1zara-uchiha1 and I don't own the Naruto cast or anything else you might recognize. 1zara-uchiha1 owns Laura and I own Kahlan. Together we own the plot.


Chapter 9

Note: Sitting in a dark room can cause people to attack you; it's best to leave some sort of light so you don't have a weapon thrown at you.

~Kahlan's POV

In the far distance I hear my name being called, but I ignore it for the wonderful world of sleep. I'm warm and comfortable finally able to catch up on some Zs. No way do I want to leave.

"Kahlan," the voice whispers right in my ear.

I shiver not from the cold but some unknown reason. My heart starts pounding like crazy and my stomach start doing gymnastic tricks. Groaning I bury my face into Rellik feeling sleep drift away from me.

"Kahlan," the very familiar voice says. "Dinner is done."

Keeping the covers around me I sit up and rub my eyes. Stretching, I yawn letting my joints pop. I look over to see who has awakened me from my wonderful slumber. My eyes widen as all breathing stops, my heart rate accelerates and my insides decide it's time for more gymnastic tricks. Standing in front of the bed is Itachi.

Unshed tears burn my eyes as I feel my bottom lip to start trembling. I feel happy to see him and…I don't know I refuse to name whatever else I feel. In fact I am shooting the other unknown feeling and throwing it into the ocean.

"Itachi," I ask my voice thick. My hands shake wanting to reach out and touch him but I'm too afraid of these weird feeling and that he just might be an illusion.

He nods in reply and I feel a tear fall down, then another and the floodgates start opening. For a moment I throw caution (and pride) to the wind and jump off the bed wrapping my arms around him. Seeing as I don't go through him it means he's real and I tighten my hold around him. I bury my face in his chest sobbing.

"I…." I try to speak but words get stuck in my throat.

What could I even possibly say? I could say that when I saw him die I was crushed, but that's not something I'm ready to admit out loud. I could tell him…nothing because I refuse to accept any of the unknown feelings that scare me just a bit. If no words come out, and I refuse to say anything then there's nothing that can be spoken.

I clench tightly onto his cloak because even though I refuse to say anything, I don't want to let him go. If I do he could leave…disappear, and I don't want that. I don't want…to lose him…I don't.

"Don't –hiccup-…leave…." That is all I am able to force out of my throat. I cling tighter, sobbing into his chest. I feel his arms around me as his hands rub my back in a soothing manner.

It takes a while for me to calm down. I keep sniffling with shaky breathing as slow silent tears stroll down my cheeks. My eyes close feeling sleep as I listen to the steady beat of his heart. I allow the feeling of bliss until it decides that it wants to bring over its buddy that I shot. Once something has been thrown in the ocean it should learn to stay there, I don't want to deal with the unknown or put a name to any of the emotions. So, I pull away and wipe away the remaining tears.

"Sorry," I mumble looking down to the ground.

He places his hand on my shoulder and I look up at him. He doesn't say anything and…I guess I don't need him to since…well he did allow me to cry all over him so really there is no reason to apologize. Argh, my pride is really starting to crumble around this man and I can't allow it to happen.

My stomach lets out a loud grumble and I look away glaring at the floor. There's a small chuckle and it didn't come from me so I know it came from him. Grabbing one of the blankets off Konan's bed, I throw it at Itachi. He catches it raising his brow.

"Give it back," I say reaching for it but he holds it away.

"You threw it," he says which I translate into a no.

"You chuckled at me," I reply with a slight glare. My stomach decides to grumble again (very loudly) causing my face to heat up and I see the corner of his lips twitch. "Fine you can keep it."

I head for the door to go eat…dinner because I remember the words 'diner is done' being spoken. I stop when I feel the blanket being placed on my shoulder. Looking up I see Itachi give a very small (almost unnoticeable) smile then starts walking ahead.

Wrapping the blanket tight around me I look down feeling my face heat up even more. Seeing him smile…even if it was a small smile…makes me want to smile. That is not cool, at all. But it wouldn't be wrong to smile if I'm happy to see him…right; because I am happy to see him, happier than when I saw Konan, and definitely happier than seeing the others.

So I allow myself to smile, after all there can't be anything wrong with that. I look up at him and my eyes stray down to his hand. For a moment I wonder what it would be like if I was to hold his hand. Shaking my head, I rid the thought. Something like that wouldn't happen…plus I don't think I should dive any deeper into these strange feelings and stuff.

"Good evening," I say as I walk into the kitchen/dining room with Itachi.

"What took so long," asks Kisame from the table.

"I was enjoying my sleep," I reply. "Yay food, I'm starving." I go to take a seat but stop. I look to Kisame then Sasuke and smile. Going over to Kisame I place one arm over his shoulder. "I have some news for you," I say in a sing-song voice looking over to Deidara.

Deidara notices me looking and slightly glares. "What are you doing, yeah?"

"I could possibly be planning to kick a wall," I reply then turn back to Kisame with a grin. "You would not believe the things that have happen."

"What things," Kisame asks sounding intrigued.

"Oh…nothing really," I reply moving away from Kisame and going over to Sasuke. "I just think…you might want to keep a close eye…on a certain blonde, and I don't mean me."

Kisame looks a bit confused and looks over to Deidara. In return Deidara holds his hands up in the air with an innocent look. Kisame then turns back to me still looking confused and I smile.

"What the hell did I do, yeah?"

"Do you really want me to answer that," I reply with a serious tone. I then turn to Sasuke and ruffle his hair. "Hey."

"Stop that," Sasuke say pushing my hand away and glares.

Poking his cheek I reply, "I told you to smile more."

Sasuke glares even more. Kisame starts laughing and Laura is chuckling. With a grin I ruffle Sasuke's hair one last time then dash over to Itachi, taking a seat beside him as if I did nothing wrong. I am really happy.

"The food looks delicious," I say with a smile.

"Thank you," Konan replies.

"You're welcome."

"Now we can eat," Kisame says with a grin.

I watch as each one bows their head and says…something I don't know. Ah, I remember them doing something similar back in our world. Laura seems to know what it is they're doing and saying because she copies them. Not wanting to feel like an idiot, I slightly bow my head the same time everyone else is lifting their head and starts eating.

"Kahlan," Laura says and I look up at her. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," I reply as I lift up the chopsticks.

"Itadakimasu," Itachi whispers. I look at him confused. "It means thank you for the food."

"Okay," I nod in reply. "That's what everyone was doing?" He nods and I try to say the word and it just comes out all wrong. "You're going to have to teach me your language," I say after my third try of saying the word.

"We can start tomorrow," he replies.

I smile and start eating the food. Thankfully there is salt on the table. So, I reach over and sprinkle some on my food then place it back. Satisfied I go about eating, watching Laura happily talk to Deidara and Kisame.

"What have you been up to," Kisame asks about halfway through dinner.

"Hmm," I say tilting my head since I have food in my mouth.

"Since we've been gone what were you up to," Kisame asks as he points to me.

Swallowing my food I reply, "Traveling."

"That's it, yeah."

"And other stuff," I reply with a shrug. "Don't worry about it."

"Did you make any money," Kakuzu asks.

"Maybe," I reply as I finish the rest of my food. "I can do the dishes."

"I'll help," Laura says with a grin.

"You don't have to," Konan says.

"I want to," Laura and I say in union. I chuckle and Laura grins.

"Okay," Konan says with a small smile.

"Thank you for dinner," I say standing up. Grabbing the dishes I used, I go and place them in the sink. I get the sink filled with water so it's ready for the other dishes. I only wait for about ten minutes for everyone to finish. Soon, Laura and I are both doing the dishes. Since there aren't that much to wash we finish quickly.

Laura yawns as I wipe my hands dry with the dish towel. "Get some sleep," I say going over to the blanket I took from Konan's room and wrap it around myself. There needs to be some heat in this place.

"I'm not that tired," Laura replies.

"Don't stay up too late," I reply as I give her a hug.

"I won't," she replies hugging back then walks out of the room.

"My student," I hear Kisame say and I chuckle.

Wrapping the blanket closer, I walk out and head back for Konan's room. Once there, I grab Rellik and get into bed. As much as I would like to hang out with everyone, I'm tired. So I want to catch up on as much sleep as I can before my body decided it doesn't want me sleeping anymore.

So I lay in Konan's bed…for a long time drifting in and out of being half awake and half asleep. I hear Konan and Laura come to bed, but that's when I'm half asleep so I'm unable to say anything or reply when they said anything. Soon after that the two of them are asleep.

About an hour of them being asleep I come out of my whole half awake and half asleep state. I stare up at the ceiling knowing there is no way I can be able to go to sleep. It was a little too good to be true.

Sighing, I roll out of bed silently. Holding onto Rellik, I quietly make my way out of the room. Keeping close to the wall, I make my way through the dark hallways to the living room. It's dark and so that must mean no one is in the room.

Quietly, I walk over to the outline of what I assume is the sofa and plop down on it. There's no TV to watch and pass the time, so I just stare off into space holding Rellik while my thoughts roam around my head.

For a moment I wonder why the storm brought us here, but then smile slightly because I am happy to be here. Then I frown, thinking about our world. Eventually it will be known that the two of us are missing. Laura has a café to run and…I have a band to get together. Plus my father and I are always talking with each other over the phone every two days. He'll know something is up soon when I don't pick up the phone. Depending on how long we're here also depends on the fact our electric and phone going out for not being paid.

Squeezing Rellik, I frown even more. Is there a way back home? Hopefully, there is no need to die to get back. Will Laura want to go back because I know she's happy being here? Would I want to go back? I want to work on my music, and I don't know if I can do it here. Plus, music is practically my life but…I can't lose Itachi again. Sure I know he's alive but…to never see or talk to him again, or the rest of the family and our friends…I wouldn't know what to pick. Stay here or go back to our world?

I'm so lost in my thoughts I almost don't hear someone walking into the room. Looking up I see the person freeze standing in the entrance way. Immediately I duck as a kunai flies by where my head was.

Quickly, I jump over the couch to hide behind it. It's not like I can attack with Rellik, he wouldn't do much damage. Okay then…I shall scream, and that is exactly what I do.

Lights come on in the room and I sink low to the floor. My eyes scan for a place to hide but land to the hallway leading to the bedrooms. I go to run for it but stop when I see an Akatsuki cloak in front of me. I look up and see Leader looking down at me. Oops, I hope no one comes and that I didn't wake anybody up.

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