So FFN lets authors see how many time a story has been viewed or visited - and if you are reading this thinking you are the only person still reading let me tell you, you have at least 179 other friends. Just this chapter has been 'visited' by 180 different readers (or spam bots but hey think big.) and 'viewed' about 230 times since it was posted yesterday. Not that that is a huge number, but I'm not a big enough writer for that to be me, friends. That's people hanging out in the tags thinking they are the only ones there. So thank you for coming by, no matter who you ship, and for reading. ((And if you are here for SasuHina make sure you are reading Ink Child because she is insanely good and if you are here for the NejiTen... OMG message me I have recommendations!) If you're just here because, I'm still glad to have you.

And just because I am excited to share, here is a preview of a fic coming August(ish). SasuHina/NejiTen Fantasy AU. Mermaid!Huygas, Sailor!Sasuke, and pirates. Because there should always be pirates. "Between the Devil and the Deep" is still a working title. Might change.

Between the Devil and the Deep
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Chapter One
The Son of the Sea

There was always an air of excitement and a crowd waiting when the Serpent returned to her home port. It wasn't surprising, really – with her snapping white sails and ornate figure head, she was a commanding and authoritative presence in the Uchiha fleet, with a reputation as gleaming as the serpent coiled around her bow. Many gathered to see her come to port – and still more gathered, hoping for a glimpse of her Captain.

Necks craned for a look at the lithe, sharp figure, a study in perfection from his shining boots to the gleaming raven's wing of his hair. He stopped for no one – any attempts to speak with him quickly rebuffed or blatantly ignored – but that was to be expected of the young Admiral, and the next in line to the throne.

Some called it folly when King Madara first allowed his own heir to join the Royal Navy, but he invariably responded "If the next King cannot defend our country on the sea, then he cannot defend her on the throne."

And the Admiral of the Fleet, Sasuke, the Last Uchiha, could definitely defend from the sea.

His reputation alone was said to keep invaders from their shores and pirates from their ships, and it was with a curious mix of awe, respect, fear, and pride, that his people cheered his return.

He went directly to his Uncle, neither stopping to change nor eat. He reported to the King and the King alone – much to the irritation of the other Admirals, but none dared object.

He rapped sharply on the heavy wooden door of his Uncle's Map Room, and was bidden to enter.

The room was fashioned after a captain's quarters, with windows overlooking the glistening sea, and maps and charts both hung on the walls and spread across the large desk where his Uncle was hard at work.

"You have returned, Nephew," Madara stood, pride evident in his strong features. "I trust that there was no trouble."

"None whatsoever," he handed over a scroll. "My mission report."

"And those that tried to stand against us?"

"It was a fair exchange," the shrug was elegant and cold. "We emptied their hulls of the kingdom's gold, and replaced it with as much seawater as they could hold."

"And the traitors?"

"There were not many prisoners to take, but the ones we did have already been delivered to the dungeon."

"It saddens me, Nephew," Madara put a heavy hand on his shoulder. "That there are citizens that would steal from the land that has given them everything. Whenever forgiveness is possible, we must exercise it, but for traitors," he shook his head and his lips thinned into a grim line. "For traitors, we can give no quarter. No mercy can be shown to one that would betray his homeland."

He met the younger man's eyes – coal black and obsidian – and the hints of a smile tugged at the corners of his eyes and lips.

"I am grateful that the kingdom will pass into such loyal and capable hands, Sasuke. I could think of no one better to protect her."

"Thank you, Uncle," he bowed his head.

"Come," he clapped a strong arm across his back. "The people have been anxious for your return."

Madara led the way down the richly carpeted hall to the Grand Balcony. Servants bowed before parting the heavy drapes, allowing the King and his Admiral to pass into bright light of day, and to the cheers of the people below. The Grand Balcony boasted the castle's best view of the harbor, and had been where the King traditionally came to bid his people farewell, and the Queen would appear every day he was gone, to watch the horizon until they were reunited. Even now, Sasuke could see the gleaming figure head of the Serpent glistening in the bright sun, her sails furled, her masts strong and stark against a cloudless blue sky and the ocean behind her.

"My people," Madara's voice boomed over the piazza below. "The Sea smiles upon us. The Serpent is once again safe in her home port, and the enemies of our kingdom no longer sail her waters. The Admiral of the Fleet returns triumphant!"

The cheers errupted from the crowd as Sasuke stepped forward, to stand alone where hundreds had stood before him, and on the precipice of a greatness his people could sense with each the snap of the flags in the dancing sea wind.

The Last Uchiha – The Son of the Sea - was at the helm of the Kingdom.

Thanks for reading!

- Giada