Chapter Five

"He's been out for some time now."

"And do you think I care? I have an entire crew to look after, do you really think I have enough time to waltz in his prison room and I don't know- maybe, lay my hand on his forehead, and gently check his fucking body temperature? I certainly, for one, do not have the time." The captain seemed to be at a loss of breath after her little outburst.

"Tad bit too detailed, don't you think?" Ino muttered, coughing rather noticeably; unbeknownst to the man in front of them. Sakura cleared her throat, snapping Ino back to cater the person waiting patiently for a reply.

"O-oh yes. Is that all, Chouji?"

"I guess?"

"Okay, so. We'll have one of the men check on the slave boy. Anything else, mother?" Ino said while writing down today's work, not even giving a side eye to Chouji since baby sitting was the least concern of the crew's problem. Chouji now dubbed as the mother, lightly bowed and made his way towards the door, with a jerk, it opened and his silhouette receded as the wooden door creakingly shut behind him.

"It's like running a goddamn nursery. What next? Washing his crippled ass?" Sakura's voice bellowed, her hand ran through her brightly coloured hair and on to the table, slamming the worn out mahogany as papers cascaded frantically in all directions, although, in all of the surge; the different hues of the papers pierced through the morning light of the sun, blinding the room with its brief yet overwhelming presence, as if, all the colours in the universe clogged up in the room. It was truly heavenly except for the one assigned to clean it.

"This always takes my breath away-" Ino smiled, taking in every ounce of the view. However, her smile soon shifted to a more melancholic one. "-and it helps to forget what happened that day." She added solemnly, squeezing both her hands.

"We made it through, didn't we?" Sakura uttered, her features had softened since her little trick. Ino, still doused with memories of the past, looked uncertain and even terrified. "W-what if it happens again- Sa-sakura, I-" her lips trembled, she couldn't finish her sentence as she covered her tear filled eyes. The captain was taken aback, it's not everyday her blond friend cries, and it has certainly been a while since she last saw tears sweeping down Ino's rosy cheeks.

"We made through one, we'll take on a plenty more. Together." The captain said, her words laced with sincerity which just made Ino break into a heavy sob.

Sakura puffed out her chest, smiling a bit as she walked towards the her friend. "Aye. What am I going to do with you, lassie?" She patted Ino's head, the blond's sobs now jumbled up together with annoyed groans.

"I just brushed them."

"Whoops."

"Sakura?"

"Hm?"

"Keep doing that trick of yours."

"The captain doesn't take orders."

"You can't do shit for your friend now?"

"I'll think about it then, friend."

But both of them knew, she'll do it a million times more.

"Can you wash me? I can't feel my hands." A now awakened Naruto asks his newly found mom. Chouji stared at him with both partial disgust and concern.

"You know that sounds quite revolting." he finally replied, throwing Naruto a pair of clean clothes.

"You think I want to?! I've been thinking for the past hour how vulgar I'd sound when those words leave my mouth. YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY VICTIM HERE?!"

"I'm sorry, it's been tough on you as well." Chouji muttered. An awkward start between them but at least Naruto is conscious for once and not blabbering much.

It's an awkward but good start.

"Chouji, was it?" The blond finally broke the silence, the one he referred to nodded. And very bitterly proclaimed, "You may be a beloved child I never had but I don't remember giving birth to someone with such little formalities. It's Chouji-san." The pirate took a quick look at the boy.

"Or mom if you'd like." He suggested with a smirk.

"I'm lost. And I don't remember being squeezed out of you. I'm scared." Naruto said, bundling both his arms and legs, looking physically petrified.

Chouji managed to scare him more than he did the first time Naruto boarded the ship. He gave a light shake to drain away his thoughts then proceeded to observe the blond boy.

"First time away from home?" He finally asked, this question somehow leaves a mark on Naruto as he untangles himself while letting out a pained sigh. He nodded.

A sting of remorse struck through Chouji, the guilt pulsing inside of him, as if the question chewed out the entirety of both Naruto and himself. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." He said while shifting awkwardly.

Naruto shook his head, "No..No. It's fine. I mean, what am I saying? No, it's fucking not. You kidnapped me and now you're apologising for kidnapping me? I'm probably colossal miles away from my home at the moment and here you are, looking down at me with pity. You could've showed your marvelous display of pity by not smuggling my ass in the first goddamn place." Naruto exclaimed, breathing harshly. He wanted to hurl one at the pirate, but the chains clattering around his wrists held him back.

Chouji did feel bad for the boy, witnessing him in this state could tighten anyone's heart. He couldn't say anything back, what could he? It was apparent. This was his mess. "I had to, you could've told authorities of the murder." Chouji barely managed to retaliate. Oh how much he wanted to bitterly laugh at his own reasoning, he truly sounded like a fucking scum of the world.

"You killed someone, and you're hiding behind me. You all walk around innocently while dirtying your hands behind my village's back. If word gets out, your little peace treaty with my village would be dissolved. But hey, congratulations. You thought ahead and kidnapped the only one witness." Naruto knew he was crossing the line, but it had to be said. He doesn't necessarily want to change someone's heart, he just wants the fastest ticket back to his village by using the good ol' guilt trip.

Morals should go fuck themselves. That's the first thing Naruto learnt since he stepped in this hell hole. The blonde squinted his eyes to trace any sign of guilt enveloping the features of Chouji.

Yes, Chouji did feel bad- slightly. But, he couldn't let his emotions burden him; these words of Sakura lay firmly in his mind. "Look, listen. I do feel bad but I'm a pirate, you see. A crook. I don't go by the book which I'm told I should. I'll feel guilty for an instance, and then the next, I'll yank you to the Captain's room since you're assigned to be her slave." Chouji stood up, tightening the grip on the chains that bound Naruto, prompting him to get up. Which he did, limply.

The pirate stared at the soulless expression of the young lad. "Don't be alarmed about what I said, I'll yank you gently." He announced while walking slowly.

"Yes, the kidnapped boy feels so comforted." Naruto muttered sarcastically before following behind Chouji.

"We'll be one of a kind accomplices, I just know it. And now, let me formally introduce you to Konoha."

"How fucking exciting."

I'm not dead! Missed me?

I honestly missed writing this story. I told y'all plenty of times that I'm never quiting on this story. It's always on my monthly to do list, it's another thing that it takes forever to update. Ahem.

And I've got many messages saying when will the romance kick in. It will, eventually. I have to focus on the essentials first (I like writing friendships). Chapter six will cover the introduction to the crew and expect some spicy-ness in the seventh chapter ;)))

Keep reviewing, it helps reviving me. The update time can be lessened lol. And keep checking my profiles for chapter updating.

and also, you could see the difference between my writing style of 2015 and now. It has improved, no?

Anyways, toodles for now~

Ena out.