A/N: Sorry it was so late in coming. As usual, I own nothing but the plot (half mine, half Sis's). Enjoy!


Chapter 26: Time Is Running Out

Kisame felt the phone vibrate in his pocket. He covertly took it out and read the message. It was from Sarutobi. He'd asked Sakura for the number and had asked the elderly man to dig around and see what he could find that had any connection to the murder of Itachi's family. The old man had readily agreed saying that he 'owed Itachi' for saving Sakura. The message the old man sent said 'Sent email. Check it as soon as you can. There was more than I thought…you need to read it.' Shutting the phone and pocketing it as the other representatives from his company stood, he looked over at the private table that his son, Itachi, and their Imperial escorts were sitting. Amida was lying down, his head in Itachi's lap, while the three adults talked.

Bowing respectfully to his hosts, he slipped over to be with them. He covertly asked Uri if there was a place he could check internet where he could print things, and the man arched a brow. Excusing themselves from the two 'women' and the child, Uri took him down the block to an internet café with quarter printing charges. Kisame sat down and logged into his email account. He pulled up the files Sarutobi had sent him and stiffened. He saw crime scene photos, police reports, surveillance footage…pretty much anything and everything. Kisame whistled…Sarutobi was definitely well connected.

Feeding the machine beside him a ten dollar bill, he clicked 'Print All' and waited. He started going through some of the stuff, but a certain article caught his eye. He pulled it to the front and he noticed a child with eerie black eyes. He was holding the hand of a woman, who was standing over a grave. He was looking directly at the camera, his black clothing making him look even paler. The headline read 'Paternity Test Put To A Halt: Premature Death Shakes Uchiha Family'. Arching a brow, he scrolled down and read a bit of the article. From what he could tell, the child was the illegitimate son of the head of the Uchiha Clan, Madara Uchiha. The family had demanded a paternity test, but Madara himself openly denied the boy.

The boy's mother, a secretary at one of the firms owned by the Uchiha Family, claimed Madara had seduced her one late evening at the office, and her son had been the result of that night. However, it was common knowledge she'd had an 'open relationship' with several men. Shaking his head, Kisame scrolled down to another part of the article. There, it said that several of the Uchihas suspected foul play in what they termed the 'premature death' of the family's patriarch, Madara. However, the mother was on a business trip with her new employer and the child had been left with a babysitter.

He scrolled back up to the picture of the child as he stared at the camera. He noticed the child's eyes were blank and emotionless…not something you saw often on children who'd just lost their parent. He tried to read more articles, but he kept thinking about those eyes…those cruel, slightly sadistic eyes. He looked at a few more articles regarding people the Uchihas had crossed, which were a lot, but those eyes kept coming back to him…there was just something about those eyes…

Drake was having a hard time concentrating after seeing the sketches hidden within the hollowed out cabinet. There'd been a total of thirteen sketches. Nine had been labeled 'Demon' and four had the label 'Spirit'. It was still buzzing around in the back of Drake's mind. What did it mean? What was its significance? He tapped away on the computer, looking for anything that could help him in regards to his lover, who was sitting behind him, reading the files he'd found with the dino-monitor.

He noticed an encrypted file and went to it. He hacked into it and noticed there were numbers. The files were numbered with a letter out beside it. Some had 'D' and others had 'S' with corresponding numbers. He arched a brow and looked down at the number tattooed on his wrist. It was a 6. He clicked on 6-D and suddenly a picture of himself as a child popped up. He stared at it in horror. He read through it, noticed the notes Orochimaru had taken on him and he shook his head. Inside the window with his data, there was another link. He clicked on it and up popped a candid of him with his red eyes. He stared in awe. He started reading the notes out beside the candid.

'Subject 6-D, known as Drake, is very territorial. He's taken several other males down, some much older and more experienced than himself. He's stronger than anything observed to date. However, he seems to have an unnatural affinity for two other subjects: 9-S and 12-D. 12-D is a young female, so I'd anticipated an interest there. However, the unnatural protectiveness 6-D displays towards 9-S leads me to believe that perhaps 6-D is a potential candidate for a body should I ever need one.' Drake stared in horror. Orochimaru had intended to steal his body? He shook his head and clicked on the file with all the numbers. He clicked on 12-D. Miranda's picture popped up. Like his own, there was data and notes. He clicked the link inside hers and was stunned to see Miranda swiping at a camera, fangs bared. He read the notes by her picture.

'Subject 12-D is more aggressive than I have ever seen. All attempts to alter her DNA and institute the Submissive strain have failed. She's killed three lab techs and injured me. It would be best to test the new serum on her, due to her graphically violent nature.' Drake narrowed his eyes on the word 'serum'. Had that been the poison he and Constantine had helped drive from her system? He shook his head and went to the next number-letter sequence mentioned in his file…9-S. He clicked it open and his eyes widened in shock. It was a young Constantine, but he looked very scared in this picture.

He opened the link and noticed Constantine lying on the ground, curled up into a little ball. A second picture was beside it of Constantine with black eyes. He was viciously attacking something, but there was someone lying behind him. Narrowing his eyes, he was shocked to find a younger him. He read the notes out by the two pictures, starting with the one where he was curled up. 'Subject 9-S seems to be suffering withdrawal, though from what I cannot understand. He is not sick, he is not hungry, nor is he injured. However, he seems to be suffering. He lies on the ground in a near comatose heap for days on end, not even moving to eat or drink. I have put many females in with him, but so far the only female he has ever responded to is 12-D, and that is because she exerts her will over him. However…' he noticed it stopped and then continued over to the picture of the black eyed Constantine.

'This is highly unusual. Subject 9-S exhibits traits of both a D and a S. He was bred an S, but he does not submit on command. Rather, he acts like a D and fights. But when faced with either 6-D or 12-D, he submits, though he fights a little when it is 12-D. He has displayed an unwavering loyalty to both 9 and 12-D, even going as far as killing other test subjects to protect them. He is highly unstable and unpredictable. Like 6-D, I have resorted to some older research. Two genetically manufactured beasts, codenamed Deim and Noctus, have been integrated into their personalities. Essentially, they were sealed inside the minds of the two boys. It's a test run, but I think it may hold promise.' Drake's lip curled. So…these things inside them had no more say as to what happened than they did. He kind of felt sorry for them. However, he kept reading, wanting to know how badly Orochimaru tampered with Constantine…or himself.

'It's just as I thought…the beasts protect one another. At first I wondered why, but upon closer examination to the interaction when the two boys are under the beasts' influence, I have determined that Deim is male and Noctus is female.' Drake's eyes widened at this. So…the creatures inside them had their own individual genders? Did that mean…he quickly went back to the initial data on Constantine and read over it. There was a copy of a birth certificate…it said Constantine was born male. Drake closed his eyes, thankful that Orochimaru hadn't tampered with Constantine's base gender. He clicked back on the photo window and kept reading.

'From what I can tell, the two beasts, which I will henceforth call 'demons', have a strange bond. Noctus, though female, will oftentimes try to assert a certain amount of 'male dominance' over Deim. Deim doesn't seem to mind, sometimes even welcomes it, but there is a clear line indicating who is male and who is female in their strange relationship. Perhaps because both are in male carriers that this is so. I will have to do further research into this matter.' Drake let out a deep sigh and dropped his head on the table. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his lover looking at him with concerned green eyes. He smiled tiredly and shrugged.

"I think I understand the weird relationship between our inner beasts a little better." Constantine arched a brow, seemingly waiting for answer. Drake chuckled. "Your inner beast is a female 'demon' as Orochimaru coined them named Noctus. Mine is a male named Deim…Day and Night…" he smirked at the bright blush on his lover's face.

"So what does that have to do with what you asked Yamineska this morning?" his green eyes were slightly shadowed with a little hurt. Drake sighed and turned fully around, wrapping his arms around his younger lover.

"Because this morning when I woke up, I smelled something strange; I smelled you go into heat." Drake watched as confusion twisted on his face.

"But only females go into heat…don't they?" Drake nodded and explained.

"I was confused, so I called Yamineska. We don't know much about our Maeteran heritage, so I figured to go straight to the one person who'd know the most. I asked her if it was possible and she told me it was, but with Orochimaru's sick nature, it was possible he'd altered you to suit his own purposes." He said this part quietly, hoping Constantine wouldn't blow up. He noticed his lover turn red faced again.

"In other words, you were afraid that Orochimaru changed me from a girl to a boy." Drake noticed the insecurity in his lover's eyes. "Would that have changed your feelings for me? If I had once been a girl?" Drake smiled and shook his head, putting his hands on the younger man's face.

"Constantine…I was terrified that if you had been altered, and you still had female organs inside you, that I'd get you pregnant and possibly kill you. You have no idea how scared I was…" he kissed the younger man, who sighed and wrapped his arms around Drake's neck. When Drake pulled out, his eyes were tinted red. "I would love you no matter if you were a guy or a girl. I just wanted to be sure that I was not putting your life in danger. If it had turned out you were altered, I would have been more careful with you…used protection…but I would never stop loving you." He kissed his dark angel again and rested his forehead on the smaller males.

"We should be getting back. Miranda might be trying to reach us. Reception out here sucks." Drake noticed the breathlessness of his young lover and smirked. He kissed Constantine lightly on the lips once more and then he shut the computer down. He detached the PC and picked it up. Constantine grabbed the files and both headed to their cars.

Sasori felt something run up his leg and he hissed in pain. He looked down and noticed that one of the androgynous beings that had been with Orochimaru yesterday was now climbing up from the end of his bed, its hand brushing his naked form as it went. He stared, half in fascination, half in irritation. Suddenly, the beings eyes glowed and before him was Sakura. He gasped and stared at the being. "What sort of witchery is this?" he asked in a breathless voice. He noticed the being cock its head before it pulled back and spoke.

"Lykos spoke the truth when he told you science will not cure what the Maeteran female did to you. You cannot trust science when it comes to curses as ancient as this. Mother Kaijuu never intended for the curse to be healed by regular medical means. Only one with great spiritual purity can remove such a curse. That is something science does not possess." Sasori stared at the being and wondered if it was really a guy or a girl. The being smirked and stretched out over him. "I can be whatever you wish me to be. But that curse will not allow you to function. What a pity." It then stood and walked to the door. Without turning, it spoke again. "If you wish to be rid of that curse, find someone with deep ties to the old ways…with the old magyck. It is the only way." The door closed behind the being as it walked out.

Sasori cursed as pain lanced up from him stomach. He pulled his shirt up and noticed that the blackness had grown up onto his right pectoral a little. He sighed and looked at his ceiling. He really needed to find someone to remove this curse.

Sakura's eyes fluttered. When they opened, she noticed she was wrapped in someone's arms and that Tomi was right beside her. She sighed happily but almost yelped when she saw the clock. It read '4:14 am'. They'd slept almost all day yesterday! Sighing, she shifted, trying to get more comfortable. Growling made her stop and look over her shoulder. She noticed the still sleeping Gaara shift with Tomi, who was now lying in her arms. She noticed that as she lay on her back, Gaara scooted closer and wrapped himself around her. He put his hand on Tomi's back and settled back down. He had contact with both of them, and that seemed to make him happy.

Reaching up slightly, she set her alarm for 6 and closed her eyes. They had things they had to do tomorrow…school being one of them. She settled down and went back to sleep, thinking of the things they had to do tomorrow and ways that they could prepare for the confrontation with their enemies.

Kabuto rubbed his face where he'd been slapped. He'd been correct when he'd thought Orochimaru would be really upset. He slipped down the hall to the new lab he and Karin had been working in since they'd arrived. He hurriedly mixed some things from a few vials and then left it, and a short note for Sasori, on the table and then made his way hurriedly to his room, where Karin was supposed to be waiting for him.

He opened the door and looked in to find Karin still packing their bags. He noticed she had their own research data on the bed, packing it up in their things. "Babe, what are you doing? The research isn't important…you are." He said in a quiet voice. She looked up and he gasped. Karin had a bruise under one eye and tears on her face. He rushed to her side and wrapped her up in his arms.

She started crying as he asked her what happened. "I…I was on my way h-here when I ran into S-sasori. He was w-with one of those new experiments. I t-tried to pass them and that's when t-the experiment slapped me for talking t-to Sasori." Kabuto knew full well the beliefs of some of the former Suna experiments. They were stuck in a time where women held their tongues in the presence of men. Growling low in his throat, he gently nuzzled her.

"This gives us even more reason to leave. If Orochimaru finds out, I'll tell him about this and say this is why we left. I will not tolerate this kind of treatment of you." He kissed her gently on the bruise and then bid her hurry and pack their things. He noticed three bags with all their stuff in it, as well as another bag with all their research. He nodded and picked up two of the heavier looking bags, but she pulled one from him. When he looked at her, she blushed and looked down.

"It will go faster if we evenly distribute the weight." He smiled at her and kissed her again, this time passionately.

"You're so smart babe. I promise that once we get out of here, I'll give you those babies you want. I swear it." He noticed her blush more and he chuckled, leaning down and kissing her again. Opening the door, he looked out to see if anyone was out there. When he was certain the coast was clear, he snuck out, Karin's hand in his. They slipped out of the lab undetected and silently stole away into the night.

Miranda watched the young female that was currently in her care. She'd never seen such a…simple minded child. It was like her body had aged while her mind had remained in a childlike state. Perhaps it had. She'd gone through what the girl was supposed to do several times over now and it was just a matter of time before the girl would strike off and lead them to Orochimaru. Miranda smiled evilly…she would enjoy ripping that monster limb from limb.

She turned to the young female and smiled when she smiled brightly her way. When the girl left, Miranda was going to see Shizune and talk to her about adopting the girl when everything was over. With a sad smile for the older woman, Miranda turned and sought out her mate's warmth. He had, by this time, pulled her to the couch with him and they were both currently snuggled up together.

For a brief second, Miranda wondered what it would be like to carry a child…to carry Kankuro's child. She blushed and shook her head. Regardless of what Gaara said, Tomi was not genetically his child. Sure, they looked a lot alike, but that was because he and Sasori looked a lot alike. However, wanting wouldn't change the fact that it was Sasori's blood flowing through the child's veins and she wasn't sure if they realized or believed that fact. But she wasn't about to tell the demon raccoon that Tomi was not his child. He was borderline homicidal when it came to the boy.

Perhaps that was just his instincts playing a role? Or maybe, on some deep level she couldn't understand, Gaara's own past was dictating how he interacted with the red headed child of his lover. And she was sure they were lovers now. With a soft smile, she leaned back into Kankuro and allowed herself to daydream about what it would be like to carry a child under her heart.