Lee saw Sasuke first, Kakashi and Naruto second. The Konoha shinobi raced across sand to intercept him. Sasuke went stage two and charged at Gaara. Gaara pushed his palm forward and the ground beneath Sasuke turned to quicksand. Sasuke leapt up into the air and used the giant hands on his back to dive at the kazekage. Gaara raised the sand between him and the Uchiha. A great earthen hand reached for Sasuke.

Your sand is too slow! Sasuke bounced off a giant knuckle of sand; his hands flew through the seals. "Die Gaara!"

"Konoha Shofu!" Lee kicked Sasuke off balance. The two bounced away from each other and Sasuke's fireball went astray.

Temari dashed out ahead of the pack. "Don't get in front of me!" She bit her thumb and smeared blood on her fan. "Kuchiyose no jutsu!"

Gai kicked a ninja in the head and sent him flying back into the cutting wind. The girls summon cut a path through the Sound eliminating many quickly. No wonder Sound wanted to attack why Gaara and his siblings were away.

Kakashi flew after Sasuke. He really is a monster, I have too. Kakashi fed chakra into his hand and uncovered his Sharingan eye.

His former sensei was getting ready to attack. Gaara's hand of sand kept Sasuke busy in the air and it wasn't safe to be on the ground. This godamn sand. Gaara has got to go! He couldn't vanish from Kakashi's eye, but he could move too fast for Gaara to see him. Sasuke launched himself off the back of the sand hand at top speed.

Shit! "Gaara!" Kakashi called out a warning.

Sasuke's giant hands wrapped around Gaara and the Uchiha grabbed his throat. Sasuke was fast, but so was sand in the desert. Gaara lifted two fingers and Sasuke was pelted with bullets of sand. A torrent of sand rushed out of Gaara's gourd and blasted Sasuke in the face. "Let go or drown in my sand," Gaara remained perfectly calm. More sand worked its way around Sasuke's freakish hand loosening the Uchiha's grip on him.

Sasuke had to get away from Gaara and he had to move before Kakashi could hit him with Raikiri. He let go of Gaara and jumped behind the kazekage where the sand was still safe. Kakashi kept coming and Naruto and Lee were right behind him. Sasuke grit his teeth. It won't be that easy! His hands moved through the seals. "Kage bushin no jutsu!"

Shit. Now there were four monster Sasuke's. Kakashi couldn't hold the Raikiri back any longer and he moved on one of the clones. He clashed with one of the Sasuke's blasting a hole through the things middle. To Kakashi's surprise the clone did not disperse; instead it grabbed a hold of him with its giant hands and the clone head butted him hard. His head rocked back and a second later he felt a thumb pressing into his Sharingan eye.

"Kage bushin no jutsu!" Naruto immediately sent a clone Kakashi's way. He and three others went after who he thought might be the real Sasuke. Sensei put a hole in that clone and it didn't die. Something is different about these things. Naruto ran with a hand behind him, his clones making a Rasengan.

Lee encountered who he thought might be the real Sasuke and a taijutsu match erupted between them. Sasuke's speed was incredible but Lee had taken off his weights. He kept up with the monster Uchiha blow for blow even when creature tried to hit him with its big hands. I have to put an end to this monster here and now. I'm sorry Sasuke, but I can't let you go on hurting people. Lee tried to push their fight back away from the others. He didn't want anyone in the way.

The real Sasuke went after Gaara again. He couldn't stay close to the sand ninja for long and Gaara could manipulate the entire landscape. I need to break through this godamn sand! He was regretting not making sure Gaara was dead in fire country. "You're a real pain in the ass in the desert you know."

"You've lost the chance to kill me Sasuke. Now you will die." Gaara closed his eyes and fed his soul to the desert. The ground shook once, then once more even harder then the first time. Die Sasuke.

Sasuke saw the sand erupting beneath him and moved to dodge. Every place he moved to more sand came after him. "Shit!" Gaara was using the whole frigin desert against him. He rushed higher and faster but the sand kept up with him. Godamn you Gaara! Sasuke felt the sand suck his feet in. A second later the sand cocooned him.

Gaara lifted his hand. It's over. "Sabaku Kyu!" Gaara closed his fist. At the moment of impact there was a huge explosion. The ground shook and the sand in the air was too thick to see through. Something's here.

Orochimaru looked down at Sasuke. "Looks like I was late to the party."

The sannin had saved him from a nasty crushing just in time. Sasuke kneeled on the great snake's head beside its summoner. "I owe my thanks to Manda not you," Sasuke growled and coughed up sand.

Such a brat. "Where's your girlfriend Sasuke? Don't tell me you've lost Raine already."

Sasuke got to his feet staring down at Gaara. "I can get her back if I want to. When we destroy sand."

Kakashi did his best to get the thumb out of his eye before it popped like a grape. He knocked the clones hand away and reached in his pack. Kakashi flung three kunai into the clone and then cut his thumb on one of the blades sticking out of him. He moved through the seals quickly. He had to hurry. Orochimaru was making his move.

Sasuke had taken out two of his clones but Naruto had the Rasengan in his hand. As soon as he saw the snake rise up out of the desert Naruto knew this thing he was fighting was only a clone. Okay, these things are really strong right? Then how bout I take your fuckin head off? Can ya still fight then godamn you! "Rasengan!"

The evil leader of the Sound made his appearance and Lee knew he was out of time. He had to end this fight now. Lee began to circle his opponent opening his life gates as he moved. You're fast, but you can die.

"So," Jiraiya sighed. He bit his thumb and went through the seals. A second later he was on Gamabunta's head.

The frog appeared in front of Manda. Orochimaru and the Uchiha brat were with him. "Looks like you have some trouble Jiraiya." Gamabunta pulled his pipe out and blew his smoke in the snakes face. "This time I'll make a wallet out of you."

"Why you fat bloated bastard," the snake hissed back at his enemy.

Orochimaru glared at Jiraiya. "You just had to get involved ne?"

"I won't let you have your way Orochimaru." Jiraiya put a hand out. "I the legendary frog hermit Jiraiya sama will put an end to you today."

"I don't think so." Orochimaru lifted a hand and flicked Jiraiya off. "I can use my hands old geezer. You're as pathetic as Sarutobi sensei if you think you can defeat me."

Gaara floated on the sand up to the side of the giant frog's head. He kept his eyes on the Uchiha watching him. "This is as close as you'll ever get to sand."

Orochimaru rolled his eyes over to the kazekage. He could hear Sasuke grinding his teeth beside him. "Go ahead Sasuke. Kill Gaara."

He didn't have to be asked twice. Sasuke flew at Gaara. I'll get him up and away from the godamn sand and I'll kill him!

Manda swung his tail and Gamabunta jumped out of the way drawing his dagger. He pointed it at the snake and threw his weight behind it. The dagger missed Manda by inches and Orochimaru made his move. He attacked Jiraiya head on. The old man was no match for Orochimaru's strength and smacking him around sounded like loads of fun.

Kakashi's ninken came out of the ground and latched onto Sasuke with their teeth. The jonin leapt back putting chakra into his hand again. Quickly do it now! The instant the chidori was ready he blasted the clone in the head with it. The top half of the monster exploded, the dogs went flying. The thing from the waist down fell to its knees and then over in the sand. "Now you're dead mother fucker," Kakashi pant.

The Rasengan connected with Sasuke's chin and Naruto kept pushing even after the monster started to spin. I'll kill this thing! He fed the bomb more chakra and disrupted the flow. The Rasengan exploded taking half of the clone with it. What was left of it hit the sand with a wet plop. Naruto turned to "Frog boss…" He grit his teeth and broke into a run for his amphibious friend.

Just as he thought with the life gates open even Sasuke could not compete with Lee's speed and power. I've trained so hard. Lee pummeled the monster into position. A loser can defeat a genius through hard work. Lee wrapped the monster up and started to spin. I won't lose to a genius. That is my way of the ninja. They slammed into the ground and Lee felt Sasuke crumple like an accordion. Blood stained the thirsty sand red.

Gai was fighting his way toward Lee. His student would be a little winded after such a move. He stopped off to check on Kakashi. The ninja dismissed his dogs and waved Gai on. Kakashi was met by one of Naruto's clones and Gai hurried on to Lee. Choji rolled past him taking out ninja like bowling pins. Sakura flung ninja into each other using her ungodly strength. Somewhere above the sannin were fighting.

"What's the matter Jiraiya?" the old fart couldn't block everything Orochimaru threw at him. "You're taking quite a beating." He emphasized his point kicking his old friend in the face. "Are you really that old already?"

"It's enough already Orochimaru," Jiraiya brought his hands together. "I can't let you exist any longer."

"You think you can kill me?" Orochimaru laughed. "Tsunade maybe, but you? Why don't I show you how wrong you are!" the sannin leapt back and spit up his sword. He pointed it at Jiraiya. "Now you die."

Gaara was indeed a difficult opponent in the desert. Sasuke had to use a lot of mid range attacks and the sand kept him hopping. Neither fire nor ice jutsus could penetrate the sand. The only chance Sasuke had to hurt him was when he used close taijutsu attacks, but it was dangerous to be that close to Gaara for more then just a few seconds. I have to quit wasting my chakra and go after him head on.

"Kage bushin no jutsu!" Naruto made two more clones. He watched Gaara and the real Sasuke fighting above the desert. It looked like it was going to be dangerous to get close to them. Godamnit Sasuke. I'll kill you!

Lee stood and dusted himself off. "I am alright Gai sensei. I defeated the enemy."

Gai looked at the mess behind his student. Eww "Good job Lee."

Kakashi was watching Sasuke with his Sharingan. It hurt from the poking it took. You little asshole Sasuke. This is my eye. Obito gave it to me. It's a treasured gift. He caught up to Naruto. "We must kill Sasuke."

"Can you catch him?" Naruto put his hand out for his clones to make his Rasengan.

"I'll hold him you hit him."

"What about you Kakashi sensei?"

"Don't worry about me just hit him. Take Sasuke out!"

Neji had finally caught up to Temari. He was using his Byakugan to see through the sand kicked up in the air. "Temari san, there are still ninja alive beneath us!"

Temari didn't have time to register what Neji said before the earth moved. Temari lost her fan as someone grabbed her from behind. "Gaara crush the ground!"

"You really are troublesome," Kabuto squeezed Temari's throat in his hand and glared at the Hyuuga. "So are you Neji."

"Let her go," Neji demanded.

"And lose my shield? I don't think so."

Not only did Gaara hear his sister's plea to crush the sand, he rescued her from her dangerous situation. Gaara squeezed the earth killing everyone left inside. He replaced the Temari the Sound ninja held with a replica of sand. The real Temari and her fan appeared at Gaara's side and the replica fell apart.

Neji wasted no time seeing Temari was safe. Watch his hands! Neji charged Kabuto. He would cut off the flow of chakra in Kabuto's arms.

"Gaara," Temari straightened and opened her fan. "Allow me. Daikamaitachi no jutsu!"

Shit. Now Sasuke had to dodge sand and wind. Naruto and Kakashi were coming. There was no time to be still. He went quickly through the seals and spit fire at the Naruto's picking them off one by one.

Kakashi countered Sasuke's jutsu with one of his own. A wall of water rose up between them and Kakashi sent the tsunami forward. Gaara wrapped himself and Temari in a protective bubble of sand as the wave knocked Sasuke out of the sky.

The moment he touched the ground Gaara had him. He used his sand to pull the Uchiha underground. Sasuke struggled with his incredible strength as Gaara fought to sink him deeper. Stronger then Kimimaru. The sand ninja had to exert himself. Just fucking die already Sasuke!

Neji disabled Kabuto's right arm but it had come at a price. Kabuto had severed something in his left arm, a muscle or a tendon. It hurt like hell and it also threw that hand off a little when hitting a target. "We both have dangerous hands then."

"I can heal myself," Kabuto scoffed.

"I won't let you." Neji charged and Kabuto leapt back into a trap. Kankuro's new trapping puppet ensnared Kabuto.

Grab MY sister bitch? "Heal this you little prick." Kankuro tugged his strings and the swords slammed into the puppet. A moment later blood wept from the holes.

The power of Sand's greatest kazekage. Gaara of the Desert. Sasuke clawed upward with all of his might and he was still losing ground. I have to get above the sand!

Temari saw the sweat running down Gaara's face. Incredible. Sasuke must be ridiculously strong. And what about Orochimaru and that giant snake ne? "Stop fucking around and kill him Gaara!" she screamed.

Not deep enough. Sasuke was fighting him hard. Fuck it. I'll crush you! Gaara clenched his fists and the sinkhole below hardened and collapsed in on itself. "Shini Sasuke."

Keeping up with Orochimaru was becoming increasingly difficult now that he had taken up the sword. I'll get rid of it. Orochimaru swung the sword at him and Jiraiya caught it between his palms. He jerked it out of the evil sannin's hand. "Fly Gamabunta!" the frog leapt high into the air.

"Damn you Jiraiya!" Orochimaru had to get down to go after his sword. He lost sight of Sasuke during all of the commotion. The Konoha ninja were rushing his way. Kakashi and Naruto, die! He dropped his jaw and spat forth a hoard of poisonous snakes.

"Oh no you don't!" Sakura slammed a fist into the ground hard. A deep trench ripped open in the earth and the slithering cluster fell into the crack in the desert.

"Katon Gamayu Endan!" Jiraiya and his summon worked together to devour Orochimaru in the fires of hell. Manda's tail deflected a fire bullet and Orochimaru hurried along the snake's hide dodging the toad oil fire attack.

I won't… he infused himself with power to a critical level. I won't die. The sand was crushing him. It was either escape or become a smear in the sand. He released a massive amount of chakra from everywhere all at once and propelled himself up out of the ground and into the sky. "Gaara!" Sasuke dove for the ball of sand containing the kazekage and his bitch sister.

Now! Kakashi appeared in front of Sasuke and grabbed hold of him. The monster looked at him frowning. "I'm sorry Sasuke. It's my fault you came to this."

Sasuke snarled. "Don't blame yourself sensei. I like being evil." He used his hands as wings and turned them just in time to make it too late for Naruto to stop.

"Rasengan!" Naruto pushed forward with all his might. He was inches from hitting Sasuke in the back of the head when the pair in front of him danced. Oh shit! Kakashi tried to dodge and Naruto tried to miss. Rasengan connected with Kakashi's shoulder. Sasuke let him go and Kakashi went flying. "Shit Sensei!"

"Naruto!" Sasuke reached for him with a giant hand. He was faster then his former friend by a lot, but escaping his desert coffin had used up a lot of chakra. Kill Naruto, taijutsu. Be quick.

"Shit," Sasuke wasn't dead, but he was occupied. Gaara turned his attention elsewhere. Hey fuckin snake. I got a present for ya.

Orochimaru was running toward Manda's head when the enormous body beneath him rolled. "Nani?"

Manda howled as he sunk into the quicksand. "Damnit! Kill Jiraiya already! If you don't I'm leaving!"

"Keh," Orochimaru hissed through his teeth and deflected a fireball with his sword. "This isn't Jiraiya's doing; it's Gaara's." What the fuck is taking Sasuke so long to kill him? Where is Kabuto?

"Orochimaru!" Manda thrashed in the sand.

"Go then Manda, I'll need you again when we smash our way into the village."

The snake reared his head "Two hundred sacrifices!"

"Done." Orochimaru leapt off the snake and the summon vanished.

Sakura hurried to Kakashi's side. "Sensei!" his shoulder arm neck and chest were burned and battered by the Rasengan but he was sitting up.

"It's not as bad as it looks Sakura," Kakashi tried to sound reassuring.

"Let me help you."

Neji appeared behind Sakura. "Sakura can you get Kakashi out of here?"

She looked back at Neji. "Yeah sure."

"There are few minor enemies left," the Byakugan scanned the area around them. "Sasuke and Orochimaru are still fighting. It's getting dangerous to stay here."

"We're in the way," Gai agreed coming over with Lee.

Kakashi frowned. "Naruto needs my Sharingan to fight Sasuke."

"Naruto," Lee turned his head and looked at his friend. His chakra was red. "Is calling on dangerous powers."

Shit I have to stop him. Kakashi scrambled to his feet. "Gai get everyone out of here now." He broke into a run for his clashing students.

Kabuto played dead while Kankuro dumped his body. He watched and waited and when he saw the opportunity to serve Orochimaru best he moved. In a flash he positioned himself in front of Kakashi. "This is as far as you go."

Gaara opened the sand bubble and Temari went to the group clustered near her big brother. Shikamaru and Choji hurried into the fold. "We're leaving now!" Gai shouted. He turned them all back toward Sand and they broke into a run.

"Gaara?" Temari worried. "There are still Sound ninja about."

"Not enough to concern Gaara," Kankuro saw something ahead. Finally. "Besides, reinforcements have arrived."

Gai saw the Sand shinobi racing into battle with the ANBU in the lead. That's it. The Sand has won. Lee chuckled beside him and Gai flashed his adorable student a gleaming smile and approving thumbs up.

No more Sasuke. Now that Gaara had gotten rid of the snake, it was time to finish Sasuke. His sand went after the Uchiha. The monster tried to dodge but there was too much sand in the desert to get away. Two hands of sand locked with those on Sasuke's back. Gaara held him while Naruto pummeled him.

Naruto came at him and Sasuke clutched the sand hands and used them as leverage. He used his feet to fend Naruto off. He's beginning to draw on the power of the monster inside. This is getting dangerous.

Orochimaru speed toward Jiraiya to attack and found himself defending from a volley of shuriken. Reinforcements had arrived, a lot of them. Chikusho. The sannin lifted two fingers. Kabuto Sasuke, we're leaving. A quick replacement jutsu and the three Sound made their escape.

Two minutes later the battle came to a stop. The remaining Sound were dead, Orochimaru Sasuke and Kabuto had escaped. Gaara joined his ninja and friends back on the ground. "We return to Sand at once. Fortify the city. None of them that escaped was mortally wounded. If they return we'll kill them all."

Kankuro made his way to his brother. Gaara had used some big moves during the fight. "How are you holding up?"

He didn't lie. "I'm tired and I want to see Raine."

Kankuro pulled Gaara's arm over his shoulder so baby brother could lean on him. "Then let's get going." He started them back to Sand.

Kiba took Raine back to the kage's place and she went to her room to change her clothes. The ninja and the dog waited in the courtyard for her. She put on a shirt that covered the mark on her chest. Raine pulled her hair over the ugly hickey on her neck and hid it with a braid. There wasn't much she could do for her face but she concealed the rest of the marks the Uchiha left on her.

Raine met them in the courtyard and they went to the roof together to wait and to watch. "I'm sure it will be alright." Kiba tried to assure her. He was glad Raine had covered up the bites she could. I hope Sasuke is killed this time.

"Gaara will be back soon." She stared off toward the gate waiting to see that crazy mop of red hair bouncing her way. Please come back to me Gaara.

After what felt like an eternity, Kiba caught a familiar scent in the wind. "Kankuro." He sniffed and Akamaru barked. "It's all of them! They're coming!"

Raine saw Kankuro and Gaara a second later. "Gaara…"

"Oi!" Kiba waved a hand excitedly.

"Oi!" Temari called back. Baby brother was already looking at mouse.

Kankuro landed them beside Raine on the roof and Gaara reached for her. "Raine."

Raine threw herself into Gaara's arms and hugged him. "Gaara!" He sagged against her a little. Gaara looked tired. "Welcome home."

"The base and pretty much everyone in it is toast," Kankuro nodded at Kiba. He lowered his voice a little. "Orochimaru and Sasuke got away. Yakushi Kabuto too."

Gaara reached up and stroked Raine's cheek. "Are you alright Raine?"

She smiled at him. "I'm fine now that you're here."

Temari stepped up next to the lovebirds. "Gaara now is a good time to rest. Oi mouse, why don't you get this guy to lay down for a while."

"I'll help you to your room," Naruto offered.

Gaara chuckled. He was tired, not dead. Time alone with his woman was enough motivation to get him to his room. "Not necessary. Go rest yourself Naruto. Raid the fridge if you want." He steered Raine back inside on the way he nodded to Kiba. "Thank you for taking care of Raine."

"My pleasure," he nodded back. He liked Kankuro's cute little sister in law, Akamaru did too. She had done her best to be brave while they waited for Gaara's return and her faith in her soon to be family never wavered. He cut his eyes back to Kankuro as the lovers disappeared inside. "So how about that drink ne asshole?"

Kankuro let out a long heavy sigh. "Yeah, sake in the dining room. Let's go."

While Kankuro took some and went to the dining room, Temari took others downstairs. Gaara and Raine went back to his room. He shook out of his gourd and sat down tiredly on his bed. He felt Raine sit beside him and Gaara wrapped an arm around her.

"Are you alright Gaara?" she thought he looked tired.

Gaara hugged Raine to him and stared down into her eyes. "I'm fine. I just need a little rest. Don't worry about me. It's you I'm worried about." He lifted a hand to the bite mark on her face. What did he do? "Sasuke did this to you."

Raine tried to fight her frown and couldn't. "Did you…kill him Gaara?"

"He escaped with Orochimaru."

That guy… "Gaara," Raine clenched a handful of his jacket. She had much to tell her love. "Orochimaru said he knew my mother and I … I think he might have. She had a tattoo in a private place."

Gaara frowned a little. "Your mother?"

"That's not all. He said my father was the ninja Sasori from this village. Orochimaru said Sasori murdered my mother. He said I saw it and he or my father erased my memories."

"Raine," there's no way…Orochimaru messed with her head.

"Orochimaru said he knew her, knew me when I was really little. He even knew all about my step father and Lord Hotohori."

His love was looking at him with sad eyes. How many ways did they torture her? Gaara took one of her hands in his own. "I'll send an ANBU unit to investigate Orochimaru's claims, but I don't want you to worry about it."

"Temari told me about Sasori. He was evil like Orochimaru and Sasuke."

Gaara swallowed hard. There's no way she could possibly be… "I'll have the truth for you in a few days. Can you give me that? Don't panic until you know alright."

If it's true, Gaara will find out. Raine nodded. "Thank you Gaara."

He shook his head. "Don't thank me. It's the least I can do after being so slow coming to your rescue."

Raine squeezed his hand. "Don't say that. You saved me Gaara. Sasuke…" the memories made her stomach tighten up. "He wasn't going to stop."

Gaara hugged Raine to him and kissed her head. Bastard would have raped her. "He'll never get anywhere near you again I swear it."

She let Gaara hold her for a while letting go of her frightening memories of Sasuke and Orochimaru for now. Her tired love leaned on her some. Everything is okay now Gaara is home safe. "Gaara," Raine had a great idea. "How about a long hot bath?"

A nice steamy soak with Raine sounded like just the thing to cure what ailed him. "That sounds wonderful." Gaara kissed his woman and the couple headed off to the kage's private bath.

Sakura tended to Kakashi in the sitting room while Gai Lee and Naruto looked on. Kankuro Kiba and Neji sat around the table in the next room sharing a bottle of sake. "Gaara's power is still impressive," Neji knocked back a shot.

"Sorry I missed it," Kiba matched his shot.

"You had precious cargo," Kankuro topped off everyone's cup.

Kiba was a firm believer in the direct approach. "Sasuke didn't rape her."

"She told you?" Kankuro's hand froze for a moment and Neji's brow went up.

"I can smell shit like that Kankuro, you should know that." Kiba sipped his drink watching relief seep into his friend's expression. "Sasuke chewed her up a little, but Gaara got to her in time."

Kankuro thanked all the gods and ancestors he could think of. Mouse had been terrorized but she was okay. "Kanpai." They drank together.

"The enemy numbered less then one hundred. Even with Orochimaru and Sasuke their numbers weren't great enough to take Sand," Neji thought aloud.

"So where's the rest ne?" Kiba growled.

"They're still in Cardiff," Shikamaru answered coming in behind Temari. "We just took out the first wave is all."

Temari sat by her brother and he handed her a cup of sake. "They moved into the desert while Gaara was away for the tournament."

"While Gaara was busy with the tournament and failed assassination attempt in Konoha Sound got ready to move."

"But the sandstorm fucked up their plans. They weren't able to assemble all of their men and attack. Then kazakage came home early."

Shikamaru went on, "And because Sasuke had Raine hostage, Gaara was quickly able to find their base in the desert."

Kankuro was impressed with how well his sister worked with the chunin. "Can you finish each others sentences too?" he teased.

Tamari downed a shot. "Pay attention retard. I'm telling you half of the forces Orochimaru had ready to attack Sand are dead."

"He has to retreat," Shikamaru went ahead and finished. "Any attack on Sand right now would fail. Orochimaru will have to regroup and rethink his plan."

Kankuro laughed. "So it didn't go his way after all."

Shikamaru and Choji moved to the table for a cup of sake and Naruto poked his head in the door. "Oi, how's everybody in here."

"Just fine dumbass how about a drink?" Kiba teased.

Naruto flipped Kiba the bird but came in and accepted the cup Kankuro offered him. "So what now?" he was sure these geniuses had it all figured out.

"Kick back and relax," Shikamaru advised. "It's over for the time being. Things didn't go Orochimaru's way. His plan failed."

Naruto sighed tiredly. Sasuke… he got away again. Naruto looked at Kiba. "What about genie? She okay?"

"Mouse is fine," Kankuro replied with a smile.

Temari drank to that. "Gaara will take care of her."

His grin turned slobbish and Kankuro heard Kiba chuckle. "I'm sure he will."

Naruto rolled his eyes down to Kankuro. "You gotta be kidding me. We just fought a huge battle! How does he even have the energy left for something like that?"

The guys busted up laughing and Temari glared at Naruto. She was still pissed at him for losing Raine to Sasuke even if the abduction was a blessing in disguise. "Pig."

Shikamaru threw an arm around Temari's shoulder. "It's that damn Ero sannin. He's made Naruto an even worse pervert."

"Where is Ero sannin?" Naruto tried shifting the blame.

Choji tried to help. "Talking with ANBU by the gate."

Orochimaru was pissed. Gaara had surprised him attacking in the midst of a storm and the young kazakage had quite the impressive army assembled. Snot nosed little brat. I'll never hear the end of the shit from Manda. The chance to kill Jiraiya had again slipped through Orochimaru's fingers. Old fool.

Dealing with Gaara would have been easier if Sasuke had been able to hold onto his little human shield. "I thought I told you to keep that bitch on a short leash?" Orochimaru needed to take his mood out on someone. Sasuke was it.

Sasuke's lip curled into a snarl. "Shut up. I can get Raine back anytime I want to."

The sannin dug, "I'll bet Gaara's fucking her right now."

"I don't care."

"My you get angsty when you lose your fan club. Didn't it go your way with Raine Sasuke?" Orochimaru laughed. "Guess not."

Kabuto was always ready to side with his master. "It's unfortunate she was rescued before I could obtain a proper blood sample."

Orochimaru grinned. "She was an early experiment. I doubt anything about her is special. It was only a few injections."

Sicko. "What did you do to her?" Sasuke kept his voice even.

"Worried about your girlfriend Sasuke? Could it be you're in love?" Orochimaru tormented the Uchiha that let her escape. "Let's just say I added something to baby Raine's shots for my dear Rhiannon."

"Don't talk in riddles," Sasuke was cross. "If you're going to tell me then just spit it out. These childish games of yours bore me."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Sasori was unstable, I knew it back then. I knew that one day he would end Rhiannon's life. Sure of it when I started fucking her and positive when she married Amiboshi and proceeded to raise Sasori's child with him."

"I don't care about the soap opera. What was in the shots?"

"A little gene therapy. I administered the injections to a patient with a dormant pituitary gland. I'm curious myself to see how it all played out."

Gaara leaned back in the hot water holding Raine in his arms. He had washed away the battle and relaxed with his love. The heat made Gaara a little sleepy. He had used a lot of chakra these past few days. Raine shifted to look up at him and Gaara smiled down at her. The wet look defiantly did it for him. "You're beautiful."

Raine reached up and pushed his damp bangs back. "I missed you so much Gaara."

He hugged her naked body to him. "I was miserable without you. Please forgive me for leaving you Raine. I only wanted you to be safe."

She stared Gaara down. "If you want to be sure I'm safe then keep me with you."

Guilt stabbed at his chest. "If I hadn't left you in Konoha without a word," Sasuke never would have touched you. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"I understand that you did what you thought was right Gaara but," she tugged playfully at his ear. "I'm Mrs. Kazekage. My place is here with you and Kankuro and Temari. This is home and you're my family."

He smiled at her. My wife. "I love you Raine."

"I love you Gaara." He pulled her closer and kissed her. She wrapped her slippery arms around his neck and kissed him back. I was so afraid I'd never…

Tired or not kissing his lover in a steaming hot bath was arousing. Raine… His hands glided easily over her wet skin. Is it okay to… he thought of the marks Sasuke left on her. She's really been through something I know but I… Gaara broke their kiss. "I missed you so much Raine," he breathed against her neck.

Gaara…It was like heaven to be close with him like this again. She felt him kissing her neck. "Gaara," Raine sighed. "Take me to your bed and love me."

Gaara did.

Gaara's siblings saw to their guests and took in all the reports from ANBU. Most everyone had gone off to bed. Kankuro was ready for a nap himself. He and Kiba had plans to flop on some pillows in front of the PS2. On the way he stopped to give Gaara an update. The kage had rested a good four hours and should be a little livelier now.

Kankuro lifted his hand to knock on Gaara's bedroom door and Kiba grabbed his wrist before he could. Kiba sniffed and Akamaru groaned. Kiba looked at Kankuro's frown. "Do not disturb yo. Gaara's kinda busy getting laid."

The sand ninja's eyebrows went up. Again? Jeez Gaara. "Alright we're outta here."

Kiba grinned devilishly. "Wait a minute I wanna hear this." He laughed as Kankuro clamped a big hand on him and drug him along beside him.

A new morning dawned in Sand and Gaara woke with Raine in his arms. He lie still enjoying her warmth against him. They talked a lot last night after they made love. Raine told him what Sasuke had done and said to her. He had frightened her out of her wits, but Raine had done her best to try and keep things under control. Raine told Gaara at the end, he wouldn't even listen to me anymore. He just did what he wanted.

Hurting her was just what the Uchiha wanted to do.It was disturbing to say the least. The marks on his woman were Sasuke's way of slapping Gaara in the face. But you didn't have her Sasuke. Not my woman; my wife. He reached up and brushed the hair out of her face. Raine is mine and nothing will come between us. I won't leave her again…ever.

His love was deeply worried about what Orochimaru had told her about her mother. Raine was beside herself trying to come up with a reason why the evil sannin would know about her mama's flower. According to Raine the tattoo circled Rhiannon's nipple; a place not viewable even with cleavage showing. Damn you Orochimaru. Gaara stroked Raine's soft cheek.

Raine stirred and opened her eyes. "Gaara," she smiled sleepily at him.

"Good morning Raine." He returned her smile. Once hadn't been enough for him last night and he was thinking he had some time before he had to get out of bed to be with her again. Gaara rolled over on top of her and she hugged him. In the early light Gaara could see that the pretty blush in her cheeks had returned. It made his heart feel light.

She had an idea what he wanted and giggled up at Gaara. "Is it time to get out of bed?"

"Not yet." Gaara kissed his love.

"Well aint this pathetic." Temari stood between Kankuro and Kiba. They were both passed out with a controller in their hand. Akamaru was dancing like he had to pee. "Go on out Akamaru," Temari advised. "I'll take care of these wretches."

The dog jumped out the window and Temari went to her brother. She jerked the controller out of his hand. "Oi, get up asshole."

Crap its Temari. "I'm up." Kankuro sat up peeling his eyes open. His sister looked pissed. She pointed at Kiba. Oh shit.

"This isn't a frat house."

"Come on Temari, yesterday was tough on all of us."

Kiba sat up circling the right analog stick. "In your face!" he blinked and came awake. Temari was giving him the hard eyeball. Uh oh…"Uh…where's Shikamaru?"

He can't save ya now yahoo. "Probably sleeping in his assigned room. Oh and by the way, I let your dog out asshole. Poor guy was dancing. Some dog owner you are." Kiba cringed and Temari turned back to her brother.

"Oi Temari," Kankuro tried.

"Shut up. This is the kage's house you idiot. It's not Kankuro's drunken flophouse. Gaara and Raine are gonna have kids. You want your little niece or nephew seeing uncle Kankuro like this ne?"

The guilt… "No," Kankuro was sober.

"Honestly you two; grow the fuck up would ya?" Temari stormed out. She had a busy day ahead and no time to deal with Kankuro's bullshit.

Kiba waited until he was sure Temari was out of earshot. "She's vicious yo."

"You have no idea." Kankuro nearly shuddered at the thought.

"Dude I aint eating breakfast with her. She'll throw a knife at me."

She might. "Let's go grab a bite and then we'll meet Gaara in his office."

"Good plan." Kiba stood and rolled the controller in its cord.

When Gaara finally made it to his office he took in all the reports first. Jiraiya and two squads had gone on ahead to Cardiff to look for Sound activity. The sandstorm had shifted but it was still out there. All was quiet on the home front. Gaara changed up the guard a little and called an ANBU squad in to him. He told them what Orochimaru said and assured them it was all bullshit but he wanted it investigated quickly and quietly. "Find out everything about Rhiannon." The team set off at once.

Gai came in followed by Neji and Kakashi. Gaara nodded at them. "You look better Kakashi."

"I feel better. How are you?" Kakashi laughed it off.

The kage felt just great this morning and he smiled. "I'm better too."

Neji stepped forward. "How is Raine? Lee was concerned for her."

"Raine is fine. Sasuke got a little rough, but it's nothing serious." At this very moment a med nin was erasing what Sasuke did to her. Gaara stood. "Things seem quiet in the desert. It will take time to get word from Cardiff with the storm still blowing itself out. Take some time for yourselves."

"I could use some training," Gai slapped his hand down on Neji's shoulder. "We're going. Let's stop off and get Lee."

Kakashi thought he read help me all over Neji's face as Gai marched him out. When they were gone he turned back to Gaara. "You and Raine are…?"

Gaara smiled a little. "It's alright. I think I've earned her forgiveness."

I'll bet you did. He laughed. "Glad to hear it." You couldn't hurt them after all Sasuke. Their bond is too strong. Even now you are still nothing before Sabaku no Gaara.

"I'm sure you'll see her soon. I have a medical specialist taking care of her now."

"Naruto will want to see her. He pitched a fit about it last night."

"Naruto is?"

"He's fine, still snoring actually. I think I can hear it from here." He smiled at the kage and turned to head out. "I'll send him to your place."

Gaara chuckled. "Thanks for the warning." Kakashi waved and went out.

Raine stared at her face in the mirror. The bite was healed. All of the marks Sasuke put on her were gone. Like they were never there. It was as if she was waking from a bad dream. I erase you Uchiha Sasuke.

Sasuke slept on and off through the night in his room in Cardiff. Raine's clothes and Naruto's jacket were still folded neatly on the ottoman. Eventually Sasuke got sick of looking at them and threw them into the closet. Naruto. He went back to bed and tried to sleep a while longer. He woke late and went to get some food.

There was no one in the dining room but a banquet had been laid out on the table. Sasuke sat down and dug in; he was starving. Running around the desert was tiring and thirsty work. Thirsty. He remembered pulling the canteen away from Raine's lips. Sasuke downed some orange juice. I would have showed her a real good time if Gaara hadn't shown up. Damn his timing.

The kazekage was a frustrating opponent. Gaara had way too much of the advantage in the desert. He didn't have to use any chakra to make sand and his control of the desert was absolute. Even without that thing inside of him. I knew you were a monster Gaara. The next time Sasuke fought the sand ninja it would have to be away from the desert. Preferably on an iron plate you bastard.

Kabuto came in and took a seat at the table across from the Uchiha. "There's been a change in plans."

He glared at Kabuto. "No shit."

"We're going back to Sound."

"You don't say." Sasuke shoveled some rice into his mouth.

He hates to be interrupted when he's eating. "Orochimaru has already left." He poured himself some juice so he would look more like a guest then a nuisance. "I'll be leaving right away. An hour from now the remaining shinobi here in Cardiff will attack the Sand nin that have come here with Jiraiya."

"Gaara's trying to hunt us all down ne?"

Kabuto drank his juice. "You should leave this place quickly."

Sasuke frowned. "I'm not afraid of Gaara and his pathetic ninja pals."

"There is no reason to stay in this city any longer. The attack on Sand has failed."

"No shit it failed!" Sasuke threw his bowl. It hit the wall and shattered. Rice and porcelain went everywhere.

Shit. "Another opportunity will present itself." The med nin stayed calm.

I want him dead right now! "Keh," Sasuke hissed through his teeth. "We have to lure Gaara out of the desert."

"His control of the sand was more then Orochimaru expected it to be."

He picked up his glass of juice. Gaara. "Of course. He's the kazekage."

Gaara passed the morning in his office taking in more reports and giving out more orders. This afternoon he had three ninja to meet to let them know that they were now chunin. Kankuro and Kiba dropped by to give Gaara the heads up on Temari's wrath. "She's scary," Kiba admitted. "No wonder Shikamaru likes her. She's as mean as his mom is."

Gaara smiled and shook his head. "Mean girls need love too." He was sure that wherever Temari was, so was Shikamaru.

He went home for a late lunch and Raine greeted when he came in. Gaara smiled to see her all healed up. He told his love not to fret; he had sent ANBU to investigate. In a few days they would know everything, the truth. She thanked him with her kisses. Gaara didn't want to go back to work; he wanted to take his woman upstairs. "I'll try to finish early," he assured Raine when he kissed her goodbye.

That afternoon Jiraiya and six of the ninja sent to Cardiff came back with miserable news. There had been a fight between Sand and Sound in the city. The sound seemed to go out of their way to involve the public in the fighting. There were a few civilian casualties and many were wounded. The Sound were defeated, but at the cost of several Sand shinobi lives. Neither Sasuke nor Orochimaru ever showed their face.

"Orochimaru has run back to Hidden Sound," Gaara frowned.

"And his dogs followed."

Need to change your plan don't you Orochimaru. I own this desert and every grain of sand in it serves my will. "Even if they could regroup and stage another offensive…"

"Sound cannot take Sand with you here Gaara. You in the desert," the sannin shook his head. "Amazing jutsus."

"It's nothing really. I've been doing it all of my life so it's hardly any trouble at all. Especially in my natural environment. The desert, it belongs to me just as much as I belong to it."

"Symbiosis," Jiraiya smiled a little.

"If we cannot learn from that which we live through we are lost. I may have lost the power of the monster I carried within, but out here I don't need Shaukaku. The desert has been infused with my chakra which is why I know Orochimaru made that base after I left for the tournament in Konoha."

Jiraiya folded his arms across his chest. Kazekage would know someone put a hole in his desert ne? "They intended to attack Sand while you were away."

"Sasuke tried to use Raine to kill me in Konoha and he failed; nor could he kill me himself when Naruto attacked him. He took Raine hoping to use her against me but I used her against him." Gaara smiled. "I held him and let Naruto hit him."

"Uchiha Sasuke is dangerous. Orochimaru has successfully dyed him his color."

He was no threat to Gaara in the desert but Gaara acknowledged the bastards power with a nod. There was something else Gaara was hoping that the sannin might know about. He cut right to it; Jiraiya was a real straight up guy. "Orochimaru told Raine that Sasori was her father and that he knew her mother, Rhiannon, when Raine was small. He said Sasori murdered her. Orochimaru also claimed he had an intimate relationship with Rhiannon. I don't suppose you know anything about it ne?"

"Sasori?" Jiraiya searched his memories for everything he knew about the Sand ninja. Rhiannon… it sounds familiar.

"I have ANBU on it, I'm sure it's all bullshit. I think they enjoyed torturing Raine." Gaara folded his hands together in front of him. "It isn't something that I'm worried about but Raine did say that Orochimaru knew something personal about her mother. It was probably something he or Sasuke pulled from her mind."

"Where is Raine chan from Gaara?" The name was familiar. A flickering shadow in the back of his mind.

"La Fayette; why?"

He wasn't ready to answer just yet. "If what Orochimaru said about Sasori is true…"

Gaara frowned. "I will not let her suffer for Sasori's choices. He was a traitor to the Sand, not her."

And what will the counsel think of that? Jiraiya doubted it mattered. Gaara would protect his woman from anyone, even the old farts that still thought they ran the show. Gaara has made his choice and come hell or high water its Raine. Good for you Gaara. "I see you have things under control here. I think I'll do some investigating."

His friends came for dinner and when it got late Gaara walked Raine to her room. She asked him to come in and he didn't say no. "Is it still alright if I sleep with you Gaara?"

Gaara couldn't think of a place where Raine belonged more. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't." he hugged Raine to him and kissed her. She never slept in her own room again.

It took the storm three days to blow itself out. The Sand ninja saw their allies off and things returned to normal. It was the afternoon after his friends left that ANBU returned to his office. They presented Gaara with a small polished pine box. He looked through the contents as Kazuma gave his report.

"We worked our way down through Lord Hotohori's family, eventually we were given the last known location of Amiboshi; Raine san's stepfather." The ninja hesitated. "Kazekage sama, Lord Hotohori owned Raine as property."

Gaara dug a stack of pictures out of the box. "I'm aware of that. Continue." He knew this investigation might raise some eyebrows. He was sure Kazuma's were up there pretty high right about now.

"Amiboshi surrendered Raine san to Lord Hotohori."

"He begged the old bastard to take her." Hiei had spoken to the kage's bride on many occasions. He happened to think she was just what this stuffy old village needed. "Amiboshi was afraid he was going to be killed trying to raise her on his own. Finally he just gave her up as a slave and ran for it."

Gaara looked at the picture on top. A woman that looked a lot like Raine. She was holding a fat baby in a dress. "Why did Amiboshi fear death?" He turned the picture over. In a strange yet familiar script mommy and Raine was scrawled on the back

"Kazekage sama," Kazuma was stressed. "Amiboshi died several years ago alone and insane. He hung himself still insisting Sasori was going to kill him too. Rhiannon was indeed murdered by Sasori, quite violently I'm afraid."

Gaara flipped to the next picture. Shit. Rhiannon and Sasori. The happy couple was hugging and smiling. Shit. "What of the rumors that Sasori fathered my bride?"

"The old folks seem to believe that's how it was."

Hiei stepped forward. "Do a blood test. Then you'll know."

Kazuma frowned behind his mask. "Kazekage sama."

He turned to the third picture and Gaara froze. Raine… Raine was a toddler sitting on Orochimaru's knee. The two of them were waving to the camera. "Orochimaru."

"Raine's mother was involved with members of Akatsuki. Not just Sasori, but Orochimaru as well." Kazuma hung his head.

The ANBU turned on each other. "That's no proof!"

"Proof of what?" Gaara tried to sound short on patience. It was the best he could do with his heart in his throat.

Sighing, Kazuma turned back to his kage. "The old woman that rented Rhiannon's house out to her still lives in the same place in La Fayette. They were close neighbors, they shared a well." Kazuma shook his head. He was old enough to remember the rouge Konoha ninja experimenting on human test subjects. "Obasan said that Orochimaru gave Rhiannon's baby all of her shots."

His fingers tightened on the picture he was holding of his cute little love in the lap of a monster. Godamn you Orochimaru. He looked at his ANBU. "What do you know about it?" Gaara frowned.

"A blood test!" Hiei pleaded again. "Let the medical specialists handle it!"

The kage raised his hand to silence his ninja. Shit… Raine. "I will have Raine checked by a medical team. There is no need to panic. Babies get inoculations."

"But Orochimaru," Kazuma groaned.

Gaara stood. "Was Orochimaru sick enough to be experimenting on toddlers?" He didn't doubt it for a minute. No, she's fine. There is nothing wrong with Raine!

"Kazekage sama."

"Kazuma, bring Tasuki to my place. We'll have a blood test done. Fetch him now." The ninja bowed and hurried out. Gaara fixed his eyes on Hiei's mask and the ninja bowed his head. "You seem to have no problem accepting my bride."

"Raine san is a sweet girl. I look forward to our kazekage stepping into the future with such a kind hearted woman." Hiei was still a little afraid of Gaara, but he adored the princess. "She takes orphans on picnics," he nearly groaned.

His love had a soft spot for the children in the village without parents. Like us.

Hiei's buddy Kurama moved forward to support his friend. "Kazekage sama, there are many that are very happy that you selected such a compassionate woman to wed. Raine is truly one of the real people of wind country that we fight to protect every day. She has reaffirmed for us that Sand must protect wind. Regardless of what the counsel may say the majority of your people will welcome your bride as the kage's wife."

"That's good to hear because I have no intention of changing my wedding plans." It appeared at least two of the three ANBU before him were loyal to his kageship. Gaara came around the side of his desk. "Dismissed, Hiei could you stay a moment." Gaara went to Hiei and the young man lifted his mask.

The kage looked at his naked face. "The old people aint gonna like this."

"They have no power." Gaara had known Hiei at least seven or eight years. He knew he could trust him.

Hiei was worried about the Mrs. "Baki wont like this and he's loyal to the old fogies."

"I'll speak to him."

"If it comes out that she is Sasori's daughter, those old farts will order her assassination." He frowned at Gaara. "They'll say she's too dangerous."

"And what do you think?"

Hiei shook his head. "I think she's great. Raine has a heart that reaches the people. She's one of the grunts and they like it."

"Scrubbing floors pays off," He thought of Sakura's words.

He laughed a little. "She's your polar opposite Gaara. She's warm and friendly and just another average Joe. If someone can't relate to you they can relate to her. The two of you together; you'll unite this village once and for all. Sand will really be one again."

It made his heart light to hear Raine spoke of in such a way especially at a time like this. Sand loves Raine too. "Our reign will make all the people of Sand a family again," Gaara promised. Even if there was uproar, it would be a fading cry. "I want a report from everyone on the team on my desk in the morning. Now go on Hiei, beat it." The ninja left and Gaara went to Rhiannon's box on his desk. I'm sorry Raine, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. Gaara took one more look through the box and headed home.

Raine was working on a drawing in the garden when she heard Gaara. She closed her sketchpad and looked his way. Gaara was carrying a box. "You got away early?" Raine stood smiling at him.

I'm so sorry. "Raine I have something to show you." Gaara moved to his seat on the great rock beside her and offered her the box. "This was your mothers."

She sat down fast taking the box. Raine flipped back the lid and dug out the photographs. On top was her and her mom. "Mom…It's me and my mom."

Gaara heard noise behind him. The medical specialist had arrived. "A doctor is going to take your blood. They'll do a paternity test. Match your DNA against Sasori's clan."

Sasori…A ninja was coming up behind them and Raine looked away from the pictures to Gaara. "What are you saying Gaara?" she didn't wait for his answer. Raine flipped through the pictures and found the one of her on Orochimaru's lap. "It can't be." She stood knocking her notebook off the rock and scattering her drawings.

Gaara caught her before she could collapse and the med nin was on her in a flash. "She's fainted," the med nin informed.

He cradled Raine in his arms and Gaara's eyes fell to her scattered drawings. What the fuck? Drawings of eyes, Sharingan eyes. There was even a drawing of Sasuke peeking out some blinds in the mix. Godamnit! "Do something!" Gaara ordered.

"We need to lie her down and elevate her feet."

Gaara scooped Raine into his arms. "This way."

Raine woke with Gaara sitting beside her in her bed. "Gaara!" she gasped.

"It's alright," Gaara took her shoulders and held her to the bed. He didn't want her sitting up too quick after they drew blood.

She remembered it all at once. My mom…Orochimaru told the truth! Raine burst into tears rolling away from Gaara. "My mom!"

Damnit. Gaara lay beside her and hugged Raine to him. "It's okay Raine. It's the past and now you know. It's over," he hoped.

"Gaara," Raine sobbed. My mom. My mom and that horrible man!

He unbuckled his gourd and let it drop over the side of the bed. Gaara rolled them so that she was beneath him and he made Raine look into his eyes. He stroked her cheek. "It doesn't matter Raine."

"But…she…"

"You aren't Rhiannon; you're Raine and you're with me. I love you so much."

Gaara hugged her and then he kissed her. Raine clung to him. She wanted to know nothing else in the world right now but Gaara. Take it all away Gaara. Let me just be here for you. She dug her hands into his hair. "Gaara, make it go away."

He tried.

With Raine in a comfortable sleep Gaara dressed and went downstairs. Temari and Kankuro were waiting for him with frowns on their faces. He walked into the dining room with his hands up. "Hold on."

"What did they do to her!" Temari demanded. "Godamn freaks! Orochimaru and Sasuke! What did they do to mouse?"

Gaara took his sister by the shoulders. "Calm down Temari. We'll have the blood test back soon."

Temari slapped Gaara's hands away. "Did you tell her what it was for? What will you do if she's fucked up?" Can you kill her if you have to Gaara you bastard?

"Raine's linage never mattered to me before." He tried to stand tall. "It doesn't mean anything now either."

Temari was near tears. She was worried about her friend. "What if Orochimaru did something to her?"

Gaara stepped forward. "If our best can't handle it I'll personally take her to Tsunade."

His sister erupted in tears and Kankuro put an arm around her. "Mouse understands?"

He was sunk in his own miserable thoughts. "I found Raine drawing pictures of the Sharingan… of Sasuke. I think she," Gaara sighed heavily. "I'm going to get her some help. I want her to feel safe again."

"She needs you Gaara," Kankuro advised. "I'm not saying that this will be easy but just ride it out. You guys will be married soon and that will be the end of it."

I'll take care of you Raine. It's going to be alright.

For a long time it was.

2

What a time to be sweaty! Gaara paced the floor and Kankuro watched him grinning. "This isn't funny asshole. I'm nervous."

Kankuro laughed. "I think you're just over excited. Can't wait to see mouse ne?"

Raine… the next time Gaara laid eyes on her she would be in her wedding gown.

"Ten minutes to go bro," Kankuro teased.

The door burst open and Kiba Lee and Naruto gushed in dressed to the hilt. "Yo!" Kiba dropped the groom a wink.

"I saw Raine!" Naruto nearly fell into a swoon. "Oh my god genie bride! You lucky stiff Gaara!" Naruto howled laughter.

He wiped his palms on his pants and looked at his friends. "Really?"

Lee smiled. "Your bride is beautiful Gaara." Raine had smothered Lee with happy kisses. "Raine is very excited."

"She kissed me!" Naruto hooted.

"Me too!" Kiba slapped his cheek and laughed. The others joined him.

"Are you ready Gaara?" Lee's heart was filled with joy. He could see how excited the kazekage was. "You and Raine san for life."

"Kids and a family," Kiba playfully added.

Naruto folded his arms across his chest and eyed his grinning friend. "You go first Gaara. We'll all decide what to do based on how it works out for you." They broke into their last round of strictly bachelor laughter.

Kankuro stepped up and put his arm around his little brother. "Well, ya didn't scare her away and for some strange reason mouse loves you. Let's go get you two hitched." He gave his brother a gentle shove forward into Lee's waiting arms. There were some manly hugs without tears and the guys stepped out to get Gaara married.

Gaara watched Raine come to him, his bride veiled in white. He lifted the frill away from her face and smiled down at his love. There were happy tears in her eyes. "I love you," Gaara whispered and smiled.

Gai sensei broke into quiet sobs in his handkerchief when the couple said their 'I do's. Gaara's married. Lee proudly teared up himself as Gaara kissed his bride. Congratulations my friend.

The church bell rang out announcing the close of the wedding ceremony and all of Sand celebrated. Their kazekage was finally wed.

For the first two months Gaara was married, he hardly got anything done. Temari thought he was a huge slob and complained about it to Shikamaru often. "He goes home for a nooner!"

Kankuro saw no problem at all. Sand was running smoothly, Sound was a memory and Raine's linage was secret. She had turned out to be a fantastic Mrs. for Gaara. Raine couldn't get down with the violent ninja but she understood the normal people in Sand. She even did all the shopping. The people loved her. She stopped and talked to everyone.

Gaara had never been happier. The tests had revealed that his wife was indeed Sasori's heir, but she was perfectly normal. There was no sign of anything Orochimaru may have done to her. Raine was all his and Gaara cherished her. She brought his people closer to him and he loved her all the more for it.

Raine skipped off to find Temari one warm afternoon. Her big sis was coming back from another droll meeting in town. She looked bored and Raine had just the cure. "Temari, can you keep a secret?"

"Is it a juicy one?" she smirked figuring Raine had some new dirt on Kankuro.

"I'm pregnant."

Temari took another step and then stopped. She looked at mouse wide eyed. That was pretty damn fast! "You're…"

Raine laughed and rubbed her belly. "I'm going to have Gaara's baby."

Holy crap… "Wha… what did he say?"

"I told you first."

Temari grabbed Raine and hugged her. Me first! Ha ha! "Congratulations Raine! Oh my god I'm gonna be an aunt!"

Raine was more excited then Temari. "I'm going to tell Gaara at dinner."

Temari giggled. "And Kankuro?"

"They'll find out together." Raine laughed and Temari laughed with her. Their joy echoed off the sand and up into the warm sunlight.

Temari sat beside Kankuro patiently through dinner waiting for Raine. They were half way through their meal when Temari started pouring out sake. Kankuro and Gaara were both up for some. Temari poured a third cup and looked at Raine. "Sake?"

Raine smiled. Surprise! "I can't. It's not good for the baby."

Kankuro dropped his cup and Gaara turned on Raine. "What?"

Raine and Temari were giggling. "I'm pregnant Gaara," she finally managed.

A baby… Gaara abandon his booze and grabbed his woman. "A baby?"

"Yes." Raine's face felt like it was on fire but she laughed anyway. "You're going to be a father Gaara."

"That's so…" holy shit we're having a baby. Gaara pressed his lips to Raine's and kissed her. He even let himself get a little too friendly for company. Gaara was ecstatic.

Kankuro laughed. I'm an uncle! "Alright you two, knock it off. That's how she got this way to begin with."

Husband and wife laughed against each others lips. Gaara looked into the eyes of the love of his life. "I'm so happy. We'll have a beautiful child."

"Chibi Gaara," Kankuro snorted and retrieved his fallen sake cup. "Didn't waste no time did ya kids?"

Raine shrugged her shoulders. "He told me he wasn't a dangerous pervert when I met him you know."

"He lied," Kankuro laughed at the obvious and his family joined him. My slob little brother is going to be a father ne? Kankuro was sure. There's nothing Gaara can't do.

Kabuto detested the swamp. The place he was looking for was deep in the muck. Walking over the swamp water wasn't a problem, but the mosquitoes were driving him insane. Every tenth step one of them was buzzing under his glasses or trying to fly up his nose. "Fuckin bugs," he growled and pressed on.

He walked for two hours before he found the hoary half dead tree Orochimaru described to him. Kabuto hurried to it grateful that he could retrieve what was inside and be gone from this miserable place. He concentrated charka in his hand and swung at the tree. It canted and the top half slid off the perfect slice. Kabuto stepped forward and peeked down into the hollowed out tree. A dull, moss covered strong box sat in the center of the hollow. Here it is. Kabuto pulled it out and looked at the rusty lock. He pried it off with a kunai and opened the box for the first time in over a decade.

This is it. The ninja pulled out a stack of files. Orochimaru's early work. He thumbed his way through the tabs. Another bug tried to fly under his glasses and Kabuto squashed it. He had come all the way out here; no bug was going to keep him from satisfying his curiosity. He came to the R's and found her name Raine. Kabuto slipped the file out of the stack and flipped it open.

There was a picture inside. Orochimaru was holding baby Raine with one arm around the child's smiling mother. "What an adorable family." An evil smile spread across his face. Kabuto started to read.

The more time dragged on, the more inpatient Sasuke became. He wanted revenge; Naruto and Gaara both needed to die at his hands. News of Raine's pregnancy reached Sound and Sasuke thought it a golden time to take the kazekage's love away. He could kill two for the price of one, but that wasn't what Orochimaru wanted. The sannin wanted Mrs. Kazekage alive. Kabuto wanted to run some sick little tests on her.

Whatever. I don't care. As long as I can take her away from Gaara, that's all that matters. I'll use her to lure him out of the desert and then I'll kill him. I'll kill them all.

Raine was eight months pregnant when Sand hosted the next chunin exam. She was worried about how she would look to all their friends from Konoha and Temari laughed at her. "Like the string that swallowed a basketball. Come on lets go!"

The women appeared at the edge of the welcoming party and Raine found Gaara. He was talking to Lee and Neji. Raine waddled to his side as quick as she could and his friends looked at her. Raine hid her face in Gaara's shoulder and he hugged her.

"She thinks she's fat," Gaara rolled his eyes amused. He thought his woman was beautiful. Raine glowed.

Lee chuckled. "Not at all. Just round."

"Lee!" Raine gaped at him and the men laughed.

Neji looked at her belly. "May I?"

"You wanna rub the Buddha too?"

Neji laughed. "Can I look with the Byakugan? I want to see the baby."

Raine perked up. "See the baby?"

"Do it Neji," Gaara was curious.

Neji called out his eyes and he focused on the tiny chakra circulatory system Raine carried. "Wow."

Gaara studied the look on Neji's face. Has he never seen a baby in the womb before?

"Hey Hinata come here," Neji called to his cousin behind him. She hurried over. "Look at the baby."

Hinata summoned the Byakugan and looked at Raine's baby. "Wow!"

"You see that?" Neji smiled.

"It's amazing. The chakra flow. He's going to be one strong little guy."

Gaara straightened. "He?" Hell yeah!

"I'm sorry, did I rune it?" Hinata cringed.

The happy couple laughed and hugged each other around Raine's big belly. A boy! I'm going to have a son! "I love you Raine," Gaara kissed his wife.

There was a party after the finals but Raine tired easily of noise these days. She excused herself from the party insisting the baby was on her bladder, but he wasn't. Raine just wanted to walk beneath the moon and think happy thoughts to her son. She went to her favorite place in all of Sand, the rock in the garden. Raine sat back smiling. I've got about five minutes before Temari finds me. Big sis was also a pretty sharp body guard.

Raine looked up at the stars. This is where I fell in love with Gaara. She thought back to the first time her husband pressed his lips to hers. Gaara. She closed her eyes and lost herself in thoughts of her love. Almost right on time your early Raine heard footsteps coming down the path. "Temari," she sighed.

He had been watching her for a while but now was the time to make his move Before Temari really shows up. Sasuke stopped beside Raine. "Wrong." He grabbed her face and she looked at him wide eyed. "Miss me?" he cut his eyes down to her pregnant belly. "I guess not."

Oh my GOD. "Ga-" Sasuke's hand covered her mouth.

He pulled her to her feet. "Let's go."

Raine tried to sink back down onto the rock, to meld with it. No! Get away from me you monster! "No!" Raine pushed through his fingers.

Bitch. Sasuke grabbed a handful of Raine's long hair and pulled. He had no time for her resistance. It was impossible to catch Raine alone for longer then just a few minutes. Gaara's sister was on her way here right now. "We've already had a discussion about what happens when you make me angry Raine."

Oh god my baby! Let me go Sasuke! Raine started to cry. "Please," she sobbed against his hand. Not again. Please not again.

That's right cry. Sasuke had no time to gloat before he felt the first tremor. Already? "Gaara!" The crying woman and the rock she was sitting on were being encased in sand. A second later Sasuke heard Temari calling for Raine. Shit. He let his target go and disappeared into the busy tavern district. He would have to leave Sand at once.

Temari sent someone for Gaara right away. To her surprise it took him more then a minute to get to her. Temari pointed at the cocoon of sand. "Did you do this?"

Gaara heard Raine crying inside of what looked like a malformed pod. "No." He stepped forward and touched the sand. "Raine, can you hear me?"

"Gaara?" She cried panicked. The sand around her dispersed and Raine threw herself at her husband in tears.

Gaara hugged her tight. "I've got you. It's alright now Raine."

"Sasuke is here!"

Sasuke… "Temari!" Gaara sounded.

"On it," Temari disappeared in a blur.

He turned back to Raine. "Are you alright."

She was beside herself pregnant hormones and all. Raine wept, "You saved me again Gaara. You saved me from Sasuke."

Gaara looked at the sand around their sitting rock. But I didn't do anything. Someone else used the sand to protect Raine from Sasuke, but who? How! "Come with me Raine. I'm going to take you home."

"Don't leave me Gaara," she sniffled.

"No, I won't leave you." Not if he's here. Gaara started them down the path. ANBU was surrounding the house. Stay the fuck away from my wife Uchiha Sasuke!

Sand was put on priority alert and the search for the Uchiha and any possible Sound began. Two days later the tournament was over and Sasuke was long gone. Gaara assigned an ANBU squad to tail his wife at all times. He put Hiei in charge of rotating the guard. It took Raine longer then two days to get over her encounter with Sasuke though. For over a week she was afraid to leave the house with anyone but Gaara.

Gaara tried to bring her back into the world walking with Raine whenever he could. It was on one such walk that she said something that gave him pause. "It wasn't you it was Gabe," she whispered to her husband.

Gaara looked over at her. Gabriel was the name that they had decided on for their son. "What are you talking about Raine?"

She stopped walking and faced Gaara. She took his hand and put it on her belly. "Gabe saved me from Sasuke and he's not even born yet Gaara."

The baby? Is she…crazy? "Raine," she didn't look crazy, just desperate for someone to believe her. "That's just…"

"Can't you tell?" Maybe it's a maternal thing?

Its hormones. Its stress. Deal with it. "What's that dear?"

The child she carried was destined for more then just ninjaship. She had read about stuff like this in the old texts. "I think he's a prophet."

Wonderful, now our kid is god. "Raine, Gabriel will grow up to be whatever he wants to be. He doesn't have to be a ninja."

Am I losing it? No. "He already is. He protected us from Sasuke."

Gaara thought of the pod of sand again. There's no way…is there? He hugged her to him. Gabriel is connected to Raine including their chakra circulatory systems. The pod had been almost awkwardly put together from the bottom up. As if the chakra that controlled the sand came from her feet. Could the baby have…?

Raine sighed tired and frustrated. She leaned against Gaara. "I'm not going crazy."

No, we both are. Gaara laughed. "But I've already reserved our tickets. First class." He kissed the top of her head and she looked up at him.

"Orochimaru wants our son. Promise me you'll never let that happen."

His heart skipped a beat. "Now you're scaring me," he teased.

"It's because of what Orochimaru did to me that Gabe is so strong. The gene therapy."

Stop it. You're fine! "Raine."

Maybe Gaara believed her; maybe he was afraid to believe her. She pulled away from her husband. "You'll see." Raine headed home.

Gaara consulted her medical specialist about Raine's unusual fears. The nin assured kazekage it was likely a reaction to the Uchiha's appearance in Sand. A bit of post traumatic stress mixed up with some new mommy excitement. Stress and hormones, a devilish mixture.

The strange thing was that the person responsible for saving Raine never turned up. ANBU investigated the area thoroughly, but the mystery sand user was still at large. It vexed Gaara greatly. Someone used desert jutsu to save his wife from enemy capture. Why did the Samaritan never come forward?

Eventually Raine calmed down again. Gaara had ANBU checking all of wind country for Sasuke or Sound. Weeks of searching turned up nothing. Things became peaceful at home again. Temari and Raine weren't back yet from shopping when Gaara arrived home to an empty house. He was on his way up to his room when he noticed the door to Raine's former room was ajar.

Go inside.

It was so faint he thought he imagined it. Gaara stepped over and pushed the door open. Everything looked in order here. "My imagination," he grumbled. Gaara turned to go out when something fell over by the desk. He turned and saw one of Raine's sketch books on the floor. It sat in a pool of sand. "What the fuck?"

Gaara stepped to the closest window and looked out. The courtyard was empty. His eyes went back to the pad on the floor. It just fell? He went to it and picked it up. The edges of a few drawings were sticking out so he opened the book to straighten the pages. Gaara stared down at the drawings he had never seen before. What the fuck is this shit?

Some of it was dark scribbles, some of it was eyes. Some of those eyes were Sharingan some like that of a snake. Gaara flipped through the drawings feeling his stomach drop. More eyes and hands, more dark scribbles. Oh Raine, when did you draw these? There were partial pictures mixed in with the scribbles; Sasuke and Orochimaru. In some drawings the Sound ninja impaled, even crucified. It was her way of killing them. He came to the end of the book and froze.

The sketch was an emulation of a famous painting, recreated by Raine with incredible detail. Gaara stood holding a baby. Behind him Orochimaru loomed waiting to take the child over. Raine was on her knees tugging in vain at Orochimaru's robes and Sasuke stood beside her counting coins as he looked at the woman he just bought. "Godamnit they fucked her up," he sighed heavily. "How long has she?"

Gaara took the book with him and went to his room. Even if it was going to upset her, Gaara had to speak to her about it. He didn't want to stress her out so close to the baby's due date, but if Raine needed help she was going to get it. How could I not see how deeply traumatized she was by it all? Damnit I have to make this right.

Raine came into the bedroom with a shopping bag in each hand. "Oh Gaara, you're home early." She laughed peeking into one of the bags. "Temari found this adorable little sailor suit! It's so cute!"

Looking at her happy smile it was hard to tell Raine was suffering somewhere inside. Am I blind? Gaara hurried to her and took her bags. "Raine I need to talk to you."

Gaara looked tense. "Everything was on sale Gaara I swear. Ask Temari."

He wanted to laugh and then he wanted to cry. Gaara set more baby clothes aside and hugged his wife. "I was in your room today Raine."

Her eyes finally fell on the art book on the bed. "Oh."

Gaara took Raine's face in his hands and looked down into her eyes. "You never showed me those drawings."

"I thought I threw them away." She hadn't touched the thing in quite some time. It was almost just a bad memory now; like the monsters drawn on the pages. She brought a hand up and covered one of his. "It was just how I got rid of it Gaara. I've always been able to draw away my crummy feelings. Those things I just throw away when I'm done."

"You didn't throw it away Raine."

"I thought I did."

Gaara frowned a little. "Did you? Are you sure?" There was a gap in the row of Raine's books on her desk. She must have known it was still there.

She frowned a little at Gaara. "Don't make it something it's not."

"What about the picture at the end Raine? It's a replica of The trade of the Madonna. It must have taken you…days to draw something like that."

"Gaara, I drew those pictures when I needed to. I drew them to let out what I was feeling."

He stroked his wife's cheek. "Why didn't you come talk to me Raine? Why didn't you tell me you were hurting inside?"

"Because it would have made Sasuke happy to see you suffering too. I'm not a ninja, but I can still fight that prick my own way. The pen is just as mighty as the sword. "

For a moment he was speechless. It was the first time ever Gaara saw steel in Raine's eyes. "Raine," she really has become a kage's wife.

She sighed a little relieved to have it all out and over now. Raine wrapped her arms around Gaara's neck. "Throw it away Gaara. We're both done with Uchiha Sasuke."

Gaara did.

Two weeks later Raine woke Gaara in the middle of the night. She was dressed, standing by the bed and her overnight bag was at her feet. Gaara sat up fast shaking off sleep. "Raine?"

"I think we should go." She bent a little as another contraction hit.

Gaara was on his feet and steadying his woman in a flash. "Are you alright?"

Raine squeezed his arm. "Get dressed Gaara."

Oww. He pried her hand off and hurried to find his pants. "I'll only be a second."

"I want Temari," she whined.

"Okay." The baby! His nervous excitement was starting to take hold. Gaara hurried to the door zipping his fly. He threw the door open and yelled, "Get up! Raine's having the baby!" He spun around to find a shirt.

She watched her husband rip into his dresser for a shirt. There was a goofy smile on Gaara's lips and Raine couldn't help but laugh. "Gaara."

He pulled a shirt on over his head and stepped back to his wife. "Shall I carry you?"

She lifted a hand to his cheek and smiled at him. "It's alright Gaara, don't panic."

"Gaara's panicking?" Kankuro panicked half asleep at the door.

Temari came out of her room tying her belt on. "Raine? You alright?" She pushed passed her brother and went to mouse.

She blushed a little; the gang was all here now. "It's time."

Temari nodded at her sister and looked at Gaara. "Well what the hell are you waiting for ne? Get her to the damn hospital already."

"Uh, right." Gaara swept Raine up into his arms. Her hand tightened around his shoulder. Oww, I better hurry.

Gaara hurried Raine to the hospital. Her attending was called while the med nin took his wife up to the delivery room. Kankuro and Temari arrived upstairs five minutes later and the trio stood in the hall waiting to be called in. Finally Megumi arrived. She smiled to see the first family of Sand huddled together in the corridor. "You look like a pack of scared jack rabbits," the doctor teased.

"Can I see Raine?" Gaara didn't think he could wait another second.

"Of course kazekage sama. Raine chan will be counting on you." Their first child. Look how excited they all are! How cute! Megumi led the way, Gaara followed.

Kankuro was still holding little mouse's overnight bag. "It will be over soon right?"

Temari rolled her eyes. "Just because the doctor got here that doesn't mean the baby is gonna jump right out. God Kankuro, didn't you hear anything Raine and I talked about?"

He frowned at her. Kankuro had heard plenty. Some of it was gross. "Excuse me for being a little impatient. I've only been waiting nine months," he huffed. Somewhere behind him Kankuro heard a horrible wailing sound. He swallowed hard. "Is that…?"

She cringed. "Yeah, poor mouse."

Kankuro's nervous stomach rolled over "Is she gonna…keep screaming like that?"

"It will probably get worse. Mouse is a little thing. Right now her hips are separating so the baby's head…"

He didn't need her to finish. Kankuro dropped the bag and slapped a hand over his mouth. No not here! He made a dash for the bathroom stumbling over the bag as he went. He made it to the toilet and let the chunks fly.

Temari could hear big brother pukeing his guts up even out in the hall. "For the love of…" she picked up Raine's bag and went to the nurse's station. "Could you tell me what Room they're moving Raine to when she's out of delivery? I think its better my brother wait there."

The nurse heard someone in the lav break into a round of dry heaves. Chicken shit. She chuckled. "Big strong ninja ne?"

Temari laughed. "Just wait until there's diapers."

Gaara sat beside Raine doing his best to be there for her. He held one of her hands and pushed her hair out of her face. He could see she was hurting. Some of the noises she made curled his toes. "It's alright."

"It's terrific," Megumi informed. "You're doing splendid Raine chan, now it's time to push. The next contraction you feel you push through it okay?"

"Okay," Raine was a little winded. This fucking sucks! I want it over! She was ready to get little Gabe out right now!

This is it! "Breathe!" Gaara broke into faster breaths trying to help.

"If you keep breathing like that kazekage sama you're going to hypervenalate and pass out," the doctor advised. "Deep breath Raine and…"

Her hand crushed his and Gaara winced at the look on his wife's face. Oww.

"Push Raine chan."

She did, with every fiber of her being. "Get…it…out!"

Kankuro had finally emerged from the bathroom. Temari was on her way to meet him when she heard Raine's painful plea. Big brother must have heard it to because he swooned and fainted. A nearby med nin hurried to him. Temari's face turned dark red. Oh god how embarrassing. "Um, could you just get me a wheelchair for him or something?" I've got to get him out of here!

"Okay," Megumi balanced the baby in her hands.

Gaara wasn't sure what the hell was going on. Rain had all but collapsed and the nurses were fluttering around Raine's doc. A second later Gaara heard a tiny cry. He lost his breath. "…baby…"

Raine smiled hearing her baby's first cry. His lungs sure sounded just fine. "Is he?"

"He's perfect," Megumi assured her patient. She passed the baby off to her nurse.

Gaara watched as two nurses hovered over his baby. "What are they doing?"

A nurse laughed. "Height and weight kazakage sama. You can have your son in a moment."

"Oh, okay." He looked back down at Raine and she smiled up at him. "Are you alright?" her grip on his hand had relaxed. She looked exhausted.

"That shit really hurt." Gaara laughed a little and kissed her on the lips.

One nurse filled in a chart while the other swaddled the baby. "Do you have a name picked out for your son kazekage sama?"

Gaara smiled up at the nurse. "Yes Gabriel. His name is Gabriel."

"Very nice," the nurse wrote the name in.

The other nurse lifted the baby and stepped toward Rain with him. "Gabriel was the first angel," she handed the baby to his mother.

He watched awed as Raine took the squirming bundle from the nurse. Rain was smiling as she pulled the blankets away from the baby's face. Gaara looked down at his son and laughed. "Oh my god it's me!"

The nurses laughed as Raine brought her son between her and Gaara. Gabe did indeed look very much like his father. He had a crop of strawberry hair and tiny little eyebrows to match. "Oh he's beautiful." She stroked the baby's cheek with her finger. He stopped fussing and looked at her.

"He has your eyes," Gaara touched his son's fuzzy red head.

"Six pounds four ounces, nineteen inches long," the nurse with the chart informed.

Gaara stared at the tiny baby. A person that's only six pounds? That's crazy. Gaara chuckled. "He's so little."

Raine tore her eyes from her son and looked at her husband. Little Gabe held daddy spellbound. "Are you going to hold him Gaara?"

He blinked at Raine. For a moment he was afraid. He's so small! Raine helped him and a moment later Gaara had his son in the crook of his arm. The little guy was squirming in his blanket so Gaara tried to help. He tugged the blanket back and a tiny hand escaped. Gabriel's hand reached for something and Gaara offered him his finger. His son tried to hold onto Gaara's pinky and daddy laughed. "Look at how small his hands are Raine!"

She couldn't help but laugh at Gaara a little. Her husband was infatuated with Gabe's tiny parts, kissing his little fingers. She couldn't resist smoothing out the baby's hair. Gaara took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Gaara."

"Thank you wife." Gaara kissed Raine's hand and she smiled. "He's beautiful."

Raine thought so too. "I love you Gaara."

"I love you Raine." Gaara kissed his wife.

Temari and Kankuro had been waiting about an hour when a nurse escorted Raine and Gaara into the new mother's room. Kankuro frowned. "Shouldn't she be in a wheelchair or something?" he grunted.

The nurse made sure Raine went to bed. "She's fine."

Temari hurried to Raine's side. "You okay? What about the baby?"

Raine smiled at Temari. "He looks just like Gaara."

Temari squealed and hugged Raine, Gaara laughed. "Damnit Temari be careful with her!" Kankuro panicked.

The nurse headed out laughing. This must be uncle throw up and faint. "I'll go get Gabriel for you."

"Wait a minute, they're gonna bring the baby here?" Kankuro hurried to his feet. "What about germs?"

Gaara smiled at his brother. "It's alright Kankuro."

He frowned at his slobbish baby brother. Poor mouse was screaming like that cuz Gaara's a slob. "You better keep your dick in your pants buddy."

"Wha?" Gaara blinked at his brother.

"Kankuro got sick hearing mouse scream," Temari tattled.

Raine looked at her dear brother. "Aww, Kankuro."

"He fainted too." Temari grinned and Gaara busted up laughing.

"Oi," Kankuro straightened. "That was terrible."

"You're telling me," Raine nodded.

Gaara went to the bed and sat beside his wife. "I'm sorry Raine. Can you forgive me?" He smiled at her. Gaara still thought she glowed. "Mommy."

She reached for him and Gaara hugged her. "You're going to let me max out the Visa card daddy."

He laughed and kissed his wife. "Diamonds right?"

"You better give her diamonds for this," Kankuro was still disturbed. "Jeez Gaara, quit hanging on her; give her some room!" He shuddered to think of mouse ever screaming like that again. One kid is enough!

"It's alright Kankuro," Temari shook her head. "She isn't going to break."

The nurse appeared in the door with the kage's bundle of joy in her arms. "Here he is."

Temari was to the baby first, Kankuro was right behind her. "Oh my!" Temari covered her mouth from squealing.

"Holy shit he looks just like Gaara!" Kankuro snorted a laugh.

The nurse eyed the parents on the bed and Gaara nodded. She offered the baby to Temari. Temari carefully took her nephew staring down at him. "Just call if you need anything." The nurse went out.

Kankuro hovered over his sister trying to get a good look at his nephew. "Lemme see too Temari!"

Gaara hugged Raine closer as his siblings fussed over the baby. "Kankuro, Temari meet Gabriel."

"Oh my god he's so cute!" Temari gushed.

"He's really small. Are babies supposed to be this small?" Kankuro worried.

"Hi Gabe I'm auntie Temari."

"I can't hold something that small!"

Raine laughed and snuggled against Gaara. He smiled down at her. "He does look just like his daddy."

"Hell yeah he does," Gaara was nearly bursting with pride. "Gabe is beautiful. Its all thanks to you." He kissed Raine again.

The baby started to fuss. "Aww," Temari melted at his tiny cry.

"Do something," Kankuro insisted. "He's crying."

Temari rolled her eyes. "He probably got a good look at your ugly mug. Makes me wanna cry too." She took Gabe to his mommy and Raine took him.

She settled her son against her and he quieted some. "What's the matter sweetie?"

Temari smiled at the picture perfect happy family. "Congratulations you two."

"Right!" Kankuro stepped in line with his sister.

Gaara nodded. "Thank you."

Now that Raine had the baby Kankuro felt more relaxed. "Mommy and daddy." Gaara is a dad…wow…

"Auntie Temari!" Temari beamed.

The infant yawned and everyone in the room swooned, it was just too cute. Gaara held his wife and child. "This is the happiest day of my life," he whispered in Raine's ear.

"Mine too." She turned and kissed Gaara.