A/N: These were a pretty intense couple of chapters, huh? Yeah, well, it's going to remain that way.
Utakata made his way through the crowds. Having lost sight of Azumi and Komushi, he needed to find Gaara or Orochimaru to inform them of what he saw. The Eastern Villa was entirely too far to get there quickly and since no one answered the door at Gaara's house, he had no idea where Gaara could possibly be. "Dammit," he growled softly to himself. Kaida had gone to bask with Naga and Ryuga so he could not even tell her to let anyone know. He was beginning to fear the worst when he saw someone walking into a tavern that could probably help him.
He moved quickly, following the large man he saw and entering the tavern soon after him. Scanning the room, the distinct sound of metal hitting a tabletop hit his ears and he watched as Kenzou ordered a drink. He crossed the floor of the tavern quickly, weaving through the moderate afternoon crowd. He took a deep breath then raised a hand to tap on the massive traveler's shoulder when he spoke.
"Care for a drink?" Kenzou slid another cup out to the side.
Utakata's jaw dropped in surprise then he shook his head, bringing himself back. "We have no time for that. I need you if you are willing," he said seriously.
"You need me?" Kenzou hummed. He took immediate note of Utakata's tone. "What's the matter?" He kept his voice low in case the discussion was a bit confidential.
"I saw Azumi thrown over Komushi's shoulder and I have no idea where he ran off to but," he ran a hand through his hair, "I have a sinking feeling he took her directly to Sasori."
"Isn't she Sasori's slave?"
"Technically, but she escaped," Utakata said, realizing Kenzou had no idea of the situation. "Her family is here in the city."
"Her family?" Kenzou hummed into his drink, then nodded sagely. "And if you don't know where they went how can either of us help?" he asked the younger man.
"I...I have no idea," Utakata sighed. "But her father is too far away and Gaara was not home. She just started staying with him."
"Then we should find Gaara," Kenzou suggested.
"I am afraid by the time we find him, it will be too late." Utakata tried not to sound distressed but he was truly worried. "Please, Kenzou," he said. "Please help me. She is pregnant with Gaara's child."
Kenzou looked at Utakata for a moment and then nodded. He finished his drink quickly and slipped the bartender money for it. The situation was much more dire than he expected now that he knew there was an unborn child involved. "Take me in the direction you saw him take her. We'll find her."
"Strap her down to the table," Sasori barked at Komushi as he lugged himself up the steps of his home painfully.
Komushi glanced over his shoulder at his struggling friend and sighed. "Are you sure you—"
"If you ask me if I need help one more time, I'll slit your throat!" Sasori growled.
Komushi sighed and continued on into the house. He made his way straight to Sasori's room and into the workshop. The workshop was still a mess from the encounter with Orochimaru but the table with the straps was clear. He laid Azumi down and strapped her down.
Sasori entered the room moments later and went straight to the cabinet where he kept antidotes and antivenoms. He found the one he made with Azumi's venom and moved as quickly as he could to inject it into himself. He took a seat, breathing heavily while he waited for the antivenom to start working. "Did you get those ingredients?" he sighed as the paralysis started to ease away.
"Yeah, uh," Komushi started to pull everything out of the folds of his clothing. "Are you sure this will work? Isn't she immune?" he asked her.
"She isn't immune to everything," Sasori grunted. "I've been doing my research." He looked around the room for a clear spot to work.
He moved toward another workbench, pulling a stool over as Komushi set all of the ingredients in front of him. "How long is it going to take to make it?" Komushi asked.
"Ten minutes," Sasori answered. "Hopefully," he added under his breath. He set to work on making the poison for Azumi.
Komushi nodded then moved back to Azumi's side, pulling up another stool. He frowned, not wanting Sasori to kill the baby but he knew that telling him would do nothing. He gently took Azumi's hand in his. He really did not want this. But he had come this far with Sasori, he could not really go back now. He squeezed her hand and placed the other on her swollen belly.
Sasori caught the action out of the corner of his eye. "We've done this before at much later stages," he said offhandedly.
"Yeah," Komushi whispered. His throat was dry. "We have."
"So this is no different," Sasori said. "Treat it the same way."
"Right," Komushi said, moving some of Azumi's hair out of her face.
A couple of silent minutes went by as Sasori worked on the poison and Komushi sat there, holding Azumi's hand. The silence was only broken by a very soft groan coming from Azumi as she started waking up. Her face scrunched up slightly before slowly opening her eyes. She took a second to recognize where she was and gasped when she finally did. She turned her head and looked up at Komushi. It took her another moment to realize he was holding her hand and his other hand was on her belly. She moved very slightly and finally noticed she was strapped down to the table. The more realizations she had about the situation she was in, the heavier her breathing got.
"If you keep breathing like that, you're going to pass out again," Sasori smirked over his shoulder. "You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"Sasori, cut it out," Komushi muttered lowly.
Sasori raised his eyebrow at his friend. "Gaining a conscious, are we?" he snapped. "Shut up and get the gag," he ordered.
"No," Komushi shook his head. He stood up abruptly, still holding Azumi's hand. "I can't...I'm..." He looked down at Azumi.
"You're what?" Sasori practically growled, turning toward him. He looked into Komushi's eyes and saw how he truly felt about the matter.
Azumi gently squeezed Komushi's hand through her panic attack. "I'm not going to help you kill this baby," Komushi told Sasori.
"Then you can leave," Sasori snarled. "I'm not stopping for her, for Gaara, or for anyone else." He narrowed his eyes. "Especially not for you."
Komushi squeezed her hand back, glancing down at her. He saw the terror in her eyes and his heart fell through the floor. "I'm sorry," he mouthed to her.
"Get out," Sasori growled again.
Komushi hesitated for a moment when he noticed Azumi had started crying. He closed his eyes and sighed, letting her hand go. He could not ignore the guilty feeling that washed over him when he felt her desperately grasping for him as he let her go but he left without another word.
Azumi could not help the quiet sobs as he left. As soon as she was left alone with Sasori, she started to lose all hope but made an attempt to struggle against her bindings.
"You really need to relax," Sasori sighed, placing the mixture down on the workbench. He walked over to her and smoothed her hair back. "This won't hurt. I promise. What I'm going to do before that might hurt, though." He cupped her face, wiping away a few stray tears. "But the baby process won't." He stroked her cheek gently then turned away to pick up a set of tools and another brace. "Now when this is all over, you're going to be incredibly tired. But knowing you, you'll still try to leave." He placed the brace on her knee to immobilize her left leg entirely. "And we really can't have that." Once it was locked into place he picked up the other two very heavy looking tools. They clearly were a hammer and press. He put the flat plate of the press down on her leg then looked at her. "Take a deep breath for me now." He smirked as he brought the hammer down on the plate, cracking her tibia in half.
At the front of the house, Komushi froze at the top of the steps. The blood-curdling scream he heard from deep inside the house almost made him want to throw up. He ran his hand through his hair, hating himself for not being able to do anything for her. Yet, he could not bring himself to actually leave. He sighed heavily, taking a seat at the top of the stairs.
Inside, Azumi's sobs grew louder. Her throat was already starting to hurt from just the scream and the pain in her leg was unbearable. She did not know what she could possibly do and it was hard to focus on anything at the moment.
"Ssssh," Sasori soothed, his hand returning to her hair. "It will be alright. It was a clean break so it will heal fine." His voice remained a pleasant, out of place tone as he scratched her head. He grinned, a manic look in his eye as he pulled his hand away to open a box under the table. He pulled out a gag with a set of straps on either side. "Just to make sure you don't spit it out," he said, gripping her jaw so tightly it was going to bruise worse than before. He forced her mouth open as he shoved the prongs into her mouth to keep her lips open. He looked her in the eye as he fastened the straps behind her head. "My little snake," he whispered.
She whimpered softly through her quieting sobs, closing her eyes as she tried to control her breathing. She tried to resist the urge to thrash and struggle against the straps, knowing it would only worsen the pain in her leg. She heard Sasori pick up the mixture and opened her eyes to look at him then tried to turn her head away from him.
Sasori huffed like her pain and fear was simply a minor irritation. As if she was only being difficult over a little toothache and not the potential death of her child or the severe bodily harm he caused her. He waited for a few moments to see if she would calm down. He gently turned her chin back to the center and started to pour the mixture into her mouth. His other hand massaged her throat so she was forced to swallow it.
She choked a little and panicked over what she actually swallowed. It felt like forever before he finally finished and pulled the container away from her mouth. She coughed, trying to think of a way to force herself to throw up since she did not have any use of her hands. Her throat still felt raw and it got worse as she started to sob again.
Sasori unstrapped and removed the gag from her once he figured she had swallowed everything. "I'll go make some tea while that settles in," he smiled. "And get some boiling water. You stay put." He gave her a serene smile before leaving to so as he said.
Azumi laid there and continued to sob, unable to move or do anything else. She tried, exhaustedly, to pull her hands through the straps of the table. Once again, she tried to control her breathing. She could feel herself getting lightheaded and she feared it was from whatever Sasori forced down her throat. There was the soft sound of broken glass shifting on the floor. She quieted her breathing for a moment to listen, unable to look around for what it could have been. The sound moved closer and before she could figure it out, there was a soft hiss next to her ear. A snake moved into her line of sight then nuzzled its face against hers.
"Kaida..." she whispered, immediately recognizing her as Utakata's snake. Kaida hissed softly, telling her not to worry and that help was coming now that she found her location. "Do not leave me," Azumi whispered through another sob. Kaida used her head to wipe away a few tears and told her she would not be leaving but she will remain out of sight. Azumi bit her lip and nodded. At the sound of Sasori entering his bedroom, Kaida quickly moved and hid completely out of sight. She was not a venomous snake so there was not much she could do aside from keeping Azumi company and watching over her until she could be helped.
Sasori walked back in with a cart carrying a tray with tea things and a large basin of steaming hot water. He picked up a rag to dip into the water then rung it out. "Brace yourself," he told her and with no other warning, he wrapped the steaming rag around her fresh break. Her breath hitched hard and her whole body tensed up, making the pain in her leg spike more and causing her to hiss and bite her lip hard. He tied it off then move to crank the table up so Azumi was sitting upright. "I made raspberry tea," he told her softly. He picked up another cloth, a much softer one, dipped it into the water and turned to wipe her face down. "I still have some of those good pain killers." He turned to grab the bottle. "You shouldn't be too bad on them right now," he chuckled.
She looked at the bottle as he turned back toward her and then at him. Tears were still coming out of her eyes but her breathing had slowed down. She did not want the painkillers, knowing it could possibly worsen the situation for her baby. She closed her eyes and bit her lip, telling herself she was going to just bear the pain.
"Don't be like that, Azumi," Sasori sighed. "I know this hurts. I can crush it and put it in your tea if you're going to be difficult," he chided her, still smiling. He was feeling good. The baby would be gone, and Azumi was all his again. All he had to do now was slip away until this all blew over. Azumi glared at him, not saying anything. Sasori chuckled softly, opening the bottle and taking out three pills. "You're going to need three," he said, crushing them up on the workbench. Once it was a powder, he slipped it into her tea and stirred it around a little. He brought the cup up to her lips but she did not open her mouth. Sasori took a deep breath in through his nose, his eyes rolling back. "Azumi," he breathed out. "Open your mouth or I will open it for you. You don't want me to dislocate your jaw now, do you?" he asked her sweetly. She looked at him, her glare almost intensifying as she opened her mouth very slightly. "Thank you," he smiled, tilting the cup to get the tea into her mouth. After a few seconds, he pulled it away so she could swallow and she spit it all out on his face. The slap to her face was nearly instantaneous. He growled at her, grinding his teeth as he wiped his face with the soft rag he had used earlier. "You're really pushing me to be a monster." He gently pressed on the towel-wrapped leg. Just enough pressure to spike her pain.
She let out a pained, gasp and tilted her head back, hitting her head hard on the wood of the table. "Fffuuuck," she hissed, breathing a little heavier as she looked back at him. He smiled at her but the look in his eyes threatened more pain if she kept resisting him.
Komushi tipped the mouth of the wine jug to his own, swallowing without so much as a breath between gulps. He sobbed harder, wailing as the threw the now-empty vessel down the stairs. He picked up another without pausing. He could not believe he just walked away. He was weak. He could not go against Sasori and he could not save Azumi. Half of him wanted to get up, storm back in, and beat Sasori himself. However, the winning half kept him rooted to his spot on the front steps of the mansion.
"Komushi," a booming voice said, coming up the stairs.
Komushi wiped his face to see two men approaching him. "Kenzou?" he asked. His eyes fell on Utakata. "And you..." he muttered.
Utakata clicked his tongue but said nothing to the other man. "We need to hurry," he said to Kenzou. "Don't waste your breath on this scum."
"Wait, are...you...help her," Komushi sobbed, scrambling to his feet. "You can get her away from him!" He clung to Kenzou, dropping the jug he was drinking from and letting it spill all over the steps.
Utakata's face twisted into a snarl. "She would not need saving if you were not such a rotting pile of camel shit." He pushed him back hard. "You will get your punishment later!"
"Keep the peace, Utakata," Kenzou said, gently loosening Komushi's grip on him. "This is too urgent for petty fights." He looked to Komushi. "Where is she right now?"
"In his workshop," Komushi breathed. "Just follow the sound of her sobs," he said through a sob of his own. Utakata's snarl stayed in place as he pushed on ahead of Kenzou into the mansion.
"Open your mouth," Sasori told Azumi, as he picked up a leather strap. "Actually, never mind." He put the strap back down. "You've earned this," he muttered as he undid the now-cooled towel around her leg. "I need to make sure this is set." He was mostly speaking to himself. He put his hands on either side of the break, assessing it closely. He hummed softly then started to gather what he needed to splint the leg. He reached for a board when he heard a soft hiss followed by a snake that was hiding underneath the board. He snapped back, dropping the wood. "How did a snake get in?" he growled. He shot Azumi a look of distrust as he backed up. His eyes flickered around to find a weapon. He did not know who the snake could be or what it could do. He found a piece of broken glass and picked it up.
"Leave her alone!" Azumi growled.
"Her?" Sasori asked softly. "So you know this one." He pulled his arm back to bring the glass down on the snake.
"Move, Kaida!" she yelled at the snake just as Kenzou and Utakata ran in.
Utakata did not stop. He charged Sasori, throwing his whole body at the man. Sasori gasped at the impact, losing his footing. He threw the glass in his hand as he struggled to keep his balance, reaching out for anything to keep them from hitting the ground hard. "Do not touch her!" Utakata growled as wrapped his arm tightly around the other man's neck, thrashing as they hit the ground hard.
"Come here, Kaida," Azumi whispered urgently. Kaida quickly moved across the workbenches and made her way to Azumi to wrap around her neck.
Kenzou stepped closer to the two men and pried them apart. He picked them both up and held onto Sasori while letting Utakata go. He nodded at Utakata to check on Azumi while he dealt with Sasori. "Get her out of here," he told him.
Utakata nodded, rushing to Azumi's side. His fingers set to work, undoing all of her straps then he saw her leg. "Shit...you cannot move, can you?" He looked her over, running a hand through his hair.
She shook her head. "It is broken," she said softly. "But that is not what I am worried about." She looked at him, unable to control the feral feeling that was growing in her. "He forced poison down my throat to kill my baby."
"Shit," Utakata repeated.
"My system can slow it down," she explained through a pained grunt when she felt a spike of pain in her leg. "But we are running out of time and we need an antidote."
Very carefully, he scooped her up. As careful he was, however, the movement was still extremely painful and she dug her nails into his back when she wrapped her arm around him. Kaida moved from her neck to his as they left. "Okay...do you know what we need to make an antidote?" he asked her as he took off done the hall. He did his best to keep her stable as they moved. He skidded around a corner and rushed down the front steps. Naga and Ryuga had surrounded Komushi, not wanting him to try and escape. Both snakes had taken on a defensive stance, ready to strike at any moment.
Komushi did not care but as soon as he saw Azumi being carried out by Utakata, he stood up again, eyes wide. "Is...is the baby?" he slurred, thoroughly drunk off of all of the wine he poured down his throat.
"You have no right!" Utakata growled at him. "Move!"
"But..." Komushi sobbed, "the baby!"
Azumi glared at him. "The list of ingredients," she said. "Give it to me." She knew he still had it on his person somewhere from when he went to the shop. "Because if you do not, then it will be."
Komushi could not pull that slip of paper out fast enough. He pushed it into Azumi's hand roughly. "I hope you can save it," was all he could say.
Utakata did not give Azumi time to respond or Komushi to say much more. He needed to get to Gaara as fast as he could. He mapped out the fast and quietest route in his head and took off with the other two snakes following closely behind. He prayed to the gods to carry them there faster.
"No!" Sasori growled, trying to break free of Kenzou's grasp. "You're letting her get away!"
"Sasori," Kenzou said, not loosening his hold on the man, "what you have done to that girl is unforgivable."
Sasori did not want to hear it. He did not need a lecture from a traveler. He struggled a little more against Kenzou but to no avail. "She is mine," he hissed. "I don't know how many times I must say that! I can do whatever I want to her!" He glared angrily like a child at the larger man.
"You own no one. You barely own yourself right now," Kenzou said softly. He shook his head sadly at Sasori. "Your rage owns you right now, your darkness owns you. Not you."
Sasori stayed silent for a moment then looked away from Kenzou. He tried not to let the words sink in because he did not want to realize that they were right. "No," he said softly, shaking his head.
"No what?" Kenzou asked. "Your denial does not affect me. It only rots your soul more," he said easily. "And I can see it was once a good soul."
"You're just spouting your spiritual bullshit," Sasori snapped. "I'm not going to fall for it."
"I need you to think about the real reason you are so desperate to keep her," Kenzou said. Sasori growled softly. He did not have time for this. He needed to get her back. "Is it because you actually need help?" Kenzou continued. "Or is it something more?"
"Shut up." Sasori knew the reason he wanted to keep her. He was lonely. However, he was not going to admit that to Kenzou of all people.
"Is it because you are desperate for companionship?" Another couple of silent moments went by and Sasori had no choice but to let the words sink in. He had been called out by someone who did not know him that well. "It is obvious in your eyes and your desperation, Sasori," Kenzou said.
Sasori shook his head. Had he really been that obvious? Time stopped for him as he thought long and hard about it. Kenzou waited patiently for a long while as Sasori reevaluated himself. He could tell the younger man was lost in his thoughts. Carefully, he let him go, slowly helping him into a seat at a workbench. It was almost as if Sasori was put into a trance, much like the ones he forced Azumi into.
After nearly an hour of silence, Sasori looked up at Kenzou who did not seem to be bothered by all of the waiting he had just done. Kenzou folded his arms, watching Sasori carefully. "I've figured out what I need to do," Sasori said softly.
"Oh?" Kenzou hummed. "Is that so?"
Sasori nodded very slightly. "And...I'm…" He closed his eyes and sighed heavily, unable to believe what he was about to say. "I'm going to need your help."