Hidden in the Leaves
2
Sasuke was awake first, he usually was. Gabe had slept peacefully through the night. The valume eventually got the best of Raine and she slept soundly. The Uchiha got up and went out into the hall. He checked the twins first. They were both asleep in Yusuke's bed. Renji was holding onto one of his brothers thumbs in his sleep. Sasuke smiled a little. He had missed them yesterday. Today will be better.
He used the bathroom and went to the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of orange juice pondering whether or not to make breakfast. Sasuke was hungry and he was sure Gabe was going to be famished when he finally got up. He didn't want to do anything to upset Raine though. When she was nervous or depressed she liked to busy herself caring for the children. His stomach rumbled and he decided it was time to wake Raine.
Sasuke gulped some more juice and set his glass on the table. He went back down the hall to Raine's room. Sasuke knocked. "Raine, are you awake?" No answer. Sasuke pushed the door open. Raine was still asleep in bed. She was half covered and still in the clothes she wore yesterday. There were two small photo albums beside her on the bed. Sasuke recognized the blue one. It was where Raine had tucked all the pictures of Saichi. Something pulled at the Uchiha's heart. He looked from the photo book to Raine. She looked peaceful, serene.
He didn't want to wake her and bring her back into a world of pain but Sasuke stepped to the foot of her bed. "Raine?" he reached down and shook one of her cute little feet. "Raine are you up?"
She was now. "Yes, yes stop shaking me," she grumbled half asleep.
"The boys will be up soon. Do you want me to start breakfast?"
"No I can do it," instinct replied as she came more awake.
"Anything I can do to help?" He watched her sit up slowly taking in her surroundings. "You took a lot of valume last night. It really knocked you out. Are you feeling alright?"
It was the first day of the rest of her life without Gaara and probably Saichi too. No, Raine was not alright. "Get out of my room Sasuke. I'll take care of breakfast by myself."
Sasuke swallowed hard and took a step back. "Sorry I just…" but he didn't finish. The look Raine gave him silenced him. A murderous intent pulsed out of her. She hates me.
"Leave."
He did. Sasuke turned around and left closing the door behind him. He went back to the dojo to pull some clean clothes out of his closet. Sasuke couldn't really recall Raine ever hating him so much. He didn't have real memories of their long gone past, when Sasuke was quite the bad guy. He had probed her mind and seen his evil deeds through her eyes, but that emotional experience had been over quickly. Now he actually had to live through it first hand. Sasuke grabbed a clean shirt sighing shakily.
Gabe moaned a little and opened his eyes. "Sasuke sensei?"
"I'm right here Gabe." His boy rolled over and looked at him. Sasuke smiled at his sleep puffy eyes. There were times when chibi Gaara looked more like his mother. "You slept a long time buddy. Do you feel better?"
"I'm hungry." Gabe sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Me too."
"Will mommy still feed me even though she thinks I'm bad?"
"Gabe," Sasuke went to the boy. "You didn't do anything wrong, you're not a bad boy. Mommy loves you. She'll always love you. Of course she'll take care of you Gabe."
"Is auntie Temari mad at me?"
Sasuke shook his head. "Nobody is mad at you buddy."
"Mad at you?"
"Mommy is upset with me. It's hard for her to understand ninja things sometimes."
The boy heard his mommy leave her room and head down the hall to make breakfast. "Are you going to be fighting with mommy again?"
Out of the mouth of babes. "Maybe a little, but I'll try real hard to help mommy not be so mad okay?"
Gabe nodded. He had seen mommy be pretty tough on his sensei sometimes. The grown ups had to go to special meetings to get along better. "I'm sorry mommy is mad at you Sasuke sensei."
"Don't be."
"Daddy's not mad. I had a dream about him. He was happy we're safe."
The Uchiha wondered if Gaara's final thoughts had somehow lingered in the sand. "Sure he is. Everything is going to be just fine Gabe."
"You're going to
stay with us and protect mommy aren't you?"
"Absolutely."
He smiled at Gabe and tussled his hair. "Don't you worry about a
thing. Now be a big boy and go put on some clean clothes. We'll get
your brothers up and dressed and go have a big breakfast okay."
Gabe smiled back at his sensei. "Okay!" He hopped off the futon and hurried out to his room.
Alone in his room the Uchiha shook his head. He wasn't one for praying but the words just came out. "Gaara, please help me."
Raine was scrambling eggs when she heard the familiar morning noises down the hall. Gabe and Sasuke had woke Renji and Yusuke, Raine could here the voices of all the children. Sasuke's voice mingled in sometimes. It was weird to hear things sound so normal when clearly life was not. She was fixing plates when Sasuke marched the boys into the kitchen for breakfast. Renji was holding Gabe's hand.
"Alright guys up to the table," Sasuke herded.
Renji saw toast and reminded, "No crust mommy."
Sasuke went to the refrigerator and pulled out the pitcher of orange juice. Beverages at meal time were generally his responsibility. "Mommy knows Renji."
Yusuke looked at Sasuke while he poured him his juice. "How we ride bikes if the street is broke?"
Sasuke smiled at his son. "I guess I'll just have to fix the street wont I?"
The boy's eyes got wide. "You can fix it?"
"Sure, no problem." He went on to pouring Renji's juice.
Renji looked up at Sasuke. "You pretty good ass kick ninja."
"Renji!" Raine turned on him.
"Don't say ass buddy," Sasuke reminded patiently.
The little red head frowned. "Ass not bad. Ass you sit on."
Raine took a threatening step forward. "That is not a nice word Renji. You say butt instead."
"You can say hiney," Yusuke wiggled in his seat.
Renji giggled at his twin and started to squirm around too. Raine sighed heavily and went back to making plates without ever looking at Sasuke. Sasuke poured Gabe's juice and then refilled his own glass. He chanced a step closer to the counter. "Juice of coffee Raine?"
"I can get it myself." She turned with two plates in her hand and served the twins. "Come on you two, its time to eat."
Sasuke set the juice on the counter counting the plates left to be served. There were three, he took it as a good sign that at least they could all sit and have their meals together. Sasuke grabbed the Gabe sized plate and sidestepped around Raine as she came back toward the counter. Again she didn't look at him even though they had passed inches from each other. "Here you go buddy."
The kids dug in, Raine took her plate to her seat and joined them. Sasuke grabbed his breakfast and sat down. It was an awkward meal. The boys were fine, business as usual. Renji managed to cover his hands and his twin with strawberry preserves; Gabe finished his brother's sausage links. Raine mostly pushed her food around her plate, she was quiet the whole meal. She didn't look at Sasuke and she didn't look at Gabe. When breakfast was over she hauled Renji and Yusuke off to the bathroom to get cleaned up.
Sasuke got up and started scraping plates and loading the dishwasher. Gabe crawled down off of his seat and brought his sensei his plate and glass. "Mommy didn't say good morning."
"Mommy is just tired Gabe," Sasuke tried to sound reassuring. He took Gabe's dishes and loaded them in.
"She didn't eat. I thought the food was good."
"She probably has a tummy ache."
Gabe wasn't sure if that was the truth but when he had a tummy ache he didn't eat either. "I hope she gets better."
"She'll be fine Gabe." He closed the dishwasher and flicked it on. "Why don't you give me a hand fixing up our street ne Gabe? I bet you can do it easy."
He brightened a little. Gabe liked to be praised by his Sasuke sensei. "Really? Okay! I'll do my best!"
Renji fought his face washing until mommy said he could ride his bike. He waited for Yusuke to dry his hands and then went screaming down the hall. Gabe and Sasuke were already outside, but Renji could still beat Yusuke and mommy out the door. He hit daylight just as his big brother and Sasuke used some cool ninja jutsu to make the street nice and flat again. "Good job Gabe! Good job!"
Gabe stood and smiled at his brother. "Sasuke sensei helped. He can do lots of stuff."
"Ass kick ninja!" Renji hopped around doing a funny little dance. Sasuke and Gabe laughed.
"Renji!" Raine scolded from the door. Yusuke got out in front of her and ran like hell.
"Will you get me my bike?" Yusuke ran to Sasuke.
"Me too!" Renji ran to catch up to Yusuke.
Sasuke started for the shed with all three of the boys on his heels. "Who wants to ride over and see if auntie Temari is done having her breakfast?"
"Me!" Renji was still hopping around.
"Me too," Yusuke didn't want to leave his twin.
Raine watched Sasuke and the boys. Again that feeling of wrong normalcy turned her stomach over. Of course she didn't want two year olds in mourning but… her eyes moved up the street to the place she had last seen her beloved Gaara. The sand was gone; Gabe must have cleaned it up. For a moment Gaara filled her mind. Raine closed her eyes and remembered his smile, his soft eyes and gentle kisses. He's really gone. What am I supposed to do without Gaara?
As if to answer down the street Kankuro called out "Morning everybody!"
She opened her eyes and saw Renji peddling his big wheel toward his uncle at top speed. Yusuke was a few lengths behind him. Sakura was at Kankuro's side. She lifted a hand and waved at the boys. Raine watched Kankuro greet the children and Sasuke and then he headed her way. Oh shit.
"Morning mouse," Kankuro went to his little sis. "How you doing this morning?"
"I'm fine, how are you?"
Kankuro detected bitchy in her tone. His little mouse was still mad at him. Too bad. It aint gonna get any better. "I need to talk to you about some things mouse. Why don't we step inside for a minute?"
"Why can't we talk out here?"
"Little ears," Kankuro nodded in the direction of the cluster of people behind him. "Let's go inside."
"Are you going to be a jerk?"
I guess I have to be. "Inside mouse, now."
Sasuke saw Raine and Kankuro step back into the house. She didn't look to happy and he was frowning. He and Gabe joined Sakura and the twins. "Kankuro is…"
"He needs to have a talk with Raine," Sakura answered still putting on a smile for the kids. "Show me how fast your bikes can go you guys!"
All three of them sped off, Gabe stewarding his little brothers. "What's he saying to her Sakura?"
Her sweetie had filled her in on his plans for the family last night in bed. "He's telling her you stay."
"He said as much last night."
Sakura took a deep breath and leaked more info to her former teammate. "Kankuro wants the two of you to stay married. He wants you to be a father to the boys."
Sasuke lifted a brow. "He wants to make this arrangement permanent?"
She looked at him sidelong. "Sasuke, he knows how much you love Raine and the boys. He understands."
"I…of course I love them."
"Gaara put you here for a reason didn't he? It was his idea that the two of you get married in the first place. He asked you to take care of his family and Kankuro respects that. He knows how much you've done for Gaara and his family; he's seen what you've all been through together already." She paused thinking about the conversation she had with Kankuro last night.
"I'll take care of them all, I promised Gaara and I will keep that promise, but don't go getting any crazy ideas about me and Raine. As soon as it's safe, she'll want a divorce."
"You don't want that Sasuke."
"What I want doesn't matter to Raine. She hates my guts."
She shrugged in concession, "Maybe at this moment, but you guys were doing great until the attack. You were even dating."
"It was grown up alone time," Sasuke corrected. "Yuna made us."
"You guys enjoyed yourselves though didn't you?"
The Uchiha shook his head. "That's the past."
"That was yesterday," Sakura argued.
"Yesterday I killed the man she loves. Things have changed Sakura."
"Yes, things have changed. Now we all know Gaara isn't going to get better, he isn't coming back. He's gone and Raine has no choice but to move on without him."
Somewhere inside the house Sasuke heard Kankuro holler Godamnit mouse listen to me! He took a step toward the door and Sakura grabbed his sleeve. "Sakura," he warned.
She shook her head. "You're staying right here. You let Kankuro handle this. He's the head of this family and Raine will listen to him."
"If he's mean enough."
"If that's what it takes."
He stared at his old friend for a moment. She was really sticking up for her man. "You and the big guy ne? Congratulations Sakura when's the wedding?"
Kankuro dodged the flying pepper shaker but the one for salt bounced off his forehead. "Damnit mouse!" he lunged forward and grabbed her by the wrists before anything else on the counter became a projectile.
Raine tried to pull away. "I won't do it! I don't care how mean you are! I won't stay with the man that murdered my husband!"
"Sasuke is your husband woman!"
"No!"
"Yes!" and Kankuro had more. "Gaara expected Sasuke to be a father to these kids in his absence-"
Raine tried again to jerk away. "No!"
"Yes! And that's just what the Uchiha is going to do, you hear me mouse?"
She felt the first angry tears stinging her eyes. "I don't want him here. He killed Gaara. I hate him!"
"Well then I guess it sucks to be you mouse because this is how its gonna be. This is what Gaara wanted."
"Gaara didn't want me to be in hell with Uchiha Sasuke!"
One more good yank and Kankuro let her go. He stared his little mouse down. "My brother would have rather died then hurt you or any of the boys. I know it's painful, but Sasuke did the right thing. Gabe could have been killed if that thing wearing Gaara's body had continued to rampage. My brother was dieing a dishonorable death, Sasuke gave him a clean one. I know you don't understand the shinobi code, but Uchiha Sasuke honored my brother and he's still trying to honor him now. He promised Gaara that he would be here for you and the boys. Even you being a rag to him didn't drive him out of here. He aint going nowhere mouse."
"He killed Gaara."
"He saved Gaara and Gabe and you."
Raine knew she was fighting a loosing battle. "I hate him Kankuro."
"Get over it." His mouse made a break for it and Kankuro caught her again.
"Let me go you big asshole!" Raine wailed and burst into tears.
The big ninja rolled his eyes. "Yeah I'm just a big ol mean asshole right mouse?"
"You are mean!"
Kankuro spun her
around so that his crying mouse was facing him. "I'm doing what's
best for the family mouse. The kids love the hell out of Sasuke and
he's good with them. They need a dad and Sasuke is the best choice
regardless of how you feel about him right now."
"I hate
him," Raine wept.
"Gaara wanted this mouse. He wanted Sasuke to step up if he couldn't." She shook her head and Kankuro gave her a little shake. "Sasuke will help you raise these boys right, the way Gaara wanted."
"He'll make them all killer ninjas!"
Big brother straightened. Without a word he pulled mouse over to the kitchen window and looked out. "Well, what do you see?"
Raine peeked out the window. Yusuke was riding circles around Sakura. Sasuke was helping Gabe tighten the front wheel of his bike. Gabe was observing, learning from his sensei. Renji hung off Sasuke's neck babbling excitedly in his ear. The Uchiha was smiling a little. "I see a monster in the middle of my children."
"That's funny, I see a guy enjoying a morning with his sons. Maybe you need to look a little closer or maybe I do. I don't see any killing going on out there."
She met Kankuro's flat glare. "They aren't his sons."
He chuckled frustrated and shook his head. "Do you remember mouse, I didn't even want you to have Yusuke, but Gaara… If it was a part of you he loved it even if it wasn't his own flesh and blood. He was a father to all of your children, Uchiha Sasuke is no different. For months that guy has taken excellent care of all of my nephews. Somehow he manages to put up with all your shit." Again she tried to get away, again Kankuro held her where she was. "I aint done yet."
Big brother was stirring up all kinds of memories. "I don't want to hear anymore of your shit!"
"Tough, I'm not through talking to you yet."
"Why can't you leave me alone!" she shrieked.
"I'll leave ya alone when you pull your head outta your ass and see what the hell is going on here."
Her hands trembled. "Fine. He can stay here and protect us."
"Sasuke aint just some servant mouse. Gaara trusted him to do right by his sons and you too. He's done a good job, I trust he always will."
The battle was lost. The big meanie was going to enforce Gaara's ways no matter what she said. Kankuro was repeating to her things Gaara himself had told her the last time they were together. Gaara had great faith and trust in Sasuke and Sasuke killed him. "What do you want from me Kankuro?"
Finally she was caving in. His little mouse was as stubborn as they came. "I want you to keep your shit together in front of the kids."
Raine wiped her tears away. "I'm doing my best."
"You guys should probably talk to that Yuna lady; get some things worked out between you. Sasuke is a part of this family; he's going to do what Gaara wanted. You need to accept that mouse. I'm not trying to be a bad guy by saying you gotta stick with Sasuke, but it is what's best for the boys. People stay married because of their kids all the time, this is no different."
Stuck with Sasuke. "It really has to be this way?"
"It's for the best." Kankuro took one of her shaking hands and held it. "Gaara trusted Sasuke, I know you do too. You're just hurting right now; missing Gaara and worried about Saichi but Sasuke's hurting pretty bad right now too. Gaara was his hero and Saichi is his kid too. You shouldn't be hating and fighting, you should be supporting each other through the rough times. I know you guys can do it, you've accomplished plenty before."
"But Gaara…." The tears crept up again as Kankuro's words worked their way into her aching heart.
"Gaara is watching over you mouse. He'll always be in your heart."
Raine and Kankuro were inside for quite a while, but Sasuke didn't hear anymore shouting. The boys busily raced up and down the street, their future aunt Sakura cheered them on. She had admitted to the Uchiha that losing Tsunade had hit her hard, but she had Kankuro to dote on her. While the boys were busy Sasuke leapt to the rooftop to survey the damage to Uchiha town and the surrounding village. What a mess. A great part of the district lie in ruin. Crews were already working on clearing away the debris. Sasuke saw a lot of flack jackets near the hole in the wall and relaxed a little. He hopped back down to the street before Gabe decided to join him up so high.
Shikamaru and Temari arrived a few minutes later. They greeted the children and then Sasuke informed them Kankuro was having that talk with Raine inside. Immediately Temari started for the house, but her husband stopped her. "You promised me you'd let Kankuro handle this," Shikamaru reminded his meddling wife.
"He's probably being a big jerk," she argued back.
"Maybe, but sometimes Kankuro has to be a hard ass to make Raine listen."
"So I should just stand here and do nothing while he's in there bullying her into submission?"
He shrugged his shoulders and stepped back. "If you think Kankuro is doing the right thing you should just stay out of it. You can always baby her when he's through."
Temari put a hand on her hip and scowled at her husband. "I don't baby her."
"Of course you do. She's your little sister. It's natural."
She was about to tell him off when she felt Gabe tugging on the side of her skirt. Temari looked down at her nephew. She put on a smile for him. "What is it Gabe?"
"Do you like how me and Sasuke sensei fixed the street auntie Temari?"
"Wow Gabe you did this?" Temari played it up. "Why, it looks so good I though the professionals came in and did it while I was asleep!"
Gabe's grin stretched from ear to ear. "Sensei helped me. He always helps me lots."
Temari nodded Sasuke's way. "Good job Sasuke."
The Uchiha smiled a little and teased back, "Thank you auntie Temari."
Renji peddled over on his big wheels. "Race me Gabe!"
His attention went to his little brother. "Why you don't race Yusuke?"
"I already beat his ass, you turn." As if to emphasize his point he started circling his aunt.
"Renji," Sasuke warned. "Mommy told you not to use that word."
"Mommy not hear me," Renji giggled.
"I did," Temari frowned down at the little speed demon. "Maybe I should tell your mommy you're out here using bad language."
He stopped and looked up at his aunt distressed. "You gonna tell on me?" he gasped.
"I will if I hear you use any more bad words. She'll probably get real mad and take your bike away."
The little red head looked to his big brother for confirmation and Gabe nodded. Renji tightened his grip on his handle bars. "Okay, I be good." He peddled away from his auntie Temari as fast as he could.
Temari looked back up at Sasuke. "Who taught Renji the A word ne Uchiha?"
"Luffy tells everybody he's gonna kick their ass."
Shikamaru backed Sasuke up. "Renji is a big One Piece fan."
She cut her eyes over to her husband. "So are you."
"Guilty as charged."
Sakura made her way back over to the adults and greeted the Naara's. "Hey guys. How you doing Temari?"
"I'm okay Sakura, how are you feeling?" Sakura and Kankuro had sprung their happy news on big sister last night.
She laughed a little. "I'm good."
"Did you and Kankuro set a date last night?" Temari was all for extending the family but she wanted her bully brother married before he became a daddy.
"We talked about it."
Sakura was saved when Kankuro finally emerged from the house with Raine behind him. She didn't follow him far; Raine hung back by the door. Kankuro waved to his gathered family and called out, "Oi Uchiha, come here. I want to talk to ya."
My turn ne? Sasuke pat Gabe on top of the head. "Keep an eye on your brothers for me."
"I will," Gabe chirped. He was always happy to help.
Kankuro turned and went back inside, Sasuke hurried to follow him. He looked at Raine as he passed by. She looked downright miserable and he couldn't help but check on her. "Are you alright Raine?"
She lifted her eyes to his. Sasuke looked worried. "Kankuro is waiting for you." Raine turned away and started toward Temari.
Sasuke watched her a moment longer and then ducked inside to deal with the head of the family.
Over coffee Kankuro explained that his baby brother had changed his will to include Sasuke and Saichi when life had still been peaceful in Sand. The Uchiha sat and listened to his friend's final wishes as the dishwasher hummed to a stop behind him. Even way back then Gaara put it down on paper that he wanted Sasuke guarding his family at least until the boys could protect themselves.
Sasuke sipped his coffee. "What did you say to Raine? She looked upset."
"I told her what I'm telling you. People stay married because it's best for their kids all the time. You two are gonna do that." Kankuro stirred more sugar into his mug. "I told her that you should be supporting each other; that Gaara was your friend and Saichi is your baby too."
"Did you say all that before or after she gave you that lump on your head?"
Kankuro squint one eye shut. "It wasn't an easy conversation to have Uchiha. I hope I made her understand why things went down the way they did. I did what I could to take the heat off of you and Gabe. You should be thanking me."
Sasuke sighed. "Sorry Kankuro. I do appreciate the help."
He sipped his sweet coffee. "I aint saying it's going to be easy. Mouse is pretty heartsick right now."
"I know."
"Temari and I are going to be around a lot. We can all pitch in and keep the boys busy, Temari can help with mouse. You get a hold of that shrink. Sakura thinks it will help."
"I can send Hiei to fetch her this afternoon. A session might do Raine some good."
Big brother sat back looking at the depressed Uchiha. A silence fell as the sand ninja studied Sasuke. "You're head over heels in love with her aint ya?"
"Does it really matter?"
"Yeah, it does." Kankuro waited for the Uchiha to look at him.
"You already know my answer Kankuro."
"Maybe I want to hear you say it."
Sasuke's brow twitched. "Why? It doesn't change anything."
"Maybe not today," Kankuro agreed and sipped his coffee. "But, believe it or not, I would feel like a real dick if I trapped mouse in a totally loveless marriage."
"She hates me," Sasuke sighed annoyed.
"I aint asking about her Uchiha I'm asking about you."
He fixed his frown on Kankuro. "Yes, I am in love with Raine. I have been all along. You know that."
Kankuro nodded. "So did Gaara."
"I didn't hide anything from Gaara. He knew exactly how I felt about Raine and the boys. He knew I…" Sasuke trailed off starring down into his murky drink.
"He knew you wanted to be in his shoes." Kankuro finished his cup and set it down. "Now you are."
Sasuke frowned at the big ninja again. "I never wanted things to be like this. Raine was happy with Gaara. I would never deny her that."
"Orochimaru and his sick little jutsus are responsible for my brother's death, not you. Mouse will come to understand that in time. I'm just wondering what will happen when that day comes."
"I'll do cartwheels," Sasuke grumbled. He hoisted his mug and drank down some coffee. "What are you getting at Kankuro ne?"
"I've seen the two of you together enough to know yer her frigin doormat."
"That's ridiculous," Sasuke protest.
Kankuro ignored his outburst and went on. "Seen enough to know mouse really cares about you too. She depends on you Uchiha, a lot."
"I do everything I can for Raine."
"Can you be her husband?"
"I am her husband."
"You're her patsy."
"I'm her friend."
The Uchiha was getting irritated. "She's got enough friends. What mouse needs is a husband, a father for her children."
"I'm trying." Sasuke got up to grab the coffee pot.
"Gaara wouldn't have taken half the shit you do."
Sasuke stepped back to the table and poured Kankuro a fresh cup. "I'm not Gaara."
"Then I guess its time you learn how to be more like him."
He topped off his own mug and put the decanter back on the burner. "What the hell do you want me to do Kankuro?"
"I want you to wear the pants around here Uchiha," Kankuro started spooning in his sugar. "I want you to grow some hair on your nuts and be the man of this house."
"You mean be a bully like you?"
"No." Kankuro waited for Sasuke to sit back down. "I mean be a man, be the husband and father. When she tells you she doesn't want her baby boys to be ninja you tell her tough shit. When she wants to do some damn reckless thing you tell her no. You are capable of telling her no aren't you Uchiha?"
"I can say no to Raine," Sasuke poured some half and half in his coffee.
Kankuro stirred up his sweet concoction. "I aint seen you do it yet."
"Gabe starts the academy next semester, that was my doing remember? All three of the boys will be great shinobi. Gaara wanted it and so do I. They'll have to be to protect themselves from scum like Orochimaru."
He could still remember sick little Saichi calling Orochimaru father and Sasuke daddy. "I couldn't agree with you more. You just make sure you get Renji and Yusuke into the academy as soon as they're ready. Don't let her hold back the kids anymore Uchiha."
"I'll do what's right for the boys Kankuro. You can count on it."
His coffee was sweet and just the right temperature. "You gonna do right by mouse?"
"I'll do everything I can for Raine."
"Gonna give her everything she wants?"
"I don't see why I shouldn't. She isn't demanding and we are millionaires."
Kankuro smiled a little luring the Uchiha into a false sense of security. "What about a daughter?"
Sasuke's mouth fell open and he almost tipped over his mug. "What?!"
He and his baby's mama had done a lot of talking last night. "Temari's going to have a baby, Sakura is going to have a baby, mouse is surrounded by pregnancy and that shit is contagious."
It felt like something had just smacked him upside his head hard. "Are you crazy? Raine and I have never been together like that!"
"She wanted a daughter. She and Gaara were trying before Saichi entered the picture. Mouse is sensitive, baby crazy. If Temari or Sakura have a girl it might make her start wanting again. She's too young and has too much to give to just call it quits now Uchiha."
His heart rate accelerated and Sasuke felt the blood rushing to his face. "Raine and I don't have that kind of relationship. I keep my hands off of her."
"Because of Gaara," he tested.
"No. Yes. No." Sasuke shook his head. "I vowed a long time ago never to make her do something she didn't want to ever again."
That was a comforting thought. He didn't have to worry about the Uchiha going super sleaze now that his brother was out of the picture, not that he had any great concerns otherwise. Sasuke was whipped. It was the baby boom going on around his little mouse that had caused the big ninja to do even more heavy thinking. At least today he didn't have a headache yet. "Gaara isn't here to give her another child if she wants one. The way she's been shopping with Temari really makes me wonder. I don't suppose she's said anything to you ne?"
She had, not that long ago Raine had mentioned she and Gaara wanted to try for a little girl. That night, after the party, in the kitchen. I held her in my arms and… "She said something after Temari made her announcement, but she meant another child with Gaara not with me."
"But you would give her one if that's what she wanted?"
Sasuke barely heard the question. Memories of that night filled his thoughts. I almost kissed her…she almost let me… "I…"
"There's nothing wrong with your plumbing is there?"
That snapped him out of his daze. "No, there's nothing wrong with my plumbing. Keh, idiot," Sasuke was getting frustrated.
"So you could do the job?"
"Yeah I could do the job," he was just slightly indignant. "It doesn't matter what I can and can't do, Raine and I aren't like that. It's never going to happen Kankuro."
His girlfriend suspected otherwise, deep down so did he. "Don't get bitchy Uchiha, I just need to know these things. Sorry if I find it ludicrous to think that the two of you will be stuck together for the next ump-teen years without ever getting laid." He sipped his coffee watching the other man squirm.
"Raine loses the love of her life and your sitting here asking me if I'd do her? Pardon me if I find that a little fucked up."
Kankuro shrugged. "My brother wanted you to be the one to fill his shoes. I'm just making sure you can handle the job."
"I can handle it just fine. I can be the man of this family and still do the right thing for Raine and the boys. I can't be Gaara but I can see that his will be done."
For now that would have to be good enough. At least the Uchiha was still able to stand up for his beliefs, even against a bully. It was becoming more and more obvious to Kankuro just how much Uchiha Sasuke loved his little mouse. He wanted to hold on to hope for his smallest sister, it was too soon to let her life be over. Maybe someday this man that loved her could get her to live again. "Alright then Uchiha. I'm counting on you."
Later that afternoon as the boys splashed in the pool out back, Yuna arrived and whisked Raine off to her bedroom. After an hour Sasuke got nervous, after two he left the boys in Temari's care and went to check on things. He knocked at the door with his heart in his throat. "Sorry to disturb you. Is everything alright?"
"Come in Sasuke," Yuna called through the door.
He was a bundle of nerves when he slid the door aside. Raine was sitting on her bed surrounded by tear soaked tissues. Yuna had pulled a chair close to the bed and was holding Raine's hand. He swallowed hard as he slid the door shut behind him. "Can I bring you something?"
Yuna smiled sympathetically. "You can bring your butt over here. Come and sit with us Sasuke."
He followed the therapist's commands and took a seat on the bed a safe distance away from Raine. "Temari is watching the boys. They're in the pool."
"Is Kankuro still here?" Raine sniffled dabbing her eyes with a moist tissue.
"He's sitting with Shikamaru."
"Raine is a little upset with Kankuro right now Sasuke," Yuna informed.
Sasuke nodded. "He has been kind of tough."
Raine choked out a miserable laugh. "Did he bully you too?" she asked without looking at Sasuke.
Yuna went to work again. "He sort of…lay down the law to Raine this morning Sasuke. He did the same with you?"
Shit I never shoulda come in here. "We talked earlier."
"He told you he thinks the best course of action is to make your marriage permanent?"
"Yes."
She nodded. "And how does that make you feel Sasuke?"
Shouldn't have come in here. "It's fine with me."
"Because you love Raine?"
"I love her and the boys very much," he answered honestly.
Yuna went on nodding. Counselor or no, she was still a well informed ninja. "Raine is upset by this."
"No shit," he couldn't help it, it just slipped out.
Raine whirled around and faced Sasuke he startled and straightened. "Why? Why didn't you save him Sasuke?"
She wasn't crying about Kankuro's bullying, it was Gaara his beloved wept for. "I did the best I could. Gaara was… his soul was being devoured by a demon. He was a body attacking us Raine, attacking Gabe." He took a chance and grabbed one of her hands. "Gabe felt Gaara's sand hurting you. He felt it attacking us. He knew it wasn't his fathers doing. He knew Gaara would never hurt you."
"Sasuke, I think Raine needs to hear the whole explanation from you," Yuna focused on the Uchiha. "She isn't a ninja. Explain it to her like a normal person."
His love was looking at him with hurt and tears in her eyes. Sasuke felt himself coming unhinged. "I don't know when or how but Orochimaru taught Saichi to summon that demon. Saichi used that power to curse and then to control Gaara's body." He swallowed hard. "I didn't know what Orochimaru did…to our son. I underestimated Saichi's power. I thought that Orochimaru was in control."
Sasuke stopped and Yuna shifted to rest her free hand on his arm. "It's alright Sasuke. Go on." She thought Sasuke needed to confess all as much as Raine needed to hear it.
It took him a moment to look his love in the eyes again. "Gaara's soul was being devoured Raine. An eternity of darkness in the belly of the snake, that's what Gabe saw. What he knew. I was trying to reach the Gaara inside when Gabe showed up. He ran to me, I protected him but…" Sasuke shook his head and fought the tears that tried to rise. "Gabriel knew what was happening to his father. Somehow he knew and he asked me to help him save his parents. He knew we had to stop Gaara's body before Kasanigi devoured his soul."
"Gabriel has always had a special bond with his father," Yuna baited. "They are very much alike?"
Sasuke nodded at the therapist. "There was a special link between them. Gabe could always sense what Gaara's sand was doing. He snuck out of the house and joined the battle because he felt Gaara's sand hurt Raine, spill her blood. He had to stop it."
Raine stared down at her hand in his. "What did you do to Gaara?"
He knew what she was asking but it didn't make it any easier to answer. "I stopped his heart," Sasuke cushioned. "It was quick, painless. Gaara never felt death just release."
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "What about Saichi?"
The Uchiha bowed his head. "If he was really controlling Gaara's body and didn't sever the link before the moment of Gaara's death then Saichi took the pain of it all."
"He's dead."
"Kabuto was tending to him just before they disappeared. He's a sick bastard, but he's an amazing medical ninja. I've seen him do incredible things. If anyone could have saved our boy its Kabuto." Desperately he wanted to believe it. Kabuto had skill that rivaled even the former hokage Tsunade. "I won't give up hope; I won't give up on our son. He could still be alive, waiting for us to rescue him."
He stopped his heart… Gaara's heart and Saichi…. Raine was shaking. "This is Orochimaru's fault."
"Orochimaru was coming for you Raine." Sasuke wanted to reach over wipe away her tears. He wanted to hold her and comfort her. He wanted to cry with her.
"So he can use my body to revive my mother?" she spat bitterly.
"That is his intention."
Sick fucking ninja. Raine sniffed back a sob and looked up at Sasuke. "Can you do that kind of stuff Sasuke? Can you bring back the dead? Can you bring back Gaara?"
Her questions were like a knife twisting in his chest. "Raine," he choked.
"Can you?"
"I'm not the one who cursed him. I can't…" he had to look away from her desperate eyes. "If I could bring him back Raine I swear to you I would. I can't."
Her last semblance of hope faded into the darkness. Raine pulled her hand away. She turned and collapsed against her pillow in tears. He's really gone. He's never coming back. "Gaara!" she wailed.
Yuna pat the young woman's shoulder. "It's alright Raine. Let it out." She looked at her other patient. "Sasuke, it's true that Raine is very upset with you right now but she also needs you to look after her. She does understand that Gaara wanted you to be her protector. Raine and the children are going to need your guidance, your love. Its Gabe in particular that I am concerned for. Raine is very upset with him too. She may experience some difficulty parenting him right now. It's hard for her to get what she witnessed out of her mind. Even knowing that you and Gabe were saving Gaara you still ended his life and that's a difficult thing for her to accept and overcome."
"I never wanted to hurt Gaara. He was the best friend I ever had," Sasuke confessed. "I certainly would never hurt my own child either."
"Saichi," Raine wept into her pillow. "My baby."
Yuna watched the Uchiha's reaction to his sobbing wife. Sasuke was on the verge of tears himself. "I know this is a difficult time for the family and there is no easy fix but things will get better. The two of you have a very special solid relationship. I have great faith that you can get each other and all of the children through this dark period. Your bond is strong; you need to look to each other for support. You can get through this. I believe in you."
