Here we are again for another chapter! It's decidedly unpirate-y but something has to go on while they sail towards their destination. Enjoy the crack-y-ness!

On to the story:

Sakura had woken up to whispers no matter how much she fought to stay asleep. She hadn't had this good of sleep in a while. What with all the running and scheming and more running she had done she really hadn't had the time. And she was so warm and that steady beating was oh so soothing. Wait beating sound? Where am I? Sakura questioned trying to get up only to find it futile. She discovered she was wrapped tight in someone's embrace and they didn't plan on letting her go anytime soon.

Then yesterday's events came rushing back into her and she came to realize that Gaara, her Captain that she supposedly loathed, was the only possible person she could be cuddled up to; which means the whispers were the rest of her crew mates. Great just what she needed. Sakura used her free arm to reach for her necklace. She sighed in relief finding it safe and sound. She really was an idiot for letting her guard down like that. But maybe Gaara really did think of her as crew and would no longer try to take it. She inwardly scoffed at that thought, the rum from last night must still be affecting her. Holding onto her key she remembered Kakashi's words when he gave her it.

Flashback

"Why are you giving me this?" Sakura asked.

"I'm too old to get involved with that key's adventures."

"Adventures? Kakashi. It's just a key."

"Aye, it is. But it's what the key unlocks that is the important part." He told her a sort of double meaning laced in his words. She eyed him curiously but remained unconvinced with his gift.

"What does it unlock?"

"Just keep it with you. You're a smart girl, I'm sure you'll find out what I mean soon enough." Kakashi said.

"Or you could just tell me and save me the trouble." Sakura suggested sick of his cryptic words and Kakashi chuckled.

"Nope. This is something you have to do by yourself. I'm sure whatever awaits you'll enjoy."

"You make it sound like I'm going on some gigantic adventure. New's flash Kakashi, this is Konoha. The place I hate and am forever stuck in. There's no adventure in that. And there's no adventure in this stupid key either." Sakura scoffed at him and Kakashi merely smiled.

"You're right. There's no adventure here for you and the key is just a key right now. Soon you'll see what I mean, but in the meantime just keep it safe." Kakashi told her before continuing his reading.

"Keep it safe? Tch who's going to want this key besides you?" Sakura asked as she examined the key. Kakashi never looked up from his book but his smile grew slightly. She knew he was up to something but she didn't understand what. He didn't seem to be willing to give up any answers any time soon either.

Man he is no help at all...Sakura thought as she pocketed the key and headed out hoping to get a few bucks before the sun went down.

End Flashback.

He was right, as much as she hated to admit that; she was away from Konoha and was on quite the adventure thanks to this key that seemed so insignificant to her before. Her life had done a 180 on her and she was still deciding if she liked it. Kakashi you sneaky bastard, you knew this was coming! Sakura thought unsure if she should curse or thank him. It was in that moment that Sakura felt Gaara move, as if to stretch. When he realized what the situation was, he of course, had to open his arrogant mouth.

"I knew you would warm up to me." Gaara said confidently and Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Yeah that's what happened. It had nothing to do with the fact I was asleep and had no clue what I was doing." Sakura said sarcastically. Before they could really continue they were interrupted by one of the onlookers.

"Ahem!" Someone shouted getting their attention both of them sitting up to look at the culprit.

"As much as you two love flirting we have a place to be and need a heading." Temari dared to say. Gaara glared at her getting up and pulling out his compass. Sakura following his lead by getting up as well and walking over to Temari.

"Look I—

"It's fine Sakura, you like Gaara and I'm pleased to say he's taken an interest in you too." Temari said waving her off. Sakura growled at her.

"I don't like him." She told her seriously.

"Uh-huh." Temari said not believing a word of it, well maybe it was just the 'don't' that she didn't believe. "Then care to explain?"

"We were up talking like normal people do and I fell asleep. It's not like I asked to wake up like that. " Sakura told her simply turning away with her arms crossed. It truly was an accident, there wasn't any other factors involved.

"Even so Gaara doesn't make it a habit to fall asleep next to anyone, let alone be able to sleep so deeply." Temari shot back smirking. Sakura opened her mouth in a struggle to reply, but no words came out. What could she say to that even? It's not like she knew any of them enough to say otherwise.

"I'm just sayin'.'" Was the last thing Temari said before walking away smugly, Sakura glaring at her retreating form. By everything that is holy Sakura vowed that she was going to get Temari back.

Sakura closed her eyes and sighed trying to let go of the tension that had gathered as soon as she woke up. When she opened her eyes and looked around she noticed everyone beginning their duties although some glanced her way amused; this included Gaara who winked at her before resuming his discussion with Naruto. Sakura turned away in a huff, Captain Gaara Sabaku was making it extremely difficult for her to hate him. Because she couldn't possibly be attracted to him. I need some rum...Sakura thought wanting these vile thoughts to go away.

xPiratesLifeForMex

That night Sakura found out they were doing some get together with the rum that Sakura had told Gaara she would share. The rest was her's and she didn't care who they were, if they touched it without permission they would see her wrath.

So here she was, watching the sunset waiting on the deck for the crew to gather. She had no idea what they did, it made her a little nervous to find out. The group was pretty welcoming so far but she couldn't be to sure. After all when you think of pirates, friendly is usually not one of the terms used to describe them. Then again it wasn't like she had met any pirates before this to really know otherwise.

After what seemed like forever, everyone finished their duties and arrived on the central deck.

"Alright it's my night to chose our activity!" Ino announced and Sakura began to get extremely curious as to what that activity would be. Ino let a dramatic silence set before telling everyone her choice.

"Truth or Dare!"

And Sakura sweatdropped.

"Wow that's piratey…" Sakura muttered to herself, no one hearing her. They all gathered in a circle, some more reluctant than others. This had to be the most abnormal pirate crew in the entire ocean. Since when do people even play Truth or Dare anymore?

Well since she was stuck playing she might as well get started on the rum portion of the event.

"I'll go first." Ino said taking Sakura's empty rum bottle from her before placing it in the center and spinning it. It landed on Shikamaru. "Truth or Dare?"

"What a drag. Dare." He replied reluctantly not wanting to imagine the sort of question she may have had for him.

"I dare you not to complain the rest of the game." Ino said and Shikamaru sighed and nodded before spinning. It landed on Neji.

"Truth or Dare."

"Truth."

"Who do you like?" Shikamaru questioned boredly. So far the 'game' was completely uninteresting, they were adults shouldn't everything be…not so childish? Sakura had hoped the game would be more interesting.

"Tenten." Neji said quickly before spinning the bottle. Tenten was blushing at the comment and it left Sakura looking at the two in a new light. The possibilities began to run through her head as she started to form a scheme for her own enjoyment. But Neji was determined to move on as if he hadn't just admitted that; it wasn't at all because he was embarrassed by it.

The bottle finally landed on Temari.

"Dare!" Temari said excitedly before Neji could ask her. What crew did I get stuck on? Sakura thought not believing how into the game most of them were. She took another swig to help her get through the rest of it.

"I dare you to make out with—

"Say one of my brothers and I will kill you." Temari warned cutting him off.

"Shikamaru." Neji finished knowing the attraction the two felt towards each other. He had good eyes.

"Troubl—

"No complaining!" Ino reminded him. Shikamaru didn't have time for a response as Temari straddled him and crashed her lips to his. That's all it took as the two went at it battling with their tongues. Things heated up quickly as Shikamaru began to let his hands roam around Temari's curves. It was as if they forgot they were in front of a crowd as Temari began working on his trench coat—

"Hey I know you two are having a good time, but there are people here." Sakura interrupted laughing as the two jumped apart. They glared at her but she ignored it enjoying watching them scramble apart. "Payback's a bitch Temari."

"I'll get you Haruno." Temari warned as she spun the bottle. "Naruto Truth or—

"Dare!" Naruto shouted before she could even finish.

"Alright I dare you to hit on Neji." Temari smirked as Naruto went wide-eyed but with a sigh and a gulp of rum Naruto went up to Neji. He wasn't one to back down from anything.

"Hey beautiful, you're like a prize winning fish... I don't know whether to eat you or mount you." Naruto said his flirting grin in place. Everyone began laughing or chuckling except for Neji who was completely grossed out at the gesture backing away from Naruto. Naruto winked before returning to the game with ease taking his turn to spin the bottle. He had to admit the look on Neji's face was priceless.

The bottle spun and finally landed on Gaara.

"Truth or Dare."

"Truth." He said lazily. He really didn't want to be here playing such an obnoxious game. Why he agreed to these stupid bonding nights was beyond him.

"What happened with you and Sakura?" He asked curiously grinning like the Chesire cat and Sakura sighed. They were like gossiping grandma's. It wasn't the biggest deal like they were making it.

"She fell asleep on me and I ended up falling asleep as well." Gaara said simply grabbing the bottle. Sakura rose an eyebrow at his response, it sounded like he was completely uninterested and unashamed. Although it she felt the same so she could understand it fairly well.

As she watched the bottle slow down, it slowly crept in her direction. She glared at the bottle to not let it land on her but of course someone hated her and it did. Gaara smirked at her looking interested in the game for the first time since they started.

"Truth or Dare love."

"Dare." Sakura said. She didn't really want to participate at all but if she had to she might as well lay it all on the line. She wasn't really concerned with any dare, so far they were all stupid aside from Naruto's.

"Give someone a lap dance." Gaara said deciding to take things in a different direction. Sakura merely frowned and thought of who she should pick. It wasn't that she was scared, she had done worse under similar circumstances. She could just see the hints of attraction amongst her crewmates and didn't want to disturb that.

Which left her with one option.

Meanwhile Gaara got a crate set up in the middle of the deck for her to complete her dare and Sakura pushed him on it. "What are you doing?"

"You said someone, well you are someone." She told him as she began her dance to her own beat before he could argue or refuse. She just had to get this over with before she began thinking too much about it.

Sakura slowly circled Gaara, her finger lightly going across his chest before she stopped in front of him. Getting eye contact Sakura slowly turned then dipped, her hands roaming her body as she slowly got up, her eyes never leaving his.

Slowly and sensually Sakura climbed on his lap, her hands running their way up his thighs hearing him groan so softly that only she heard it. Sakura smirked seductively and placed her hands in his hair and placed her mouth by his ear and moaned softly. Gaara grabbed her waist but Sakura got up swiftly, taking his hands off her and shaking her finger at him signalling him not to touch her.

Continuing her dance Sakura moved her hips as she slowly approached him again. This time when she climbed on him though her butt was just barely touching his pelvis.

She started to grind on him eliciting a growl of arousal that had her moaning as well. Turning slowly again to face him she straddled his waist, 'accidentally' shoving her chest in his face. Wrapping her arms around his neck slowly feeling him up she grinded on him again.

Leaving a trail of butterfly kisses, Sakura nibbled his ear testing the waters, loving the power she sensed she had over him. This was her payback and she was getting as much out of him as she could. Sakura ignored the small voice in her head telling her the attraction was definitely mutual.

Moving her hands on her knees she gradually brought them up her thighs moaning and grinded on him again. Sakura held in her gasp at how aroused he was because of her actions. It was turning her on to feel how much she could affect the powerful man under her and she struggled to maintain focus.

Biting her lip and closing her eyes Sakura touched herself stifling a moan, which got Gaara's attention as he groaned watching her. He reached out to touch her again but she held his hands down as soon as she noticed.

Deciding that it was time to finish up her dance she grinded on Gaara one last time and slowly got up off of him, her fingers leaving a trail along his body as she did so. Strutting away a bit Sakura dipped low, popping her ass on the way back up as a finale, her head turned to face him winking before heading back to her spot leaving him sitting on the crate fully aroused.

Everyone was shocked at the dance to say the least. They never expected such a thorough display to be performed right in front of them.

Bored once again due to the long shocked pause Sakura cleared her throat snapping everyone out of their trance including Gaara who now had a major problem. He pushed the crate away and sat down running a hand through his hair. Well he couldn't deny it. He wanted Sakura and he didn't need his compass to tell him that. But he always got what he wanted so he didn't dwell on it much.

Sakura spun the bottle getting everyone's focus back on the game. It spun and landed on Kankuro.

"Truth or Dare?" Sakura questioned seemingly uninterested.

"Dare." Kankuro said confidently believing he could take on anything. Sakura smirked and retrieved something she had hid. She held it up to him and watched as he gulped.

"I dare you to only speak through your doll here for the rest of the game." Sakura said and watched as he grew red.

"It's a puppet!" He defended not knowing how or when she possibly found it.

"Does it matter?" Sakura questioned with a raised eyebrow. Kankuro snatched his puppet out of her hand holding it protectively but not saying a word. Everyone began laughing at the discovery.

"I always knew you had dolls!" Temari said between laughs.

"How did you find that." Kankuro demanded, his voice changed as he worked the puppet to make it look as if it were speaking. He completely ignored his sister and the laughs of the crew. Puppetry was a hobby of his, and no one on the crew took him seriously when he discussed it. He feared now that they never would now.

"I like to snoop and I wasn't exactly given any official duties yet. I had no idea it could be used for later. I was just going to ask you about it." Sakura replied and Kankuro dropped it for now as he spun the bottle. It landed on

"You have got to be shitting me." Sakura said as the bottle yet again landed on her.

"Truth or Dare." Kankuro spoke both him and the puppet smirking. He was going to get back at her, but knowing she would probably pick truth after her last dare, he had to think of a damn good and embarrassing question.

"Dare." Sakura sighed not wanting to give any information if she could help it. Nevermind the fact she also loved a challenge. Kankuro blinked expecting truth but went with it any way.

"I dare you to go skinny dipping." Sakura looked at him then looked at the water. It was dark so it was likely they wouldn't see anything. At least she hoped they wouldn't. But the problem was the stripping part. How could she get undressed without them seeing? Sakura took a big swig of rum getting up and about to strip. But the girls butted in on her behalf.

"She doesn't have to do that!" Ino shouted at him.

"Yeah you perv you just wanna see some." Temari added. But Sakura was already unchanging while no one was paying attention. Or so she thought. Gaara watched as she undressed feeling his member harden even more. Great just what I needed, Gaara thought. He continued watching her memorizing every curve of her gorgeous body.

As the arguing continued she climbed on the edge of the ship and dove in the water. The splash got everyone's attention as they headed to the edge of the ship to see what caused the sound. What resurfaced shocked them. Sakura was doing a backstroke following the ship as it sailed slowly through the night.

"S-she did it?" Kankuro asked with the voice he had given his puppet. He was going to give her a new dare because of what the girls said, he was tired of speaking through his puppet although he didn't see the big deal. It was dark no one would really see anything. But there she was in the water her pile of clothes was sitting by the rail.

"Touch my clothes and I'll kill you!" Sakura threatened from the water but otherwise continuing her swim. Sakura was relaxing in the water enjoying the feel of it, with no clothes to weigh her down.

"Sakura what are you doing?" Tenten asked in amazement at the girl. She had guts, there was no way she would've done something like that it was far too embarrassing and probably so cold. In fact all the girls were thinking something along the lines of that.

"My dare. It's actually quite nice. You should try it." Sakura said completely serious with her invitation.

"You can't be serious." Ino said in disbelief. She's crazy, she has to be crazy...Ino thought as she watched her continue to swim without a care. She had to be extremely confident in her body, not that she had any reason not to be Ino reasoned. None of them needed to be ashamed of their bodies to be honest but Ino couldn't imagine doing something like that. Her insecurities couldn't be helped.

"I am. After you get past the fact this water is freezing when you jump in it feels good." Sakura told them feeling utterly liberated as the water caressed her body.

"I'd hate to interrupt such an interesting dare but it's you turn Sakura." Naruto reminded her and Sakura nodded as she reluctantly began to swim to the edge of the ship to climb back up her ass showing in the moonlight.

"I suggest you men all turn away unless you want to be castrated." Sakura shouted as she continued to climb. All the males including a very reluctant Gaara turned away not wanting an important part of their anatomy be taken away.

Gaara had seen her undress anyway. And he could image the water glistening on her body shining because of the moon light. Gaara held in a groan at the thought. She was driving him crazy, if he didn't have her soon he would lose it. However he had to make sure she wanted him as well. It would be all the more satisfying watching her moan his name and writhe with pleasure. She would come to him, he would make sure of it.

Before they knew it Sakura was back in the circle fully clothed and hair dripping wet. Once everyone returned she spun the bottle.

"This bottle hates me." Sakura scowled, death glaring at the bottle which was once again pointed at her. Sakura had thought she had been so lucky when the bottle didn't land on her during to beginning of the game, but it seems her own rum bottle hated her now. Kami what did I do to deserve this? Sakura shouted in her mind.

"I think for Sakura's sake we should stop." Temari suggested slightly wary of the girl's sanity. Sakura sighed in relief.

"Thank god!" Sakura said now thinking Temari wasn't so bad. The game ended and everyone seemed content on calling it a night, heading to their cots for a good night's rest.

Sakura on the other hand just walked to a crate to sit on and look at the stars. This she realized was one of the reasons she could learn to love living on the ship, the scenery was breathtaking, there wasn't a cloud in the night sky. It looked like they were floating because the stars were being reflected into the water making it seem like the ship was actually amongst the stars.

Leaning back in complete peace she sighed contently. She definitely could get used to this.

That's all for this installment folks! Let me know what you think, reviews and suggestions are always welcome although not necessary.

See you all over the horizon!

BluePanda :)