Frappegurl777: Congrats, Loveofafriend! You got that right. It's Killua Zoaldyeck! Getting excited? Hmmm… I'm kinda preoccupied with school, that's why I can't really make fanfic go any faster than I would have hoped.

Anyways, just read or review, let me hear your opinions, reflections, maybe then I could start my HxH fanfic sooner. Its going to be entitled 'Kleptomaniac', pm me or review for any questions. Ah, back to Curious Case. There's going to be a slight crossover in this chapter, it involves a really famous anime and I know everyone would recognize these characters. There going to show up later, so I better quit stalling you now.

Thanks, people!

Chapter 6

In to the fray

Sandy Beaches, Wide open sea, Bars, restaurants, beach volleyball, seagulls! Get the picture? That's right! Beach party everyone! In Konoha beach club there gathered a more than usual people, celebrating Eighteen Magazine's 7th anniversary. A celebration of its rapid fame though it was only just 7 years. Ain't that cool?

Ayame stood there; leaning against the restaurant's white-painted pillar of wood, staring far out into the sea. As if wishing she would be anywhere else but where she is now. She dressed up casually, in tight jeans this time and a normal sized white t-shirt. Making sure she won't make unnecessary fuss over her choice of clothing on a hot summer day. The costume she thought would help her cover up last time she was at the beach, turned out only to make people notice her more. (read the first chapter to recall)

Well, she won't make that mistake again. Stupid it was for that day was the very first time she went out with a GUY whom she is not related to or wasn't gay. I'm taking about Alan M, Kenichi and Fuji here who she usually hangs out with before she became a model. And I'm talking about Ryuuzaki being that certain GUY.

Ayame levered her head around in the hopes of finding the one person who got her to come in the first place.

Where's that Alan M? He was supposed to treat me for a meal today! He promised.

Ayame looked at her watched in disdain and sighed. It's already 10:15 and still no sign of him.

He said to meet me at 9. Where the heck is he?

Ayame sipped on her straw of cold frappuccino in an attempt to cool her boiling temper but was soon enough, 'brain-freezed' since she drank it all way too fast. Ayame turned away as Misa, who was wearing her rather lacy black bikini (which looked more like a lingerie than a swimwear), neared her.

"Don't look away now, Ayame!" said Misa under adjusting her wide-brimmed straw hat to shade her eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.

"What?"

"Stop being such an anti-social and play volleyball with the girls!" Misa pointed at two girls who were setting up the volleyball net.

"Volleyball, huh…" Ayame loves to play volleyball. "Sure, count me in!" Maybe volleyball will help her keep her cool. "Take you're clothes off and wear the red bikini Alan gave you."

Yep, Misa found the red bikini. In fact, Misa saw Ayame, wearing it and watching her backside in the mirror just this morning. Misa was amazed at how huge Ayame's ass was. Ayame wasn't happy being seen in it. Ayame immediately run towards the bathroom as if for dear life. For she was, surely, going to die of embarrassment.

"Excuse me?"

"All the other girls are wearing bikini, too. Why can't you?" "I don't have to since Alan M is not here to scold me." Ayame stuck her tongue out at Misa. Misa merely pouted.

"Well, this would be the best time to wear them, M'dear." Ayame jumped at the sudden appearance of Alan M, not wanting him to be there this time.

"Well?" Alan M asked again.

"Why aren't you wearing your uniform, private?" Alan M interrogated, military like in authority. Ayame sighed, hopeless and trapped. Turning her back on Alan.

"Sigh… You win…"

"Hmmm? Is that the way you should address me, private?" Alan M shot an eyebrow upward, a signature move which means he isn't content. Ayame turned to Alan once again and made a salute.

"YES, SERGEANT!"

"That's better."

Ayame removed her tees and jeans right on the spot, revealing the flash red scraps of a bikini which she wore underneath. She placed the clothes in her backpack, went inside the restaurant and got out again without the bag. (She placed her bag and frappecino on an the empty table inside the restaurant, there's a purpose for that, just wait and read on) She flipped off her flip flops (pun) leaving them behind since she would have to play volleyball barefoot on the sands. She made a quick bun for her long black mane for it not to get in her way when she plays.

Ayame glanced at Alan hopelessly embarrassed to be in a bikini in broad daylight and in full view of strangers who were at the beach too. Alan M nodded and smiled at her. Ayame sighed then throttled toward the volleyball net installers and helped the girls who put them up.

"Sergeant???" Misa asked curious.

"I didn't go to military school for nothin'!" Alan M snorted. "Now, where's that camera?"

Alan M rummaged through his enormous beach bag, which seemed to contain rubble of random stuffs, it was hard to identify which one is which. Misa jittered, unnerved by Alan M's confession. "

AH! There!" Alan M found the camera and turned it on directing it to himself (fixing his hair while his at it), to Misa and then to Ayame. "Ah, my darling Ayame growing up into a fine young woman. Though we're not related she somehow inherited my good looks and body. Ohohohh.." Alan M said pleased with himself as he adjusted the camera.

"Hey, Misa! You playing?" shouted Ayame.

"I'm coming!!!" Misa shouted back, eager to get way from the Narcissistic Alan M.

"Hi, I'm Sakura and this is Ino. We'll be your competitors for the mini volleyball game." The girl with admirably pink hair, green eyes and matching green bikini made the introduction.

"We both work at the clinic here in Konoha Beach Club." Ino said. A girl with pale-blonde, pony tailed hair. She wore bikini, a cute shade of purple, showing off her ostentatious skin of ivory.

"Hi, I'm Misa and this is Ayame." Misa gestured actively friendly compared to the apathetic Ayame.

"Ah yes, famous models from Eighteen. I love your magazines!" Sakura said, shaking Misa's hand furiously though Misa shook back just as happily. "It gave us lots of beauty tips and fashion trends. It was worth every issue." Ino added.

Misa turned to shake hands with her as well. "We're glad too!" Misa replied in earnest. Proud to be known. Proud to be famous. Proud to be herself.

Ino threw the ball into Ayame's hand who received it casually with ease. "You serve first, Miss MVP." Ino said then winked. It figures, she read the article about Ayame. (Remember the magazine page Ryuuzaki opened up back at BookSale? Read chapter 2)

"You sure?"

Ayame dared to brag a little. Since volleyball is one thing she is confident at doing. It's rare, you know, for Ayame to brag. She doesn't have much talent else to spare for her to be able to BRAG. Ino and Sakura smiled as they positioned themselves at the other side of the net, warming up.

"Alright… I'll take that as a yes." Ayame smiled back at them." I won't go easy on you guys."

"We don't expect you to." The girls said unison.

The four hot players positioned themselves in an imaginary volleyball court across the beach. Not to near the restaurants and not to near to the sea. Just somewhere in the middle. Perfect.

"Alright! Girls from Konoha versus Eighteen's Misa and Ayame!" shouted a commentator with a loudspeaker in his hand. Ayame did not notice him there at first. He has blonde hair, blue eyes, a very Cheshire-like grin and whiskers on his cheeks. (You can guess who it is, right?)

He wore orange boxers and he continuously waved his hand around and jumped while his at it. This act caught the audience's attention as if the four beautiful players weren't attractive already for them to get off their places and watch more closely.

"I will be your referee and I go by the name of Naruto! Remember that! NA-RU-TO! Turn the music on, Sasuke!!!"

Naruto pointed at the super large speakers which were cargoed behind a huge pick-up truck. (A truck??)

The guy, which Ayame presumed as Sasuke, had spiky black hair and an emotionless façade. He was beside the blonde boy then he stood up from his seat, turned the speakers, selected some soundtracks and sat back on the bench resting his head on his arms. He looked bored but he cooperated anyway.

Soundtrack: Pussycat dolls, "When I grow Up."

( I know, it's sort of corny, but I really need this musical element in the story since it fits the celebrities.)

The speakers vibrated with every single beat. And Ayame felt the ground beneath her shake and reaching to her toes, her body, her beating heart and her aching head. Her eyes flashed a passionate blue. For the best game ever, was right in front of her for the taking.

Ayame held the volleyball tight, threw it upward so high, Ayame jumped and reached for it, giving it one of the strongest and fastest spikes she's ever done. That ought to do it! Volleyball impact! The ball bounced at Sakura and Ino's court.

"Uhhh…"

Loudpeaker-blondie Naruto seemed to be lost for words. Sakura and Ino's eyes widened in surprise. They were not able to block the ball. They did not expect a spike that strong. They were careless. Ayame was better that they thought.

The audience was shocked… seconds later, they cheered and whooped. Especially the boys. Ayame stood there, triumphant and proud. But she did not like that much attention, really.

Guess it can't be helped…

"Ayame from Eighteen scored! Great spike there."

Blondie-whiskers cheered on. Even Sasuke who was rather reluctant at first is getting just a little bit interested.

"I see now,… why they call her MVP." Sakura whispered to Ino.

"Yea…" Ino nodded her eyes darted to Ayame.

"You bet, she's good. Don't let your guard down. This woman isn't just like any other players we've defeated in the past."

"Ayame… she's skilled."

Frappegurl777: I won't out too much detail here. So I will leave the volleyball match event in your imaginations, readers!

Toodles!