Raine in the Desert

by Hack Interrupted

Gaara finds the love of his life

8. Chapter 8

8

Tsunade was expecting Temari, so was Shikamaru. The chunin was beside himself with worry. Choji and Naruto waited with him outside of hokage's place. Naruto couldn't wait to speak to Kankuro. He was sure the sand ninja would go after Gaara once Temari was seen to. Naruto was never more ready to go after his old friend in all his life.

A squadron of Sand shinobi whisked Temari to Konoha hospital. Shikamaru ran inside after his girl and Choji followed. Kankuro stopped in front of Naruto with Gabe in his arms. "Naruto."

"Na toe," Gabe mimicked.

Naruto smiled at the baby. "Hi Gabe."

"I need Kiba, Kakashi too if I can have him. Sand has followed Sasuke's trail into fire country." He shifted Gabe in his arms. "As soon as I know Temari is okay I'm going after Sasuke too. He was taking her east."

East. Pieces of the puzzle started clicking together in Naruto's head. "Rice country. So Hidden Sound really is still there somewhere."

"Akamaru and Pakkun are both familiar with Sasuke's scent. They should know mouse by now too." He was sure Akamaru did. Kiba had come home with her scent on him more then once.

"I'm going with you. Kiba hasn't come back from his mission yet, but I'll go see if I can find Kakashi sensei. Sakura is inside with Tsunade. She should come too in case…" he didn't have the heart to finish. The last time Sasuke had Raine he had hurt her.

Kankuro nodded. He would take any backup he could get. He had to hurry inside to his sister and the hokage. "Hurry back. I'm going to go talk to Tsunade."

Naruto took off quick as Kankuro went inside to see to Temari. He didn't get far before Lee fell in beside him. "The Sand shinobi have arrived with Temari san?" Lee was beyond furious that Sasuke would stoop so low as to use the Mangekyo Sharingan on a woman. Temari was tough, but she was still a lady.

"Tsunade is taking care of Temari. Kankuro is going to leave Gabe with them and we're going looking for Sasuke. They've chased him into fire country."

"Raine san is in fire country?" Lee hoped that they weren't too late.

"The Sand ninja followed them here. I'm going to find Kakashi sensei right now. His ninken can pick up their trail."

I bet they can. "I'm going with you. Neji will want to come too."

Naruto would take all the help he could get dealing with Sasuke and Lee was probably more worried about Raine then even he was. "Alright, go get him and meet me back at the hospital as fast as you can."

"Got it." Lee took off for Hinata's house where Neji was training. He wondered where Gaara was right now. Searching the forests of fire country for his wife no doubt. Lee knew better then anyone else in Konoha how much Gaara loved Raine and their son. He can't lose her. He won't lose her. Lee knew something else. Gaara would die for Raine.

Raine awoke to unfamiliar surroundings. She was in a large bedroom lying on a huge bed. The comforter was black velvet; the pillow she rested her head on was cased in black silk. She sat up and looked around the dimly lit room. Aside from the big bed there were also two big wardrobes and a desk. The door was open to the spacious dark bathroom that belonged to this room. Behind the desk and between the two wardrobes were doors that were closed. She saw nothing on the walls until when she turned to look behind her. Above the bed hung a water color of the Uchiha family crest. Oh shit this is Sasuke's room!

She slid to the edge of the bed noticing an ache in her arm. Raine looked down and saw a band aid covering a vein high up on her inner forearm. She ripped the band aid off and saw the puncture hole. Fuck, what did they do to me! She stood and went to the door behind the desk; it was locked from the other side. "Damnit!"

Raine hurried to the other door and tried it. It wasn't going to open either. Shit. She tried to swallow her rising panic. This must be Sasuke's room in Hidden Sound. Shit how long have we been here? Where is this place? Her eyes scanned the room. There were no windows, just the locked doors that led who knows where.

Raine went to the desk and turned on the lamp. It gave her a better view of the room. She saw a stack of journals on the desk and grabbed the top one; it was blank. So were the three below it. Beside the stack of blank journals was a stack of new and unused sketch books. What the…. She shifted her eyes to the wardrobes. They weren't all that different from the mated set she and Gaara had in their own bedroom. She set the blank drawing paper down and stepped over to the feminine wardrobe.

Her hand wrapped around the door knob of the wardrobe. Raine took a deep breath and pulled. There was woman's clothing hanging inside. Raine grabbed a silky red dress and pulled it to her. It looked about right, but she wanted to be sure. She checked the tag. It's my size.

"I see you're settling in," Sasuke said from behind her.

She hadn't heard him come in and Raine jumped. She spun around to face him clutching the dress in her hand. "Where are we? What is this place? And what is the meaning of this!" Raine held the dress out and shook it.

"This is your home Raine, this is our room. Those are your things." Sasuke stepped closer to her. She in turn stepped back toward the desk. He noticed the journals had been moved. "I see you've found your journals. I believe I got the drawing and writing tablets you like."

Raine froze as Sasuke stepped past her and went to the desk. Her eyes followed him. He opened a drawer and pulled out several black pens and a set of art pencils. She looked down at the desk seeing the exact same things she used at home all the time. Raine swallowed hard. "Why did you get these things Sasuke?"

He thought she looked a little nervous. "This is the stuff you prefer to use isn't it?" He picked up a pencil and read off the brand name. "Tippy Black, you like that kind the best to draw with. You always write your stories using a black pen and you like college ruled paper." He smiled at her and set the pencil on the desk.

Her heart was beating faster then it had been just a second ago. "How do you know that?" Did he read my mind or do something…

"I've been watching you for a long time Raine." He advanced on her again. She backed up but Sasuke kept moving toward her. "I know everything about you."

She was trying not to cower and run but it was hard. She still held the dress in her hands and used hanging it back up as her excuse to step away from was he stalking me Sasuke. Raine hurried back to the wardrobe and hung the dress up. She was too freaked out to face Sasuke right this second. Raine stared at the dresses. They were all silk.

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders and watched her backside. I guess I'll have to prove it. "You always hold your Martin sketchbook at a slight angle when you draw. You use Olay quench lotion on your hands at least three times a day. You sing in the shower. You have seven different pair of red panties. You brush your teeth with Mentadent." He chuckled. "Shall I go on?"

Raine turned and looked at the ninja he's a fucking stalker that had captured her. "You've been spying on me?"

"Watching you," he corrected stepping closer to Raine. She had nowhere to run unless she was going to crawl into the wardrobe. He stopped a foot from her and looked down at her. "Missing you." He reached up and took her cheek in his hand. Her skin was soft.

She wasn't sure what to do. Sasuke didn't look angry, quite the contrary. There was an amorous look in his eyes. Shit. Stay away from me you bastard! She wanted to grab a hanger and poke his damn eye out. She forced herself to stay calm. Raine reached up and took the wrist near her face. She slowly pulled Sasuke's hand away watching his eyes.

Sasuke wiggled enough to get out of her grip and he took her hand before she could draw it back. He laced their fingers together. "Come now Raine, no need to be shy." He reached for her with his free hand. She tried to step back but he hooked his arm around her waist and pulled him up against him with a quick tug.

"Stop it Sasuke," she brought he free hand up and tried to push them apart.

He moved his face closer to hers and she turned her head away from him. Sasuke put his lips close to her ear. "I know you're not shy Raine. I've seen you."

Seen? She felt his hot breath on her neck and then his lips. She tried again to push away from him. "Stop it!" Raine fought her rising panic.

There was still the faint smell of her sweet perfume on her neck. He kissed her and nipped at her earlobe. There would be time to hash out their problems later. Sasuke still had a surprise for Raine. He drew back a little and stared at her until he had her attention. "I have something else for you Raine. You're going to love it."

The landscape was starting to change. "We're nearing the end of fire country," Shino advised. "It's not far to the border."

Kiba didn't care where they were. He was hot on Raine's trail and that was all that mattered. "If Sasuke's crossed the border, I'm crossing the border too."

"I'm not saying that we shouldn't continue to pursue, but let's not make any unnecessary movements. Reinforcements will be catching up with us soon enough."

It won't be soon enough if Sasuke's torturing her. Kiba could tell by the scent of things that not a drop of Raine's blood had been spilled. Sasuke hadn't thrown her down somewhere and raped her either. He was willing to bet that Kankuro was going to be among the reinforcements that were behind them. "Alright Shino, we'll do this carefully then. Akamaru and I can sniff them out right Akamaru?"

"Is he really taking her back to Hidden Sound?" Hinata was anxious. She was worried about her friend and Sound had some dangerous ninja.

"Yes," Shino answered.

She looked at Shino. Sakura had told Hinata things about the Uchiha that made her afraid for Raine. "It will be difficult to get Raine chan out of Sound if we can find it."

"We'll find it!" Kiba was determine.

Shino was working over strategy in his head. Attacking Sound head on was suicidal with just the three of them. "We'll find it, scout it out and wait for backup."

If that's how it's gotta be. Kiba kept his nose in the wind. "Gaara can get Raine out of there. He can get her out of anywhere. He'll save her."

Shikamaru and Choji waited patiently in the hall. Sakura stood back watching Tsunade take care of Temari; watching and trying to learn. Kankuro stood at the foot of the bed holding Gabe. Shizune stood beside him holding Tonton. Gabe was patting the little pig's nose. Tonton sneezed; Gabe startled and then laughed excited and delighted. "Ton ton ton!" Gabe clapped his hands.

Tsunade finished with Temari and stepped back watching the young woman. Temari stirred and slowly opened her eyes. "Welcome back Temari."

Kankuro sighed with relief and stepped closer to the bed. "Oi Temari, you okay?"

Hokage? Her eyes drifted to her brother and. "Gabe!" Temari sat up and put her arms out for her nephew.

He hurried to take the baby to his sister. Kankuro passed Gabe to her and she hugged him tight. She wasn't being loud about it, but Kankuro could hear his sister crying. "Temari, are you alright."

She hugged Gave trying not to think about the horrible things Sasuke had showed her about her nephew. "Uchiha Sasuke. He took mouse."

"Gaara's on it," Kankuro had much to tell her. "We've followed them into fire country."

"Where's Gaara?" she hoped he was kicking the shit out of Sasuke this very moment.

"He's tailing mouse right now." He caught his breath and straightened. "We're at war with Sound. Gaara and some of our best shinobi are after Sasuke."

She didn't need big brother to finish. "Gaara's going after Hidden Sound."

Kankuro nodded and looked at Tsunade. The hokage was frowning some. "I'm leaving Temari and Gabe here and going to catch up with Gaara. Naruto has gone to find Kakashi. With his ninken we'll be able to catch Gaara in no time."

Tsunade agreed. "Take whoever you need Kankuro. I'll look after Temari and Gabe."

Temari opened her mouth to protest being left behind when the door to the room burst open and Shino's father stepped in. "Forgive the interruption hokage sama," Shibi said coming in. "I've received a message from my son. He and his team are trailing Uchiha Sasuke and the kidnapped princess in the northern forest."

Shino was teamed up with "Kiba!" Kankuro stared at the bug user waiting for him to say more.

Shibi nodded at Kankuro. "Your princess is still alive."

Mouse… Kankuro didn't think Sasuke had intended to kill Raine, at least not right away. The Uchiha would probably try to play 'happy couple' with her for a while; he was obsessed. And when the sicko realizes he'll never have her heart he'll kill her.

"We will pursue team eight," Tsunade decided. She looked at Kankuro. "Take as many shinobi as you need. If Sand is attacking Sound, so are we. We are allies with a mutual enemy after all." Damn Jiraiya. Where are you when I need you? Can Gaara really fight Sasuke and Orochimaru? "Sakura, you're team is going too." Tsunade started for the door. Shizune followed. "Shibi I need my best jonin right away. Shizune, your team is going too and get me the Inuzuka clan. I want their ninken on the job. They'll find Kiba faster then anyone else can."

Temari waited until the Konoha ninja had gone out. "Kankuro."

He returned his attention to his sister on the bed. Gabe was in her lap tugging on one of her bracelets. "You okay?"

"It's mouse I'm worried about…and Gaara."

"Gaara can take care of himself, mouse too. He'll get her back." He tried to hide his anxiety from his sister.

The door opened and Shikamaru stepped in staring at Temari. "Are you alright?"

"Shik ah ooh!" Gabe greeted the familiar face.

Temari smiled a little as Shikamaru hurried to her side. Choji lurked in the doorway. "I'm alright," she assured him.

Shikamaru walked right up to her and kissed his girl on the lips. He didn't care who was watching or that she might slug him for such a public display of affection. He looked down into her eyes. "I was worried about you."

She blinked up at Shikamaru. "Uh…" she was surprised he was so affectionate in front of her brother. "I'm fine."

Kankuro squinted one eye shut and fixed the other on the chunin. "Take it easy there hot lips. Big brother is standing right here."

Choji hid a smile in his hand and Temari's cheeks turned pink. Shikamaru straightened. "Sorry." He took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. "Our team is going too. Choji and I have to go find Asuma sensei."

Temari frowned a little. It vexed her to be laid up at a time like this. "I should be going too."

"You rest. Your and Gabe's stuff is right there," Kankuro nodded at their bags to his right. Take care of Gabe and get your strength back."

"Ta ta," Gabe patted his aunts cheek and she hugged at him.

"You guys better come back alive," she directed at all of them.

Kankuro patted Gabe's head. "No problem."

They had been running for what felt like forever hopped up on food pills that could keep a ninja going for days. Gaara's whole body tingled with the weird energy. Ahead of him the wolves sniffed out Raine's trail for them. Canis lupus baileyi had worked out splendidly in the desert. The grey wolf was better then any dog in the heat.

But we're not in the desert anymore. They had been in fire country for hours. His thoughts went to his sister. He wondered if Tsunade had seen her yet. She'll be alright Temari is strong. He couldn't help but wonder what sort of hellish things the Uchiha had shown his sister. He worried what the bastard was doing to his wife. Godamn you Sasuke.

Gaara and Raine had discussed what had transpired when Sasuke had abducted her before Sound's failed attack on Sand. Raine had been smart and careful enough around the Uchiha then to keep Sasuke off of her, at least up until the end. But things are different now. Sick fuck thinks he's in love with her. Gaara frowned wondering how much time his clever wife could buy herself before the Uchiha forced himself on her; probably not much. Don't you touch her Sasuke!

Ahead, Zoro the dominant male wolf howled and altered their course slightly. Gaara and his ninja kept up. I'm coming Raine.

Sasuke led Raine to the door behind the desk with an arm around her waist. He lifted two fingers and dispelled the jutsu sealing the door, "Kai." He stepped in and flipped the switch to turn on the lights. "In here Raine."

Raine stepped in behind Sasuke and her heart jumped into her throat. Changing table, dresser, rocking chair, crib. A nursery. She immediately thought of Gabe. Is he planning to kidnap Gabe?

He thought she looked quite surprised and Sasuke smiled. And now for the best surprise. Sasuke stepped over to the crib and looked down at his sleeping son. "Raine, there is someone I want you to meet."

Gabe! She moved toward the crib on legs that felt weak. It wasn't Gabe in the crib, it was a tiny baby. Raine swallowed hard as she came to the edge of the crib looking down at the infant. There was something hauntingly familiar about the baby. He looks like…

Sasuke tucked the blanket away from the baby's face so Raine could get a good look at him. "This is Saichi. He's our son." He turned to look at her. "Yours and mine."

What? The baby did indeed look like it belonged to Sasuke. She had seen the Uchiha family baby album. Our son! She remembered waking up on the kitchen floor at Hotohori's; that was almost ten months ago. "No…"

"You're his mother Raine," Sasuke studied her shocked expression. "Don't you want to love him?"

He looked like an Uchiha but Raine also saw features in the infant's face that reminded her of Gabe. This is…my child! She broke out in goose bumps and looked at Sasuke. "How could you…" she took a step away from him.

"I wanted you to be here for his birth but Itachi kind of fucked that up for me. I came for you just as soon as he was born though Raine. He's only five days old. I hope you'll forgive me for being late."

She was beyond horrified. Orochimaru had robbed her of her unborn and used what he stole to make Sasuke the father of her child. Orochimaru… another horrible thought popped into her head. Raine stepped forward and grabbed Sasuke by the front of the shirt. "What did he do to him? What has Orochimaru done to that baby?"

Protective mother. Sasuke closed his hands over the ones she had clutching his shirt. "It's alright Raine; Orochimaru hasn't done anything to Saichi. He's perfectly fine."

Perhaps the evil sannin couldn't do anything to one so small. Raine had been a toddler when Orochimaru experimented on her. She pulled away from Sasuke and looked back down at the baby. He was starting to stir, about to wake. Raine clung to the rail watching the infant.

Sasuke stood back watching Raine admire their son. Saichi was starting to move and make his wake up noises. After a moment Sasuke went to the crib and stood beside Raine. She was frozen staring at their baby. He put an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. "He has your eyes Raine."

Raine was staring down into eyes like hers, like Gabe's. It felt like her strength was running down and out of her legs. "This is…my child…"

"You've been wanting to have another baby haven't you? Saichi is perfect and you didn't even have to go through some tedious pregnancy or painful labor." Sasuke smiled at her. "Doesn't he make you happy Raine?"

The baby started to fuss. Sasuke made no move to pick him up and after a minute Saichi started to cry. Raine felt like crying too. She lifted the infant and brought the crying bundle close to her. This poor baby… "Are you trying to say that you made him for me?"

He liked to see her holding their baby. Saichi settled some in his mother's arms. Sasuke rubbed his boys head. "There Saichi. Now you've got your mommy."

Raine wanted an answer. "Why did you make this child?"

Sasuke looked up into Raine's eyes. Yes he has his mother's eyes. "We're the last of the Uchiha. Our children will be powerful Raine." He took his hand off Saichi's soft black hair and grabbed Raine's chin.

"What do you mean children? Are there more of them?"

"Not yet." Sasuke moved his face closer to Raine's. Her back was to the crib and she didn't make any move to fight him with the baby in her arms. "Orochimaru and Kabuto made Saichi with science, but I thought we'd make the next one the old fashioned way." He held her teeth closed and kissed her softly on the lips.

Raine never took her eyes off of Sasuke. He's fucking crazy. She didn't want to be a mean shit, but Raine knew how to make a baby cry. She flattened Saichi in her arms and he fussed harder. "Get me a bottle for this baby," she nearly hissed.

"You're such a devoted mother Raine. It's one of the things I love about you." Sasuke kissed her on the forehead and went out into the bedroom. "I'll be right back."

She waited until she heard the door close before she let out a long frightened breath. Raine took the baby and sat down in the rocker with him. "Shhhh baby," she adjusted him so she could rub his back. His tiny cries stabbed at her heart. Oh god Raine started to cry this is hell.

They were closer to the border when the sky started turning grey. Kiba grit his teeth and ran them hard. Shit we're running right into a storm. Too much rain would wash away Sasuke's scent. "Stay on it Akamaru!"

Shino was trying to access the size of the storm. It was huge. The first wave of light grey was nearly above them and the horizon was nearly black. The insects around here were already scrambling for cover. "Stay sharp. The storm ahead is nasty. Take cover if it gets too dangerous."

The wind kicked up and thunder rolled in the distance. Kiba could smell the lightning he saw flash in the clouds ahead. "Maybe you can find a short cut ne Hinata?"

Hinata hurried forward and used her white eyes to scout ahead. "I'll see what I can do."

Kabuto came into the study with a printout in his hand and a big grin on his lips. "Orochimaru sama I have interesting news."

"Oh," he eyed the paper in Kabuto's hand.

He handed the test results over. "Raine's blood work. She's pregnant."

The sannin was aware that the kazekage had been working on making another heir. His eyes went over the test results. Pregnant ne?

"She's only two and a half weeks along. She probably isn't even aware of it yet." Kabuto was smug.

"It's still quite early," Orochimaru had an idea, probably the same one Kabuto did. The med nin was grinning sadistically. Such an ambitious boy.

"Early enough to make it twins," Kabuto went to the point. "Sasuke would be less likely to harm Raine if she was carrying his child as well."

Two superior ninja for the price of one. I won't even have to worry about Gabriel. Orochimaru laughed. "I like the way you think Kabuto. Are you quite certain you can do this without harming the precious cargo my dear sweet Raine is carrying?"

He was positive. "Yes, absolutely." Kabuto was thrilled to be of service to Orochimaru in such a way.

"Such enthusiasm. I'll leave it to you Kabuto. I suggest you make haste. It wont take our guest long to figure out she's expecting."

"I'll get right to it Orochimaru sama." Kabuto went out and started for the lab. The boss would owe him big time for this. He would prove himself to be just as valuable as Sasuke, even more so by giving his master his future and then I'll be the favorite.

Sasuke returned with a warm bottle for his hungry son and handed it to Raine. She set to work feeding their baby at once. Sasuke stood back and watched his family. "You're very good with him Raine."

"I know how to take care of a baby." The poor thing was starving. He couldn't get it down fast enough.

"I know. I watched you with Gabriel. Not when he was this small, but…" She frowned at him accusingly. Perhaps it was best not to comment on her parenting. She was a protective mother after all. It was a good thing though.

You mean you stalked me you sick freak. Raine sighed annoyed and looked back at the baby. As fast as he was eating she was going to have to burp him soon. "How do you expect me to take care of Saichi without a kitchen ne?"

Sasuke straightened. She said his name! "I can have everything you need brought to you anytime you need."

He noticed. Raine had decided while Sasuke was fetching Saichi's bottle that the baby in her arms was going to be her greatest weapon against his evil father. "I can take care of my son myself. I don't need servants I need a godamn kitchen."

Take care of…"Our son," Sasuke reminded her stepping closer to the rocking chair. She loves him already.

"I need a kitchen Sasuke. Bottles and hot water," Raine pressed. She had to test her boundaries. Could she escape these rooms? Maybe get someplace she might be able to escape from? She had to try.

He had hoped that she would take care of Saichi, but he hadn't been expecting her to flatly refuse servants and demand a kitchen. "Alright Raine, we'll do some remodeling. I'll have your kitchen added off the nursery."

She pulled the bottle away from the baby and turned him to burp him. Saichi fussed. He was still hungry. "Why the hell can't I just go to the damn kitchen?"

"I can't have you roaming around Raine. I don't think you'd find the world out there very appealing. Lots of scary Sound ninja," he teased.

"I have to stay in these rooms," she clarified.

He sighed. It sounded more like kidnapping when she put it that way. "For now. It's better this way."

There was one thing she wanted to make crystal clear to Sasuke. "I don't want Orochimaru near Saichi. Not even for a minute. You keep that bastard away from us."

Sasuke smiled a little. Raine was sounding more like wife and mother now that she was settling in with their baby. "If that is your wish."

She got a few bubbles out of Saichi and went back to feeding him. I can't leave here, but he'll protect me from whoever the hell is out there. Raine swallowed hard trying to figure out how she was going to protect herself from Sasuke. Stay calm. "It is. I don't want Saichi exposed to someone like him so young."

He rested a hand on the arm of the rocker and leaned in closer to his family. "Someone like him? And what about me Raine? Orochimaru and I are alike."

Shit. "You're not like Orochimaru," she only wished it was true. Raine told Sasuke what she suspected he wanted to hear. "Besides, you're Saichi's father."

That's right I am. Sasuke smiled at her. "You don't think I am like Orochimaru?" Sasuke tested her. Do you still fear me Raine?

There was something doing cartwheels in her stomach. Raine forced herself to speak. "You know what it is to love someone, he doesn't."

"Love?" Sasuke leaned in closer so his face was close to hers.

Raine looked him in the eye. "You love Saichi don't you?"

"Do you?" He moved even closer. He could feel her breath on his lips.

She frowned a little. "He's my son isn't he?"

"So we should love him because he's our son."

Raine felt horrible for the baby. Saichi didn't ask to be made and his life here would likely be hell. "He's…beautiful."

"I'm glad you think so too Raine." Sasuke kissed her lightly on the lips. "Of course I love Saichi." His free hand went to her cheek and he took her face in his hand. "His mother too."

Oh god…Her hands were busy with the baby, she couldn't push Sasuke off. "Sasuke…Saichi really needs my attention right now."

"I understand; you need to bond." He stepped back and gave the new mommy her space with her beautiful baby. "Can I get you anything Raine?"

Yeah the hell out of here. "Maybe we can have some hot tea after I settle Saichi," Raine tried her best to stay calm and accommodating.

Sasuke smiled. "Tea? Sounds nice." He tried not to let his excitement show but Sasuke was thrilled Raine wanted to spend some quality time with her new family.

"Saichi is healthy isn't he Sasuke?"

Her concern warmed his heart. "He's perfect. He even has the chromosomal anomaly you passed on to him. He's healthy and he'll be strong."

She was concerned about what was going to become of this baby, Saichi was part her. "And then what? He'll fight for Orochimaru?"

Sasuke didn't like the sound of that. "Orochimaru won't bother Saichi. He already has what he wants from me. We made a deal."

Raine thought she knew what half of that deal was. "Orochimaru gave you power so you could…kill your brother."

"Itachi had to die. He was evil."

And what are you? "He was your brother. He was all you had Sasuke."

Sasuke shook his head. It still hurt him to think about Itachi. He could still remember his lifeless eyes. "I have you and Saichi. I have no need for him; beside, Itachi had to pay for what he did. He killed them all."

She thought back to her conversation with Sakura in the kitchen about the Uchiha. Does insanity run in your family? "You cried for him."

"Sure I did. He was my brother, my goal in life. It was because of Itachi that all of my dreams were trapped in the past, but things are different now Raine." Sasuke got to one knee in front of the rocker so he could be close to his family. "I've finally put it all behind me. I'm free to have my own life again. A life I will share with you and Saichi. We'll rebuild the Uchiha. We'll start over together."

Sasuke rested a hand on her knee and smiled up at her. She hoped that he couldn't hear how hard her heart was pounding. "Rebuild your clan? That sounds like a pretty tall order, don't you think?"

He laughed. "Don't be nervous Raine. You don't have to have all of them naturally. Kabuto has got pretty good at this whole genetic engineering thing."

"Kabuto, who's that?"

"I guess you can call him Saichi's doctor. He'll look after you too."

He said doctor and she remembered waking up with a band aid on her arm. "Did he give me a shot? I had a mark on my arm when I woke up."

"He sedated you long enough for me to get some sleep. Took a blood sample."

"And where were you Sasuke when this guy was sticking me with needles?" Some protector he had turned out to be.

"I was in our bed next to you Raine." She looked somewhat distressed. "He didn't hurt you; I would never allow that to happen." The look she was giving him made him feel sort of guilty. "I'm sorry Raine; I was tired and needed some sleep."

A million thoughts ran through her mind. "Is he the one that attacked me while I was at Lord Hotohori's?"

Unfortunately he was. "Yes, but he didn't hurt you."

"Didn't hurt me? My ovary collapsed! I'm barren on one side," she had to stop. Her mood was agitating the baby. Saichi was trying to free his tiny limbs from his blanket. Raine looked down at him and Saichi freed a hand from his covering. She could see Gaara kissing Gabe's tiny fingers the day he was born in her mind's eye. Saichi opened his eyes and looked at his mother and Raine burst into tears.

Sasuke leaned in close and put an arm around her, "It's alright Raine."

It wasn't alright, it certainly wasn't fair. She and Gaara were having difficulty making Gabe a playmate; they had been trying for months. And I'm like this because they made a baby for Sasuke! "It's not fair," she mourned.

"I know it isn't," Sasuke kissed her forehead. "It's okay though Raine, that doesn't matter to me. We can still have many more beautiful children, as many as you want. You don't even have to bear any of them if you don't want to."

Gaara…The tears rolled down her face. I want to see Gaara. She turned away from Sasuke. "I…I can't talk about this right now. I need…some time to think."

He kissed the top of her head and stood up. Sasuke didn't want to push her too much. She was mothering Saichi of her own accord and for now that was good enough. "Don't worry so much Raine. I'll be perfectly happy with however you decide to make our family grow."

She wasn't sure how much more of the crap coming out of Sasuke's mouth she could listen to. We aren't a family! You're not my husband!

He backed off some more hoping if she had some time alone with Saichi she would settle down. "Why don't I get that tea?" Sasuke turned and went back through the bedroom and out into the corridor. He and Raine may have difficulty conceiving, but Kabuto could probably do something to make her body more receptive.

Sasuke started to think about what it would be like to watch her belly swell with his child inside of her. And I bet her boobs will get bigger again too. A lecherous smile spread across his face. He almost couldn't wait to settle Saichi into his crib tonight and take his woman to bed. I'm better then Gaara Raine, I'll show you.

A small army comprised of Sand and Leaf shinobi headed north by north east through the forest of fire country. Ninken fanned out ahead and all around them searching for familiar scents. Kankuro ran between Rock Lee and Hatake Kakashi wondering whose scent the dogs would pick up first. He wanted to find his little mouse fast, before the Uchiha could smuggle her down into the hell hole Orochimaru called Hidden Sound.

Kankuro had his concerns about attacking the enemy village too. No one knew how many shinobi Orochimaru had in Sound or how many of them sported that damn annoying cursed seal Orochimaru could bestow on strong men. Kankuro had fought freaks like that before but many others in his party had not. Had it not been for him Gaara and Temari; Kiba Shikamaru and Rock Lee would be dead at the hands of the Sound Five. Body snatching freaks and high level genjutsu users. This could get rough.

Somewhere in the distance a ninken howled. "It's Gaara and the Sand shinobi," Pakkun relayed as he ran beside Kakashi.

"Gaara? That is good news," Lee kept up beside Kankuro.

"They must still be following Sasuke's trail." Naruto frowned. Gaara…He's trying so desperately to save his wife.

"Of course they are," Kankuro was sure of it. "Gaara aint gonna let that bastard get away with mouse."

"He'll follow her right into the belly of Sound ne?" Kakashi thought aloud.

Kankuro squint an eye shut. His brother would follow his wife into hell if he had to. "Gaara loves her."

Lee thought that pretty much said it all. "Gaara can find Raine anywhere on earth Sasuke could possibly take her. Her rescue is certain."

He had been standing beside his little brother when Gaara raised Raine right up through the ground with his sand. Hidden Sound had a flaw, it was underground. No surprise to Kankuro, he knew snakes like Orochimaru liked to burrow in the ground. Gaara can see right into the earth. He'll get you mother fuckers.

Kankuro's eye twitched nervously. He remembered the condition his little mouse had been in when they rescued her in the desert. Sasuke stalked her in Sand, right in her own home. It made him think of the sick letter Sasuke sent to mouse that made her and Gaara fight. I'll cut your dick off Sasuke I swear to god I will. It was an archaic punishment for raping a woman but Kankuro didn't care.

Kakashi felt the Sand ninja become agitated and he peeked at him. He could tell what Kankuro was thinking by the angry look on his face, Kakashi was feeling it too. He dropped his eyes to Pakkun. His dog would let him know if he detected the scent of rape. Sasuke, is your heart really that black? Could you really…

Neji spoke up beside Lee. "I see them." His Byakugan saw the Sand shinobi meeting up with the Inuzuka clan.

"Gaara," Naruto increased his speed. I'm with you on this buddy. We'll take care of Sound once and for all.

Just as Shino feared, the storm they ran into was bad. It went from rain to hail quickly. The wind was so fierce they couldn't stay in the trees. Frequent lightning strikes furthered complications. Welcome to rice country he thought miserably.

"Found a place!" Hinata led her team toward a cave like hole in the ground out of the wind. It was a tight fit and they had to smush in. Akamaru was half on her lap, half on Kiba's. She rested her hand on Akamaru's head and tried to catch her breath.

"God damnit," Kiba growled. We were so fucking close!

Shino watched the storm outside. "Calm down Kiba. We'll try and pick up the trail after this blows over."

Kiba frowned and sagged in his seat. He could smell ozone and ice but I can't smell Sasuke anymore at all. "Akamaru?"

Akamaru groaned disapprovingly. "What is it Kiba?" Hinata asked.

"I've lost Sasuke's scent and if we sit here much longer Akamaru is going to lose it too. This storm; its erasing their trail."

Shino frowned. "We'll fan out after this is over and pick them up again."

"No." Kiba frowned at Shino. "You got one of those homing bugs on ya?"

"Yes."

"Give it to me." Kiba reached over his dog.

"Why?"

Damn Shino. "Akamaru and I are going. You follow when this dies down."

"Baka!" It was out of the question. "You aren't going after Uchiha Sasuke alone in this storm. Are you in a hurry to die?"

Hinata cringed away from their argument. Akamaru barked at Shino. Kiba clenched a fist. "I have to find her Shino!"

He shook his head at his hot blooded friend. "I understand your concern but…"

"At least let me find out if he has taken her to Sound. Akamaru still has her scent but it's being scrubbed away. We're the only ones who can hope to stay on their trail." He reached again for the bug. "You'll be right behind me with reinforcements. I won't do anything foolish, but I can't lose her."

Shit. He had a good argument. "Alright." Shino brought out the bug and it crawled onto Kiba's hand. As soon as his master had the bug Akamaru was on his feet and out in the storm. Kiba was hurrying after him. Damnit is this okay?

"Be careful Kiba, Akamaru!" Hinata called after them and then they were gone.

"Shit," Shino cussed under his breath.

Hinata looked at Shino. He was frowning. "Shino?"

"He better not get reckless."

Hinata looked out at the storm. "He won't. All he wants is to find Raine."

"Yeah, I just hope Sasuke doesn't find him."

The Uchiha gave her the creeps. "It will be alright. Sasuke's still way ahead of us. We'll catch up to Kiba soon and the Sand shinobi are coming."

"I'm sure hokage sama has sent reinforcements from Konoha as well."

"They'll catch up to us soon I'm sure."

Shino leaned back and looked out into the storm. Leaves wind hail lightning "We'll be behind Kiba in no time. It can't go on like this for long."

Naruto will be with them. He can stop Sasuke and Orochimaru. She was sure her cousin Neji and his team was among them too. She nodded agreeing with Shino. Just follow them Kiba. We're coming and there's an army behind us.

Gaara hurried to his brother. "How is Temari? What about Gabe?"

"She and Gabe are okay," Kankuro assured his brother.

"It looks like he made straight across fire to rice country," Kakashi informed at once.

Kankuro spun off the rest. "Kiba's team caught Sasuke's trail and they're following it ahead of us."

Gaara took it all in and nodded. "Kiba and Akamaru won't lose her."

"Damn right they won't," Kankuro believed in his friend.

"Gaara;" Kakashi again. "If you are attacking Hidden Sound, so are we. Tsunade has sent some of Konoha's best to support you."

Gaara had hoped he could reach her before Sasuke dragged Raine off to his hidden village, but it was looking less and less likely. At least he's been running with her and not… "Thank you Kakashi. Konoha is a trusted ally."

Naruto stepped forward with his angry eyes down. "Gaara…"

I know. "It's alright Naruto." He turned back to Kakashi and started to delegate. "Let's get our Shinobi together. We'll follow you to Kiba." And then to Raine. The day was getting old. He's had her nearly two days. Shit! Gaara turned and Kakashi followed him to his jonin. It was time to plan a war.

It was getting late and Raine was getting tired. With no windows she couldn't tell the hour but the clock read 11:56. Raine had been holding baby Saichi for hours. Part of her was afraid to let him out of her sight in this evil place. Fussing over the baby kept Sasuke at bay as well. He had backed off so she could bond with Saichi. Sadly enough, she was.

Raine rocked the baby to sleep watching him suck at his pacifier as he drifted off. What are they going to do to him these monsters? She had a pretty good idea what was going to become of her in this hell hole. For the past two hours she was trying to figure out how she was going to keep Sasuke off of her after she lay little Saichi in his crib.

Shortly after midnight Sasuke went into the nursery. Saichi was asleep in his mother's arms. Mommy looked sleepy too. The sight of them together warmed his heart. My family. He went to the rocker and bent over his family. "He's asleep." He grabbed the arm of the rocker and stilled the chair.

Sasuke took Saichi from Raine and stood admiring his sleeping son. "I'll tuck him in. I've laid out a nightgown for you. Why don't you go get ready for bed?"

Shit. Something inside felt like it hit bottom. "I am very tired," she said standing. "It's been a long day." She stepped past Sasuke and he smiled at her. Raine went out into the bedroom and saw her sleepwear on the bed. Short, black and a lot of lace. You've got to be kidding me.

He watched her go to the bed and pick up her nightgown. His smile became more devious. He was sure Raine was going to look outstanding in that hot little number. She took it and went to the bathroom to change. He was a little disappointed when she closed the door. That's alright. He turned and put his son in his crib. Sasuke settled Saichi in and stroked the baby's cheek goodnight. He left the nursery shutting the lights as he went into the bedroom.

Raine ran the water in the sink stalling for time. What am I gonna do? Think godamnit. She started getting undressed. Plan A, tell him I'm too tired. Stressed out and exhausted. I need to rest so I can take good care of Saichi. Her palms started to sweat as she put the sluttish little nightgown on. Shit look at this thing! Raine pulled her hair around her to cover as much of herself as she could.

By the time she was finished in the bathroom Sasuke had stripped down to his pants. Raine shyly looked away from him and started toward the bed. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders. As he expected she looked incredible in the skimpy black nighty. She went started turning down the covers bending over a little. Oh hell yeah. Sasuke was behind her in a flash.

She felt his hands on her shoulders and she startled. Sasuke was breathing down her neck from behind. "It's late Sasuke," she tried to stay calm.

He ran his hands down her arms to her hands. Her skin was soft. Sasuke nestled his face in her hair. "Are you ready for bed Raine?"

Calm…stay calm. She turned slowly and faced Sasuke. The look in his eye was terrifying. "I'm very tired Sasuke."

"You're very beautiful." He took one of her hands in his own and wrapped his arm around her. She was the softest silkiest thing he had ever had against him. Sasuke pulled her close and stared down into her eyes.

She brought her free hand up between them shielding her racing heart beat from his chest. "It's been an exhausting day. I need some sleep."

Sleep wasn't exactly what he had in mind. He liked the feel of her warm hand on his bare chest. "I was hoping…"

"I just want to get some rest before Saichi wakes up for a bottle. He'll be up again in a few hours. I want to be able to take care of him."

It was a good enough excuse, but it was just that; an excuse. At least she can be more creative then I have a headache. "I didn't bring you here just to take care of Saichi." He laced their fingers together. "He needs his mother but so do I." He dropped his hand to her ass. Sasuke squeezed cheek and pushed their intimate parts together. "I brought you here to be with me too Raine."

Shit! She pushed at Sasuke. "No Sasuke."

"Yes Raine." In one fluid move Sasuke swept Raine up into his arms. He kissed the surprised woman on the lips and lay her down on their bed. Sasuke crawled on top of her and wriggled between her legs. He held her arms down beside her on the bed.

Her heart leapt into her throat and for a minute she choked on it. She tried to tell him to stop but she couldn't breathe let alone speak. She looked up at Sasuke with wide eyes. No Sasuke! Don't!

"You don't have to be so nervous. I'm not going to bite you."

"Like you did before!" It just flew out. Sasuke frowned at her. Shit! Don't provoke him!

"My objective was a little different then Raine. I did that to you to shame Gaara; I have no reason to do that anymore. You being here with me has nothing to do with him."

Plan B… plan B. What the fuck is plan B! "What did he do to you Sasuke? What really happened at the chunin exams all those years ago?" His frown faltered. Yes! That's it. "I've heard everyone else's version of what happened, but not yours. I saw the picture, the one taken in front of the forest. Gaara was watching you. He was…"

"He was stalking me. Did he tell you he called me his prey?" If she was going to give him a hard time about spreading her legs the least he could do was enlighten her to the truth. Raine shut her mouth and looked up at him intently. "He came after me and do you know why Raine?"

Gaara had told her. "You were a genius of the Uchiha."

"The last Uchiha in Konoha. Gaara wanted a fight to the death before I ever even laid eyes on the guy. He tried to kill me. He almost killed Sakura. Naruto had to fight him. The powers they called upon," Sasuke shook his head. Just thinking about it was enough to piss him off. "Sabaku no Gaara has made more then one clan extinct."

As horrible as this conversation was it was preferable to the alternative. "Gaara… hunted you?"

He's probably trying to hunt me down right now. "My brother warned me that being excellent had its price. Gaara wanted to kill me so that he could feel his own existence. Itachi slaughtered our clan to judge the value of his container."

"What about you Sasuke? How will you prove yourself?"

"I killed Itachi and avenged my clan. I can put vengeance behind me and start the Uchiha clan anew. I have some time before Orochimaru takes me. Time to have a family with you."

Orochimaru what? "Wait a minute, where is Orochimaru taking you? What about Saichi? You can't leave him unprotected."

Sasuke stared down into Raine's eyes. You mean no one told her? "You don't know do you? The deal that I made with Orochimaru."

"You went to Orochimaru for power. You're his ninja now." She was starting to get the creeps. He looks…scared….

He let go of one of her arms and laid his hand on his chest. "This belongs to Orochimaru. He will take my body and reside in me. I will be his next container."

Huh… Invasion of the body snatchers jumped into the forefront of her mind. "Orochimaru is going to…take over your body?"

"That is what he does. The body he is in now is not his own, it is his third."

He steals people's bodies! "Sasuke," she felt the hair on her arms stand at attention. "What happens to you when Orochimaru gets in your body?"

And there's the catch. Sasuke smiled a little. "I'll cease to exist. My body will still be intact, but I will be gone. Nothing but a tickle at the back of Orochimaru's mind."

"You'll…die?"

"Sort of, I guess. Yes. I won't be here for you anymore. I Uchiha Sasuke will be gone, but this body will still protect you and you have Saichi. Orochimaru has promised to take care of you."

Holy…you've gotta be… "No!" She pushed herself up with her free hand nearly head butting Sasuke as she quickly sat up.

His heart was moved by such an honest display of concern. "It's alright Raine."

"No it's not! How will I protect Saichi from Orochimaru without you?"

She truly has a mother's heart. "Saichi will be fine."

Raine wasn't surprised he trusted the sannin around the baby. But he's protective of me. As demented as it was to do, she tried to use his feelings to her favor. "How am I supposed to protect myself from Orochimaru," she didn't want to do it but she looked him in the eye and rested her hand on his arm, "when he is in this body?"

Her hand was warm and Raine looked afraid. "Orochimaru won't hurt you."

It made her want to puke to say it, but she had to. "I am not my mother. I will not be Orochimaru's whore. I am not his Rhiannon!"

There were tears forming in her big blue eyes. Rhiannon. Orochimaru said he loved her. Sasuke had seen the woman's picture too. Raine took after her mother. He was trying to remember conversations with the sannin about the women when Raine wiggled away from him.

She couldn't sit with him like that for a second longer and thankfully he let her get up. She went to the desk and plucked a tissue from the box. I'm sorry mom.

Sasuke watched her; the woman Orochimaru claimed was just like Rhiannon. Maybe too much like Rhiannon for her own good. Raine dabbed her eyes with a tissue. He wouldn't would he? Sasuke wasn't sure. He let her collect herself and then he went to her. "Raine."

Raine used her miserable tears to her advantage. She turned to Sasuke sniffling. "I'm sorry Sasuke. It's just too much and I'm so very tired."

"Poor thing." Sasuke hugged her to him. Raine had been through a bit of a rough patch. Today had been just full of surprises. Now she's overtired and weepy. He rolled his eyes a little. Sasuke wouldn't be getting lucky tonight. He wanted her to have energy enough to enjoy it with him for a while. Not tonight eh? Sasuke sighed quietly. Tomorrow was another day. "You just need some rest."

Her heart skipped a beat. Am I off the hook? She let Sasuke lead her back to bed with an arm around her shoulder. He pulled back the covers a bit more and Raine climbed into bed. She slid as close to the opposite edge as she dared. Sasuke climbed in bed beside her and pulled the blanket over them. Raine turned her back to him and hugged at a pillow.

Sasuke snuggled up next to Raine. He put an arm around her and pulled her close. "I'll help you with Saichi when he wakes up." Sasuke kissed her neck and laid back to relax. He would show his sweetie what a compassionate and loving guy he could be. "Get some sleep."

Safe… Raine closed her eyes. She breathed deep and let out a long tired sigh. Keeping ahead of Sasuke was tricky work. She wondered how long she could keep it up she wondered how she was going to get the hell out of here and she wondered what to do about the baby sleeping in the next room. Unable to think about it anymore Raine dropped off to sleep.

The storm had made it hard to keep on Sasuke's trail. Sometimes Akamaru lost the scent. Kiba would sweat it out each time his dog started to circle but eventually they cleared the storm. It was dark and late when they stopped for the night. Kiba was still kind of damp and it was cool at night this far north. He snuggled with his dog for warmth.

"Good boy Akamaru. We'll catch up with Raine soon."

Akamaru grunted in agreement.

It had taken the storm nearly two hours to exhaust itself. By the time they were ready to go looking for Kiba; Hinata detected the shinobi behind them. To Shino's delight they joined in with the impressive army ready to attack Hidden Sound. Shino and his father went on ahead to lead with the ninken packs. Soon the ninken caught Kiba and Akamaru's scent. He was able to call his big back to rest.

They had reached the open fields of rice country, the army of allied shinobi but passed not through a single village. Gaara didn't like the implication. He took her directly to Sound. They may be there already. He had to let his ninja rest. They had been going non stop since Sand and too many food pills were bad for the body. His army would need their strength for the fight against the Sound.

Now Kankuro had two people to worry about; his mouse and his best friend. Damnit Kiba Kankuro lay back and stared up at the cloudy night sky. Don't do anything stupid. He didn't think his friend would be content to just follow Raine. Kiba liked her, had a bit of a crush on her. He also thought Sasuke was a sicko. Kankuro could just hear Kiba commanding Akamaru "sick balls" if he caught up to the Uchiha. We think alike ne Kiba? He sighed and closed his eyes. That's why I like you.

Naruto went to Gaara. It looked like the insomniac could use some sleep. "Gaara, I want to be the one to fight Orochimaru."

A cloud passed over the moon hiding Naruto's eyes from Gaara. "Can you kill him Naruto?" Gaara dropped his voice and nodded at his friend. "Can it kill Orochimaru?"

Naruto put a hand on his stomach. "Yeah, I think… I need you to get everyone away. Way away," he stressed.

"I need to get Raine out of there first."

"I'll summon frog boss and buy you some time. Maybe Orochimaru won't bother with that damn snake with Gamabunta there."

"What happens when it comes down to you and Orochimaru?"

"I'll…let it out. It will kill him."

Gaara didn't particularly like to use his friend this way but after I kill Sasuke I can help Naruto. "What will happen after you kill him? Will you…regain yourself?"

"I dunno. I guess I'll reach my limit at some point. Just stay back until it gets quiet."

The cloud passed by and Gaara saw Naruto's eyes. They were full of anger and misery. Using Naruto, the kuuybi inside of him as a dangerous weapon. I'm no better than "I'm going to rescue Raine and this time I'm going to kill Sasuke. He won't stop, not until one of us is dead."

"Sasuke," Naruto frowned remembering the way he appeared between him and Akatsuki. I know he wasn't trying to save me, but he did. Taking Raine again all but assured either his or Gaara's death. "He isn't going to make it easy on you Gaara."

"I know. I'm sure he'll try his best to kill me but I can't let him make Raine a widow."

"I know."

Gaara sighed. "Raine is in this shit because of me. Because of what I was and what I did. If he wants to have some kind of revenge against me I'm right here. He needs to leave my wife the fuck alone and he won't do that Naruto."

Naruto wondered if Sasuke was leaving Raine alone right now. Where was his genie friend, what had Sasuke done to her? Sasuke knows we all love Raine, he thinks he loves her too. "Stop him Gaara. Make it so Sasuke will never bother her again." He felt a little queasy and Naruto rubbed his belly some as he turned away.

It will be done. Gaara looked up at the moon. This is the second night she's been with Sasuke. If the Uchiha was still running Raine might still be safe. Raine…He closed his eyes and swallowed the lump in his throat. Please be okay.

Heating up a bottle at four am didn't really put Sasuke in the mood for love. He passed it off to Raine and left her in the nursery to see to Saichi. Sasuke went back to bed and dozed. He felt her get back into bed but he was just too damn tired to do much. She was asleep again in minutes anyway. Sasuke caught just a few more winks before he had to get up for the day. It was near six when he finally shook himself from sleep.

He pried his eyes open and looked over at the woman in his bed. Like the princess in the fairy tale. Raine was asleep on her back; her long hair covered her pillow. One hand rested near her face. Her lips were parted, she was breathing through her mouth. He rolled over and faced her for a better look. She had the blanket tucked up to her armpit. Sasuke smiled a little. Where's the fun in that?

Sasuke reached over and took a handful of the blanket covering Raine and slowly pulled it down. He didn't want to wake her just yet. Sasuke wanted a look at what he was getting without Raine giving him some other reason why she couldn't put out. The edge of the blanket reached her waist and Sasuke stopped. He stared at her chest. The nightgown was low cut revealing her splendid cleavage. He could see her nipples through the lace on top. Sasuke looked her over and slid a little closer. That's nice.

His touch would bring her out of sleep, the question was how much touching he could do before she woke up and tried to push him away. She didn't seem to be ready to give herself to him just yet and he was trying to decide how much he cared. He didn't want to upset her too much, it would be annoying if she were crying or screaming all the time. But …look at her.

His hand slipped from the blanket to her waist. He felt her warmth radiating through the silky nightgown. He was transfixed on her breasts watching them rise and fall as she breathed. His touch was soft and slow. Sasuke reached for what he was staring at. He cupped her breast but didn't squeeze, she was still asleep. He swept his thumb over the nipple trapped beneath the black lace. Her breathing changed but only for a moment.

Shall I wake you up with a little lovin? Sasuke smiled and rubbed her through her nightgown. He wondered if he could excite her before he woke her. Sasuke moved closer and breathed on the cleavage he was groping. Her breathing slowly started to change again. He nibbled at her through the lace of her nightgown.

Gaara… Raine was dreaming of her love. In her dream little Gabe was tucked in for the night and Gaara took her to bed. He held her face and kissed her lips. Their kiss became passionate; Gaara's hands left her cheeks and started to slide over her curves. This is what I want Gaara. Me and you me forever. Raine melted into her husband.

He squeezed her breast a little and then let go. Sasuke slid his hand down her body and under her nighty. Panties impeded his progress. Damn things. He had teased her nipples hard, her breaths came quicker more excited but she was on the verge of waking. I'll wake you up real good Raine.

She wanted to linger in her dream it felt so good to be with Gaara, but something about it was wrong. Her sense of self preservation shook her out of sleep. It wasn't Gaara that was touching her, it was Sasuke. He was biting at her nipple and his hand was in her pants. "Sasuke!" her hands flew to his shoulders and Raine tried to shove him back.

Sasuke looked up at Raine. She was wide awake and trying to push away from him. "It's alright Raine. You don't have to be so shy."

She tried to push him off. "Stop it Sasuke!" Raine changed strategy's and tugged at the arm attached to the hand in her panties.

He leaned a little closer to her. "Are you sure you want me to stop? You're getting wet."

He touched her in a way no one but Gaara ever had and she snapped. She stopped fighting his arm and swung a hand at his cheek. Sasuke grabbed it so she swung the other. He had to cease violating her to stop that hand. "You son of a bitch don't touch me!"

Sasuke rolled over between her legs and pinned her wrists to the bed. "Calm down Raine I'm not going to hurt you."

"Get off of me Sasuke, right now," she warned.

Raine looked furious, it was almost scary. "I guess I crossed a line ne?" he teased.

He didn't heed her warning fast enough. I got something for you Sasuke! She threw herself at him and caught his bottom lip in her teeth. Raine bit down with all her might. How do you like it mother fucker! She tasted blood and Sasuke rolled his eye to meet hers. A second later his hand was squeezing her face.

Sasuke forced her jaw open and freed his lip. It wasn't badly damaged but it was bleeding. He held her face as he stared into her angry eyes. "Are we even now Raine?" She gave him no reply, just a scowl. Sasuke let go of her and moved to the edge of the bed. "Must I first atone for what I have done to you before you will let yourself love me? Is that how it is?"

She was glad he had backed off and her tired mind searched for reply. "You hurt me a lot Sasuke."

His face didn't hurt much but a bite like this on someone like Raine, someone not trained to tolerate pain. "It must have been painful for you. I'm sorry I had to do that to you Raine."

"It hurt like hell and then you pushed on it," she guilted. "I'm still mad at you."

He turned his bloody face to her. "Would you like to hurt me some more Raine?"

I'll kick you where it really hurts. "I won't sleep with you Sasuke, not until I have forgiven you."

He raised a brow. Not until ne? Raine had a stern look on her face that reminded him of one of the teachers back at the academy. He smiled a little. "What must I do to repent for my thoughtless actions?" And how long is that gonna take?

Keep going. "You can start by treating me like a lady. I'm not your whore I'm your baby's mother. Have a little respect."

Uh oh. Respect was a woman's word. The most common reply to which was yes dear followed closely by you're absolutely right. Sasuke mixed it up. "Yes, your right Raine."

Keep going. "I want you to promise me that you'll keep Orochimaru away from me and Saichi and I want you to keep that promise."

His sweetie had moved on to the extracting promises phase of their first lovers quarrel. "I promise, no Orochimaru."

"I'm counting on you to protect me and Saichi." Lay it on thick. "You're the only one we can really trust in this place. You're the only friend I have here Sasuke. I don't want to be fighting with you all the time."

She's depending on me. I see. He had something else figured out too. The quickest way to win her heart was to just sit back and do nothing. If Sasuke was a good boy until Raine felt a little more forgiving… "I don't want to fight with you either Raine." Sasuke got up and went to the bathroom to clean his face.

Holy shit. Raine took a deep breath and let it out as quietly as she could. She wasn't sure which was more frightening; Sasuke touching her or that she was able to nag him into submission. Is he really going to she heard water running in the sink. Sasuke was washing the blood of his face. She swallowed and could taste it.

Raine scotched closer to the edge of the bed and pulled the covers up and around her. The water stopped and a minute later Sasuke stepped out of the bathroom drying his face with a towel. He moved the towel and showed her the perfectly formed bite mark on his face. She fought the urge to cringe at the ugly thing.

"I'll leave it if you want me to," Sasuke offered his face for a piece of forgiveness.

"You don't have to do that."

Sasuke went to his wardrobe for clothes. "I have some things to take care of. I won't be long and I'll bring you a bottle for Saichi. Go back to sleep until he wakes up. I'll leave it on the desk for you."

She watched him gather his things. She wasn't sure she could trust him but she didn't want to fight more. She lay down and tried to look comfortable even though her heart and mind were still racing. Calm. Raine closed her eyes. Stay calm.

He didn't bother her again. Sasuke showered and dressed. He went out for a while and brought back a bottle for Saichi. Mother and baby were sleeping when he came in. He left the bottle on the desk and went to see Orochimaru.

They roused the troops at daybreak and set off on Kiba's trail again. Kankuro had spoken with Kiba's mother and sister during their layover. His mom seemed a little agitated. She was worried Kiba was going to do something fucking retarded Tsume reminded Kankuro Kiba always did act like a fool when the two of them got together. She left the Sand ninja with a mothers warning. Don't you go getting my son too drunk when this is all over. I don't want him passing out with the dogs again.

Kankuro was sure Kiba wasn't being careless. He would track Raine all the way to Hidden Sound if he could. He'll get close enough for Gaara to find mouse and then he'll hang back. Shino seemed a little worried that Kiba was going to get too close, but Hinata had trust in her teammate. Hang in there Kiba we're coming.

Kiba and Akamaru crouched hiding themselves in the high grass. There were two distinct new scents ahead; enemy ninja. "Two of them Akamaru. It would be a bad thing if they found us; if they could report back to that snake that is." Akamaru softly grunted his reply. The dog thought these guys were coming from the where Sasuke's scent went to. There were only two of them, defeatable.

Kiba smelled the ninja coming closer. "I guess we'll just have to take care of these guys." Akamaru grumbled. "Keh! I didn't say I was going to get all flashy yo. We gotta do this quiet I know." He frowned at his dog. "The only one I smell for at least a mile is them. Right on?" A yip. "Okay then, let's take these guys out quick and quiet and then we'll dig a hole."

Orochimaru wasn't in the study, he wasn't dining either. Sasuke continued through the maze aiming for the training area. He detoured and headed for the med lab. It was sort of on the way and he didn't have to keep the mark on his face. Kabuto could take care of it quick. As he neared the lab he heard the laugh of the one he had been seeking this morning. Orochimaru was in the lab with Kabuto. The two were at the counter looking over papers in a file when Sasuke walked in. "Orochimaru."

Orochimaru looked at Sasuke; Kabuto did the same stepping in the boy's line of sight of the papers on the counter. "Good morning Sasuke."

Sasuke rolled his eyes and came into the lab. "I wanted to talk to you about Raine."

Orochimaru looked at the teeth marks on Sasuke's face. He smiled deviously. "Don't tell me you've had a fight already? Do you need some pointers on how to handle a woman like that ne Sasuke?" The Uchiha frowned at him. Orochimaru chuckled and Kabuto sniggered quietly beside him.

Asshole. "I don't need advice from you. I want you to stay away from Raine and Saichi. " Orochimaru stopped laughing. "She asked me to keep you away. She said doesn't want to see you at all." How do you like that you old bastard? Judging by the look on his face, not much.

Kabuto rolled his eyes from Sasuke back to Orochimaru. The sannin didn't look happy. "Orochimaru sama."

"It's alright Kabuto," he waved his subordinate off. "Sasuke, Raine is my guest here in Hidden Sound, understand?"

"Raine isn't your anything. She's not Rhiannon and she hates you. Stay away from her."

He couldn't hold his tongue. "Sasuke! How dare you order Orochimaru."

Sasuke turned his glare on the medical specialist. "Same goes for you asshole. You hurt her once and if you ever go near her again I'll kill you."

"Get a hold of yourself Sasuke. Kabuto is the best medical specialist in Sound." It was getting ugly in here. Sasuke and Kabuto were about to go at it again.

"I don't care what he is he's not to go near my family again."

"Family," Kabuto raised his eyebrows. "I made Saichi and the bitch you raped last night is Sabaku no Gaara's wife!"

Shit. Youth was fast, but Orochimaru was faster. Quick as a snake he got between the two boys ready to rumble. "That's enough you two. This is a place of science and medicine. I'll have no fighting in here." Kabuto stepped back toward the counter glaring at Sasuke. The Uchiha leaned into Orochimaru for a moment and then backed off.

"I didn't rape her you fucking scumbag," Sasuke growled at Kabuto over Orochimaru's shoulder.

"Did all the crying and biting stop you?" Kabuto hissed back.

Sasuke straightened. "It isn't like that. I don't expect you to understand. Just stay away from her. I mean it. Both of you." He turned and headed for the door before he really lost his temper.

"Sasuke," Orochimaru advised his retreating container. "Remember who is in charge around here."

He waved Orochimaru off and kept walking. Sasuke started back for his rooms. Fuck them both. I'll kill Kabuto his frown deepened. Orochimaru was a problem. He would be angry if Sasuke killed his talented minion. He didn't seem willing to separate himself from Sasuke's woman either.

Raine was counting on Sasuke to keep her safe, to keep the scary bad guys away. She'd never forgive him if Orochimaru or Kabuto bothered her. Whose in charge around here ne you old bastard? He put his head down and kept walking trying not to think about the sannin. Fuck you Orochimaru.

The Sound ninja weren't particularly talented or difficult to kill. Akamaru dug a hole and Kiba threw their bodies in. The big dog covered their kill and they moved on. The ninja had indeed been coming from the direction Sasuke had fled with Raine. They were getting closer to the hidden village of Sound.

Kiba and Akamaru made a few more miles before they detected the first border guards. They hung back well out of sight smelling the Sound ninja patrolling the area. Two in the immediate vicinity and six more in the surrounding area. Shit now what? He spoke low. "What do you think Akamaru? Raine's scent goes right down the middle of those guys."

Akamaru agreed. "So if we wanna keep following her, we gotta get past the goon squad ne?" His dog asked if he had a plan. "Yo Akamaru, you remember what those two guys we took out looked like?" he did and yipped approvingly. Kiba's hands flew through the seals and a moment later he and Akamaru looked like a couple of boys from Sound.

"Don't talk to anyone. If we get approached I'll handle it. Stay on Raine's tail and hurry Akamaru!" A moment later they were running right into the enemy.

They had found where Kiba had slept and pressed on. They were getting catching up with him quick; Kiba had stopped a few times. Soon the Konoha ninken found the shallow grave Akamaru dug for a couple of Sound ninja. It renewed Kankuro's faith in his friend to see him work so cleanly.

We're getting closer to Sound. Gaara made them hurry. They would be running into Kiba anytime now. The ninja might have some new intel about Raine. Please…please let her be alright. Gaara's heart was sick with worry. He knew he was almost to her, Raine was close. He would rescue his love from the enemy soon, but it wouldn't erase the past couple of days and nights that Sasuke held her prisoner. Raine…

He missed his wife, he missed his son. Gaara charged forward thinking of the perfect life he had with his family at home in Sand. Raine and Gabe had brought a joy to Gaara's life that he had never known before. They made him feel complete. This will all be over soon and then we can all go home together. He was looking forward to being with his wife and child again.

Gaara remembered the way Raine had collapsed seeing the ninja fight. This time was going to be a bit bloodier. Armies were about to clash and I'm going to kill Sasuke. He hoped that he would be able to keep Raine from seeing too much killing; he wasn't sure what kind of an effect seeing him crush Sasuke to death might have on her. Maybe she'd cheer Gaara sighed heavily or flip out.

There was no way of knowing what sort of state of mind his beloved was in right now either. Raine was smart and tried to stay calm and in control, but how calm could she remain if the Uchiha tortured her? Would she lose it if Sasuke hurt her? What if he No. Don't think about it. It's not going to happen. I'll get to her before

What if I'm already too late? "Keh," Gaara couldn't help but hiss through his teeth. His stomach tightened into an angry little ball. He thought of what it was like to be with Raine; her smooth skin and soft longing sighs. She was beautiful when her cheeks were flush with passion. She always said I love you Gaara while they were making love.

Gaara tried to focus on the countryside ahead of them. I don't care what you think you feel Sasuke. You have no idea what it means to love Raine. You don't know her heart.

Sasuke brought breakfast back to his room. Raine wasn't in bed; he heard noise in the nursery. He set the tray on the desk and went to the open door. Raine was up and dressed. She was walking Saichi around the crib bouncing him a little; mothering him. "I brought you breakfast."

She turned toward the sound of his voice. Sasuke's lip was still fucked up. "Thank you. I'll get to it in a minute."

"I can take him for you if you want. I don't mind holding him."

If he was holding the baby his hands would be occupied. She brightened. "You sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all." He steeped forward and held his arms out for his son.

She hated to do it to the poor kid but Raine passed Saichi to Sasuke. She settled the baby and pulled the burp cloth off her shoulder. She put it over Sasuke's shoulder, Raine had been moving on instinct since she lifted Saichi out of his crib this morning. Her eyes went from the baby to Sasuke's shoulder and then she noticed him staring at her. She forced herself to be brave and met his eyes. "What is it Sasuke?"

Orochimaru won't leave her alone. "Nothing. You should go eat something while it's still warm."

Raine started out of the nursery at once. "It wouldn't be a problem if I had a kitchen," she started in again. "I need a big kitchen Sasuke, I like to cook."

He had watched her cook plenty. She seemed to enjoy it, so did those undeserving Sand ninja. Sasuke followed her with Saichi in his arms. "You'll cook for me?"

I'll poison you. "Of course I will." Raine sat down at the desk and proceeded to have breakfast. "But you know we're going to need a dining room too."

He watched her cutting up her omelet. "A dining room?"

"We have to sit somewhere to eat the meals I make don't we?" She ate some egg hoping it wasn't drugged.

"You'll sit and eat with me?" few were brave enough to make a habit of it.

Raine nodded. Time to railroad this sucker. "Yes, and I expect compliments when something is good."

She was sounding more like the nagging wife every time she opened her mouth. Sasuke smiled a little. Laying down the law ne wife? "I'm sure that everything you cook for me will be delicious."

Sucking up Sasuke? Good. She sighed trying to sound discontent. "Everything would be so much easier if we had our own place, a house you know. Saichi should be raised in a home not," she waved her fork around, "barracks or whatever the hell this is."

The nag was full on but Sasuke didn't mind much. She wants… "A home for our family. Would that make you happy Raine?"

"Babies need light and fresh air. There isn't even a window in this place." She tried a little guilt. He wasn't uncomfortable with Saichi; maybe he had a father's instinct.

She does, she wants a real home for us. "There are no windows in Sound."

"No windows?" That was more then just a bit odd.

"The compound is underground, hidden in the rice you see."

Underground…Gaara? She ate more omelet to hide the flicker of hope she felt. "This place isn't good for Saichi." Raine ate as much as she dared. If it was drugged she didn't want to ingest too much of the tainted food. She set the fork down and sipped her juice.

Sasuke stood back watching her contemplating what she said. Her maternal instincts were strong, Raine wanted to protect their son; to raise him in the best way she knew how. He wanted to protect his son too, Saichi's mother as well. Orochimaru won't leave her alone. Sasuke tried not to frown. How long will she be safe here in Sound?

Saichi grunted a little. Sasuke turned his eyes to his son and smiled a little. His little baby noises were cute. Sasuke took one of Saichi's hands between his thumb and finger. He's so small. I must protect him. His thoughts were heavy with the evil sannin. "If I were to take you and Saichi from this place…"

Her heart caught in her throat. Take us…! Raine stood. "You know of a place where Saichi will be safe?"

He could think of a few and he nodded. He lifted his eyes from the baby to Raine. "Of course. I have many retreats throughout the lands."

It should come as no surprise that Sound had strongholds and hideouts scattered about. "Can you really take us away from Orochimaru?" It sounded too good to be true.

Sasuke looked at Raine and thought of the way the sannin admired Rhiannon's pictures. "I am the only one who can."

Raine knew there was going to be some sort of catch. She stepped closer to Sasuke and reached for Saichi. Raine stroked the baby's head. "Sasuke," she spoke quietly. "I fear for our child in this place. Orochimaru did things to me when I was small. He won't stay away from Saichi for long I just know it."

There was a pleading look in her eyes when she looked up at him. "I can keep him away from Saichi."

Now seemed like a good time to press her luck. I have nothing else to lose. I have to try. "He'll hurt me again. I am Orochimaru's treasured experiment and you," She used the hand not comforting the baby. Raine reached up and rested it on Sasuke's cheek. "He's going to take you away from us. From Saichi and me."

She touched him gently of her own accord; her eyes were sad and full of worry. "Raine…"

"We must escape this place Sasuke. You're the only one that can protect Saichi." That part at least Raine believed to be true. Now it was time to act. "Orochimaru... I couldn't bare it if he took either of you away from me."

It was more then he hoped for. He was sure Raine had feelings for him, falling in love with him already. She was beginning to understand that she didn't have to hide her true feelings for him. Sasuke wondered how much forgiveness a few months in a beach house together in tea country would earn him. He let go of Saichi's hand and took the one Raine had on his face. "If I took you from this place, you would try to run away from me?"

The omelet sat like lead in her stomach. "No," she looked back at Saichi. "My baby needs his mother. I could never leave him."

She couldn't escape from him solo let alone with Saichi. Getting her out of here wouldn't be too hard, just problematic of Orochimaru gave him shit about it; which he probably would. The sannin expected the Uchiha to be a part of Sound but there is time while Saichi is still a baby, time for me to be with Raine. He squeezed her hand a little. "You're a good mother Raine. Things have been difficult for you lately, I understand."

Difficult? She wanted to scurry away from him. Just holding Sasuke's hand gave her the creeps. "I want to do my best with Saichi."

"Of course you do." He stepped closer so that Saichi was between them. "It would please you if I took us on a holiday, away from this place?"

"Yes." Out of here and on the move hopefully meant that those looking for her might have a better chance of finding her. Gaara... where are you!

He leaned closer to her face. "I'm sure I could get some time off for a honeymoon."

A wha…! She swallowed the scream that wanted to come out and looked up into Sasuke's dark eyes. "Sasuke…"

Sasuke smiled a little at her surprise. He let go of her hand and took her face instead. Saichi went on making cute baby noises between them oblivious to his parents love. "I want you to be happy you know." He could see she was struggling with her emotions. "You can be happy with me and Saichi can't you Raine?"

She tried to drop her eyes to the baby but Sasuke held her facing him. "Saichi…" her brain scrambled for a response. "He's wonderful. Such a good baby."

Yes, she loves him. "And what about me? If I can make you happy, if I can take you and Saichi away from Orochimaru then would you forgive me? If we could be alone somewhere will you love me?"

A trade. She had grown up listening to barter in the marketplace. Toto took her along to do the shopping all the time. She also knew that often a time a deal fell through. If I can just make him get us out of here… I can worry about the rest after we get the hell away from Orochimaru! Raine decided that she must get out of the enemy camp no matter what. The fewer Sound ninja Gaara had to fight to rescue her, the better. She tried not to choke on her lie, "I think…I could."

"Raine," her words made his heart feel light. The nervous look in her eyes told him she was still afraid to love him but she wants to. Sasuke leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. Her hand moved between them and she pushed at his shoulder. He let her move back and he stared down into her eyes.

Maybe she was safer holding Saichi herself after all. "Let me take Saichi. I like to hold him." There was truth to that. The little one she was caring for was stealing her heart. Saichi really was a good baby. In many ways he reminded her of Gabe. She reached out her arms for him.

She had pushed him away, but nor before Sasuke stole a nice kiss. Raine's lips were soft as flower petals. He passed Saichi to his devoted mother and Raine settled him in her arms. Sasuke smiled a little. If leaving Sound for a while would please his woman and put her in a more forgiving state of mind, Sasuke was cashing in on some vacation time. It meant speaking to that asshole Orochimaru again, but Sasuke could deal with it.

He started for the door. "I have a few things to do but I won't be long." He looked over his shoulder at Raine. She had put Saichi over her shoulder and was rubbing his back. "Do you like the beach Raine?"

"I've never been to the ocean."

"There's a lot of light and fresh air there. Good for babies right?" Smiling Sasuke went out. It was time to break it to the boss; Sasuke was taking the family on vacation. He thought a little fun in the sun was a great way for them to start their new life together. I bet she looks outstanding in a bikini.

They had made it past four of the nearby guards still following Raine's trail. Two more patrolled nearby. Kiba tried to make it look like he was doing his job of protecting the territory as he followed his dog into partially cleared territory. There were some trees here, enough to conceal the passage into the earth from someone not deliberately trying to find it. There it is. Ahead Kiba saw the entrance to some kind of bunker in the earth. "No wonder Hidden Sound has been such a bitch to find. It's underground."

Akamaru grunted his ideas and Kiba agreed. They lighted in a tree at the edge of the clearing. In the center of the clearing was the entrance. Cold looking stairs descended down into a yawing dark hole. "Pretty creepy ne Akamaru? We shoulda guessed; snakes like to live in hidey holes. Orochimaru is probably in there, this is his town ya know."

He rested on his haunches watching the place. Raine is in there somewhere with Sasuke. Even disguised as shinobi of Sound, sneaking in there could be tricky. Getting in didn't look too difficult but there was no way of knowing how many were inside or how many of them could see through their glamour and catch him and his dog. Backup couldn't be too far behind, he was sure Gaara was on his way but shit. How can I just leave her in there? Sasuke could be doing something terrible to Raine and her sacred orbs as Kiba sat here doing nothing. "Shit."

Kiba blew out a heavy sigh. I know I said I wouldn't get reckless but… "Listen to me Akamaru, shinobi from home and Sand are coming right behind us. I want you to go meet up with them. Tell them everything we have seen and smelled, understand?"

The dog protested. "Don't worry about me. I'm just going to take a quick peek around, get a general idea about the layout of the place. A little re con that's all." Akamaru grumbled. "Baka, I won't fight Sasuke alone. I'm not stupid." Akamaru wasn't buying it.

"I'm just gonna check the place out. Count heads, get the lay of the place and then I'll be right out." The dog asked about Raine. "Hopefully I can find out where they're holding her. Maybe even see her." If they're not hurting her it will be okay to wait for Gaara, but if she's not alright….

He had a duty to do and Kiba got to his feet. "I'll run in, take a look around and then I'll catch up to you. Get our friends to take care of the shinobi lurking around here. We'll take Sound by surprise." Kiba's eyes went back to the stairs that led to darkness. If I can locate Sasuke Orochimaru and Raine then it will make it easier for Gaara to attack.

"In and out," he promised his dog. Kiba leapt from the tree and ran for the stairs. Akamaru saw his best friend swallowed up by the darkness. He whimpered once and then turned to follow his master's orders.

"Such a good baby." Saichi yawned up at his mommy and she smiled at him. Raine was walking little Saichi to sleep. It almost broke her heart to look at him, he was a beautiful baby. It felt like she and Gaara had wanted this forever. But he isn't Gaara's. He's not my husband's child.

It hurt her heart because she loved Gaara but Raine hurt for Saichi too. Though she had not bore him Saichi was just as much her son as Gabe was. What am I going to do? She couldn't imagine just abandoning the baby. Orochimaru was not safe to have around a child. She couldn't leave Saichi in this horrible dark place. I have to protect him. I have to get him away from this horrible place.

Raine circled the crib; her mind wouldn't cease its restless wandering. She wanted to think about Gaara and being home with him but she couldn't let her guard down, in this place there was no time for happy daydreams.

She was holding onto hope that Sasuke would take her and Saichi out of Sound. Raine knew Gaara would come for her; she wanted to make it as easy to find her as she could. Ninken could smell her better out in the open. She would have to convince the Uchiha that leaving here was as favorable to him as it was to her and Saichi. Even if it meant enduring his advances a while longer, Raine was going to do her best to be brave and calm and do the right thing.

I am the kazekage's wife, I will not be afraid. I'll get us out of here Saichi. Gaara will come for us. Everything will be alright.

"It's Akamaru!" Hana announced.

"Shit why is he alone?" her nervous mother spoke up beside her.

Akamaru hurried to the crowd of shinobi running to greet him. He yipped along his message to the ninken that came ahead of the humans. Pakkun translated from Kakashi's heels. "He and Kiba found the end of Sasuke's trail. A compound underground."

"Hidden Sound," Kakashi finished for his dog.

Kankuro was listening from behind his brother. "Where's Kiba?"

"Reconnaissance? That retard!" worried mom exploded.

"Kiba went into Sound on his own," Kakashi clarified. "He was going to try to pin point Raine's location. Sasuke and Orochimaru too."

Naruto shook his head behind his sensei. "He just couldn't wait for us right?"

"The intel would be helpful," Gaara felt like a jerk admitting it. "If he can find her I can remove Raine from the battle zone immediately and bring the place down on top of them." This wasn't the desert, but he could still make the earth obey. Making sand was an easy thing to do.

"He'll find her," Kankuro stuck by his friend even if he did think sneaking into Sound alone was crazy. Pretty ballsy there pal he smiled a little. Kiba always was a little too daring for his own good. He got his face slapped in the bar more then a few times.

"The intel would be good," Kakashi agreed. "Sasuke is there for sure, but is Orochimaru? It would be nice to know their numbers as well."

Pakkun butted in, "Hang back for a moment everyone. Two squads are going on ahead to take out the patrol."

Gaara slowed their pace. A small group could attack quicker and quieter. If it was possible to take Sound by surprise that's how he wanted it. It was a hard thing to do with his love in need of his rescue so close. "How many?"

"Six," Pakkun answered. "The ninken will sniff out anymore in the area too." Gaara nodded and Pakkun looked up at the worried kazekage. "She's still alright Gaara."

He nodded again. He wondered how alright she was trapped in Sound with Sasuke the stalking psychopath. "How long have they been stationary in Sound Pakkun?"

"They arrived early yesterday. They went it and didn't come back out."

"I see." Nearly a day and a night. She spent last night in Sound. Where do they have her? What have they done to her? Has Sasuke

"Oi Gaara!" Kankuro called baby brother back to reality. "You got a plan yet?"

Yeah, kill them all. "I'm working on it now Kankuro. Let's give the ninken a moment to do their job. When we get close enough I'll feel the place out myself."

If she's in the ground, Gaara can find her. "Sounds good. Let's just hope Kiba hurries the hell up."

Sasuke got his lip healed up, checked on a few things and then went to find Orochimaru again. It was time to lay some more bad news on the sannin. Eventually he made his way to the study. Orochimaru was showing Kabuto something in a book on his desk. Sasuke glared at Kabuto. "A word with you Orochimaru."

Kabuto frowned at the Uchiha but Orochimaru stayed relaxed. "You need something Sasuke? I do hope you haven't come here to be rude again."

Fuck you. "Raine and I are going away for a while, we're taking Saichi. We'll be staying at the beach house in tea country."

The sannin lifted an eyebrow. "Taking a honeymoon ne Sasuke?"

"We'll be gone for a couple of months. Three or four should do it but I may need more time with Raine then that. I intend to leave here at once."

Three or four months from now? Shit. "You can't do that Sasuke," Kabuto said immediately. Kabuto still had a medical procedure to perform on Raine before she skipped a period and discovered she was pregnant again.

He scowled at Kabuto. "Don't tell me what I can and can't do." He cut his eyes back over to Orochimaru. "You said I could have time with her."

"I know I did," Orochimaru didn't need a reminder. "But do you really think leaving here right now is truly wise Sasuke? Gaara is looking for his wife. If you want to keep Raine, then keep her here."

"We aren't in the desert, Gaara cannot defeat me here. I'll kill him and make Raine a widow."

"You can't take Raine out of here now Sasuke. Kabuto has to tend to her health first."

"Raine doesn't want Kabuto anywhere near her. I'll take a medical specialist with us."

Kabuto was starting to sweat. He had the embryo ready for implantation but he still had to get to Raine to further impregnate her. "I must see Raine before you leave."

"She's not sick."

The sannin took a deep breath. He was getting fed up with Sasuke's miserable attitude. "No she's not sick; she's pregnant with Gaara's child." Sasuke straightened and Orochimaru fixed his eyes on the boy. "You don't want to allow something like that to go on do you Sasuke? You would much rather have your baby growing inside of her then Gaara's wouldn't you? Kabuto can do that for you. She doesn't even know yet that she has conceived."

She's…his stomach rolled over. Gaara's baby…another baby for Gaara! Sasuke turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.

Orochimaru got to his feet. He wasn't so sure he liked the look in Sasuke's eyes just now. "Kabuto!"

Kabuto hurried to the door and peered out in the hall. Sasuke was already gone. "Shall I go after him Orochimaru sama?"

"You better. I don't want anything to happen to either one of my precious twins. Understand?" there was a fifty percent chance that right now Sasuke was on his way to murder Gaara's unborn.

"Right," Kabuto flew off in the direction of Sasuke's rooms. If the fool interrupted her pregnancy now Kabuto wouldn't be able to implant the fruits of his labor into a waiting womb. Godamnit Sasuke just wait a godamn minute.

Sasuke did indeed go straight back to his room. He found Raine in the nursery standing at Saichi's crib drawing his picture. She finished a line and looked up at him. Another baby for Gaara…

"Saichi will need a bottle soon Sasuke." Sasuke came into the nursery, she thought he looked upset. He was frowning some. There was a pained look in his eyes. "Sasuke?"

It's not fair. She's with me now not him! He shook his head a little. And just when she was starting to love me too. "It's a tragedy really."

Raine straightened as Sasuke came closer. He wasn't looking at her face, he had lowered his eyes. Something about it was frightening. "What's wrong Sasuke?"

He stopped just short of their toes touching and looked up at Raine with sad eyes. "You're pregnant with Gaara's baby." Sasuke laid a hand over her traitorous womb.

Pregnant! She dropped her pad and pencil. She grabbed the hand Sasuke had laid on her belly. "What are you saying?"

Sasuke started feeding chakra into his hand. "It's startling I know. I just found out myself. It's alright though Raine, I'll take care of it."

She felt his other arm wrap around her waist and the hand on her belly was warm. Take care of… "What are you doing Sasuke?"

He started to feel into Raine with his chakra. "I'm going to kill it."

Gaara's baby…I'm really… Raine struggled against him. If she really was carrying Gaara's baby she would protect her child with her life. "Stop it! I could never forgive you if you took a child from me Sasuke! Not ever!" Raine pulled at the hand warming her.

"You're mine. I won't have you tainted with Gaara's filthy seed."

It felt like he was doing something to her. Gaara's baby! She struggled to get away but Sasuke's hold was tight. "Sasuke please!" she begged feeling the first miserable tears sting her eyes.

His chakra passed from her into the thing she carried. It was male. Another son for Gaara. It made him miserable. "It's not fair."

Gaara! Our baby! "Sasuke stop it please!" I have no choice. "I'll do anything you want, anything at all just stop it Sasuke! Please, please don't hurt my baby!"

Sasuke brought his face close to hers and looked her in the eye. Protective mother. "Anything I want?" He didn't want the godamn thing in his woman, but Kabuto can put my child in Raine and Orochimaru can have this thing. My children will be safe and "You know what I want Raine." He put his lips close to hers. If she bit him he'd just kill the fucking thing and be done with it.

She did and she cringed. "Please Sasuke…"

"If you want your child to live then kiss me now. Show me you'll do anything, prove it to me Raine." He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers.

Raine knew that if she fought him now Sasuke would kill the baby she and Gaara so desperately wanted. I can't let him Sasuke's kiss became more excited. He parted her lips with his own and kissed her the way only Gaara ever had. Gaara… Raine tried not to cry as she surrendered herself to the Uchiha's kiss. His hand slid from her belly to her breast and Raine felt conflicting relief. She was still in trouble but her baby was safe.

Yes, this is what I want. This is good. Her mouth was exciting. It felt incredible to kiss her like this. His hand slid lower on her waist and Sasuke grabbed her ass. He pushed their intimate parts together and squeezed her breast. Sasuke broke their kiss to catch his breath and pant against her neck. "Oh Raine, I knew you wanted me too."

Somebody help me! He groped her and nipped at her neck. No help was coming. Raine had to think fast. "I wanted the first time to be special Sasuke."

"It will be, I promise." His hand went to the buttons of her shirt.

No no no! Raine took the hand trying to undress her. "Wait Sasuke, let me explaine."

He didn't want to listen to some womanly explanation, he wanted to fuck. "It's alright Raine; I'll be gentle with you." Sasuke kissed her neck.

Raine doubted it. "No I mean I wanted it to be special for us." She pressed her luck and pushed at him a little. Sasuke quit sucking on her and looked up into her eyes. "You know what a woman likes right?"

"I know what you like. I've seen you in bed with Gaara. I can do all of that stuff way better then him."

It felt like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water on her. He watched us make love! "That's not what I mean," Raine fought her panic.

Sasuke sighed. Sure he wanted her to be all wifely with him, just not this second. Humor her and get it over with so we can fuck before Saichi wakes up. "Alright Raine, what is it you mean then? How can I make it special for you?"

Try damnit! "A woman likes candle lit dinners and walks in the moonlight. Things like that can make a night very romantic." She forced herself to touch his face again.

Candles and moonlight ne? "Raine, it's ten o' clock in the morning and there's no moonlight in Hidden Sound."

"Then take me from this place Sasuke," Raine stepped into him and hugged him. All part of her Oscar winning performance. "I don't want to do it here in this horrible place. I want you to make love to me under the stars."

She wants me to… Sasuke liked the feel of her around him like this. "We could always do that second," he proposed.

She shook her head a little and forced a smile. "Is it really such an impossible request?"

It wasn't, not at all. In fact Sasuke had planned on getting them out of here today. Sasuke wrapped her up into his arms. "Of course not. If that is how you want it then that is how it will be."

Her heart almost exploded with relief and she hugged Sasuke tighter. "Really?"

He could tell he had made her happy and Sasuke smiled. "You will do anything for me Raine and I will do anything to make you happy."

There was a knock at the door and Kabuto's voice called in, "Sasuke. I need to speak with you."

Sasuke rolled his eyes at the disturbance. "What do you want Kabuto?"

There wasn't any screaming or crying going on in here. Kabuto cautiously made his way to the open door and the sound of Sasuke's voice. To his surprise he found the new parents in each others arms. What the hell? He looked at Raine and she cringed away from him. Sasuke shifted them shielding Raine from his sight. "Sasuke?"

"Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Sorry to interrupt you it's just that… what we talked about earlier…" Did he use genjutsu on her?

"Oh that. We've decided to keep the baby haven't we Raine?"

Kabuto was the one who hurt her and made Saichi. "I don't like him Sasuke," she whispered to her protector.

"Hear that Kabuto? She doesn't like you. She must perceive what a slimy son of a bitch you are." He looked at the medical ninja over his shoulder.

Fuck you Sasuke. "Orochimaru sama wants me to make it twins. I have everything ready; I just need Raine to come down to the lab for a few minutes."

Orochimaru wants what? She clung to his shirt nervously. "Sasuke?"

He frowned at Kabuto and turned back to Raine. "Twins is alright with you isn't it Raine? It can be your last pregnancy if you want."

Raine was confused and scared but not stupid. "Twins? What do you mean?"

"He means I'm going to put his baby in you with the one you're carrying now," Kabuto terrorized. "No sense in letting this pregnancy go to waste if we can create another Uchiha for Sasuke. Your body won't reject your own genetic material. Letting you carry Sasuke's baby would be more beneficial to the child."

You gotta be…kidding me. For a minute the world was spinning and then Raine's eyes rolled back in her head. Sasuke caught her and held her close when she fainted.

"Asshole," Sasuke growled at Kabuto. "Look at what you've done to her."

"Me? I'm not the one who wants her here in Sound, you are. Everything that happens to her here is your fault Sasuke."

Sasuke swept Raine up into his arms. "Shut up you little weasel!"

"Do you want my help with this or not Sasuke," Kabuto was annoyed.

"You'll do it anyway. Orochimaru ordered you to.

Punk. "I'm ready for your sweetie in the lab."

"Is it going to hurt her?"

I'm going to stick a seven inch needle in her body. What do you think? "It might, but nothing serious."

He didn't want her in pain, cramps could really kill a mood moonlight or not. "You better treat her right Kabuto."

"Keh," look who's talkin ya freak. Kabuto turned and started through Sasuke's bedroom. "I'll get the door."

He was making his way down a corridor on the east side of the complex when Kiba smelled something familiar. It was defiantly Sasuke, and Raine was with him. He sniffed at the air and started to follow the scent. Kiba used his sense of smell to hone in on Raine. Thus far his friend hadn't been raped and Kiba smelled no blood around her. Yosh! She's still alright!

Kiba moved faster trying to make it look like he wasn't hurrying. He had passed ninja in the hall and rooms full of the bastards. So far he had already counted over a hundred here in Sound. Sasuke and Raine were on the move, Kiba followed. If I can just catch a glimpse of her… A second later he did. Sasuke was carrying her, Raine was unconscious. They followed the ninja Kiba recognized as Yakushi Kabuto, the medical specialist and the A number one prime suspect in the attack on Raine in Lafayette.

They turned and ducked into a room down the hall. Kiba approached quietly trying to smell and trying to listen. He smelled iodine and bandages; the infirmary. He heard Kabuto direct Sasuke to lay her on the table there as he crept closer toward the open door. Shit, what are they doing to her?

"Hurry up, we have to get back to Saichi," Sasuke was impatient.

"I'm getting it Sasuke."

"You're sure it's a boy?"

"Positive."

What the hell are they on about? He swung wide away from the door so that he could get a good look inside. Raine was on some kind of medical table bigger then the one his sister had in the vet's office. Sasuke stood by her head staring down at her. Kabuto was attaching a huge needle to a syringe full of something that looked like blood.

Kabuto stepped over to Raine. He tugged her shirt up and her skirt down. He felt along her warm smooth belly using his chakra to find the perfect spot to stick her. "You'll need to keep her very still."

The bad guys crowded around Raine and Kiba lost his view of her. Shit, what was up with that needle? What are they drugging her with now? He took a step toward the room.

Pain brought her awake quick. Her eyes flew open and Raine looked to see what was hurting her. The evil ninja with the white hair and glasses was pulling a huge needle out of her abdomen. "My baby!" she screamed.

Kiba froze. Baby? Now that she mentioned it, Kiba smelled formula on Raine. He heard Sasuke telling her It's alright Raine and then Kabuto said Success. It was hard to hear much else over her excited screams. Poor Raine was terrified. Damnit I have to help her.

Kabuto had heard enough of her hysterics. "Why don't you take Raine back to your room," he directed at Sasuke as he finished up with his patient.

Kiba was about to slink away when he heard Raine scream "What have you done to me this time you bastard!"

She sat up suddenly and Sasuke put his arms around her. "It's okay, you're alright Raine. Don't get so excited. It's not good for the twins."

"Congratulations you two. You're going to be parents again."

What…the fuck? Formula stink, twins, parents again? Shit. Kiba started back down the hall the minute Sasuke shuffled his feet. Kiba wasn't sure what fucked up thing they were doing to his pretty little friend but he knew it was time to pass on what he found out to his nakama waiting outside of sound for him.

Sakura will be there. She's an excellent medical ninja. If these guys fucked Raine up, Sakura can fix her, if not then Tsunade will! He felt like a real shit leaving her in Sasuke's clutches, Kiba defiantly didn't like the way the sleaze was hugging Kankuro's mousey little sis. Hang in there a little longer Raine. Kiba made for the exit. Gaara's coming for you.

After a few more minutes of screaming, Sasuke finally led his distraught woman the hell out of Kabuto's theatre. It had taken Kabuto five tries to explaine to the hysterical princess that he hadn't hurt her, that he had blessed her. Raine would have twin sons; one was Gaara's and the one was fathered by Sasuke. She would get to be a mother twice over. Finally understanding crept into the woman's eyes and she fell silent. Sasuke escorted her out with an arm around her shoulder.

Kabuto sighed heavily as he sank down on his favorite stool. He faced the counter, picked up his pen and made some notes in Raine's file. "Orochimaru better appreciate this," Kabuto grumbled. Dealing with the sick pervert and his little woman was annoying. And just what the hell is that little bitch doing all over Sasuke if she loves Gaara so damn much? There was no sign of genjutsu used on her, which just left one thing. She's trying to manipulate Sasuke. Using her feminine charms on him. It was either that or she wanted to fuck him and Kabuto doubted that.

He finished his notes quickly. Kabuto would speak to Orochimaru about this at once, before Sasuke could take Raine out of Sound. Sasuke and Raine, you're both very special containers to Orochimaru sama. When he thought of the sannin's long reaching plan Kabuto couldn't help but smile.

Sasuke and Raine would start building Orochimaru's army of elite ninja; soon Kabuto would make more like Saichi as well. And then Orochimaru will take that little Uchiha bastards body. Orochimaru will finally be able to relive the happiest part of his life with his new Rhiannon. Kabuto smiled. "Good thing she'll be used to getting fucked by Sasuke then ne?" he chuckled amused.

Orochimaru would likely use some kind of genjutsu to make Raine more like Rhiannon. He had told Kabuto many times that he and Rhiannon had a very special love for each other. She had betrayed on Sasori and Amiboshi with the sannin. Rhiannon loved him. And she will again. When Sasuke and Raine have flowered to Orochimaru's liking they will both cease to exist. Using their bodies Orochimaru will turn back time itself and have the love of his life back again.

Kabuto smiled. The sannin sure was clever, methodical and very patient. Saichi and the twins Raine was now pregnant with would grow to lead an army for Orochimaru. Kabuto hoped that his master would let him sire some of the children that he would create to follow Orochimaru's new family. Kabuto had a damn fine genetic make up of his own. My family could go on serving Orochimaru for generations.

He laughed a little thinking of all the super ninja he could create with the genetic material he had already stolen away from the young woman. The twins were just an added bonus. Sasuke could see her get all fat and Orochimaru would have Sabaku no Gaara's child without having to go after Gabriel.

The hand that rocks the cradle really does rule the world ne?

With his notes made Kabuto got up and went back out into the maze. He needed to report to Orochimaru at once.

He put Sasuke's baby inside of me. Raine never felt a single step she took all the way back to Sasuke's room. Gaara's baby. Sasuke's baby. She had gone beyond shock about ten minutes ago. Raine left her sanity back in the lab with the giant needle. They went back into the bedroom and Saichi was crying. Sasuke hurried to him, but Raine went on to the bathroom.

Sasuke went to the nursery and picked the crying baby up. "It's alright now Saichi, daddy's here." He turned adjusting the baby in his arms. Sasuke saw Raine go shuffling into the bathroom. She moved slowly like a sleepwalker or someone on heavy drugs. Godamnit, Kabuto said he wasn't going to hurt her! "Raine?" he started after her.

She made it to the sink and rested a hand on the cool marble counter. The other reached for the faucet and Raine ran some cold water in the sink. She bent and threw some on her face with one hand. She could hear Saichi crying. He sounded hungry. Her dry hand left the counter and covered the place Kabuto had stabbed her with a needle.

"Are you alright Raine? Are you in pain?" Sasuke was getting worried. Saichi was screaming and it was as if Raine didn't even hear him. "Raine? Raine, Saichi needs a bottle. I have to go get him one. Raine are you listening to me?"

Raine lifted her head out of the sink and caught a glimpse of her own reflection in the mirror. Something about it seemed to look wrong. How can I…go back to Gaara…like this? How can I possibly tell him…?

Sasuke rested a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. "Raine?"

Is this his fault or was it Orochimaru… "Get away from me Sasuke."

She said it with such loathing he startled. "You're angry with me?" he adjusted his fussing son. "Didn't you say that you would do anything I wanted if I spared Gaara's child Raine?"

"I didn't mean this."

Sasuke frowned. "So, what? It was okay to fuck me but not okay to have my baby? What happened to all that talk about moonlight and making love Raine? Did you hope to end it between us quickly? Maybe beg Gaara to forgive your affair?"

The hand on her shoulder tightened. "I am not having an affair with you Sasuke!"

"Oh, then what do you call it Raine? I got you hot in my bed, you made out with me in the nursery and you're pregnant with my child too. You're not a widow yet so I guess that makes you an adulteress. You're cheating on Gaara with me just like your mother fucked around with Orochimaru behind Sasori's back."

Raine shook her head horrified and disgusted. "No. I…"

"No? That wasn't your tongue in my mouth ten minutes ago, right?" he let go of her shoulder and wiggled her arm. "You want me too Raine, you're just having too much fun playing hard to get. Here, take Saichi. I need to go get him a bottle."

She stared at Sasuke as he passed Saichi to her. Raine instinctively started to rock the crying bundle in her arms. Sasuke kissed her on the forehead and went out. This place is hell. Saichi was hungry and working himself into a crying fit. Raine turned the baby over her shoulder and rubbed his back. "Shhhh baby. It's alright Saichi."

The sound of her soft voice quieted him some and Raine carried him to the nursery. She walked with him the way he liked and he settled a little more. What am I going to do? I can't possible tell Gaara… She squeezed her eyes shut to fight the tears. Gaara's baby. We've been trying for so long… Raine patted Saichi's back. I can't leave Saichi with these sickos either!

Raine's tears fell on the hand that patted the infants back. Gaara…please Gaara. I hate it here and I miss you and Gabe so much. I need you now Gaara please…. "Save us," Raine wept quietly into the nursery.

"It's Kiba!" Naruto jumped with excitement.

"Oi! Kiba!" Kankuro waved a hand and called his friend over.

Kiba saw Gaara and hurried to him. "Gaara! Raine's alive, I saw her!"

Gaara ran the rest of the way to meet his friend with a sharp nose. "Is she alright Kiba?"

"Sasuke aint been at her," he set Gaara's mind at ease at once. The kazekage sighed audibly relived.

I'm not too late! Thank you God! "She's unharmed then?"

"Yeah," Kiba thought about the needle. "Well, I'm not totally sure. That Kabuto guy shot her up with something. Sakura should probably check Raine out as soon as we've got her back."

Fuck. What is Orochimaru doing to her now? "I'll make it a priority. Come Kiba, give us a report. The time has come for Sand and Leaf to put an end to Hidden Sound." Gaara led his friend back toward the jonin to plan their attack. I'm coming Raine.