck.

"You trait-. . ." Itachi began in a weakened voice, but quickly fell over right at a wide eyed Yugito's feet.

Observing the dining area around her, Yugito looked at the three downed notorious pirates. "There is no turning back now." The girl mumbled softly, while she walked off and out of the dining area.

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(Thirty minutes later, with Karin Uzumaki)

Slowly approaching Wave Island, the young Uzumaki noticed the Will of Fire departing away from the island. This of course made the red head frown, while her tiny vessel made its way to the island's docks.

"That's the ship that Naruto and everyone got from Mito-sama." Karin mumbled in a low voice, while she watched the ship sail away from the island. "Looks like I missed them by a couple hours."

Thinking nothing of the leaving ship, Karin quickly tied her boat down onto the island's docks and sighed. "Too bad I don't have time to chase them down." The girl began, while she grabbed a large empty knapsack. "I gotta restock my supplies!"

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(Chapter end)

Well it's short and it's been awhile, but I wanted to put an update out for you guys. So I hope this was worth the wait! Also I hope you're as excited as I am, cause we are about to start the big arc of this north blue saga and finally learn more about Yugito!

Anyways until next time take care and thanks for reading!