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.

P.S. The contest will be coming to an end very soon.

Chapter 99

Note: When someone you know dies, no matter how good or bad they were, their death is still sad.

~Kahlan's POV

My fingers strum against the butterfly guitar strings. The sound is loud (thanks to the amp) as it vibrates through the room. I keep playing the same chords over and over again as I yawn tired but too afraid to sleep. Lately my dreams have been bloody nightmares.

"There are things that I need to say," I start singing, hoping it might make me feel better. "So hear me; please don't take this the wrong way, hey. I don't want to make things harder, no, I don't want to complicate, this is keeping me awake."

My hand falls from the guitar as I just stop singing the song. I'm just not feeling it Sighing, I blow a piece of my hair out of my face. I unplug the guitar form the amp and place it into its case. Placing the case back to lean against the wall, I turn off the amp and fall onto my bed.

With a yawn, I stretch then stand back up. Maybe I should get some food to help keep me awake. Yeah, that sounds good. So I let my feet carry me of out the room and down the stairs. I stop when I hear voices in the living room.

"Care to explain why you have these," Leader says. Nothing is said for a moment then he says, "Talk."

Confused, I step off the last step and walk to the doorway of the living room. Leader has Laura cornered with her back against the wall. A few of the members are talking amongst themselves while the others are not saying a word. Sasori is missing.

"What is going on," I ask slightly narrowing my eyes.

I do not like the way Leader has Laura boxed in. Maybe I shouldn't have kept myself in my room so often to wallow in my guilt and sorrow. This is a time of war and that should just be pushed to the side until a later time. Plus…I'll just think about it later.

"Don't you think you're a little too close," I speak up again slightly narrowing my eyes more as I step into the room.

"I am not too close," Leader replies turning to glare. "Why were we not informed about this?"

He holds up his hand and in it is a book. My eyes drift from him to the book. At first I'm just looking at it then it clicks. One of the Naruto books that I got Laura back from the apartment. How did he get that, it was in the attic.

"Here are the others," Sasori says from behind me. I slightly turn my head to see Sasori walking into the room with a box…the box with the manga.

"You two have a lot of explaining," Leader says as Sasori puts the box down in front of him. Leader picks up one of the other books and starts flipping through them.

"What the fuck is all that," Hidan asks walking over.

"The manga the news people have mentioned," Sasori replies.

"Explain now," Leader says not sounding happy.

Laura goes to speak but I raise my hand to stop her. She looks at me confused with a slight pout. I give a very small smile then turn to Leader. Standing up straight to my full height, I place one hand on my hip while slightly raising my chin. Yes, I am being a bit defiant.

"There is no need to speak of such matters," I say almost in a condescending voice. This causes Leader to glare more and for Laura to look a bit fearful at me. At this moment I don't care. "What good would it have done if such things were mentioned? We say something then boom into interrogation we go."

"Such things would have been very useful to know," Leader replies.

"If we actually knew anything," I lie. "I played the video games like three times and Laura hasn't even read that many chapters. Besides, how would you like the topic to be brought up? Oh hey, guess what random people, did you know you're not supposed to exist and that you are only of entertainment value in our world. Yeah that would sure go well over coffee and tea."

Okay I told the truth about the video games but as for the amount of chapters Laura has read, I really don't know the answer to that. Besides, we've been trying to keep this fact from them for so long, there is no way I'm throwing in the towel now.

"How much information do you two know," Leader asks stopping Hidan from opening his mouth.

"I told you we don't know much," I reply. Gosh, I feel as if I'm reverting back to my old self before this all happen. I think I'm going to travel the world (on a boat no way am I getting in a plane) when the war is over so I can find a new and better me.

"I haven't read that much," Laura speaks up making her eyes get all watery as she pouts. "I'm s-s-sorry for not t-t-telling, I w-w-was scared." She starts crying and trying to wipe the tears. I can't tell if she's acting or not, but I'm going to put my money on the acting part.

"How much stuff is in it," Kisame asks as he picks up one of the books. "Why does it have to be named after the Kyuubi brat?"

"His name is Naruto," I say glaring. "Not Kyuubi brat."

"You will not repeat the nine tails name," Leader says and I glare at him. "He is the enemy and will be referred to as the Kyuubi."

"He is a human," I say, keeping the fact to myself that he is also my friend.

"He is simply a host," Leader replies and if I could I would punch him, but Sasuke's words stop me.

"So that dobe is famous over here," Sasuke says picking up another one of the books. "That would sure make him happy."

"According to the news we are all famous," Sasori says to that.

"We are keeping these for ourselves until further notice," Leader says looking over to Laura then me.

With a sigh my shoulders hunch over as I feel emotionally drained now. This whole thing was draining. I should go get some food now. Then after that maybe get some sleep.

Turning around I walk out of the room. Let them find out whatever they find out. I don't care, besides it's not like we could do anything to change their minds from taking the books.

"Kahlan," I hear Laura say pulling me out of my thoughts. I turn to see her walking beside me. "Are you okay?"

"It's a make or break right," I ask mostly myself.

This war really makes a person see how much they're made of. I guess I was never as strong as I thought if all I can do is mourn and be guilty. Damn, when did I stop following the rule to never do such a thing? Mourn for no longer than a day but move on because life continues.

"I don't understand," she says with a slight whine.

Sighing I give a small smile I know doesn't reach my eyes. "I feel drained and I'm tired," I say as we step into the kitchen. "I'll try to be much better tomorrow."

Opening the cabinet I look at the dwindling supply of food. We just might have to scavenge around town to find any food that hasn't been destroyed. With another sigh, I pull out two things of ramen.

"Will chicken do," I ask as I go to put water onto the stove.

"Yes," Laura says happily and I give a small chuckle.

"So," I say putting the pot of water on one of the burners and turn the stove on. Turning to Laura I lean against the counter. "When this is all over…I'm going to dig up the yard for the money my grandfather has out there. You can help and whatever you find you can keep use it for whatever you want. I'm going to travel for about a few months before I come back."

"Can I come with," she asks.

Shrugging my shoulders I reply, "I guess it would be alright at least for the first month, the rest of the trip I want to do myself. Maybe I'll take part in a bunch of talent shows and play in some bars, record the stuff and put it on YouTube. Think that will help eventually get me discovered?"

"That could work," Laura says smiling. "I could record you."

"Yeah," I reply with a small smile back. "Maybe I could make some demos and send them to a record company and maybe a few radio stations as well." Laura smile gets bigger and I smile a little more as I push away from the counter. "I have to decide if I want to stay solo or get a band, and then there is the whole name thing. I'll think more about that later."

"Whatever you choose you're going to be awesome," Laura says as I turn to the boiling water.

"Thanks," I reply. "I plan on using that guitar in every single talent show, every time I sing in a bar…okay anytime I sing I'm using the guitar Itachi got," I say smiling as I pour the water into the ramen. "I absolutely adore that guitar."

"It is cool looking," Laura says with a nod.

Turning the stove off I place the pot back and start looking for chopsticks. Finding them, I hand a set over to Laura and keep the other for myself. I yawn as I pick up both ramen cups and carry them to the table with Laura following. As I sit down I place Laura's down in front of her as she takes her seat.

"Thank you," Laura says.

"You're welcome," I reply breaking my chopsticks.

I blow on the ramen before placing any in my mouth. I'm only able to eat half then I'm full. With a small smile I hand my cup over to Laura.

"You can have the rest of mine, I'm full."

"Are you sure," she asks.

Nodding I reply, "Yeah, plus I'm really tired."

"Sweet dreams I hope you get plenty of rest," she says with a smile.

"Same here," I reply as I give her a hug.

She returns the hug then I go and walk out. I head into my room closing the door behind me. Leaving the light on, I crawl into bed yawning and pulling Rellik into my arms. My eyes start shutting as I snuggle into the covers. It doesn't take long to fall asleep thankfully into a deep dreamless state.

A few days later, Deidara, Sasori, Kakuzu, Hidan, Konan, Laura and I are walking back into the house covered in soot. The razed looking town apparently had to have more explosions go off when Deidara saw a few soldiers. We are all covered in black soot; some of us have singed hair.

Sasori had attack Deidara as well as Kakuzu and Hidan for almost causing all of us to get caught in the explosion. When the guys were done with him Konan had her turn. So, under all of the black smog, I'm sure Deidara has a lot of wounds which serves him right for almost killing us.

"Us ladies call first dibs on the showers," I say as we walk in.

"Fuck no bitch," Hidan replies and I give him a small glare.

"Yes, otherwise you can take a shower in cold water," I say.

"Shut up Hidan," Konan says giving a scary glare.

"Move it baka," Kakuzu says as he starts pushing Hidan in the direction of the kitchen.

Us three women head upstairs leaving the men behind. "Enjoy your showers," Konan says as she continues to go onto the next level.

"Enjoy yours," Laura says with a smile and wave.

Konan nods before heading up the other set of stairs. Reaching my room I wave to Laura then walk in. Grabbing a clean pair of clothing I head for the bathroom Laura isn't in. Inside I take a long hot shower. It helps relax my muscles and makes me feel clean.

After finishing and getting dressed I look into the mirror. My eyes have slight dark circles under them from the trouble of sleeping. I look a bit thin in the cheeks from not eating so that there is food for the others. We really need to go out and see if we can raid a store or some house that is lucky enough to still be standing.

I bring my right hand up to my shoulder where the scar from the bullet wound is. Sighing, I grab a hairband then walk out as I pull my wet hair into a small ponytail. I head downstairs for the living room.

"Shower is free," I say walking into the living.

"About fucking time," Hidan says and actually runs out. Well he sure does want a shower.

"All done," Laura says as she walks into the room, a grin on her face.

Kakuzu grunts as he moves away from the wall and goes to walk out. Walking over to the movie collection that Hidan brought down from the attic yesterday, I start looking through the movies. I ignore all horror movies knowing Laura doesn't like them, plus I've seen enough blood and gore to not want to watch a horror movie. My eyes land on a movie that even my grandfather loved. With a grin I grab it and go put it into the TV.

"What are we watching," Laura asks.

"Bruce Almighty," I say with a smile. "It has Jim Carrey, and Morgan Freeman as God."

With the movie in I turn on the TV. The both of us it on the couch, and with the remote, I skip through the previews until we get to the menu. I push play and let the movie roll. Just as the movie starts Konan sits down on the couch with us.

During different times of the movie, the others came and watched it. Sometime around the middle of the movie Sasori pauses it and turns to look at the doorway. Turning around I see Leader, Tobi, Sasuke and Itachi.

"Welcome back home," I say to them with a smile and wave. Sasuke completely ignores me, Itachi gives a nod, Leader also ignores me and Tobi actually starts running towards me. "Stay," I yell in a commanding tone like someone would use on a dog.

"But Tobi was going to hug Kahlan-chan."

"No," I say with a small glare. "I don't want any hugs. Go hug Deidara."

"Okay," Tobi says happily and goes to hug said blonde.

"Don't you dare, yeah," Deidara says as he goes to get away from the masked man,

"Enough," Leader says.

"I have some news," Zetsu says coming up from out of the ground. "Kisame had been battling the three Jinjuriki. During his battle, Samehada had left Kisame for the eight tails. Kisame is now dead."

"For fucking real," Hidan asks.

I slightly frown and turn to Laura. Her bottom lip is quivering as her eyes start watering up. Quickly, I pull her into a hug just as the tears start streaming down her face.

"Are you positive," Leader asks.

"Hai," Zetsu replies.

I ignore everyone as I try to comfort Laura. Konan makes some comment about getting some tea for her I only nod in reply. My eyes burn but no tears come. I'm a bit shocked to find myself a little sad hearing about Kisame's death, but Laura is taking it harder. He was her sensei.

"I'm here for you," I whisper into her ear. Looks like the Akatsuki isn't invincible after all, and I'm a bit worried if the others will start dying soon as well.

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Okay so Kahlan is finally doing a bit better, but does have problems sleeping. She has accepted the fact of what she's done and so tries to continue on with life, but there will be times when she'll become distant. Also remember that the contest ends with chapter 100.

Anyways, we both hope that you have enjoyed this chapter and are enjoying the story. Thank you to everyone who has been reading, adding this to their favorites and/or alerts and for reviewing, it means a lot to us. Please stay tuned for the next update and once again thank you. Reviews are much appreciated and loved; until next time. ^.^