Authors Note - Just for clarification, it's been about a month over the course of the chapters. I'm not sure how much I actually explained that. Thanks for the comments, I'm glad you guys are enjoying this. It's fun to write when I'm procrastinating my projects.
Story Description: Traveling dimensions wasn't unheard of for Sakura. But Kaguya had been defeated and sealed four years ago, during the forth great ninja war. So why the fuck, was she tied to a mast - on a god forsaken ship, surrounded by PIRATES?!
Ships: (Past) Sasuke/Sakura, (Future) Ace/Sakura
Warnings: language
Recap...
Sakura nodded, and allowed Izou to drag her off. Sparing a glance behind, she watched Nemar bring the teens body back up to deck. Ace completely unconscious, but she couldn't blame the kid. Landing in the ocean knowing you'll drown, only having a pirate from an enemy ship to save you? Sakura assumed the teen thought he would die right then and there.
"Come on." Izou ushered, tugging at her wrist. "The kid will be fine, he's a D. After all." The man huffed.
Sakura raised a brow, but didn't ask. Not wanted to delay and make Izou any more irritated than he might already be. But that didn't mean she wasn't curious. Eyes trailing back towards the man pulling her along.
After all, there were many things Sakura still needed to learn about this world.
"is the kid alright?" Sakura asked quietly, watching Izou as he re-wrapped her bandages.
"The teen? Yeah. We would have had someone retrieve him even if he hadn't hit you." Izou explained to her. Stepping back and placing the excess bandages off to the side.
"Oh." She murmured. The idea struck her as odd. How would they gain his trust, if they put in such a vulnerable position? Perhaps that should be a tad more careful in their approach. But she didn't mention anything, keeping quiet as she stood.
"I'm going to go check on him. Thanks Izou, for re-doing my bandages." Sakura said, heading towards the door. Izou didn't stop her, watching quietly as she left the room.
Sakura made her way down the hall, waving at a few crew members. When she reached the top of the deck, she scanned around for the fire-y teen. Spotting him rather quickly, as he made his escape away from Marco.
"Ace!" Sakura called out, gaining the kids attention rather quickly. But he didn't seem like he wanted to talk, adverting his eyes and continuing to walk away.
Huffing, Sakura picked up her pace to a light jog. Grabbing the teens arm. But it went through, Fire erupting around her fingers. If burned, but with some quick thinking and her chakra- the burns disappeared just as fast as they came.
"What?" Ace growled, taking a few steps away from her. He seemed like a cat, with its hackles rised.
"I wanted to check on you. Devil fruit users can't swim, must've been quite the scare." Sakura answered calmly, smiling just so slightly, enough to come off as friendly.
Ace didn't seem to trust her words, his eyes narrowing defensively. "I'm fine, I had it under control." He growled. Sakura rolled her eyes, placing her hands in her hips.
"Clearly, perhaps I hadn't needed to save you." Sakura prodded. Raising an eyebrow.
The teen huffed, his head turning to the side. But Sakura sees the slightly red hue of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. His eyes trained on the floor, staying silent for the most part. Taking in the breath, Sakura contemplates a few things before stepping forward and reaching out to lay a hand in his shoulder. Thankfully, the teen doesn't erupt in flames.
"Look, I don't mean to be sarcastic. I was generally concerned about you. Drowning isn't the most pleasant way to go out." Sakura explained.
Her words seemed to grab Ace's attention. "You've drown before or something?" He asks curiously.
Sakura huffs a laugh. "No, but I've had patients come in with the after-effects of drowning. I've seen a few people die, with too much water in their lungs." She says.
Ace hums thoughtfully, eyes trailing up her face before looking away. "Whatever." He says dismissively, before continuing forward and walking away from her. Sakura's arm falls to her side, and she watches silently as the teen leaves.
Worth a try, she thinks to herself. Spinning around on her heel, eyes scanning the top deck. The sun has already begun to set. And there wasn't much for her to do now. Perhaps she could see if anyone needed attending to. Marco is probably slumped with paperwork, if they even had that here. She'd have to ask later.
She catches the Phoenix, wondering near the side of Whitebeard. The two looks to be in the middle of a heated debate. A friendly one, like she and Naruto would have. Heart aching at the thought of her idiotic teammate.
Eventually, she makes her way towards the two. Waving at Vista, who passes her with an exasperated look. Turning into what Sakura believes to be pity as he notices the direction she was headed.
Whitebeard notices her first, completely ignoring what Marco seemed to be yapping about, grinning as she grew closer. "My daughter!" The captain explains. And Sakura can feel the blush creeping up her neck at the title. Unused to such an exclamation. She feels almost, embarrassed.
"Sakura." Marco sighs, shaking his head as he look smiles and turns to greet her.
"Sorry for the interruption, was wondering if you had anything for me to do." Sakura asked, hands lifting to her hips.
"Get Oyaji to take his medicine." The first commander grumbled. His finger rubbing his temple in an irritated matter. Sakura lifted her brow, eyes drifting between the giant and her crew mate.
Whitebeard huffed a laugh, shaking his head. "You are so strict, my boy." He commented to Marco. Who scowled even deeper. Shaking his head, Marco turned to look at Sakura. "Not much at the moment. We haven't had a big battle yet, so nobody's injured. You might have to hold out until we hit an island." He tells her.
Sakura's whole body deflate's slightly.
"Alright." She grumbles.
Her eyes follow the medicine again, back to Whitebeard. The question eating at her brain. "What-" she starts, collecting herself.
"Why.. does he needed medicine?" She asks. Looking from Whitebeard to Marco. The blonde sighs.
"We aren't sure. It could be a heart disease, or something involving his cells that are making him weaken. We've been trying to slow it down." Marco explains.
Sakura pauses, before narrowing her eyes at Whitebeard. A tad confused why the large captain would be so against taking his medicine? Was it stubbornness? Another reason in general? Marco places a hand on her shoulder. Seeming having thought of her questions before. Coming up empty every time.
Eventually, the two of them end up arguing some more. Leaving Sakura to stand and watching awkwardly. Before turning around and waking back. Towards the bottoms deck. Probably to annoy Thatch, or any other crewmate that needs extra help.
"Island in spotting!" Someone yells out loudly, and Sakura is jolted awake. Picking her head up and looking around.
The chair in front of her was empty. Meaning Vista must have grew bored and got up some time after she fell asleep. She'd have to apologize later, but the rocking of the ship was very relaxing. Her sea sickness turning into the want to just fall asleep every time she was motionless on deck.
Stretching her limbs, Sakura stood from her chair. Eyeing the dock as many of her new crew mates fiddled out in small groups.
Her eyes looked for Marco and Thatch, noticing them near Whitebeard. Haruta was not far from her, so she makes her way over the the small commander.
"Sakura!" Haruta beams as she approaches. She smiles at him, waving ever so slightly in greeting.
"Hey. So what's the protocol for docking at an island?" Sakura asks, getting straight to the point. Haruta claps, grinning.
"usually Thatch and some of his division members are the ones to shop for cooking supplies. Marco might recruit you and a few others for medical supplies." Haruta says, pointing to Marco.
"When that's done, we do inventory. Typically the commanders job. While the rest of the crewmemverw go to bars, or whatever else that want to do." He continues.
Sakura raises an eyebrow at that, head drifting to the approaching island.
"Oyaji usually has only a few rules, or expectations. Since this island isn't under our protection. He asks us to stay out of fights if necessary. Killing is no, unless you have no other option." He explains. Sakura nods along with his words.
"Protection?" She asks, wondering what that could possible mean. Did certain pirate crews protect certain islands? What would happen if we were to dock at an island under another pirates protection?
"Oh! Yeah, since Oyaji is an emperor of the sea, he has enough power and fleets to provide protection to islands against other pirate crews." Haruta tells her. Pointing to the large flag above their ship.
"If you see that flag, it means we're protecting an island. Laid claim to it, so to see. And with our tattoos, pirates leave us alone." He says, taking in a large gulp of air.
Chewing her lip, Sakura processes all the information Haruta was throwing at her. In the end, it all made sense. And was kinda cool, the whole system of pirates. Which seemed to leave her with even more questions. But before she could ask, someone calls out her name. Turning her head, she sees Marco waving her over. Whitney Bay standing beside him.
"Best get going." Haruta offers, before nudging her towards the two.
Sakura waves at the commander, before heading towards Marco and Whitney. The blonde smiled as she stood before them.
"Mind helping us with some shopping?" The blonde asks, motioning to the small list of things in Whitney's hand.
Sakura nods. "Yeah, sure!" She agrees quickly. Happy to be included. Whitney grins, clapping the pinkette on the back.
"Wonderful. We can also get you some clothes that shows off your mark." Whitney suggests. Marco nods, and the three of the stand together at the island closes in. Sakura looks over her surroundings. Thatch and a few cooks she didn't know too well were huddled together over a long list. A few other commanders had their own group. Everyone seemed excited, talking and laughing with one another.
It was a sight to see. Sakura sighs, hands resting on her hips. Naruto would have liked this. She thinks sadly. A big happy family, where everyone trusted everyone. Shaking her head, Sakura clears those thoughts from her mind. No use on dwelling now.