Ahoy there mateys! It's been far too long, but here it is the next installment. This is taking way longer than expected but I'm determined to finish it out one way or another. Hope you enjoy!

Gaara growled at her disrespect but followed her anyway because she was right, they needed to talk. She led him to his own cabin, wanting privacy and knowing this was the best place to get it. She didn't particularly want to be alone with him again but it needed to be done.

"Well?" Gaara questioned his arms crossed over his chest waiting for her to say what she wanted. He had done enough damage and he still wasn't sure how to fix the situation. He tried not to hope that somehow, this talk could lead to a resolution of some sort, his pride would likely get in the way before that happened.

"I want to know something." Sakura told him, and Gaara gave her a look to continue. "You were going to chase down your enemies ship for me, why?"

"You are part of my crew, I would do the same for any of the other members." Gaara told her. It was the truth, and that was closest he had come to sharing that he did in fact care for the pinkette. Sakura wasn't sure if she could believe it but as she watched him she noticed his posture change. He was no longer standing in his intimidating position, instead he appeared uncomfortable arms at his side a certain look of insecurity hiding in his jade depths.

"So it wasn't just because you want my key?" Sakura questioned. She had to make sure he wasn't as big of an asshole as she believed. Maybe Temari was right and he truly didn't know how to interact with people he didn't know well. It was clear to her he was struggling with his emotions and perhaps there was a bit of regret in his actions towards her. Either way Sakura knew there was pieces to what happened she was missing and she planned to find out what they were.

"What?" Gaara asked snapping back to attention at her words. Did she really still believe that was all this was still about?

"I'm trying to figure you out. Nothing you do makes sense." Sakura told him and Gaara sighed sitting down on his cot showing her a side of him both never knew he had in him.

"I honestly don't know either. Everything about you should make us hate each other. You've brought nothing but trouble to me and I to you." Gaara told her and she nodded taking a seat next to him. Unable to look at her he continued trying to explain what he had wanted to this morning.

"I can't tell you I don't want the key, it would be foolish to lie about it. However, my interests in you do not stop at you being the owner of it."

Sakura gazed at him in disbelief unable to form any words in response. Did the man next to her truly care for her in some manner? From his demeanor she knew he wasn't lying. It would be too out of character for him and she knew if he wanted to stop her he could at any time and hold her captive.

"Maybe we both need a good change." Sakura said resting her head on his shoulder. Sakura was beginning to understand him a little bit more. After a moment of silence Sakura lifted her head and stood up, reaching a sense of clarity. Turning back to face Gaara she held out her hand.

"What do you say we put what happened behind us and move forward, no regrets, no hostility."

"Agreed." Gaara said standing up as well shaking her hand. He wasn't sure how she was able to move past his actions he had done in his rage nor why she didn't try to question more about the situation that occurred this morning. He wasn't complaining, however, because he wasn't sure how much longer he could continue this conversation. There was one more thing he wanted though before the moment they were having dissipated and they returned to the deck and the crew. So using the hold he still had on her hand from their handshake he pulled her to him and whispered into her ear. "Make no mistake about last night, every action I made was from my desire for you and nothing else."

Backing up Gaara let her go opening his cabin door heading back on deck. He smirked to himself knowing the flustered expression Sakura was frozen with before he left. So his gut feeling was right, the attraction to him was still there despite the mistakes he made and the way she avoided being alone with him. When he finally arrived on deck his crew tried to pretend they weren't interested in what had happened in his quarters, he wasn't fooled but let them pretend knowing he wouldn't give them any answers anyway.

"Naruto." Gaara called out heading to the helm knowing his first mate would follow him so they could discuss their next move.

As Sakura finally reappeared the females of the crew pounced, eager to know just what happened between the two.

"Okay Sakura you have to spill. What is going on between you and the Captain?" Ino said curiously and Sakura lifted her brow at her.

"What are you talking about Ino?" Sakura questioned acting innocent. Honestly she had expected this, she had felt the stares of the crew during her recent interactions with Gaara after all.

"You guys were in there for a while and there was no shouting, did you sort things out? And what happened to put you guys on such bad terms?" Temari asked, curious but more concerned for the two.

"If you want to know what happened ask Gaara." Sakura said laughing as she headed over to the rail of the ship to look out to sea. She felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders with the new understanding she had. Sure there's still a lot I need to learn about these people, Gaara especially, but I'm glad to have been a little wrong about my situation here...Sakura thought a smile growing onto her face.

"That's not fair Sakura." Ino pouted.

"Please, she did that on purpose because she knows Gaara won't say anything." Temari stated shaking her head at Ino. Ino huffed not wanting to drop it but not really having a choice. No one was talking about the matter and continuing to pursue information would likely lead to the same results: nothing.

"You're such a gossip Ino." Sakura said with an amused look. "It's really not that big of a deal."

"That's what makes it a big deal when the people involved say it's not!" Ino said exaggerating.

"Well you just keep trying to figure it out." Sakura said walking up to the helm of the ship to figure out what exactly her Captain wanted her to do seeing as she had never officially been assigned nor taught any duties. She didn't want to feel useless nor like she wasn't pulling her own weight.

"Hey Sakura!" Naruto greeted effectively interrupting the conversation he had been in the middle of with Gaara.

"Hey Naruto, Captain." Sakura greeted nodding her head at each of them.

"What is it that you want?" Gaara questioned not leaving his position at the helm.

"Well seeing as you have a bunch of gossipers for a crew I figure I would escape for a bit. Plus I know I haven't been aboard for that long but shouldn't I have some sort of job as a member of this crew?" Sakura confessed just wanting something to do. She hoped it wouldn't make herself such an easy target to try and get information out of her if she was busy doing something actually productive. Gaara thought about what she said and realized she was right. He hadn't thought about it his crew had been together for so long they just naturally took positions to help the vessel sail through the waters to wherever it was they wanted to go.

"Do you actually know how to do anything aboard a ship besides steal it?" Naruto questioned finally breaking the silence. It was a good point, not that Sakura was happy about it as she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Obviously I know how to steer one, and I know how to do more than just steal one." Her retort only left the two raising their eyebrows at her. She turned away from the two not able to look at them while she tried to figure out just what she did know how to do. And then she remembered an incident that occurred during her time in Konoha and realized while the ship hadn't been out at sea yet she had been on one a few times picking up a few things while on board. "Well I do know how to work the canons..." Sakura admitted trailing off obviously not wanting to say exactly how she knew how. It left the two men before her curious.

"While that may help in the future it's not really needed to help maintain the day to day work on the ship." Naruto told her being surprisingly serious. It made sense that he held such a high position now that she thought about it.

"So teach me." Sakura replied not missing a beat. "I'm a quick learner and I want to do my share."

"I've never heard you so eager to stay before now." Naruto laughed patting her on the back. Sakura glared swatting his hand away. He didn't have to say it like that, I mean sure I tried to get away a few times and sure I had tried to keep my distance in the beginning...which wasn't that long ago, shit what was my point exactly? Sakura thought trying to think through what was running through her head. Maybe she just didn't want to admit he was right.

"Will you just teach me already?" Sakura asked wanting to do something already.

"Sorry Sakura, I can't." Naruto told her shrugging.

"Why the hell not?" Sakura demanded her eyes narrowing at him.

"You can't get something for nothing you know." Naruto teased beginning to walk away. Sakura wasn't having it though and immediately stood in front of him blocking his path. Gaara looked on amused wondering just who would prevail in this matter.

"So what is it that you want?" Sakura inquired not letting him pass.

"Let's make it a trade, information for information."

"Oh? What information can I provide you with exactly?" Sakura questioned getting more and more suspicious as she watched a grin break out on his face obviously waiting for her to ask that.

"If you tell me just what has been going on between you and the dear Captain I'll teach you anything you want to know." Naruto replied not at all fazed by her glare. Gaara couldn't help but be impressed with the leverage he was using to get the information he wanted. It was unnecessary for Sakura to actually agree to this, he knew Naruto would teach her for the sole fact that he himself could order it. He would let this play out though, if only for his own amusement. "Do we have an agreement?"

"Listen here Naruto and listen well," Sakura began as she jabbed him in the chest backing him up against the rail of the ship. Naruto blinked down at her in surprise but he nodded to show he was indeed listening. "anything I tell you about the matter is for your ears alone. If I catch any hint or word that you shared the details no matter how small to anyone I will make you regret that you were born a man. Got it?" Sakura finished pulling a knife out of her belt and holding it dangerously close to his manhood. Naruto gulped in fear and didn't dare move a muscle not wanting to lose a very important piece of his anatomy.

"Got it." Naruto hurriedly agreed. He never thought this deal would possibly bring him pain, he was just trying to have a little fun and learn as much as he could. Sakura nodded and backed up satisfied putting her knife away. Gaara couldn't help but chuckle at what had just occurred. Sakura chose to ignore him for the time being and decided to just get her part of the deal over with.

"We fucked okay?" Sakura said bluntly and Naruto couldn't believe he was hearing correctly. Glancing between the two he could gather that it was true. Sakura appeared resigned at not being able to keep the information to herself any longer, although she wasn't ashamed in the least. And Gaara, Gaara appeared smug obviously proud of his rendez-vous with the pinkette.

"I can't believe I couldn't guess that!" Naruto exclaimed amused by the information. "But then why the huge scene this morning?"

"We fucked, I woke up, he had my key and I got pissed. No one enjoys feeling used." Sakura huffed. "When I dangled the key over the water as you witnessed yourself we had just gotten done fighting, obviously I won."

"Sakura." Gaara warned finally deciding to interfere. Sakura merely smirked and waved him off.

"Okay there was no winner, but after our discussion we came to a mutual understanding right Captain?" Sakura explained conveniently leaving out the part about him losing control and choking her. He wasn't sure if she was hiding it for him or for herself. Gaara nodded in agreement and Sakura smiled turning back to Naruto. "That's the jist of what happened, so are you going to teach me now?"

"Nope." Naruto laughed and Sakura glared ready to pounce on him but Gaara held her back. "There's nothing to teach right now, everyone's about to head to bed."

"Wait a second..." Sakura said his words clicking in her head. "You tricked me. That deal was phony from the beginning."

"Sorry Sak it was just too much fun to not take the opportunity." Naruto teased rustling her hair.

"Apparently I underestimated you." Sakura stated eying Naruto up, seeing him in a different light. "I would be pissed if I couldn't help but appreciate how bloody brilliant it was."

"Well then I have taught you your first lesson after all. Underestimating a pirate will lead to your downfall. " Naruto joked walking away and Sakura shook her head at the blonde. He was right afterall but he didn't have to be so ecstatic about it. Apparently there was a lot more to this crew then she had first imagined. This could be fun...

"So Captain Gaara I can't help but be curious what your next move will be." Sakura said turning back to face him a light smile on her face.

"That is something you'll have to find out on your own love." Gaara told her stepping closer to her, caressing her cheek letting his hand brush through her hair. It was only for a moment that they stood like that, a moment that didn't last long enough for her before he left her there staring after him. Just what was that...? Sakura wondered to herself before pulling herself together and heading to bed, tomorrow would be a long day, she could feel it.

Reviews are appreciated but not necessary. Until next time!

BluePanda