Raine in the Desert

by Hack Interrupted

Gaara finds the love of his life

12. Chapter 12

12

Sasuke didn't want to stop but Naruto's starvation was slowing them down. Fifteen hours after they left Konoha they stopped in a quiet village. Naruto found the ramen shop and ordered food for both of them. He was still carrying that dumb looking frog wallet of his and Sasuke shook his head. "Pork is okay aint it?" Naruto wondered why Sasuke was looking at him like that.

He couldn't care less what he ate right now. "It's fine. We eat and we go. Orochimaru can cover great distances quickly using different jutsus."

"Can you?"

"Not like he can. Orochimaru really is quick as a snake when he wants to be. Kabuto has reported to him by now. I'm sure that asshole is still following us. It will come down to who can get to Hidden Sand first." Sasuke frowned. "It's best that it be us. It will be easier to protect Raine if she's still in the village. If Orochimaru takes her getting her back is going to next to impossible and very dangerous for everyone involved including Raine."

Naruto thought Sasuke looked worried, serious. It made him nervous. "We can get there first right?"

"We have to hurry."

"Gaara can protect Raine."

"In the desert with his shinobi Gaara can give Orochimaru a hard time, but that's about it. You don't know what he's capable of. I do, I've copied his jutsus. "

It was creepy to think about and Naruto lowered his voice. "Have you seen him do it? The body transfer jutsu?"

Sasuke was watching their ramen come out of the pot. "Yes. It's… disturbing. I won't let it happen to Raine."

"Is it painful?"

"I've seen bodies explode when the jutsu goes wrong, when the container fights it."

He felt his appetite falter. Explode? "We can't let Orochimaru get her."

"That's what I've been saying." Sasuke sighed. Their meal was almost ready.

"Okay, we eat and then we go. We'll hurry. I'll talk to Gaara when we get there. We'll all keep Orochimaru from getting anywhere near genie." The chef set their bowls in front of them and Naruto grabbed his chopsticks. Eat hurry save Raine.

The Uchiha wasted no time. He too hastily took in the nourishment he needed to continue their run to Sand. Naruto slurped his ramen beside him. There was something oddly familiar about it all. Sasuke figured out why before he finished his food. Naruto and I are on the same team again.

Orochimaru was indeed very angry with Kabuto's news. Sasuke turned traitor and went running off to find his would be girlfriend. It put a definite kink in the sannin's plans. The past two years remaining in his current body was an exercise and patience and restraint. He needed the Uchiha's body soon. He had planned to be in Sasuke when he liberated Raine from Gaara. The boy's impatient lust fouled up his plans. Now Orochimaru had to chase down both of his special containers. Damnit boy!

He had to get to Sasuke before he got to Raine; if not the Uchiha would likely take her somewhere it would be troublesome to find her. Sasuke might resist keeping his family loyal to Sound at all. Orochimaru still had Saichi; his dream container was growing up to the sannin's liking, but it would still be many years and several more bodies before he could take over his perfect Uchiha. I need to take Sasuke's body now before he can interfere with my plans anymore.

After receiving Kabuto's message Orochimaru left Saichi in the hands of his special team of caregivers. It was getting progressively harder for anyone but Orochimaru or Kabuto to take care of the toddler. Saichi had learned much with his Sharingan, enough to make him unpredictable when he threw a temper tantrum. Sometimes people got hurt. Last month he set one of his nurse maids on fire. Kanton was an Uchiha trademark.

Kabuto was following Sasuke, for some really bad reason Sasuke was traveling with Uzumaki Naruto. The boy had been visiting the Uchiha regularly for a few months now. Naruto had always been a bad influence on Sasuke with all of his talk about friends and caring. The last thing a fool in love needed was listening to the Konoha ninja run his idiot mouth. Sasuke was confused and demented as it was. He didn't need Naruto convincing him that Gaara's wife was more to him then pussy.

Time is up. Sasuke will be mine and I will bring Rhiannon back to me. Nothing can stop it now. You're too late Naruto.

The morning started like any other. Gaara was up early helping Raine with the boys. He wrestled them into high chairs with a little help from their uncles while the ladies finished bacon and eggs. After breakfast the ninja went off to see to their various jobs while Raine saw to the busy boys. Shikamaru went with Gaara to his office. He was finally getting a team of genin to supervise. They were looking over the candidates when Konoha's messenger flew in the window and lighted on Gaara's desk.

"From Konoha?" A message from my old home town on the day I finally fully integrate myself into the shinobi of the Sand. He smiled at the irony.

Gaara returned Shikamaru's smile. "Yes." He untied the small scroll from the bird's leg and the falcon hopped to the edge of the desk and waited. Gaara unrolled the note still smiling and started to read. It was a letter from Tsunade hokage and she didn't have very good news.

Orochimaru intends to collect his containers now. He sent Yakushi Kabuto to free Uchiha Sasuke from the hospital. Sasuke escaped Kabuto and went to Uzumaki Naruto for assistance. Both Sasuke and Naruto believe that Raine is in great danger. They are on their way to you at the time of my writing this. More when I have updated information.

Godaime Hokage Tsunade

The hand holding the scroll faltered. Raine is in danger…

Shikamaru didn't like the look n Gaara's face. "Oi Gaara, something wrong?"

He passed the message to Shikamaru. Naruto and Sasuke… Gaara shook his head as his brother in law read Tsunade's note. Sasuke coming here was pure madness. He'd be arrested on the spot, with or without Naruto. The counsel was just dieing to execute the Uchiha for his crimes against the Sand. "Has he lost his mind?"

"You gotta be fucking kidding me," Shikamaru finished hokage's message.

Yes, Sasuke was crazy but if he was coming here it was because of Raine. "Orochimaru is coming for my wife." Gaara stood.

"Yeah so is Uchiha Sasuke! What the hell is Naruto doing with him?" he shook the note to emphasize his point. "What are you going to do Gaara?"

Gaara was already moving toward the door. "Sand must be put on high alert. I have to let the border guards know they're coming."

"Oi Gaara," Shikamaru started to follow. "What are you going to do about Sasuke? Orochimaru isn't the one with the history of kidnapping Raine, he is."

"Sasuke isn't going to get near Raine again." Gaara hurried out of his office to summon his ANBU and prepare his ninja.

Gaara dished out orders as fast as he could and hurried home to personally guard his wife. Raine was outside with the boys letting them run off some energy. She was clapping for Gabe as he tried to do cartwheels. Gaara went to her and wrapped her into his arms. My love. He kissed her. "Raine, I received word from Tsunade."

Raine was surprised to see him home so early for lunch, maybe this was why. She thought her husband looked a little stressed, a little worried. "What is it Gaara?"

He wondered how much to tell her. He had kept it from his love what Orochimaru desired to do to her body. "Naruto and…Sasuke are on their way to Sand. It appears Sound means to strike at us again."

Naruto and Sasuke! "Sasuke? How can that be!"

Gaara held her and stared down into her wide eyes. "He's working with Naruto."

"Why!" She couldn't believe that not only was he free but Sasuke was coming here. Raine's swallowed her heart.

"Sasuke has extensive knowledge and experience dealing with Orochimaru and Sound." Gaara knew it wasn't the answer she was looking for and he gave her a squeeze. "It's alright Raine. You don't have to see him. Not here in Sand where I am kage. You don't even have to know he's here."

She stared up at Gaara. His eyes were soft and his arms around her were reassuring but something just didn't sit right with Raine. "Why would Sasuke come here to stand against Orochimaru? Why is Sound attacking again?"

For you. Gaara reached up and stroked Raine's cheek. "It's alright Raine. Sasuke's just going to give us some information. We'll stop the attack like we did before."

Raine leaned into her husband. "Like you did Gaara." She could recall being saved by his sand just before Sasuke… "The boys?"

"Your ANBU guards are all experts at creating a barrier. Even if there's fighting you'll all be perfectly safe."

Fighting. More ninja war. Raine could go the rest of her life without seeing ninja fight again. She snuggled closer to Gaara. "I don't want you to fight Gaara. I want you with me and our sons."

He smiled at her. He knew she disliked violence and worried about the shinobi she loved. "I am the kazekage. It's my job to protect everyone and I will. Everything is going to be fine. Trust me."

Kazekage… "I trust you Gaara." She closed her eyes and he kissed her lips. Raine hugged at him. I love you Gaara no matter what other title you hold you are my husband. She would trust the man she loved. Gaara could deal with anything. He was amazing that way. I trust you Gaara.

They were running out of woods when the rain first started to fall. Soon it was raining hard and Sasuke and Naruto took shelter in a dilapidated abandon barn. It seemed like a good enough place and time to get some rest and Sasuke suggested that they sleep for a few hours. Dead tired Naruto didn't argue. They lay back in stale hay and drifted off to sleep. Sasuke dreamt about Raine.

It was a bright sunny day at the beach. Raine went swimming and then lay beside Sasuke to sunbathing in a tiny wet white bikini. Sasuke couldn't resist her glistening skin and he reached for her. You're so beautiful you drive me crazy. He kissed her heatedly and Raine wrapped her slippery legs around him. She smelled like coconut.

The little bikini was all string tie and Sasuke had her out of it in no time. His hands ran over her cool naked flesh exciting her. I want you. Make love to me Sasuke she sighed as Raine squirmed beneath him. Yes Raine. I love you. I want you. I miss you. Sasuke took Raine right where they lay on the beach. The sex was incredible.

A banging pulled Sasuke from his pleasant dream. The wind had kicked up outside and a loose board rode the current occasionally slamming into the wall. Sasuke sighed tired and depressed. Damnit I was having such a great dream. He peeked at Naruto. He was drooling and snoring softly. Sasuke closed his eyes. A little more sleep was okay right now and he wanted to go back to his dream. Raine… his heart longed for her. I'm coming.

The stressful day seemed to pass slowly. Kankuro came home early; he was livid. He spoke to Gaara in private and read him the riot act. The Uchiha had better be Naruto's prisoner and Sasuke would be treated as such here in Sand. After Kankuro vented his frustration he went back to the gate to take in the frequent reports from the messengers running between the village and the squads patrolling the border.

Gaara stayed with his family. He helped Raine get the boys ready for bed. They spent a lot of time outside today and his sons were tired. They tucked the boys in and Raine read them a story; Jack and the Beanstalk, Gabe really liked it. With the boys settled Gaara led Raine back to their room for some private quality time.

Raine started to undress for bed. Now that she had seen to her children she could worry about other things. "Why is Sound starting another war? Is Orochimaru after the boys?"

"They're still too young for him to train," Gaara tried to sound casual. He pulled his shirt off and threw it in the hamper.

"Gabe's not. He's just a little older then Saichi."

He looked at his wife. She had stripped down to her underwear and Gaara went to her. "The boys will be fine. Orochimaru wont get anywhere near you or them. I promise." He wrapped her into his arms and stared down into her eyes.

She leaned against her husband. Raine loved the feel of their bodies touching. Her arms slipped around his neck. Gaara will protect us. "Why does Sasuke want to fight Orochimaru? Did something happen between them?"

He kept the frown away. Sasuke wants to protect Raine. He must know… "Maybe being in Konoha Sasuke has seen Orochimaru for what he really is."

"Is he running away so Orochimaru won't steal his body?"

Yes. "Sasuke might have decided he doesn't want to go along with it."

Raine snuggled against Gaara. "I can't see how anyone would want their body to be taken over. It's horrible."

Gaara pulled her close and kissed her forehead. I won't let it happen. I will do whatever it takes. "I don't want you to worry about it anymore. You're safe here with the boys. I'm not going to let anything happen to any of you. The village is on priority alert. When Naruto and Sasuke arrive border guard will bring them to me. You don't have to see him Raine. No matter what information he might have he is still a criminal and will be treated as such here in Sand. I'm not Tsunade; criminals don't have such liberal rights here."

"Naruto has him under control doesn't he?" She tried not to think about the way they had fought in the forest of fire country. Sasuke had been half dead when it was over. Then he took me and…

"I'm sure it's fine." Gaara knew that Naruto had been coaching and confronting Sasuke for months now. He must have reached him. "Naruto and Sasuke go way back. They know each other well. Sasuke will behave for Naruto," Gaara hoped it sounded as true as he wanted it to be.

She sighed a little and dug her hands into Gaara's hair. He had everything under control, all was well; safe. "Do you think he'll tell us where Saichi is?"

He wasn't sure Sasuke even knew. "I'll certainly ask. Sasuke will be interrogated when he gets here."

That sounded rough. "Like tortured?"

Gaara smiled. "No. Not while I'm kage. Sasuke may have no real rights here but he's still a human being. He will be treated like any other prisoner of war."

Raine knew how the people of Sand viewed Sasuke and the Sound. They hated and feared them. They wanted the Uchiha executed for his crimes against the first family of Sand. "Are you going to kill him?"

He blinked at her. Raine was looking at him curiously. "He isn't coming here to fight me. It's Orochimaru he wants."

"The counsel wants him on death row."

A big part of Gaara did too. Sasuke should die for what he put Raine through. "Don't worry about it. Right now he's still Konoha's prisoner. He's still their problem." He pulled her close and kissed her. "It's going to be alright Raine."

If he said so, it must be true. Raine had absolute faith in Gaara. She smiled a little and reached for his sensitive ears. "I love you."

"I love you too, so much." He kissed her again and released his passion. Gaara took his wife to bed and loved her.

Kabuto dropped to one knee. "Orochimaru sama, Sasuke and Naruto are still ahead but the distance between us is minimal."

Orochimaru loomed over his servant. "What is he doing with that boy ne?"

He didn't know and he cringed a little. "Using him for passage into Sand perhaps."

The sannin didn't think Naruto was the Uchiha's hostage. "Tell me Kabuto, are they pals again? Does Sasuke trust Naruto?"

"He said Naruto pestered him. The visitors log was only a week old but Naruto came every day to see Sasuke."

What has that brat done to my container? "Then we should waste no time. I don't want that kuuybi brat turning Sasuke away from me. It will make things difficult if he does."

The ninja stood up; clearly Orochimaru was ready to be off. "Will we be acquiring Rhiannon's container this trip as well?"

Orochimaru's lips curled into a devious smile. "Well we are in the neighborhood."

Naruto was exhausted. They had been running forever. They were nearly to the desert and still no sign of Kabuto or Orochimaru. At least they were still ahead of the bad guys. "You think we're still being followed?"

"I know we are. Orochimaru will try to re claim me before we get to Sand. He's probably been in his current body too long. It's time for a new one and he wants mine."

"I won't let him take you Sasuke."

Neither will I. "I won't let Orochimaru have me or Raine. I will protect her."

It was a fairly straight run the rest of the way to Sand. "We'll get to Sand before Orochimaru can make his move wont we?"

"I'm trying." Raine, stay safe until I get there! "It's difficult to know where Orochimaru is going to pop up. He's running out of time, if he intends to take me before we make it to Sand he'll set up an ambush. Stay alert."

Naruto scanned the flatland they traveled through. "Gaara probably has Sand locked down by now."

"I'm sure he's doing everything he can to protect Raine." As much as it irked him, Sasuke understood Gaara loved Raine.

"It will be okay," Naruto had faith. "Gaara will protect her. We'll back him up."

Sasuke intended to use Naruto and Gaara as his back up. "Fighting Orochimaru isn't going to be easy and this time it will be a real battle. He will fight for what he wants."

"He's not taking you or Raine anywhere." Naruto frowned. "This time I'll kill him."

Kakashi twisted the cap off his canteen and took a big swig of cool water. Sakura sat with Kiba and Neji, the team he had assembled to follow that annoying Kabuto kid. Kakashi had enough of him. When they caught up to him, Kakashi would kill the ninja and be done with it. "Ten minutes guys," he reminded.

Kiba was eager to get to Sand. He wanted to see his friends. He wanted to make sure Kankuro's sweet little sister was alright. "I still don't get that guy."

"Orochimaru is evil through and through," Neji offered.

"Not him, Sasuke. What the hell is he thinking going to Sand? They'll kill him."

Sakura understood. She and Naruto had talked a lot about Sasuke. "He wants to protect Raine. Sasuke…really loves her."

"Keh," Kiba stood and stretched. "He doesn't know the meaning of the word."

"He can't help it. It's what he really feels."

"And it's good that he does," Kakashi interjected. "If Sasuke knows what it means to love, if he desires to protect Raine and the children; Orochimaru will have a hard time taking Sasuke's body if his heart is not all black."

Sakura looked up at her sensei. "Naruto was really reaching him. Maybe he can…?"

"If anyone can save Sasuke its Naruto." Kakashi hoped that this was a second chance to save his former student.

Naruto… Sakura stared down at the sandwich in her lap. Please be okay Naruto and if you can, help Sasuke.

Gaara spent much of the next day with Raine and the boys. He didn't want her worrying about Sasuke or Orochimaru; he did his best to keep her mind on more pleasant things. They were at the playground all morning. Gaara pushed Gabe on the swing. They rounded the boys up near lunchtime and paraded them home to get cleaned up. Gaara always felt incredibly proud strolling his family through the village. His wife and children were adored by everyone. It made him happy to show them off.

Gabe wanted hot dogs cut up with ketchup. Once he explained his order to mommy his brothers opted for the same. Raine rolled her eyes. "I think they would live off of meat and ketchup if I let them."

Gaara smiled. He knew Gabe liked anything with a tomato taste, especially ketchup. He would eat it straight if he could. "Probably." He stopped and kissed his wife. "I'll get these boys washed up."

She smiled at her husband and he chased the boys upstairs. She giggled and went into the kitchen. Raine decided to boil the hot dogs, Renji didn't like them fried. He'd pick the skin off and pout. She could hear Gaara upstairs laughing with the boys as he tried to get them cleaned up enough to sit at the table. Gabe squealed and got the twins going. Chuckling to herself Raine started the hot dogs.

There was a tap at the sliding glass door and an ANBU guy stuck his head inside. "Kazekage sama?"

"He's upstairs, shall I get him?"

Toki bowed. "Thank you princess."

Raine hurried up the stairs and took over for Gaara. He went down to the kitchen with Gabe at his heels. The little guy wanted his hot dog with ketchup. "Ketsup daddy," he reminded as he followed daddy downstairs.

"Okay Gabe, up to the table." Gaara turned to his ANBU. "What's going on?"

He took a deep breath and let it out. "We just received word from the border. Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto made it to a patrol squad but…"

"But?" Gaara straightened.

"The squad was ambushed, three dead. Orochimaru attacked them."

Oh shit! "What happened?"

Sasuke and Naruto were met not far from the border of wind country by a party of Sand ninja. The leader told them that the kazekage was expecting them. He gave the Uchiha a filthy look. "You better have some good information or you're going to hang."

Sasuke straightened and Naruto stepped between him and the Sand jonin. "We have to hurry to Gaara."

The jonin turned. "This way."

They hadn't been running with the squad long when Sasuke felt an ache in the vicinity of his cursed seal. "Shit," he activated his Sharingan immediately.

"Sasuke?" Naruto heard him grumble and peeked at him. His friend's eyes were red.

"Orochimaru is close. Stay alert!" he barked a warning.

The ninja running behind Naruto heard something and turned slightly to look back over his shoulder. He screamed and stumbled. Naruto glanced back just in time to see the ninja be devoured by a giant snake that erupted out of the ground. "Oh shit!"

The ground shook and a moment later giant snakes were popping out of the desert all around them. "Fight your way through them!" Sasuke commanded. "Keep going! We have to get out of range!" Somewhere behind them Orochimaru was sitting on his ass letting his pets do the work for him. Afraid to get too close to me ne you bastard?

Naruto dug into his pouch and handed Sasuke a stack of shuriken. "We need to clear a path through these things!" the ground ahead gave way and another Sand ninja became snake food. "Damnit!"

Sasuke leapt away from a snake and threw the shuriken. He took three animals down but over a dozen perused them. "Behind us Naruto!"

The ninja to his right was sucked under the sand and Naruto heard him scream. He took two handfuls of kunai and threw them at the snakes slithering after them. He stopped a few of them, "There's too many!"

"Keep running!" We have to get out of this jutsu's territory before everyone is killed!

"They're still chasing us!" Naruto panicked. There were a lot of big snakes.

The edge of his territory can't be more then a couple of miles. "Run Naruto!"

Naruto did. He Sasuke and the squad leader made it clear of the sannin's territory. Sasuke promptly turned and hit the pursuing snakes with enough fire to roast them all. While Sasuke cleaned up the snakes the Sand jonin sent a message to the runner ahead apprising him of the situation. The messenger hauled ass to Sand.

Gaara leaned against the counter. "When will they be here?"

"If they aren't ambushed again anytime now kazekage sama, but its almost certain that Orochimaru is following them."

Orochimaru wants his containers. Sasuke and Raine. Sasuke has to make a stand against Orochimaru, if not he'll…. "Have them brought to my office the moment they arrive." Toki bowed and hurried out. Gaara heard Raine and the boys coming down the stairs. The twins ran in with their mother a few steps behind.

Gabe had been quiet while daddy talked his business but now he was excited to tell his brothers. "Three ninja dead! Naruto come see! He got Sasuke!"

Raine froze in the doorway. "Wh…"

"Fight snakes!"

"That's enough Gabe!" Gaara snapped startling everyone in the room. Renji started to cry. Raine took a step into the room and Gaara went to her.

"What is going on? Just what did he hear?" maternal instinct took over. Raine was mad. "Don't yell at him for repeating what you said!"

He put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I'm sorry Raine. Listen; Naruto and Sasuke are being perused by Orochimaru. He tried to get them in the desert and three ninja were lost."

"Orochimaru is coming here?" Yusuke was patting Renji's shoulder to sooth him.

Gaara moved in and took Raine in his arms. "I wont let him step foot in Sand. His attack will fail just like it did before. Sound cannot defeat us."

"The boys," she worried. Renji was still sobbing.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to our babies." He kissed Raine and then turned to the table. Gaara picked Renji up and hugged him. "Daddy's sorry. I yelled too loud."

Gabe was pouting. "Hot dog. Ketsup."

Raine heaved a sigh and went to make the boys their plates. "It's coming Gabe."

Gaara reached over and patted Gabe on the head. "I'll make sure you get lots of ketchup okay pal?" Gabe smiled and all was forgiven.

Two more squads of Sand ninja joined them as they raced to the village. Orochimaru was still out there somewhere behind them. Naruto could practically feel him breathing down his neck. "Where is he? Where will he attack from next?"

Sasuke was feeling the first pangs of fatigue in his legs. "If we're lucky he won't attack again until we've arrived in Sand. Even Orochimaru will hesitate about moving below Gaara's desert. He has to be careful or Gaara will sense his presence."

Naruto blinked at Sasuke. "You…know that?"

"I know all of Gaara's moves and tricks, so does Orochimaru."

"Sasuke," Naruto had been curious since the day Sasuke had a seizure after looking over his file. "Have you been remembering things?"

"I've been remembering things since I woke up Naruto." It was a 'shut up' answer, but a truthful one. Yes, Sasuke had been calling back his life and memories since he first came to in Konoha hospital.

"You know what I mean," he puffed running beside Sasuke.

He never broke his stride. "I remember more about Orochimaru."

It was good in the way that they had to fight the sannin and knowledge is power; on the other hand Sasuke was recalling things about his time in Sound. "Do you remember being his ninja?"

"I was his best. He taught me just about everything I know. Jutsus, strategies; that's why I know he's still out there. He'll try to stop us from reaching a stronghold. If he can't," Sasuke sucked in a breath as he ran on. "He'll attack the stronghold."

"Suna."

"Orochimaru won't be taking Raine all quiet and sneaky like he hoped to do with both of us, the son of a bitch," Sasuke growled. "I'm going to beat him down so fucking hard he'll go find himself other containers for his sick jutsu."

Naruto had fought with Orochimaru before. He didn't remember much of it but he knew the sannin was hardcore. "Can you beat Orochimaru?" he marveled.

"I trained with him, I know him. I need to corner him; I need Gaara to corner him. It will take all the power of the desert to hold that bastard still."

He lifted a brow. "Gaara's gonna hold him while you hit him?"

Sasuke almost laughed. "Yeah, how fucked up is that?"

Naruto laughed for both of them. Sasuke and Gaara working together, a team. "This whole thing is fucking crazy! I shouldn't even be here!"

"You're crucial to this mission Naruto. You must make Gaara listen to me."

His smile sagged some and Naruto got serious. "We will talk to Gaara together."

His old team mate wasn't going to speak for him, but he wasn't going to abandon him either. "Alright Naruto, together."

Temari and Shikamaru hurried home as soon as they heard the news. Gaara was glad to see them. He had to get to the office to command his ninja, perhaps even check in on the guard at the gate, but he didn't want to leave Raine alone. The married couple agreed to stay with Raine and the kids. Gaara pat his good boys on the head and kissed his wife. "I won't be long," he promised as he headed out to do his duty as kage.

His container and the kuuybi brat weren't that far ahead. They were surrounded by Sand shinobi now and almost to the village. You aren't getting away from me Sasuke. I will have the Sharingan. Orochimaru's hands moved through the seals. The time had come to claim all that the sannin desired. His dream of the past twenty years would finally become a reality. Rhiannon would come back to him. Sasuke and Raine were their perfect containers; Orochimaru wouldn't have it any other way.

"The village!" a jonin shouted and pointed ahead.

Sasuke followed the finger with his Sharingan. Ahead was the crater, Hidden Sand and Raine and the boys… Hawks circled the desert and the village in the sky above, their sharp eyes seeing everything for miles around. "Don't stop and don't slow down." His cursed seal was tingling. "Orochimaru is still coming."

"Not more snakes," Naruto groaned.

"We'll be safe inside the village," another jonin informed. "Kazekage sama ordered a strong protection barrier put up around the village. Twenty eight prong, invincible."

It was an impressive number Nice job Gaara but still Sasuke frowned. "Don't get so confident. You're underestimating Orochimaru."

Naruto had never heard of such a massive barrier and he was impressed. "That should slow him down though at least."

The Uchiha nodded in agreement. "It will take time to put a hole in that barrier, but it can be done."

A chunin to Sasuke's left started to panic. It was bad enough Uchiha Sasuke, a criminal that needed to die, was here; Orochimaru was going to attack the village too. "This is your fault Uchiha!"

Sasuke turned on the ninja. "Orochimaru wants your kage's wife. Eventually he'll want Gaara's sons too. I have nothing to do with it. We are all just being used by Orochimaru."

"Liar," one in the group to Naruto's right hissed. "You want the princess! Young master Yusuke is…"

The leader swung a fist and hit his subordinate in the chest. "Shut up!"

He felt the hateful stares the sand ninja were giving him. "I'm not here to take your princess. I've come to protect her."

Their course altered slightly as they ran for the gates of Hidden Sand. They were almost there when the tingle in Sasuke's marking became a dull ache. He rubbed at it and clenched his teeth. Naruto was watching him. "Sasuke?"

"We aren't going to make it."

Gaara decided to check in at the gate personally. Maybe he would even stick around and wait for Naruto to show up. The kage was wondering just what the hell he was going to do with the Uchiha when he felt something move in his desert. The sand told him what was coming and Gaara broke into a run for the gate. "All shinobi prepare for enemy attack!" he called to his men as he raced to stop Orochimaru. Naruto was in grave danger. I have to hurry!

A guard atop the gate leading into Suna lifted a hand and waved at the approaching party. Naruto was watching him when he felt the first tremor. "Oh shit not again."

"Scatter!" Sasuke commanded veering of to the right. Naruto stuck beside him. Seconds later the giant snakes were erupting from the ground they ran on again.

The sand ninja they were traveling with engaged the enemy. "We have to do something!" Naruto brought his hands in front of him.

"Keh!" Saving Gaara's shinobi wasn't on the top of Sasuke's to do list. "Cover me," he grunted at Naruto. His old team mate made some clones to circle them while Sasuke's hands flew through the seals. "Guard yourselves!" he warned and spit fire at the slithering masses.

Naruto's clones fanned out and ran to help the sand ninja still fighting snakes. Sasuke spit another burst of fire and then they were running for the gate again. The ground was quaking, more snakes spewed from the cracks the earthquake made. They had to get out of the open desert before they became snake food. "Hurry everyone!"

Gaara arrived at the gate and lighted beside the gaping ninja that had been waving just moments ago. The desert was alive with massive snakes. Some shinobi were fighting, others running through the path their commerads were trying to clear for them. Naruto and Sasuke were paired up and running full tilt boogie for the safety of the village. The ground in their path cracked and yawed open. The hole grew bigger as Gaara's friend ran closer. Shit! "Naruto!" Gaara released his sand at once.

Sasuke saw the black mouth opening up ahead of them. He tried for stage two and got nothing but pain. "Fuck!" Tsunade had sealed his power. They couldn't fly over the growing hole and it was rushing up to eat them. "Look out Naruto!"

One minute there was earth beneath his feet, the next; nothing. Oh hell! Naruto seemed to dangle in mid air for the briefest flash of time and then he was falling. "Sasuke!" he cried out panicked. Below him was only darkness unending. "Shit!"

He reached for Naruto as the ground gave way beneath them. Sasuke caught him by the back of his jacket ready to fling him as far out of the way as he could when he found it unnecessary. Instead he parried and landed on the sand Gaara had sent to rescue them. Naruto was screaming as they floated over the giant mouth in the sand. Sasuke looked up and saw Gaara on top of the gate. The cloud of sand they rode was taking them to him. Sasuke frowned some and hauled Naruto to his feet beside him. Keh! Saved by Gaara.

With Naruto and Sasuke out of immediate danger Gaara focused on the hellish black mouth that was spreading out in his desert. Some kind of dark summoning jutsu, the thing was alive. Gaara focused on the sand around the abdominal thing hardening the sand to the likeness of a diamond to contain the beast. It required some effort and Gaara dropped to one knee in concentration.

Naruto heard an inhuman cry that stood all of his hair straight up. "What the fuck?" he dared a peek back over his shoulder. The hole had eyes and teeth. "M-monster!"

Whatever the hell this thing was, it was tough. It resisted Gaara a hundred and ten percent. Gaara put his hands out calling and hardening more sand squeezing in on the creature. The monster pushed back with its black chakra. More…more… He narrowed his eyes focusing hard on the enemy. Stubborn bastard aren't you?

The Uchiha could feel the enormous amount of chakra baking off of the desert below as the young kage fought Orochimaru's earth demon. He turned his Sharingan on the struggle still holding on to his nervous friend. "Take it easy Naruto."

"What the fuck is that thing!" It was growling. Naruto could hear it. Gaara's sand won the fight and closed in on the thing slamming the dark hole shut. Only desert remained.

Sasuke lifted a brow and looked back at Gaara. They were almost to him. Gaara looked at Sasuke and stood to meet him and Naruto. Naruto turned to his friend. "Gaara!" he called smiling some and waving a hand. The sand brought them to the top of the gate and Naruto and Sasuke leapt to Gaara's side.

Gaara looked at Sasuke and then Naruto. "What's happening? The desert is crawling with snakes."

"Orochimaru is coming," Sasuke answered staring at Gaara. "Right now."

He looked up and met the Uchiha's Sharingan. "I sense snakes not Sound shinobi."

"Orochimaru doesn't need to bring an army. He can make one."

"Oi," Naruto felt the eerie electricity flowing between his two old friends. Gaara looked at him. "We're here to help."

Sasuke straightened and tried to calm his overtired mind and body. "I won't let Orochimaru take Raine. I won't let him do that sick jutsu to her."

His eyes went back to Sasuke. "Neither will I. Orochimaru's not getting anywhere near my family."

Rub it in asshole. Sasuke frowned at Gaara. This was no time for jealous rivalry. "You have to corner him; hold him. You can do that can't you?"

"I can do anything in the desert."

"Don't get cocky!" Sasuke warned stepping forward threateningly. Gaara never even blinked. "This is Orochimaru we're dealing with!"

Naruto opened his mouth to try to keep an argument from happening but there was an explosion not far from the gate. The smoke began to disperse and Naruto saw Orochimaru atop a giant snake. There were five gargantuan cobras just outside of Sand; the sannin rode the one in the middle. "Guys!"

"Shit!" Sasuke and his nemesis turned just as the snakes began their charge. There was no time to do anything else. Sasuke bit his thumb and drew blood his hands flew through the seals.

Gaara wasted no time either. His stood right beside his old rival making seals of his own. Gaara got his jutsu off first, "Doton yomi numa!" The ground near the gate became a swamp sucking in two on the snakes. Orochimaru avoided it hanging back and two more snakes were still coming. Gaara tried to grab them with his sand.

Sasuke summoned, "Rashomon!" the giant demon gate appeared in a blast of sand and smoke. The snakes slapped into it hard enough to destroy both of them. The ground shook and the gate disappeared along with its two newest victims.

Sand whirled around him as Gaara prepared his next jutsu. Orochimaru was still untouched and two of the snakes writhed to escape the swamp he had created beneath them. You'll all drown in my sand. "Ryusa Bakuryu." A huge wave of sand rose up between the village and the remaining snakes. Gaara sent the crushing tidal wave of sand forward to finish his enemies.

"Impressive little boys," Orochimaru smiled a little and moved through the seals. He became wind as the sand tsunami washed away his snakes.

Naruto stood behind Sasuke watching it all with his mouth hanging open. The desert before them was scrubbed clean by Gaara's sand. "Where is he?"

Gaara frowned. "He's not in the ground."

His Sharingan searched for his former sensei. There was another explosion as Orochimaru summoned Manda. They appeared in the middle of the freshly laid sand. Manda was bad news, he'd eat everybody. Shit. "Give it up Orochimaru," Sasuke called to the sannin. I'm not going with you and neither is Raine."

Manda reared up; Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at his run away container. "You're wrong Sasuke."

"You have no army," Gaara backed Sasuke up. "I'll sink your snake. You can do nothing in my desert."

The sannin chuckled. "You're every bit as egotistical as Sasuke said you were kazekage." Orochimaru flew through the seals. "I'll show you my army."

There was a strange noise, almost a howl but like no wind nor beast Gaara had ever heard. The fresh sand started to charge and a moment later he saw the bodies forming in the dirt. Orochimaru was creating shinobi out of earth for as far as his eye could see. Holy shit there must be thousands of them! Gaara reached forward and rolled the desert disrupting the jutsu in as many places as he could.

Hundreds of soldiers rose up out of the earth. All had the same objective; attack Suna. "Gaara, can you make the earth dragon bullet?" Sasuke asked already moving through the seals for Katon karyudan.

He could and he did. "Ready!" Gaara fired the mud balls one after another. Sasuke lit each of them with his fire turning them into missiles. They sent round after round into the soulless warriors rushing the village.

This is fuckin nuts. There were still so many of the enemy. A sea of clones attacking. All of this from just one jutsu! Naruto was flustered. Snakes, monster holes and now this. "How much chakra does this guy have?"

Kankuro was talking with Baki when the alarm sounded. They hurried to the gate with a flood of shinobi ready to defend their village. Gaara was on top of the gate with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. Kankuro's baby brother was working a combination jutsu with the Uchiha. What the fuck? "Gaara!" Kankuro bounded up to stand behind his brother. He took in what was happening on the other side of the sealed gate. "Oh fuck."

Sand shinobi began to line the walls of their precious village all throwing devastating jutsus upon his clones. Orochimaru watched their struggle with a smile on his face. Another jutsu and hoards of poisonous snakes spewed from the sannin and raced toward the village.

Gaara quit with the missiles in favor of another approach. "Hang on," he warned. Gaara dropped to one knee and felt deep into the earth with his chakra. The ground shook violently and cracked open like an over baked pie. Snakes and clone soldiers fell into the mile deep pit that opened up underneath them. It took out a lot of them, but there was still more. Damnit this is endless.

Sasuke was a little breathless and lightheaded from blowing so much fire. "Can you knock more of them into that trench of yours?" he asked looking down at Gaara.

Kankuro snarled at the Uchiha. "Don't fucking tell Gaara what to do!"

Gaara raised a hand. "I can and I will." He set the desert swirling calling the sand to dance faster, to move the enemy. Gaara closed his eyes concentrating on sliding the attacking masses into his trap.

The Uchiha favored Kankuro with a quick look of disgust and then looked at Naruto. "If you can get that big frog out here, it would help. He can deal with Manda while we fight Orochimaru."

"You aint the fuck in charge prisoner!" Just looking at Sasuke made Kankuro angry.

Naruto stepped between them. "I'll summon the boss." He bit at his finger as he leapt down off the gate. He had to be someplace where shit wasn't going to get destroyed when the big frog appeared. Naruto dodged clone soldiers as he prepared his summon.

"Naruto!" Sasuke watched the fool jump into a sea of enemy ninja. A moment later the frog appeared before them with Naruto perched atop his head. Sasuke leapt to his friend. "Oi get this frog to take us over there!" he pointed at Manda.

"What!" Gamabunta scoffed. It was that damn Uchiha kid on his head with Naruto. "What the hell is going on Naruto?"

"Boss! It's Orochimaru!" Naruto wondered how much trouble he was in.

Gamabunta blew smoke in the snake's direction. "I am so sick of you."

"Likewise," the snake hissed.

"Please boss, we have to stop Orochimaru. He's come here to get genie…uh I mean Raine. You know Gaara's wife."

The frog saw the kazekage on the gate working his sand to draw Orochimaru's clone army away from his village. He went for his dagger. "Alright kid, don't fall off." Gamabunta sprung high into the air and pointed himself at Manda.

"Frog boss," Sasuke dropped to one knee and addressed him. "I can ignite your toad oil. Spit it at Manda!"

"Pretty bossy aint ya brat?"

"Please!

It would take the enemy by surprise so Gamabunta agreed. He spat a huge ball of oil at the snake and the Uchiha ignited it with his fire. The snake dodged and the frog spit again. Manda was burned and Orochimaru was shocked. Gamabunta's dagger missed the snake's head by a hair. Manda swung his tail hissing furiously.

"I'll kill you!" Manda thrashed and drove the frog from his sword.

"Sasuke you…" Orochimaru growled at the traitor. His hair was singed.

He stared at the angry sannin. "You've found yourself the object of hate of yet another Sharingan Orochimaru. Raine and I will raise our children, not you and Rhiannon."

"Oh?" Orochimaru gnashed his teeth. "Is that what you think?"

"It's what I know." Sasuke leapt off Gamabunta and flipped to Manda. He attacked the sannin head on engaging him in a fast paced taijutsu match.

Kankuro stepped up for a better view of what was going on out there. The giant snake thrashed and rolled unconcerned for the two ninja fighting on his hide. The giant frog jumped away from the snake. Gaara drug snakes and clone shinobi into the great crack in the earth. Little brother was sweating and he was starting to breathe hard. He's used too many major moves. He's running out of chakra fast. "Oi Gaara, don't overdo it."

Gamabunta jumped back as Manda death rolled. Clone soldiers smashed to pieces beneath the summons thrashing and jumping. Naruto saw fire and ice jutsus collide somewhere in Sasuke's vicinity. "Shit that's right. Sasuke needed Gaara to hold Orochimaru down. Oi boss! I have to tell Gaara. We have to help Sasuke!"

"Then we better hold down that squirming wallet so Gaara's sand can get to Orochimaru."

"Transformation jutsu?" it always made Naruto nervous.

"Fangs and claws boy. You know what to do. Now warn Gaara to be ready!"

Naruto took in a big deep breath and let it out in a long shout to be heard over the battle. "Grab him Gaara!"

Gaara looked up just as Naruto and his summon charged toward the big snake and the two fighting atop his rolling body. Sasuke's fighting Orochimaru. I have to… there were a few hundred soulless creatures still trying to get to the gate, there were still snakes everywhere. My chakra is. Gaara stood up and wiped the sweat from his brow. He concentrated. This is my desert I will…

"Transform!" The transformation was a success, now a nine tailed fox the summon attacked the snake. Gamabunta sunk fangs unto the snake's throat and tore at him mercilessly with his temporary claws.

"I hate you!" Manda screamed at his enemy as he thrashed. "Orochimaru!"

The sannin and his container struggled to stay atop the snake. "Keh!" Orochimaru saw the fox transformation. "Damn Naruto! Go Manda!" the snake vanished and the big fox came after Orochimaru. He leapt back flying through the seals. Genjutsu didn't work on a summon, but frogs hated the cold. The temperature dropped as he cast the ice jutsu at the troublesome transformed pair.

The fox's two front paws were frozen to the ground and Gamabunta roared enraged. "Boss!" Naruto worried. The jutsu was broken and they were frog and boy again.

"If I move I'm gonna tear apart my delicate feet!" the summon was furious.

"Then just go boss. We'll take it from here."

Gamabunta puffed smoke. "If you ever fight Orochimaru again, call me. I want to kill him!" the summon disappeared in a blast of smoke and Naruto was on the ground again. He was running low on his normal chakra; dozens of zombie clones headed his way. Fuck this! He borrowed some of that very special red chakra. "Taiju kage bushin no jutsu!" the desert filled with a hundred Naruto's and they all went into battle as the real Naruto fought his way toward Sasuke.

Orochimaru turned back to Sasuke. The boy was relentless. The sand around them whirled and kicked up into the air. "What are you doing Sasuke? You're my shinobi! Why do you fight for the man that holds your love prisoner? You should be fighting Gaara not me."

Sasuke was getting tired, but Orochimaru must be as well. He had summoned quite a bit in a short period of time. If Gaara can catch him I can kill him! "Gaara won't hurt Raine, you will!" He attacked trying to push the sannin into Gaara's sand trap.

"I will reunite her with her mother. I will make her immortal. She will forever be with the man she loves, you Sasuke." Orochimaru dug, "You remember that Raine just loves you to pieces don't you."

His concentration faltered for only a second but it was enough of an opening for Orochimaru to kick him in the chest and send him flying backwards. Sasuke skidded to a stop reclaiming his balance. "Shut up! You don't know anything about her!"

"But you do don't you?" it was dangerous looking in the Sharingan but Orochimaru was ready. He fixed his snake eyes on Sasuke's red ones. "You know her every move, her every gesture. Her perfume and the feel of her hot lips against yours. If that's not love then what is it ne Sasuke?"

He nearly choked as his stomach rolled over. He narrowed his eyes at Orochimaru. "It's called obsession motherfucker! You know all about it too don't you? That's why you're trying to bring Rhiannon back! You're obsessed with her!"

The sannin laughed. It looked like his container was about to have a breakdown. "I loved Rhiannon and she loved me back. If you let me have you and Raine, you can love her every night…instead of Gaara."

"I would rather let Gaara fuck her a hundred times then to let you put your hands on Raine even once!" Sasuke charged powering up his chidori. Do it Gaara now!

Gaara focused as much of the power of the desert he commanded into one spot, Orochimaru's feet. He grabbed him and held him still. Kill him Sasuke Kill him "Now! Kill him now!"

Most unexpected, inconvenient and dangerous. Orochimaru couldn't move and the Uchiha was moving too fast for him to perform a proper barrier jutsu. Orochimaru grit his teeth and brought his hands up. "Sasuke!"

"Chidori!" Sasuke thrust and the sannin knocked his hand just slightly as he came in. Sasuke's hand dug into the sannin's shoulder and Orochimaru grabbed his wrist.

"Fuck it I'll just kill you!" Orochimaru was furious, wounded by his container. "I don't need a second rate Uchiha like you. I have Saichi!" he twisted hard and snapped the bones in Sasuke's forearm. He flung the Uchiha away as he cried out in pain and Orochimaru struggled to get out of Gaara's hold. Just a little more and he could be free.

"Fool," sweat poured down Gaara's face as he struggled to hold onto Orochimaru. "It isn't over yet."

Behind Orochimaru, "Rasengan!" it struck the surprised sannin with enough force to send him whirling up into the desert sky.

Sasuke watched Orochimaru fall. He scrambled to his knees and cradled his broken arm. "Good one Naruto!" that had come out of nowhere.

Orochimaru landed with a splat as skin broke open and bone broke. It was enough. Both Gaara's sand and the kuuybi brat were coming after him. I'll be back. Orochimaru vanished on the wind.

Naruto ran forward. "Where is he?"

He searched the desert with his Sharingan. "I don't see him." Orochimaru was wounded, twice and he used up a lot of chakra. He's probably fled. Sasuke turned back toward the village. Sand shinobi poured out to clean up the remaining mess in the desert. Gaara sat atop the gate with his elbows on his knees trying to catch his breath. His brother stood beside him. Gaara…

Naruto ran to Sasuke. "Oi Sasuke! You okay!"

He cut his eyes away from the kage. "Yeah, it's nothing."

"Is he gone? Did Orochimaru run away?"

Sasuke tried to catch his breath. "Yeah, I think we put a hurt on him."

Naruto looked toward the village. "Gaara…Amazing."

"Yeah," Sasuke grunted. "Come on Naruto. Let's go talk to him."

By the time Naruto and Sasuke got to the top of the gate the medical ninja were on the move. One of them knelt behind the kazekage transferring some of his brother's chakra to him to keep him from collapse. Naruto dropped to his ass in front of Kankuro, Sasuke in front of Gaara. The tired kage looked them over. "You're hurt Sasuke?"

Sasuke stared at his arm. "It's a clean break."

"Treat him after you treat me," Gaara ordered his ninja.

"Gaara!" Kankuro huffed. He glared at Sasuke. "You should suffer."

The Uchiha flat eyed the painted sand ninja. "I am, thanks for asking."

"Please guys," Naruto put a hand between them.

"What are you doing here criminal," Kankuro pressed.

"I came to keep Orochimaru out."

Gaara rested a hand on Kankuro's arm. He quieted his brother with a patient look and turned back to Sasuke. "You've turned against your master?"

He frowned and swallowed his pride. "Kazekage sama, I am missing nin of two villages; one your ally and one your enemy. I ask for asylum from both here in Sand."

Gaara blinked at him stunned. "You what?"

"You're a criminal! How dare you ask for anything from Gaara!" big brother was pissed. He didn't care if Sasuke fought against Orochimaru ten minutes ago or not.

For the moment he ignored Kankuro and kept after Gaara. "So long as you are kage my execution can be waved. I will admit to everything, I will plead guilty to every single charge you have against me so long as you make me your special prisoner."

It was Naruto's turned to be shocked. "Sasuke!"

"What do you mean 'special prisoner'?" Gaara thought he already knew.

"You let me protect her. You let me fight Orochimaru. I can feel it when he's close."

"No fucking way asshole!" Kankuro screamed at the Uchiha.

The cursed seal… "You ask for an awful lot Sasuke."

He laughed. "You're going to try me and sentence me to death. I'm going to spend the rest of my life being your Orochimaru detector, but you know what Gaara?" God I hate that calm look on his face! "I will protect Raine and the boys!"

That was it. Kankuro lunged forward and Naruto got in the way. "Oi oi!" Naruto tried to force Kankuro to sit back down. "He's injured!"

"He should be fucking dead!" Kankuro took a swipe at the Uchiha.

"That's enough!" Gaara's command carried enough weight to settle everyone again. He cut his eyes back over to Sasuke. "What the hell are you thinking?"

God…damnit…all… "I thought in this instance all the eggs in one basket was a good idea. All of what Orochimaru wants all in one place."

"You want my protection Sasuke," Gaara did his best not to growl.

The kage was trying to hide how pissed he was. "I want your cooperation. You're impressive Gaara; I'll give you that, but this is Orochimaru we are dealing with. If you're impressive then he's amazing."

"I've kept Orochimaru away from Sand before, and you."

Sasuke stared at Gaara. The kazekage didn't want to trust him anymore then Sasuke wanted to trust Gaara. "That was then. Things have changed. Orochimaru wants his containers now." Sasuke sighed and shook his head. "I could have run Gaara. I could have left Konoha and just split; save my own ass, but instead I'm here. I could run and hide from Orochimaru for the rest of my life, but instead I am here."

Gaara stared at Sasuke. "You remember Orochimaru?"

"Yes, unpleasantly so."

There was a miserable look on Sasuke's face, a pained look. Some of it Gaara attributed to the Uchiha's broken arm Orochimaru did that to him. The sannin wasn't the true source of the anguish Gaara saw in Sasuke's eyes though. "You don't think that I can defeat Orochimaru?"

"You can't stop him." Sasuke knew it wasn't over. "He's going to heal up and then he's going to come back. The amount of chakra he can store and release; why do you think he's been through so many bodies? He's so powerful that he literally kills his host. That's why he goes for the strongest, so he can last a few years."

It was disgusting and Naruto groaned. "What about genie?"

He glanced at Naruto side long. "Rhiannon wasn't a ninja, she wasn't a fighter. She was Orochimaru's lover and Raine's mommy. It's not as if Rhiannon will do anything stressful in Raine's body. It could last her a lifetime." He looked back at Gaara. "A lifetime with Orochimaru as devoted husband and a great dad to their kids. The ones he doesn't possess anyway."

Gaara saw an angry tear forming in one of Sasuke's now dark eyes. His teeth were clenched. "I can't kill Orochimaru?" he sounded annoyed.

"I don't even know if I can kill Orochimaru." Sasuke chuckled. "I do know that we stand a way better chance of taking him out together. Don't forget he's a dirty trickster that likes to move in the shadows. You can't feel him coming, I can."

Kankuro leaned toward Gaara. "Don't trust him. Lock him up."

"Wait," Naruto tried to mediate. "It is true that Sasuke can feel it when Orochimaru is nearby because of his cursed seal."

Sasuke also liked to feel his little mouse. Kankuro frowned. "So what?"

"So Orochimaru's next attack might not be so flashy. He might just melt out of a wall at your house and grab Raine." Sasuke eyed Kankuro harshly.

The thought made Gaara feel sick. He calculated the distance between his home, the jail and the wall surrounding his village. "How close does he have to be before you can sense him?" he had to know. An Orochimaru detector. Shit!

"Gaara!" Kankuro protested.

He thought it over. "Maybe five miles from the village," he tried honesty and hoped that his reach was impressive enough.

"Enough time to mobilize your shinobi," Naruto pointed out. He didn't want to lose Sasuke again but he wants to be here to protect genie and the babies.

Fucking hell. "You're sure he's coming back?" Gaara already knew Orochimaru would.

Sasuke leaned forward a little. It hurt his arm but he had stopped caring about that pain the moment he sat down with the man married to his love. "Yes. As soon as he can and he'll keep on coming back until he has what he wants. Look at her Gaara. She's beautiful and when Orochimaru looks at her he sees Rhiannon. He wants Raine now. If you don't want to lose her then let me help you protect her!"

He reached forward and snatched up the front of Sasuke's t shirt. "Raine is Raine!"

"I know that!" Sasuke could have knocked Gaara's hand away but it meant jostling his broken arm. "I don't want to see her become Rhiannon either!"

Gaara had heard Sasuke's banter with the sannin. His sand even carried sound vibration back to him. "You'd rather have me fucking her then him, is that it?"

His eye twitched as Sasuke remembered Raine in an intimate situation with Gaara. "At least Raine is herself with you and not some dead bitch that took over her body."

For Raine. Sasuke would sacrifice himself… Gaara let go of the Uchiha. I hate you.

"She's not just fucking Gaara," Kankuro hatefully informed. "Mouse is his wife and mother of their children. She loves Gaara."

The Uchiha shrunk back. His heart was stinging as if it had been horse whipped. Raine loves… He and Gaara had a bit of a stare off. "Make use of me Gaara. Let me help you protect Raine and our boys. Saichi is…" but he couldn't finish. He's lost… "I wasn't there for him because of you. I've been fucked up for two years because of you! You owe me Gaara and all I want to do now is help you!"

He stared at Sasuke wishing he didn't pity him so much. Kankuro was anxious and Naruto was stressed. Godamn you Uchiha Sasuke! "I owe you nothing and Raine everything. That woman is my heart."

"Damnit Gaara!" Sasuke struggled with his feverish emotions. "You know what it is to love her. I love Raine too!"

"You don't know what love is!" Kankuro immediately countered. No way! Not after what he did to mouse! He looked at his brother. Gaara looked strained.

His memories took Gaara back in time, to the beginning of his understanding of love. Yashamaru had told him when he was still very small that love is the spirit of devoting yourself to someone important and close to you. It is expressed by caring for and protecting that person. It was still true and Gaara swallowed hard. Sasuke, as sick or crazy as he was may be, was really in love with Raine; enough to surrender himself to Gaara and Sand. It made him angry to think the Uchiha could feel that way for his wife. "You tortured her."

"I was wrong." Sasuke couldn't remember details just yet, but he knew he yelled; he was sure he had been bad.

Wrong. Bite marks, hickeys, Tsume, Temari, Saichi and Yusuke. "You violated my wife. Why the hell should I listen to a single word you have to say?"

"Why?" bitter, angry tears stung his eyes. "You love her don't you Gaara?"

I hate you so much. "You know I do."

So you can't say no. "Then use me to keep her safe."

Kankuro frowned and Naruto grabbed his arm. "Oi, think of genie," Naruto was serious.

"Mouse don't want that guy around," Kankuro knew it as fact.

Gaara also knew how her beloved felt about the Uchiha. He knew the anger and the fear in her heart. "You were a monster to her," Gaara locked his eyes on Sasuke's. "Raine fears and hates you. She has nightmares about you sometimes. She wakes up crying and terrified." Sasuke sagged some, but it wasn't enough. "She screams when I shake her awake because she thinks it's you."

Raine… something was chewing at his heart. "Let me atone for what I have done," Sasuke couldn't look at Gaara anymore. "I'll protect her. I won't bother her."

"You can't here in Sand. I'm the kage here," Gaara reminded the Uchiha.

"Gaara," Naruto tried again.

The kage looked at his blonde friend. "You're a real fucking asshole for bringing him here, you know that right Naruto?"

"I brought him with me," Sasuke clarified. "Don't be mad at Naruto."

"I didn't have to come," Naruto shrugged.

Curiosity got him. "Then why did you?" Gaara questioned.

Naruto looked Gaara in the eye. "Because I really believe Sasuke wants to and will protect genie." He sighed and leaned toward Gaara. "He's not the same guy he was the last time you fought him Gaara. Sasuke is different. He feels love and compassion for someone other then himself! Genie, he really wants to protect her from Orochimaru. He really loves her."

Gaara looked away from Naruto. After a moment he looked back at Sasuke. The damn guy was staring at him. Son of a bitch. How could you possibly love my Raine. "You can protect Raine from Orochimaru without ever having to see her?"

It cut him to admit it and he kissed some hope goodbye. "Yes."

His hand came up and rubbed at his temple. Gaara was getting a fatigue and tension headache. He just wanted to go home to his family. Gaara was tired and heartsick. "I have no intentions of letting you see her again Sasuke."

That hurt, but Sasuke had nothing but time to change Gaara's mind and there was the chance that Raine would come to him. "I'll protect her anyway."

He really thinks… Gaara shook his head. "You have no idea what it is to love Raine. You don't love her, you just think you do."

"I feel it," Sasuke countered. He hated this conversation more then anything else in the wide world. "My thinking has been fucked up since you crushed me but I know what I feel. I loved her then and I love her now."

"Kill him Gaara," Kankuro suggested with a straight face.

"No!" Naruto begged Gaara. "He really means it. Sasuke cares about her. He'll protect her! Me being here, the alert you got; it's all thanks to Sasuke. He's done all of this to protect genie; that's all he wants to do!"

All eyes went to Naruto. Gaara addressed him. "This is my wife you're talking about."

"Then be a good husband and do the right thing to keep her safe," Sasuke stared down at his aching broken limb. "Make me your personal prisoner Gaara. It's a kage's right."

Gaara could tell Sasuke was suffering on a number of levels. A side of him hoped the Uchiha hurt to his core. Godamnit! "Uchiha Sasuke," he pictured his love tending to their ketchup loving babies. "I hereby grant you political asylum from the hidden village of Sound and its leader Orochimaru."

"No!" Kankuro shouted.

Yes! Naruto clung tightly to the hope burning in his heart.

The kage continued. "You are under arrest for your crimes against this village, its people and the first family of Sand. You will be arraigned at a time and place of my choosing; until then you are the private prisoner of the kazekage of Suna. Do you understand?" he nearly choked on it.

Kankuro was shaking his head. Naruto was smiling a little. Sasuke looked at Gaara. "I understand kazekage sama."

You bastard. Gaara never took his eyes off Sasuke. "You're going to jail."

But I'll be here in Sand with Raine and the children. Sasuke nodded"Whatever you say Gaara." Anything for Raine. Anything and everything I have and I am to protect her.

He didn't care how healed he was, Gaara got to his feet. He turned to the medic that had been treating him. "Get Uchiha Sasuke to the hospital. A private room under guard." He flicked his eyes back to Sasuke. "I trust you'll behave?"

"I'll go with him and make sure," Kankuro offered.

"I'll stay with Sasuke," Naruto added.

Sasuke sighed defeated. "I won't give you any trouble."

"I'll be by to see to you myself shortly," Gaara was ready to go. "Come on Kankuro, Naruto can handle this."

"Gaara?" Naruto looked up at his friend.

Gaara faced the village. Raine… "I'm going to check on my family." Gaara started off without another word or look back. A moment later he heard Kankuro come up behind him. He could feel his brother's anxiety. "It's alright Kankuro."

"How can you let him stay Gaara? After everything he's done; Temari and mouse…"

"I can use him," it was that simple. "Orochimaru can't take my wife if I know he's coming; besides," Gaara sighed tiredly. His body was exhausted. "Maybe Sasuke and Orochimaru will kill each other."

Kankuro hoped so. "I still don't like it."

"Neither do I, but I will do anything to keep Raine safe." He wanted to go home. Gaara wanted to see his sons. He wanted to take his wife up to bed and hold her in his arms while he rested and regained his strength.

He tried to see it from Gaara's perspective; husband, father, kage. Baby brother would keep the Uchiha like a trained dog. Sasuke would sniff out and attack Orochimaru whenever the bastard made another try for mouse or the boys. "You really think you can contain Sasuke, keep him under control?"

Gaara remembered the promise he and Sasuke made about the twins. Renji and Yusuke would never be apart. "Sasuke isn't going anywhere. He'll behave as long as I allow him to have his part keeping my family safe."

Kankuro sighed. Gaara looked tired; he wished his brother had taken more of his chakra. It looked like he needed it. "Alright Gaara, we'll leave the Uchiha to Naruto for now. We'll meet them at the hospital after you get some rest."

It sounded like a good plan and Gaara nodded. They were almost home. He longed to have his wife in his arms. I'm coming Raine.

Gaara was greeted by three different excited cries for daddy! the moment he stepped through the front door. Smiling the kazekage fell to his knees and hugged his sons. Raine stood with Temari and Shikamaru, there was a nervous look on his love's face. Gaara smiled tiredly up at her. "It's alright. Its over."

Gabe had been excited through it all. He knew something was going on in the desert even after the masked ninja put a barrier around the house. "Daddy fight the bad ninja?"

He pat Gabe on the head. "Daddy made the bad ninja go away."

"Daddy needs to rest. He should take a nap," Kankuro reminded.

Yusuke pet his daddy's cheek. "Sleepy."

Kankuro looked from his little brother and the children swarming him up to mouse. "Get Gaara to bed. He needs to lie down for a while."

"I'm fine," Gaara kissed his sons one after the other. He got sloppy kisses in return and he laughed a little.

Raine knew Gaara had fought against Orochimaru. An ANBU guard had given Temari frequent updates. She stepped forward. "Alright boys, you go play. Mommy is going to steal daddy for a while."

Gaara stood with the boys at his feet as Raine came to him. He wrapped her into his arms. "Raine."

"Are you alright?" she whispered.

"Glad to be home." He pulled Raine close and kissed her.

Gabe watched his parents trying to figure things out. He looked at his aunt Temari. "Daddy gonna do slob thing with mommy?"

All eyes went to the red faced blonde. Temari had kept the kids occupied more then once so baby brother could get his slob fix and she had complained about it loudly. "Umm, no Gabe."

The little one was confused. "You said daddy go bed with mommy in daytime to be a slob. They get a sex in their room." Gabe lifted both hands. "No sex in my room. I look but not find any sex in my room."

Shikamaru bit his tongue to keep from laughing. His wife looked like she was about to fall over and Gabe's parents both had wide eyes. Kankuro had been having a pisser of a day and perplexed nephew was just what he needed to ease him. Kankuro chuckled. "There's no sex in your room Gabe, it's in mommy and daddy's room," he teased.

"It's only for grownups," Gaara tried to nip it in the bud quick. He cleared his throat. "You boys go play now and mind auntie Temari." Gaara gave his flushed sister the hard eyeball for a moment and then looked at his brother. The big guy was still chuckling. Gaara sighed and shook his head.

Raine pulled him toward the stairs. She could see how tired Gaara was. "Come on."

Gaara didn't argue and he went upstairs with his wife. He shuffled tiredly into his room unbuckling his harness. He shook out of his gourd and his coat. It felt good to be rid of such burdensome things. Gaara kicked off his sandals and flopped into bed. A moment later his wife was beside him. She reached up and brushed the hair from his brow. Gaara reached for her and took her cheek in his hand. "Are you alright?"

"We felt earthquakes. I was worried about you." Raine had been terrified, worried for her husband and her boys.

He smiled at her. Raine was safe. "Orochimaru kicked up quite a fuss, but he's long gone by now. There's nothing to worry about. You and the boys are safe."

Raine shifted so that she was mostly on top of her husband. "You look tired Gaara." She smoothed his hair back and kissed him.

Gaara hugged her closer and their kiss deepened. It's alright. I've got her. He rolled them so Raine was beneath him. Gaara was tired not dead and he couldn't keep his hands away from her curves. "I love you Raine."

She knew just how to make her husband feel better, how to settle him down enough to sleep and she reached for the hem of his shirt. "Show me Gaara."

It had been a tiring battle but the kazekage still had enough in him to be with his wife. Gaara made love to the woman he would do anything in the world to protect. When it was over Raine snuggled against him and Gaara held her. Soon enough he finally fell into a much needed and deep sleep.

Raine lay with Gaara for a while after he fell asleep listening to the steady beat of his heart and his rhythmic snoring. Gaara chased Orochimaru away, again. Smiling Raine kissed Gaara's forehead and got out of bed. She could hear Temari in the kitchen below with the boys and Raine thought she could use a hand. She put her clothes back on and brushed away her bed hair. Raine looked at Gaara once more and went out.

She was headed down the hall when she heard Kankuro. He sounded angry. Raine stopped short of the sitting room and listened. She heard Shikamaru sigh heavily and say "That guy just doesn't know when to quit."

"Gaara gave him political asylum," Kankuro growled. "The Uchiha is going to be his special prisoner."

"Sasuke will be the kazekage's prisoner; how troublesome."

"Fuck that guy. He's nothing more then a pet, like a dog. Our living breathing Orochimaru detector. He can sniff the bastard out and Gaara can tell him sick the sannin." Kankuro hissed between his teeth. "Maybe Gaara's new dog and that snake will kill each other."

Shikamaru leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "Seems like that would be best. Favorable for everyone, except for those two that is."

"I'll make that motherfucker wish he was dead. I'll interrogate Sasuke, repeatedly."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. Kankuro was straight up barbaric about some things. Shikamaru thought that might be the reason the ninja wasn't married yet. "Oi, don't go getting medieval on his ass without Gaara's permission. Kazekage sama doesn't dig torturing people you know."

"Well then that's just fine cuz Sasuke aint a person, he aint a human being. He's a monster and a freak. No better then a dog. There are only two things you can do with a bad dog; beat em into submission or put them down."

He rolled his eyes over to his brother in law. "Are you going to train Sasuke?" Even if the Uchiha was a shitty bastard, he was still a person; they had once been genin of Konoha together.

"I'm gonna kick the living shit out of that guy. I don't give a fuck what Gaara says. Sasuke's going to pay for what he did to my sisters."

Revenge Shikamaru could understand, but not necessarily condone. "Does Sasuke even know what he did to them?"

"It doesn't fucking matter. He did it." Kankuro heaved a heavy aggravated sigh. "If I could have things my way I'd be cutting parts off that guy."

Shikamaru winced. "Okay, I understand. I just think dick cleaving is a little drastic."

"Too bad he needs his hands to form seals or I'd cut those off too."

Raine had heard enough. Her stomach was rolling. Sasuke… It sounded like Gaara had captured him and Kankuro was going to torture him. Orochimaru detector? She took a few steps back contemplating asking Gaara, but she knew her husband needed sleep. Raine wouldn't wake him but if Sasuke was Gaara's prisoner that must mean Naruto turned the Uchiha over to him. Naruto will tell me what's going on.

She breezed past the guys in the sitting room without ever glancing their way and hurried down the stairs. Temari had the boys at the kitchen table playing with construction paper and crayons. She looked up at Raine when she came in; Yusuke and Gabe both greeted mommy. Renji was too busy coloring to notice anything but his crayon. "Temari, now that things are quiet I'm going to run to the market. I'll get some fresh tomatoes for salsa. You don't mind staying with the boys do you?"

Temari smiled. "Go ahead. Take two ANBU."

"I will. I'll be right back." Raine left the kitchen and the house quickly. One of her guards dropped out of nowhere and to her side. "Do you know where to find Uzumaki Naruto? I need to have a word with him."

"He is still at the hospital with the Uchiha princess."

Hospital? "Please escort me."

Naruto accompanied Sasuke to the hospital where he sat in a room under guard. A medic saw to his broken arm and they waited there for Gaara. "How you doing Sasuke?" Naruto asked wearing half a smile.

Sasuke was lost in his own thoughts. "Gaara went home to Raine. He probably hugged her, kissed her." If only it was me instead of Gaara.

Naruto bowed his head. "She's his wife. Raine and Gaara," he looked at his miserable friend. "They have something special."

"Because of her. Raine is special. She can even love a monster."

"Gaara isn't like that anymore Sasuke. He's always been good to Raine."

"How could he not be?" It was hard to imagine anyone ever being unkind to his love. There was something about Raine that just made people like her; love her. "So I'm a big fucking asshole for trying to break them up right? Everybody loves Gaara and Raine. They're the perfect couple."

His friend was sulking. Naruto supposed he couldn't blame him. Gaara had done what Sasuke could only dream of doing; he went home to genie and the kids. "Don't worry about it Sasuke."

He had been sitting here for almost two hours waiting for the kage to come deal with him. Sasuke hated to think about what might be keeping Gaara. "Are we going to have to sit here all night?"

"Gaara was tired, cut him a break. He needed a cat nap at least."

Sasuke lay back on the hospital bed and tucked his hands under his head. "I hate hospitals. Puke piss and Pin Sol, I can't stand it."

Naruto could smell pine and tried not to think about the other two. "Gaara will be along soon." I hope.

"Then I get to go to jail. Yay," Sasuke was cynical.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "You're the one who asked for it dip shit."

He looked at Naruto sidelong. The blonde was smiling a little and Sasuke grinned. "Thanks for reminding me fuck face. What would I do without my pussy ninja secretary keeping things straight?"

His smile broadened. "Fuck you asshole. You should worship me. I'm awesome."

Sasuke chuckled. "Oh really?"

He couldn't hold the laughter back. It felt great to be like this with Sasuke again. "I'm the ultimate ninja!" Naruto struck a Jiraiya pose.

"You're the ultimate retard," Sasuke managed before they both busted up laughing. Naruto did his best head roll and it got them laughing harder.

They didn't here the door open; they didn't hear Raine come in. She stood by the door watching Naruto and Sasuke laughing together like friends. She hadn't expected to find such a scene at the end of Naruto's trail. "N-Naruto?"

Naruto turned and saw Raine by the door. Sasuke sat up quickly locking his eyes on her. "Raine…" Sasuke nearly gasped.

She couldn't help but look at him as he sat up and spoke to her. Sasuke was staring right at her. Gaara's dog? She shifted her eyes back to Naruto. "What's going on?"

"Uh," Naruto was a little embarrassed to be caught. "We were just joking around."

"No, I mean with him."

She meant Sasuke. "It's okay; they're done fixing his broken arm."

Broken? She looked at Sasuke, frowning a little. "You broke your arm?"

"It's nothing," Sasuke smiled and rotated his hand at the wrist. His heart was happy that she had asked. "All better."

Even though it was great to see genie it suddenly occurred to him to wonder why she was here all by herself. "Where's Gaara?"

Her attention went back to Naruto. "He's resting. Listen Naruto, I want you to tell me what they're going to do to Sasuke. Is he staying here in Sand?"

Naruto's mouth hung open. He wasn't sure what to say. "Didn't Gaara tell you?"

"No."

Sasuke answered her. "I've surrendered to Gaara. I am at the kazekage's command."

"Sasuke is the kage's personal prisoner," Naruto tried to explaine.

Raine was thinking about what Kankuro said to Shikamaru. "What does it mean you can detect Orochimaru?" she asked the Uchiha.

He was glad to have her eyes on him. She's so beautiful. "I can feel it when Orochimaru is close because of my seal." He pat it once to remind her about it.

"Why does Gaara need you? Is Orochimaru coming back?"

"He will be back." He wasn't sure what Gaara kept from Raine, but Sasuke wasn't going to lie to her.

Shit that guy! "Is he after the boys?"

"Not yet."

If he wasn't after the boys; "What the hell does he want?"

"Me, you; his containers. Orochimaru wants our bodies. Me for him and you for Rhiannon, but I'm not going to let that happen Raine."

My mother what? She put up a hand to silence him. "I don't understand what you're saying. What about my mother?"

Aww shit. Naruto got to his feet. She doesn't know! He whirled around and faced Sasuke. "Sasuke, don't…"

"Gaara didn't tell you?" Sasuke was shocked. Raine was in danger and didn't even know it. "You've got to be kidding me!"

For a moment she forgot how much she hated Sasuke and stepped closer to the bed. "Gaara didn't tell me what?"

"Nothing!" Naruto blurted. He stepped closer to Raine. "You should ask Gaara."

She frowned at Naruto for a minute and then looked back into Sasuke's dark eyes. "Tell me Sasuke."

"Orochimaru wants to use your body as a container to bring back your mother. He's going to give your body to Rhiannon just like he intends to have mine for himself."

Raine felt the strength running out of her legs. "My mother…is dead!"

"He can bring her soul back to live in you."

Naruto turned on Sasuke. "Would you shut up already damn it?"

With his back to Raine Naruto didn't see Raine's knees buckle but Sasuke did. He flew out of bed and grabbed her around the waist before she could fall as she half swooned. "Raine?" Sasuke pulled her up against him. "Oi, Raine?"

She tried to open her eyes, Sasuke's voice sounded distant. It can't be true… my mother…Raine remembered her mama's smile, her laugh. My mother. Orochimaru's Rhiannon! She fought the faint trying to take her down into darkness.

"Raine," Sasuke said her name again softer this time. He loved feeling her warm body against his. Her hair tickled at the arms that held her. Sasuke could smell her perfume and her shampoo. He moved his face closer to hers watching her eyes flutter. Her mouth was open. She was wearing wild berry lip balm.

"Sasuke," Naruto stepped closer. He had seen his friend get dangerously close to genie's lips as he held her. "Put her down."

There was something about the way he said it that made Sasuke feel guilty. He swept Raine into his arms and lay her down on the bed he had been in a minute ago. "She's alright. I think it was just a bit of a shock to her."

"Idiot!" Now that genie was out of the way Naruto grabbed Sasuke by the front of his shirt. "What the hell were you thinking telling her all that stuff ne?"

Sasuke frowned at Naruto. "She has a right to know what kind of danger she's in. Gaara hasn't told her anything. That's totally unacceptable."

"It isn't up to you to decide that!"

"I don't give a shit. It's her body that Orochimaru is after not Gaara's. Raine is like me, Orochimaru's unwilling container!"

Naruto shook his head. "Damnit Sasuke you…"

"Sasuke…" Raine pulled herself from the dark as she heard the guys arguing.

Naruto let go of Sasuke and hovered over genie. "Oi, you okay? Want a doctor?"

"Is what he said true Naruto?"

Shit. Naruto lowered his eyes. "Orochimaru…"

The ninja's posture was all the answer she needed. Raine looked past Naruto to Sasuke and forced herself to sit up. Naruto steadied her and she rubbed at her still dizzy head. "My mother and Orochimaru in us; why?"

"Orochimaru loved your mother," Naruto spilled what was left of the beans. Fuck it might as well. "They were together for years. Sasori…killed her when he caught them together a third time."

There were pictures of Orochimaru in her mother's things. "I don't remember him at all. If they were together all that time…"

"Sasori wiped away most of your memory after you saw the murder."

Her blood turned cold. Naruto was repeating confirming things that Orochimaru had told her himself when Sasuke dragged her before him. "My mother and that creature!"

"Sorry genie," Naruto felt like a first prize turd. Gaara was going to hate him. Probably beat him up. "You just couldn't shut up could you Sasuke?"

Sasuke nudged Naruto out of the way and looked down at Raine. "I can feel it when he comes close. I won't let Orochimaru get anywhere near you or the boys. The moment I sense him Gaara will put this village on propriety alert and you and the children will be protected. If Orochimaru shows himself I will fight him. I won't let him take you Raine."

Naruto nudged Sasuke back. "Sasuke is going to work with Gaara to keep Orochimaru out of Suna. You'll be safe."

Raine frowned at Naruto. "Why didn't Gaara tell me?"

He didn't want you to worry," Naruto assumed. "He didn't want you to hurt or be afraid. He was just protecting you."

The Uchiha sighed tired and frustrated. "You don't have to worry Raine. I'll keep Orochimaru from you."

Her eyes went back to Sasuke. It was so very strange to see him like this; he looked so normal standing there next to his friend in his dusty t shirt. He had been laughing when she came in. Joking around with Naruto like a couple of old buddies. He didn't look nearly so monstrous with a genuine smile on his face. "You," Raine swallowed hard.

Sasuke got as close to Raine as he could with Naruto in the way. "I will do anything to protect you Raine. I love you."

His genie's frown twitched at Sasuke. "Oi," Naruto pushed at Sasuke. "Let's not get all carried away now."

His dark eyes went to his blonde friend. "You know I do Naruto. Tell her."

Naruto shook his head. "Sasuke," he didn't want to get in the middle of it.

"You still think that?" Raine stayed focused on the Uchiha.

"I don't think it, I know it." Sasuke stared down into Raine's deep blue eyes; eyes like Saichi. He put his hand on his chest. "You have my heart."

"How can you…"

He put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder and turned him away from Raine. "Stop it Sasuke. You're upsetting her."

"Keh," Sasuke knocked Naruto's hand away. "What's wrong with you? You know damn well I speak the truth."

"Genie doesn't wanna hear it!"

A million thoughts were racing through her mind. Raine was nothing if not curious. She had spent some time reading up on Sasuke's condition in the medical library never willing to give up hope that he could somehow lead them to Saichi. "Stop it." the men looked down at her. "You're just confused Sasuke."

Sasuke sat down on the bed by her knees. "It's the only thing I'm really sure of Raine. I feel you in my heart. I love you."

She drew her knees up to avoid touching Sasuke. "It's a lie."

"It's not a lie!" he grabbed one of her hands and she startled. "You and the boys are everything to me Raine. My reason for living!"

Naruto grabbed Sasuke's arm. "Let her go."

It would be so easy to turn his Sharingan on Naruto and put him to sleep so Sasuke could have a private moment with Raine. He contemplated it looking at his blonde friend. The hand Sasuke held trembled slightly and he let go. He put his hands on his knees and stared at them. "You don't have to be afraid of me Raine I'm not going to hurt you."

Fear was most of what she felt for the Uchiha. "You did."

I hurt Raine. There was another trick the Uchiha could do that required very little effort. He turned and looked at his distressed love. "I don't remember things clearly Raine, but you can show me."

Raine blinked at him. "Show you?"

"You read the reports Sasuke," Naruto reminded him. The ninja was starting to get nervous. It was probably a good idea to get genie out of here. He didn't think Sasuke was going to hurt her, but the Uchiha looked at Gaara's wife with love in his eyes.

"A simple jutsu will let me read your mind." And then I'll know the truth.

Genjutsu! "No way Sasuke!" Naruto extended a hand to genie. "I think that maybe you should go."

The first time she met Sasuke was at the tournament when he used genjutsu on her to make her "No! You'll try to make me do something terrible to Gaara!"

"I won't. I just want to see." Sasuke snatched the hand Naruto was offering to his love.

Naruto pulled away from Sasuke and scowled down at him. "She said no."

Enough was enough and the truth was right in front of him. Sasuke brought out his Sharingan and froze his blonde friend where he stood. "I'm not going to hurt her," he assured his wide eyed friend. Sasuke turned back to Raine.

She saw the scary red eyes and instinctively tried to back away from them. Raine opened her mouth to call for help but her voice didn't work. She couldn't move and Sasuke was leaning closer to her face. He stared into her eyes. Sasuke no!

"I'm not going to hurt you." Sasuke reached up and took Raine's cheek in her hand. Her skin was soft and warm. Naruto grunted trying to speak, Raine looked worried. "I have to know the truth." Let me see it Raine. You and me. All of it.

Raine's mind obeyed the jutsu and she started thinking of Sasuke. The Uchiha saw and felt her memories from the start. The tournament, his red eyes and post hypnotic suggestion; Raine waking in the middle of the night and stabbing a kunai into her chest. Sasuke felt her pain and terror. He wavered a little but didn't stop there. This was only the beginning.

Naruto was taking Raine to Gaara when Sasuke attacked them. Raine ran away to hide until it was all over. The fight scared her, the silence after was even worse. Zombie Sasuke found her. He was half dead and she screamed at his frightful appearance. The wounded ninja robbed her of her stamina and chakra. Raine thought she was dieing. She asked for Naruto and Sasuke told her he was dead. Raine struggled when he took her hostage and Sasuke rendered her unconscious. He fed off her all the way to Cardiff.

He couldn't move, he couldn't even speak. Sasuke was doing something to genie right in front of him. Whatever you're doing Sasuke stop it! He had to free himself from Sasuke's jutsu. Naruto concentrated hard trying to move his tongue.

Raine woke in Sasuke's room in Cardiff and they argued. I fucking hate you! Raine tried to flee, tried to call for help and Sasuke attacked her. She kneed him in the balls and he forced her down on the bed. He covered her mouth up smothering her. You listen to me bitch. If you try something like that again I'll cut your fingers off. Raine was horrified. She was sure Sasuke would do it. The innkeeper responded to her cries and Sasuke threatened her again. If you don't behave for me, I'll fuck with your mind again. I'll make you obey me. Hell, I'll make you love me. It's been a wile since I've had a nice looking piece of ass. Raine thought she was going to die.

Sasuke shooed the innkeeper away and Raine agreed to be obedient. She was afraid of what Sasuke could and would do to her. The Uchiha told her some crazy story about her mother; Raine didn't believe him thinking it was more psychological warfare. He let her use the bathroom to clean up after their long and dirty journey to the desert. If you close the door I'll kick it in and come in after you. She dressed in the shower so Sasuke couldn't see her naked.

Again Sasuke faltered. Her memories and his colliding in his mind. He remembered her silhouette as Raine washed her long hair. She was so beautiful. So…

When she had finished her shower Sasuke offered her food. She was starving but she was afraid to replenish her strength. Sasuke was a vampire. After a bit of an argument Sasuke ate the drugged food with her. Raine was smart and careful. She didn't want to die. Sasuke teased her for loving Gaara. How about it Raine? You're into us deadly monster types right? Wanna love each other a little? Raine refused him doing her best not to provoke him into another fight.

She gave Sasuke no trouble as he took her into the desert. Her heart longed for Gaara, she clung to the hope that he was coming to rescue her. Sasuke took her to Orochimaru. The sannin told her things about her parents, about him. Unbelievable horrible things. Sasori said he didn't love Rhiannon, but I did; every time I came to town. Take a good look into my eyes child and tell me if you remember Uncle Orochimaru. It quickly became obvious that the Uchiha was the lesser of two evils and Raine decided to stick with the enemy she knew. She forced herself to look at Sasuke I want to stay with you.

Sasuke, can you take me someplace where we can be alone? The two sets of the same memory overlapped in the Uchiha's mind again. She dint want to be alone with Sasuke, she just wanted to get away from Orochimaru. He frowned feeling a dull ache start to spread in his chest. What the hell… Sasuke pushed further into her memories. Nothing good came of it.

Raine didn't want to be remembering these things. Sasuke was making her, using his red eyes to call things up out of her memories. Sasuke took her from Orochimaru and back to his room. At first he was alright and then she said the wrong thing to her temperamental kidnapper. He grabbed her and shook her. Sasuke screamed in her face. He threw her on the bed and came after her. She was afraid, crying. Sasuke held her down. Raine was sure he was going to hurt her and he grabbed her face. Sasuke told her don't fight me and then he kissed her. The kiss didn't last; Sasuke grabbed her bottom lip between her teeth.

He felt the pain through Raine's memories and Sasuke flinched. Raine was hysterical, crying and calling for Gaara. Shut up about him or I'll kill you. She curled in on herself and cried. Raine was terribly afraid. After a while Sasuke was at her again. He cleaned her face with a damp towel and offered her a drink. He spilled water on her and wiped her up again. Sasuke teased her about her sore throat and Raine started getting really scared. He pushed on her injured lip and then kissed it softly. You be nice to me and I'll be nice to you.

It happened fast in Raine's panicked mind. Sasuke forced her knees apart and slithered between her legs. She tried to push him away and Sasuke took hold of her wrists. I'm going to fuck you anyway. The nice thing to do would be to not give me any shit about it. Sasuke went after her neck and Raine started to cry. Not only was Sasuke going to rape her, he was going to take his time and draw the nightmare out. The Uchiha ripped her shirt open. He left a mark on her breast and squeezed her.

The tremor stopped him and as soon as Sasuke was away from her Gaara's sand came to her rescue. The relief and joy in her memories was nearly overwhelming. Her love had come for her. Kiba and Akamaru took her to Gaara. She had never been happier to see anyone in all her life and Raine threw herself at him. He hugged her and kissed her. Sasuke could feel the love through her memories and his chest hurt more.

Naruto pushed his tongue between his front teeth. He would have to be careful not to bite too hard or he'd fuck up his sense of taste. He grunted again Stop it Sasuke let her go! His friend ignored him concentrating on genie. Sasuke had a miserable look on his face. It looked like he was in some kind of pain. Naruto concentrated to close his teeth.

Sasuke knew it was only a matter of time before either Naruto freed himself or someone came into the room. He concentrated harder reading and feeling his way through Raine's memories faster. Sasuke coming to her as Gaara; Raine crying for Tsume. Sasuke kidnapping her in Cardiff while she and Temari shopped for shoes and nightgowns. The bear in the woods. Waking in Sound to the cold reality that Sasuke the stalker had made a baby between them. Her heart ached for their beautiful Saichi. Sasuke forced himself on her and Raine fought against him until she couldn't anymore. I'll do anything you want, anything at all just stop it Sasuke! Please, please don't hurt my baby!

The rest of it was a hellish blur of fear and loathing. Raine surrendered to Sasuke to keep Gaara's baby safe and Kabuto put Yusuke in her right beside Renji. The Uchiha kissed her and groped her. Raine wanted to take the baby and run. Sasuke was preparing to take her and the baby away from Orochimaru when Sound was attacked.

"No…" Sasuke broke his hold on Raine and she sagged. He wrapped her into his arms and held his drowsy love against him as the first bitter tears filled his eyes. Raine's memories and feelings didn't lie. Raine and I … I was… I … "No!" Sasuke wailed and hugged her hard. "No no no no …."

Naruto wasn't sure if it was because Sasuke was distracted or if it was because he bit hard enough, but the jutsu released him. "Sasuke!" Naruto moved to pull genie away from him. "What did you do?"

Raine's head felt swimmy. Sasuke clung to her tightly crying against her neck. She could feel his tears getting her all wet. Naruto was trying to pull her away from him. He was shouting almost as loud as Sasuke was sobbing. The door to the room burst open and Raine heard a familiar voice shout above the pair playing tug of war with her.

"What the fuck is this shit?" Kiba came in first to speak to Naruto, Kakashi and Neji were right behind him. He saw the Uchiha hugging Raine and crying. Naruto was trying to pull the woman away. "Son of a bitch let her go!"

Sakura was talking to a medical ninja in the hall when she heard Kiba yell. She turned and saw Kakashi and Neji hurry into the room where Naruto was waiting for Gaara. The ANBU guards flew in after them. "Oh no…" Sakura ran for the door.

Kiba grabbed Sasuke and tore in off of Raine after a bit of a struggle. They fell off the bed and hit the floor. Kiba scrambled after the Uchiha. Sasuke tried to sit up and Kiba punched him in the face knocking him back to the floor with a bloody nose. An ANBU moved in and grabbed the princess away from Naruto. The other stood between his partner and the Konoha ninja.

"Don't you ever touch her!" Kiba railed.

Naruto fell on his ninken using friend to pull him away from Sasuke. "Stop it Kiba!"

Kakashi and Neji moved to get into the scuffle. Neji helped Naruto pull Kiba away from Sasuke. Kakashi looked down at his former student. His face was covered in blood and tears. "Sasuke?"

Sasuke wasn't even aware he was still crying. No…Raine. I'm so sorry. I… "No," he choked. "Raine…Raine!"

"Shut up!" Kiba screamed vehemently struggling to get free of his friends.

"Calm down Kiba!" Neji ordered.

"I'm sorry Raine!" Sasuke bawled. "I'm so fucking sorry!"

Kakashi took Sasuke's face in his hands. "What did you do Sasuke!" the ninja tried not to panic.

He rolled his bleary eyes up to his former sensei. "I saw it all."

Raine felt weak, disorientated. Things played out in front of her fast, like a film on high speed. Sasuke read my mind. He used "Genjutsu," she managed.

Neji heard the princess and he straightened. He looked at the ANBU protecting her. "Get her looked at now and summon the kazekage!"

They were taking Raine away from him, of that much Sasuke was sure. "Raine?" he tried to look for her but Kakashi held him still.

The jonin leaned closer to the man he held down. "What did you do to her Sasuke?"

He looked into Kakashi's exposed eye. "I looked at her memories of me."

Naruto recoiled enough so that Kiba freed one arm. He shook a fist at the Uchiha. "You sick fuck. Did you like what ya saw ne Sasuke!"

Sasuke closed his eyes. "I hurt her so much."

Sakura moved to let ANBU pass with Raine. "Kakashi sensei?"

"Go help them with Raine Sakura. Make sure that…Sasuke didn't harm her."

"I didn't hurt her. I just read her mind."

"Bastard!" Kiba was furious. "Did you leave her with orders to kill herself again?"

"I never," Sasuke tasted blood. "I will never hurt her again. I promise." His heart was broken. Sasuke couldn't shake the fear and loathing her felt come through his beloved. "I would gladly die for her right now if I didn't have to protect Raine from Orochimaru. I should. I deserve it."

Naruto moved closer to his friend on the floor. "Sasuke?" Looking down at him made Naruto feel like crying himself. His friend was completely devastated.

Sasuke found Naruto's sad blue eyes. "Naruto."

"It's okay Sasuke."

"I love her."

"I know.

Four more ANBU came into the room. Kakashi looked up at the leader. "I think a sedative would be a pretty good idea."

Raine was whisked down the hall to a private room. Sakura hurried after her and the ANBU tending to Raine. Sasuke…what have you done now? Why can't you just… Sakura knew why her old team mate didn't stop. Naruto had made Sakura understand and seeing Sasuke cry for Raine just confirmed it. As sad and twisted as it was, Sasuke truly loved Raine. Sakura hung her head and followed the guard.