Raine in the Desert

by Hack Interrupted

Gaara finds the love of his life

18. Chapter 18

18

Kabuto made his way to Orochimaru's room. Saichi colored at a kids table Kabuto himself had set up for the boy. He pat Saichi on the head and smiled at his creation and then he went to the sannin at the desk. Kabuto set two small scrolls in front of the boss.

"Report Kabuto." Orochimaru reached for one of the scrolls.

"There are four teams from Konoha working in rotation searching in locations Sasuke gave them. They have found some leavings but do not know where we are."

"Sasuke doesn't remember everything," it worked in the sannin's favor.

The ninja had much more interesting news. "Tsunade also has shinobi searching for an old mystic woman, Kikyo."

Kikyo? Orochimaru knew her, hated the old bitch. "She has to be at least a hundred," he growled. "Why the hell isn't she dead?"

The corner of his mouth curled into a wicked smile. "Raine sees a counselor at the hospital twice a week however she still makes almost daily visits to the facility."

Orochimaru went from aggravated to amused. Kikyo and Gaara, how very interesting. "Gaara is still alive." How convenient for me.

"I'm hoping to confirm his location my next visit to Konoha."

"Tsunade," Orochimaru grinned. "You devious bitch. Lie to the kazekage, shame on you. How are our newlyweds ne Kabuto?"

It was difficult to get close to the house and spy, but they utilized the backyard and the street with the boys. "They're wearing matching wedding rings."

Orochimaru laughed. His life just got a whole lot easier. "Send four teams I want the Konoha shinobi looking for Kikyo tailed. If they find her I want them all killed; the ninja and that brood of gypsies. If Tsunade is keeping Gaara alive in Konoha I want to know where. There's no sense in letting a perfectly good shinobi go to waste. Speak to no one about Gaara but me Kabuto."

"Hai Orochimaru sama."

Friday morning Temari and Kankuro came to watch the boys and Sasuke escorted Raine to therapy. Yuna thought Raine looked tense the moment they came in. As they seated she smiled a little and asked, "How are you two doing?"

Sasuke looked at Raine hoping that she would start. For a minute he didn't think she was going to. I so do not want to be the one to bring this shit up.

Raine frowned a little and told Yuna what was going on. She was embarrassed and it made her mad just to think about it. "When I saw Gaara, I didn't know about the whole clone thing. He and I… we fooled around a little. I didn't know that it was Sasuke too; Gaara never said anything."

She kept her reaction hidden. "When did you find out Raine?"

"A few days ago."

"Sasuke told you?"

"No, he never said anything about it." She frowned at the Uchiha a little. "I figured it out when I heard Naruto talking about clones."

"I see." Yuna looked at Sasuke. "You kept this from Raine; why?"

The Uchiha's face was starting to feel warm. Don't make me the bad guy! "I didn't want her to get mad."

"Did she get mad?"

"She called me a hooker."

The counselor blinked at him and turned to Raine. "Why did you call Sasuke a hooker?"

"He let Gaara use his body to..." Raine folded her hands in her lap and stared at them.

"I didn't know Gaara was going to be such a slob in my clone," Sasuke grumbled. "I didn't know what happened until after he was back in one body with me."

Yuna could see Raine was putting up defenses so she focused on Sasuke. "Did you speak to Gaara about his actions?"

"Yeah. I was all like thanks for asking if I mind and he apologized." Sasuke didn't want to be the bad guy but he didn't want to see Gaara totally villanized either.

"How do you feel about what Gaara did Sasuke?"

He looked at Yuna trying to find the perfect answer. "Kinda pissed I guess. I can understand why he did it but I still think he's an asshole."

Excellent, a two part answer. That meant Yuna could fire off a few questions. "You understand why Gaara did it?"

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders and went for the easy clean answer. "She was his wife."

Was ne? Very interesting. "So it was his duty?"

"He said that she needed him and he couldn't resist her."

"Is that true Raine?"

Raine looked at Sasuke and then Yuna. "Yes. We didn't make love but Gaara… satisfied me." Her cheeks turned pink.

Sessions with these two were always interesting. She nodded at Raine and looked back at Sasuke. "You said that you were pissed and that Gaara is an asshole. Why?"

"He did all that without asking me. He didn't worry about it at all cuz he knew I'd be the one that would get the shit for it." The Uchiha frowned.

"What shit Sasuke?"

"Her mad."

Yuna went back to Raine. "Are you angry Raine?"

"I'm more then angry."

"Can you tell me what you're feeling about all of this?"

Raine took a deep breath and tried to give her feelings form. "I feel like Gaara gave me to Sasuke, totally. I've never done anything like that with Sasuke; the only one I've ever been with is Gaara." There was more to her anxiety then Sasuke in her panties. "I'm sick of being passed around like property. Hotohori gave me to Gaara, Gaara gave me to Sasuke. It's fucked up."

"I don't own you Raine," Sasuke sighed.

"Of course you do. That's why Baki can't drag me the hell out of here by the head of my hair. I belong to you."

The look in her eyes made his chest ache. She looked miserable. "I don't want it to be this way anymore then you do," Sasuke said and he meant it.

"You're feeling powerless, bounced around?" Yuna addressed Raine.

Raine nodded a little. "This isn't fair to Sasuke either."

She knew her clients shared a rather checkered past. "How are you feeling about all of this Sasuke?"

He was looking at Raine. She lifted her eyes to his and for a minute all he could do was stare at her. "I don't have a problem being married to Raine," he looked at Yuna and frowned a little. "But if Gaara didn't want me to touch her then he shouldn't have."

All eyes were on Sasuke's frown. "Do you think Gaara has given you some kind of permission to touch Raine?" the counselor asked.

"No, he just rubbed it in my face that he can do whatever he wants and if I even look at her wrong I'm scary stalker Sasuke throw me back in jail. I'm good enough to protect her but that's it. It's fucking bullshit."

Raine was doubly shocked and her mouth fell open. "Sasuke…you're not like that at all."

"I think you both have some strong feelings about what is going on," Yuna acknowledged. "You're both upset with Gaara's actions and this marriage you share is stressful for both of you. Neither of you are feeling your worth to the other. You are good friend are you not?"

Raine nodded and Sasuke answered for them. "Yes."

"I'd like to try an exercise. I would like for you to look at each other," Yuna paused to let them adjust on the couch. "I want you to tell the other person what you value about them that you don't think you could find with anyone else. Take a minute and think it over." Yuna sat back and observed. Sasuke and Raine looked at each other, their body language suggested a tension between them, their eyes revealed their sadness and frustration. "Raine, would you go first?"

Sasuke was looking her in the eye. She had been thinking about it while Yuna gave them time to reflect. "Sasuke you don't know this but I really do understand how much I need you. I don't want to be taken away from my boys; I don't want Orochimaru to use me as some kind of a vessel for my mother. You're the only one who can keep that from happening. You stepped up, you put up with my bitching and crying. You made sure that what needed to be done got done whether I liked it or not." She took a deep breath. "You're so different then you were. You've changed. You found your heart. I watched it happen and it… it gave me such hope."

His love started to cry. It was his turn. "Raine," she reached for a tissue to dry her eyes. "You're the kindest most forgiving most patient woman I have ever met." He couldn't help but smile at her; Raine was smiling a little through her tears. "I've seen you cry so much, hurt so much; it tears me up. I would do anything to make it better for you."

"Sasuke," Raine reached for him.

"Let the hugs heal," Yuna urged them.

He didn't have to be asked twice; Sasuke pulled Raine into his arms and hugged her. "Raine I…" I love you…so much. I want to…

"You what Sasuke?" Yuna urged.

Sasuke was holding her, she was hugging him. He could smell her shampoo and her perfume. Her long hair tickled his cheek and his arm. I love you so much. "I want to help you." I want to make you happy.

Yuna smiled at her patients. "I really think there is a lot of love here, don't you?"

Sasuke saw the opportunity to speak freely without consequence. He hugged Raine a little harder. "I love you a lot you know."

Raine sniffled and choked out, "I love you too Sasuke."

She broke into sobs while his heart melted. I've wanted to hear her say that for so long. "Tell me what to do to make it better. I'll do anything you want."

"Sasuke," Yuna interceded. "You must accept that you can't fix everything for her. I know it makes you upset to see Raine hurting but you can't always remedy the problem."

He rolled his eyes over to Yuna. "I know I can't always fix the problem, but I can at least try to put a band aid over it ne?"

Yuna smiled. "I'm glad to see the two of you so willing to work through your problems. You have a very unique relationship." She offered praise and moved on. "For months you two have drawn your strength from each other."

She let the tears dry up. "I don't know what I would do without Sasuke."

It caught the Uchiha's attention too and Yuna asked, "Why do you say that Raine?"

Raine was still hiding her face against Sasuke's shoulder. "He takes care of all of us and he's always there for me."

The same thing that made the former princess angry at her new husband was also endured him to her heart. Sasuke brought order to the chaos; he kept Raine and the children safe and as content as he could. "You think that Sasuke has done the right things then?"

"Yes," Raine dried her eyes. "Everyone is taken care of. He keeps the boys busy. Sasuke has a lot of good ideas."

Sasuke smiled at her. "I do?"

She smiled back. "Yeah, you do."

"Like what Raine," Yuna tried to get them back on comfortable ground.

"The house, the neighborhood. I was kind of depressed when Kankuro left but I like having him and Temari at either end of the street. The bikes and swimming lessons were Sasuke's idea too. We got the kiddie pool for them so they wouldn't have any fear of water before they jumped in a bigger pool."

"Are you all comfortable where you are?"

Raine nodded at Yuna. "The boys like it here. Temari likes to play hostess too. I like the house, I like the yard too."

Yuna looked at Sasuke. "How about you Sasuke? Are you comfortable with where you are?"

"Home sweet home," he tried to lighten Raine up a little. "I love seeing the house and everything around it alive again. It hasn't been like that since I was a kid."

"I think that you two have a very solid foundation. Your friendship is good and you both care very much for each other and your family. Things are difficult sometimes, but if you talk through it and listen to how the other person feels I think you'll have a happy home. Let's try another exercise."

By the time their session was over Raine and Sasuke both felt a little better. They had let go of some of their anxiety with each other and tried to put Gaara's naughty deed behind them. They checked in on the sleeper before they left the hospital and Raine bitched at him a little. They headed home and things settled down again.

Two days later Temari the happy hostess threw a big dinner party. Raine and Sasuke brought the boys, Shikamaru's parents and his team mates came to dinner. Naruto tagged along with Kankuro and Sakura. Shikamaru's mom and Raine helped Temari get the huge amount of food she had made to the table. Half way through dinner Shikamaru and Temari stood up and got their guests attention. "We have an announcement to make," Shikamaru started grinning.

"We're going to have a baby!" Temari blurted excitedly.

Raine and Ino squealed Naruto and pa Naara started laughing. "Congratulations son!" There was hugging and more excited squealing from the women. They finished their dinner and Shikamaru brought out champagne for the adults while the little guys got ice cream. Renji crawled all over his aunt Temari asking her where her baby was.

The men stepped out for cigars and snifter of brandy while the women fussed inside. Sasuke didn't really smoke but a good cigar once in a while was nice. Naruto coughed some on the cigar and the booze; Sasuke rolled his eyes. By the time the men were done with their little testosterone fest on the back porch three little boys were half asleep on the couch. Sasuke had a pleasant buzz going and Raine was giggly from too much champagne. The bubbles had gone straight to her head.

Sasuke carried the twins and uncle Kankuro carried Gabe home. They tucked their tired little guys in and Kankuro went back to Temari's to fetch his girlfriend. The Uchiha led Raine into the kitchen for a glass of water and an aspirin to stave off a hangover.

"Do you think it will be a girl? We really need a baby girl around here don't you think?"

Sasuke smiled a little. It was the fifth time she had asked him if he thought it was a girl. "I think you and Temari just want something to dress up."

"They have the sweetest frilliest pinkest stuff for baby girls!"

He handed her glass of water. Raine was positively giddy and Sasuke couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sure they do." He went in the cupboard and pulled out the aspirin.

"I wanted a girl. Gaara wanted to try too." Sasuke shook a pill from the bottle into her hand and Raine popped it. She swallowed it down with a drink of cold water.

Raine had mentioned she wanted a daughter a few times when they were all still living peacefully back in Sand. "Maybe after he wakes up?" Sasuke turned to the counter and took his own aspirin.

"Yeah." Raine frowned; she was still peeved at Gaara.

Sasuke put the bottle away and drank half of his water hoping he wasn't going to have to listen to her vent about Gaara again. He turned to her putting on a smile. "You'll want to do some shopping with Temari ne?" he steered her back to happier news.

Babies and shopping and shopping for babies. "Oh yes defiantly." She sipped her water. "She has to pick out a crib and a nursery set. Temari should get a rocking chair too."

"She seems rather excited." He turned her mind to her favorite things. I see another fifteen store shopping spree in my future.

Raine giggled. "Shikamaru, strutting around like a peacock. I think he's more excited then she is."

Sasuke laughed a little himself. Shikamaru was on cloud nine all night. "He's a happy guy." Sasuke finished his drink and set his glass on the counter.

"I think they'll be great parents. They've always been so good with the boys."

"They learned from the best, you," Sasuke flattered.

She giggled at his compliment. "I really hope it's a girl."

"We'll know soon ne?"

"I know, but I want to know now!" the bubbles made her extra happy. She finished her water and set her glass on the counter with Sasuke's. "Little girls are so cute. You can put them in frilly dresses and put cute little bows and barrettes in their hair!"

Sasuke laughed again at her excitement. He hadn't seen her this happy in ages. "Yes I know." Raine giggled again and Sasuke chuckled with her.

Raine took a deep breath and sighed. A baby girl. I wanted one. "I wonder if I'll ever get to be a mother again."

He wasn't quite sure what she meant; reclaiming her boys or having another baby herself. "You're a wonderful mother Raine."

"Thank you Sasuke." She smiled up at her friend. "You're a pretty good dad too."

Dad… "Saichi…"

The poor guy didn't know how appreciated he was. Because I'm always so… Raine rested her hand on Sasuke's arm. "Not just Saichi, all of the boys Sasuke. You've done a good job parenting all of them."

For a minute he just stared at her. For months he had been wishing he was more then just Sasuke sensei, he wanted to be the daddy. "I've tried my best with the boys."

"You've done well Sasuke; you've been a good role model. They love you to pieces."

Sasuke smiled wistfully. "I love them too. They're all my boys."

Raine was sure that if something happened to her Sasuke would still take care of her boys. "You'll always be with them?"

"Of course I will." Sasuke took the hand on his arm in his own and smiled at Raine. "I'll always be here for all of you Raine. We're just one big happy dysfunctional family ne?" She laughed at his teasing and Sasuke pulled her to him. He gave her a hug. "It's good to see you happy. I wish I could do something to make you like this more often."

"You do enough Sasuke. I'll try not to be so moody."

He chuckled and looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms. "That would be great." She pinched his arm and he laughed even harder. Raine laughed with him. It felt wonderful to be with her like this. This is what I want; us. "I love your laugh you know."

Her cheeks darkened a little looking up into Sasuke's smiling face. She defended with, "Flattery will get you no where Uchiha," but as soon as it was out things suddenly felt awkward. The look in Sasuke's eyes changed, his smile faltered.

Raine's cheeks were turning crimson. Get me… Holding her like this Sasuke started to think about how much he would like to get somewhere like her bedroom with her. He couldn't resist touching her blushing face. "You're so beautiful."

Her heart picked up the pace in her chest. It looked like Sasuke was going to kiss her. He brought his face closer to hers. "Sasuke," Raine turned away from him and put her hands on his shoulders to ease him back.

What the hell am I doing? He was going to kiss her, would have if she hadn't stopped him. Sasuke let go of Raine at once and stepped back. He had got a little too caught up in the moment. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

The Uchiha was blushing, frowning down at the floor. "Sasuke…" she wasn't sure what to say. For the briefest moment she had contemplated... "It must have been the brandy. You're not used to drinking that heavy stuff."

It was an excuse, a weak one but she was the one offering it up. "Yeah," he looked up into her eyes and realized she almost let me. "I guess I feel a little goofy."

"Maybe we should just go to bed, to sleep, to sleep it off. Goodnight Sasuke." Raine turned and hurried out of the kitchen. She couldn't look into Sasuke's eyes anymore seeing what burned there. Raine went and locked herself away in her room for the night.

Sasuke stood where he was for a minute longer. It wasn't the brandy that made him want to kiss her it was her. Maybe the booze just took stupid control off of his brain. Shit what was I thinking? He knew the answer to that question. She was in my arms laughing and smiling at me… The Uchiha took a deep breath and tried to push the thoughts from his mind. She had given them an excuse to drop it therefore Raine wanted it dropped. Forget it. It's never going to happen.

The Uchiha took his heavy heart and headed off to bed.

Jiraiya was indeed searching for the band of traveling mystics himself. He didn't find mystics at the border of wind country; he found something far more crucial. Sound shinobi. The sannin spent close to a week in wind and then returned to Konoha. Tsunade needed to be informed.

Work was done for the day and Naruto walked with Sakura toward the Uchiha district. She was going to Kankuro's; Naruto was hoping Sasuke had forgiven him enough to invite him to dinner. "So how have things been over there?" Naruto asked Sakura for the third time today.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "It's fine Naruto."

"They aint fighting are they?"

"No, they're not fighting. No more then usual anyway. Things have been pretty quiet."

"Is Sasuke mad at me?"

"Ask him yourself dork," Sakura grumbled and hurried to Kankuro's for a cold beer.

Naruto heard the splashing in the back yard and went around the house to the family enjoying the kiddie pool. Sasuke sat up on the porch smiling at the boys in the pool. Mommy was fishing wet t shirts they stripped off out of the water and they were splashing her and telling her "Swim mommy!"

"Oi," Naruto called a greeting and waved.

Sasuke waved back. "Naruto, what brings you here?"

He moved up to the porch. "I walked with Sakura. Thought I'd drop by to say hi."

Dripping wet and holding her boys t shirts Raine stepped up to the rail to hang them up to dry. "Would you like something cold to drink Naruto?"

"Come on I'll get you something," Sasuke offered standing. "Do you want something Raine, more lemonade?"

She nodded and smiled. "Thanks Sasuke."

Naruto wanted to stick around and watch his genie strip down to her bikini but Sasuke went inside and Naruto followed him into the kitchen. "Genie seems okay."

"She's been doing a lot of shopping for Temari's baby." Sasuke took a glass from the cupboard for Naruto and set it on the counter beside Raine's. "Shopping and babies make her happy. Tea lemonade or blue Kool-Aid?"

"Cool aide." Renji had him addicted to it. "Gabe's ready for the academy?"

Sasuke nodded and opened the fridge. "He's going to fly right through it." He pulled out the blue pitcher and poured Naruto his drink first. Sasuke passed it off to him.

"Thanks." Naruto guzzled a little. It tasted like popsicles. Sasuke had moved on to pouring Raine's drink. "You guys are okay then?"

"Yeah," Sasuke put the lemonade back and closed the fridge. He remembered holding Raine here in the kitchen a few nights ago. "I almost kissed her," Sasuke confessed. "After we came back from the party at Temari's."

His friend had turned his back to him and was frowning at Raine's glass of lemonade. "Were you drunk?"

"I had a buzz." Sasuke sighed. "I was a little too relaxed around her."

"What happened?" Naruto gulped some more sweet blue.

He still didn't look at Naruto. He could tell his friend just about anything but that didn't mean he wanted Naruto to see the look on Sasuke's face. "We were joking around, I was hugging her and she was laughing; smiling up at me with pink cheeks and innocent eyes." He picked up Raine's drink and took a sip. "I kinda lost it for a minute. I almost kissed her and she turned her head, then I let her go and apologized for being an idiot."

"You don't just love her you're in love with her." Naruto sipped his drink and waited for Sasuke to respond.

Yes. "Raine loves Gaara not me."

Naruto stepped forward and set his almost empty glass on the counter. "They're looking for a way to help Gaara."

"I know." Sasuke sipped Raine's lemonade again.

Going for more Kool-Aid Naruto reminded, "No matter how long it takes to cure Gaara; you're the one at genie's side. You're the man of the family. Isn't that enough Sasuke?"

"It is; it has to be." He held out Raine's glass. "Top that off for me would ya?"

Naruto did. "I know this isn't quiet how you pictured being married to genie, the whole shrew thing and all." Naruto smiled at his friend and Sasuke smiled back. "You'll get though this though right? The two of you together ne?"

Sasuke chuckled. "Me and the shrew. Yeah, we're fine." He started out of the kitchen and Naruto followed. "Ever see a shrew fight? We watched this thing on discovery channel the other night. The one thing that really pisses a shrew off is another shrew."

Genie was lying in the lounger in her bikini getting a sun tan when they came back out on the deck. Naruto was sure that if he was married to her, Gaara or not, he would defiantly try to jump her bones. He kept his slobbish thoughts to himself and genie invited him to stay for dinner. It worked out great for Naruto; he loved her pork stir fry. He would have hung out for a while longer after dinner, but Raine discovered sand on the floor coming out of the dojo. She started in on Sasuke with how many times have I asked you to train with sand outside? Sasuke countered with it was raining yesterday afternoon. Naruto ducked out and left the shrews to their shrew fight.

Tsunade sipped her sake and frowned at Jiraiya. "Baki and Orochimaru ne? Kankuro has suspected as much."

"You've found no Sound ninja in rice country?"

"Abandoned compounds. They're on the move."

Jiraiya finished his drink and poured himself another. "An attack on Konoha is eminent then. They'll take Raine and the children by force."

"Not while I'm the fucking hokage," Tsunade held out her cup to be refilled. "I've taken enough of Orochimaru's shit, so have these kids. As soon as he shows his face I'll kill him. I assume you want in on the action."

Jiraiya poured her drink. Of course he wanted in. He didn't like to put down roots, but he could stick around to finish Orochimaru off once and for all. "You won't mind having a houseguest ne?"

She sipped her sake. "Don't worry Jiraiya; I don't think you'll have to stay long."

He felt it too; something big was going to go down very soon. "You gonna let me sleep in your bed this time Tsunade?"

"No. You sweat too much."

They met with Yuna again and still neither of them mentioned Sasuke's reckless actions in the kitchen. Their near kiss was swept under the rug. He was alright with it because she was alright with it. He took her to see Gaara and she talked to the sleeper about the boys for a while. No one suspected that when Raine kissed her love goodbye that morning it would be the last time she would ever kiss Gaara in the hospital bed again.

Temari dropped by that afternoon. She and Raine watched the twins on their bikes while Sasuke and Gabe did a little training in the dojo. They talked again about how wonderful it would be for Temari's baby to be a girl. Raine and Gaara had wanted to have a daughter but they put those plans on hold for Saichi. Raine still wanted a baby girl. After Gaara was well again and things could go back to normal Raine wanted her daughter. The sisters laughed the afternoon away discussing how big they wanted to make their family.

They weren't training with sand in the dojo. Sasuke had Gabe doing some other chakra control exercises. They balanced on one finger letting their concentrated chakra support their weight. Gabe liked the upside down stuff, it was fun. He wasn't very good at it to begin with, he fell down a lot, but Sasuke sensei was always there to catch him and encourage him to try again. Gabe loved his sensei and the special attention he got from Sasuke. He thought his sensei looked pretty funny upside down too.

Kankuro went with Sakura to hokage's place to find out when Kiba might be coming back for a while. His was one of the teams searching for the old woman. Two others had already had some home time; Kiba was due for some soon. Tsunade told the big ninja she had called all of her shinobi back to Konoha for now. Sound and Sand were defiantly up to something and some of her best were in the field. Kurani's team was almost to tea country; Gai's team was in northern rice country. She sent the messengers this morning. Kiba would be home in a few days.

Naruto walked with Ero sannin. For once Jiraiya was quiet and not asking for money. Naruto offered to buy them some sake anyway and the sannin agreed. They sat quietly having sake at an obscure little stand where Jiraiya wouldn't be stared at by his throngs of fans in Konoha. Jiraiya relaxed and tried to enjoy the day.

Choji met Shikamaru and the two of them took the long way back to Shikamaru's place. They swapped the latest news of the day. Ino had been giving Choji 'that look' again. Shikamaru hounded his friend a bit about asking Ino out on a date already and Choji broke down and agreed. They ducked into the bar for a beer to celebrate and found the dads of their team doing the same. Chuckling they joined their fathers.

Kakashi was reading in a tree. Pakkun was at his feet snoozing and enjoying the breeze. It had been a long day. He had completed an S class mission and then run all the way home to please his hokage. The jonin thought there were times when he thought he knew what it felt like to be Mite Gai. The thought made him smile a little.

The wind shifted slightly and Pakkun's ear twitched. He came awake sniffing and pricking up his ears. In the distance he heard another ninken. The dog stood up. "Kakashi, there is fighting in the forest."

He snapped his book shut and looked at his dog. "What do you know Pakkun?"

"It's Kuromaru. Inuzuka Tsume's team has just encountered Sand ninja. A lot of them."

Kakashi got to his feet tucking his book away and biting his thumb. "Is it too late to help them!" his hands flew through the seals and Kakashi summoned the rest of his dogs.

"It doesn't hurt to try." Pakkun didn't have much hope. The other dogs surrounded them and Kakashi ordered the fastest to take word to the gate and to the hokage. Lock Konoha down, the bad guys were coming.

His greyhound took off and Kakashi looked down at Pakkun. "If we can't save them we'll avenge them. Let's go team!" Pakkun took off in the direction of the fighting and the ninken team followed.

Streak the fastest ninken in all of Konoha made it to the gate in record time. He reported to the guards and the gates of the hidden village were swung shut and locked up. The warning signal was sent and a runner accompanied the dog to hokage. They burst into her office. "Hokage sama, its Sand! Our shinobi are under attack by a huge squadron in the northern forest. Hatake Kakashi has gone to investigate and to help."

"Full alert. Stand ready to evacuate the civilians to the shelters. Special guard and ANBU units to their posts now and I want my jonin in key points in the city."

"Hai Tsunade sama!" Shizune set the pig down and went to the window. She sent the hokage's orders into the sky for all to see and went to join her team.

Shikamaru and Choji were walking home when the sky was alight with the message from the hokage. Sand was about to attack. "Temari," Shikamaru lost his breath for a moment fearing for his pregnant wife. "Oh god Temari!" he broke into a run for home and Choji followed.

Raine looked up at the colors that flashed in the sky. "Weird fireworks?"

Temari knew it wasn't fireworks, it was a code. Konoha is about to be attacked, right now! "Get inside! We have to get inside! Renji Yusuke get inside right now!"

ANBU guard dropped all around the house and a siren started wailing in the middle of Konoha. Raine's heart jumped into her throat. "What's going on!"

In the dojo Gabe fell over and Sasuke caught him. "Sasuke sensei?" Gabe didn't like the siren. It was scary and broke his concentration.

Sasuke set Gabe down. "Stay here," he went to the door and threw it open. ANBU was circling the house. Temari was carrying a crying Yusuke and Raine was practically dragging Renji off of his bike. He hurried to them and picked Renji up. The Uchiha recognized the colors in the sky. "Get inside." He hurried them back to the dojo.

Hiei appeared at the door and addressed the Uchiha setting the boy down. "They're getting the barrier up around the house now."

Sasuke nodded at Hiei. The ANBU stepped out and closed the door. "What's happening sensei?" Gabe asked.

Sensei grabbed his sword off the wall and started herding Raine and the boys into the living room where Yusuke was crying. "It's a safety drill. Come on lets go see Yusuke and auntie Temari."

Raine let the boys get a few steps ahead of them and then she grabbed Sasuke's arm. "What is going on Sasuke?"

"Konoha is under attack." As if to emphasize his point there was a succession of four explosions near the gate.

She squeezed Sasuke's arm. "Sasuke!"

"It's alright Raine. You and the boys will be safe behind the barrier."

"You too right? You're staying with us right Sasuke?"

The mark on his neck was starting to tingle. The snake sannin was coming. He adjusted his sword behind him and Sasuke took Raine by the shoulders. "I'm going to protect our home Raine. You'll all be safe inside the house. Close the curtains and don't look outside."

The frightened woman heard more explosions. They sounded much closer. "Wait a minute, you're going out there?"

He started them down the hall thinking he might need some help from Temari getting Raine off of him. His wife looked terrified. "Yes I have to go out there. Orochimaru is coming Raine. I won't let him near this place; I'm going to protect you."

Orochimaru…is attacking…. "Sasuke…" Raine felt the strength running from her legs.

Sasuke took advantage of her faltering moment to pry her hands off of his shirt. "It's alright Raine. I'll be back."

"No, don't leave me," she panicked trying to take his hands.

"I'll be back, I promise." Before she could argue with him any further Sasuke pressed his lips to Raine's and kissed her quick. "It will be alright." The Uchiha turned and hurried out of the house to join his ANBU friends.

Temari went to her sister and put an arm around her. "Come on in here mouse, I need you to settle the boys."

Sakura had finished her rounds at the hospital and she and Kankuro were going to go have a quiet dinner somewhere alone when the signal in the air and the reverberations of the explosions changed their plans. Kankuro knew at once he had to get home. "Mouse and the boys! Come on lets go!" The couple made a dash for Uchiha town.

Jiraiya ran for the gate, Naruto made for the explosions in the wall closer to the Uchiha section of town. He was worried for his friends, for his genie and their boys. Bounding over the rooftops Naruto saw Shikamaru and Choji running for home. Naruto fell in beside them. "They're coming through the walls!" Naruto informed as they ran on.

I'm coming Temari. Shikamaru pushed himself to go faster. "We must defend our home! Hurry!"

Kakashi and his ninken fought their way to Tsume's location. Most of the marauding Sand didn't stick around to fight Copy Kakashi; they had a village to attack. Kakashi reduced their numbers by close to two dozen and ran on. Ahead in a slight clearing he saw Tsume. She rested against a tree with her dog's head in her lap. They were both covered in blood. Kakashi hurried to her. "Tsume!"

Tsume stroked her dog's fur. Kuromaru died with his head in her lap. "He was a good dog Kakashi. He was my friend."

Looking over her wounds Kakashi realized Tsume was on the verge of joining her ninken in the afterlife. "Hold on Tsume. Don't talk, I'll get help."

She coughed a little and blood ran from the corners of her mouth. Tsume was dieing. "Tell Hana and Kiba I love them."

"Hold on Tsume," he begged her.

Kuromaru's fur was soft but his body was getting cold. It was time for her to join him. Tsume smiled a little and closed her eyes. "He was a good dog."

Kakashi straightened as Tsume took her last breath. He bowed his head for a moment praying that she and Kuromaru now ran through peaceful fields. After a moment he stood and faced the sounds of Konoha under attack. Kakashi swallowed his sorrow; he still had a job to do. "Let's go Pakkun."

It was total chaos at the gates of Konoha. Two giant snakes each with three snapping heads and two lashing tails had been summoned by the invading shinobi. The snakes bashed their way through the gate and a good portion of the wall around it. Sand and Sound ninja poured in behind the snakes. The Konoha shinobi worked frantically to meet their invaders and evacuate the civilians to designated shelters. The snakes pushed forward smashing everything in their path. Houses fell like piles of matchsticks.

Summoning a big frog here was only going to cause more damage but it wasn't as if Jiraiya had much of a choice. He bit his thumb and his hands flew through the seals. A moment later he stood on Gamabunta's head. The big frog crushed half the block coming into the corporeal world. "It's a serious matter I'm afraid," Jiraiya told his friend.

Gamabunta fixed his gold eyes on the snakes trashing Konoha. All around them shinobi were at war. He went for his dagger. "It's time to do some snake hunting. Don't fall off." He leapt high and to the right releasing his dagger as he came down almost on top of the snake. Two heads hissed and tried to bite him, ninja around the fighting summons scrambled to get out of the way. Gamabunta's blade came down between two heads and he flailed the beast separating the head and one of the tails. A fountain of blood erupted out of the dieing thing and the carcass fell over in two pieces.

Jiraiya didn't stay idle as his big partner took on the second snake. He spit water bullets at enemy Sound and Sand trying to assist the ninja fighting all around them. The blood soaked streets were littered with bodies of ninja and civilians alike. Orochimaru wasn't attacking just to claim Raine or her children, he meant to annihilate Konoha. I won't let you have your way Orochimaru! Where the hell are you!

Kabuto waited until Sakura and Kankuro were gone, he didn't want to go through the trouble of fighting them just yet. He quietly took care of the distracted guard outside of Gaara's hospital room window and slipped in to pay the former kazekage a special visit. He went to the bed and opened his cloak. His sweet little Saichi let go of him and hopped down on the bed beside Gaara. Kabuto went around to the other side of the bed, to the seals on Gaara's neck. "I'll just need a moment Saichi."

Gaara was still in that dark world where time had no meaning. He sat on the grass thinking about his sons. When all of this was over he wanted to make them all big brothers. A beautiful daughter would make all of this up to Raine; another wedding and new rings for her too. Anything to make her happy again. He couldn't stand the frustration he heard in her voice. Gaara was contemplating these things when the first odd sensation hit him. It was almost like blacking out. No, not blacking out blinking out. Gaara lifted his hands and looked at them. They were translucent. "What the hell?"

Saichi crawled up on Sabaku no Gaara's chest. He looked down at the man who had once brought him red balloons. "He can get my mommy back."

"Of course he can," Kabuto assured the boy as he eliminated the seals containing Gaara's curse one after the other. He removed the last seal and Gaara's body twitched. "Go ahead Saichi."

For mommy. Saichi opened his mouth to allow the snake inside to do its work. It struck at Gaara's neck leaving a bloody mark on the opposite side Kabuto had just finished with. The snake had marked him again and Gaara trembled as Saichi swallowed his snake again. The little boy closed his eyes and worked Orochimaru's magic.

Hearing noise behind him Gaara leapt to his feet. He turned and saw the giant eight headed snake less then twenty feet away. He was stunned the creature got so close undetected but before he had time to think about it Gaara saw him, "Saichi!"

In the night time place with his pet snake behind him Saichi told Sabaku no Gaara, "You're going to go get mommy for me."

"Get your mommy?" a cold shudder swept through him and Gaara's entire body flickered for a moment. It was disorientating, slightly painful. "Saichi?"

The snake behind him reared its heads. "Sabaku no Gaara, bring me my mommy." The snake attacked grabbing Gaara in eight jaws and pinning the struggling shinobi to the grass. "You will obey."

Kabuto worked quickly detaching Gaara from medical equipment as the shinobi's body started to convulse. Saichi slipped off Gaara's chest and waited for him to open his eyes. A moment later the convulsions stopped. Gaara was still for a moment and then he sat up and opened his eyes. Kabuto handed black pants and a shirt to their new slave. "Get dressed. We have work to do."

Sasuke joined Hiei and Judda on the roof. A section of the great wall not far from the edge of the Uchiha district was crumbling. Konoha shinobi were rushing that way to intercept the flood of enemies slipping through the cracks. The tingle in Sasuke's mark became a dull ache. Hiei drew his sword. "I'll give them no quarter."

Sound and Sand charged their way and Sasuke unsheathed his own sword. "Defend this house with your lives. Show no mercy to the enemies that stand before you. They're here to murder Raine and steal away the children."

"Be he brother or friend, I'll do my job too." Judda's hand went to the hilt of his sword and then the trio was in motion racing to meet the enemy. They were a skilled few, high level ANBU and the shower of shuriken and kunai thrown by the enemy did no damage. Sasuke and his ANBU were too fast, too skilled with a sword. The slaughter began two streets down from the place the Uchiha called home.

Inside the house Raine and Temari settled the boys in the living room to color pictures until the 'drill' was over. Raine was terrified. Things were still exploding outside and she could hear shouting and screaming. She turned on the stereo and put in some kiddie music the boys liked to drown out the sounds. With her boys occupied Raine hurried into the kitchen for a look out the front window. She saw smoke and dust rising into the air a few blocks away and closer still ninja were fighting everywhere. Her heart dropped into her stomach. Raine was looking out at a war. Oh my god Sasuke went out in that?

Temari appeared at the kitchen doorway. "Mouse, come away from the window."

Raine turned to Temari with wild eyes. "Sasuke…Shikamaru and Kankuro!"

The mention of her husband made Temari's worried heart flutter in her chest. "They'll all be okay."

"It's a war out there Temari!"

She hurried to mouse and pulled her away from the window. "I know it is. Calm down, this will all be over soon."

"What about all of the people? All the kids, the civilians!"

"Konoha takes care of their own. I'm sure the straights are being evacuated now come sit with the boys."

Raine clutched Temari's shirt sleeves. "What about the hospital? What about Gaara!"

Shit! She could really use baby brother's help right about now. "He'll be fine. The hospital will be protected should it become a target."

Tears of panic started to sting her eyes. "This whole village is a target!"

"Don't you dare get hysterical on me." Temari put her hands on mouse's shoulders and shook her a little. "The men of our family are out there fighting for our homes, our family. It's our job to keep the boys secure and I need you to help me keep them calm and distracted. They need their mom right now."

She heard more loud crashing noises over the sound of Mary had a little Lamb in the living room. Raine looked out the window and saw the fighting. "I'm afraid."

"Don't be afraid. Just pray." Temari was. Her brother and husband were out there.

Kankuro and Sakura didn't get far from the hospital before they became entangled in the fighting. Kankuro was a little worried for his sweetheart but whenever an enemy got close to Sakura she put a hurt on them. While she pummeled the attacking Sound Kankuro used five summon puppets to try and clear the area around them so they could move on. The flow of enemy shinobi seemed endless as wave after wave of ninja moved into Konoha.

There was smoke coming from the direction of the gate and Kankuro thought he glimpsed the giant frog Naruto could summon. It was the smoke and dust in the sky at the other end of town that concerned the big ninja. It was near Uchiha town; near his pregnant sister his mouse and his nephews. Kankuro prayed that Sasuke and what was left of the ANBU guard were holding down the fort until he could get there. His puppets took out two more shinobi charging at him. "Godamnit clear the fucking way!"

Sakura covered Kankuro's backside deflecting kunai and turning in sync with her lover. "There's so godamn many of them!" Her fellow Konoha shinobi were caught up in brawls everywhere she turned.

"Stay close to me Sakura; as soon as we can we'll make a break for it!" Kankuro ordered slaying more ninja.

"Double size!" Choji's huge fist swung out ahead of them knocking Sand ninja out of the way. They were surrounded and still running to get to Uchiha town.

Shikamaru was trying to calculate the invading troop's strength and size as he and Naruto deflected the weapons thrown at them. "There are hundreds of them, two maybe even three hundred enemies."

"Kage bushin no jutsu!" Naruto made two more clones to help deflect the rainstorm of shuriken hailing down on them. "We have to get to Sasuke! They're after genie and the kids!" Naruto felt the thing inside of him stir. "Orochimaru must be here somewhere."

"Tsunade and Jiraiya are here, you let them handle Orochimaru understand?" Shikamaru warned his dangerously powerful friend.

"A sannin fight in the village is going to wreck the place up."

"And your kyuubi powers won't?" Shikamaru dodged a kunai and deflected a shuriken away from Choji.

Naruto grit his teeth. All around them was the sound of destruction and he could smell the blood in the air. Old lady Tsunade, Ero sannin where the hell are you guys? Choji kept on doing his best to clear their way and Naruto ran on behind him.

Sasuke had just finished off two more Sand ninja when he felt the shift in the wind and the murderous intent behind him. He spun around quickly and deflected as many blades of wind as he could. One hit him opening a gash in his right bicep and Sasuke's eyes found his attacker. "Baki."

The kazekage was surrounded by his ANBU embroiled in the fight with the shinobi of Konoha. "I've come for what's mine Uchiha."

"Nothing here belongs to you old man," Sasuke growled.

He was pleased he had wounded the renowned genius of the Uchiha clan. "You'll die here. Konoha is finished." Baki always had fantastic timing. No sooner than the words left his lips there was a huge explosion at the edge of the district. The giant snake Manda and his summoner appeared. Baki seized the opportunity to attack the slightly distracted Uchiha sending more cutting wind after him.

Shit! Sasuke deflected wind and leapt up and back to avoid the rest. The sannin had finally made his appearance, a grand entrance no less. The giant snake dipped his head and swallowed shinobi whole. "Son of a bitch!" Sasuke had no time to play with Baki. He would have to kill him quickly and move to intercept Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru makes a clever partner. Together we will eliminate this village and collect what we want."

"Fool, Orochimaru gives nothing to anyone for free!" Sasuke charged at Baki.

Baki used the wind to dodge, to fly and to counter attack. If the Uchiha wanted to get close to him he should be prepared to be cut to ribbons. "You're fast Uchiha but I can fly!" He soared above on the wind and rained down a torrent of death on Uchiha Sasuke.

Shikamaru saw the giant snake's head above the rooftops. "Oh shit."

Naruto saw it too. "Orochimaru and that snake! He summoned that thing right inside the village? Konoha will be destroyed!"

The snake rolled and thrashed and the ground shook beneath them. "We won't let that happen Naruto," Choji gave the pep talk sweeping the enemy out of the way with giant hands. "We are the shinobi of this village and we will protect it. We will save our home and our people. That is our job."

Red chakra was crying out to be released. "Orochimaru," Naruto started to let just a little leak out. "I'm going!" He darted out ahead with a preternatural speed and weaved his way past and through the enemy.

"Naruto no!" Shikamaru screamed but it was too late, the ninja was gone. "Choji?"

The big guy put on more speed, as much as he could handle. "I saw it too." As Naruto ran away he dropped down on all fours. "We better hurry."

Gamabunta had finished the snakes at the gate. The second put up more of a fight after seeing what happened to its companion. Four blocks near the gate were completely demolished and the fallen gates of Konoha were stained with blood. The sannin was still atop his head taking out the enemy from above when two things happened at once; Hatake Kakashi arrived and Manda reared his ugly head across town. "Well son of a bitch," the frog grumbled and hit his pipe.

Kakashi spotted Jiraiya and immediately went to him. From atop the frog the ninja had a clear view of what was going on. It was far worse then the last time. "Manda?"

Jiraiya caught his breath. "I see Orochimaru has shown himself."

"Where is Naruto?"

Jiraiya eyed Manda. "Over there I imagine. Tsunade too."

"That's the edge of Uchiha town."

"Gamabunta, plowing through the village is going to get a lot of people hurt so let's take the scenic route."

"Can we kill the sons of bitches this time?" the big frog exhaled a great cloud of smoke.

The sannin frowned. "The world will be short one of the three when this is all over. That much I promise." He turned to Kakashi. "Hang on; we're going for a ride."

Kakashi concentrated more chakra into his feet and the frog jumped high and back into the forest.

Raine felt the earthquakes. She looked at Temari sitting on the couch beside her and then both women got to their feet. They hurried to the kitchen for a look outside leaving the boys to color in the living room. Raine saw the giant snake and grabbed Temari's arm in terror. "Oh my…"

It was Orochimaru's snake, and someone was on the creatures head. "He summoned that thing right here in the village. Is he crazy," Temari almost couldn't believe it.

"Orochimaru's going to get me." It felt like the blood in her veins had turned to ice.

"No."

"Whose going to kill that big fuckin snake!"

Temari looked down at mouse. She was pale and on the verge of panic. "Tsunade hokage that's who. She'll kick that things scaly ass all over the place and then put a beat down on Orochimaru too!"

Something like cold steel squeezed in on her heart. We're all going to die. "Gaara… I want Gaara! He has to protect me! He has to come and rescue all of us!"

It felt like her mouse stuck a knife in her chest. Temari was hurt and Raine was giving in to panic. "It's going to be alright mouse."

"No," it didn't feel that way. "Something terrible is going to happen. They're all out there with that thing!"

"Stop it!" She grabbed Raine by the arms and shook her hard. "You're panicking. They can take care of that snake and everyone is going to be fine."

"People are dieing out there!"

"People are living in here. Three little boys that can't have you doing this shit mouse. Pull yourself together. The ninja will do their job, you do yours."

Raine tried to compose herself. I can't frighten the boys. Raine nodded.

"We have a lot of protection out there. Husbands brothers friends, put your faith in them mouse. They can handle this."

I'll be back, I promise. "Sasuke…"

"He'll protect you," the Uchiha was strong fast and skilled and he loves Raine and the boys. "Sasuke's tough stuff. It will be okay."

Lucky for Sasuke he was all Temari thought he was. His Sharingan saw the attack coming, his speed cleared him from the majority of the downpour and he deflected more with his sword. Wind cut his right thigh and left ankle open. They were shallow wounds but they were still bleeding. The gash in his arm wept when he spun his sword. Godamnit I can't get close to him! Sheathing his sword in Baki's presence seemed like a dangerous gamble. Clearly the kazekage had mastered his element.

"You're pretty good at dodging the kazekage ne Uchiha," Baki stayed on the move circling the young man as blades of wind flew from his fingertips. The Uchiha was quite a swordsman too. Baki smiled a little, he would just distract the little punk and move in for the kill. Hot blooded young guys like him were always balled up by their honeys. "Did you avoid Gaara too? How long were you fucking my little whore behind his back? Were you doing her back in Sand while Gaara was at the office? A little afternoon delight?"

He knew Baki was just trying to fuck up his concentration. Sasuke had used this trick a time or two himself. He bounced Baki's blades back his way but the ninja didn't stay in one spot. "Yeah that's right," Sasuke calculated Baki's speed and direction. Sasuke jumped straight into the air reaching for five kunai. His kunai training with his brother served Sasuke well all his life. He threw the kunai and for a moment Baki hesitated as not to run into the knife coming down on him. Sasuke made straight for him deflecting the few blades of wind the kage threw at him.

Baki didn't quite escape the Uchiha's sword. It sliced his side as he moved away. The Uchiha swung again at his head and Baki blew out a great gust of wind to knock the Uchiha back. Sasuke slid across the rooftops on his feet and then the ground shook again. Injured and furious Baki sent a windstorm after his opponent. "I'll kill you Uchiha."

Gamabunta appeared in front of them and Manda hissed. Orochimaru saw Jiraiya and Kakashi atop the frog. Kakashi leapt down to assist Sasuke with Baki. Not far from where they were Naruto was tearing his way through a dozen Sand ninja. Still no sign of Tsunade. "Jiraiya," Orochimaru greeted with a grin.

"This is it Orochimaru."

"Are you going to try and stop me? An old fool like you? You're old and weak and I have had enough of you! Konoha ends today old friend." Manda thrashed his tail sending smashed house debris into the air and Orochimaru's hands started to fly through the seals.

"Gamabunta, fly!" The frog jumped and narrowly missed the massive ice jutsu Orochimaru sent after them. Jiraiya saw shinobi imprisoned in the massive berg of ice. "Toad oil!" A moment later he was spitting fireballs at Manda. The snake had to go, he was slithering destruction.

"Not good enough," Orochimaru boasted as Manda swat fire away with his thick tail alighting buildings all over the place.

Konoha was catching fire. "Shit, water cannon please hurry!"

The frog was sure this place was going to be a disaster area by moon rise. He jumped high to avoid the snake's bite and spat water on the houses in flames.

Orochimaru saw his opening and he went for it. His snake moved to strike when suddenly Manda stopped and turned quick for a look at his tail. Akimichi Choji was holding Manda's tail with hands and arms that he had enlarged to gigantic proportions. "What?" the sannin hissed.

"I won't let you destroy this village," Choji called up to the snake and his master.

"Kill him! Eat him!" Orochimaru ordered Manda furiously.

Kakashi hurried into the fight between Baki and Sasuke. The kazekage paused reevaluating the situation. Sasuke was a little cut up but he looked alright. Kakashi addressed Baki not Sasuke. "I'll give you one last chance to run for your life."

Baki laughed. "You're good Copy Kakashi but I'm the kazekage. I'll kill you both."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Kakashi was behind Sasuke in a flash stabbing his fingers into the seal that kept his power in check. He released the seal. "Kill him."

It was an order from his sensei, the first in many long years. The mark spread across his body like a wildfire as Sasuke called on his darker powers and charged Baki. He would do as his sensei said. With his increased speed Sasuke was able to dodge and deflect what Baki threw at him. "Shini!"

The Uchiha was about to land a fatal blow yet again two things happened at once. Uchiha Sasuke was blown off course by a waterfall of sand and Tsunade hokage arrived.

The snake diving down to devour Choji ran into an unexpected surprise. Manda hissed, "Tsunade!" and then the woman sannin's fist connected with his bottom jaw. His head rocked backward and the woman came at him again. "Orochimaru! Get her!"

The hokage punched the big snake in the face again. "Get out of my town!"

Jiraiya turned to the sound of Tsunade's voice and saw her beating up the snake. Orochimaru tipped his head back going for the sword in his gullet. "Now is a good time to strike friend!" As Gamabunta leapt into the air unsheathing his dagger for a stab at the angry snake Jiraiya saw Gaara. "What the hell!" They started to drop and Manda's tail came at them. Choji went flying.

Kakashi stood his ground now facing Baki and "Gaara?" The former kazekage had defended his successor but Kakashi doubted it was because Gaara wanted too. There was blood on Gaara's neck dripping from another curse mark. The seals that kept the snake at bay were gone and most disturbingly Gaara didn't look at him with pale green eyes; they were gold. The eyes of the snake that now controlled him.

Baki was shocked to see Gaara too but by the look of him Orochimaru must have called him back from the dead to fight. "Gaara? Orochimaru is truly amazing."

Sasuke recovered himself and bounded his way back to his former sensei's side. He froze at what he saw before him. "Gaara…." Looking into his friends eyes Sasuke saw why he had been attacked by sand. "He's been possessed!"

The sand shot out of Gaara's gourd again and Sasuke and Kakashi had to separate to dodge. Baki wasted no time sending his cutting winds after both of his scrambling enemies. The kage laughed. "Yes that's it Gaara! We'll kill them all!"

"There's a big fucking snake over there!" Kankuro argued trying to keep Sound ninja at bay. "A frog too!"

"Tsunade and Jiraiya have confronted Orochimaru, Naruto might be there to."

"My family is there!" Kankuro decapitated a ninja and his buddy tried to flee.

Sakura threw a kunai with enough force to kill two ninja. "Sasuke's there; Hiei and Judda too."

"Temari is pregnant!"

It was a hell of a time to spring it on him but just in case they didn't make it out of this mess alive, "So am I."

"What?" Kankuro wasn't sure he heard her right.

"I'm pregnant," Sakura punched the ground knocking ninja off their feet. "If we live through this you're going to be a daddy."

Daddy? Every hair on Kankuro's body stood on end. She's carrying my baby! "Sakura!"

She turned a handful of stones into lethal projectiles. "It's not my fault the condoms always broke!"

We're going to be parents… I have to protect her! His fingers moved faster and Kankuro made his puppets fly. "Don't worry Sakura, we're going to get out of this just fine and then I'll marry you! I'll take care of everything!"

"Are you proposing?"

"Yes," his poison needles flew into the crowd. "Will you marry me Sakura?"

She laughed a little despite herself. "Yes Kankuro. I'll marry you."

Orochimaru brought forth the sword of Kasanigi's. He began his charge across Manda's scaly head moving fast to end Tsunade's beating. "Tsunade!"

She saw Orochimaru coming and kicked Manda in the jaw again before leaping back to find good footing to face her old friend. "Orochimaru, it's over for you today!"

Manda was in the process of recovering himself when something else hit him hard enough to almost knock him over. The evil sannin looked down and saw the source of the blow; the kuuybi brat had arrived. "Kill him!"

Jiraiya watched Orochimaru and his snake separate. Orochimaru went after Tsunade and Manda struck at Naruto. "Gamabunta, attack Manda now!"

The frog leapt high in the air and went for his blade. "That kid is growing tails."

"One thing at a time!"

Get my mommy for me. Saichi stood at Kabuto's feet a safe distance away from the heavy fighting taking it all in with his Sharingan. Today was a good day, he had learned a lot already and by tonight his mommy would be tucking him in to bed. Saichi would be happy again.

The snake controlling Gaara's body didn't bother playing around with the Konoha shinobi. He started toward the house and his target. The mission was simple, acquire Saichi's mother without killing her or the children. Some damage to the target was acceptable but Raine was not to be fatally wounded. Kill anyone that got in the way even Uchiha Sasuke if necessary.

Gaara was heading straight for the house, for Raine and the boys. Sasuke gave chase. "Gaara!" he called to him running to catch up. Sand from Gaara's gourd came after Sasuke trying to grab him and he jumped around to avoid being caught. "Gaara stop!" The Uchiha put on a burst of speed and got in front of his possessed friend. "Stop it Gaara!" Sasuke fended off another sand attack with his sword. "I won't let you take Raine. I can't! I promised you I would protect her!"

Manda struck out at Naruto and in a flash he swallowed the brat whole. Gamabunta's dagger pierced the snake's middle pinning him to the ground. Manda thrashed and snapped at the big frog as he bounded away. "Damn you!" Before he could wriggle the dagger out the snake received another damning injury. Naruto burst through the side of his neck. The ninja escaped through the hole he tore open and Manda wailed in agony.

Tsunade was momentarily distracted by Naruto's gory escape. Two tails! She narrowly dodged the sword Orochimaru swung at her head.

"Pay attention or you'll die!" Orochimaru was furious. Manda screeched and beat his tail off the ground shaking the earth. Whether it was his snake, his shinobi or the kuuybi power unleashed this village was going to be destroyed.

Snarling and down on all fours Naruto charged the giant snake again.

Gaara had left him to deal with the copy ninja all on his own, Baki was none to happy about it either. Kakashi immediately copied his air walk technique and pursued him across the sky. Baki threw blades of wind at the jonin, Kakashi dodged deflected and kept coming. I can't lose to this guy! "I'm the kazekage!" His hands flew through the seals; he didn't even care if Kakashi was copying him.

Kakashi had a bad feeling about this. Wind kicked up around him and before Kakashi was engulfed in the tornado he created he saw Baki's. This is going to make a mess. He fought wind with wind. Houses shredded in the wind; debris and shinobi alike went flying. The storms collided and exploded on a gust of intense energy.

Sasuke wasn't caught entirely off guard by the blast wave but he did have to struggle to stay on his feet. His possessed friend on the other hand used the wind at his back to get even closer to Sasuke's home. "No Gaara stop!"

The Uchiha was stuck in place behind him, the house was directly ahead. Get my mommy. Get my mommy. Get my mommy. The serpent in the human lighted on the wall outside of the house. "Raine," he used Gaara's voice. "Raine come out here!"

The Uchiha heard Gaara calling for Raine. Oh god no! She'll run right to him, to her death! "Gaara no!"

Raine had been pacing between the kitchen and living room when she heard him. She froze looking out the kitchen window. Gaara was up on the wall looking at the house and calling her. "Gaara?" her heart leapt into her throat and Raine bolted for the door.

Temari saw her mouse go running to the door. "Mouse? What are you doing?"

Gaara… Her love was here, he had come to protect her to save her from the terrible things going on around them. He's come back to me. My love! Raine threw open the door and stepped outside of the barrier. "Gaara!"

Shikamaru found Choji picking his way out of a pile of rubble. "Choji!" he ran to his friend. "You alright!"

Choji was a little dazed. He had smacked the back of his head pretty hard on impact. "I'll live." There seemed to be a bit less ninja activity over here. "What's going on?"

"Our counter attack has just begun. This area is starting to clear out; the fighting is concentrated near the center of the village." Shikamaru had been monitoring the signals closely. "Let's try to get closer to my place. I want to make sure that Temari is alright."

His friend was calm as usual but Choji could hear the worry in Shikamaru's voice. "Yeah okay. Let's check on your family."

Naruto clawed and bit at Manda like a wild animal, like a fox. "Jiraiya!" Gamabunta barked. "You can't let him do this in the village!"

Jiraiya already knew that. "Manda has to go so I can get to Naruto!"

"Then fry him and be done with it!" Gamabunta bloated himself with oil.

No other choice. Gamabunta let loose and Jiraiya set the oil on fire. A wall of flame raced at the snake.

Saichi's mommy came out into the open and the serpent inside reacted. It used the sand to reach out and grab her. Mommy startled as the sand wrapped around her waist and legs and cried out in surprise when she pulled her and the sand to him.

Raine fell over and Gaara dragged her across the ground. "Gaara!" she screamed panicked and confused. She felt her feet elevate and a second later Raine was hanging upside down. She caught grabbed a hold of his shirt and struggled to look up at him. "Gaara what are you doing!"

The snake looked down at the panicking mommy with its cold yellow eyes and hissed at her agitated by her fussing.

That's not…Gaara… it was his body his voice, but his pale green eyes were all gold save one black stripe down the center. Snake… Raine opened her mouth and screamed.

In that dark place where the snake held him down Gaara heard it. First Sasuke and then Raine. Her scream made his hair stand on end. "What are you doing to her?" he railed at the snake biting him.

Saichi answered him from somewhere far away. "Get my mommy."

"No! Leave her alone! Saichi!" There was no answer from the boy and then Raine screamed again.

It was common knowledge that using his Sharingan eye tired Kakashi out faster. He acted far more exhausted then he felt. Playing with tornadoes in the village was too dangerous. He couldn't let Baki do that again. Kakashi had to stop him here and now. His hands flew through the seals and he summoned the mist to cover him.

Childish, futile! "You can't see either Hatake Kakashi!" Baki turned circles looking for the enemy. "I'll blow your fog away!"

He used his sword to slice Raine free of the sand. Sasuke grabbed her away from Gaara and she screamed. "Are you alright?" he tried for the house but sand got in the way. Sasuke took to the roof.

No, she wasn't alright at all. "Gaara!"

"He's not the one doing this." Sasuke felt something wrap around his ankle. Shit! He tucked Raine under one arm and turned to slice the sand with his sword. His beloved screamed and brought her arms up to hide her face.

Abrasions and broken bones were acceptable damages for mommy to take should she get caught in the crossfire like she was now. The serpent continued attacking. Uchiha Sasuke was proficient at deflecting this hosts sand attacks and the Uchiha was slowly getting further away with his target. That was an unacceptable loss and the serpent moved in to take mommy back from Sasuke.

The burning oil splattered all over Manda's head and hide. The snake hissed and thrashed trying to roll over and put himself out. Gamabunta's dagger held him firmly in place and Manda screamed enraged. He had taken quite enough abuse this outing, enough was enough. He slammed his tail into the ground one more time leaving behind his parting earthquake. The summon vanished in a puff of smoke that turned the sky grey.

With the snake gone Naruto turned to his next opponent. Orochimaru and Tsunade were fighting in a now mostly leveled spot not far from where the snake's tail had been. "Orochimaru, you aren't taking any of my friends!"

The fighting all around them seemed to intensify which was bad because Sakura was beginning to tire. "There's no end to this!"

Kankuro sensed a change in the tide of battle along with that last earthquake. The giant snake was gone and then the big frog vanished too. He was starting to see more green flack jackets amongst the ninja fighting all around them. "Finally!" Kankuro sent two puppets to Sakura's right. "It's the counterattack! Hang on a little longer!"

His puppets shielded her from flying shuriken. This would all be over soon. "You too!"

Saichi was briefly distracted by Manda's theatrical exit. It was enough to make the snake holding him waver a bit and Gaara pushed forward with all of his might. For just a brief moment he saw through his open eyes and Gaara was horrified. It looked like all the screaming he was hearing was because he was kicking the crap out of Sasuke and Raine. "No! Don't let me hurt her!" he spoke in the real world.

For a moment the sand stopped coming and so did Gaara. Sasuke had heard his friend, the real Gaara speak to him just now. The Uchiha took advantage of Gaara's struggle with the serpent inside of him and bounded away with Raine. That thing will devour his soul! Gaara will die if he tries to fight it! "Damnit!"

Raine wasn't even aware that she had started to cry. "Sasuke!"

The snake slammed Gaara back down into the grass. A second later his left hand was bitten off and swallowed by one of the monsters heads. Gaara cried out in agony as the creature tore at his soul. "Raine! Sasuke don't let me hurt her! Don't let me take her back to Orochimaru! Godamnit stop me!"

In control of the host once again the serpent quit playing around. He sent all of the sand in the gourd after the Uchiha to trip him up, to slice and pummel him, to grab him and tear mommy right out of his arms.

Back on the ground once again Jiraiya ran for Naruto. He was making a bee line for Orochimaru sprinting on all fours. "Tsunade!" Jiraiya shouted the warning.

Naruto left a trail of orange fire in his wake. Seconds later he stole Tsunade's opponent and attacked Orochimaru directly knocking them both away from the hokage. "I won't let you!" Naruto growled like an animal.

She was about to land a solid punch on Orochimaru when Naruto came in and blasted them back a few hundred yards. He was attacking the snake sannin like an animal, Orochimaru defended with incredible chakra backing away from the ninja with two tails. "Naruto!" Tsunade ran after her shinobi like a good kage should.

The sand took his feet out from under him and Sasuke flailed trying to reclaim his balance. He landed on sliding sand on his backside with Raine still in one arm. They rolled down the pitch of the roof and Sasuke dropped his sword grabbing for purchase. They hit the edge and the screaming woman bounced away from him. "Raine!" Sasuke grabbed for her and caught her by the wrist.

Raine looked down at the fall from the roof, it wasn't that high, but high enough to get hurt if she fell. "Sasuke!" she reached for him with her other hand.

"Hold on to me Raine!" Sasuke was about to pull her up when Gaara's sand attacked him from behind. The blast hit him dead center in the back with such tremendous force it shredded his shirt and blasted away layers of skin. Sasuke screamed in pain.

Uchiha Sasuke was incapacitated enough for the sand to reclaim mommy. A tendril of it wrapped around her waist and roughly yanked her up and away from the injured Uchiha. Mommy screamed and struggled. Minor injuries were acceptable; the quickest way to subdue her was to render her unconscious.

Sasuke watched horrified as the sand holding Raine moved to hurt her. "No don't!"

Raine was slammed into the ground hard. The air rushed out of her body and she choked. Her peripheral vision darkened and then the blackness moved in. She thought she felt something wet behind her ear unaware that a rock had cut her head open. She thought she heard Sasuke scream for her and then the world went dark.

Baki was preparing another tornado to clear the mist. He wouldn't lose to the copy ninja hiding in the fog. He brought his hands up to perform the seals and then the ground at his feet seemed to explode. Suddenly there were dogs biting into him. They chomped down on his hands and legs. He cried out startled and furious. "Get off of me!"

"The lightning edge can also be used to cut," Kakashi followed Pakkun straight to Baki concentrating the chakra in his hand. Too late the kazekage saw him coming. Kakashi ran past Baki taking the kage's head off with one quick chop of his electrified hand. Baki's head rolled at Kakashi's feet. "You should have run for your life."

Orochimaru leapt away from the monster ninja. He threw one jutsu at Naruto and another at his fellow sannin hurrying to join the brat. Jiraiya summoned a wave Orochimaru countered with a wall of earth and Tsunade smashed it to pieces. Naruto started to spew dangerous blasts of chakra at him, Orochimaru dodged and countered with his own. They were really tearing up the town and the snake hermit smiled.

Sasuke flipped off the roof and tried to get to Raine before the sand could carry her back to Gaara again. He collected his sword and jumped to meet her as the sand lifted her unconscious body off the ground. "Raine!" Sasuke grabbed her and cut her free from the sand. He noticed the blood on her shirt as he tried yet again to get her someplace safer. "Raine, can you hear me?" the sand was relentless and Sasuke went to level two of his cursed seal. "You're going to kill her! Stop it!"

Kill her? No! Gaara struggled again. "Stop it Saichi!" he cried out desperately. The snake devoured another bite of Gaara's arm and he groaned through clenched teeth.

Stage two gave him more speed and Sasuke finally outran the sand. He was heading back to the house, to the safety of the barrier when he saw Shikamaru and Choji. Sasuke dropped down in front of them and quickly pushed Raine off on Shikamaru. "Get her back to the house!"

Shikamaru was stunned. "What happened?"

There was no time to explain. The sand and the possessed were catching up to them. "I'll cover you go!" Sasuke leapt back to the roof to intercept the coming attack. His eyes found Gaara a few houses away and coming for them, for Raine. "I won't let you have her! Leave her alone!"

His sister in law was bleeding from a cut on her head, assumable what knocked her out. Choji and Shikamaru made a run for it. Above them they saw what they were running from. Gaara was on the roof and he was sending his sand to attack them. "What the hell!" Shikamaru gaped and Sasuke intercepted the attack.

"I said go! Run!" Sasuke had no choice; he was going to have to really fight Gaara. His soul… is it being devoured? Damnit Gaara give me a sign!

Gabe wiggled in his seat and then got up. Temari looked down at her nephew with nervous eyes. "What is it Gabe?"

"I have to use the toilet." He went out without looking back at aunt Temari. It's hurting them. Mommy and Sasuke. Daddy's sand is hurting them. Gabe went into the bathroom and closed the door. Something is wrong with daddy too. He's not the one using his sand. He's fighting in starlight land. Gabe didn't pee; he went to the window and slipped out.

He snuck closer to his bedroom window and called his own sand to him. The stream became a gourd on his back. Gabe eyed two figures fighting on a rooftop not far from him. It was his daddy and his Sasuke sensei, but at the same time it was neither. Sensei used dark power to make himself into a monster and a monster controlled Gabriel's father. Gabe knew why sensei was fighting his daddy; mommy's blood had dripped on daddy's sand. "I have to save my parents."

The little boy snuck away from the house and over the wall. Gabe ran right into his first battle as a ninja.

Jiraiya made a break for Naruto while Tsunade made a charge at Orochimaru. Catching the kid in this state was all but impossible and quite dangerous. Kakashi appeared in a blur and ran at his side. "Baki's dead," Kakashi informed.

That was good news. With their kage fallen and Konoha's shinobi making their counter attack Sand would flee or die. "Then that just leaves Orochimaru but first we must stop Naruto before he grows another tail."

Tsunade's fire jutsu collided with Orochimaru's water jutsu and the sannin charged at her through the steamy mist. He was faster then her and avoided her blows but his sword did cut her. Tsunade's arm opened from elbow to shoulder. Instinctively she brought her hand to her wound giving Orochimaru just enough time to parry and run her through with his sword. Tsunade gagged blood through her clenched teeth. Orochimaru leapt away pulling his sword out as he moved. "I'll kill you bitch," he hissed.

Jiraiya caught the impalement from the corner of his eye. Tsunade was covered in blood. How much chakra did she use up fighting Manda! "Godamnit Tsunade!"

"Help her," Kakashi darted after Naruto and the big sannin changed course again to join the hokage.

Sasuke was deflecting sand and trying to keep Gaara from advancing when something small appeared on the roof behind Gaara. Oh shit oh no Gabe! Quicker then Sasuke had ever seen the child move he was past Gaara and hiding behind one of the giant hands on Sasuke's back. "Gabe what the hell are you doing here godamnit!"

Gabe… Gaara's eyes widened in horror and understanding. His precious son was now in the battle. "No! No godamnit don't you fucking hurt him! Don't you fucking hurt him!" Gaara raved and the snake took another bite of his soul. "Kill it Sasuke! Kill me! End this you bastard!"

Daddy's sand kept attacking them. Sensei kept Gabe safe behind him. His sensei was really fast. "That's not my daddy, that's an abomination."

The little boy's calm and adult way of speaking made Sasuke feel cold. "Gabe?"

"My daddy would rather die then hurt me or mommy."

"It's not your daddy's fault Gabe."

Gabe understood more then his sensei thought he did. He sometimes heard and saw his daddy in his dreams. "Daddy is fighting where he is too. To win there, to save my daddy's soul you have to kill him here."

It was a lot for the little one's Sharingan to take in all at once and Saichi started to get a headache. Kakashi just about had Naruto by the tail of his jacket and then the ninja with red chakra suddenly pounced off in another direction shaking him once again. Tsunade hokage staggered forward a few steps and then she started to run to continue attacking Orochimaru. Jiraiya was behind her trying to catch up.

Saichi turned to his left, to the fight for his mommy. He focused in using his sharp eyes. Big brother Gabriel was hanging onto Saichi's daddy. Orochimaru told him all about that little traitor and Otasan had been right. The furious little one stood on shaky legs. "Stop stealing my daddy!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

Uh oh. Kabuto braced himself. "Saichi?"

"Kill him! Kill Sabaku no Gabriel!"

"Sasuke sensei, please help me. I don't want my daddy to disappear in the dark." He had heard his little brother's scream and looked for the source of the voice.

The sand attacks became more vicious as the serpent controlling it ceased to care about Gabe's well being. Sasuke had to move quick; he was all over the place. Gaara moved closer and Sasuke was already at the edge of the roof as it was. "Hang on Gabe!" He peeked back over his shoulder. Shikamaru was still running like hell but he wasn't far enough away from Gaara's wrath.

"Get me my mommy!" Saichi was so furious he breathed fire when he spoke. "I want my mommy right NOW!"

Gabe saw him and for a moment he was startled by Saichi's power and the horrible darkness surrounding the boy he taught to play dinosaurs. The thing that had stolen his father's body dashed forward and down off the roof; going after Gabe's mommy. From behind his sensei he saw the earth heave. Uncle Shikamaru, mommy and even big Choji went flying. "Mommy…"

Shit! Sasuke leapt to the unzipped street and headed for Raine. Getting tossed again seemed to shake her awake. She was trying to push herself up on her elbows and open her eyes. Gaara appeared on the street behind her. "Raine! Get up, run! He's right behind you!"

Raine groggily lifted her head. Sasuke was a monster charging at her and at first she thought he had a monkey on his back with all that red hair red hair. "Gabe!"

"Sasuke sensei, please," Gabe begged trying to keep the tears out of his eyes. "I can hold him long enough for you to strike his heart and give him a clean death."

"Gabe no!" Just a little more and Sasuke would be to her. Sand was creeping up behind her and she was too dazed to see it coming.

"Please! He's going to hurt my mommy and he won't stop! Now please help me sensei! Help me save my mom and dad!"

Sasuke peeked at Gabe from the corner of his eye. There were tears streaming down his little cheeks and Sasuke's heart broke in half. It was a million billion times worse then seeing Raine cry ever. Oh god Gabriel. You are such a good son. "Chidori?" Sasuke whispered. Feeling his own eyes begin to sting.

That would be quick and clean. Daddy's soul would fly before the demon could finish him and mommy would be safe. Gabe nodded. "Do it, charge him now."

The Uchiha put his hand down and forced chakra into his palm. I asked Gaara to give me a sign. His hand became alive with chakra. I won't let that damn snake have your soul Gaara. I won't ever let Orochimaru have Raine either. Sasuke had asked for a sign and Gabe was it. Gabriel was the first angel. Sasuke charged.

Tsunade saw the perfect angle of alignment and put herself at the right place at the right time to kill two birds with one stone. Naruto charged at Orochimaru as the snake bastard charged at her. Tsunade maneuvered so at the last moment of Naruto's charge she was facing him. The hokage saw a third tail and knew the kyuubi would go right through her. Blue fire illuminated her fingertips. Orochimaru came from behind. I will do what a hokage has to do.

"Mommy! I want my mommy!"

Sasuke was almost to her and then he ran right by her. Gabe was on his back. His little gourd turned to sand and it was going everywhere. Raine turned a little more and saw that Sasuke was charging Gaara. "No!"

Tsunade felt his claws tear into her chest and she stabbed her glowing fingers into his stomach to seal the fox chakra, to save her village and to save Naruto. Orochimaru was behind her and with Naruto's last bit of red chakra he reached right through Tsunade and tore off a nice chunk of Orochimaru's chest. Good job kid. The seal kicked in and Naruto lost consciousness. Tsunade reached up to pull his hand out of her chest and she wavered.

Furious Orochimaru kicked the half dead pair out of his way. "You bitch! How dare you die like that on me you bitch!"

"Orochimaru!" A rush of anger and a gust of wind and Jiraiya was to the snake bastard in no time he punched him in the face sending Orochimaru flying backwards.

Kakashi ran for Naruto and the hokage they were laying in a spreading pool of her blood. Naruto's fingertips were still sticking out of her back and neither one of them were moving. Oh no!

It was now or never, the sand was coming and they were almost to his daddy. I love you dad. Be free. "Do it now!"

Forgive me. He brought up his hand and the chidori took care of the sand trying to stop him. Sasuke saw the sand around Gaara's body turn traitor and hold him in place. "Chidori!" Sasuke slammed his palm into Gaara's chest and the heart within exploded.

The snake wasn't feeding off of him anymore. There was no more pain, there was warmth. Gaara felt like he was rising. His soul was free, Raine and Gabe were safe. Ahead of him he saw Tsunade hokage. She waved him on and Gaara followed her into the light that looked like love incarnate.

In mid temper tantrum Saichi clutched at his stomach and fell to his knees. The boy coughed out huge gouts of blood and struggled to breath. "Saichi!" Kabuto snatched him up right away. "Oh shit." Kabuto started feeding chakra into the boy at once.

Orochimaru dodged Jiraiya and hurried to Kabuto. Something was wrong with his baby Uchiha. "Kabuto!" He took one look at the boy and knew what happened; what needed to be done. A quick jutsu and Orochimaru took his little minions and vanished on the wind.

Sasuke caught Gaara as he collapsed and he lay his body down on the sand. Gabe crawled off his back and went to his father's side. "Thank you sensei."

Raine has struggled to her hands and knees and was looking at them. "Oh god Gaara!"

Sasuke saw her struggling to get up. Shikamaru was waking off to her left, Choji behind him. Sasuke ran to Raine. "Raine!"

She crawled her way up Sasuke's shirt until he helped her stand. She saw Gabe reach over and close Gaara's eyes. "No!" Her scream rang 'round Konoha.

He held her up as Raine collapsed in tears and Sasuke let go of level two and returned to himself. "I'm sorry Raine."

Gaara… Their life together flashed before her eyes. Kisses in the garden, their wedding day, Gaara holding Gabe for the first time. "No!" Raine bawled harder. "What am I supposed to do without him? What am I supposed to do without Gaara!"

Sasuke hugged Raine tighter. "You'll do what Gaara wanted you to do. Live."

The End