"I don't care what you do, just get her back" Lord Haruno growled as he watched as his daughter got further and further away from him.
"And how, pray-tell, do you expect me to accomplish that?" Sasuke asked, staring at the earl as if the man had gone completely insane.
"I don't care! I want her back, and don't you forget that you both have a wedding in a few months time." Lord Haruno was to busy glaring at the pirates retreating for to catch the disgusted flinch Sasuke tried to conceal
"If you do not mind Sasuke but I cannot allow you to go alone. I will accompany you" Sasuke smirked and turned to his old tutor, and long time friend Iruka.
"I shall also! There is no chance that I will let such a thing happen when I have some power to stop it. Please Lord Uchiha, may I accompany you also?" Sasuke was about to verbally express how he really felt about that idea to the loud youth when Lord Haruno intervened
"Why Lee, that would be perfect, you shall go with Mr. Uchiha and Mr. Umino" he turned his angered face upon the last Uchiha "Will that suffice?"
"Yes, milord." Sasuke bowed low to the ground before he turned abruptly on his heel and walked away.
When Sasuke felt there was enough distance between himself and his fiancés father, he let a small amount of emotions grace his usually stoic features, and of what his two comrades could see, the Uchiha was very unhappy.
"Sasuke, please do no be angered with the Earl, he is but only worried of the wellbeing of his only daughter."
Sasuke scoffed at his old teachers' naïveté and kept on walking. "May I not be angered Iruka? He is making us go on a wild-goose chase for a woman who – in my opinion – can rot on that godforsaken pirate ship. And when or if, said vessel comes back, re-telling the Earl about his daughters…unfortunate accident, I will personally congratulate the lucky bastard who got the pleasure of ridding the world of another useless woman." Sasuke fumed, eyes black as night, daring anyone to look at him and say something.
"Not to be rude My Lord, but you have no right saying something so…so horrible about Sa-Lady Haruno" Lee stuttered, but it had not gone unnoticed by the last Uchiha. Sasuke quickly turned around and faced the big eyed, bushy-browed boy in smirked.
"And who says I have no right? What was it, Lee?" Sasuke sneered, staring the boy in the eyes. But to Sasuke's surprise, the boy hardly cowered, gulped only twice, and continued to stare the last standing Uchiha in the eye.
"I-I do My Lord. Y-You may not love Lady Haruno, but you also probably do not know her much. She is a wonderful person, beautiful, kind, her laugh is like a spring breeze" Lee trailed off, getting a faraway look in his eye, and once he stopped stuttering Sasuke could not but help gain a little respect for the boy in front of him. He stole a glance towards his old teacher, and when he saw the small smile on the mans face, he knew his suspicions were correct.
"So her ill temper, odd strength, and that odor emanating from her body do not repel you Lee?" Sasuke asked, looking at the boy with mild curiosity and humor
"Lady Sakura's, as you call it 'ill temper' shows that my-ahem, that Lady Sakura must be treated properly and cared for delicately, like a cherry blossom in full bloom. Her strength is a wonderful gift. All the women in this town, this country, are nothing more than annoyances who think that a man has to be the hero. Men need to be protected, no matter what anyone else says My Lord, and her odor?! Odor…that is not the word to describe the tantalizing sent coming from her perfect pink hair, her…ahem. Well, you see the picture" Lee said, his face growing hot after realizing the confession he just made in front of his 'cherry blossoms' fiancé
"Well, it sounds much more than a mere crush from a simple coach driver, it sounds a lot like you're in love with the girl" Sasuke stated, daring Lee to tell him otherwise.
"I-oh…well…so it seems My Lord." Lee closed his eyes and bent his head, obviously expecting the worst, but when he heard a small, almost inaudible chuckle coming from the man in front of him, he was completely bewildered.
"Oh Lee, I am no where near in love with Lady Sakura. You just gave me the best gift of all. I give you my permission to ask the girls hand in marriage, sure she will not agree right off but with time the girl will realize what a, special, kind of man you are and will accept whole heartedly. As for the Earl, I will take care of him." Sasuke said, a small smile gracing his already handsome features. As for Lee, he looked right about to faint.
"Alright Sasuke, don't give the boy a heart attack. We have yet to rescue the girl haven't we? I suggest we get on that." Iruka said, slapping each man on his back for them to get moving.
"Her breathing is regular, Kyuubi. I doubt that she was badly hurt, a slight concussion maybe. Who is she?" The man who spoke was tall, nearly as broad and imposing as Kyuubi, with flaming red hair and teal green eyes. He was dressed in the clothes of a pirate of baggy pants and blouse with a dark red sash across his slim waist. His clothes were surprising clean for a pirate and his fingers gentle as he carefully probed the purpling bruise marring Sakura's temple.
Kyuubi's sky-blue gaze slid over the reclining form stretched out enticingly on his bed, and he seemed to forget the rough looking man from the shore, if just for a moment. "She's Lady Haruno Sakura, daughter of the Earl of Fire Country." He had to wince slightly, watching his friend touch the dark bruise atop the woman's head, seems like the chit had a stroke of stupidity and felt like throwing herself over the rowing boat, but before she could even get her arms in the water, Kyuubi caught her, but not without having her bump her head on the side of the small boat.
"You aim high, my friend. What are you going to do with her? The men won't be too pleased with having a woman aboard the Nine Tails."
"The lady serves a purpose, Gaara," Kyuubi informed his lieutenant and second in command.
Gaara of the Sand was the only man who knew Kyuubi's secret. He acted as doctor and treated the sick and wounded on the Nine Tails when the need arose. He had become a fugitive after his family was killed and the people of the village blamed him. He ran away from his home village and stayed alive smuggling near Wave Country's coast, and joined Naruto's crew while helping unload contraband from Nine Tails. From the moment the two men met they became fast friends.
"But for Lady Sakura, we would not have made it back to the ship," Kyuubi continued. "The Lady's father was instrumental in keeping the dragoons from firing at us. Her being at the hanging was a stroke of good fortune. Already we are past the shore patrol an out of danger. Your plan to create a diversion at the hanging was absolute genius, Gaara." Kyuubi grinned, slapping his friend on the back.
"The lass is a real beauty," Gaara said slowly, "so young and innocent. You won't hurt her, will you? I won't allow it."
"Relax, Gaara, Lady Sakura will be set ashore on Wave Country Coast and our friend Haku will see her home safely" Kyuubi assured him "I promised her father she'd not be harmed and I mean to keep my word. You're sure she's alright? She seems to be sleeping deeply.
"Aye, she'll be fine." Gaara said, relief coloring his words. If Naruto meant to harm the girl, Gaara was ready to fight his captain. Though Kyuubi wielded more authority than most pirate captains, every man aboard had a say in ship rules and disposal of booty. And the girl was definitely booty. "Let Lady Sakura sleep, it's the best for her right now."
"Aye." Kyuubi agreed. "You go on; I've a few things to attend here before I join you. Fix a course for Valley of the End. We'll go in at dark and row the lady ashore."
After Gaara left the Captains quarters, Kyuubi lingered behind, his eyes returning time and again to the pink-haired beauty lying in his bed. She was somewhat taller then the average woman,: slender, fair, with jutting breasts, fine hips and shapely thighs. Naruto thought Sakura the most ravishing woman he ha ever seen. But the problem was just that. The most ravishing woman. He could not help but remember midnight locks, ink-colored eyes, pink lips and skin so pale it could give the moon a run for its money. Kyuubi shook his head of the thoughts and looked back at the woman in his bed.
Was she a virgin? Kyuubi wondered, his hands itching to test the smoothness of her flesh. Or had Sakura's fiancé already taken care of that detail? A surge of hatred jolted through Naruto at the thought of Sakura bedding the man she called 'Sasuke'. By the way she had said his name before they had gotten to the boat was impossible to detect. Sasuke was Sakura's fiancé, and Naruto didn't think he liked it.
Kyuubi went up to the deck scowling. After he had gone over the thought of Sakura and her fiancé he turned back to the woman in question, and she was soaking wet. Kyuubi could not help but feel bad, not only for hating the girl for no reason, but for also almost making her catch a cold, he went over to taker her stockings off. That had not gone well. The woman was a force to be reckoned with, one especially with a strong right-hook. He winced when he saw the lust filled looks his crew were sending his cabin. He had to get the girl off the ship. His crew was loyal only up to a point, and some couldn't be trusted out of his sight. Over the years he had hand-picked his crew until he felt reasonably certain his orders would be strictly adhered to. But Kyuubi was no fool. Lady Sakura was too beautiful too enticing to be exposed to his crew for any length of time. Besides, women on board were considered bad luck and he had no intention in breaking tradition.
"The course is set, Naru, we should reach our destination day after tomorrow."
Naruto pouted. "How many times have I told you not to call me Naru within hearing distance of the crew, Gaara?"
"No one's around, Naruto," Gaara gestured, "Besides, your name means nothing to them. You've been Kyuubi too long now to make any difference"
"I supposed you're right" Kyuubi allowed, wondering if there was anyone on earth who really cared who or what he was. "Just the same, except in the privacy of my cabin, I prefer you call my Kyuubi."
"What about the lass?" Gaara asked, swiftly changing the subject.
"She's fine. She woke up shortly before I left the cabin."
"I hope you didn't scare the lass to badly – or hurt her," Gaara added sharply. "The poor thing has probably led a sheltered life and is unprepared to deal with the likes of you. Your ugly bearded face would frighten even the hardiest of souls"
Kyuubi tilted his head back and laughed richly. "The poor lass was growling furiously when I left the cabin. She displayed neither fear nor awe of my ferocious features. Believe it or not Gaara, I didn't touch her, let alone hurt her. Quite the opposite really." Kyuubi shrugged, rubbing his bearded chin, and masking a wince that Gaara did not miss.
Just then Shikamaru approached on silent feet. A wide smile split his fierce features of that into one who looked carefree as his dark-brown eyes raked Kyuubi from head to toe. Crossing his arms across his broad chest and wagging his eyebrows, he said "You look no worse for your stay in Fire. Mayhap the beard is a little more unruly than normal."
"I'm rather fond of the beard," Kyuubi replied, stroking his luxurious growth with long, supple fingers. "It suits me."
"Wear it in good health, my friend," Shikamaru grinned "and thank God you've still a neck to support it."
"I've you and Gaara to thank for that," Kyuubi replied, turning serious "I must admit that I was getting kind of nervous standing on the gibbet with a rope around my neck."
"We provided the distraction, but you're the one who got us all safely away," Shikamaru pointed out "Some of the men are thinking about the girl. They think you should share her."
"The girl stays with me," Kyuubi said, his featured hardening. "She'll be set ashore at Valley of the End. Spread the word that I'll defend my right to keep her for myself."
Shikamaru nodded but said nothing. He was a genius after all, he knew that Kyuubi would not back down, and he would not go after the girl.
"A bit possessive of the girl, aren't you Kyuubi?" Gaara questioned, looking somewhat puzzled. "What's so special about her?"
"Dammit, Gaara, you know I've never willingly turned over women captives to the crew unless they were whores to begin with and willing. Nor have I ever resorted to rape."
"What about all those lasses who shared your bed before they were set free or ransomed?" And let's not forget the men, he added silently.
Flashing a roguish grin, Kyuubi said, "I've forgotten nothing. I have a reputation to maintain and the women are willing. But Lady Sakura is – I don't know – perhaps she reminds me of another life." Not even Gaara knew of Kyuubi's actual thoughts, at least not just yet. He wanted to keep the raven to himself for a little while loner.
"It's still not too late to return to that life."
"There's a hefty price on Kyuubi's head. No country would welcome me, including Konoah."
Shikamaru stood silently by, listening. He waited for the conversation to lag before speaking.
"We're in for a blow, Kyuubi," he eyed the lowering sky with misgiving. The day that had started dismal and rainy now looked threatening as the rising wind whistled through the sails.
"So much the better," Kyuubi returned, pleased with the things working out. "The navy won't be so anxious to give chase with a storm coming. It will give ample time to put Lady Sakura ashore. Haku, our contact in Wave, will see that she reaches Fire Country safely. Warn the crew Gaara, and see that the ship is prepared to ride out the storm. I'll be in my cabin if you need me."
The two men watched as Kyuubi turned and retraced his steps to his quarters.
Of course, Sakura searched Kyuubi's cabin, carefully examining the contents of every drawer in the map-strewn desk. The only thing she found that remotely resembled a weapon was a dull letter-opener, and that would not be one to frighten a man like Kyuubi. Then her eyes fell on the sea chest across the room. Scrambling to her knees, she began rummaging through its contents, finding an assortment of clothes, maps and random objects. She was on the verge of giving up in despair when her fingers found what they were looking for at the very bottom. Her hands closed around steel as she pulled out a small-caliber pistol from the chest.
Sakura noticed that the gun wasn't loaded, so she returned to the chest and check for ammunition. To her delight she found bullets. Carefully following the process taught to her by her father, Sakura prepared the pistol for firing. Then she closed the lid of the chest, slid the pistol in her pocket and sat on the bed to wait.
A small grimace lingered on Kyubi's lips as he paused outside his cabin, thinking about the girl inside. She was feisty, keen-witted, and had a tongue as sharp as a knife. But yet, Kyuubi could not give the girl a second thought. This disturbed him greatly as he turned the handle on his cabin door and opened it to see the woman sitting on his bed.
Sakura sat on the bed, her eyes watchful as Kyuubi approached. "I've ordered some food," he said, his eyes roaming over her trim form, yet sadly feeling nothing. "It won't be what you're accustomed to, but nourishing nevertheless"
"I'm not hungry" Sakura responded warily
"Then you can watch me eat, I'm famished. Prison fare leaves much to be desired." He sat on the only chair in the room, stretching his long-muscled legs out before him. A tense silence ensued.
Sakura grew restive under Kyuubi's intense scrutiny and wished he would say something – anything. She felt more secure with verbal fencing than have him stare at her. She squirmed like a mouse caught in a trap and felt her pocket for the comfortable weight of the pistol. The tray of food that arrived a short time later was a welcome relief and Sakura relaxed somewhat as Kyuubi turned his attention from her to the food.
"Are you sure you won't join me?" Kyuubi asked, popping a slice of salted beef in his mouth.
"Nay" Sakura sniffed haughtily, turning up her nose.
"Suit yourself. But I'd think you'd want to fortify yourself for – later"
"Later?" squeaked Sakura in dismay "Wha - what do you mean? You said I wouldn't be harmed"
"I have no intention of harming you" Kyuubi grinned, his crystal eyes gleaming with mischief.
Kyuubi knew that he shouldn't bait Sakura so relentlessly, but he had to get back at her for the hit to his jaw earlier that day, and what better to do than make her think he wanted her, he thought, finishing his meal. He shoved the tray aside and sat back, thoroughly enjoying himself. It wasn't often he found himself associating with woman in the upper class. Not that he lacked female companionship. On the contrary, woman came easily to him, as did men. Women like Ino flocked him like bees to honey. He could have her and those like her whenever he wanted. But in this case, he just didn't want her.
"You – still intend to let me go, don't you?" Sakura asked, her bravado slowly slipping away. Only the solid weight of the pistol against her thigh kept her from panic.
Kyuubi nodded slowly, a lazy smile hanging on the corner of his mouth. "A friend in Wave will see you safely to Konoah. But that still leaves us with two long nights in which to become better acquainted," he said with a sly innocence. "I'd like to know ever inch of you intimately." He expressed, a smirk lingering on his lips but a feeling of dread washing over him.
"I know everything about you that I care to know." Sakura responded, his erotic words sending shivers up her spine and a bad taste in her mouth.
Undeniably Kyuubi was a handsome man, for a Demon, beard and all. He was a dark man; his powerful well-muscled body moved with easy grace. He looked tough, lean and sinewy. A humorous mouth set in a rugged, sever yet attractive face was strangely at odds with his profession. Sakura doubted there was another man, besides her fiancé, to compare with him and wished she were somewhere else – anywhere, but in his intimidating company.
Kyuubi uncoiled his lean length from the chair and approached Sakura with lazy grace. He wanted to make her feel as if all he craved was for her, that all he thought about was ravishing her which at this point seemed highly unlikely, which was perfectly fine with the pirate. He sat down beside her and she immediately leaped off the bed, pressing herself against the wall.
"Don't touch me!"
"You're beautiful, my lady" a fact that was highly true.
"And you're a demon"
"Aye, a demon who'd trade his soul to welcome heaven in your arms."
"You're mad!" Sakura blasted, the determined look in Kyuubi's eyes fueling her fear. She had hoped to be spared the need to defend her honor, but Kyuubi was pressing her too hastily. She was left with no other choice.
Kyuubi's crystal eyes sparkled mischievously. He couldn't remember when he had taken such delight in a woman. He knew he was treading in dangerous waters, but he couldn't resist. He admired Sakura's spirit and thought her remarkably brave for one unaccustomed to the reality of life. He thought to steal another kiss, maybe this time there would be something, and hopefully it must rid him of the thoughts plaguing his mind about a certain raven. He was suddenly brought up short when the sudden appearance of a pistol made its way to Sakura's shaking hand, pointed at his heart.
"I told you not to come near me" her voice was slightly breathless, despite her best efforts to be calm.
"I highly doubt you could ever kill a man, Sakura." Kyuubi challenged, advancing slowly. Perhaps his playing had really gone too far. "Besides, the gun isn't loaded. I recognize it as one I keep stored in my sea chest."
"I loaded it," Sakura gloated. "Do you think me stupid?"
"Nay, far from stupid my lady. Now give over the gun before you hurt yourself. You have my word you won't be harmed. You'll be set ashore just as promised, in the same condition In which you arrived."
Sakura eyed Kyuubi curiously "I don't trust you."
"Give me the gun, Sakura," Kyuubi said "before someone gets hurt." He stretched out his hand, palm up.
"Nay." Sakura's chin tilted at a stubborn angle, warning Kyuubi that his words had fallen on deaf ears.
The Kyuubi made a move that nearly proved fatal. He lunged forward to seize the weapon from Sakura's shaking hand. His strong fingers clamping around her frail wrist, causing an involuntary reaction in the finger poised against the trigger. Whether Sakura would have pulled the trigger of her own accord meant nothing as the gun exploded in her hand. Kyuubi's eyes widened in shock and pain as he staggered backward, stumbled, then fell heavily slamming his head against the corner of the marble-topped desk. Sakura stared in stunned fascination at the red stain blossoming against Kyuubi's white shirt. He lay so still and white at her feet that she feared she really had killed him.
The door to the cabin flung open, admitting Shikamaru, followed closely by Gaara. Sakura recognized the man as the one who had cut Kyuubi from his death but did not recall Gaara, who had remained with the ship. Gaara's already pale skin went a shade lighter, stunned by the sight of Kyuubi lying still as death with Sakura standing over him holding the smoking pistol.
"Sweet mother Mary." Gaara whispered, shock rendering him motionless. "You've killed Kyuubi!"
A yell of rage exploded from Shikamaru's throat as he shouldered past Gaara to kneel at Kyuubi's side. His face was a mask of outrage and hatred as he swiveled to glare at Sakura.
"I – I didn't mean…" Sakura swallowed painfully, her sentence trailing off when she realized that nothing she could say would make any difference to Kyuubi's faithful crew. If he were dead, she fully expected to follow soon.
"Gaara, Kyuubi needs you," Shikamaru hissed out, jerking Gaara from his frozen stance.
Gaara hesitated but a moment, asking "What about the lass?"
"Leave her to me" Shikamaru returned, fixing Sakura with an even glare.
"Don't - " Gaara's words were left unsaid as his attention was captured by Kyuubi, who picked that moment to groan. Gaara dropped to his knees, Sakura all but forgotten.
But she was not forgotten but Shika, who seized her roughly and dragged her from the room, thrusting her into the arms of two burly pirates. "Throw her into the hold," Shikamaru ordered curtly. "If Kyuubi lives he can decide what's to be done with her. If he dies…"
There was no need for him to continue. Sakura held no illusions about her fate should Kyuubi die.
Sooo sorry it took so long to update!!
My parents are trying to download crap onto the computer, and it makes it waaaay slow.
Anyways, I hope you liked it. I'll try to get chapter.3 up soon!!
=D
Review if you want ^-^ Message if you have questions.