Guardian Bay

Chapter One

Sasuke watched in irritation as Sakura bent over the edge of the wooden docks and held out small bits of fish. He could never begin to fathom why she did it in the first place. There were plenty of fish in the bay to feed the annoying creatures.

So, blowing a strand of raven-black hair from his eyes, He leaned back on his hands and watched the clouds above him, the smell of salt-water and pine drifting through his senses. If he liked one thing about this place Kakashi had forced him to move to, it was the peace and serenity. Of course, they'd been living here for nearly 10 years.

After...well...that.

" Sasuke! Come look, they're surfacing!" Sakura's excited voice called from the end of the docks. Her dark green shirt and blue jean shorts were dotted with ridiculous amounts of water from splashing around with the fish. He couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the fact that no matter how hard she tried, they never came up to eat from her hands.

"No thanks." Sasuke muttered, "I don't feel like changing my cloths twenty times a day."

"I swear." She huffed, standing up and gathering the bucket of fish scraps. "It must be hard being a stiff prick."

"I try."

She shook her head of short pink hair, green eyes dancing in mirth, " Oh get up you big baby. I'll got drop these at my house then we can head down and get some ice cream."

"Sakura, you know I hate sugar." Sasuke huffed, taking her hand and lifting himself off the wood. When he got no reply, that meant they were going, no questions asked. She stalked off the docks and started up the stone stairs that lead to the small row of houses along the edge of a steep hill. From where he stood on the docks, there was his house, which was were the stairs lead, then Sakura's on the left and on the right was a large two story with a 'For Sale' sign in the front yard.

He followed Sakura up the stairs and waited for her as she went into her house through the back door. She came out through the front, locked the door, and stuck the key in her pocket before hurrying over to him.

"So, what should I get today?" She mused, sliding her arm through his and dragging him down the old asphalt road.

"I haven't the slightest clue." Sasuke sighed, glancing down at her. "What are you hungry for?"

"Hmmmmm. Mint."

"Then get that."

"But it's not a mint day."

Sasuke groaned inwardly. Why was he best friends with this girl again? Ah yes, cuz she'd poked, prodded and irritated the hell out of him until he finally came out of his room and hung out with her friends. She was the only one, to this day, that could get anything out of him.

But there were something's he couldn't even tell Sakura. And he highly doubted he would ever be able to tell anyone, he still couldn't tell Kakashi.

For the time being, he was going to push those thoughts as far as possible from his mind and focus on the sugary treat that awaited them in town. Well, awaited Sakura, that it. So, as she droned on and on about how Ino and Shikamaru obviously had the hots for each other, Sasuke watched the small town below them.

The town of Guardian was somewhere between the last town you'd ever want to come to and one of the best places on earth.

The first time he'd stepped foot out of Kakashi's silver Volvo, the first option had made itself known. It was loud, far too happy and dramatic for his tastes. Then he'd met Sakura, who, for the life of him, refused to leave him alone until he was properly introduced to everyone.

That was when the second option came in and stood firm. Because, when he really thought about it, there was no place else he'd rather be.

"This fucking sucks."

An outraged gasp tore from a brunet-haired man driving a small red Honda civic. Dark brown eyes narrowed at the blonde boy in his rear view mirror. "Watch your language!"

"But it's true." The blonde grumbled, "We didn't have to move."

The man let out a soft sigh, " Naruto..."

"Iruka." It was said in the same way, but sarcasm laced it like ice.

Iruka's eyes narrowed again and firmed up his voice, "The judge said this was the best place for you to get better."

Naruto snorted, "You're all just trying to put me on a freakin leash. " he then began to dig around in his black messenger bag on the seat next to him and took out a gray IPod. With a heavy sigh, Iruka let the stubborn 17-year-old plug up his ears and scowl at the never ending trees they passed.

Where had he gone wrong?

"AH! Sakura, what will you be having today?" A scruffy-haired boy behind the ice cream counter asked, scoop in hand.

"Mint." The pink-haired girl smiled, "A medium."

"Coming right up." The boy dived into the ice cream container and dug up two scoops then set them in a medium sized cup. He glanced to Sasuke, "Anything for the grumpy one?"

"Ha. Ha. Kiba. "Sasuke snorted, "you know I hate sweets."

Kiba shrugged, handing Sakura her ice cream and taking the cash from her, "Suit yourself."

Sakura grabbed Sasuke's hand and lead him over to a small booth by the front window. They took a seat and she began to shove the ice cream in her mouth. Sasuke rolled black eyes and turned to stare out the window. Sakura was the only girl he knew that ate like a bloody lion.

He watched as trucks pulling boats were taking turns unloading and setting the large floating devices in or out of the water. He himself had never wanted to get on a boat, not for fear of water, but for fear of what was in the water. Those large black creatures Sakura adored so much ate live seals!

Of course, Sakura had assured him over and over again that there were different breeds of them. The ones here eat fish instead of seals.

He'd nodded, but still didn't believe her.

"Well, well, well! If it isn't my two favorite customers!" A loud male voice cut through the shops noise making Sakura drop her spoon and Sasuke groan. This man, who had been living here for as long as either could remember, had the oddest fascination with spandex. Green spandex.

"Why! Right you are!" Another voice, an octave louder, joined in.

"Gai! Lee!" Sakura smiled, "You're back from The Rockies already?"

"Yes!" Lee declared, "We climbed each and every mountain there!"

'For some reason...I don't doubt that...' Sasuke thought, peering up at the two insane men, who were dressed alike with matching bowl haircuts.

"Wow. Was it as pretty as the pictures you sent me?" Sakura asked, leaning her chin on her hand and sighing wishfully.

"Oh it was wonderful!" Gai chuckled, falling out of 'I'm an Insane Idiot' mode and pulling up a chair from a table. "Absolutely beautiful."

"I'm sure you'll make it there someday, Sakura." Lee assured, patting her on the back. "Aren't you putting money away for that?"

The pinkette nodded enthusiastically, "I have to work extra hours as the Bait Shop, but it's going to be sooo worth it."

Sasuke smiled slightly, a rare and wonderful moment. Lee and Gai made sure to go into 'dramatic mode' again and soak it up, causing the entire Ice Cream parlor to roll their eyes and continue eating their snacks. Sakura looked across the table at him.

"You okay Sasuke?" She asked, tilting her head slightly. "You're smiling."

"I'm fine." He nodded, "Just bored. Things aren't quite as lively as usual."

"I'm sure it'll get better." Sakura smiled, " summer's almost over, but fall is always fun."

"Yea!" Lee stated, punching a fist into the air, "I can just feel it! Something big will happen before school starts again, I just know it!"

With that said, Gai and Lee made their way to the back of the shop, ready to get back into 'Business mode'. Sakura glanced down at her watch and sighed, " Well, I have to go to work, you gonna head home?"

Sasuke nodded, "Yea. Kakashi should be home soon and I need to go fold towels before he throws another blackmail attempt at me for 'neglecting my duties'."

She giggled slightly before giving him a quick hug and dashing out the door, calling out a good-bye to Kiba along the way. Sasuke let out a sigh, stood up and left the store, the bell clanging behind him. He watched in silence as boats whizzed in and out of the two large cliffs that hide their bay. It was necessarily 'hiding' them, just kinda like...a guard. The two large, towering cliffs could each be walked up in a good 15 minutes if you were in shape.

Then, his nose wrinkled as a large black mass lifted slowly out of the water, and then dipped back in, blowing air and water from its top. Yea, he had the same feeling as Lee. Something would happen soon...but whether it was good or bad...well...

TBC

Whelp, there it is. The first Chapter of Guardian Bay. Was it good, boring, needs work? I'm wondering if I should put Itachi in her again... Would ya'll like that? There's gonna be some suspense, a tiny bit of horror, tons of romance and drama, action and...limes. I'll try another attempt at a lemon...if you really want one.

I didn't really want to put it up so soon after finishing Summer in The South, but man...it kept tugging at the edge of my mind for days and soon, I could couldn't keep it in. And I can't just leave it on my computer, cuz it crashes a lot and I might lose it.

For Sakura haters...sorry..she'd not hated in this one. I had to find someone who affects Sasuke as much as Naruto does. (I mean...he's gonna be affecting alot more...if you know what I mean. lol)

ALSO! I have a poll on my profile that needs to be settled in a few days. Neji/Saku or Gaara/Saku. GO VOTE, before I have a mental meltdown. I don't want to displease anyone or make anyone made, so the poll was easier. Whoever wins, wins. (Personally, I hope it's Gaa/Saku, cuz I've never written a full story with them as a couple,) But it's what my readers want!

I'm rambling. So..I'm gonna stop now...

Hope you enjoyed!

Blessed be,

Angel