*AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello everyone! I have added three new chapters! Yay! I may not update further for a little while. I want to thank my awesome friend Windsome for helping me by proofing my most recent chapters! We are coming fairly close to the end of this fanfic. I'm going to lose my mind when it ends TT^TT. Despite that depressing factor, I hope you all enjoy and umm I'm sorry in advance! Please review!

*Gaara's POV*

I stared off in the distance at a small speck that Sasuke claimed to be Ningyo Island. I rested my chin on the rail of the ship and watched the waves ripple around the vehicle.
Two weeks ago, I had finally made love to Sasuke and he made love to me! My cheeks flushed with heat. A smile formed on my lips and I put my forehead on the rail. Thank the gods! I had never imagined I could be one with Sasuke in such a manner. I hugged myself. Surely, I am in heaven! Every night since then we have become one and each time has been more amazing than the last. I had never imagined such bliss! Is this how a newlywed bride feels? Overcome with the emotions of becoming one with her destined love?
However, I must not become too overwhelmed by emotion. I am coming to this island with a purpose. Once that purpose has been fulfilled then I will quickly return to Suna and fight against Orochimaru. Suna will not bow to his feet.
"Are you alright, your majesty?" I lifted my head quickly and saw a plain-clothed Neji. He had removed his usual ornate, formfitting clothing. He approached me calmly, even though Shukaku ran playfully from one shoulder to the other in his smaller form.
He looked to be uncomfortable with his attire as he continually tugged on its loose ends. I chuckled, "Not finding Kakashi's clothing suitable?" His eyes grew wide, then narrowed and looked away as if to avoid my question. I knew him to be prideful in his uniform and rank among the elite in Orochimaru's militia faction.
"That is not the problem… I was more than happy to be rid of Orochimaru's uniform, it reminds me too much of his ill treatment towards my beloved," he remarked, ending his thought with a long sigh. "However, I do not see why I should wear such peasantry clothing… It is unbecoming of a man of my merit," he complained.
I nodded and looked out to the ocean, "I am sure the clothing will come to fit you and perhaps your beloved will find a man of your stature to be more outstanding in such cloth, such as a diamond in rags." I spoke, not looking back at him.
"Why do you not wish to return to Suna as soon as possible? Why come to this island?" he inquired with an impatient tone, indicating that the question weighed on his mind greatly. I sighed and looked down at the railing. I placed my hands on the wooden railing and began to pick at the wood, "I seek to find where I belong in this world. Suna is less of a home as it is a place in which to reside. I find my siblings to be my family and the people of Suna are my heart. Yet, I cannot deny an ever-growing void in my chest," I spoke. I looked out to the sea and observed the waves, "I want to know what my father sought to hide from not only me, but also from the council." I felt my chest become heavy remembering finding the letters and the words of love, that were not from the woman I knew as mother. I shook my head, shaking the thoughts from my mind, "In any case, the true heirs to the throne are Kankuro and Temari. I am sure I am not of the royal bloodline. Rather I am some abandoned child the mermaids blessed, saved, and gave to my 'father'." "As if the mermaids would be so kind," Sasuke spoke. I jumped and turned to see him behind me. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders. "Why do you have such a dislike towards them?" I asked him turning my head as much as he would allow me. He scoffed, "It is they who have the problem with me." He leaned over to press his lips against mine. I tried to pull away, but he held me in place. I felt my body tremble remembering his touch. He pulled away gently licking my bottom lip. "I can't stay away for too long without tasting my treasure," he whispered, gazing into my eyes. My heart trembled at his words. Words he used for me. He released my shoulders and walked away. I slowly turned and watched him as he moved. His tall, lean body frame far more alluring now that I knew what was underneath his clothing. The sway of his hips… Ah... I could practically see his naked body that I have been so much in intimate contact with. "Ugh, pirates are so tasteless," Neji remarked, bringing my attention away from swooning for the raven-haired pirate. I could see him turning toward the ocean. I chuckled and turned with him. "Have you tasted the lips of your beloved?" I teased, gazing up at him. His pale, cool face flushed with a red tint. He quickly began coughing and covered his mouth. Once he regained cold stature, he cleared his throat, "I beg your pardon, your majesty, but I have not had the honor of such a privilege." "And you know that Sakura was previously a pirate?" I asked not removing my gaze from him. He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know she was in such a lowly state of being, but I am willing to overlook such a grievance," he muttered.
"Ah… I see," I muttered and shook my head, turning my attention back to the now larger speck sitting at the edge of the horizon.
"Just because I am not able to approve of her past, does not mean the very thought of her presence does not cause me want to give her the world," he exclaimed and hit his fist onto the railing. I had jumped at his sudden action. Shu jumped from his shoulder onto the rail, whimpering once he landed.
Neji looked at me, "I will do all that I can to protect her… Even when I know that I may never exist in her heart due to the large space within it that a certain pirate still fills," he pushed himself away from the railing and angrily walked away. I pray to the gods that he is able to gain what I have gained. I had been in his place, but the gods have blessed me and allowed me to gain the heart of my beloved. I gazed at the water. We weren't much closer to the speck in the distance, but that was good. I felt nervous finally coming to Ningyo Island, almost fearful.

We arrived at Ningyo Island close to nightfall. Sasuke had already given his orders about sailing further from the shore and waiting until they came back, unless problems came up. Sasuke helped me into the smaller boat and climbed in behind me. He looked in the direction of the island and groaned.
"What is wrong?" Kakashi asked before lowering the boat. Sasuke shook his head, "Don't worry about it. You know what to do, so get to your duties." He dropped a small satchel into the boat. Sasuke shouted up to the others about lowering the boat and slowly, we descended onto the water. I looked in Sasuke's direction and saw a few mermaids sitting atop some large, scattered rocks.
They appeared to be talking amongst themselves. One of them seemed to be pointing at the ship. I watched has they began primping themselves. Once the boat got into the water, my attention turned to the raven-haired pirate standing in front of me. "Grab my thighs and hold me steady," he said. I immediately grabbed his muscular thighs. My cheeks flushed with heat. My mind reeled and my silent thoughts swirled about. Gaara, this is ridiculous… You have made love with this sex god of a man numerous times! You cannot become so shameful just from grabbing his thighs! I chewed my lower lip as he leaned bit closer- unintentional, I am sure. "You can let go of now," he remarked. I immediately released my grip and buried my head into my satchel. The boat began moving. I slowly raised my head and saw his sly smirk playing his lips as he moved the oars. "I am sure we will have some extra time to satisfy your insatiable desires," he remarked. My cheeks flushed red and I looked away from his gaze.
How did I think I could really put up with this for the rest of my life? How could I think to spend my entire life with this sensual man? I did not know how I would do it, but I knew I wanted to be the one who did. Suddenly there were two mermaids swimming on either side of the boat. Sasuke let out a long sigh and tried rowing faster.
One of the mermaids began to speak, "Hello, travelers. What brings you to-," she stopped in mid-sentence as a look of disgust appeared on her face, "Ugh, Sasuke..." She swam in front of the boat, behind me. I turned to look at her, but her attention was on Sasuke. "Why are you back?" she hissed to him. "I'm here for my friend. I simply wish to get to shore without trouble." He rolled his eyes landing his gaze on the water. She scoffed, "We told you not to come back here. Your kind is not welcome to Ningyo. Incapable," she spat.
"Water hag," he bitterly replied. I raised my hands, "Sasuke, please just don't say anything." He let go of the oars, "Yeah, I do not know why I am still working hard at getting away when one of the other sea hags has stopped our boat." He crossed his arms while leaning back. "Sasuke!" I exclaimed. Suddenly, another mermaid came up from the water. "Sea hag!?" she exclaimed angrily. "At least I am properly capable! You are useless!" she shouted and pushed the boat, rocking it slightly. Sasuke shook his head and kept his mouth shut. He grabbed the oars and began rowing again. I smiled at his resolve not to argue with them, but knew it may not last long.
They continued shouting insults at him. They made comments about him being weak, unmanly, broken, and a waste of breath. I began to feel the urge to shout at them. I could understand why he would hate them so much, but why would they behave in such a way toward him?
"It's probably good that the rest of his family was killed off since they too were probably weak," one of the mermaids sorely remarked. Sasuke grit his teeth, put the oars down, and shouted, "At least I can give fucking pleasure better than any one of you ugly, old fish!" My eyes widened, I looked at the mermaids. Their jaws were dropped in shock and scowls appeared on their faces. They suddenly dove under the surface. "Gaara, grab hold of the boat!" Sasuke shouted and dropped down into boat. Immediately, the boat rose up from the water and flipped over. I lost my grip in the moment and began swimming to the surface. I came to the surface and looked at the overturned boat. I saw Sasuke's satchel and grabbed it, but Sasuke was nowhere in sight. I dove my head into the water. I opened my eyes, despite the stinging pain and could see the mermaids dragging Sasuke deeper into the ocean. I reached into the satchel and pulled out his small blade. I then rose to the surface to get a breath of air before diving back into the water, swimming frantically toward Sasuke and the mermaids. I watched as bubbles rose from Sasuke's mouth. Soon there were only be a few. I swam harder, each stroke getting me closer to the group. The mermaids were laughing and poking his face. When I made it to them, I grabbed one of their arms and cut it with the blade. The mermaid screamed, letting go of Sasuke in return. The other mermaid went to her aid, thus leaving a helpless Sasuke free of their grip. I quickly grabbed hold of him and swam up to the surface. Once there, I regained my bearings and began swimming to the shore. I dragged Sasuke onto the sand and dropped to my knees beside him. He laid there, lifeless. I leaned over, putting my ear to his chest, listening for a heartbeat. Suddenly, he began coughing up water and wheezing. I listened to his strained sounds. It seemed as if there were something blocking his airway. I waited to see if he began coughing, but the wheezing faded and his breathing slowed as he lay there, resting peacefully. I stared down at him, aware that I had seen this before. I leaned closer and took note of his features. His black hair wet and splayed on his face. His closed eyes and his slightly opened lips. They were beautiful and strangely familiar sight. Then I remembered.

*FLASHBACK*

A small Gaara came running up to a tall, glistening, shadowy figure. He smiled brightly at what the figure had laid on the table. He climbed onto his stool and stared at the beautiful girl lying before him.
"Maa, who dis?" he asked, tilting his head and looking at the figure. A smile formed on the figure's face, "He is a boy, my love. He was drowning," the figure replied, her voice soft and calm. The boy on the table began shaking as a black mark began to spread on his pale skin. Gaara gasped, "Maa, she's turning colors!" He pointed at the boy's body as the black marks continued to spread. "Oh…my…" the figure quietly whispered to herself. Gaara began tearing up. "Maa, save her!" he exclaimed. The figure held her hand up to him, "I will, my life." She pulled on strands of silver hair. Slowly, they all fell until only one remained between her fingers. She gently pulled on it and it made a slight sound, like a bell. Gaara watched intently, tears beginning to fall as the boy on the table began shaking violently and shouting in pain. The figure opened the afflicted boy's mouth and fed him the strand of hair. Gaara leaned closer and grabbed the boy's shaking hand with his smaller hands.
The black mark withdrew and disappeared. Gaara smiled and the boy's shaking ceased. Gaara laughed, "Maa you saved him!" The figure turned and a smile formed, but faded. She took notice of how quickly Gaara's hair had grown. The smile slowly returned on the figure's face as Gaara smiled down at his hands holding the boy's hand. He then happily looked up at the figure, "Maa, I love you!" he exclaimed. The figure smiled warmly.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

I gently opened my eyes to the sound of shouting. I slowly sat up, seeing Sasuke throw rocks into the water.
"Sea witches!" he shouted. Female voices shouted back, "If you ever leave that island, we'll end you, worthless Sasuke!" I shook my head and began brushing the sand from my long hair.
I carefully stood up and put my hands on my hips, "Sasuke, can we please go to the mermaids before nightfall?" I asked impatiently. I found arguing with the mermaids futile. They were not easily swayed from their likes and dislikes. Sasuke threw one last rock. "Those bitches started the fucking fighting, hitting me with a fucking conch shell," he said, pointing to a rather large conch shell lying close to where Sasuke had been. He wiped his hands and trudged up the sand to my location. He came close and pressed his lips to mine. I instantly remembered that dream or memory. I couldn't be bothered with something such as that, I had clearly woken up, perhaps it was a dream, an odd dream.
Sasuke slowly pulled away, "Thank you for saving me. That's only happened once before, when I came here a year ago." He shrugged and started walking toward a clearing. "Have you ever drowned before?" I asked, following behind him. Sasuke chuckled. "Yes I have, not good for the Uchiha bloodline. But, I had tried to end my life by drowning in the water," he replied dryly. "Why?" I asked. He stopped short of the clearing and sighed. I walked to his side and looked at him. He avoided my eye contact. "If you don't-," my words were cut short.
"I wanted to end my life. The first time I did it was when I had been left on that fucking island, but Kakashi had seen me make the attempt and rescued me. After that Orochimaru did one of his appearances. The second time we were on the ship and…" He trailed off with a confused expression, "I don't know why I wanted to kill myself then… Something was painful, I suppose the idea of being a slave to that disgusting man pained me. I tried to drown myself again, but the next day I woke up in my bed, chained to the wall," he explained and shrugged. I slowly nodded my head, "Sorry to make you relive nightmares." He chuckled, "They hold nothing to the sleepless nights I had trying to find you." He put his arms around my shoulders pulling him to me, "And I have no intention of letting you go again."