Well, here it is. Yeah I know, long time no see. School and laziness are my main reasons. Well this is the next chapter. Just know, these characters aren't going to be exactly like the way we know them in personality. Because they're pirates and of their past (which we will find out) they've become slightly more jaded and serious. What I'm trying to do is let their real personality kind of peek through every now and then. Read on…

"BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!"

Naruto winced as he heard the rosette scream at the top of her lungs from Kiba's shoulder. He winced again as she continued to beat her fists and knees hard against Kiba.

When they finally reached the deck, Kiba dropped her in the center, rubbing his sore stomach.

"Why the hell am I here? Just who do you think you are? What the hell is supposed to happen---"

"SHUT UP!!" Naruto finally yelled down at the angry girl. She stopped, but fumed silently.

"See, that was easy no? Hey Shikamaru, let's get moving. Richies aren't looking very happy," he said while pointing to the still terrified nobles. Shikamaru shot a very pitying look to the girl, and then walked off.

Naruto caught the look. Sometimes he wondered if Shikamaru regretted coming with him. For one, he hated: raiding ships, taking prisoners, killing people, and water in general. Shikamaru came because Naruto was in trouble. Was it fair to make Shikamaru do that? He brushed off those thoughts. Shikamaru chose to come by himself. He was a loyal friend. He would do anything. Even go against his morals. Suddenly, Naruto frowned. It wasn't as if he was going to kill or rape their angry captive. She had potential and skill in fighting. And she was a girl. A girl with potential was hard to find, and he wanted to know what side she was on. Besides, something piqued his curiosity when he saw her amidst all those rich nobles. She might just be----

"Oi! Blondie. When you're done counting sheep, you wanna tell me what's going to happen to me?" she shouted, her voice cutting through his thoughts like a hand through smoke. He glared at her.

Geez, she is ANNOYING. Will she ever stop talking?

"I need ramen," he groaned with a sigh, as he headed below deck.

"WHAT! You are ditching me for fucking noodles?" she screamed, struggling against her bonds.

Naruto inhaled sharply through his nose.

"I'm NOT ditching you for what was it? Fucking noodles," he said between gritted teeth. Their captive stared suspiciously, but nodded.

"I'm ditching you for ramen. Better than any fucking noodles you will ever find!" he said with a handsomely wide grin. She stared. And stared. His sudden change in demeanor was weirding her out. She watched with disbelief as he walked downstairs, humming.

"Take a picture, it might last longer," Kiba advised. Her eyes widened, and she kicked out at his shin, missing by an inch, as he hopped backwards.

"Kiba, we need to take her to the brig," Neji said, trying to wonder why he was stuck with a bunch of idiots. Kiba cautiously approached her, eyes wary of her legs. Neji made an annoyed growl and yanked her arm and pulled her down into the dark brig.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

"Remind me, why you let her come with us? She could be with Akatsuki. She could be with other pirates. She could be with Sas-,"

"She's not."

*Sigh* "Naruto, it is NOT safe to let a total stranger aboard. Even I can't think of a logical reason!" Shikamaru exclaimed, berating the worn out captain in front of him.

"It's actually very obvious," a voice stated wisely. Everyone looked up to see, Kiba?

"Oh, really? Do enlighten me, Kibble," Shikamaru mocked, using Kiba's hated nickname.

"Well, I know YOU wouldn't be able to recognize it because of the little experience you've had yourself. It just so happens, that our Naruto finds our young captive very attract--,"

"SHUT UP!"

"Er, look Naruto. She may be pretty and all, but ah, this really isn't the um, time to be, well you know looking for--," Shikamaru wisely shut up after receiving a full-on death glare from Naruto.

"I didn't keep her just because of her looks!" Naruto snarled, flush slowly rising on his neck. Kiba nodded sympathetically, as if talking to someone in denial.

"Neji, you know I didn't, right?" Naruto whirled on Neji, looking for support.

"Hn."

"I kept her because she has potential. A lot of potential. Her skill with a sword is close to mine. She's not with us, so I want to know who she is with. Anyways, she probably was on that noble ship to get to the port where she is meeting with who she's with. You're right, she could be with Akatsuki, but now we have leverage," Naruto explained calmly, wondering why people wouldn't let him eat his ramen in peace.

"We should interrogate her now," Neji stated, annoyed that people were staring in shock that he actually spoke a complete sentence.

"Whatever."

"Oh, it won't be easy. I talked to Konohamaru, who brought some food for her," Kiba said.

"That was nice of him," Naruto pointed out.

"She threw it all back in his face while threatening to rip his balls out. Poor boy was nearly in tears!" Kiba scoffed.

"Great. Well, let me go interrogate Little Miss Pinky, shall we?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto looked at their captive. She was tied to the chair in the center of the room. His eyes traveled over her torn clothes, bloodied and dirty. It was a tight red tunic which went about mid thigh. Long slits had been cut at the sides, revealing slender legs garbed in black. Tightly laced up boots went all the way to her knees. A black belt wrapped tightly around her waist, no doubt for a sword and other weapons. Now through all the fighting, there were tears at her arms and stomach. Her pink hair still gleamed through the blood and dirt. Though he noticed it looked as though she had raked her hands through it many times. It hung straight to her neck. Her bangs were plastered to her forehead with sweat. What seemed to be the most dynamic part of her were her eyes. Apparently she was giving herself a mental pep talk, as her eyes kept shifting emotions. Finally they drew on a defiant, angry look and focused on him.

Naruto shut the door behind him. It resounded with a satisfying bang.

"Well then. I am Uzumaki Naruto, Captain of the Beacon ship," he began.

"Would you like a round of applause?" she deadpanned. Apparently she was intent on being as unhelpful as possible. Naruto circled around her, a predator to prey.

"You are aware of the war going on, no?" he queried, keeping his tone light.

"Yes, not all of us spend our time holed up on a ship, looting people when there is a war going on."

"I'm going to make this simple. Which side are you on?" his tone turned slightly more serious.

"… Neither."

"You're saying that you have no participation with this war going on?"

"Course not. I'm a girl. We're not allowed in the army," her tone becoming more confident.

"I'm not talking about the army, darling. I'm talking about the core opposing sides. The underground powers controlling each army."

"Haven't the faintest idea of what you're talking about!" she said quickly.

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"I'm telling you I don't."

"Of course you do."

"Nope."

"Oh, but you do. Where do you work?" he fired off quickly, taking her by surprise.

"Er, a dumpling shop," she responded quickly, looking startled.

"A dumpling shop?" he said disbelievingly.

"Yeah."

"Alright then, if you're not going to give me anything on the war. Why were you on that ship?" he asked, making a mental note of what she was saying. Contrary to what she was thinking, in reality she was giving away a lot through her answers. His plan was to give a light interrogation, sift through the information, and then go hard. Good cop, bad cop.

"Sea air is good for the health."

"I see. So that's assuming, you're not in good health?"

"Absolutely not. Um, pancreas problems."

"Funny, you seem to fight with a sword quite well for someone with pancreas problems."

"Those meds really are helping then!"

"That's enough!" he shouted. She flinched back, scared once again by his change in demeanor.

"You will answer," he hissed, this time pulling out a sword. One thing about being a pirate was the fear that clouded peoples' eyes when he held out his sword. Her fear only lasted about a second.

"You don't frighten me," she whispered. He noticed, with slight satisfaction that her voice was slightly higher pitched.

"Mmm. What is your name?" he asked, slowly and seriously. He held his sword slightly closer to her skin, not yet letting it touch. She breathed slowly through her nose. She opened her mouth, "Kimi--."

His eyes narrowed, and he moved the sword a centimeter closer. Its blade lightly caressed her neck. She swallowed.

"Sakura."

That was it. Anyways, this chapter seems pointless, but actually Naruto learned a lot from her answers. I know Naruto was really OOC, but as I said, he's a bit more jaded, grown up, plus he's a pirate. He meant to intimidate her. I know he's being kinda harsh, but she's a stranger, and he doesn't know if she's an enemy or not. Basically, he's playing on her fear.

REVIEW. REVIEW. REVIEW. Any suggestions?