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 73

Note: Fun in the sun can be a time of reflecting.

~Kahlan's POV

I take my time walking with the others to meet up with the guys. The sound of the waves meeting the shore and the smell of the ocean is so tempting to run towards. I love going to the beach, I can't believe I haven't gone to it for a year now. I used to go every weekend.

We soon meet up with the guys from where we split. Sasuke has on dark blue trunks, Hidan's is black with blood splatters, Kakuzu has money all over his; I bet he wishes it was real money. Deidara's swim trunks are a light blue, Tobi's is orange with black poke-a-dots and is still wearing his mask, Sasori's is red with a black t-shirt and Zetsu's looks like a Zebra pattern. Leader's trunks are orange, Itachi's are black with blue flames, Kisame's are purple with dark blue stripes down the side, my dad has on grey trunk with black stripes, John has zombies on his and finally Mr. Wilson is wearing red trunk with yellow smiley faces.

"You look sexy," Mr. Wilson says as he greets his wife pulling her into a hug and kissing her on the lips causing her to blush and slightly giggle. Laura and I look away making faces.

"You look beautiful," my father says as he gives my mom a kiss on the cheek. She returns the kiss on the cheek as well and he grabs hold of her hand. That's the most affection my parents show each other out in public.

"Hey you're looking adorable, yeah" Deidara says walking over and placing his arm around Laura. I watch him suspiciously.

"She fucking looks cute," Hidan says smirking.

A few of the other members nod commenting on how adorable and cute Laura looks. Laura seems happy with the compliments until there is a flash. We both look over to her grinning father causing Laura's happy look turn into annoyance. She lets out a small whine.

"There should be no pictures," she says.

"You looked so adorable I had to so I can show everyone back at home," he replies.

Laura pouts mumbling, "I will murder you."

"Can we head to the ocean now," I ask.

"We should all put on sunblock first," my mother replies. I slightly frown but if I don't put any on I know I'll burn up looking like a lobster. That is very painful.

For the next five minutes we all put on sunblock, though I hate the feel of it. I wait patiently for everyone. The moment everyone was finished I grab Laura's hand and took off running.

"Later suckers," I yell over my shoulder grinning.

"Where we going," Laura asks.

"To the water," I yell happily. "Gulf of Mexico here we come!"

Running across the hot sand is a bit hard but it feels good. The moment our feet touch the cool water though it brings relief. With a grin I let go of Laura's hand and continue running…sort of, until I'm waist deep. The waves try pushing me back to the shore but I stay in my spot turning around to face the shore. Laura is using the float she got moving towards me. I smile at her then look towards our family and the Akatsuki.

Covering my hands over my mouth I shout as loudly as I can, "Are you going to just stand there or are you going to join? Come on the water feels great!"

Kisame waves and then starts running towards the water. Hidan shouts something but also takes off running as well along with John, Deidara and Tobi. Sasuke and Kakuzu just walk forwards. The others just stay on the shore, probably to set up our stuff. With a happy sigh I turn back around and continue until I'm neck deep, my feet still touching the bottom.

"This is relaxing," I say to Laura.

"It's fun," she replies grinning. By this time Kisame is hitting the water.

"Yep," I reply turning to face and splash water on her.

She squeaks in surprise and I just laugh. She gives a small pout then splash water back. With another laugh we both start our splashing war. When Kisame reaches us, Tobi with Deidara and John a second behind him reach the ocean.

"Yo," Laura says with a grin and wave to Kisame. Hidan has now reached the ocean as the other three are making their way to us.

Kisame goes to reply but I splash him with water. He came over here so now he's part of the war. He turns and narrows his eyes at me for a second then smirks. Crossing my arms I give a small grin. Sasuke and Kakuzu are in the water. Tobi, Deidara and John are with us and Hidan is coming closer.

"Give me your best shot," I say, Hidan now reaching us.

"You got it," he replies his smirk getting bigger. He slams his hands onto the water creating a splash or miniature wave hitting me almost knocking me off my feet. After blinking my eyes to clear my vision I slightly glare at him.

"That's cheating," I say just as Sasuke and Kakuzu reach us.

"No one said there were any rules," he replies back.

"This is war," I slightly do a war yell and try splashing him with water. He dives into the ocean and I end up hitting Sasuke. He just gives me this annoyed look and I grin. Laura and Deidara start laughing as Kisame comes back up.

"Oh damn, I fucking thought the fucking little Uchiha brat was supposed to fucking melt when fucking touching water." This causes Sasuke to glare at him and Tobi to giggle. Kakuzu actually gives a very small chuckle before coughing, probably to cover up the fact that he chuckled.

"We should split up into two teams," Laura says grinning.

"I'm captain of my team," I quickly say raising my hands.

"I want to be captain of my team," Laura says grinning.

"I should be captain," John says with a grin towards Laura. "You're too small."

"No I'm not," Laura says glaring at her brother.

"Laura and I are captains," I say before any arguing can happen. This is supposed to be a fun and relaxing day. "And John you're on my team." Now Laura can splash the hell out of her brother all she wants. Laura grins and sticks out her tongue at her brother.

"I'll get you squirt," he says and swims over to my side. No one is going to mind if I dunk him under water right?

"There isn't an even amount," Kakuzu says.

"Tobi thinks we should go get the others."

"Yeah so everyone can play," Laura says with a grin.

"Then you can go get them Tobi, yeah."

"Yeah I'm not fucking going back just to fucking get everyone."

"Okay Tobi will go get them." And like that Tobi heads back for shore to get the others.

"I just got an idea," I say with a grin.

"What is it," Laura asks curiously.

"Never mind," I say with a chuckle. "I just lost the idea."

"That was fucking smart."

"Whatever," I reply shrugging.

"So what are we supposed to do," Sasuke asks.

"Splash each other with water," Laura says with a grin.

"That's fucking childish. Can't we fucking do something more exciting?"

"No," Laura says glaring at Hidan.

"We could play water volleyball but…we don't have a net or ball and I'm sure none of you know how to play," I say. Taking a deep breath I continue, "Plus I also don't know how to play so we can't do that."

"I know how to play," Laura says. "I can explain when everyone gets here."

"We still don't have a net or ball," Kakuzu says.

"Then we send Tobi to get them, un."

"Send the fucking stupid lollipop."

"Who will be score keeper," Sasuke asks.

"We'll just have to ask when everyone shows up," I say.

We don't have to wait long because soon Tobi is back with everyone except Sasori. Just as everyone shows up Laura informs everyone we'll be playing water volleyball. Deidara then orders Tobi to go get a net and ball. Before Tobi leaves my father offers to go with and help.

So we then wait for them, and while waiting I once again start up the splashing war. This time I purposely hit Sasuke. He glares and I grin.

"Oops was I not supposed to do that," I say chuckling.

"Hn," he says and looks away.

"You are boring," I state and decide to splash Kisame. See Sasuke, Kisame knows how to play splash war even if he cheats.

About ten minutes later my dad and Tobi come back bringing an end to the splash war. Together the two of them put up the net and then my dad holds onto the ball. Laura starts explaining how to play the game. My dad adds stuff in or explain in I guess better detail what Laura is unable to explain since Hidan kept asking questions which resulted in him being called a baka from Kakuzu. After explaining my dad said he wouldn't play but he would keep score. It then became time to pick teams. Laura and I split going onto different sides of the net.

"I've already picked John so you can go ahead Laura," I say getting excited for the game.

"Okay," she replies with a grin. "I pick…Konan." Konan gives a small smile and goes over to Laura.

"I pick Mrs. Wilson," I say deciding to have Laura's family on my side.

"I chose you Deidara," Laura says making it sound like Deidara was a Pokémon.

"Awesome, yeah," he replies and goes over to her side.

"I choose Mr. Wilson." He grins and goes to be next to his wife.

"Pick Tobi," Tobi says moving his hands in the air.

"I pick Hidan," she says ignoring Tobi.

"Fuck yeah."

"Pick Tobi, pick Tobi," said man says continuing to wave his arms.

With a sigh I say, "I pick Tobi."

"Yay Tobi is picked!"

"I choose Dr. Ward."

"I'll take Leader," I say a moment later.

"Then I'll take Kakuzu," Laura says with a grin.

"And I'll be taking Zetsu."

"What a surprise, we actually got picked."

Laura slightly pouts looking at the last three choices. A second later her eyes light up and she points at Sasuke. "For giving me a piggyback ride you can be on my team," she says to Sasuke.

"Fine," he says with a shrug going to her.

With a shrug I say, "Well…then I'll just continue with my theme and pick Itachi." Family member against family member this should be an interesting game.

"Why am I the last one to be picked," Kisame asks not sounding happy.

"Because you're a big meanie," Laura says sticking her tongue out at him. Kisame just slightly glares but goes over to Laura's team.

"Who wants to go first," my dad asks holding the ball in the air.

"Let Laura's team have it since I picked first," I say.

"Awesome," Laura says happily as my dad hands the ball to Laura.

Everyone gets into position and the game begins. It doesn't take long for the game to become really heated from the competitive people. I think it really does turn from a game to a war for some of those people. Not that it matters that much to me because I'm having fun and I'm sure the others are too.

The game goes on for about an hour or two, both teams still at a tie. When one team scores the other team quickly scores, back and forth. My dad calls a time out letting us know it's about an hour pass lunch. So bringing a game to a temporary stop we all head for the shore. Instead of walking I decide to take a short swim. Once I was close enough I stand up and wobble my way on land. I've always been like that once getting out of the ocean. I think it has something to do with…some scientific thing that I can't think of.

"What the fuck are we going to fucking have for lunch," Hidan asks once we all reach our stuff where Sasori has been this entire time.

"Konan and I packed some food and drinks," I say heading over to the large cooler.

The next fifteen minutes is spent eating our late lunch. Deidara was telling Sasori about the game and how it's going so far. I just quickly finished my lunch and went to put on more sunblock. I pout noticing how red my skin is looking. It's not lobster red probably because of when I put sunblock on earlier but it's still red. No matter the amount of sunblock I put on I always seem to get burned up. Looking over at my mom I frown a bit more. My skin tone a just a shade lighter than hers but she isn't even that burnt. She's just slightly pink which isn't fair. Gosh, I just know this is going to be painful later and hopefully no one decides to touch me.

After placing on the sunblock I head back into the water. I walk until waist deep then swim over to our net. For a moment I just stand next to it then decide to swim around until the others get back. This gives me time to reflect on everything.

Ever since the Akatsuki's arrival into our lives I've been tense, stressed and aggressive. My patients and anger have been tested. The walls I've built to keep most people out have kind of…been broken, after all it's not like I break down into some crying mess or anything. I just have been showing more emotions then I've normally done even if those emotions tend to be pride and anger.

I stop swimming and decide to float on my back. Letting out a sigh I close my eyes with a small frown. There's no way I can ever go back to being the carefree, trusting romantic type of girl I used to be. She's been gone for years and whatever was left of her has disappeared because of the Akatsuki. I can't say I miss her, but I can't say I like the type of person I am now.

I'm brought out of my thoughts from the arrival of everyone. With a grin I order my team back to their places. The game quickly starts back up and once again back to being a war. We continue playing until an hour before the sunsets. Neither team has won so we end with a draw. My father and Tobi take down the net while Sasuke holds onto the ball. We all head back in the direction to Sasori. We're lucky to find free outdoor showers to help wash away some of the salt water. When done we dry off and just place our clothes on top of our bathing suits.

"Damn you look like a fucking lobster," Hidan says with a grin while pointing to me.

"I do not," I reply with a slight glare. It's not like I can give a full out glare because he's right. And somehow my mom is only slightly red. Seriously, why am I the one that has to look like a lobster?

"When we get back to the house put some Aloe on," mother orders in her doctor voice.

"Will do," I say.

We start heading back to the bus station. Laura skips over and grabs hold of my hand and I smile at her. She grins back and then pulls me over to Konan. She then grabs hold of Konan's hand. Konan gives a small smile and the two of us grin at her. This was really fun and exactly what I needed.

I tuck some of my hair behind my ear and look over to Itachi. No I don't exactly like the person I am now, but that doesn't mean I can't change. So with a small smile I push aside my pride.

"Yo Itachi," I call out. He looks over and I continue, "I'll admit you were right this morning. However, I still stand by what I said."

"I would be surprised if you didn't," he replies.

"What the fuck just happen," Hidan ask.

"No idea," Kisame replies.

I turn to them with a grin and reply, "Nothing to concern your small brains with." And so our day at the beach ends with a pissed off Hidan and Kisame, but everyone one else seems to get a kick out of what happen.

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