*Gaara's POV*

Gaara followed Sasuke as he led him through a narrow path through the forest. They had been walking for quite a while. "Will the mermaids really-" The sounds of giggling filled the air. Gaara peeked around Sasuke and saw the end of the path. He gripped Sasuke's satchel nervously.

He had only met the mermaids on his own terms and they were nothing like the giggling he heard, nor of the flirtatious women that the sailors had described them as being. They were stern and demanding of what they wanted.

Sasuke walked into the clearing and the giggles stopped. A symphony of groans rose up. "Yes, it's Sasuke. Go ahead, launch your insults at me," he remarked. I stayed behind him, still nervous.

"Why are you even here?" one of them asked. "Back for some pity sex, I suppose?" another spoke. "Aw, Sasuke, we do feel bad for you, but we can't be bothered with your failures," another one said mockingly.

I came out from behind Sasuke, who now had his arms crossed. "Sasuke is not a failure," I stated boldly causing all of the mermaids eyes to widen.

"Ah! It's Gaara!" "Gaara!" "Oh my, Gaara is here!" "Hi, Gaara!" "Ah, Gaara, I've missed you so much!" "Gaara, I need to talk to you!"

The mermaids sat on several rocks in a rather large pond with a long waterfall pouring into it behind them. They had leaned forward excitedly, smiles painted on their faces. A few of them primped their hair and waved at him.

Immediately, I felt Sasuke put his arm around my shoulders, "Back off, you stinky fish. Gaara is mine," he said possessively. I looked at him and blushed staring at his glaring face. The mermaids began complaining. "But why Sasuke?" "Sasuke is useless!" "I hate you even more, Sasuke!"

He rolled his eyes, "I don't give a fuck what you think about me. Just don't touch him," he said angrily. "Sasuke… Why do they hate you?" I asked concerned. I had never seen the mermaids have such hatred toward another human, especially a man.

He removed his arm from my shoulder, "Like I fucking know." He walked over to a large boulder and climbed on top of it. "Get your fucking mother out here to talk to him." he ordered. They all hissed at him, but one left the group.

"Come closer to us Gaara!" "We would like to see you closer!" I cautiously stepped closer to the water.

"Ah Gaara! Gaara!" a blonde mermaid exclaimed eagerly. I turned my attention to her. The other mermaids went back to their conversations prior to our arrival. "Yes?" I asked.

"Gaara, there is a pond near this one. I would love to meet you there after your talk with mother," stated. She moved closer to me on her rock and batted her eyes with a playful smile. Her long, wavy blonde hair reaching the rock she was on. She had a small cloth wrapped around her chest lending to her age. Many of the older mermaids, primarily ones who had sex, had scales that would cover their chest.

I tilted my head confused, "How will you get there?" I asked and she giggled. "I learned how to morph my legs," She turned so as to show me her turquoise tail. Slowly it morphed into naked legs. I immediately moved my eyes to her grinning face.

"This way, I can fully please you. The pond is filled with our aphros, so you will not have to worry if I am in pain, they ensure that my first time will be pleasurable," she said blushing. She covered her face with her hands, occasionally peeking through her fingers.

"You will not be doing such a thing." I heard another voice and looked to the origin. I watched as an older mermaid came from behind the rocks. She climbed onto a rock and pulled her dark red hair around in front of her. Her scales were a deep blue color indicating that she was far in her years. However, her face and body did not lend to such an assumption.

"Leave us." She ordered sternly. The other mermaids whined and left the rocks immediately. I looked at Sasuke who had stretched out on the rock then looked back at the mermaid. "My sincerest apologies your majesty, my daughters are not of proper age to solicit sexual endeavors," She spoke her voice flowing with gentle syllables.

"What is it that you seek to know?" she asked situating herself more comfortably on the rock. I moved closer to the water, "I have come in search of the seer of the mermaids." She nodded, "I am who you seek. I also preside over the mermaids as many of them are my daughters; however, I am still under the authority of our father." She explained and began combing her fingers through her hair. "Tell me what have you come here for." She asked and raised her gaze to me.

"Orochimaru has-," I was quickly interrupted, "Declared war on Suna, with assistance from Iwaga," She stated and lowered her gaze. "Yes, he came to us to ask for our aid... Our father agreed," she said. My jaw dropped, "Why would he go against Suna and agree to aid Orochimaru?" I asked flabbergasted.

She exhaled, "Orochimaru promised our father the return of a precious item," she stated lifting her gaze to Gaara's angry glare.

"So, instead of defeating Orochimaru and receiving the precious item, he would rather agree to go against an old friend?" I shouted, losing my composure. This is not good. Suna could possibly hold their own on land and sea; however, if the mermaids were against us then it may not bode too well on the sea.

She raised her hand, "I told our father the outcome of such a situation. He complained of not relying upon the land dwellers, but he seeks to obtain this item, so he strives to operate under Orochimaru." she stated bitterly.

I cursed angrily and put my hand to my head, "So, now, I suppose, you will betray me now in alliance with Orochimaru?" I asked. Her eyes widened and slowly closed "Gaara, you are precious to us as well, but we cannot go against our father," she replied calmly.

"So, you would rather be slaves to Orochimaru?" I asked. "I am sorry Gaara," she replied opening her eyes.

"Damn… I suppose that is what our worth is to you…" I muttered. "No! Gaara, you do not understand what this item means to us!" she shouted. I looked at her, "If I swear to you I will retrieve that item, will then you aid us?" I asked.

Her eyes widened and she slowly shook her head, "Gaara, do not make such an attempt…" she whispered. I shook my head, "No, I have to defend Suna! I have to protect my people, they are precious to me."

Sasuke too? My eyes widened as her voice came into my head. I watched at she raised her head and a white film covered her eyes and her mouth slightly open. Her arms slowly went to her side as if she were in a trance.

I have foreseen that Suna will not fall to Orochimaru…But I must warn you of another danger quickly approaching you. "What?" I asked aloud.

You will lose that precious item to Orochimaru as we lost ours. "Sasuke has warned me of Orochimaru's capabilities and I am not afraid," I spoke boldly.

Gaara, you will return here tomorrow. Your eyes will be opened to what I will tell you then. "What are you going to tell me?" I asked. Gaara…do not blame him.

Her eyes closed and slowly opened. She turned without speaking a word to me. She turned to go back into the water.

"Wait! Is something going to happen to Sasuke?" I shouted. She stopped. "Tell me, so that I can protect him." She turned so that I could only see half of her face her gaze lowered to the water "You won't."