A/N-Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter and pointed out that 'Get off her you bastard' is indeed 5 words…I made a typo, gomen. Geminia, Seyann, puppy444219, iamNOTafangirl3221, sakura li 19, Colliewolf3, and justiceDream. READ AND REVIEW!

Disclaimer-I don't own Naruto

Chapter 11

Gaara gripped Sakura tightly around the arms and sneered at Sasuke. "Get lost Uchiha. We're a little busy" However, while he said this, Sasuke could clearly see, in Sakura's green eyes… fear. This was, in no way consensual.

She was terrified of the man holding her and what he could do to her. In one glance, he saw that her shirt was torn and flapping open indecently. Gathering a mental picture of what Gaara had wanted to do, he felt his rage building.

"I said…" Sasuke grabbed a fistful of Gaara's shirtfront "get the hell off of her." His obsidian eyes clashed with Gaara's jade ones and Sasuke could see nothing but insanity reflected in those jade orbs. The red head wasn't going to let go. Therefore, Sasuke would be required to use 'persuasive' methods.

Therefore the First Officer's powerful fist collided with the Fourth Officer's face.

Gaara let go of Sakura and swore, putting a hand up to his bleeding nose. In one fluid movement, Sasuke slipped his arm around the pink haired girl's waist and drew her close. He could feel her shaking and, releasing her for a moment, pulled his coat off and drew it around Sakura, covering her up. "Are you okay? Did he…." Sakura shook her head and, forgetting her dispute with Sasuke, buried her face into his chest.

He lay a hand and glared at the recovering Gaara. "I swear. I will get you for this Uchiha." He said, rubbing extra blood away from his nose.

"What in the world is going on here?" demanded a shrill voice. The two men turned around and looked at Ino, who was on Shikamaru's elbow…and standing there, looking at the scene in shock. "What…" she started to ask again.

Instead, she was interrupted when Sasuke thrust Sakura in her direction. She pulled herself out of Shikamaru's grasp and caught the pink haired girl. "Sakura what happened?" "G-G-Gaara…." Sakura shook like mad. "He tried too…"

Ino's eyes widened with understanding as she watched Sasuke launch himself at Gaara once again. She looked first this way and then that for help, after nudging Shikamaru forward, her arm still around Sakura's shoulders.

Finally, at the end of the passageway she saw Chief Officer Kiba pass with Neji. Letting out an almighty yell, she caught their attention and, seeing the commotion, they came over to help separate Gaara and Sasuke, both of whom were sporting some serious cuts and bruises.

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"Oh Miss. Sakura!" Sakura smiled wanly at Fate's act as the woman stepped forward. An act…however the pink haired girl thought that Fae's concern was genuine.

Ino's arm was wrapped around Sakura's shoulders but it was replaced by Fates. "I've got to go back up to the Captain's quarters and report as to what I saw. I don't know if Kakashi will want to talk to her later but for right now, I think she should just lie down and have something hot to drink."

Sakura looked towards Ino. "Thank you Ino. Thanks for everything."

The blonde smiled at Sakura and nodded. "Anytime. Now I've got to go."

As soon as the door of her stateroom was closed, Fate sat Sakura down on the bed with Destiny sitting in front of her and said, "Okay. You're in Sasuke's coat, you're blouse is torn, Ino brought you back…and you're shaking. What happened?"

Sakura sighed and, as she began to change into a nightgown so she could get some rest, she told them the story.

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"So let me get this straight. Miss. Haruno was taking a turn on the deck with Gaara. Sasuke you followed them because you didn't trust him. When you followed them into the crew corridor, Gaara had vanished. You discovered their whereabouts when Sakura screamed. You opened the door and Gaara had already torn off her blouse. Is this correct?"

Sasuke nodded. Gaara just sat there, not saying a word. "Ino can you verify this?" The blonde nodded. "Shikamaru?"

The silver haired captain took his hat off, ran his fingers through his hair and shoved his hat back on.

"If we weren't so understaffed, Sabaku, I'd have you thrown in the brig and you wouldn't be able to move for the rest of the voyage. As it is, we really can't afford to lose you. Therefore, you will not be allowed to go anywhere near Miss. Haruno for the remainder of the voyage-the rest of the officers shall work to make sure that this is ensured. Also, when we reach New York, I will send a wire ahead so that you are arrested and tried for the assault of Miss. Haruno. Is that clear?" Kakashi said angrily to Gaara.

The redhead nodded sullenly.

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Later on that day, at around 3 PM, Sakura got up. She was still slightly in shock from what had happened, however, since she was hardy, she was dealing fine. Destiny helped her dress in the skirt she had been wearing that morning and a new blouse. Just in time too, because she as she finished dressing, a knock came at the door.

"It's Officer Uchiha miss." Fate turned back into the room and smiled broadly, winking at the pink haired girl.

Sakura narrowed her green eyes, surprising Fate. 'I' she mouthed at the girl. 'Am still mad at him about standing me up.' Then, from behind her, Destiny gave her a gentle shove, causing her to stumble towards the door. "Just hear what he has to say Sakura," said the blonde haired woman gently.

Sakura obeyed, dragging her feet towards the door. Fate stepped back as Sakura approached and left the two relatively alone.

"Officer Uchiha," she said in a relatively chilly voice.

Sasuke's coal black eyes narrowed slightly at hearing her refer to him by his title rather than his name as he had asked her the day before. "I came to make sure you were okay after what Gaara did to you. Obviously my concern was misplaced. Forgive me for disturbing you." He turned to leave.

A sudden stab of guilt assaulted Sakura. Here this guy was, trying to make sure she was okay after a very traumatic experience…and she was acting like a complete jerk to him.

"Wait, please." He turned back so that one coal eye was facing her. "Yes?" his cool deep voice cut the distance between them. "Forgive me, I…was acting like I shouldn't have. I should thank you, actually, for saving me."

A ghost of a smile came to the stoic boy's face. "Don't mention it Miss. Haruno." He turned again, leaving.

Sakura watched him as he walked down the hall. Seeing his back brought back a conversation she had had with him earlier.

Flashback

"So what do you want…Officer Sasuke?" she said in an icy voice. "Come to tell me about dinner last night? May I ask who joined you?"

From her perspective she could see that he was clearly puzzled. "I was in the Parisian café last night but…"

Then Gaara had interrupted them.

End Flashback

"Officer Sasuke wait!" Sakura slipped out of the stateroom and set out after the officer down the hall. The boy with black hair paused and waited for the girl to catch up with him. "What…." She panted, "Were you going to say before Gaara interrupted us earlier."

Sasuke arched a black eyebrow as he thought. "Oh. I was going to tell you that I was in the Parisian Café for two hours and you never showed up. And no one met up with me."

Sakura sighed. "I have a feeling that we were set up." The emerald-eyed girl dug into her little purse that she had shoved 'Sasuke's' letter that morning. "This isn't your writing is it." Sasuke looked at the letter and snorted. "No, that looks more like chicken scratch than like my writing."

"I think Gaara set us up." Sasuke sighed. "It wouldn't surprise me actually," he said, running his hand through his unruly black hair.

"I'm just glad you didn't write it. And I wanted to clear that up, thanks for humoring me…Sasuke." "Hn."

Sakura turned to go back to her stateroom, a smile on her face, glad that she had fixed it with him. Her hand was on the door of her stateroom, about to turn the knob…."Miss Haruno."

She turned back to him. "Yes Sasuke?" "Let's try it again tonight. Meet me in the Parisian Café for supper, at around 7." "Are you sure Gaara won't try something again?"

Sasuke smirked. "He's so tied up with rules and such now, he couldn't breathe near you or I without the captain knowing."

Sakura smiled. "Of course, then. I'll meet you in the Café then…" she turned the doorknob to let herself into the room. "And call me Sakura please."

A/N-Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter…:P Review!