Breath.

If Karura had lived

Breathe. In, out, in, out. Don't think about how much it hurts. Don't hear the ugly rasping sound you're making. Don't taste the blood that comes up with each breath. Just keep breathing. In, out, in, out.

Don't listen to the voices either. Their faint, echoy words won't help you. The worried one's can't help you. You can't deal with the ones that hate you. Don't listen for your husband or children. It's too painful too think about the new one, too painful to think about the ones that could've(should've) been left behind, and much too painful to think about the one you hate(love) that caused all this. You don't need any more pain. Just keep breathing. In, out, in, out.

–

Eventually, you're awake. You've replenished some blood, aren't dying anymore, and can finally talk. You rasp out, begging to see your son. They won't let you at first, but if you beg and beg, beg until you're almost crying, they'll relent. They don't know how weak they are.

Your son has green eyes, and bloody hair. He doesn't look like you, doesn't look like him. He isn't yours, and just as you realize this, you hug him close. Perhaps, if you hug him tight enough, hold him close enough, he'll be yours again. You silently vow never to let the demon have him. Look up, and see your husband. He's glaring at you, glaring at your child. His child. Except it's not his child. It will never be his child.

Edit you vow. You now have to keep him out of the clutches of two demons.

–

Hold your baby close, and sing him a sweet lullaby. These may be the only years when he'll be able to sleep, so make the best of it. Sand's howling outside and the moon is waning. You've seen the Shukaku possess your child on the night of the full moon. It couldn't do much, not while your child was still a baby, but perhaps when your baby's older...

Cut off that train of thought. Do it now.

–

One day, your other children come in. You're holding their baby brother, and you set him down, to rush over and hug them. They hug you back, and there's some catching up to do. How are your friends? How's your ninja training going? Is uncle Yashamaru taking good care of you?

Then Kankuro asks, quietly, Do you still love us mommy?

Of course I do! I'll always love you. You reassure him, and Temari gives him an 'I told you so' look. You pretend you don't see.

Mommy, do you love him better?

He's pointing at his baby brother, and you say no, of course not, I love you all the same.

But why do you spend so much time with him and not with us?

He's a baby and he needs more protecting than my big boy and girl. You ruffle their hair, and they giggle at the compliment.

Tell you what, can you guys help me protect him? Mommy can't be everywhere and your baby brother needs protection. They both nod, wide eyed, and you make a pinky promise with your children to protect their little brother.

You wait until they're gone to sink against the bed in relief. Your little baby needs all the protection he can get.

Don't let the second person fool you. This is Karura talking.