Authors Note - Sorry about the last chapter being published so much later. I kinda forgot I had this app and had a few active stories on here. But don't worry, I'm basically back for good now.
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...
"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.
The first day docking on the island was uneventful. Sakura went around the marketplace with Marco and Whitney. Buying medical supplies, and other useful equipment they were low in stock. Rather quickly, she learned Marco was good at saving money. Finding the right ways to spend and buy things without wasting a bunch of coins. Whitney on the other hand, seemed to point and grab at anything she saw. Laughing and waving over a concerned Marco. Who shook his head in disbelief. Sakura found their dynamic rather funny. Whitney almost a carbon copy of Ino when it came to shopping.
Sakura grinned at the memory. Placing her new clothes off to the side, she'd have to sort through them later. A beautify array of reds and pinks. Tailored to fit her body and show off the tattoo on her back. Which healed up nicely. Thanks to a little push from her chakra. Izou had told her one more day of the bandage. But by tomorrow, Sakura would be good to show it off.
Sticking with a narrowed pair of clothing from Whitney, Sakura made her way off the ship. Walking across the wooden dock, a grinning at a few fisherman who were already up and getting ready for the day.
The people here weren't rude at all. She had expected some reaction to them being pirates. But Marco was correct, the Whitebeard pirates held a good reputation within civilians.
Her eyes danced around the front part, entering the town. A few people were already awake. Similar to the fishermen out on the docks. Opening their shops and setting up for the day.
If she remembered correctly, Marco and Thatch mentioned they'd be docked here for a little while. Give the crew some time to party and walk on land before they set sail again.
Walking into the town, Sakura made her way towards the building that looked similar to a bar. It was early, but she was in the mood for a drink. And perhaps she could hear something intresting for once. Give her something to do, people to heal. Or well, hurt too. As long as it would cure her boredom.
"Welcome!" A woman said as Sakura pushed her way through the doors. A younger woman, with bright red hair and green eyes. She was wiping down the counter, eyes focusing on customer sitting infront of her.
Sakura made her way towards and empty seat on the opposite side, a little closer to the stranger to her left.
"What can I get for you?" The woman asked, turning her attention to Sakura.
"something strong." She answered with a grin. The woman nodded, and turned around. Shuffling through the contents on the wall. The fellow next to Sakura, turned his head.
"Havent seen you in town before. You part of the crew that docked here?" The man asked, and something about him worried Sakura.
He looked like he was struggling to form a proper sentance. Uncomfortably so. Sakura's eyes darted down to the large sniper-like gun strapped to his side. It was unlike anything any of her crew mates had. Longer, larger. And looked pretty deadly.
"I am." Sakura answered slowly. Unsure of what to give away, and what to keep hidden. Forcing a smile, Sakura placed her elbows on the counter as the woman bartender set down her drink infront of her.
"What's your name?" She asked, tilting her head. Her fingers reached forward to grab her drink. Bringing the bottle to her mouth and taking a big gulp. Savoring the burn as it traveled down her mouth.
"Van Augur. A pleasure, and you are?" The man rasped out, his eyes staring straight at her. His face was oddly neutral as he waited for Sakura to speak. Like he was analyzing her.
"Sakura, likewise Van Augur." She gritted out through her teeth. The man huffed a short laughter, before standing. His frame taller, much taller than her and some of her crew mates. His hand reached down and grabbed his gun. Throwing the strap around his shoulder.
"May we meet again, Sakura. But I must get going, I have someone I need to meet with." The man said, waving goodbye. Sakura took another swig of her drink, her eyes following Van as he left the establishment.
Silence followed after that. As Sakura downed the rest of her drink. Placing the empty bottle on the counter. Her eyes met those of the woman infront of her.
"How long as that man been here?" Sakura asked, tilting her head. The woman paused at the question, her lips pursing.
"He's been coming here for a week straight. Same time every morning, leaving around the same time as well." The woman answered.
Visiting the same place, for a week straight felt a little odd. And her face must have given away her confusion, as the woman spoke up again.
"He says he's been waiting for someone to arrive with information. Not that you heard this from me." The woman placed her finger to her lips in a shushing motion. As she grabbed the empty bottle. Sakura nodded, reached into her pocket and pulled out a few coins. Placing them down on the counter.
"Thank you for the information." Sakura mumbled, before standing as well. As she left the building, Sakura pushed her chakra out of her body. Searching for the little, angry spark that was inside of Van. He wasn't far from her, but he was gaining distance. Heading towards the forest outside of town.
Sakura wasn't the best sensor. And he was reaching the point where she'd lose him if she didn't pick up the pace. Thankfully, none of the crew was still out and about to ask her questions. So she kept her path forward, staying a good distance so he wouldn't notice her following him. Who knew what type of ability the man had.
As she walked, she figured she'd need to watch out for that gun he carried around if anything. She wasn't a long-distance fighter, she'd be at a disadvantage if anything if they were to fight. Especially if she couldn't get close enough to hit him.
Eventually his little flicker of chakra came to a stop just a little way into the forest. Sakura pressed her body against the wall of a building. Keeping her eyes trained on the forest. She could make out the color of Van's clothes. But couldn't see his face.
'if I get any closer I'll give myself away if he were to look' Sakura thought to herself, simmering her chakra down to the size of a rodent.
Sakura waited there, for god knows how long. The sound of the street filling with noise told her for some time. And half-way through, she resisted the urge to turn around and find something better to do. Perhaps this guy was just crazy, or odd. Sakura wasn't that much off, following him and waiting for some unknown feeling in her gut.
sighing, Sakura blinked. Before she noticed a familar chakra source coming closer. Perhaps it wasn't even the chakra that gave it away. But the aura that surrounded the man. Ominous.. dangerous even.
'Teach?' Sakura wondered to herself. Remembering bumping into the large man. Remembering the feeling he gave her. Shaking her head, she watched as the man glanced around, waking straight towards Van.
'Was Teach the one he has been waiting on?' Sakura narrowed her eyes. She never heard of Van on the crew. Was he apart of a separate ship Izou had mentioned? But then he'd have a mark.
Sakura grounded her teeth as Teach disappeared into the forest. Using the hopeful, momentary distraction- Sakura rushed as quietly as she could towards the treeline, a tad further away from the two. Jumping up and using her chakra to stick to the branch.
If anything, she hoped if he could sense her- its look like a squirt climbing a tree. Something she thought they'd find harmless. Moving carefully, Sakura maneuver to another tree, then another, until she was standing a tree behind them. Keeping her ears open.
"Captain." Van said, and Sakura furrowed her brows.
'Captain? Why was this man calling Teach a captain?' She didn't know much about pirates and how they worked all that much, but wasn't Teach apart of the Whitebeard crew? Not leading it.
Sakura resisted the urge to shift in her spot, eyeing the larger man for his response.
Teach replied with such familiarity, and the two talked mostly of recruitment. Forming of a crew. Perhaps Teach's crew? Sakura bit the inside of her cheek, eyes narrowing. She watched for a little while longer, before growing bored of their ideal chit-chat. While she didn't exactly get a good feeling from Teach, it didn't seem like he was doing anything but talking to Van.
Shaking her head, Sakura twisted around and fled back towards the town. Perhaps she would go bother Marco and Thatch. Maybe even look for Ace. Since she hadn't seen the teen in a few days.
But as she turned her back, Sakura missed two sets of eyes following her. Teach grinned, and shook his head towards Van who's hand was already making a grab for his gun.
"I'll deal with her later" Teach huffed, and Van nodded. Dropping his hand and grinning as well.
Later that day, Sakura began to make her way towards the second division corridors. She enjoyed having her own room, but eventually she'd be sharing with Whitney and the few other nurses aboard the ship once things settled down. Of how she'd miss it.
As she rounded the corner, her legs came to an abrupt stop. Barely keeping her from running into a body. Teach, more like it.
Forcing a smile, Sakura apologized and made a move to walk around. But her wrist was grabbed rather harshly. Forcing her to stop and glare up at the larger man. Who possessed more strength than she thought.
"Please let go, Teach." Sakura asked, grinning. But her heart sunk in her chest.
"Alright then, sister." Teach laughed, throwing his head back. Sakura clenched her teeth at the title, and he dropped her arm.
"Just wanted to let you know, it's quite rude to eavesdrop on a man's conversation." Teach murmured, before walking off.
Sakura blinked once, than twice. Before realizing his words and meaning behind them. So he had, noticed her. She watched Teach leave. She hadn't made a mistake like that in a while. She had forgot this wasn't her world. Perhaps they could have sensed her from the beginning. Kept things out of the conversation to make her go away. But that seemed a little far fetched.
One thing was for sure, she didn't trust Teach. But she would need evidence first. She barely knew the crew, and the crew knows Teach for much longer. His word against hers wouldn't be a fair. Eyeing his back as he turned the corner, Sakura sighed.
Perhaps she was getting in over her head. She needed to plan better, no step to conclusions. Even if slipping some poison, or stopping his blood flow with a little foreign chakra would be very simple. She wasn't going to murder the man.
Turning around, Sakura made her way back towards her room. If only Naruto and Sasuke were here. Then maybe they'd know how to go about this. Get a second opinion on the whole thing. Grumbling to herself, she entered her room. Walking over and falling face first into the bed.
Maybe pushing him in the ocean would be the easiest solution.