Author's note: Hmmm…I've been neglectful in writing this story. Not that I am suffering from a writer's block or anything…more like a lazy complex. Do forgive for that…

I did try to type faster but it only hurts my fingertips.

I wanna thank you for the people who read this fic, not necessarily to the one who reviewed. I actually took the time to reread everything form the first chapter, and I must say I winced a lot. Not only because of the mistakes…my structure and language kinda suck…but I did this to the best of my ability…during that age so….I guess I used to suck…a lot. (chuckles)

Disclaimer: You know the drill, I don't wanna bore you guys with this anymore.

Chapter 11

Through out the night the memories of those stolen hours weighed on Sasuke's mind. He wished he could confide in someone, but who? Kyu?

Sasuke shook his head. Kyu wouldn't even have the vaguest idea of what it meant to become an adult without going through a childhood phase I your own gender. But who else was there?

Sighing Sasuke got out of his room, going up onto the deck. It was an extremely misty night. Sasuke almost fell when he accidentally walked on a pail.

"Maybe going out is not such a good idea," he thought. "I doubt even the watchman can see through the mist. Heck! I can't even see 10 feet away.

A hand suddenly clapped onto his shoulder, almost making him jumped out of his skin.

"Gomen!" the ship's only other beautiful man apologised. "I didn't mean to scare you…again."

"Oh, it's you Haku-chan! I thought it was someone else."

"Can't sleep? Neither can I. I have this dreadful feeling that something is wrong."

Sasuke laughed. "What, you're a clairvoyant, now?"

Haku joined him. "Iie. But I have this feeling that we've been watched since supper. And my instincts are always right."

"Are you sure it wasn't something Naruto said this afternoon?" Sasuke smiled.

"Iie! T's not that," Haku flustered before tactfully changing the subject. "How about you, Sasuki-chan? Why can't you sleep?"

"Nothing!" Sasuke denied a little bit too quickly. "I was just…"

"It's alright. You don't have to explain. We have problems once in a while," HAku said in a hollow voice. "Sometimes even a lot."

Haku stared off into space, forgetting the fact that Sasuke was beside him.

"Ano! Haku-chan?" Sasuke began hesitantly., the question had nagged him quite frequently through out their journey.

"Hai?" Haku snapped out of his reverie.

"I was wondering…do you like Naruto?"

"Oh, it's about Naruto that you can't sleep?" Haku chuckled. "Iie, I don't like Naruto that way."

Sasuke asked another question that had bothered him. "Naruto has been trying to woo you lately. How come-how come you…?"

"Didn't give I to him?" Haku guessed mildly, his eyes shone with knowledge. "It's simply because I just don't feel 'that' way about him.

All this questions concerning Naruto, is it because you like him, Sasuki-chan?"

Sasuke felt the heat rising to his cheeks. "N-no! I didn't say that!"

"You don't have to. I could see in it your eyes. Kawaii!"

"H-have you ever love someone before?"

Sasuke wanted to kick himself as Haku froze.

Sasuke almost kicked himself as Haku stared back into the empty space, eyes pained.

"Gomen, I didn't mean to…"

"It's fine. Yes. I did love once…though sometimes I wish I hadn't…" Haku chuckled wistfully, " Who would've thought that being a ninja can be such a curse…with perfect memories, it's really hard trying to forget someone? Forgetting his voice…the way he walks…"

Tears glistened in Haku's eyes. Sasuke patted him over the shoulder.

"It's alright not to forget. Aniki…" Sasuke almost choked on the word, remembering his own brother. "Aniki said that memories are supposed to be cherish, no matter what happens. You just have to move on.

Even if it hurts, you can always reflect on the time you are with people you love, " he choked. "My Aniki…"

Sasuke felt Haku's comforting arm around him.

"Gomen, I didn't mean to bring up your brother…"

"Look at us, we're starting an apology contest." Sasuke swept the tears on his cheeks as he gave a short laugh. "Don't worry…I think it's time for me to move on. Talking about him will help me heal."

Haku chuckled. "It would seem so."

"Ne, Haku-chan. You'll probably be the second person I'll tell."

"Second to be told what?"

"That I can activate my Sharingan."

"Really? Can I see it?"

"Sure," And Sasuke sent chakura to his eyes, turning his black pools into crimson fire.

It was a good thing he did too, because he saw the kunai's sharp tip flying toward the beautiful man. Quick as snake, Sasuke got his own weapon and knocked the offending object away.

Then the attack began. Haku was instantly alert. His needles were flying in all direction. Screams echoed in the thick cloud of vapour.

"Naruto!!" Haku yelled with all his might. "Raids!"

Moments later, the deck became a battle field. Metals shrieked against metal bt everything was still shrouded by the mist.

Their backs against each other, Haku and Sasuke parried off their attackers.

"I should've seen this coming. It's a hide-in-the-mist jutsu." Haku wailed as the mist thickens.

"Don't blame yourself." Sasuke shouted over all the noise. "I think she should try to get back down below. At least we can actually see our attackers then."

Steadily, they worked their way to the stairs. Sasuke could see that Haku was a skilled fighter; gracefully parrying and blocking any weapons with ease. An attacker suddenly came from their right. Haku wouldn't have time to see the kunai striking down.

In a quicksilver motion, Sasuke intercepted the blow. He staggered back at the force.

"Sasuki?" Naruto's incredulous voice asked. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Sasuke's heartbeat race when he knew who it was, but quickly tried to control himself.

"Apparently, I'm saving Haku from being stabbed by you." Sasuke teased. "I know that the slap from this afternoon probably stings but this…?"

Naruto flustered. He was about to defend his case but was cut short by Haku.

"Much as like to hear you blabbing your excuse in stabbing me from behind, I think we have other important thing to do."

They returned to parrying the attacks that seemed to come from the mist itself.

"How in the blazing hell are we suppose to fight in this damn fog?" Naruto swore.

"I might be able to dispel the jutsu but I'll need a few seconds and some cover."

"You'll have both. Sasuki, get behind me!" Naruto brought his hands in a seal. "Kage Bushin no Jitsu!"

Before his eyes, he saw five Narutos appearing out of nowhere. The six Naruto formed a circle, covering both him and Haku.

Haku started a series of seals. Sasuke was left to stare in amazement not just because the beautiful ninja was performing the seals oin a very fast rate, he was also only using one hand.

"Hijutsu" Mist dispelling technique!"

Sasuke felt his body being drawn toward Haku. There was a moment of stillness before hurricane seemed to explode from Haku's petite body.

Fortunately, Sasuke had the wits to keep is body low enough and to continuously focus his chakura onto his feet. The same couldn't be said about Naruto as he went rolling on the ground, his replicas vanishing in puff of smokes.

Haku had done it. He managed to clear the mist. Everything was visible under the moonlight again.

"Pirates!" Sasuke rolled his eyes after identifying their attackers. "Why am I not even surprise?"

After the shock of the sudden clearness on both sides, the battle resumed with much ferocity.

"Ite!!"

Sasuke was jerked from his thoughts and found the blonde sitting his ass with both hands rubbing his head.

"Nanda yo kore!?"

"Tsumane! Naruto-san," Haku chuckled. "I forgot to mention about the breeze."

"Breeze?! It was a friggin' hurricane!" he shouted loudly, pointing wildly at Haku. "Teme! You did that on purpose!"

Sasuke couldn't help but giggled. How these people could still had time to act stupid in midst of battle was beyond him.

Upon hearing his voice, Naruto sobered quickly. He strode toward Sasuke parrying and attacking the enemies along the way. Sasuke couldn't help but take a step back when the blonde got nearer. His breath got stuck in his throat.

"What are you doing here? It's night time. Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I-I was…"The words refuse to go out of Sasuke's mouth.

Haku came to the rescue. "She was with me. I asked her to accompany me for a spell."

Naruto's brows narrowed; unconvinced.

"We'll talk about this later. Haku! Take Sasuki below. Go to Kyu's cabin and stay there. Watch over those two. Don't let anyone in until I come."

"No," Haku protested. "I'll help! I can help"

"Me too!" Sasuke joined.

"No! A battle is no place for a girl," Naruto growled.

"Well, I'm not a girl and yo know how strong I am so I'll stay," Haku stated.

"That's the very reason I need you down below, I need you to guard both of them."

"But-"

"Haku! You are the only I trust to safe guard them." Naruto entreated.

Sasuke felt insulted. The blonde idiot was talking about him as if he was weak. And did he just imply that he needed protection?

Haku stayed silent for a second before nodding. Without warning, he picked up Sasuke by the waist and swung him over his shoulder without any problem. Sasuke was momentarily stunned by the display of strength by Haku.

Then Sasuke started to trash about, his face red with embarrassment.

"Haku! What the hell?" he sputtered. "Put me down this instant."

"Sorry, Sasuki-chan; Captain's order."

The raven haired youth glared at Naruto. "This is your fault. Tell Haku to unhand me now." He demanded hotly. "I can fight, dammit! I'm not fragile and I certainly don't need any protection."

"I know that you are not weak," Naruto said hastily. "But I need you to accompany Kyu."

Sasuke was staring incredulously at the blonde. Who did he think he was talking to? A 10 year old?

"Send Haku then. I'm staying," said Sasuke, resolved. "Who's going to watch you rback?"

Naruto blinked then the rude man had the gall to laugh at him. "Is that it?"

"Is that what?" Sasuke's brows furrowed. "What the hell Is so god damn amusing?"

"My, my, Sasu-chan," Naruto drawled, emphasising on the last endearment. "I didn't know that you were so worried about me."

Confuse, Sasuke retraced backon what he said and consequently turned red.

"Don't worry about me, Sasu-chan. I'll be alright." Naruto assured the boy, kissing him on the forehead and sending the poor boy into a deeper shad eof red. "Take her down below."

Sasuke trashed again as Haku started to move. But it was futile; Haku was stronger than he looked. Sasuke was left flailing and cursing all the way.