(2021/12/11) Author's Note:

Hey everyone! I'm back earlier than anticipated with a new chapter!

This one was divisive to write - partially because this is where the plot literally thickens, so to speak. There are lots of moving parts going on so I'm trying to connect things as best I can before I finish drafting the eventual ending. Writing Sasuke comes with its challenges, however - but I've been revisiting Shippuden recently and it's been a good help. I'm also beginning to feel the first jitters of holiday stress, so I might *hibernate* for a month or so before posting again as I deal with goings-on in my life. I can take a day off writing, but GAD/OCD does not unfortunately.

As always, thank you for reading! xx

Notes: Song recommendation / / "Ghosts" by James Vincent McMorrow

Chapter 9
Sasuke II

"This is the place?"

The cold rain ate away at the masonry marking the hideout's entrance. Once impervious to the elements, the aged stone and cobble walls were beginning to finally crack. Even the insignia resembling a snake was near erased. In Sasuke's eyes, it might as well have been a fissure, twisted and scarred. Rain followed their pathway through the deepest reaches of the sleeping forest. At dawn, he met the cloaked Kazekage near the village gates. Sasuke told him to come – but he did not expect someone like Gaara to keep his word. He had a dead-tired look in his ringed-eyes, even worse than the day before.

He must be desperate, Sasuke realized.

Asking the Kazekage to meet with Orochimaru was something Sasuke did not fully think through, but he knew it was the right choice. Tenbu were wreaking havoc on his lands, after all – and it would be one less threat to get in the way of peace. But he was essentially asking him to meet with the killer of his father. It was years since the fated Chunin Exams in Konoha, but Sasuke could care less if he forgave the snake. He cared more about the threat being snuffed out – and sooner rather than later. The journey to the hideout was a silent one, with both shinobi refusing to utter a single word. Sasuke was not one for conversation, but the silence Gaara gave was not one out of spite entirely – something else lingered within his faded pale green eyes. Only the rain broke the silence.

"It would be best if I enter first." Sasuke said, starting towards the shattered steps of crafted stone. "Orochimaru doesn't like visitors these days… even if they do peak his interest."

Entering in the cover of darkness and rainfall, the hideout transformed into dank cavern. Shadows danced along the walls, licking the scant candlelight that whispered upon the scones. At least the rain was nowhere near. Even so, the bitter cold gnawed at his ears as he put down the hood of his cloak. The deeper they descended, the darker it became. Soon enough, the collapsed stone and masonry gave way to walls carved of granite and the cold tinge to the air turned warm and damp. Still, not a soul lingered.

"I still oppose giving the man a pardon." Gaara spoke, breaking his silence. A hint of iron was on his tone. "Regardless of the outcome of the war, the snake can't be trusted… but it appears I have no choice."

Sasuke kept onward. "Is it because he assassinated the Fourth Kazekage, your father?"

Gaara took a moment to answer, the silence speaking as hesitance. "…among other things."

Same reason why I don't fully trust you, even if you are Kazekage.

Sasuke did not say anything after that, choosing to focus on the chakra further down the darkened corridor. The last time they met, it was in a land of snow and wolves – and although they were allies, the bitter reminder of the past still lingered. Between their Chunin Exams fight of lightning and sand to Sasuke's ambush at the Five Kage Summit, a path to friendship was not going to be an easy one. Being friends with Gaara was the last thing on Sasuke's mind, and he got the inkling it was the same in Gaara's case. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' was a phrase spoken commonly, but enemies would always be enemies. And that was absolute.

Sasuke stopped, reaching a clearing of dimmed and dulled fluorescent lights. Her chakra was nearby, he could sense it. Before long, the red-haired kunoichi appeared from a distant doorway and met him in the darkened hallway. Karin was not one to ignore Sasuke when he arrived, despite everything he put her through with the murder of Danzō. Her wound in her chest healed, but her pride never did. Still, her once blind admiration changed to a forgiven obligation.

Her eyes narrowed at him through her glasses. "I thought I sensed your chakra. Weren't you not supposed to come back until the spring?"

"Karin, you can see us through." He said, not wanting conversation. "I've come to see Orochimaru."

With his Rinnegan, he felt her deep crimson eyes leave him and drift towards the silent Kazekage. She rose a brow, dismayed at his guest. "Who's this? His chakra is near as menacing as yours, for crying out loud!"

Sasuke heard a rustle, and glanced to see Gaara pull down his hood. Before Sasuke had a chance to reply, the Kazekage gave an answer for him. "Gaara."

Karin's expression scowled.

If I don't tell her, she might not let us pass. Sasuke entered, "He's the Fifth Kazekage."

"WHAT?!" She jolted. "Why is someone like that doing here?!"

"None of your concern. Let us pass."

Crossing her arms against her chest, she sighed. "Sheesh… fine."

Making his way past her, he paused after he noticed she had her glance still locked towards the insomniac Kazekage. He leaned to her ear, enough for him to speak quietly. "By the way, he's married."

Karin recoiled, her face flustered and reddening. "I-I didn't ask you!"

As they continued on, Gaara gave a confused look. "A comrade of yours?"

"Former comrade." Sasuke corrected. "Let's get moving. We're pressed for time."

Darkness sprawled around them once more as they continued on further down a dimly lit corridor of carved granite and clay. Their footsteps echoed against the walls, shattering the sullen and tense quiet between them while everything turned dark as they passed the final lit candle. Sasuke could sense Gaara's uneasy chakra at his back, the sand writhing for release within the small gourd the Kazekage kept hidden on his belt. Even as a former jinchuriki, his chakra reeked of Shukaku. Something else Sasuke noticed was his emotions held deep inside were not of anger or resentment to the Uchiha – but of a guilt-ridden worry that could snap into a blind rage. A part of Sasuke almost felt concerned for him.

Whatever it was that propelled him to agree to this, I bet it has something to do with that she-wolf he married. After all, she's the one Tenbu wants.

Reaching a large wooden door with weathered iron handles, Sasuke declined to knock first and instead pushed his way through. A snake did not deserve a welcome, anyways. A faint light beamed far towards the end of the large chamber of carved stone snakes. Scrolls spilled from the bookcases while shelves and tables were littered with old embalming tools and ground powders. Even the floor they walked upon was covered in discarded pages from books of unknown authors, linen, and the odd stain of blood. From the looks of things, Orochimaru was continuing on with his dealings as usual after his pardon – but to what extent, Sasuke was unsure.

His Rinnegan followed the chakra to a presence that hovering near the far reaches of the room. Leaning over a stone table, the human-serpent was examining a scroll of some sort under the flicker of candlelight and paid no mind to the shinobi who entered. Finally, Orochimaru straightened his back and gave a sigh.

"I was wondering when you would pay me a visit… Sasuke."

Sasuke paused, making sure there was enough distance between them. He nodded, his expression as blank as a white canvas. "Orochimaru."

Turning to face them, Orochimaru appeared near the same as the last encounter. His face was pale white with faint remnants of scaling while his eyes were an eerie yellow and slit as if a snake in human form. The most unnerving thing about him was that he barely looked human, and his gaze held an intense intrigue and lust for power. But as the snake's pupil, Sasuke grew used to it.

Glancing to the Kazekage beside him, Orochimaru grinned with familiarity. "And you brought along a friend I see, hm?"

"Acquaintance." Gaara corrected sharply, glaring. "And I came here because I have to question you about something."

"And what would that be?" Orochimaru mused. "If you've come to imprison me for the murder of your father, you're eight years too late… and I've been graciously pardoned by the Five Kage, despite you voting against the motion, if I recall. Are you here for vengeance, perhaps?"

Gaara held firm. "My father sought you out, and he paid the price. He stays dead, and the dead don't need vengeance."

The snake sighed. "Such well-thought words. I forget you're the Kazekage now… it's been so long since I wore his skin to crush Konoha." Seeing the distaste in his ringed-eyes, the snake gave a dark grin. "You lost the one-tail, I see. And I hear you're now married to a she-wolf. Is this true?"

"We're not here for conversation, Orochimaru." Sasuke stepped in, watching carefully as Orochimaru sat in a cracked throne of stone. "We came here to seek your knowledge. So hear us out."

The snake scoffed. "My knowledge?" He laughed most disturbingly, humoured so much so he grasped his chest. Sasuke was not amused, growing further impatient. Ending his laughter, the snake took a sigh of ease and relaxed into his seat. "What is it for that you hurried your way here unannounced? And with unwelcome guests, I may add."

Putting his hand into his pack hidden by his dark cloak, Sasuke revealed a scroll – the one he used only days ago in the Land of Earth. He saw the snake's slit eyes gleam as he held it out. Good. It seems he's a least somewhat interested. "I have with me a fūinjutsu I sealed that was used to destroy a village in the Land of Earth," He said. "It's in this scroll."

Lifting his arm, a swirl of snakes emerged from Orochimaru's wide purple sleeves. They grasped the scroll tightly, retreated it back to their master. Taking the scroll, the human-serpent released it with a hand-sign and examined its outer etchings carefully.

"This is quite the formula… it might take some time to decode, but I believe I recognize its inscription from somewhere long ago. You must've traveled far to find something like this, Sasuke…"

"Tell us everything you know." Sasuke narrowed his eyes, pressing firm. "What we want to know is what kind of jutsu it is and why Tenbu are using it. The sooner we can stop them from whatever they're planning, the better."

"Tenbu?" Orochimaru repeated. "Those cultists have finally emerged, have they?"

Gaara stepped forward. "What do you mean by cultists? Tenbu was a group of mercenaries formed by a former dissident, and we found no evidence of any religious worship."

"Kazekage-sama, they're from your lands. Surely you must have heard the tales of a cult practicing forbidden jutsu." Orochimaru stood, his yellow eyes boring towards them. "Tenbu have been around for years, since before the formation of the very villages themselves. They were a secretive bunch, but they've certainly caused havoc when they surfaced during these peaceful times." A faint laugh passed his fanged lips. "That fool Kenzō approached me to lend the Otogakure forces to Suna's hasty plot to invade Konoha… he was a member of that group. I knew he used Sleeper Agents, but I had my own spies tail him and keep a careful track of his movements… in case he favoured to join forces with the Akatsuki. It seems he never did, but he was quick to let them bypass the border to take that one-tail from you." Sensing the silent shock from the Kazekage, the snake grinned. "It seems he and his brother Kōga put you and your wife through quite a hell, Kazekage-sama. You, being a jinchuriki – and her with her village. Fate doesn't appear to favour either of you."

"The man is dead, and he's still being talked about… Damned prick…" Gaara cursed, averting his glare to the floor. Slowly, he rose his eyes to meet the snake. "It seems their work wasn't finished, I take it."

"Far from it." Orochimaru replied. "They hold deep grudges with your clan of the Kazekage – but not just for the banishment of their clan by your great-grandfather. It goes much deeper than that… to the very world itself."

The world itself? Sasuke entered, "What are you suggesting?"

"They want to destroy the sun – or at least, that's what they believed. It was of some forgotten god, swallowed by the desert where they came from, I'm guessing." The snake sighed. "Strange sort, they are. They believe in blacking out the sun and purging any and all bloodlines from the desert sand as if ripping out flowers from a field."

"Any ties to the Ōtsutsuki?" Sasuke questioned.

"Hm?" Orochimaru turned to him. "I'm afraid not, Sasuke. It appears this is a different threat unrelated to your assignment. And now that you're involved, it seems your hands are tied." A dark smile twisted on his pale lips. "That moon incident where the Hyūga girl was kidnapped was an isolated incident, it seems… and Naruto took care of that, as we all know."

Sasuke's hand flinched upon his katana's handle instinctively. Judging by the snake's smug grin, he noticed. Taking the open scroll in hand, Orochimaru walked back to the large stone table and laid out its contents, pressing his palms on the edges to keep it open. The Rinnegan watched his eyes carefully, seeing every moment of intrigue, every flicker, and every ounce of fascination the snake's scanning glance found. After a long and tense quiet, he formed a series of erratic hand-signs and released the seal. A burst of red and strange power glowed forth, appearing in the strange and foreign language Sasuke could not recognize. To him, it almost seemed inhuman.

The red grew into a feral fire, illuminating the darkness in an ominous cry.

Sasuke could sense the power in the very air, licking at the shadows in a red plume of dark energy. To him, it seemed as if blood itself. Gaara stayed motionless beside him, his ringed-eyes locked towards the snake and his hand braced on his gourd. For all Sasuke knew, the seal could break and cause the same amount of destruction as it did in the village. Fortunately, the red whips quelled and faded into the shadow.

"Hmm, oh yes…" Orochimaru mused. "A blood-seal, if I'm not mistaken. Such a rare and ancient power… I envy those that can cast such techniques. How did you acquire this, Sasuke? You must've scoured the very earth in search of something of such rarity. I've only come across this in my research once before… and never have I seen the jutsu in person."

"What exactly is a blood-seal?" Gaara entered.

Orochimaru lifted himself from the stone, meeting the Kazekage with a look that held slight disappointment. "I would expect you to know of such things, Kazekage-sama… considering it was a blood-seal that bound the one-tail Shukaku to you as a squalling infant."

Gaara froze.

This took Sasuke off-guard as well. For all he knew, the jutsu he sealed in the scroll was used to cause destruction – not to seal away tailed-beasts. Exactly what caliber of fūinjutsu are we dealing with? And the snake is interested… that's not a good sign.

Words did not raise to his lips in time.

Orochimaru chuckled menacingly. "Judging by your silence, I suspect you are both unfamiliar with blood seals. No matter – I will tell you. It is an ancient form of sealing ninjutsu or fūinjutsu, dating back to the days before shinobi and samurai… even before chakra was known to be in human hands." He began. "Those with nature energy in their bloodlines used the ancient art of blood-seals to banish demons, and to conquer neighbouring lands by releasing the seal as a burst of power. Some say the once-revered Uzumaki clan of the Land of Eddies learned fūinjutsu from observing the likes of the Yamamori clan and the Kumatsume clan… the beast-people who are among the first to use such techniques."

"How does this blood-sealing work?" Sasuke questioned, his glance narrowing. "If Tenbu are using it in their attacks recently, what is it that's required?"

"A human sacrifice." The snake grinned. "In order for the blood-sealing to take, a human sacrifice must be used as the 'vessel' for the technique – either manipulated through the user themselves or through an… acquired vessel." A dark chuckle passed his curled lips. "In most uses, the user only requires a fair amount of their own blood to cast the sealing… but in instances where the sealing is to be powerful – such as to cause great destruction or to seal a demon or tailed-beast inside a human, for instance… a sacrifice must be made in the form of a human life."

Of course, Sasuke thought.

Gaara's chakra tensed. "A human life?"

The snake met his ringed-eyes with a dark amusement. "When Shukaku was sealed inside of you before birth, the technique used was an ancient form of tailed-beast capture used in the times before Sunagakure even existed. Blood-sealing was used by your people for a long time… so much so its evidence is clear upon you… your red hair. An Uzumaki lingered somewhere down your clan's proud family tree – and you are not the first to disgrace your clan, Kazekage-sama." He replied, peering into his widened eyes from afar. "Out of the Fourth Kazekage's three children, you carry the strongest link to that Uzumaki connection… which is why you were chosen to be a jinchuriki." The snake sighed. "However, it is clear that much knowledge of the blood-sealing was lost as time went on. When Chiyo-sama performed the technique, she neglected to remember a sacrifice was required despite having some of that heritage herself… and so after your birth, your mother's life was taken as a cost to that jutsu."

So it's a sacrificial technique… with consequences to both the users and victims. Sasuke stayed silent, his thoughts mulling over multiple possibilities. No wonder Orochimaru researched it before. He probably wanted to use it himself at one point… if he had the nature-energy necessary to do it.

"And what of Nomasaki? What will become of her?" Gaara pressed, his voice sounding urgent. "The seal placed on her when she was captured by Tenbu suddenly reappeared months after the attack, and not even a shinobi of her skill can release it… and she knows fūinjutsu -," His voice came to a sudden stop. Slowly, his head lowered, his expression hidden by strands of thick red hair. "She's… carrying our child."

Sasuke suddenly realized. No wonder he swallowed his pride to come here.

When Sasuke heard the news from the bearded wolf, all that could come to mind was shock. It was unheard of for someone of a revered clan to marry outside their own – and to have a child with someone of another bloodline. Having only heard scarce stories from his parents as a child, in his own clan of the Uchiha it was frowned upon socially for a clansman to commit such an act of disloyalty. And not only that, but there were consequences. Seekers of Kekkei Genkai lurked in the shadows beyond the clan compound, waiting to capture any children who wandered too close to the border. If a clansman did marry outside the clan, they were exiled, miscommunicated, and were forbidden from carrying on the Uchiha name to their children should they have any – and if they did, their Kekkei Genkai was sealed to prevent the Sharingan from being stolen by their enemies.

But in the history of shinobi, the union of two clans was near always disastrous.

Tobirama of the Senju was wed to a younger sister of Uchiha Madara, who tried to slit his throat the moment the two were alone in their bed chambers. Needless to say, the marriage was annulled, with the young Uchiha bride imprisoned for attempted murder. His older brother Hashirama thought he made the smart decision and married an Uzumaki woman, but on the wedding night the Senju were attacked by the nine-tails and Madara, with the great elder tree burning down to ash – and the Senju and their power were soon no more. And more recently, Naruto married Hinata, the former heiress to the revered Hyūga clan. If they produced children, the lines of Uzumaki and Hyūga would join – and the Byakugan could be lost forever to the wrong hands. In Sasuke's eyes, it was careless.

And then Gaara wed a wolf.

Not only did the union of two clans join bloodlines, but there was the unknown potential of creating a new Kekkei Genkai altogether. And with it, created a whole slew of issues. Against their better judgement, both Naruto and Gaara opened Pandora's box. The more Sasuke heard of the blood-sealing, the more he grew convinced that Tenbu wanted the child that was yet to be born – the child that would be of the sand and snow.

"Ah, yes… Nomasaki." Orochimaru awed, a smirk curling onto his white lips. "I must admit, I envy those blessed with such beast-like power. The Yamamori clan… once thought to be near extinct and suddenly they emerge from the snows like the ghosts they are. I would have sought after her myself when she was younger… -," His slit yellow eyes glanced to where Sasuke stood in silence. "…if I was not so fortunate to stumble upon you, Sasuke." He sighed, working his way over to his shelves to move around the scrolls that were spilling out. "Even so, I was able to gather enough materials to summon her dear mother Mikomi with my Edō Tensei. It seems Kabuto put it their bloodline to the test… but it killed the last of the ancient summoning wolves. A pity. If only that obstacle was gone a mere few years earlier, then I could have acquired the girl myself…"

"Enough!" Gaara snapped. "Not another word… or you'll regret having a tongue."

Drawing the ire of the snake, Orochimaru's hand paused. "Struck a nerve, did I? I never took you for the defensive type. But again, that could be an error on my part… you do have the Ultimate Defense, after all… even if you are a mere shell of a jinchuriki."

Gaara held his tongue. "You told us of what the blood-sealing is," He breathed, his voice cold with contained anger. "Is there any way to stop it?"

"That, I don't know." The snake answered, frankly, returning to his books and scrolls. "The Yamamori should have knowledge of how to release such a jutsu… being that they used such techniques for centuries. However, much was appeared to have been lost following their ill-fated decline… you can thank your ancestors for that." Orochimaru turned around and faced Gaara directly, his expression emotionless and cold. "If even the heiress herself can't decode the jutsu formula, then I'm afraid there's no remedy. The blood-sealing will end when she bleeds out from childbirth."

Sasuke saw Gaara's hands flinch from the words.

Slowly, they closed into fists, shaking at his sides as his gaze lowered to the floor. Frustration and rage emanated from his silent presence, and the guilt resurfaced. It was all marked within his chakra signature, no longer throbbing with discontent of the snake but writhing with a tense sorrow. He thought he heard a muffled sob of anger pass through his lips as a curse, but he Sasuke had to admit to himself that much has changed of Gaara over the years and from their scarce encounters. Meeting him as a jinchuriki incapable of love or friendship and dethroned by crippling loneliness and hatred, he grew into a person who was admired by his village and loved by a woman who shared his held feelings – and now she was to be ripped away from him as if by some cruel fate.

Perhaps it was some cruel desert god who loved to see mortals suffer, Sasuke thought. "And what of Tenbu?" He entered, breaking the silence. "Why are they using blood-sealing in their attacks?"

"They're toying with you." Orochimaru said, examining his books carefully. "They know better than to strike out in the open, just look where that got them in Sunagakure. Their leaders were vanquished in those blackened wastes… but like the great eight-headed snake Orochi, new heads have grown in their places." He glanced back at him, his slit eyes glaring. "I suggest you prioritize recon and espionage if you truly want to stop them from whatever it is they're planning. That, I can't tell you – because I don't know, even with my spies lingering about."

"Do you think Tenbu could be plotting to create a jinchuriki?" Sasuke pressed, his suspicions growing. "The tailed-beasts are all free, except for the nine-tails and eight-tails."

"I doubt it." Orochimaru answered, flatly. "They are… unorthodox in their methods, but none such as the Akatsuki. I highly doubt they have the capabilities."

"There's nothing you can do to stop this?"

Gaara's question alarmed him. If he plans on bargaining with Orochimaru, it would just be history repeating itself. "Gaara, Orochimaru told us all he can -,"

"Just as I said earlier, her clan of wolf-people should have some scarce knowledge lurking about." The snake answered. A sneer passed through his curled white lips, the glimmer of fangs visible in the darkened chamber. "That's all the advice I can give you. Best of luck." He turned away. "Leave. I have some important experiments to attend to."

Without speaking, Sasuke turned on his heel and started towards the chamber's exit. Reluctantly at first, Gaara's hardened stare towards the snake drifted and he left the darkened room with his chakra pulsing of anger and guilt. As they took their leave, a tense air followed them in the dark.

As if a dark cloud hovering overhead.

Leaving the chamber behind, the darkness swallowed them.

The road back to Konoha was as dead as the night itself.

Rain continued to fall, pooling along the wooded path of bare trees. Silence accompanied them again, only broken by the faint sounds of thunder rumbling in the distance and the odd gale that passed them by. Gaara stayed tensely quiet on the journey back, refusing to utter a single word. Sakura's family home was just a few blocks away, situated off the main plaza of the village. Before departing that morning, Sasuke asked Sakura to occupy the she-wolf for the day – just in case she suspected anything. Where he stood with her was neutral ground, but he sensed a strange sort of contempt from the ones with the purple eyes. He decided the less headaches, the better. Sakura's parents were absent for the time being as they were visiting family on the southern region of the Land of Fire's coast. If they were uneasy with having a wolf at their door, they would never know to begin with. Sasuke had yet to meet them as well, but he decided it would be best to try at a different time.

Making their way up the stone-carved steps that night, Sasuke entered the porch after a single knock. The door was left unlocked for them. Sakura must have known he would be back late, he realized. It was a simple gesture that gave some solace to the grim and frustrating day he went through, and he appreciated it wholeheartedly. After hanging up their cloaks, they entered the living room and saw Nomasaki and Sakura on the couch while a space heater warmed the cold room. They appeared to be in the middle of conversation as they saw them enter, both of their glances drawn instantly.

"You're back," Sakura stood, placing her hot chocolate on the coffee table. "I figured you would be late, Sasuke. We just put on the kettle for hot chocolate. You can use some for tea, if you'd like."

"Thanks, but I'm fine." He declined, his emotionless face near provoking a smile. Already, Sasuke could sense the she-wolf's eyes locked towards him. He ignored her, focusing his attention on Sakura. "I take it you two got to know each other quite well today?"

Sakura nodded, smiling. "Oh yes – this was our first time meeting with each other outside of a group. I didn't think we'd have so much in common!" She snickered, turning to the she-wolf at the couch. "It was also nice to not be picking you up after a sake binge."

Nomasaki chuckled a smile before hiding her face in her cup as she drank.

Standing beside Sasuke, Gaara remained still as a statue and silent as stone. His Rinnegan could sense the Kazekage's glance focused on the she-wolf intensely, as if the sand itself wanted to burst forth and surround her. No doubt after today, Sasuke thought, I don't blame him… if that were Sakura – his thoughts stopped.

Concern marking his ringed-eyes, Gaara stepped forward. "Are you alright?"

"I should be asking you." Nomasaki stood from the couch, looking up to meet his gaze. Her violet eyes were suspicious and near feral, but her expression was as still as a mountain. "You were gone for a while, Kankurō and Meiyumi left early back to Sunagakure and were looking for you. It wasn't until I asked Shijima that she told me she saw you leave the village with the Uchiha."

The Uchiha, Sasuke repeated in his thoughts, unsurprised. She still doesn't trust me.

Gaara remained silent, his gaze lowering and averting away somberly.

"What is it?" She asked, becoming worried. "What's wrong?"

By the time Gaara looked back to her, Sasuke had lost all patience and the silence within the room grew – so he spoke first. Sakura looked on with a slight guilt to her green eyes, knowing everything already. "We had business with Orochimaru."

"Orochimaru -?!" Nomasaki gasped. "Why on earth would you go see the likes of him?! He's a criminal!"

"He knows of that jutsu that's dormant in your arm." Gaara said, his voice low and devoid of emotion. "…and what will happen when it's released."

The she-wolf's expression turned to a hopeless shock. She looked at her scarred forearm, pulling back the white sleeve of her dress. "It's… going to kill me, isn't it? The seal."

Reluctantly, Gaara nodded. "…if we don't stop it, yes."

"I see…" She surrendered, her head hung low. Her gold hair masked her expression, but his chakra sense could feel her shivering with fear. "…Then it's just as Hakuto-sama saw in her vision after all. She saw me die giving birth… I guess there really is no way to stop it…"

The talk of visions confused Sasuke. He had heard some shinobi of the ancient bloodlines possessed a unique form of clairvoyance, but he never heard of it being true in any instance. Fortune-telling at its finest, he decided. It was all just folklore and myths to him – never real. But in their world, anything was possible. In the room where he stood, there was a werewolf and a former demon-host. Even the Sharingan could bend space and time with Izanagi and Izanami. He had to accept the possibility of someone being able to see at least a sliver of the future.

That explains the urgency, he thought.

In some way, Sasuke felt sorry for them both.

Gaara must have sensed her shivering sobs, as he held her by the shoulders to comfort her. "Orochimaru said we can stop it if we learn from your clan." He spoke, meeting her teary face as she looked up at him. "Your people used this type of fūinjutsu once before, and so did the Kumatsume – back in ancient times. It's called blood-sealing, and uses nature-energy – the same power that makes up your Kekkei Genkai. It's the only chance we have."

"My clan? Blood-sealing?" She repeated, bewildered. "I… never heard of it. I use a sealing jutsu called Blood Bound, but… it's nothing like this mark on my arm."

"Maybe that scroll from Ekashiba has some clues."

"You're right…" The she-wolf nodded. While she took a moment to absorb everything in her thoughts, Gaara's hands left her. A careful silence passed, and she looked back up to Gaara with a slight smile on her lips. "I should get in contact with Maki again. It seems I have more work left to do for my fūinjutsu studies."

"Did you want to send a hawk while we're here?" Gaara asked.

Nomasaki's face brightened, nodding. "I'd like to."

"So, this is what Tenbu wants?" Sakura entered, cautiously. "After all we did to stop them… -,"

Sasuke nodded, leaning his back against the wall. "The child." A scoff passed his lips. In that instant, his frustrations seethed. "Out of all the things you've done, Gaara… this is the worst. I hope you realize you inadvertently started a bloodline… and against your better judgement as a leader."

His words drew Gaara's ire.

Controlled as tempered stone, the Kazekage turned to face him. "I've done many terrible things. I've killed without question, caused destruction as a jinchuriki, and sparked political unrest for… selfish reasons." He admitted, bitterly. A glare was shot his way, anger marking his dead eyes. "But don't ever question my judgement. I don't know how you view things, Uchiha… but you've done far worse to the world than me. And to my knowledge, you're still just as much criminal as Orochimaru."

"So, you don't care if you threw off the balance of natural power? You don't care if she lives or dies?" Sasuke spat, the tension rising. "You're the Kazekage. You should know better."

"I do." Gaara's tone was near as sharp as his glare. "And I do care what happens to her – which is why I even agreed to follow you to that snake in the first place!"

Sasuke scoffed, turning away. "I regret even asking you."

"That makes two of us."

"Hey, now! Stop arguing!" Sakura interrupted, stepping between the two. "All this fighting isn't good for Nomasaki!"

"The seal isn't good for Nomasaki." Sasuke countered, averting his eyes in spite.

"We've gotten ourselves into quite a mess, haven't we?" Nomasaki's voice caught them off guard. Her tone was soft, but it was as crisp as winter ice. She turned to meet Sasuke's Rinnegan that watched her every move carefully, her glance narrowing. "Uchiha, I don't blame you… How do you think I feel? I'm the one who is at risk here – and my child. I understand the consequences, and I intend to see them through." Her glance stiffened, turning into a glare. He thought he saw a hint of wolf in her eyes, her fangs visible as she spoke. "…but say another word to my husband and you'll have to deal with me." A wince passed her lips, and she instinctively clutched her abdomen and leaned towards the floor.

"Nomasaki, are you okay?" Sakura pressed, guiding her to the comfort of the couch behind them. "You should sit down, take some breaths."

Nomasaki froze for a moment, her eyes widening. She breathed as if to control a rising panic, slowly moving a hand over where her swollen belly lay hidden behind her clothes. The room fell silent.

Noticing, Gaara knelt and grasped her hand. "Are you alright?" He asked, his eyes cautious. "Is it your scar?"

"No, I'm fine." She spoke, looking down at herself in bewilderment. "It's just… I swear I felt it move."

Gaara's ringed-eyes widened. "Really?"

Sakura nodded. "It's normal for you to feel it move around after the first trimester, usually at four months if it's your first. And you're almost at five months now, so I'm not surprised." A warm smile of assurance formed on her lips. "Tsunade-sama had me look after expecting patients and I even delivered a few babies, so I know all this stuff." She gave a light laugh. "Before you know it, you'll feel kicking."

Heeding her words, the she-wolf moved her hand over her bump carefully. "This is… so surreal." After a moment of still quiet, she gasped and a soft smile formed on her lips. There were happy tears in her eyes – Sasuke could tell. She looked to the Kazekage, her expression warm and ecstatic. "Gaara, it's moving!"

"Can… Can I?"

The Kazekage could hardly piece together the words. Smiling warmly, she nodded and took his hand in hers. Gently, she placed it over the bump of her kimono and kept her hand with his, holding it softly. Within a few moments, Gaara was rendered speechless. Nomasaki giggled, her blushing smile masking the glistening tears in her purple eyes.

"It really is…! That's so… -," Gaara's voice paused. Lowering his head, he shook as if to prevent a sob from escaping. He held her hand, his stone-like exterior crumbling away. "I'll be a better father than my own! I promise I'll be there for them, no matter what…" He pledged, his voice near choking on emotion. He rose his head to meet her eyes, placing a tender hand upon her cheek. "And I'll be there for you, too. I love you, Nomasaki – and our family -,"

Before he could say anything further, she held him close. Her hands swung around his neck, with his slowly moving to her back. "I know." She said, her voice low and soft. "I love you so much, more than you know." She held him closer. "We're in this together, alright? Just like we said when we made our vows."

Pulling away slowly, Gaara met her face – and a genuine smile marked his expression. "How could I forget?"

"Sasuke, can I talk with you for a moment?" Sakura spoke, drawing his attention away from the couple. "We should give them some privacy."

As Sakura passed to make her way down the hall, Sasuke's eyes lingered upon the Kazekage and his wife. Not long after, Gaara joined the she-wolf on the couch and put his arm around her. Sasuke could not make out the words they spoke, but he could see that they were happy. The she-wolf blushed and chuckled as she spoke, her hand placed over her growing belly fondly while Gaara listened and admired her beside him. And in a few short months, the two would be a family – if she survived the birth and its curse. But a family, nonetheless. For a moment, Sasuke near envied him. What surprised him the most was the warmth he felt at the thought of having a family of his own.

Maybe someday he would have a family.

Sakura would like that, he thought, Maybe I should talk to her about it someday.

Lifting his back from the wall, the last Uchiha followed Sakura down the corridor.