Demon's Path

Disclaimer: Okay... still don't own Naruto or any of those characters... damn. I do own Kaishi, though, so if you want to use her, please ask first.

Chapter 8: Sand and Sorrow

Sand. Kami, how she now hated sand. Kaishi sighed as she wandered down the streets of Sunakagure. There was just no end to it. It was harsh, it was sharp, and it just got everywhere. She had been here for two months now, her belly showing that she was pregnant. It had been difficult, but she had been able to get out of Konoha. She thanked the Kami for having a friend in Suna and the Sondaime agreeing that she needed some time to herself after all she had been through.

She was left alone for the most part, the Kazekage saw to that. She didn't know why he was so interested in her, or her pregnancy, but she couldn't say the help wasn't what she needed. He provided all she ever could want, catering to her as she spent time in Suna. It alarmed her, at first, but she was too stressed to dwell on it for too long. Itachi could show at any time to kill her and her unborn, or, worse, Kakashi could show up to take her to Konoha and try to marry her. Somehow, being married to Kakashi and knowing that he didn't love her would be worse than being killed by Itachi whom she knew did love her, even if he was a psychopath.

She slowed as she neared a park. A few of the Suna children were running around and playing, their laughter ringing through the air. She watched on with a wistful eye, she hoped her children would be that happy, be given the chance to have a childhood unlike herself. Damn war, damn clan, damn father: they had all taken her from having the chance. She sighed and paused, her eyes moving to a lone little boy sitting on a swing. He clutched a teddy bear to his chest and had a sad look in his aquamarine eyes. She felt for this lone boy, he reminded her of her Naruto.

He didn't seem to see her as she took a seat beside her, perhaps he was used to being alone with his thoughts or being ignored. He had a shock of crimson hair on the top of his head and what looked to be a tattoo, the kanji for love, on his brow. She sat beside him for a while, just watching him and absorbing the aura of sadness and loneliness that surrounded him.

Those large blue eyes turned to her and seemed to question her as he finally noticed that she was paying attention to him. "What do you want?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Nothing, you looked lonely," she answered simply.

"Why do you care?"

"Because, I have a belief that children shouldn't be alone in the world."

"I am alone."

"Not at this moment," she replied.

He paused. "True. You're not afraid of me," he stated more than asked.

"Should I be?"

"Most are."

"Well, I'm not from Suna, and I'm not most people."

"Where are you from?"

"Konohakagure."

"You're the Onibashi woman my father talks of," he said with a nod.

"You're father?"

"The Kazekage."

"I wasn't aware he had a younger son. I thought Temari-chan and Kankuro-kun were it."

"Iie," he said.

"What's your name?"

"Gaara."

She smiled gently, the smile showing her eyes as her mouth was covered by her scarf. "I'm Kaishi."

"I know.... you're not like the others."

"Of course. I'm an original. But, then so are you," she said with a knowing look in her eyes.

"Hai, I'm a monster."

She seemed upset at that word. "That's untrue."

"Everyone says so."

She seemed saddened and shook her head. "Another child being held accountable for something they had no control over. I know another little boy like you, ya know?"

He seemed curious. "You do?"

She nodded. "I do indeed. Perhaps one day I shall tell you of him."

"I'd like that... Kaishi."

She stood from her seat on the swing. "So would I, Gaara-kun. So, what about you showing a lady to where she can get some food, I'm eating for three here ya know?"

Gaara smiled slighted and stood. When she reached out a hand, he tentatively took it. There was just something about her. Something in how she looked at him that was unlike everyone else. She didn't look at him through clouded eyes of memory or through hate, she just looked at him. She just saw him as what he was, a lonely little boy who needed someone to sit with him and be there. She knew.

~*~*~*~

Boys. She'd had two little boys. They had her eyes and his hair. They would probably be spitting images of their father too. She smiled tiredly to the little boys that slept in the cradles beside her. She had two little boys. Boys that would be hunted for the rest of their lives by the monster that was Itachi.

"There is another choice," the Kazekage said.

"I couldn't do that. I couldn't just abandon them."

"It wouldn't be abandoning them, my dear. You would be protecting them. Would that criminal truly think to come here?" he asked.

She sighed. "You're right. He wouldn't."

"Then it is the only way. To keep them truly safe," he said.

She nodded. It was so easy, and perfect. They would be safe from Itachi and Kakashi would never know. All she would have to do is lie a little. "It's the only way."

"Do not worry, my dear," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder almost too firmly. "Everything will turn out alright."

She nodded again. "And I can come to visit them? They would know me?"

"Of course, my child," he assured.

She sighed and closed her eyes. "Then that's what I shall do. They'll stay hidden to stay safe."

"I shall treat them as if they were my own, they will need for nothing," he swore, his hand still a little too tight on her shoulder.

She didn't seem to notice or didn't care. "And they'll be safe."

"What shall you name them, my dear?" he asked.

She pointed to the larger of the two babies, his red eyes seeming to be watchful of his surroundings, as though suspicious. "Michio," she said before pointing to the smaller and sleeping twin. He seemed to not have a care in the world and an air of gentleness about him. "and Takeo."

"Those are good names," the Kazekage said with a sage nod,. "They will be strong and powerful boys, like their mother."

She smiled and nodded. "And they'll be safe."

~*~*~*~
A/N: Okay... so here is the birth of Michio and Takeo and Kaishi's mistake. Those of us that know Naruto know how much of a bastard the Kazekage is and that he is most definately manipulating her for his own reasons. I also added in that bit with Gaara, because I love Gaara and thought he could use a friend. Don't worry, Gaara is still is lovable sociopathic self during the series in my mind, he just as someone out there that, like Naruto, is capable of saving what remains of his sanity. I do apologize for the shortness, but thought that I was portraying what I needed in this chapter to its full potential. Ah well, please review!