Here it is lovely readers just as I promised (shocking for my record with updates hehe...)! Well shall we get on with it then? To the story!

Alone for one of the first times since she's been aboard -not including the times she was locked up- she enjoyed the silence. She could look out at the vast waters for hours and not get bored and frankly it was just refreshing for her to be away from Konoha. Reaching for the compass she once again played with it. Thinking hard about what she wanted most she waited for it to point in the right direction. Following the arrow she looked ahead contemplating what this meant. Either way she knew she would get what she wanted. Unfortunately her time was cut short as Naruto called up to her.

"Well Sakura how about I introduce you to the rest of the crew?" Naruto suggested already pulling her down and dragging her with him without waiting for an answer. The rest of the crew were all pretty much in the same area on deck, she noticed it wasn't a very big crew either, just enough to keep the ship afloat and running. Naruto cleared his throat to get their attention.

"Listen up mates! As you know this is Sakura." Naruto said pointing to her. Sakura smiled and waved feeling awkward. She hadn't wanted to get to know everyone, less chances to get attached if everyone remained nameless faces; Naruto obviously had other plans.

"Pleasure." She greeted nodding her head at the lot of them, each of them giving a greeting back.

"Alright I guess you already know who Kankuro and Temari are, so let's see…" Naruto began tapping his finger on his chin. "This is Hinata and her cousin Neji." He pointed to a girl with black/violet hair and light lavender pupil less eyes and a boy with long chestnut brown hair pulled back with a pony just on the end with the same pupil less eyes as Hinata except his were more silver in color. "And Ino and Tenten." He continued pointing to a girl with platinum blonde hair pulled back in a high ponytail bangs covering one of her bright blue eyes, and a girl with brown hair pulled up into two buns her eyes were a glittering brown. "Oh and that's Shikamaru." Naruto said almost forgetting and pointing to a sleeping man with hair put up in a ponytail making his head look like a pineapple. "Be sure to welcome her to the crew!"

"Um…no I'm not apart of the crew Naruto." Sakura told him getting him to frown and turn to her. "I know Gaara offered but I never accepted and I don't plan to."

"If you don't want to be a crew member maybe I need to keep you in the brig. I've been polite in hopes to persuade you but make no mistake if you refuse you are a captive and will be treated as such." Gaara said coming up to the crew.

"Being locked up will not change my mind. I don't want to be apart of your crew." Sakura said going to the rail of the boat leaning against it and looking out at the sea. Gaara once again came up to her as everyone watched.

"Like I said love, you don't have a choice." He told her looking at her. Sakura looked at him shrugging.

"So lock me up because my answer is still no." She replied locking gazes, every bit serious. Gaara grabbed her, not bothering to be gentle and trapped her hands behind her back tying them with a rope he'd been carrying and pushing her forward.

"As you wish." He replied leading her to the brig. Shoving her into a cell he removed anything that he believed would help her escape. He grabbed her pouch and retrieved his compass, and then began to reach for the key hanging around her neck. She in turn bit his hand causing him to retract his hand growling in pain. She glared at him daring him to try something like that again. He backed down for the time being and stepped out of the cell locking it before making his way back up deck. Sure he could have easily taken it by force but it was something he didn't like to resort to anymore if he could help it.

"I see you got your compass back, how's it going in trying to get the key?" Naruto questioned as Gaara reappeared on deck.

"She's more stubborn than I previously thought but things are going according to plan." Gaara replied looking out to sea. It wouldn't be long until he got her to crack.

xPiratesLifeForMex

It wouldn't be long now...Sakura thought grinning. She had long since broken out of the ropes that had held her hands together and was now laying on the cot in the cell whistling to herself. Now she just waited biding her time. After all this was going all according to her plan. She had hoped to be placed in the brig, they would leave her there unattended until the Captain tried once again to suade her to do his bidding. She figured someone would check on her soon and well that was okay. Eventually they had to sleep and Sakura could wait for that; if it meant she got off this ship and away from these pirates who would only keep her safe while she held something they wanted then she would wait as long as it took.

Sure enough as she waited hands behind her head eyes closed, a pose of complete ease someone came down to check on her. More specifically to leave her food. She might not have even known they were there if it wasn't for the sound of the plate being set on the floor and slid under her cell for her to grab. Eying the pirate before her she realized it was the one Naruto introduced as Hinata. Quiet and innocent looking Sakura wondered what on earth made her turn to piracy. Then again most of the crew seemed odd choices and far too friendly to be blood thirsty treasure hunters.

"Thank you." Sakura said getting up and grabbing the food. She hadn't really been expecting any figuring they'd hold out to try and break her or something to that degree; it's happened to her before in Konoha's prison. Then again their actions toward her were mild compared to what she was used to when she was caught and held in a cell. Hinata smiled in return watching her begin to eat. If it hadn't been for her smile Sakura might have been suspicious of her watching her so intently while she ate. "Are you here to be my guard now?"

"Hm? Oh um no I was just told to deliver the food." Hinata said her voice soft and smooth.

"Did you want to ask me something then? As much as I don't mind your company it's a little unnerving to eat with an audience." Sakura told her trying to be as polite as possible but she really did get uneasy when someone watched her eat, unless they were eating with her. It was a weird issue but she couldn't help it. However Sakura appeared to have hit the mark and the girl in front of her began fiddling with her hands no longer looking in her direction.

"Ah, well I, I guess I was just curious why you're so against becoming one of us...Being a captive when you could be free seems odd." Hinata finally replied after a short silence. Sakura knew her reasoning was logical and if she hadn't had a plan to be free away from even this bunch she probably would have accepted.

"I wish I could say I was unfamiliar with a jail cell but it doesn't bother me anymore to be in one. I know it's odd to you, but for me my experience with other people has only led to disappoint and hurt. I've learned to avoid any chance of that happening again." Sakura explained. It wasn't that she minded other people if it was only temporary. She tended to avoid any chance for long term exchanges and relationships, with Kakashi being the one exception. It's not like many people tried to stick around her for longer than necessary either.

"I don't know what happened in your past to make you like that but even though we're pirates we aren't bad people. Everyone has their own story but we're more of a family than a crew. This ship, it's our escape, our freedom and you seem to need a place like that." Hinata said to her before gathering the plate and heading out leaving Sakura to contemplate what she was just told. It made her curious to get to know the other members on board. Just what kind of crew did Captain Sabaku lead? And if they weren't bad people like Hinata said then why did Konoha want the Sabaku siblings heads for murder, which in her opinion didn't exactly make them trustworthy. Sure they hadn't hurt her yet but how long would that last? No, she couldn't wait for that to happen, she had to get away while she could, her plan fresh in her mind.

Night fell and Sakura sat up grinning; it was time to get things ready. Grabbing the bench she put the legs through the holes in the cell legs up at an angle. Using it as a lever she put her strength into pushing the bench hearing the door to her prison lift up slowly. A pop signaled it was free from its hinges and Sakura hurriedly grabbed the door groaning with the strain it took to keep it from smashing to the ground. It was heavy but Sakura had always been stronger than normal so she managed. Moving to set it against the other walls of the cage Sakura began to carefully make her way out making as little noise as was possible.

Sneaking her way onto the deck she headed to the edge of the vessel preparing herself a dinghy all the while keeping an eye out for anyone who still might be lurking around. Luckily for her it appeared no one was around or would be around any time soon. The dinghy hit the water with a splash but she figured the crew would be used to the sounds of the ocean and wouldn't be alerted. She was right about to escape when she remembered the compass, it would easily find her. Looking to the Captain's cabin she made her way deciding she could chance sneaking in and nabbing it. She was right about to enter when she heard movement from within, shit he can't be awake can he? Sakura thought before quickly deciding just to book it, maybe they wouldn't chase her right away and she could just keep running, travelling and seeing the world.

Climbing down into the smaller vessel she had set up she settled in grabbing the oars and releasing the ship's hold on it pushing away slowly. For a moment she merely watched as the ship pulled away, it had brought her this far giving her a new sense of freedom. She knew she couldn't take the risk of staying and losing that again if the crew decided to turn on her. No, she had her opportunity and now she wouldn't waste it.

"Time to go." She whispered into the wind beginning her journey and rowing away. She wasn't completely sure when she would reach her destination. Her heading only a vague estimate. She didn't believe it would be too far, at least if her quick calculations were right, or else she was screwed. Hope was something that was never lost, Sakura knew she had been through worse and adventures wouldn't be as much fun if they were easy.

Sakura kept rowing even as the darkness faded and the light creeped onto the horizon as if chasing her down. By now she figured someone would have figured out she was no longer on board, and if they wanted her key bad enough they would likely seek her out again. Shaking her head Sakura knew she couldn't worry about that now. What ever lied ahead of her she had to reach her destination; it was what she wanted after all. Taking a break from the rowing she took out a canteen that was given to her during her imprisonment taking a sip of its contents. After all the rowing she was getting tired quickly and the water rolling down her throat felt incredible. With the sun now blazing down on her she had to keep moving lest she wanted to be a sitting duck for any matter of threats the ocean offered.

xPiratesLifeForMex

Gaara exited his cabin with the rise of the sun. In honesty he hadn't slept much, he rarely did, instead he had locked himself away in his cabin waiting to make his next move in his plan to secure the pinkettes loyalty and therefore her key. After he had gotten word from Hinata on Sakura's status he felt a little hope he could complete his plan soon. Hinata just had that effect on people. Imagine his surprise as he headed down to the brig and discovered the door to the cell pulled off and his captive nowhere to be seen. He didn't know if he should laugh or yell.

The girl was challenging him and he never backed down from a challenge. It appeared that she had had plans herself, plans that he had no clue would interfere with his until it was too late. It was different, most opponents weren't so hard to crack and beat; it was something that intrigued and frustrated him at the same time. Pulling out his compass he returned to the deck more determined than ever to win this battle.

"How's our captive holding up?" Naruto questioned coming up to him.

"Wake everyone up, we have a new heading." Gaara stated ignoring his question. This confused the blonde, why change course now? And why would he hold back any information on Sakura, it seemed she was the only thing on his mind lately. Gaara glanced at him noticing his questioning look. "She escaped during the night."

"What?! But how?" Naruto exclaimed not believing she could have gotten away so easily. They had taken away any methods of her escaping, meaning her bobby pins and any other utensil she may have had on her to unlock the cell.

"The door was pulled completely off its hinges, I assume one of our dinghies are missing as well." Gaara explained not as bothered by this situation as Naruto had expected.

"I'll alert the crew." Naruto said running off following the orders Gaara had previously given when he first approached. It wasn't long before the crew was awake and to their stations steering the great vessel as their Captain commanded. At the helm Gaara smirked looking down at his compass shifting the course as necessary.

"Sit tight love. I will find you."

xPiratesLifeForMex

Sakura had lost track of how long she had been rowing. It felt like weeks with how sore her muscles and body felt. She almost missed the ship and the ease at which it travelled, carrying her weight across the ever changing waters with no effort on her part. Night was soon to be gone as the sun peaked its head over the horizon painting the sky in bright reds, oranges, and pinks. It was at that time when Sakura finally caught her first glimpse of land. The sight had given her a burst of energy, that with the push of the waters towards the shore she reached it quicker than she predicted; although it still took her a couple of hours nonetheless. Jumping out of the boat into the waves she pushed it into the sand falling onto the ground in an exhausted heap. She had never been so glad to see land in her life, even if she wasn't quite sure exactly what land she was on.

Crawling her way into some shade she gave herself a well deserved rest. After a nice nap Sakura sat up and stretched deciding it was time to explore this pile of dirt she found herself on. Making her way through the trees keeping any eye out for any fruits or berries she could eat while here. As she explored she suddenly felt a shift in the ground; it almost seemed hollow. Stopping Sakura jumped a few times testing the area. Something was under there so Sakura began searching for the entrance clearing the sand away. Finding one and lifting the latch open she saw a set of stairs and climbed down. Looking around she saw it was a storage area, and she was surrounded by bottles. Grabbing one and biting the cork off with her teeth Sakura took a swig.

"Rum?" Sakura questioned laughing. The compass had pointed her not only in the direction of land but an island that was obviously a secret storage space for rum traders. Shrugging Sakura continued to take sips knowing she had a high tolerance for alcohol. Back in Konoha she was infamous for joining in drinking contests as a way for her to get either money or food. She rarely ever lost but when she did she honored her wagers. She may be a thief but she liked to believe she was an honorable one, if there ever was such a thing.

Grabbing another bottle she made her way back up making sure to make a discrete marking to find her way back. Heading back to the shore, grabbing some fruit that happened to be growing on some trees on the way, she hummed happily. It wasn't perfect but this island turned out to be better than she could have imagined. Her happiness was cut short as she reached the edge of the trees and notice on the horizon her captors had found her.

Cursing she made her way back into the trees hoping if she hid maybe they would give up and turn around. She had known it would've only been a matter of time until they found her but she had hoped it wouldn't have been so soon. It felt like she had just arrived herself! Trying to find her way back she ended up tripping. Turning to find just what she tripped on she realized it wasn't nature that caused her fall.

"What is this?" Sakura whispered to herself brushing some of the sand away to discover a small buried chest. Upon opening it she found it was filled with gold medallions all alike, unlike any gold coins she's ever seen. I never have exactly seen pirate treasure before, who knew buried treasure was in fact real? Sakura thought not expecting anyone would leave such wealth behind unguarded. Grabbing a few as a souvenir she hurried to her feet kicking sand back over the chest and before taking off desperately trying to get back on the path to her hiding place.

Finally seeing one of her markings she sped up and dove for the latch before ducking into her newly found hideaway closing the door hoping to wait them out. She had a bit of food and water, and a lot of rum, in her book it's all she needed to hide out. Besides that the entrance was camouflaged so unless they saw the latch -which she doubted they would look down to find it- she was safe. If only a certain red headed captain didn't have other plans for her.

So what do you all think? Good or bad I'd love to hear from you! Sit tight for the next installment which I'm hoping to have out next week, it's my birthday then so I'm going to give you all a present in celebration :)

Before I end this authors note I'd like to do a couple shout outs:

P4ranoia: To answer your question I hadn't honestly thought about it (Insert Naruto style head scratch) I just kind of wrote with both series in my head although I'm glad you think a little of Jack rubbed off on Sakura, they're two of my favorites so I gushed reading that. I hope you keep enjoying the story!

Gaara-frenzy: Ah I can't believe you still stuck with me after all this time! It was exciting for me to see I could redeem myself by finishing this for people who followed my old story, I hope I won't disappoint you with the changes! I strive to keep writing for you (and all those who never got to see the end of my first try at this) to get closure on the story, I will get it done this time I'm working hard for it I promise.

To all those reading: Love you all and I hope you keep enjoying the story as much as I've enjoyed delving back into it!

Until next time,

BluePanda