Chapter 25: Day of Settling, Akatsuki Meets Privately

The entire group was set up into their suites and the Akatsuki had a meeting to complete before the true vacation could begin. Sakura smiled as she settled into her private paradise for the vacation. Her room had it's own private in and outdoor heated pool that she could enjoy. She changed into her swim suit and allowed herself to sink into the water doing twirls and tricks under the water. She always loved to swim like the mermaids even if she didn't have a tail. Her parents always made a point for her to have her space to swim.

Sakura dived under the divider wall and swam to the edge of her little pool it was a peaceful experience she could barely hear the murmurs of peoples voices when she sat carefully under water in a meditative. She began to relax her body and allow herself to remain at the bottom peacefully until she felt a small tap on her head. Her eyes opening to meet the eyes of her friend Itachi as he remained careful under water he looked curious and she smiled and began to swim to the top with him.

Her mother had her arms crossed as she looked at her once she surfaced. "Sakura, I know you haven't been able to swim for a while but, next time please tell someone."

Sakura pointed to the giant whiteboard on the wall entering the room. In big blue letters, "I'm going for a swim. Be back soon!" Her mother blinked in surprise before looking a bit sheepish making Itachi chuckle as he leaned on the side of the pool with Sakura.

"Now that she's wet, she's not going to want to get out." Naruto whined. Sakura looked at him curious.

"What did you want to do? If it's something interesting I might be convinced to leave my oasis." Her eyes twinkling as she teased her adoptive brother.

"He wanted to check out the arcade/casino area as genin we're legally allowed to play all the games and he wanted to try a few." Sasuke said neutral.

Sakura laughed and pulled herself out and carefully dried her hair to not mess up the style Konan did that morning. "Sure I'll get dressed again. Dad prepare to lose blackjack." She grabbed her clothes and ran into the bathroom to change quickly exiting to see Itachi already changed waiting for her with her family. She nudged him, "Has your game gotten any better Itachi?"

Itachi smirked, "We'll have to see won't we?"

Sakura smirked right back, "I guess we will."

As the duo began exiting the room Kizashi whined, "I still can't believe my daughter plays better than I do!"

Naruto made Mebuki laugh with his next comment, "So, if we want to be better players ask Sakura for help and not Dad, right?"

Sasuke smirked, "Right, she's been able to beat him in any game since almost forever. Dad hasn't found a game he beats her in, yet."

A cloud of gloom hovered over Kizashi's head as he sighed while his wife laughed at his misfortune. He stood shaking his head and with his wife in arm they followed the kids to the casino area. While Itachi and Sakura set up at a blackjack table their ids on the table and their starting chips they purchased at the counter the game began the rest of the Akatsuki gathered still in the common room for their suites.

Sasori sighed, "We need to change our approach. Surely there is another way to gain the power we need naturally without the tailed beasts, yes?"

Pain shrugged, "None I know of. I was told the beasts were the key."

Konan thought carefully before turning to Kakuzu who also looked pensive, "Kakuzu, in your time have you heard any rumors or whispers of something with equal power to the tailed beasts that we may seek to pull this off."

Hidan pouted, "Why we looking to change plans all a sudden? I say we still hunt the crazy shits."

Konan looked pained, "We were wrong Hidan…these jinchurikki, not all of them are hardened adults or soldiers. They're just young kids only just learning to be ninja. We don't kill children Hidan."

Kisame was troubled all he could see was the innocence on the boy's face as he told them about the fox. 'Kids should never be sacrificed the way I was to these creatures. Is there a reason he was picked? Is it something about the power being intense and only a kid's ability to adapt allows them to survive? Why are kids made jinchurikki?'

Pain took a deep breathe and promised, "I will look with Kakuzu for any other solutions. We are fighting for a world without war, prejudice, a place where children don't have to suffer the way we have any longer. We will find a way to make it so without killing an innocent."

The group broke apart and Kisame went to go find his partner who was in a laughable position. He had lost a great number of chips to the blackjack dealer while his fangirl seemed to have won a huge load of them. Sakura waved hello and decided to cash out, "I think I'm ready to cash out and get a drink but it's been fun."

The dealer in good humor called their escort to take them to the cash out counter where Sakura collected her winnings. She started with about $200 and ended her night of gaming with $2000. Kisame looked curious and Sakura said simply, "Split bets and double risk bets."

Kisame chuckles at the dark look his partner was giving her and she smiled, "Itachi, don't be a sore loser. I can only guide you so far and it wasn't like I could make you play my way." Kisame grabbed a table near the bar and waved at Sakura's parents who grinned at their daughter. She put some of her winnings down, "First rounds on me. Hello, can I have a green tea shot."

The waiter took a glance at her ninja id and wrote her order easily as Itachi ordered water and Kisame ordered sake. Mebuki came to the table and said firmly, "You can only drink until you start slurring Sakura I don't want you getting sick our first night here."

Sakura smiled, "I'll be good and Itachi will make sure of it."

Mebuki shook her head in entertainment at the young man who nodded in agreement. Itachi was wrapped around her daughter's finger.

who nodded in agreement. Itachi was wrapped around her daughter's finger. Kisame and Itachi smirked at the young pinkette with them as her mother walked away. Sakura looked almost mischievous, "So, how long before she goes to sleep and our party really begins Weasel-chan?"

"I'd give it 2 hours then we can sneak to the party area leaving clones in your room in case they check in on you." Itachi said making Kisame laugh at the clever way of getting around her parents' wishes.

"What kinda party is this?" Kisame asked curious about the ideas of the younger nin before him.

Sakura smirked, "Sexy, Naughty, Dirty parties held by the employees only some of us get to go because we keep the secret and only invite people who can keep it quiet." She turned to Itachi almost predatory, "I'm officially getting you to do body shots with me! You can't pull the you're not considered an adult card anymore."

Itachi blushed as Kisame asked, "Body shots...just how much fun have you been having without me around?" Kisame was a bit blind-sided by this more adventurous part of his partner who was normally so reserved.

Sakura winked at Kisame, "If you can keep it secret you can join us. We don't want everyone getting caught up in it or Mom and Dad will catch on and that's no fun!"

Itachi muttered, "If they haven't figured it out already it will take more than a few people knowing to bring them on."

Sakura glared at her PIC, "Do not jinx us Itachi. If they spoil our fun cause you jinxed us you owe me."

Itachi snickered, "I already owe you more than I can repay."

Kisame watched as she pouted with a grin. He'd never known his partner could act so childish around someone. Sakura turned to Kisame, "Tell him Senpai, friends don't owe friends anything for doing the right thing."

Kisame gave his partner a disappointed glance,"You know our little Kouhai is right Itachi. Real friends don't hold doing the right thing over each other's head.

Itachi looked at him a muttered one word, "Traitor."

BSR: Hi all I hope you enjoyed these installments I'm sorry updating took so long but I will upload everything on Monday if I can while on my lunch at work from my phone!