A leap of faith.

[light_in_sound]

They were only a month late. Well, not really. They had celebrated their anniversary on the correct date. It had just not been in the manner Alison had planned. That, she supposed, was the hazard or planning too far in advance. Longshot's surgery had taken precedence and so the trip to the beach had been postponed. But, now they were remedying that

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[sonofarize]

Miyuki was very well drenched. Especially considering she had tackled Robbie into a wave once to "save" him. And maybe quickly kiss his cheek while under water. Then she popped right up out of the water, grabbed her gun, and chased after Longshot to get another faceful of water.

Even slowed down by water, Longshot was pretty nimble. He could dodge out of the way of the streams of water coming his way. Except for those times when he caught a glance of Alison. Then he had to stop and ogle. Which got a direct hit on his head usually.

"I foresee plenty of water training for them," Asuka said lightly as she settled back on here towel. She stretched out lazily and enjoyed the warm air caressing the parts of her that weren't covered in a bathing suit. Unlike Alison, she was in a one piece, though it was cut flatteringly for what feminine curves she did have.

The woman was not aware of what her ward had done underwater. Nor was she likely to catch on since she was no longer paying attention to the squirt gun war anyway. Miyuki did have some small skill at being a ninja.

[light_in_sound]

Alison giggled for a moment at Lisa's matter-of-fact pronouncement of doom. It was probably true, but Alison had to at least try to be supportive. Poor kids.

"They might make it. If Longshot keeps getting distracted. Or a shark grabs John or something..." She winked at Lisa who giggled. Lisa had heard Longshot call her Dad 'Sharkbait' before. Now, it seemed funny.

"Just keep Miyuki away from Longshot with her Sai when they water train," Alison reminded Asuka with a grin. "I'm going to want another baby after these."

[sonofarize]

"Go left, Sharkbait!" Longshot figured that since they were playing in the water, it was appropriate to call his Dad that. Though Longshot went right, dove, rolled across the wet sand, and squirted his squire full on in the face. The Mojoworlder laughed and scrabbled to get away.

Which lasted for about five steps. Since he finally spotted Lisa painting something around Alison's belly button. That required a stop in all forward momentum and a bit of staring to figure out what was going on. Also, how he wouldn't destroy his little sister's artwork later...

... which lead to Longshot getting sprayed in the back of the head by Miyuki. Darn his wife and her deadly distractions!

[clericpreston]

The laughter couldn't be helped. Even today, 'Sharkbait' was still funny. Although he would never, ever want to explain how he got the nickname. The scar on his shoulder had long since faded enough that he didn't get asked much. Thank goodness.

While Longshot concentrated fire on Robbie, John turned his water gun on Miyuki. She was easily the quicker of the two. Also smaller and harder to hit. When she turned around to avenge Robbie, John got a good shot on the side of her face. Ha ha!

Of course, he'd lost track of Robbie momentarily and ended up with an earful of water, himself.

[sonofarize]

Asuka lazily opened one eye and looked at Alison. "I'll make sure her aim has improved and that Longshot isn't around for those training sessions. He doesn't need the training quite so badly."

She closed her eye and settled back more comfortably against the beach towel. Asuka had not had a vacation or time off in a long time. She was going to enjoy every minute of it.

Miyuki spluttered at getting hit. She was about to return fire when she spotted Longshot stopped and staring at Alison. So, being the true little ninja she was, Miyuki took advantage of the situation and fired for all she was worth.

Then she giggled and started to run aware. She ignored the presence of the jonin walking across the beach toward the towels. Squirting the jonin would be bad.

[light_in_sound]

"Many thanks. The babies thank you, too." Alison laughed and leaned back on her elbows. She could watch the battle and see what Lisa was painting. The flowers had been finished and now the girl was working on a brightly colored bird beside them.

She noticed the familiar shape walking across the beach toward them and lifted an arm to wave. "Welcome to the war zone," she grinned and nodded over to the water shootout.

[sonofarize]

The jonin waved back and then politely bowed when she got beside the laid out towels. "I hope I am not interrupting anything pleasant."

She glanced out at the squirt gun fight to see Longshot run past Miyuki so he could spin around and squirt her head on. Which drove her back toward John. Well, the jonin could now see those classes on tactics were working.

"It is more pleasant here in the peace time," the elder ninja observed. "May I join you?"

[clericpreston]

John took advantage of Miyuki being off balance and squirted her on the back. They were all so wet now that he wasn't really sure how to tell who was winning anymore. He suspected that nobody really cared.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Robbie sneaking up from his left. This would end wetly for one of them.

"Hey!" Lisa giggled and made a face at Alison's belly. "They're kickin' again and the lines got all funny."

[sonofarize]

Longshot sure didn't care who won. He played to get everybody soggy. Which is why he didn't feel too bad when John got a little friendly fire when Longshot chased Miyuki back toward him.

[light_in_sound]

"You're not interrupting," Alison assured her mother-in-law. "We're just soaking up the sun." A little. Alison was mostly covered by the shade of the umbrella. She didn't want to bake her babies.

"Pull up a towel and have a seat. There's plenty of room." She smiled and then looked down at Lisa. The tiny kicks weren't hard enough to be uncomfortable yet, but they disrupted the curve of her belly enough to zigzag Lisa's painting a little.

"Sorry, kiddo. I think they heard their Daddy laughing."

[sonofarize]

The jonin bowed politely again and settled herself on the towel next to Alison's. She watched three of the youngest members of her clan frolic, play, and laugh. She smiled a little sadly before shaking her head. The clan hardly ever had moments like this in all its history. Which, the longer the jonin knew Longshot, became more of a pity.

"How are you feeling today, Alison?" she asked as she leaned back on an elbow to watch all the activity near or in the water.

[clericpreston]

John was getting waterlogged. At this rate it would take him days to dry out. His consolation was that the kids were worse off than he was. And Longshot was just as soaked.

He snuck up behind Robbie and Miyuki as they both fired at Longshot. He grabbed each of them around the waist and flung himself backwards, dragging them down under the water with him. Bwahahaha!

Of course, when he surfaced, he was immediately bowled over by a flying Mojoworlder. He really should have been expecting that...

Lisa carefully straightened out the lines she had been painting and then continued on. This time, she was mindful of the babies and their kicking.

[sonofarize]

Magic ninja flying leap tackle! Longshot had timed it so that he would hit John just as his Dad was starting to get out of the water. Because, really, all this getting underwater without Longshot was unfair. It was just making everything fair and all.

Of course, when Longshot surfaced, he managed to get his arms around Robbie. Which is how the squire ended up back under the water when Longshot dove to the side.

Miyuki saw where this was going and tried to escape back to the shore. She was next!

[light_in_sound]

"Mmmm. I feel really good today." Alison smiled and rested a hand on either side of her belly where tiny kicks were still going on. That always made her smile. "Everyone seems to be having a good time and Longshot is finally going to get his anniversary gift. I can't see anything to complain about."

She looked over and gave the jonin a smile. "Miyuki and I spent a day cleaning up the room you picked out. John and Robbie put some furniture together, too. It's all set for whenever you want to use it."

[sonofarize]

The jonin nodded as she watched Longshot pounce on Miyuki in the shallows and drag her back out and under the deeper water. She chuckled to herself before looking over at Alison.

"I will need another day or two. I have some business to attend to before I can be settled. Also, some herbs to pick to restock my medicines."

Asuka had seemed to shift slightly at the mention of business. But it might just have been a move to make herself more comfortable. Or a positioning to make sure none of the dripping wet crew came on her unaware and dragged her into the water.

[clericpreston]

Miyuki didn't get too far. Still underwater, John grabbed her legs and yanked her down under the waves again. Muhahaha! No escape. They started the fight, after all.

Sputtering and half drowned, Robbie finally came up for air and waved his arms. "Okay, okay. I give!" He glared at Longshot and John in turn. Then stuck out his tongue. "You win."

"Told ya they were doomed..." Lisa giggled.