Diamonds and Pearls

Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews. It seems treasure/booty is universally popular as is cuddly, sleepy Sasuke. Lots of curiosity about Rin as well. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Eight

"Foolish little brother, we need to talk." Itachi says and hour later as he drags Sasuke into one of the rooms at the tavern.

"Yes, we do. I won't have you lugging me around like a sack of potatoes!" Sasuke growls at him.

Itachi just shrugs. He sets his brother down. The elder Uchiha eyes him curiously. He wondered how serious he was about Naruto. The blonde made it sound as thought they were already lovers.

Normally, he wouldn't get involved with his brother's love life. His brother was a grown man and could make his own decisions. However, this was a special case. Naruto was a Captain of his own ship and that certainly complicated matters.

"Yes, well I do apologize for that. It seems you prefer it when Naruto manhandles you." Itachi observes.

"He doesn't manhandle me." Sasuke snaps at his older brother in annoyance.

"There's no shame in it. If you prefer to have him be the more…aggressive lover, that doesn't mean anything to me. It doesn't make you any lesser of a man. Personally, I believe that variety in sexual positions makes ones love life far more interesting. It gets incredibly dull if you are forever mounting each other in the same position." Itachi explains to his completely mortified sibling.

Sasuke blinks. That was more than he ever wanted to know about the elder Uchiha's sex life. The mental images were going to torment him for life!

"Itachi, I'm going to pretend that I did not hear you make such comments about your sexual preferences. In the future, I beg of you not to discuss anything like that again with me. I love you, but I don't need to know whether you prefer someone to sheathe their sword inside of you or to do the sheathing yourself!" Sasuke grumbles in disgust as he tries to dispel the rather disturbing images that his mind was now conjuring up.

The Captain of the Sharingan chuckles. There were few things more delightful than embarrassing his younger brother. Still this was serious business and he had to remind himself of that.

"Noted. I do naught know what happened between you and Captain Uzumaki while you were sailing together, but he seems rather enamored with you. Be careful, Sasuke. He is a Captain." Itachi warns him.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me? You're a Captain. So what?" Sasuke demands.

"Captains are used to getting their way. They do not take being questioned well or being denied what they want lightly. I'm your brother, so I go easier on you than most other Captains would. Your…cheek could get you into trouble." His brother elaborates.

Sasuke blinks. He couldn't' believe it. Itachi was basically warning him that Naruto might be too possessive and aggressive for him. That was frankly insulting.

"I don't care what his rank is. Our relationship is new. I don't know if anything will really become of it. That doesn't matter though. I am perfectly capable of handling myself and if he wants me, he can learn to deal with my cheek!" The younger Uchiha practically seethes.

"I know you are normally, but Naruto isn't some random sailor or pirate that you met at a tavern. He's a formidable Captain in his own right and can be dangerous, when he wants to be." Itachi continues.

Sasuke twitches. He knew that Itachi was just worried about him. Still he couldn't deny it irked him. It irked him to know that his brother still viewed him as some kid that needed protection!

"You are a hypocrite! Gaara is also a Captain. You two have made it rather obvious that you are lovers or heading in that direction. What do you have to say about that?! Why is my being with Naruto, ANY different?!" Sasuke demands.

"Gaara is a Captain. That's true. But it's different for me than it is for you. Naruto is clearly the more aggressive between the two of you." Itachi says.

Itachi sighs. He had handled this situation poorly. Instead of Sasuke considering his warning, his brother's pride was wounded. He was bristling like a cornered ally cat. Damn it.

"Just please be careful. I have no wish to fight with you. I only say this because I worry for you. You are the only brother I have. It's my job to look out for you. I don't exactly have another brother I care replace you with, if you fall overboard or something." Itachi teases him.

Sasuke takes a deep breath and tries to calm down. He knew that Itachi was worried about him. It wasn't necessary, but it was touching that Itachi cared so much.

"I know. Don't worry about me. I can handle myself." Sasuke assures him.

Meanwhile the ladies of the Sharingan, Suna, and Konoha were working on cleaning up the tavern and pouring themselves all hearty rounds of drinks. The men had mostly gone up to their room and they were going to take advantage of this situation.

"It's not fair. All the handsome men prefer…men." Karin says with a dramatic sigh.

"I've seen Sasuke take women into his cabin on occasion. He likes both. I don't know about Itachi though." Konan muses as she pours herself some ale.

Tenten sweeps up some of the glass. Most of their crew had strong boots, but it was better safe than sorry. The brunette listens to the conversation of the other women and nods.

"Aye, but you might as well forget about it. I saw the way that Naruto had his arm around Sasuke. You aren't going to get anywhere Sakura, unless they decide to add a third lover to their trysts." Tenten says.

Sakura feels her face heat up slightly. Was she that obvious? Well maybe she had stared just a little too long sometimes. But hopefully, the First Mate hadn't noticed.

"I was just looking. That's not a crime!" She protests.

"I suppose Itachi is off limits as well." Ino mutters, mourning this fact.

The handsome Captain seemed to only have eyes for the red head now. That was unfortunate. Itachi had really dreamy eyes, in Ino's mind.

"Oh the lot of you are pathetic. Pining away over men that you'll never have. Are you pirates or pampered maidens?" Konan mutters in disgust and Rin nods approvingly at this assessment.

Temari shakes her head in amusement. One of the captains was her brother. So she had no interest in Gaara. Itachi and Sasuke were too aggressive for her liking. She preferred her lover, Shikamaru. He was a man who would never bicker with her. He saved his energy for the important things, mostly sex!

"You'll have to forgive them. They are still young. Eventually, they'll outgrow the pinning phase." Temari notes with a giggle.

"You are only th-ree years older than us." Hinata points out and the feisty blonde woman shrugs.

"Three years can be a lifetime in some cases. Don't fret on it, Hinata. I know that you were fond of Captain Uzumaki. Karin did say that Sasuke takes women to his bed sometimes. Perhaps they'll invite you to their bed." The pirate woman says.

Hinata's face blushes redder than the finest wine. She quickly turns her head to try to hide her embarrassment. Tenten pats her on the back comfortingly.

"I would be more worried about finding Kurama's treasure than worrying about who is warming whose bed." Rin mutters.

"Aye! Finally, someone who is practical." Konan says merrily.

"Did Konan just smile?" Karin whispers to Ino and the blonde nods dumbly.

That was a first. Konan was by far the most somber of all the female pirates. She didn't talk much and when she did it was normally to give an order. To see her smile was almost shocking.

"I heard that. I am not deaf!" Konan growls at Karin.

The red headed woman wisely takes a few steps back. Konan was not a woman that she had any desire to tangle with. Karin had joined the Akatsuki thanks mostly to her excellent skills with medicine. She wasn't a natural fighter and Konan was.

"So what's your real story?" Temari asks Rin.

"I'm an assassin. Have been for years. When I was a child, I was kidnapped. In those days, there was a big slave market for children. I managed to prove my worth and not become a slave. Eventually, I ended up an assassin. The money is good and killing is really my only skill set. My hands are soaked in far too much blood to do anything else." She says with a shrug.

Temari nods. She knew what that was like. She and her brothers had ended up on Kisame's ship when they were quite young. By the time they were adults and no longer frightened of Kisame, she couldn't imagine living any other life.

What could she do really? She had money of course. But if she tried to find a suitable husband and become a respectable woman, they would want to know where she got all that money. Who was going to marry a pirate? So she had stayed.

Eventually, she had met Shikamaru. He was a member on Naruto's crew. They had fallen in love and the rest was history. She couldn't imagine not being a pirate anymore or not having Shikamaru in her life now.

"Child slaves? That's horrible." Hinata exclaims and Rin nods in agreement.

Quite honestly, Rin was relieved not to be pinned to the wall. It looked like she might very well live to see another sunrise. Not that long ago, she had half expected to be dead long before that. These women were strange and like her in a way. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Elsewhere in the tavern, Gaara was helping Naruto find a room. He had seen Itachi drag off Sasuke. The red head assumed the brothers would be awhile.

"So tell me what is going on between you and Sasuke?" He asks rather bluntly.

Gaara had never been a man that liked to beat around the bush. He didn't see that changing anytime soon. Besides, Naruto admired a more direct form of communication anyway.

"He drives me crazy. Half the time I want to strangle him and half the time I want ravish him so thoroughly, that he won't be able to leave the bed. The man can really kiss, Gaara. One minute he's a snarling lion and the next he's as content as the kitten. Keeps me on my toes, I guess. He's mine now though." Naruto says.

"Uh huh. Well that's very…passionate. I'm not entirely certain it's a healthy relationship dynamic, but I am happy that you are happy. As for me and Itachi, our relationship is decided less traumatic. I think that man could talk me into almost anything really." He admits.

Naruto beams. He slaps Gaara on the back for that one. He was really happy for his friend. He knew how long the red head had been in love with the older pirate.

"That's great news! Well we've given them awhile to discuss whatever they want to discuss, shall we go claim our diamond and pearl?" Naruto asks happily.

"Which one is which and why?" Gaara inquires in amusement at the blonde's nicknames for their almost lovers.

"Well Sasuke is obviously the pearl. He's got himself locked in an oyster, you see. You have to know how to open it to get to him! That and his skin is just as luminous as any pearl I've ever seen!" Naruto exclaims.

Gaara raises an eyebrow. The blonde had put a disturbing amount of thought into this. He was almost afraid to ask, but gestures for him to continue.

"And why is Itachi a diamond?" He questions his friend.

"Well you know he's values luxury and he's very sophisticated! Plus his sword is just as shiny as any diamond. Diamonds can cut through anything. Just like Itachi can with his sword." The blonde says and nods his head proudly.

"I suppose that makes sense. You have really given this matter a great deal of thought. Well then, let's go get our diamond and pearl." He states and follows Naruto down the hallway to find the brothers.

A few minutes later, they knock on the door. Itachi answers it. He seems surprised, but moves aside for the other Captains to enter.

"This is a pretty nice room." Naruto comments brightly.

"Yes, the Isle of Lust is quite profitable. I suppose Jirayia didn't spare any expense when it came to the comfort of his guests." The elder Uchiha replies.

Gaara nods. He smiles and walks over to Itachi. The red head apparently was not bashful about his relationship with the other Captain. He wraps his arms around Itachi's neck and stands on his tip toes to place a quick kiss upon his lips.

Naruto strides over to Sasuke. He wraps his arms around the other man's waist. The blonde decides the direct approach would likely be best. He doubted Sasuke really cared about flowery nonsense anyway.

"I was wondering if I would be carrying me favorite treasure back to my quarters tonight?" He asks.

"You are really bound and determined to refer to me as your treasure, aren't you?" Sasuke asks and Naruto nods enthusiastically.

"I suppose that I might be persuaded to stay the night with you. It looks like Gaara and Itachi will be wanting their privacy." Sasuke says with a shrug as he allows the blonde to lead him off.

Itachi shakes his head in amusement. Well it looked like Sasuke was going to pursue Naruto anyway. Well perhaps he should say Naruto was going to pursue Sasuke. Either way, he couldn't exactly forbid his younger brother from doing so. Besides, he had a gorgeous red head in room and they were on the Isle of Lust.

"Now about that blindfold." He says with a sly smile and Gaara just shakes his head as he kisses Itachi again as the other couple head towards their room.

Naruto smiles and shuts the door behind him and Sasuke. In a flash, he instantly shoved Sasuke onto the bed. The darker haired pirate was now laying on his stomach.

"You know, I am going to kick your arse if you keep pushing and shoving me everywhere." Sasuke warns him.

"I'd love to see you try. You are more bark than bite when it comes to us. We are finally alone and we are on the Isle of Lust. I want to take advantage of it. Hopefully, Suigetsu doesn't walk in on us again. This time I locked the door." Naruto says.

"Wait what about Suigetsu?" Sasuke demands.

"Nevermind, treasure. It doesn't matter." The blonde says as he slides off Sasuke's shirt.

The blonde couldn't help but lick his lips at the sight. His ivory pale skin and sleek muscles were on full display. That's when he noticed the long silver scar that ran down along the length of his spine.

"Sasuke, your back. What happened? That should have killed you." Naruto says in a startled voice.

"Orochimaru's hook happened. He was feeling rather displeased with me one day and wanted to make an example of me. He knew exactly how far in her could press that hook before it would break me. Itachi and I made him pay later though. I'm glad the bastard is dead. Do you not want me anymore because I have a scar?" He asks.

"What? No! That's not it at all. I'm just worried about you. It's a rare pirate that doesn't have a scar. It's just most aren't as…long as yours." He says.

"If you're that worried about it, you can kiss it better." Sasuke replies.

"Gladly." Naruto replies and lightly ghosts his lips along the silvery scar.

Unbeknownst to the couples, Kakashi's ship had finally arrived at Triangle of Death. The silver haired man quickly steers his ship to the Isle of Lust. With any luck, they'd be on the Isle of Lust by dawn.

"Do you really think that they are here?" Guy asks.

"I don't know. But Obito has always been rather good at finding people. It's a bit disturbing really. If he thinks they might be here, there's a good chance that the brothers are. Besides, even if they aren't…there is no reason the crew can't have some fun before we leave." His friend replies.

Guy smiles. That was a very good point. He knew that most of the crew was rather curious about the place. Most of them were from very prim and proper backgrounds and had only heard about it through rumors. Nobles were a funny lot.

"That's true. ALRIGHT MEN! We'll be there by dawn's early light. So be ready. We don't know if the Sharingan crew will be there or not. But if they are, be on guard. These are not amateurs!" Guy calls out.

"YES, SIR!" The rest of the men cry out in a chorus.

Kakashi shakes his head in amusement. Well if nothing else, noblemen were very obedient. Their entire lives were based on hierarchy. It was almost depressing really. They were little more than well trained dogs.

"They are a good crew." Guy observes.

"A boring crew, you mean. Still I can't fault their work and that's what matters. I do hope the Sharingan is there. Then we can defeat them quickly. I would rather not keep the Queen waiting." He states.

Guy nods in agreement. He knew damn well why Kakashi didn't want to keep Mei waiting. He wasn't dumb enough to say so again. Not after what happened last time he broached the topic.

Soon enough they reached the Isle of Lust, just as the Sun was beginning to rise. Kakashi looks around. He noted there were two large pirate ships. One of them was the Sharingan. So the rumors were true. Itachi really had decided to pursue Kurama's treasure with Naruto's assistance.

"That's not good news. We will be vastly outnumbered." Guy says.

"True, but we are also likely better armed. That and we have the element of surprise on our side. They don't know that we are coming. They will all either be asleep or just waking up now. ATTACK MEN!" Kakashi cries out as the ship docks.

The crew didn't need to be told twice. They knew their mission. They were to capture Itachi and Sasuke, dead or alive. The pampered nobles quickly race off the ship and rush towards the tavern.

"This is going to be a bloodbath, one way or another." Guy muses.

"I know. Are you up for a challenge?" The silver haired man asks his best friend.

"Oh you know me. I love a good challenge. THE POWER OF YOUTH IS WITH US!" He says and dashes off after the men.

Kakashi smacks his forehead. Truly, Guy was a wonderful friend and a fine pirate. Sometimes though, he could be rather eccentric to put it mildly. Kakashi would never understand his obsession about youth.

The masked pirate decides it didn't matter. He follows his friend and crew into the tavern. One way or another they would find out who were the better pirates. Him and Guy or the Uchiha brothers.

"Oh hello there!" One of the Englishmen calls out when he sees the women were still sitting at the tables and having breakfast.

"Who are you?" Temari asks.

The man was dressed far too fine to be a common sailor or pirate. That's when she noticed he was heavily armed and he brought friends. Instinct told her this wouldn't end well.

"Why I am Asuma of the English Royal Fleet. Who might you ladies be?" He asks.

"If you don't turn right back around, we might be the ones who kill you." Rin informs him.

That's when all Hell broke loose. The men didn't take too kindly to that threat. They rushed at the women and soon the sounds of swords clashing could be heard.

"Female pirates, have you ever heard of such a thing, Kakashi?" Guy asks as he blocks Tenten's attack.

"Well there is Tsunade. She is one of the legendary Sannin and owns the Isle of Liquor. So yes, but I didn't think I'd ever see so many at once." He muses as he clashes with a blue haired woman.

"Well that's true! Damn they are a feisty lot!" Guy exclaims as he battles Tenten.

By the time, some of the other pirates were coming down the stairs to see what all the commotion was about. Sasuke blinks. Those uniforms said that the men were members of the English Fleet. What the Hell were they doing on the Isle of Lust?!

"Well it looks like they've come to try to arrest or kill us for killing that Captain." Itachi muses.

"I'd like to see them fucking try!" Hidan yells as he jumps into the fray and the Uchiha brothers just shake their heads at their friend's enthusiasm.

Naruto and Gaara blink. Itachi's crew was rather eccentric to put it mildly. Still they shrug their shoulders and charge into battle. They greatly outnumbered the Englishmen. Surely, they would emerge victorious!

"Die, you English Dog!" Rin cries out as she swings her sword at the masked man.

Kakashi's eyes widen in recognition. It couldn't be. The woman attacking him couldn't possibly be Rin, could it? After all this time? That was impossible!

"Rin?" He asks.

"How do you know my name, you mangy cur?!" She demands as she swings her sword at him harder and faster.

"Rin, put your sword down. Let's go somewhere that we can talk." He says.

"Talk? What kind of fool do you take me for?! You English dogs have attacked us for no good reason. I won't willingly go off with you to have my throat slit. I am not a fool!" She growls at him and lunges.

Damn it! He was certain that the woman standing before him was actually Rin. But he couldn't tell her who he was in public. That would give away his true identity. He needed to get her along, but first he had to dodge her sword.

Where had Rin learned to wield a blade like this? She was no amateur. That level of skill spoke of years of training. Why did could she match him when it came to swordsmanship?

"Rin, stop it! Remember Obito! We all used to be the closest of friends!" Kakashi says as he blocks her next blow.

Her eyes widen. It couldn't be. Was that Kakashi? His hair was silver and he was young for a man to have a head full of gray hair, maybe it was. How else would he know her name and Obito.

"Kakashi?" She whispers.