Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Pairing: SasuNaru

Warnings: Slash: Male homosexual relationships, adult language, and sexual situations, Mpreg: male pregnancy.

Beta: Kamerreon

The Cheshire Cat

Chapter Ten

"So when was the last time you saw the child?"

"The day before yesterday."

"At what time?"

"I don't remember. Sasuke just got out of surgery, I lost track of time."

"Think harder, Uzumaki."

"Enough!" Sasuke accented the word by slamming his hands down on the table. "He's answered these questions a hundred times! Leave him alone!"

Morino Ibiki glared down at Sasuke for his interruption. With a flick of his wrist his notebook snapped shut, the pencil sliding through the rings on top. His hard eyes met Sasuke's own, and a fierce staring competition began.

"Sasuke…" Naruto laid a gentle hand on Sasuke's arm as he frowned disapprovingly at the cat from his hospital bed. "Please. He's here to help."

Ibiki nodded, breaking the staring contest. Naruto looked up at him cautiously, his eyes filled with hope.

"You know who has him," he said. "How long will it take to get him?"

With a heavy sigh Ibiki ran a hand down his face. He met Naruto's eyes squarely, not about to deny anything to desperate man.

"We've issued a warrant for the arrest of Sannin Orochimaru," Ibiki informed them. "We received it based on the note, the connection between Yakushi Kabuto and your testimony of his visits. We researched further into his life and found some shocking details." Ibiki pulled out a large folder from his jacket, opening it slowly. "Apparently Orochimaru was obsessed with finding a Love Cat. As you may or may not know, Uzumaki, the company sells them randomly, posting advertisements in odd places in order to vary the market. They are also very selective with who they sell them to, partaking in vigorous background checks. Orochimaru had been searching for one for years."

"So you'll get Akihito back?" Naruto asked. "Please?"

"We will," Ibiki said. "Child theft is serious; otherwise the ANBU division would never have been called in. We are tracing several leads at the moment."

Naruto closed his eyes briefly as his hand clasped Sasuke's tightly. He wanted his son back, he wanted him away from that monster, and he wanted it now.

"It's been a long time, sensei. How can I help you?"

"I need you to find someone."

"You wouldn't be looking for someone through… illegal means, would you, sensei?"

"Stop calling me that. I failed as your teacher."

"Oh sensei, just because you never found me an owner doesn't mean you failed."

"Enough. Can you find them?"

"I don't know; I'm very busy…"

"They stole a baby. One of your kind."

"…I know how valued children are to my kind, but why should this concern me? As you've pointed out many times, I'm no longer a Love Cat."

"You know I wouldn't ring you unless it's serious."

"Not true. Remember when you thought Iruka left you? Turns out his apartment was just being fumigated."

"The child is Sasuke's."

"…"

"You still there?"

"Fax me the son of a bitch's information."

Four days.

It had been four days since Akihito was kidnapped, and the police were still no closer to finding Orochimaru. Naruto had returned home, but spent most of his time with Sachio and Toshi, clinging to his remaining children. Sasuke could only watch in horror and desperation as Naruto began to slowly kill himself.

A sharp knock at the door drew Sasuke from his observations. Naruto's head jerked up from where he was watching their children sleep, his eyes filled with hope. It almost broke Sasuke's heart.

Leaving to answer the door, as Kakashi was off visiting his lover, Sasuke allowed his own hope to flare. He was equally as devastated as Naruto, but he hid it better. He had to be strong, for Naruto's sake.

Opening the door, Sasuke was hoping for Ibiki to be on his doorstep. Instead, he was greeted by a person who almost made him faint.

"Hello, little Sasuke,"

The tall man on the doorstep flashed Sasuke a sharp smile, revealing shark-like teeth. He filled the doorway completely, an imposing figure dressed all in black. His skin was an odd shade of blue, much lighter than his blue-black hair.

Hoshigaki Kisame.

Wordlessly, Sasuke stepped aside, allowing the fish-like man inside. Kisame was a failed experiment, a fish version of a Love Pet. God knows who the hell thought that up, but it was a disaster. Kisame and Suigetsu, the only two created, were provided for by the company before being let free into the world, in a manner of speaking.

However, the reason that Kisame's appearance was so shocking to Sasuke was because of who his business partner was.

Uchiha Itachi. Sasuke's older brother.

"What does he want?" Sasuke hissed, slamming the door. "I am not in the mood for any of his shit!"

Sasuke used to love his brother. Itachi was a perfect Love Cat, a perfect specimen, and smoothly seductive. He was often used to show younger Love Cats what they should aspire to be, and Sasuke was so proud that he was his older brother.

And then, without warning or reason, Itachi quit. He demanded the company set him up in the world before leaving him to his devices. Kakashi, who had poured all his training skills into Itachi, was devastated. Itachi had been his protégé, his perfect Love Cat, until he left. Kakashi took it personally, claiming he had failed. Seeing his sensei so distraught had turned Sasuke's adoration of Itachi into bitter hatred. He pushed himself to be the best Love Cat there was, pushed himself to make Kakashi proud, to prove himself over Itachi. And from the day he passed his final test in his training, he never once thought about Itachi again.

Until now.

"Why are you here?" Sasuke whispered. "Please, you don't know what we're going through—"

"Oh but I do, little Sasuke," Kisame cut him off easily. He had been found by Itachi after the cat left the company, and they became business partners. Kisame would do anything for Itachi; due to his appearance he had lived a lonely life, until he found Suigetsu. Itachi ignored his appearance and they became business partners first, and then friends. They ran a private detective agency.

"Then why are you here?" Sasuke demanded. "We don't need this now—"

"Kakashi called," Kisame interrupted again. "He asked us to find your kid."

"The police are looking," Sasuke snarled. What was Kakashi thinking? "You're not needed!"

"The police have no leads," Kisame drawled as he settled down on the comfortable couch in the large living room. "We do."

Sasuke stared at Kisame, hope rising up inside of him. In a second he was kneeling beside Kisame, gazing up through his bangs at him.

"You know where he is?" he breathed. "Oh please…"

"We do," Kisame confirmed. "Itachi has tipped the police off anonymously; they should be getting your child back soon."

"Oh God…" Sasuke closed his eyes briefly as he collapsed back onto the ground. "Thank… oh…"

"Sasuke," Kisame said, eyes serious as he looked down at the cat, "can I see the other two?"

Sasuke understood instantly. Kisame wanted to see them for Itachi. Itachi wouldn't come here personally, he had too much pride, but at the same time he wanted to see his nephew and niece. Sasuke nodded instantly, rising and jerking his head towards the nursery.

He led Kisame to the kids' room solemnly. Naruto was still seated on a chair, cradling Toshi. Naruto looked up as soon as the door opened, his eyes wide and hopeful. Sasuke crossed to him instantly, dropping a hand on his shoulder and smiling warmly down at him.

"Naruto, this is Kisame," he murmured, keeping Naruto calm. "He's a friend of… someone I know."

Kisame crossed to the crib, looking down at Sachio. He reached out a large hand, letting it trail gently over the baby's face softly.

"Little squirt, ain't he," he muttered. He looked over at Sasuke and the cat was beside him in an instant, scooping his son up. He crossed to a shelf, taking down a camera. He tossed it to Kisame, who caught it easily, before crossing to stand beside Naruto. He smiled at his lover as he knelt beside him. Naruto smiled sadly back, looking over at Kisame who was aiming the camera.

With a flash, the picture was taken. Sasuke handed Sachio to Naruto, who easily juggled both children, before taking the camera from Kisame. He slipped out the memory card, handing it to the large man with a nod.

"Thank you for your help," he said as he led the man from the room. "I hope… the picture, if Itachi happens to see it…"

"It's possible I might just print out a copy and have it framed," Kisame said with a grin, revealing his sharp teeth. "And if I choose to hang that in the office, so be it."

Sasuke saw him out before he turned to look back into the house. With a wide smile he hurried to break the news to Naruto.

That night, Sasuke smiled as he heard Kakashi humming over the baby monitor as he and Naruto lay snuggled in their bed, watching TV. Naruto was so happy with the news, happier than Sasuke had seen him in a long time. He was glowing, he was so radiant, holding Toshi in the air and swinging her around. After she threw up on him he was more subdued, but he was still ecstatically happy.

"Sasuke!"

Sasuke blinked down at Naruto, smiling slightly at the bright smile he got. "Yes, my love?" he purred as he nuzzled Naruto's bright hair. Naruto snuggled against his chest.

"I love you," Naruto whispered. "And we're getting our son back."

"Yes, we are," Sasuke chuckled as he rubbed Naruto's back softly. He failed to see the devious smirk slip onto Naruto's face.

He did, however, notice the hand that slid into his pyjama pants, grasping his cock.

"Naruto!" he hissed. Naruto gazed innocently up at him as he squeezed the flesh in his hand. "What are you—ah!"

Sasuke collapsed back onto the bed as Naruto flipped over to straddle Sasuke's legs as he moved his hand easily. "Mmm… Sasuke…" Naruto whispered as he leaned in to suck on the pale neck before him. "Missed you."

At the simple words, Sasuke flipped Naruto, pinning him to the bed. His burning eyes devoured Naruto, startling him for a moment with the intensity in his gaze, before his mouth descended onto Naruto's.

And Naruto blissfully forgot all his worries for a long time.

Naruto bounced up and down in his chair as they waited for Ibiki to enter his office. The officer had called them up, asking them to come down to the station. Sasuke and Naruto assumed it was because of the tip off.

When Ibiki did enter the office, his face was grave. He sat down at his desk, his eyes dark as he looked over at the two parents. Naruto's eyes widened as the hope in them faded.

"Thank you for coming," Ibiki began as he opened a folder on the desk. "We have news for you."

"What happened?" Naruto whispered, worried about the look on Ibiki's face. "Oh God…"

"No, no, don't worry, Uzumaki," Ibiki reassured him. "Nothing is wrong with your child. In fact, we are pleased to say we have successfully recovered him."

Naruto's grin threatened to split his face as he reached across to grab Sasuke's hand. Sasuke squeezed the hand, smiling himself.

"However…" Ibiki closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, looking hard at Naruto. "I've seen a lot of things in my years as part of the ANBU, I've seen people maimed, tortured and terrorized. And what we found in the house Orochimaru was occupying…"

"What is it?" Naruto whispered. He was so worried that bastard had done something to his child.

"When we arrived at the house Orochimaru was occupying," Ibiki explained slowly, "Orochimaru knew we were coming."

"No…" Naruto whispered, right on the edge of his seat. "Oh…"

"Akihito was in a crib," Ibiki continued. "Facing a room… where Orochimaru and Kabuto had hanged themselves."

Naruto paled dramatically as he gripped the edge of the chair. Sasuke's mouth was open, and he couldn't even begin to think of anything to say.

"Orochimaru knew we were coming, knew we were going to have him arrested," Ibiki explained. "He couldn't run, and he couldn't escape. So he killed himself in front of your child."

Naruto burst into tears, his face falling into his hands. Sasuke reached over to wrap an arm around him, his own eyes filling with tears. Akihito… they killed themselves in front of Akihito…

"There is a very high chance that since your child is so young this will not affect him. However there is always some chance of trauma. I believe we should focus on the positives; Orochimaru is gone."

Naruto allowed Ibiki's words to rush over him, soothing him slightly. Orochimaru was gone. That bastard would never hurt their children again.

Naruto barely slept the night before they were to bring Akihito home. He finally fell asleep just before dawn, pinned beneath Sasuke's body. They woke a couple of hours later, and left for the hospital where they had taken Akihito. Ibiki had suggested firmly that they waited for the next morning before seeing him. Naruto had agreed, reluctantly, but agreed nonetheless.

The moment they arrived at the hospital Sasuke had to growl at Naruto to prevent him from running away. As soon as they entered the hospital Naruto was pulling Sasuke along towards the ICU. Shizune met them there with a radiant grin.

"Sasuke! Naruto!" she called. "Welcome!"

"Where is he?" Naruto demanded, his eyes sparkling and his face flushed. "Where's my son?"

"Our son, dobe," Sasuke drawled as he pinned Shizune with a hard look. "Where is our son?"

"Right this way," Shizune said loudly. She led them both to a nearby room, guarded by two burly security guards.

Naruto dashed past them at a nod from Shizune into the sterile white room. In a bassinet in the middle lay their child, golden and tiny. Sasuke followed Naruto to stand beside him, looking down with love in his eyes.

"Can I…?" Naruto looked up at Shizune. "Can…?"

Sasuke ignored Naruto and simply reached in to pick Akihito up. He cradled the tiny child close, inhaling his scent deeply. After briefly nuzzling the thin golden hair he passed his son straight to Naruto. He knew Naruto needed to hold him, needed to be reassured that his son wasn't going to be snatched away from him again.

Naruto held Akihito like he was made of glass. Sasuke watched with a fond smile as he sank down into a chair in the corner, cooing softly to the baby who looked so much like him. Sasuke knew Naruto loved all their children, loved them so much, but he also knew that Naruto would always have a soft spot for Akihito. He fondly pointed out that the two identical babies were so like Sasuke, so he would obviously spoil his look-alike rotten.

"Sasuke, he's so beautiful," Naruto gushed. "Oh I'm never gonna let him go again!"

"Hn, dobe, I don't think he'd appreciate that," Sasuke pointed out. "Especially when it's time for him to go to school."

Naruto froze, looking up with complete horror on his face. He held his son tighter, trembling slightly. "No!" he snapped. "He's never going to school! I'm not letting him out of my sight ever!"

"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke groaned. "You have to go to work!"

"Don't wanna!" Naruto mumbled childishly. "He's mine."

"Dobe," Sasuke muttered. "You'll get sick of him when he starts yelling and screaming."

"Not my Akihito," Naruto mumbled. "He's an angel."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to reply, but paused when something caught his eye. "Naruto, look!" Sasuke whispered. "He's awake!"

Akihito was staring blurrily up at Naruto, waving his arms in the air slightly. Naruto gave a small shriek of delight before rocking the baby back and forth. "Oh my baby!" he cooed. "Look at you! Aren't you adorable!"

"Dobe, don't make baby noises," Sasuke muttered. He shuffled slightly closer, peering down at his son. Naruto grinned up at him before holding his son up. Sasuke blinked in surprise before a smile curved onto his lips. He accepted his son, sinking down next to Naruto.

They both continued to make baby noises at Akihito, cooing down at him in delight until Shizune came to tell them when they could take Akihito home.

A/N: This story shall have a couple more chapters, and then most likely an epilogue with a time skip. I've gotten over 700 reviews on this story, and I would love to break 1000, so if you liked it, hated it, loved it or anything, a review would be nice.