Hidden in the Leaves

1

Gabe knelt in the sand praying silently to his daddy in heaven. The little one knew he and Sasuke sensei had made it in time to save his daddy's soul. Sabaku no Gaara wasn't amongst the living anymore, but he wasn't in hell either. Daddy…behind him Gabe could hear his mommy crying; it almost sounded like screams. Please forgive us daddy and please help mommy.

Raine was beside herself. The man she loved more then anything lay lifeless and coated with sand down the street. "Gaara!" she wailed trying to stand on shaking legs. "No! No he can't be…!"

Sasuke was holding her up, trying to hug Raine against him. All around them the tide of battle had turned. Konoha's counter attack was successfully under way. "Raine," Sasuke tried to turn her away from the sight of the two sand users down the street. "You're injured. Lets go back inside and…"

"Injured?" she pushed away from Sasuke a little. "What the fuck does that matter? Gaara is dead!"

"Raine," Sasuke did his best to stay composed. He saw Shikamaru hurrying his way with Choji in tow.

Sorrow turned to rage in her gut. She looked up into Sasuke's eyes still trying to distance herself from him. "You…how could you!?" Raine grabbed two fistfuls of the Uchiha's shirt. "You killed him, you killed Gaara!"

His beloved was screaming in his face. Her pain was his pain, but there was more. Sasuke was guilty of murdering one of the best friends he had ever had; the one man that had given him a second chance at life. His stomach felt tight, queasy. His voice wavered slightly when he spoke. "I did what had to be done. You were in danger."

Miserable tears ran down her cheeks. "Then you should have just let me die."

No, never. He adjusted his grip taking hold of her arms. "And what about Gabe? Should I have just let him die too? That monster was going to kill him!"

"Gaara isn't a monster. He never would have hurt Gabe!"

Clearly the Uchiha and the little one mourning his father behind him understood more then Raine did. "Gaara was possessed Raine, he had no control over his body and his soul was being devoured by a demon snake. What the hell was I supposed to do?"

The hysteria began to take over. Raine didn't even hear the ninja coming up behind her. "You should have saved Gaara!"

"I did. He was in darkness Raine, even Gabe understood that!"

That was enough for the former princess. She launched herself away from her protector and bumped into Shikamaru. Her brother in law moved to steady her on her feet but Raine ignored him. She brought up a shaking hand and struck out at Sasuke. She slapped him hard across the face and Shikamaru grabbed her from behind. "Oi Raine," Shikamaru pulled her back and into him.

"You tainted my son!" she railed at Sasuke. "You and your murdering Uchiha family ways. You did this to Gabe!"

"Stop it Raine, that isn't true," Shikamaru tried.

Her words cut deep into his heart. "This isn't what I wanted Raine," Sasuke choked.

"Isn't it?" grief and shock took over whole body. Raine shook in Shikamaru's arms as she yelled at Sasuke. "Gaara's finally out of your way isn't he Sasuke? You're free to take control of all of his sons now aren't you? Make them all killer ninjas just like you!"

Shikamaru struggled to hold on to her, Raine was kicking at Sasuke. The Uchiha just stood there taking her abuse with a wounded look in his eyes. "Stop it Raine. Don't do this to Sasuke and don't do this in front of Gabe." He wondered if he were the only one that noticed his nephew was getting up. No Gabe, don't come over here right now. Don't get in the middle of this!

Sasuke answered simply and honestly, for himself and for the friend he had ended. "Gaara's sons will be shinobi. Gabe already is."

A scream came out of Raine the likes no man present had ever heard. She jerked violently and Shikamaru nearly dropped her. Sasuke moved in and caught her before Raine could fall to her knees. Being touched by Gaara's killer was the last thing she wanted right now and Raine lashed out against Sasuke violently. She balled her hands into weak fists and the punches rained down on Sasuke. "You murdering bastard! You son of a bitch! I hate you! I hate you Sasuke!"

Shikamaru pulled the flailing woman back as the Uchiha stood his ground. The ninja couldn't help but notice the tears standing out in Sasuke's twitching right eye. He turned his head and grunted to Choji, "Get Temari now."

"I did what had to be done Raine," Sasuke kept his eyes on her. Gabe was almost to them. Shikamaru's fat friend was hustling toward the house.

"Mommy?" Gabe crept up beside his sensei. "Please don't be mad mommy. Sasuke sensei is telling the truth. We saved daddy, mommy. The snake was going to eat him."

It's all too horrible to be true. Her eyes went to the son that looked like her lost love. Gabriel was standing at Sasuke's side. "Gabe…"

The little one went on oblivious to how unhinged his loving mommy had become. "I knew daddy's sand was hurting you. I knew it wasn't daddy inside. He was in the night time place fighting the big snake. It's not Sasuke sensei's fault. He helped me save daddy even though he knew it would make you sad. Sasuke sensei loves us and he loved daddy too. I made him help."

Sasuke was exhausted from battle, but he was still a ninja. He saw Raine's face twist in horrible agony and caught her hand before she struck Gabe in the face. He hated to do it, Sasuke was already feeling sick, but he brought out his Sharingan and squeezed Raine's hand as he gave her a stern look. "Don't. Don't you dare. Gabriel honored his father." He did nothing to stop her free hand from connecting with his own cheek. Raine slapped him three more times before he took both of her hands and yanked her away from a stressed Shikamaru. "If you have to hate somebody for this then go ahead and hate me. I'm the one that took Gaara's life."

Gaara…oh god Gaara is "No!" the tears came on strong. Raine no longer had the strength to stand. She fell to her knees in the street crying hard. "Gaara, Gaara!"

Gabe cringed against his sensei's leg and looked up at him. "Sasuke sensei?"

Temari came flying out of the house. Sasuke bent and scooped Gabe into his arms. "It's alright Gabe."

The boy clung tightly to his sensei as auntie Temari hurried to take mommy from uncle Shikamaru. Seeing mommy break down like this was too sad and too scary. Little Gabe started to cry. "Mommy. Daddy," he sobbed softly against Sasuke's neck.

Hugging Gabe tightly to him Sasuke started for the house. There was no way he could help Raine now, she hated him, but he still had his precious little ninja in his arms to look after. "Its going to be okay buddy," Sasuke soothed as he fought his own tears. "I'm here."

Gabe didn't see mommy and aunt Temari crying over his daddy's corpse. He didn't see uncle Kankuro arrive on the scene and drop to his knees beside his only brother wailing in anguish. He didn't see the med nin come and take daddy's body away. He didn't even see mommy come back inside. Sasuke sensei took him back into the dojo and held him until Sabaku no Gabriel cried himself to sleep.

Temari and Sakura wrestled Raine back into the house; Kankuro took charge of his family. Temari took Raine to her room while Sakura fetched a double dose of valume for the distraught widow from the kitchen. Shikamaru and Choji went to the twins in the living room. Frightened and confused they had abandoned their coloring books and ran to their uncle for comfort. Outside the fighting was coming to an end, inside it was just beginning. Shikamaru waited for Kankuro to come inside and together they told the little boys that their daddy died fighting like a brave ninja protecting his family.

Immediately Renji burst into tears. He understood that when things died they didn't come back; a sad lesson he had learned while trying to keep salamanders as pets. "No! I don't want daddy to die I want him to come home!"

Kankuro lifted Gaara's son on to his lap and hugged him. "It's okay Renji. Daddy's going to be watching you from heaven from now on."

Yusuke looked from his wailing brother to uncle Kankuro. "Daddy's with the angels?"

Shikamaru rested his hand on the quiet child's shoulder. "That's right Yusuke. Daddy is an angel now."

Hearing his twin cry brought tears to Yusuke's eyes. "What about Gabe and Sasuke? Did they die and turn into angels too?"

"No buddy," Shikamaru swept the little one into his arms. "They came in through the dojo. Sasuke is taking care of Gabe in the dojo Yusuke. They're just fine."

"Mommy!" Renji sobbed. "I want my mommy!"

Kankuro and Shikamaru exchanged a tense glance. "Mommy isn't feeling well right now Renji," Kankuro tried to be delicate. "Sakura is fixing her up right now. Just as soon as she's done I'll get your mommy."

Sakura had enough chakra left to heal the cut on Raine's head and speed up the absorption process of the valume she made her swallow. The medical ninja knew that Raine's children needed their mother right now and Raine had to be calm for them. As she worked on the distraught mother Sakura assured her soon to be sister in laws that Konoha would have the situation under control at any moment now. "The fighting will all be over soon. Everything is going to be okay."

Temari went to the window and pushed a curtain aside. Even from this sheltered vantage point she could see much of Konoha burning. A heavy cloud of grey smoke hung over the village. Most of the people she cared about were already here in this house but, "Sakura, did you see Naruto on your way over here?"

She hadn't had much time to worry about her blonde friend since the battle began. "I'm sure Naruto is just fine. I bet Tsunade sama took care of Orochimaru too."

"God I hope so," the wind ninja said barely above a whisper and let the curtain fall back into place.

Jiraiya stood with Kakashi at his side. To his left medical ninja were loading Naruto onto a stretcher to take him to the hospital. On the sannin's right another medic pulled the blanket up over Tsunade's head. Something inside of the hermit gave way when he saw her covered in death. Tsunade…my love. "She can't be," he muttered as he fought the tears. "Tsunade can heal any wound. She didn't have to die."

"Hokage saved the village," Kakashi tried his best to stand up tall but it was hard to do. The copy ninja was drained from using his Sharingan eye so much during the fight. "Naruto lost control, he could have killed a lot of people."

The sannin didn't blame Naruto for any of it. "Orochimaru," he growled low in his throat. "He got away."

Kakashi had observed many things during the battle. "He took Kabuto and Saichi with him. The baby didn't look good. He was covered in blood."

His eyebrows twitched together into a frown. "Is that why Orochimaru retreated? Saichi was injured?"

The medical team lifted Naruto and started off with him. "Saichi is very valuable to Orochimaru, a future container. If he thought the kid was going to die…"

Jiraiya nodded. The other medical team lifted Tsunade and began to move away. "I hate to sound cold but it would be best for us all if the boy did die. It would eliminate a huge threat to Konoha and maybe bring some semblance of peace to his parents."

Sasuke… "I'll check on Naruto and then I'll go speak to Sasuke."

Ninja had been busy reporting to Jiraiya in lue of Tsunade for the past half an hour. "Gaara is…" It was almost too much to bare. Many good shinobi had lost their lives this day. He sighed tiredly and blinked back his tears. "I'm going to see to Tsunade. Find me later Kakashi."

"Hai Jiraiya sama." The copy ninja stood where he was a moment longer watching the sannin walk away. He was fairly certain he was looking at the next hokage; Jiraiya would be the natural choice now that Tsunade hokage had fallen. Kakashi could only hope the old man would finally settle down and take up where Tsunade left off. Please Jiraiya, Konoha needs you now.

By the time the sun set most of the fires in Konoha were out and the civilians began to make their way back into the village. Raine sat on the couch in a daze with the twins cuddled up to her. Temari had put on The Neverending Story for the boys and went to the kitchen to try and make some sort of dinner. Sakura came in to help make sandwiches and Kankuro went to make his little brothers final arrangements. Choji headed out to find Ino, Shikamaru sat watching Raine for a while to make sure the valume had her calm. Raine blinked heavily as she rubbed her babies backs. After a while Shikamaru got up and headed down the hall. His wife and Sakura were talking quietly in the kitchen as Shikamaru passed by. He went to the end of the hall and slid the door to the dojo aside.

Sasuke had unfurled his bed. He sat in the middle of it holding Gabe against him rocking the sleeping boy a little. The Uchiha's cheeks were shiny with tears. "Sasuke?" Shikamaru announced himself coming in and closing the door behind him.

"Is Raine…" he managed.

"Drugged up on the couch with the boys. Sakura treated her head wound. Raine will be alright. How's Gabe?"

The Uchiha sniffed back his tears. "He's emotionally exhausted. It wasn't the fight that drained him, it was losing Gaara and seeing his mother…" Sasuke shook his head. "She was going to hit him."

"You stopped her Sasuke."

"This time." He lifted his eyes to the shadow ninja. "She doesn't understand Gabe was saving his father. She hates us both."

"Don't say that Sasuke. Raine is a good mother. She could never hate her own child."

"Gaara was everything to her and we took him away. She'll never forgive that. Not ever."

Shikamaru stepped closer to Sasuke so he wouldn't have to speak so loudly. He didn't want little Gabe waking up in the middle of such a dreadful conversation. "We just need to make her understand."

"Understand?" Sasuke's peeked down at the sleeping chibi Gaara in his arms. Gabe's eyes rolled beneath their lids. "What should I make her understand first ne Shikamaru? That our toddler used the power of Kusangagi to curse Gaara, that the snake took over and Gaara's soul was being devoured? Or should I explaine how Gabe used the sand to hold his father still so I could kill him? Should I tell her I felt Gaara's heart explode, that I caught him in my arms and held him as he died?"

Fresh tears were rolling down the Uchiha's face. Shikamaru knelt down in front of him. "Sasuke, you did what had to be done. Gabe and Raine were in mortal danger."

He looked back up at his friend. "I didn't want to kill him. I didn't want to hurt Gaara."

"I know."

"Gabe knew what was happening to Gaara. Their connection with the sand…" Sasuke sadly shook his head. "He asked me to help him save his parents Shikamaru. He was crying….I couldn't say no."

Shikamaru reached over and stroked Gabe's hair out of his eyes. "I wouldn't have been able to say no either. I know it hurts Sasuke, but you did the right thing."

The Uchiha sniffled again. "Gaara was my friend. I respected him. I cherished the special bond between us. He showed me mercy when the rest of the world wanted me dead. He gave me a reason to live…and I killed him."

"You freed him from a fate worse then death. You honored your friendship with Gaara in every way. You protected Raine and Gabe. That is what Gaara would have wanted."

Sasuke knew it was the truth, but he knew something even more painful. The Uchiha went on rocking the little ninja in his arms. "I can't bring him back Shikamaru. Gaara was cursed to death. I can't even use a resurrection jutsu and…"

"Gaara wouldn't want that. You know damn well how he felt about forbidden techniques and sacrifices Uchiha."

"But if I could bring him back," desperation had wormed its way into Sasuke's heart. "She wouldn't hate Gabe anymore."

The shadow using ninja watched Uchiha Sasuke bow his head and cry. The sight of the fierce ninja weeping and rocking Gaara's baby boy was almost too much for Shikamaru. He had seen many sides to the Uchiha since Sasuke had joined their family, but never this. This was Sasuke is broken. Shikamaru swallowed the lump in his throat. "It's going to be alright, you'll see. Raine just needs some time to think, to understand. She's the wife of shinobi; Gaara and you. She'll understand this Sasuke, its just going to take some time."

Wife. Sasuke thought back to the way she clung to him before he left the house and entered the battle. He remembered kissing her lips and promising to come back. Raine had desperately wanted him to stay with her. "She hates me," Sasuke focused on Gabe. "I love her so much and she hates me."

"Give it time Sasuke. She might be angry right now but Raine needs you, the boys need you. You have to keep it together for them."

"She's going to tell me to get out."

"Kankuro won't allow that to happen. I've already talked to him about it. It was Gaara's will that you be here to protect Raine and the boys. Kankuro fully intends to enforce that even if Raine does put up a fight. Hopefully she wont, even in her state she knows the boys need you."

"Gabe needs me. I'm his father now." Sasuke kissed the top of the sleeping boys head. "I'll love him enough for me and Gaara both, Raine too if I have to. I'll never leave him."

Shikamaru was glad to hear it. He suspected that Sasuke was going to be doing the lion's share of the parenting when it came to Sabaku no Gabriel, at least until Raine worked through her grief. "Gaara trusted you to do the right thing Sasuke. I know you will."

The hospital was the busiest place in all of Konoha that evening. While Kankuro sat and waited to finalize the arrangements for Gaara he heard all the latest news from around the village. The big ninja could sum it up in one word, disaster. Between the summons and the fires more than a quarter of Konoha lay in ruin. The wall was breeched in two places, the body count was high and the injured kept pouring in for treatment. Worst of all Konoha had lost their kage during the battle. Tsunade was killed fighting Orochimaru. There was a hollow feeling inside of the ninja. He saw to Gaara's funeral arrangements and left the hospital as quickly as he could.

Kankuro got as far as the street when he saw Hatake Kakashi heading his way. The puppet master knew it was Kakashi that had killed Baki, some were even saying he should be the next kage if Jiraiya wouldn't fill the position. Kankuro waited for Kakashi to catch up. "You okay Kakashi?"

"I'm fine Kankuro thank you. I'm sorry for your loss." Kakashi bowed to pay his respects to Gaara. "You're heading home to your family?"

"Yeah. Temari and Sakura are taking care of Raine."

He couldn't help but worry a little. "Sakura is alright?"

"She's fine, better then fine." With Gaara settled Kankuro's mind turned to other things. "She's pregnant."

Kakashi blinked at the big ninja with one eye. "Sakura is…?"
"Condoms always broke. Don't worry, I'm gonna marry her."

"Kankuro," in a day of bad news and worse news this was a blessing. Kakashi stared at the stunned ninja wondering how much of the days events had really sunk in. "That's wonderful news. Congratulations."

I'm going to be a father. Kankuro was a mix of emotions. "She told me in the middle of the battle. I almost shit my pants."

The copy ninja chuckled quietly. "I probably would have."

Sakura filled Kankuro's thoughts and he asked, "You seen Naruto?"

"He's inside. Naruto used the kuuybi chakra fighting Orochimaru. He'll be alright but he must rest."

"Maybe I should have Sakura check him out?"

"Actually Kankuro I'd like to accompany you back to Uchiha town. I have to talk to Sasuke."

There was something pained in Kakashi's blue eye. "What happened? I thought you said Naruto was alright?"

"Naruto is fine, its Saichi that is the problem."

"Saichi?"
"He was on the battlefield, I believe he was using some kind of jutsu to control Gaara's body."

Kankuro had heard Gaara was possessed by one of Orochimaru's evil snakes. "The kid was doing it?"

"Something happened to Saichi. The last time I saw him he was covered with blood and appeared unconscious. It was when Orochimaru saw the boy in that condition he vanished taking Saichi and Kabuto with him. Kabuto is an excellent medical specialist but…"

Sometimes it took him a minute to figure things out but Kankuro was far from stupid. "Wait a minute. You mean that if Gaara and Saichi were connected somehow then when Gaara died…"

"Its possible it's a fate Gaara and Saichi shared. I need to speak with Sasuke about it, he knows more about Orochimaru's jutsus then anyone else."

Aww crap. That horrible sinking feeling was back in Kankuro's stomach. "Man don't tell me the kid died too. That would be it for mouse. She's fucked up enough already."

Kakashi knew Raine wasn't into violent ninja stuff. The battle and Gaara's death must have left her traumatized. He rested a hand on Kankuro's shoulders. The big guy was shaking his head in some form of disbelief. "Let's talk to Sasuke. Maybe he has some answers for us."

Temari and Sakura served up sandwiches and kool aide in the living room on a picnic blanket for the boys. With the boys occupied Sakura went to Raine and checked her vitals. She was in a bit of a stupor but Raine was alright. "How are you feeling Raine?" the medical ninja asked watching her patient's eyes.

"I don't feel much of anything," Raine's voice was barely a whisper.

"Do you have a headache?"

Raine shook her head negative. "My heart hurts Sakura."

Poor thing. "It's alright Raine. It will get better. I promise."

"Gaara."

Sakura put an arm around her friend's shoulders. "He'll always be with you. Gaara's counting on you to take good care of the boys Raine. He needs you to be strong."

She didn't want to be strong, she just wanted to be with Gaara. "I know."

Shikamaru heard the front door and stepped away from the picnic to greet Kankuro. He was moderately surprised to see Kakashi come in behind the big ninja. "Kakashi senpai?"

Sakura looked over her shoulder at her lover and teammate. "Is it Naruto?"

Kakashi shook his head. "Naruto is fine, resting in the hospital."

"Why don't you go over and take a look at him Sakura," Kankuro advised. Kakashi had told him enough on the way home to make Kankuro a little worried for his goofy friend.

He used the kyuubi chakra fighting Orochimaru. That must be it. Sakura turned back to Raine for a moment. "I want you to rest here until I come back Raine. You're a little over medicated and I don't want you stumbling around, alright?" Raine nodded and Sakura got up. "I'll just peek on Naruto and be right back."

The men stepped further down the hall to let Sakura pass. Kankuro stole a kiss goodbye and then leaned closer to Shikamaru. "Where's Sasuke?"

"He's still back in the dojo with Gabe. Gabe is asleep."

"Why don't you go get him, bring him into the kitchen. We need to talk."

And so it begins. Shikamaru started toward the dojo guessing the new head of the family was ready to lay down the law to mouse's husband.

Kankuro led Kakashi into the kitchen. "You want a drink?" he asked going for the sake in the cupboard.

"That would be fantastic," Kakashi sighed taking a seat at the table.

He pulled out the sake but didn't bother with the little cups. Kankuro grabbed two tall glasses and went to the table. He filled them both half full and passed one to Kakashi. "Kanpai," Kankuro grunted and downed half of his drink.

Kakashi tipped his glass and took a less generous swallow. The big ninja sat down and a moment later Shikamaru reappeared with Sasuke behind him. For a moment Kakashi was taken aback, Sasuke looked like death warmed over. His eyes were puffy and blood shot, the ninja's hands shook slightly. "Sasuke?"

"Is Naruto alright?" Sasuke directed at Kakashi as Shikamaru moved away to join the men at the table.

"Naruto is fine."

"I sent Sakura to go check on him," Kankuro informed and swallowed more sake. "Sit down Sasuke, we have to talk."

His body still felt rather numb but Sasuke made it to the table and into the seat beside Kakashi. "Lets make this quick. I don't want Gabe to wake up all alone."

"Sasuke, did you notice Saichi during the battle?" Kakshi started.

He frowned at his former sensei. "Saichi?"

"He was standing on a rooftop with Kabuto watching the battle and…"

The Uchiha finished for him. "Saichi was in control of the snake that held Gaara. It wasn't Orochimaru at all."

"You know how all that crazy shit works right Uchiha?" Kankuro studied his friends face. Sasuke didn't look too good.

Saichi was in control…"I do."

He hated to be the bearer of bad news but Kakashi went on. "I saw him right before Orochimaru fled. Saichi was…"

Connected to Gaara… "Was he alive?"

"I don't know. He was covered in blood. Kabuto appeared to be trying to help him."

My god what have I done? Sasuke closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"Oi," Kankuro set his drink down and tried to get Sasuke's attention. "What are you thinking Uchiha? Do you know what happened to the kid?"

Saichi. I'm so sorry. Daddy is so sorry! Sasuke opened his eyes and looked down at the table. His vision was blurry. "I think I may have killed my son. My baby boy…"

It disturbed Kankuro to see Uchiha Sasuke cry. "What are you saying?"

"It never occurred to me that Saichi was the one in control. Gaara was just so insanely powerful that I assumed Orochimaru was the one pulling his strings. I didn't think that Saichi could command such power. He was the one linked to Gaara. Saichi, my son." Sasuke brought a hand up and rubbed at his brow in a feeble attempt to hide his tears.

Shikamaru felt cold. "What happened to Saichi Sasuke?"

My son… Saichi's pale little form consumed Sasuke's mind. "He experienced all of the pain of Gaara's death. It was likely enough to kill someone…so small." He couldn't fight it anymore, Sasuke covered his eyes with his hand and wept.

"But we can't be one hundred percent sure about that Sasuke," Kakashi tried to reason. "I saw Kabuto with him, trying to help him. With his skill its possible he was able to save Saichi."

"What have I done?" Sasuke mourned. "God what have I done."

Shikamaru opened his mouth to back Kakshi up but the words died on his lips when he saw Raine standing in the door way. Shit how much did she hear? "Raine?"

The men at the table faced her, even the crying murderer. Raine focused on Sasuke. From deep within her dreamy state she accused, "So, you killed our baby too."

"Raine, I didn't," Sasuke hurried to his feet and she took a step back. "I didn't know. I swear to God I didn't know."

"Nothing has been confirmed Raine san," Kakashi leaned forward. "We don't know what Saichi's condition is."

For the moment she ignored Sasuke's former sensei and stayed focused on the killer himself. "Why do you kill the people I love Sasuke? Why do you twist my babies into monsters, killers like you?"

Kankuro got up. "Don't talk like that mouse."

"You made Gabe bring the sand from Suna. You let him kill people. You let him kill his father."

Big brother was about to step forward but Sasuke was faster. He was to Raine in two quick steps. He looked down into her glassy eyes. "Gabe didn't kill Gaara I did."

"I saw the sand grab Gaara. I know Gabe held him down for you. Tell me Sasuke, are you happy now that you've finally got your revenge against Gaara?"

"That's enough mouse!" Kankuro commanded.

With the eerie slowness of someone drugged Raine turned to Kankuro. "Fuck you, you big bully. Where were you when Gaara was dieing?"

He moved fast nearly knocking Sasuke over bumping him out of the way. Kankuro snatched up his doped up little mouse by her arms and shook her a little. "I was fighting to save Sakura and our unborn child!"

Shikamaru's mouth fell open. "What? Sakura is pregnant?"

Kankuro nodded once. "I just found out today."

"You're going to be a daddy?" Raine asked in that same dreamy valume voice.

"This isn't exactly the way I wanted to tell everyone."

"You're not married Kankuro."

"Don't worry about it mouse. I will marry Sakura."

Somewhere deep inside Raine felt happiness and she hated herself for it. Her bottom lip started to tremble. "You better."

Her voice cracked and Kankuro saw new tears in mouse's eyes. "Damnit," he pulled her to him and hugged her.

Sasuke could hear Raine crying against Kankuro's shoulder. "Congratulations Kankuro."

"Yeah," Shikamaru choked out a nervous laugh. "Congrats bro."

"Thanks you guys," Kankuro pat his mouse on the back. "See mouse, even in this mess something good can shine through. It's going to be okay." He looked at the Uchiha over his shoulder. Sasuke looked about as mentally sound as mouse did right about now. It occurred to Kankuro that now probably wasn't the best time to lay down the law but shit, it's a fuckarow in here already. "Sasuke, I'll be counting on you to look after Raine and the boys."

"No!" Raine protest against her big brothers shoulder. "I don't want him here!"

Kankuro squeezed his mouse a little harder. "Well I do and so did Gaara. Sasuke is the only one that can protect you and the boys from Orochimaru mouse and you know it."

"I'd rather die then let him live here with my sons!"

Sasuke's heart was more then broken, it was shattered. He swallowed hard and tried, "Kankuro maybe I should…"

"What you should do is shut the fuck up and listen to me. I'm the head of this family and what I say goes. Gaara left you in charge of protecting Raine and the boys; I have no intention of changing that. I don't rightly give a fuck if you guys hate each other; you're the best man for the job Uchiha. You're staying right here."

"How can you?" Raine struggled and squirmed. "He killed my husband!"

Frowning down at her Kankuro reminded his mouse, "Uchiha Sasuke is your husband mouse."

Fresh tears fell from her eyes as she looked up at her mean brother. "You god damned ninja." She pulled away from Kankuro, he let her go. Her angry eyes went from the big boss man to Sasuke. "I will never forgive you and I will always hate you." She turned on her heel and stomped out into the hall.

A moment later Sasuke heard her bedroom door slam shut. "Kankuro…"

Shaking his head Kankuro faced the Uchiha. "Don't give me any shit Uchiha. Things are the way they are whether we like it or not. Gaara put you in charge of his family and I refuse to let it be any other way."

"But Raine…"

"Can just get the fuck over it. We all lost Gaara today not just her. Orochimaru is still out there. Do you really think he's going to give up on mouse and the kids? I sure as fuck don't and I don't know the bastard half as well as you do."

Sasuke knew Kankuro was right. "Orochimaru doesn't give up."

"Then you understand this family has to be protected."

"That isn't the problem Kankuro."

"It's the only problem Uchiha. Right now Konoha is vulnerable, this is a dangerous time for Raine and boys. There's no way in hell I'm letting you leave this house. You'll have to go through me to try it."

His emotions were beginning to get the best of him. "She hates me Kankuro. How am I supposed to protect her when she hates me?!"

"Find a way." Kankuro grabbed his glass off the table and polished off the rest of his booze. It was just the shot he needed to deal with what lie ahead. "As for mouse, I'm going to have a little chat with her."

Kankuro set his glass down and Sasuke caught hold of the big ninja's arm before he could walk away. "For Christ's sake not now Kankuro. She's in there bawling her eyes out as it is. Raine has been through enough today."

It was because Sasuke was so protective of Raine that Kankuro could trust him, even love him. "You should be in there crying with her. You love her don't you? Saichi is your baby together isn't he?"

Sasuke's hand faltered and he let go. "Saichi…"

Shikamaru sat back taking it all in. Clearly his dangerous when angry brother in law had some very specific plans for the family. Sasuke was going to stay with Raine and the boys; Kankuro wasn't going to even entertain otherwise. Sasuke was their protector, but also he was Raine's husband; had been for a while now. Shikamaru thought Kankuro intended to make it permanent. It was no secret how much the Uchiha loved Raine and the children. Sasuke was the natural choice to fill Gaara's role as husband and father, he had done a splendid job with them already. Raine was the real tricky part in the scheme. She might do as Kankuro said if he bullied her enough, but all the bullying in the world wasn't going to change what she felt for Uchiha Sasuke.

Kankuro said what Shikamaru was thinking. "Raine forgave you for some seriously fucked up shit before Uchiha, we all did. We're going to make her forgive you again, together as a family."

As a family… "Kankuro," Sasuke choked.

"We're brothers in this Sasuke. I'm counting on you to be a father to my nephews and take care of mouse."

Again the Uchiha hid his eyes with one hand and let the tears flow. It had been a hell of a long time since someone had called him brother. "I'll do everything I can."

"I know you will. And I know it aint gonna be easy living with mouse right now. She's in that angry phase of grief. Maybe that shrink you guys see can do something to help get her through this."

Sasuke nodded still hiding his eyes. He was willing to put all of their fates in Kankuro's hands. Big brother seemed to be thinking clearly, he knew what was best for the family. Deep down Kankuro had a kind heart and Sasuke trusted him. "Raine listens to Yuna."

"This isn't going to be easy. I'll do what I can to make mouse behave but she's going to be hard to deal with for a while. I know how much she loved my brother. I saw it in her eyes every day. All of this is hardest on her right now." Kankuro let out a long heavy sigh. He had done so much thinking today his head hurt. His family had undergone a radical change in just a few hours. "We're here for you, both of you."

"Damn straight," Shikamaru got to his feet. He was impressed with the depth of maturity his big brother in law was showing. "Temari can be here all day."

Kakashi sat silently watching Sasuke cry. There was more then mourning in his tears. Sasuke has been accepted into a real clan again. It must be the relief of his life. "You can call on me whenever you need to Sasuke."

The Uchiha wiped his face and blinked back his tears. His heartbeat felt weird in his chest. He looked over at Kakashi. "I need to know who if anybody has gone out to search for Orochimaru."

"Sound was perused but not by many. Things in the village are pretty bad right now Sasuke."

Hiei had kept Sasuke posted on the news circulating amongst ANBU. "Hokage is dead. Will Jiraiya take her seat?"

"I hope so."

"If he doesn't will you?"

He shook his head and sipped his drink. "I think you're more qualified to be kage then I am Sasuke. You know way more jutsus then I do."

"I don't care about being kage I just want to know what happened to Saichi."

Interesting. Shikamaru was watching the former student and teacher. Either one of them were prime candidates for hokage. "Somebody somewhere knows something. It will only be a matter of time before some information makes it way back to the village."

Kakashi took it as his cue to head out. He wanted to give the family time alone. Kakashi took another gulp of sake to be polite and got up. "I have to meet with Jiraiya. He's already aware of the situation with Saichi. He can get information nobody else can. I'm sure he can think of something." He stepped past Sasuke. "I'll see what I can find out for you Sasuke. Everyone," Kakashi bowed a little and showed himself out.

Kankuro turned back toward the hall. "I'm gonna go talk to mouse."

"No don't," Sasuke nearly begged. "Don't push her any harder right now Kankuro please."

"I have to make her understand."

"Then do it tomorrow. She's already miserable, probably on the verge of passing out from all that valume. Just let her go to sleep. You can talk to her in the morning. Please Kankuro."

The pleading look in the Uchiha's eyes was depressing. "Alright, I'll talk to her in the morning, but I am going to straighten her out. We can't have her carrying on like some crazy lady. The boys need her right now and they need to see that the two of you are still a united front, understand what I'm saying Uchiha?"

He did and Sasuke nodded. "I'll talk with her tomorrow too, I promise." Sasuke started for the hall. "I'm going to get back to Gabe. He needs me right now and I want to be there for him."

Kankuro watched Sasuke go and then let loose another longsuffering sigh. "You think he's alright?"

Shikamaru wasn't quite sure. "He's hurting, but he'll do what you ask Kankuro. Sasuke is dependable."

Big brother was counting on it.

Sasuke went back to the dojo and lay down next to Gabe. He could hear Raine crying in the next room. Gabe cuddled up to him and Sasuke held him close. On the other side of the wall his love sobbed my baby. Sasuke closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep. More then anything else in the world Sasuke wanted this day over. A new dawn, a new start and a day further away from the death of Sabaku no Gaara.

15