Welcome to the next installation of Pirates Life for Me! Enjoy :)

Previously:

"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."

x

"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.

x

"At the rate the ship is going we should reach our destination before nightfall." Neji reported to Gaara who nodded in response.

"Excellent." Gaara replied checking his compass once again to be sure. He couldn't afford any more mistakes with the pinkette. The island his compass was steering him towards was in view and closing in quickly. It wasn't long until they were pulling onto shore.

"Naruto and I will search for her, the rest of you stay alert for any signs of her." Gaara commanded before he and Naruto headed off the ship. Following his compass he lead the way into the trees, the two on alert for any signs of movement. Everything was going perfectly until his compass began spinning around changing direction after they would get so far.

"Is that thing broken?" Naruto questioned as they circled around with no sign of anyone besides them. Gaara glared at him for even suggesting such a thing. As they circled around again following a compass that appeared to be leading them no where, Naruto was about to say something again as it was beginning to get dark.

Then a creak was heard.

"Did you hear that?" Gaara asked wondering if it was just him in his desperation to locate what he wanted already. Until that moment he had been beginning to doubt his trusty compass.

"Yeah." Naruto said before he started walking over the area he had just stepped. Another creak. He then began testing the ground jumping up and down testing the ground underneath him. "It's hollow feeling right here."

Unbeknownst to the two, Sakura was mentally cursing as sand slowly descended on her from the ceiling. She was screwed. As the sand stopped raining down around her there was silence, the silence that would lead to her doom. Out of options Sakura gathered up bottles filled with rum; if this was her fate, she was bringing the rum. The door opened and down came Gaara and Naruto.

"Sakura!" Naruto shouted before giving her a confused glance. "What are you doing?"

"Gathering these up what does it look like?" Sakura said handing him a few bottles. He accepted them watching her continue to gather bottles. Just how could she be so unfazed after being captured again. "Hold those."

"Are you going crazy?" Naruto questioned. She wasn't even trying to fight them anymore, or try to get away. It was odd seeing this come from the crafty pinkette who was so set on her freedom.

"Nope. But since you guys just won't seem to leave me alone I'm gathering up rum for the ship ride. It may make the days more bearable." She told them before giving him another bottle.

"Hn. At least she knows when to give up." Gaara taunted. Sakura looked at him, ticked off at his words. She was cooperating couldn't he just accept that and shut his mouth?

"Just because you caught me doesn't change anything. I'm a captive on your ship, you're not getting my key, and I'm not joining your crew. I'm going to spend my days looking out at sea drinking rum." Sakura informed him. "Now Captain Gaara if you would be so kind as to carry some of these back for me. Maybe even bring some of your crew down to clear it out."

"Look she's ordering you around. I knew there was a reason why I liked her." Naruto laughed and Gaara glared at him. He was in charge here, and their captive was in no position to make any requests.

"It wasn't an order Naruto, I was asking him. The more rum the merrier." Sakura said setting bottles on the sand. "If you don't want to help, I'll bring them back myself but it will just take you longer. I'm not leaving this island without the rum."

"Oh? Did you forget you're my captive?" Gaara questioned. It appeared to him that she was forgetting the situation she was in and who she was talking to. His hospitality would only last so long and she was really pushing it. They were already wasting time and resources tracking her down.

"Did you forget that I got away twice? If I wanted to I could try again." Sakura said crossing her arms across her chest facing him. Gaara did the same to her both of them not budging on their requests/demands. The standoff was clear neither wanting to relinquish control over the situation.

"And you would still end up being stuck on my ship." Gaara countered. They continued their stare down as the minutes ticked by until finally Sakura sighed and hunched over obviously tired. She didn't want to fight anymore and she was tired of running, it hadn't done her any good anyway.

"Look I just want to have some rum, and sleep. I've rowed a long way to get to this rum and for what for you to end up here less than half a day after me."

"If you would have just joined my crew we could have started a supply for you and you wouldn't have had to row."

"Tell you what. I'll do something you want if you do this for me." Sakura negotiated seeing she was getting no sympathy from the two. Really how hard did they have to keep making it for her? If she was such a captive like they were claiming what was taking them so long to capture her? The only answer she could find was that they were more willing to hear her out and help her than they claimed. "One thing though and I'll let you have some of the rum." Sakura added taking another swig.

"How much rum have you had?" Naruto asked wondering if maybe she wasn't in her right mind to be so easily willing to give up. She was basically giving them what they wanted with no questions. Sakura merely turned to him and looked at the bottle before finishing the last bit off.

"Just this bottle." Sakura told him throwing it. Naruto stared on impressed at her tolerance, she didn't appear the least bit intoxicated at all. Maybe the rum isn't that strong? Naruto wondered staring at one of the bottles before testing it out. Or it is strong, good quality too...Naruto thought to himself impressed at the find and the pinkette before him.

"I believe we have an agreement." Gaara agreed. This would only work with his plans he had for the woman before them.

"So what is it that you want?" Sakura asked. She knew some of the things he wanted but she didn't know if it would be one or which one for that matter.

"I want you to join my crew." Gaara told her earning surprised looks from both Naruto and herself. This was his chance to get the key, Naruto couldn't believe he wasn't taking it. Then again he did think Sakura would make an excellent addition to their crew, and with her aboard for good the key was safe with them.

"What?!" Sakura exclaimed. She thought he would ask for the key, because what did he need with her beyond that. It made no sense to her for him to keep her around when it was so obvious she didn't want to stay. Perhaps there was more to the man before her than she first believed.

"Take it or leave it." Gaara said turning to walk away.

"Alright!" Sakura said making him stop and turn to her with a smirk on his face.

"Alright what?" He asked though he clearly knew what she meant. He wanted her to say it, to give confirmation that she was serious about this deal.

"I'll join your crew." Sakura sighed holding out her hand to him. "Are we gonna shake on it or not?" Sakura asked getting impatient at him just staring at her hand. Gaara finally took it and they shook. The deal was done, she was now stuck a member of Captain Sabaku's crew.

"That's it? A handshake?" Naruto questioned not sure if such an agreement would hold up in the long run. Really it seemed like a questionable settlement at best to him.

"What do you want us to seal it in blood? Besides whose word do you not trust mine, or your Captain's?" Sakura questioned venom leaking out of her voice. If there was one thing she took pride in it was keeping her word, without it she would have felt meaningless. She had honor and she would keep it intact no matter what.

"Um…well I-I…" Naruto was at loss for words scared of her look. How could one person appear so threatening with just one look?

"I don't go back on my word and I am staying a part of the crew like I said." Sakura told him cracking her knuckles daring him to argue. She wouldn't mind putting him in his place, the violent way if he kept stoking her temper like this.

"Alright alright I believe you!" Naruto shouted and Sakura smiled and patted him on the head laughing. His fear of the consequences she could dish out was amusing to her. Sakura always loved how simple a look and a little violence could get things done so much easier.

"Good boy." Sakura teased doing a complete 180. "Now if you would be so kind and help me with these."

Naruto wasn't sure what to make of her sudden mood shift but began gathering the rum to take back with him to the ship. A deal was a deal after all.

"Wait! Naruto!" Sakura called and Naruto flinched turning to her hoping her mood hadn't flipped again. "Here use this it will be easier for you." Sakura said pulling out crates and filling them up with rum before going back down. Naruto picked up a crate and shook his head.

"She has to be bipolar or something." Naruto muttered before walking to the ship and explaining to the crew what they were doing. Meanwhile Gaara surprised Sakura by engaging in conversation.

"You don't seem to be an alcoholic."

"Looks can be deceiving mate." Sakura muttered in annoyance before catching herself. "I mean Captain."

"See you are getting used to it already." Gaara told her a smug little smirk adorning his face. How I wish I could wipe that infuriating smirk right off his face...Sakura thought darkly continuing her work with the rum. She was overjoyed at the quantity there seemed to be, it could last her ages! Therefore Sakura vowed to herself she would focus on that instead of the thorn in her side that was the redhead beside her.

"Look. The reason I didn't join your crew earlier is because I hate taking orders. There is no way on this planet will I ever like it. And no offense Captain, but having to take orders from you; let's just say it's already going to be a pain in my ass." Sakura told him.

"Why agree then?"

"Did I really have a choice? I'm stuck with you either way and besides getting a rise out of you has been fun. I'll have more opportunities now and some rum to boot." Sakura said simply before lifting a crate and heading to the ship. Gaara tried to not react to her comment but it was clear to her he was offended. As some of his crew arrived to load up more rum he took a crate and began the trek back to his ship. He easily caught up to Sakura and gave her a warning.

"It would be best for you not to get on my bad side, if you don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"Thanks for the warning, however, as of now I'm going with the flow of things. I'm stuck on your ship until you decide to get rid of me." Sakura told him giving the crate to Kankuro as he stacked it on the ship. "Besides it's not like my life was any different from the way pirates do stuff. They steal, they lie, they escape trouble and they like treasure."

"You don't seem to like treasure."

"Not all treasure is silver and gold, Captain." Sakura said softly before going back to the storage. It left Gaara wondering just what kind of treasure she sought out and what it was about this girl was so different than what he was used to. For him it was easy to figure out people, but with Sakura, she was someone his mind just couldn't grasp.

xPiratesLifeForMex

By the time they were done and ready to set sail the stars were twinkling brightly in the sky, a litter of diamonds shining down on them. Sakura grabbed a bottle of rum and took out the cork about to drink when she saw Naruto and Kankuro having a drinking contest.

"How many bottles have they drank?" Sakura asked.

"They are finishing up their second." Hinata told her shaking her head at the two. Just then the two collapsed no one being the victor. Sakura went up and poked the two.

"They'll be out for a good chunk of tomorrow I would say. Wake up with a hangover from hell too." Sakura said taking a swig of rum.

"How much have you had?" Temari questioned. Sakura looked at her then looked at the sky thinking.

"I lost track." Sakura said grinning at her.

"But you don't seem drunk at all!" Ino exclaimed.

"I'm kidding, one not including this." Sakura said.

"You had a whole bottle and you can still talk right? These two over here were slurring their words before they opened their second."

"Call me an alcoholic if you will, I was an early drinker." Sakura explained. "And despite my size I hold my alcohol quite well thank you very much."

"Just who are you and where did you come from?" Ino questioned not believing the girl in front of her was real.

"I'm Sakura Haruno and you saw where I was from already." Sakura joked somewhat glad to be around females her own age who weren't so hateful to her. Back in Konoha most girls her age were either in a similar position as her and therefore saw her as competition or believed they were better than her and thought she was filthy. She had never thought her fellow peers would accept her so easily. The females of the crew continued chatting, getting to know each other despite the conversation staying light and friendly. That was when a small lull paved the way for Hinata to speak something that she had been wondering.

"What was it that really changed your mind?" Hinata asked unable to hold in what was on her mind any longer. Sakura moved her gaze from the ocean waters to hers eyes widened not expecting such a question.

"About what?" Sakura stalled hoping to find away to avoid answering. I don't know if I even have a proper answer to explain at this point anyway...Sakura thought still unsure herself.

"Why join the crew after all you've done to keep yourself at a distance?" Hinata reiterated not budging away from getting her answer. Sakura sighed and turned to face them head on her eyes wandering around the ship taking everything in as she tried to think of a way to answer. Glancing towards Naruto and Kankuro passed out drunk she smiled; her eyes then roamed over the girls before her finding she felt a sort of friendship beginning to kindle already. Finally her eyes landed on the rest of the crew near the helm of the vessel all talking as they were a minute ago. As if sensing eyes on him Gaara himself looked towards them and Sakura locked eyes with his haunting green eyes, the beautiful shade accented from what she believed to be eyeliner and possibly a lack of proper sleep as well.

"Truthfully I'm still trying to figure out that answer myself." Sakura replied finally breaking away from the trance she was. Her vague answer gave way to disappointed sighs, apparently everyone had been expecting a better answer. Sakura smiled softly at them and decided to continue her answer. "It's just a gut feeling, something's tying me here. I felt it the first moment I ended up on this ship. I figured it was time to stop running from that feeling."

Before she knew it or could move out the way she was bombarded with squeals and hugs. Looking around confused she caught eyes with Hinata who was smiling softly at her, her eyes shining with happiness obviously glad to have her around. Well this is new...Sakura thought not used to being so wanted, well she should say by people who didn't hate her guts.

It wasn't long after that that everyone began to retire for the night. Some of the crew helping Naruto and Kankuro to their cots. Once that was taken care of Gaara headed back on deck his inability to sleep leading him to look out to the ocean for a while longer. The peace and solitude of it was a comfort of it; not that he didn't enjoy the company of his crew. As he roamed the deck he found himself tripping.

"Ow! Watch where you walk!" Sakura's voice shouted rubbing her side where he obviously tripped accidentally kicking her in the process. It surprised him to see her still up, let alone so relaxed on his ship. She always seemed to have her guard up, no matter how smart it was for her, he hated it.

"Hn." He grunted not bothering to apologize. He didn't see the point.

"Well are you just gonna stand there or take a seat, Captain?" Sakura asked obviously not too concerned about his lack of manners. She just wanted to relax and with him standing over her like that she felt uneasy.

Again he is surprised by her. He knew she didn't like him. Despised might actually be a more accurate word for it and yet was inviting him to sit with her. Strange.

"You really don't know how to show respect do you?"

"I do. Disrespecting you pisses you off though, no matter how much you don't show it. And pissing you off is now my favorite pastime." Sakura told him. Gaara growled but sat down anyway. Now it made some sense as to why she offered.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping." It wasn't a question but more of a statement by the way he said it, like he didn't really care but was slightly curious nonetheless.

"Shouldn't you?" Sakura shot back. Although her attitude should piss him off to no end at her treatment of him he didn't care. He liked arguing with her, riling her up. It was fun.

"I don't sleep."

"Why not?" Sakura asked deeply curious. She had figured insomnia aided in the deep black surrounding his eyes but she couldn't be sure. For all she knew it could be weird birthmarks or he is part raccoon or part panda; or he just really loved eyeliner.

"I can't. I've tried and I end up tossing and turning the whole night. So I just stopped trying."

"Nightmares?" Sakura asked.

"No."

"Well maybe you just haven't found the right ingredients for sleep." Sakura told him causing him to look at her like she grew another head. After she said it she had even mentally smacked herself. Ingredients for sleep! I must be going crazy because that sounds completely idiotic, Sakura thought mentally scolding herself.

"Ingredients to sleep?" Gaara questioned incredulously clearly not buying what she was saying. It sounded completely idiotic.

"Yeah you know like sleeping aids and stuff like that. Not everyone needs something, others have routines they have to do otherwise they never get to sleep. Maybe you're just missing something and that's why you can't get to sleep." Sakura explained.

"What could I be missing." Gaara scoffed. He sure knew what he wasn't missing, his inner demon. It was just a voice in his head but it wasn't any less annoying as it seemed to have a mind of his own. It was still him but it didn't help when he wanted it to shut up at night and it kept blabbing. It was part of the reason he was an insomniac.

"I don't know, Captain, that's something you'll have to figure out on your own." She told him taking a swig of rum, a comfortable silence enveloping over the two. Sakura looked up at the stars sighing in contentment. Gaara looked at her peaceful expression and felt his lips twitch in a smile before he looked away. He didn't know how to react to this girl, her emotions changed so much. Naruto must be right, she is bipolar...Gaara thought.

As she looked up at the stars Sakura couldn't help be feel like she found a sense of home. Out at sea, the peace water always brought her and the relationships she was building albeit reluctantly on her part, all of it just felt right. And as much as she hated to admit it, it was because of Gaara that she had it. It was with this calming atmosphere that Sakura found herself giving into sleep. Without realizing it she had rolled over on her side, her arm swinging over Gaara's torso and she cuddled closer to warmth.

Gaara surprisingly was not far behind. Once he saw her breathing even out signalling she was asleep he thought about trying to take the key from her; she had given him a perfect opportunity for it. But as he waited to be sure that she wouldn't wake up he felt himself get tired. When was the last time he slept? He didn't know. But somehow next to her, he felt oddly relaxed, the idea of sleep closing in on him. Before he knew it he had joined Sakura in the land of dreams.

That's all for now. Let me know what you guys think about the story so far! Also is the little recap thing annoying or helpful? I figured a little refresher on what happened last chapter might be nice so I tried it out. If it's too much message me and I won't do it next time.

Special thanks to everyone who's read, favorited, followed, or reviewed my story! It's much appreciated to see people are interested in my writing enough to read it.

Until next time,

BluePanda :)