The Bastard

A/N:

Taka: this is a mini rant for hose of you who care to read. Can you believe I’m starting to think Orochimaru is sexy? I hated him all this time, but now I think he’s uber-cool. He’s third on my Villain list! I love him chapter 40, he looks HOT!

Itachi: I’ll murder him. Taka you belong to me.

Taka: (nods in agreement) (whispers to the readers.) but Orochi is hot. Yes I belong to Itachi! But Naruto and its characters do not belong to me. Uwaaaahhh

(Itachi comforts poor authoress)

Oh yeah this story has been nominated for the TONFA fanfiction awards in the best alternate reality category!! So if you'd like to vote the link is here: http://nfa.narutofic.org/vote.php

AFF reviewers: I love you guys!! i'm sorry i don't have time to reply to your reviews but i'm really glad yyou're taking time to do this and grateful; to you guys too!! thank you!

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Chapter 5: Raging Emotions

Naruto wondered why there was this feeing of urgency that told him to go to the Uchiha now. Usually his instincts were right, but this time he paid no heed to them. As far as he was concerned, Uchiha was a man and had no right or need to look that way. And he, Naruto had no business to follow or comfort the man.

Hinata pulled away from him and wiped her eyes on a lace handkerchief. “I am so sorry, for breaking down like that, Naruto. It is just that I was so very worried today and I thought that I could let go in front of you, you being my childhood friend.”

Naruto smiled and smoothed her dark head. “It is quite all right Lady Hinata. I will not say anything about this to anyone. But you really shouldn’t worry so. I will be safe! I am the best fencer here as well.”

Hinata smiled and nodded. “That you are, Captain! We had better go back inside, father will be wondering where I have got to. And oh! We’ve left your friend the Earl alone. Oh my! My hosting skills are terrible!”

They made their way back inside and found Hiashi sitting alone. The rest of the guests had left. Hinata looked around frowning. “Father, where is His lordship Uchiha?”

“I do not know. I thought he had come to find you.” Hiashi stated looking confused.

Hinata looked up at Naruto. “Find us? But then did he come Captain? Surely we should have known if he had come!”

Naruto wondered which would be the best course to follow. “I did not see him my Lord. He must have left, early. It is rude of him not to say anything, but I am sure he had his reasons. Now I will make my leave too.”

Hiashi nodded, though Hinata looked disappointed. Naruto smiled and bade his farewells, and then walked back to the inn. He felt angry that Sasuke had left him to deal with the apologies for his rude behaviour. What was wrong with the Uchiha? He ignored his conscience which was trying to tell him he knew very well what was wrong with the Earl.

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Sasuke in the meanwhile had not made his way straight back to the inn. Then he made his way back to the inn for a moment to discard his fanciful clothes and change into some breeches and a shirt.

After that he had left for the docks. Eye patch still in place and with his slightly worn clothing, he looked like anyone of the sailors out on the docks. He made his way to a small shack like place at the beach a few feet away from the harbour. A busty blonde came to take his order. He ordered scotch, with no water. Watered scotch wouldn’t help him right now.

The blonde gave him a lusty wink and sashayed to towards the counter where the barman lounged. He was a strange barman at that. He had a shock of red hair and deep green eyes. The most distinguishing feature about him was the tattoo on his forehead which was in some Asian language. After two drinks or so Sasuke made his way up to him.

“Hello there. You seem to be an interesting man! Care to join me in a short conversation, or maybe a game or two?” he grinned a little.

The barman gave him a glance and then nodded. “What do you want t’ talk about, my man?”

“Oh I don’t know. I’ve never been to a shack before…never been anywhere for that matter. Always in the higher circles, show me what it’s like down here…” Sasuke giggled. The alcohol was getting to him; he had almost finished his bottle.

The blonde made her way back and leaned against the counter. “Hello. Are you feeling alright, sir?”

Sasuke nodded and smiled gleefully. “Yes I am. You’re very pretty. What is your name?”

“Temari. This here is my brother Gaara. I don’t think you should drink anymore of that my Lord. Please forgive me for seeming concerned, but you don’t look very well.” Temari looked at the Uchiha was drinking straight from the bottle. He seemed like he was enjoying the experience.

The Earl shook his head. “One more bot’le…I c’n pay you for it, don worry bout the money…”

Gaara just offered him one before Temari could protest. Poor guy looked like he needed it. The dark haired man consumed some more. Then he leered at Temari. He put his most charming smile. “Mebbe, we c’d spen mor’ time together? You’re really very pretty…blonde like the Captain!”

Gaara raised an eyebrow. “Like which Captain?”

Sasuke teetered a little. “Naru…to. Like nar’to.” Then he reached out to grab Temari, but crashed to the ground instead. Gaara stared at the prone form for a moment before sighing and carrying him in. if he was a guest of Naruto’s then maybe he was worth helping.

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Naruto was overwrought with worry. Sarutobi had informed him that the Uchiha had come in an hour back and then left once more. When Naruto asked about his whereabouts he was told that Sarutobi did not know and neither did he care. ‘The young man can take good care of himself.’

After searching through the whole of Bordeaux, he came back to the inn; shoulders slumped with disappointment and unease. I should have gone after him. I forgot he could be bothersome when he is angry. But then he realized that he had never seen the Uchiha in a mood like this before.

He tried to tell himself that he was only worried because if he didn’t make sure no harm came to the Uchiha he would be breaking his promise to the Hyuuga. But he knew that wasn’t all. Sasuke didn’t know Bordeaux like he did, it was a scary place during nighttime, with all the sailors lounging around, looking for a brawl.

He suddenly felt angry. It really was not fair that the Uchiha made him worry so much. He was only giving him this much freedom because he thought he could trust him, but it seemed the Uchiha was taking too many liberties. He closed his eyes pleading for sleep to overcome him, but nothing of the sort happened.

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It was five in morning when the Uchiha walked into the room. Naruto noted that he looked worn out, his shirt was stained with something like vomit and he looked like he was feeling like an elephant had walked all over him. But that didn’t stop the Captain from giving the Earl a peace of his mind.

“Where in the blue blazes have you been Uchiha?” the Captain was glaring at the worn out man.

The Earl didn’t deign to reply, he just walked into the bathroom, as the maid brought in the water he had asked for, with some clean clothes. Naruto noticed that he stank of alcohol. His indifference only made the Captain all the more angry.

Naruto waited until the Earl came out of the bath, to grab a hold of his collar and shove him onto the bed. Looming over him like a black cloud he hissed. “Where were you, Uchiha?”

Sasuke glared at him, trying to control the ache in his throbbing head. “That is none of your concern, Captain. I will go where I choose to. I am sure the Duke Hyuuga did not mean I was to be held prisoner!”

Naruto almost hit him. “Acting like a spoilt brat will get you no where, my Lord. Please answer my question. The Duke has asked me to protect you and I will do so even if it means locking in my cabin.”

Sasuke looked away. “You do not care what happens to me do you? You only care about keeping your promise to Hyuuga, so that you can impress Lady Hinata! Let me go Captain, I need to sleep. I am tired.”

Naruto’s grip loosened at his statement. Before Sasuke knew what was happening a fist connected with his jaw. Rubbing it he glared and punched Naruto. He fell onto the Captain, punching every bit that he could. He was so full of rage that he didn’t care that the Captain was hurting him too.

“I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU SO GODDAMNED MUCH!” Sasuke yelled clambering off, Naruto. “For a while I thought you actually cared about me, Uzumaki not your damme promise! I was happy to know I had a person who really cared. For once someone cared without my fortune coming into play!” He wiped the blood trickling down his chin.

Naruto felt guilty as he looked at the Uchiha’s hurt face. Before he had a chance to reply, Sasuke was at the door. Naruto put a hand on his shoulder. “Where do you think you are going?”

“You need not worry. I am going to see if Sarutobi had another room, for me so I do not have to spend more time than I have to looking at you godforsaken face!”

Naruto let go, looking a little hurt, but the Uchiha walked on. Why was the bastard acting like this? It wasn’t like he had been with Hinata on purpose! Well he had a right to be with Hinata…this did not make any sense. He swallowed at the image of Uchiha’s fury ridden face, with blood trickling down his chin. I shouldn’t have hit him. Oh gods what am I doing?

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Sasuke did not want to hurt anymore. He had hurt enough when he had lost his family. The most when he had lost his brother. And now there was this Captain he had been forced to associate with. The Earl punched the wall, a twisted smile on his face. It seemed like the fates were out to get him, tempting him with every sin there ever was.

Thankfully, Sarutobi did have another room, a few doors away from the Captain’s room. Sasuke was glad it wasn’t next door. They had begun to get to know each other so well…he knew that he was wrong in feeling jealous at the way Naruto loved Hinata, but it would have passed if the Captain had not hit him. Sasuke felt fury well up in him again.

He lay on the bed, taking deep breaths and trying to calm down. He heard a knock on his door. It was a boy. Sasuke scowled down at him, wondering what he wanted.

The boy trembled a little looking at him with big eyes. “Excuse me, sir. But the gentleman down the hall, wanted me to give this to you.” He held out a note.

Sasuke took it and tipped the boy. Upon opening it he realized that it was from Naruto.

Uchiha,

We have been invited to dine at the Hyuuga’s again for lunch. If you would rather not please inform me, so I can in turn inform them. If we are not going to the Hyuuga’s I request you to join me for luncheon in a private parlour.

Uzumaki Naruto.

Sasuke stared at the note for a moment or two, before slipping it into his pocket. He wished Kakashi had come with him; actually Kakashi should have come, being the Earl’s valet. But that would attract too much attention. He pulled out a bit of stationary and started to pen down his own reply.

Captain Uzumaki,

I regret to inform you that I prefer to neither go to the Hyuuga’s nor dine with you. The latter because I have all ready made it clear that I have no desire to see or hear you, unless it is absolutely necessary. I apologize for my want of conduct, earlier. I will be out this afternoon and do not know when I will be back. When I do get back I will send you a note.

Uchiha.

Satisfied with the note at last, he copied it onto a fresh piece of stationary and opened his door. The boy was still standing outside. He gave the boy the note and pulled on a fresh black coat and left.

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“Of all the nerve! That deplorable bastard!” Naruto thundered as he read through the note. He knew that searching for his lordship would be futile; having all ready tried it the night before. It seemed that the Uchiha would not forgive him, this time.

He grabbed his own coat before deciding that he would search the outskirts of Bordeaux, but he was going to drag the Earl back home. Home? I must be going crazy.

He asked Sarutobi to provide him with a horse and took off down the streets in a quick trot. After an hour of trotting around Bordeaux, he finally decided to look for the young Earl at Gaara’s shack. It was a possibility that he was there.

He rode up and dismounted, a thunderous look marring his otherwise handsome features. He stopped short of the doorway staring at the Uchiha who had his arms around Gaara’s sister and was kissing her sloppily and drunkenly. Naruto’s eyes narrowed. I have taken enough of this nonsense!

Sasuke was in the middle of one of his more passionate kisses when two hands roughly yanked him away from the two warm arms encircling him. He tried to glare angrily at the person who had the audacity to do this, in a pub no less. He really did try, but it came out as an annoyed pout.

“What are you doing here idiot?” he mumbled trying to get the hands off his shoulders. He managed to look into the murderous blue eyes and then blanched. Some where in his drunken, hazy mind, a voice was telling him to do anything Naruto told him to, without protest. Though Sasuke tried to stubbornly reach for Temari, his survival instinct cut in and got him to the grip the counter instead.

“Why don’t you explain to me…exactly what you are doing Uchiha? And also be kind enough to explain why you are trying to drink yourself to death during lunch time?” Naruto’s eyes were chips of ice, boring into the Earl‘s head.

Sasuke giggled. “You look really scary like that Captain…Hinata should see you like this, she’ll end up crying.” He giggled and pouted again. Naruto sighed and turned to the bar tender who was watching them with a bored expression.

“How long has been here Gaara? And how could you let him touch your sister?” Naruto’s voice rose a little at the end.

Gaara shrugged. “My sister seemed to like it. I know you are thinking we are vulgar but we live for the pleasure in life, I hate being ‘proper’.” He glanced at Sasuke. “Yon lad a friend of yours?”

Naruto nodded. “You still haven’t answered my question, Gaara.”

Gaara sighed. “Always thinking or propriety, our Captain is. Well, he had a bottle of scotch yesterday. And he finished a bottle and a half today. He had just begun kissing Temari, when you walked in. he’d be a fine catch, he has enough money I’m guessing. You always foil my plans Naruto!” Gaara grinned sexily.

Naruto felt a little flustered when he realized he was feeling a little attracted to Gaara’s smile. Ever since the Uchiha had wound his roots around him, these crazy feelings kept springing up. He suddenly felt protective of the drunken helpless Uchiha.

Another man stepped out of the shadows, and slipped his arms around Gaara. “Hey, beautiful…” he kissed Gaara softly.

Naruto tried to hold in the lurching of his stomach. He did not mind homosexuals. He had always followed that it was the other person’s life and he had no need to interfere. Why, he even had them in his crew. Genma and Raidou were a couple. And if he was right then Kakashi and Iruka might soon be one. But what he really was disgusted at was that he was feeling almost the same things. He was not a sinner!

A tug at his sleeve pulled him back to reality. Sasuke was tugging on his sleeve a slight frown on his face. “Would you buy me a drink Uzumaki? Please?”

Naruto tsked and lifted the Uchiha up, throwing him over his shoulder. Then he paid the blunt and slung Uchiha onto the horse. Then he climbed up and held Sasuke in place, letting him sag against his chest. It seemed that Uchiha was partially to drinking every time he was in a pelter. He made his way to the ship.

Kakashi hurried forward as he saw them ride up. “What happened to his lordship?”

“He has been in his cups since last night. Is he always like this?” Naruto asked handing the Uchiha over and dismounting.

Kakashi frowned. “I would not say so. His lordship is never this intoxicated. The only time he was this badly in his cups was during his family’s death anniv….well, not very often.”

Naruto frowned at the sudden change, but just left it at that. It was not for servants to tell him of Sasuke’s past. He followed Kakashi into his cabin. Sasuke was almost unconscious, but he was still giggling and mumbling incoherently. He smiled at Naruto once more. “Come here…idiot!”

Naruto sighed and walked up to him. Sasuke grinned. “You look good in orange…you should wear more of it.” then his face fell a little. “Are you angry with me, Naruto? Don’t be angry with me…I don’t want more people angry with me…”

Naruto glanced at Kakashi who tucked Sasuke in. Sasuke gave one last giggle, before falling asleep. Kakashi straightened and looked at Naruto. “Ok, Captain, what in the name of god happened? I mean no disrespect but he has never drunk this much for a long time. And for some reason I’m guessing you must be behind his sudden interest in alcohol.”

Naruto glared at Kakashi. “That is none of your concern, Kakashi. Uchiha, is behaving as he always does…a spoilt brat with no concern for anyone other than himself!”

Kakashi held up a hand looking murderous. “Forgive the rudeness, Captain. But you have no right to say anything against Lord Uchiha. He has been through a lot in his life and it is his way of dealing with it. Did you quarrel?”

Naruto found he couldn’t really blame the man. He knew if he were in the Uchiha’s place, his crew would defend him as well. “You might say we had an argument and I hit him. So we did fight a little.”

Kakashi rubbed his mask a little. “I know it is not my place to advice you, Captain, but as it will benefit my Lord, I will. You see, his lordship does not have many friends. He does not believe in caring for people, because he is afraid of losing them. You are one of the few people he has ever come close to being friends with; please do not make it difficult for him. He is also very possessive of his friends and can there fore become jealous easily too.”

Then Kakashi’s eye looked at him with a bit of pleading in it. “I ask you to bear with him for a while. He needs this friendship.” Then the valet stood up and walked out of the cabin leaving Naruto alone with the sleeping Earl.

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“Don’t be angry with me…I don’t want more people angry with me…” Naruto glanced at the Earl once more. He could see a bruise forming on that pale jaw. He reached out and traced the bruise. “I’m sorry Sasuke.”

Sasuke leaned into the touch, letting Naruto’s hand cradle his face. Naruto watched for a minute before deciding that he had better go inform the Hyuuga's that they were setting sail again. He really wanted to be out at sea, where it was not so easy for the Earl to run away. He could keep Sasuke by him and they would sort things out a lot better.

He walked to the Hyuuga household as fast as he could. As soon as the butler let them in he walked to the library where he knew everyone would be. They usually had a little family time during which they would gather at the library.

Lord Hiashi smiled as he entered. “Naruto, what brings you here, lad?” he had lost all his formality, now that Naruto had come alone. He gestured for Naruto to sit. “We missed having you here at luncheon. Is the Earl feeling better? We were worried when you wrote that he was ill.”

Naruto nodded. “He’s asleep in the cabin. I came to tell you that we will be setting sail once more, in an hour’s time. I am restless again and you know how it is…the spell is over me again. I have to go to sea.”

Hiashi nodded. “I understand. When will you settle down, Naruto, my boy? You will have to find a wife who will follow you to the sea it seems.”

Naruto smiled, tilting his head a bit. “Yes, I think I will have to do so. But no woman in her right senses will marry me! I will love the sea much more than her and most women cannot follow me on what I do…it is very dangerous!”

Naruto stood up. “I think I will be leaving now. I have to help the crew make ready to sail.”

Hinata followed him out, before hugging him once they were alone. “Naruto…I can be the woman who will follo…”

Naruto put his finger at her lips, with a sad smile. “I am sorry Hinata, but please do not mention this again. At least for now. You will not be happy with a man like I me…I have nothing to offer you. Think on it, if you still feel like that then, I will consider it.”

He smiled and left. Hinata watched him leave with a stricken look on her face, before she schooled it into a more peaceable expression. He had said he would consider it, if she felt like that later. That was good enough.

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Genma frowned, looking at his partner and love, Raidou. “Raidou, have ye noticed that the Captain ain't himself anymore?”

Raidou gave Genma and exasperated look. “We are supposed t’be workin Genma. What t’ Cap’n does is his own bus’ ness we ain't got no say in’t. Why are you so worrid?”

Genma chewed on a blade of straw that seemed to be in his mouth perpetually, only removed when he was kissing Raidou. “Well, since is lordship, came aboard, the Cap’n was allus happy go lucky. Now he seems to worrit a lot more! There ain't no knowing what is going on in that big head of his!”

Raidou rubbed Genma’s back soothingly. “S’all goin t’ be aw right Genma, love. We’d better get workin, t’ Cap’n is back…” they both peered over the edge to watch their Captain. He came aboard with a small frown on his face and made his way straight to the cabin.

Genma chewed his twig thoughtfully. “See that? That’s what I’m talkin bout. He allus goes right in, t’ check on is lordship! Why I’m worrit is cos, the Cap’n he be a good Christian. He ain't like us, not caring bout heaven, but wantin t’ be with each other. If he be feeling anything for Lord Uchiha, then he is goin t’ worry and eat himself up bout it.”

Raidou could not help but agree with Genma. This was going to be tough for them all. The Captain normally did not care about who his crew was in love with. But when it came to himself he would be very stubborn and refuse to accept the facts which were staring him in the face.

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Naruto made sure everyone was aboard. He saw Genma and Raidou in the crow’s nest kissing. An image of himself kissing Sasuke like that entered his head. He shook his head trying to forget and placed a hand up on it. He was beginning to have ah headache.

“All right men. Let’s cast off!” Naruto roared. The crew scrambled to do his bidding. He steered the ship out of the harbour and then left Ibiki to the rest. Maybe a light sleep and more comfortable clothes would do him some good.

Back in the cabin, after making sure that Sasuke was really asleep, he pulled out his old worn brown breeches and an orange shirt. I am not wearing this because Uchiha said I look good in orange! He stripped off his clothes and changed quickly. Then he pulled out his orange bandana and rolled it up into one straight length of cloth. Then he tied it around his head, to keep his bangs out of his face. The brown and orange looked good.

He lay on his bed and watched the Uchiha. He did not have anything else to occupy himself with and he wanted to think over what Kakashi had asked of him. Maybe he could tolerate the Earl’s stupid, headstrong, spoilt attitude. He wondered how long this arrangement would last. How long was he to have the beautiful man aboard his ship? How long was he to entertain impure thoughts about the young man?

The Uchiha mumbled something in his sleep. Naruto looked over at the face which was now creased in pain. “Don’t…please don’t…brother!” Sasuke suddenly started to twist and turn terribly. Naruto leaped out of bed as the Earl started to moan in pain. He tried to gently shake the Earl awake but it was of no avail. He frowned.

“Uchiha? Uchiha…Sasuke! Wake up.” He shook the Earl awake hard now, trying to snap him out of his dream. Sasuke’s eye opened in shock. The amount of fear in them made Naruto move a few steps backward.

“Are you all right Uchiha? You seemed to be experiencing a nightmare…” Naruto wondered how the Earl could be awake enough to experience a nightmare. Alcohol usually made the intoxicated person sleep deeply…too deeply to dream. Maybe Uchiha was good at holding his alcohol. So even if he did pass out, he would not lose all consciousness.

“I…I’m fine.” Sasuke looked away. Though his pale face disputed his statement. “Why are we in the ship? I thought we weren’t leaving for a while.”

Naruto shrugged. ‘The sea called out to me. I informed the Hyuuga’s of our departure and for you ill health at the moment. I am feeling a lot better now that we are at sea.”

Sasuke tried to answer when for the second time in his stay on the ship, his head spun. He brought a hand up to his mouth. Then he retched until every single thing in his stomach was out. He opened his eyes, once more Naruto had gotten to the bucket in time. The blonde smiled and set the pail down.

Then he pulled a handkerchief out of the draw, wet it with the fresh water and cleaned Sasuke up, even helping him change his shirt. Then he smiled. “It is a very amusing quirk that you get seasick, an hour after we are at sea. I cannot believe it happened this time as well.”

Sasuke stared down at the blanket covering him. “I thought I told you that I did not desire to see you or converse with you unless I was forced to Uzumaki. I am sorry for this, but I cannot forgive you for hitting me.”

Naruto’s smile turned to a grimace before turning back into a smile. “Now listen, Uchiha. Firstly, you are forced to converse and see me, because I have no other place to rest in and neither do you.” He leaned closer suddenly, until he was almost nose to nose with the Earl. “Secondly, for some odd reason I actually like conversing with you Uchiha. So nothing you say will drive me away. Thirdly, I am tired of you acting like you are either a spoilt child or an old bachelor. So help me, help you.”

Sasuke stared at him as the Uzumaki winked. “I also wore orange because you specifically told me you like it. So please do not argue with me right now…” he laughed at the way Sasuke’s mouth fell open.

The Earl gathered his thoughts pursing his lips. “None of those reasons make any sense to me. After all you have been a bastard these past two days; I do not think you sudden interest in friendship will appease me.”

Naruto’s eyebrow started to twitch with anger. “Now look here, Uchiha I’m sick of you acting like a know it all! Here I am trying to put all the disturbing things behind us and you are not even making an effort!”

The Uchiha gave him a condescending glare for a while. Naruto wanted to stamp his foot, huff like a child and walk out. But then he reminded himself that the childish behaviour was Sasuke’s forte. The glare just made him angrier and he gave in.

Sasuke watched with wide eyes as Naruto stamped his foot on the ground with a scowl on his face. He couldn’t stop the smile on his own face. “Tsk, tsk, Captain…you seem to be behaving rather childishly. Haha who is the spoilt brat now?” Sasuke suddenly found himself pushed back into his pillows.

“One more word out of you Uchiha and I won’t be responsible for my actions. You give me this maddening urge to hit you! I really want to apologize for last time, but you don’t seem to be helping me here.” Naruto’s blue eyes bored into him.

Sasuke swallowed, trying to control the feelings flowing through him at the position they were in. Naruto gave a frustrated growl and let go of him, walking to the door. Sasuke wondered why he was angry. “Uzumaki….why does it mean so much to you?”

Naruto stopped and turned around. The Uchiha had an odd expression on his face, which seemed to be a mix of surprise and desperation. Naruto felt his breath catch. He bit his lip lightly. “Because, bastard, I consider you a friend and do not want to loose the friendship we have.”

They stared at each other for a while. Then Sasuke smiled. “You do know you look like a clown do you not? Or maybe Carrot would be better?”

Naruto glared at him. “Do not forget that you said I look good like this. Your exact words were ‘you look good in orange’.”

Sasuke grinned. “I was intoxicated Uzumaki! You cannot expect me to say what I mean.”

‘Don’t be angry with me…I don’t want more people angry with me…’ Naruto’s smile slipped a little. Oh you mean it all right. I know you did. “Yes, whatever you say my Lord.”

Sasuke gave a sudden full blown smile, his eyes crinkling up in amusement. “I’m sorry for my want of conduct earlier. I caused you a lot of trouble, but then it is very amusing to anger you Uzumaki.”

“Huh?” Naruto stared at that happy lit-up face. His legs started moving of their own accord. “Why don’t you smile more, Uchiha? You look so…” he was about to lean to over the Uchiha, when there was frantic knock on his door. Naruto turned to see Ibiki walk in.

“Captain, there’s a Spanish galley twenty minutes away. If you would like to attack, then we will head towards it.” Ibiki gave a wolfish grin.

Naruto nodded smiling back. He turned to see Sasuke stand up and pull a sword out. Naruto’s eyes narrowed. “Uchiha, you are not well. You have just recovered from a bout of intoxication. You may not battle.”

Sasuke smirked, his usual arrogant expression appearing. “Not this time Uzumaki. I did say I wouldn’t fight the last time, but you will have to agree that I cannot rip my stitches this time as my wound has healed pretty well. I am not in any way stiff as I did practice, while you were not present.”

Naruto glared at him. “Fine.”

They left and went out. Ibiki had already steered towards the other ship, which was steadily increasing in size as they came closer. It seemed like the ship had weighed their anchor. Naruto frowned something did not look right. And other ship would be preparing for battle. The cannons should be trained on the ‘nine Tails’ but it was like the ship was waiting for them.

A cold dread seeped over Naruto as they approached. There standing on the prow was one of the best Spanish generals Gatou had. His shadow behind him proved that Naruto was not seeing things.

“Sasuke, I want you out of this battle. You will not fight, do you understand?” Naruto’s voice sounded very worried.

Sasuke looked at him concerned. But steeled himself. “What are you so worried about? I can hold my own in these skirmishes.”

Naruto whirled around to face him. “This will not be an easy battle like the one with Ebisu. You do not know who we will be facing. Please just listen to me.”

Sasuke looked away. “I’m sorry, I want to fight. But tell me why you are so worried Naruto?”

Suddenly murmurs went through the whole crew. Some scared, some angry and some emotionless. “It’s him.” “They are both here” “Will the Captain fight them?”

The ‘nine tails’ stopped just shy of the other ship. The crew waiting for Naruto’s orders to board it. Naruto glared at the two men standing at the prow.

The shorter one smiled a little. “Naruto, nice to see you again.” Naruto glared not bothering to reply. He turned to the older man who smirked at him.

“Captain Uzumaki. You’re late. I have been waiting quite a while. Are you going to stare at me or are we going to fight?”

Naruto grit his teeth. Sasuke just heard the whisper, and only because the wind had blown it to him.

“Zabuza”

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A/N: yay, I am able to make each chapter longer than the last. And I’m happy because I want work on their relationship, not rush it! How is this people? Is it going alright? Please tell me if I make any mistakes and tell me what more I can to. And give me ideas if you feel like it…I’m not promising to incorporate them, but I might! Ja ne!

Taka.

Oh and here’s blueberry pie to all the reviewers! I love you all!

Itachi glares.: I thought you loved me! (Pouts)

Taka: eh hehehe, um…I do, Itachi…hey I mean it! I really do. (Glomps)

Sasuke: censored for perverted thoughts of the author! Enjoy!