so i had a request or two for a next chapter of Free. also after a few pm's with amaya jade (who has two great stories, Denial and the sequel, Relationship Problems, KankuroxKiba) i decided to go this way...so this is dedicated to her. don't worry materwolf5 and sandshinobi00, you are also in my thoughts!

i hope you guys like this. it should be about three or four chapters. and since i'm soooo lazy and trying to work on Home Again, of course i haven't proofed it. so any errors...sorry.

CHAPTER ONE. Aftermath.

It had been a few years, three exactly since their break up, but that did not stop Kankuro from thinking of Sakura each day. He wondered how she was and if her missions put her in danger. Of course they did. He knew through word of mouth that she was now in ANBU, plus the top medic nin of her village. She like him was in several Bingo Books, under the name Pink Fury, while his was listed as the Puppet Master. A sigh escaped his mouth as he looked out his kitchen window into the small garden his neighbor kept. The cup in his hand was placed in the sink for later.

If he was speaking to one of his siblings, or very drunk and talking to almost anyone, he could admit that he had never gotten over her. Little did he know his brother and sister, didn't need to get him drunk to figure out his heart was still with her. In the three years he would float from one night stand to another when the need aroused. Few attempts at relationships only lasted a couple of dates. Each girl was either pretty, or smart, or funny, or even strong, but never the right mixture of the four. Temari had all but given up on him. No girl she fixed him up with was the right girl. Until his niece was born, Kankuro was her main project. Temari believed that since she had found love after her break up with Shikamaru, so could he. Now that Temari was occupied with being a new mother, she had little time to yell at him, about how much of an asshole he was to women.

The break up had caused Kankuro's, 'fuck you,' attitude to increase ten fold. The sand shinobi only allowing his brother, sister, and niece to see his softer side. The change in his demeanor even caused Gaara to question his stability. Gaara would often joke, that maybe, just maybe, Naruto had it completely wrong and love was not worth all the heartache he saw his brother go through. Kankuro could take the teasing in stride from his younger sibling, full aware it was only out of concern.

As he closed his eyes, he squeezed the edge of the counter just to make sure he was still alive. In his mind's eye, he could see the two stab wounds Sakura probably still carried. Their last mission together, ended in an ambush. Sakura received two wounds in the stomach, and Kankuro one in the back trying to save her. In a sick twisted way, he was happy the scare was there. It was a part of her and their history together. He could see it in the bathroom mirror, and smile grateful the kunai landed in his back and not in her neck like it was intended. That scar was his connection to her.

The clock from the living room chimed nine. Shaken from his memories, he gathered his scrolls, holster, and weapon pack. A final check in the mirror ensured his make up was in place, and even more intimidating than ever. Satisfied he, exited the apartment and headed toward the hospital.

Sakura paused for a moment, catching her breath as the knocking continued. The medic had been left behind as her teammates that hadn't fallen victim to the flu. Whoever was now banging on her door for their sake, better have good news, money, or better chocolate. Although at the moment food repulsed her.

"Sakura come on, open up. I know you're in there." Kiba shouted.

She let out a growl while she unlocked the door.

"What do you want Kiba?" She coughed as she swung open the door. Akamaru trotted into the apartment and took his usual spot on the floor in front of the tv.

"Jeez, you look like shit." Kiba laughed as he followed his pup. He wrinkled his nose at the closed up smell and the fact that Sakura had probably not had a shower in the last few days. "Are you sick or dead?"

Kiba crossed the room and began to open the curtains. Light flooded the room. Kiba shook his head at the appearance of the normally elegant apartment.

Her hand went to shield her face from the intruding light. The pair could take in the condition of Sakura's apartment. Tissue was everywhere, half empty glasses of juice or water, a few blankets on the floor when she was cold, and clothing thrown every where when she was too hot. If she weren't sick, Sakura would be embarrassed for anyone to see her home like this.

"Good God, it's a good thing I'm here," he began picking up glasses.

"How am I suppose to get better if you're here disturbing me," she plopped back onto the couch. Ouch. Stupid body aches.

She scanned her apartment. On a normal day, it was clean. The dark blue and cream color scheme kept it simple. At this moment, it looked as though she'd let Akamaru have free reign. Kiba and Shino had shared an apartment in the same complex before they had a home built.

"Sakura you've been in here for a week, it's time to get better," her friend said as he walked into the kitchen. "What the hell happen in here? Did you try to cook?"

"I don't know maybe. This week has been a blur of consciousness." she scooted further under the blanket and patted for Akamaru to join her on the couch.

Kiba stepped over what appeared to be ramen on the floor and noticed several empty sake bottles. 'Damn it Sakura,' he thought. The glasses placed in the sink, he opened the cabinet for a clean one and searched the counter for bread.

Akamaru loved the attention that Sakura gave him. His master returned to the living room with juice and toast. Kiba motioned for Akamaru to hop down, and he sat beside her on the couch. The photo album caught his attention. There was a picture of Sakura and Kankuro at a festival in Suna. Beside it was a picture of the four of them at a carnival. He smiled looking at how happy they were.

"Why is that out," he asked. He sniffed and could smell the saltiness of her cheeks. "Sakura come on."

The pink haired girl knew where this conversation was going. She let out a fake cough and even Akamaru looked at her disbelievingly. "I'm sick, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Uh right, eat." Kiba placed the tray over her lap. "At least this year your sick, and I don't have to fight three guys to get your drunk ass out of a bar."

Sakura rolled her eyes and nibbled at her toast.

"Sakura it's been three years. Please move on. I need you to be happy." Kiba touched her hand. "Everyone wants you to be happy."

A sigh escaped her mouth, and she turned her head. The third anniversary of her break up with Kankuro. Each one of her friends tried to fix her up, but she would find an excuse. None of those guys were, strong, sarcastic, thoughtful, or plainly stated Kankuro. Ino threatened to take her to a matchmaker. The hokage's apprentice had given up on love and companionship. She was happy and no one could really grasp that concept.

Her work made her proud and her friends made her happy. Sure each one had found someone (or in Shikamaru's case, several someones), to love but it didn't bother her. Not even the fact that Neji, was engaged and the entire group pegged him as a life long bachelor, made her the least bit sad.

Kiba had Shino. Hinata had Naruto. Ino had Chouji. Tenten had Lee. Even Shika had a serious eye on the girl that worked at the bookstore. Serious in that he really liked her and hadn't tried to sleep with her yet. Sakura had herself. Well, she did have a cat. Naruto's idea of trying to cheer her up two years ago. A cat of all creatures, Sakura broke into tears looking at it's black ears perched atop it's head. The cat she didn't even have a chance to name, ran away the same day. Sasuke her first love was gone, and Kankuro. She didn't try to think of him. The true love she felt for him, hurt too bad.

"If I could be him I would." Kiba said softly. Their relationship had grown closer while Naruto was training with Jiraiya, and Sakura was grateful to have Kiba.

"Even the paint," she questioned. Her eyes playful.

"Even the paint." Kiba's hand touched her hair. Ewh. "Sakura, please shower."

"Asshole," her hand swatted his out of the way.

Kankuro made his way down the stairs of his apartment. Being a jounin, and brother of the kazekage, had it's perks. Great pay, nice apartment, and people left him the hell alone. He wasn't sure if the last part had anything to do with Gaara, or just his family's reputation. Either way, it suited him just fine. He walked through the streets and people naturally parted. He entered the hospital and continued down the hallway to a small waiting area. With a nod to the receptionist he sat on an ugly green couch. The area was intended to be cheerful, but it only fueled his disgust of the whole place.

'Fuck where is she?' Kankuro thought to himself. He leaned his head back on the couch, to stare at the ceiling. After moments had passed, he felt someone sit beside him. His eyes opened and looked at the woman beside him. Her face was forcing a small smile.

"Sorry, it's so hot today. I had to stop and rest a moment," she apologized. Her light brown hair was matted to her hair and sweat was rolling down her face. The hazel colored eyes looked tired.

"It's the desert, you should know better and started out earlier." Kankuro said. He laid his head back down on the back of the couch. "I don't want my kid to be some weak ass, you better learn to toughen up."

"Okay." Daiya answered. She placed her hands on her small lap, and sat quietly.

Kankuro knew he was hard on her. She didn't want to be here in Suna, and he didn't want her here. Her father had arrived on the steps of the kazekage building two months prior stating his daughter was pregnant with Kankuro's child. Kankuro didn't believe it at first because he barely recognized the girl. Once seeing the birthmark on her chest, he admitted to being intimate with her. Daiya was not a kunoichi, so she didn't take the normal precautions to keep from getting pregnant.

Kankuro had been slightly drunk and a little on edge from the mission he had just completed as he rested in her small village. The village was on the border of Fire and River countries. It didn't even have a ninja squad. How could he have a kid with someone from such a weak village.

Temari immediately demanded the girl stay in Suna until the birth of the child and a blood test would be performed to verify if the child was actually Kankuro's. This wasn't the first girl to claim the puppet master was the father of her bastard child. Most wanted money or something out of the family. Surprisingly none of the girls were pregnant or the one that was admitted three months into the pregnancy Kankuro was not the father. Temari also argued, if Daiya was so easy to have sex with Kankuro, how many other men had she been so giving to.

Her father wanted to protest, but could not argue once he looked into Gaara's cold eyes. The kazekage did not take kindly to people out to hurt his family. He spoke softly agreeing with Temari. If Daiya wanted to mark Kankuro as the father of her child, she must stay until the birth and it could be verified through a test. Gaara also contented the child would need to be born in Suna, if indeed it was Kankuro's in order to enter the academy for ninja. Kia, Gaara's assistant, arranged for a temporary apartment for Daiya, and set up her doctor's appointments.

The past two months for her had been torture. She knew no one. She had no job, even though all her needs were taken care of. Suna was not her village and did not welcome visitors easily. Finally her sister had been given permission to stay with her. The worst blow came when Kankuro told her that once the child was born, if it was his, the child would be moved into the kazekage home. A nanny would be provided, and Daiya could visit her child. At that point she could either find work in Suna or return to her village. She of course protested, but Kankuro closed the subject, by stating his child needed to grow up being trained as a shinobi. Since she could not offer that, the child would need to be with the parent that could.

From that moment on Daiya resented the child, and felt as if she were only a carrier and not a mother. Add to that, the harsh way Kankuro treated her. She worried how he would treat their child. Not just him, but that brother of his. She was relieved to see how good Temari was with her daughter. Maybe some of that would rub off on Kankuro.

"Haido, Daiya," the nurse called. Her waist length hair was the color of sand, and her tiny body made her look like an academy student. The pair stood and followed her into a separate hall. "Please stand on the scale."

The nurse recorded her weight, blood pressure, and sent her for a urine sample. A small scowl crossed her face as she looked over her chart.

"Kankuro san, you can wait in here," the nurse opened a door for him to another waiting room. Kankuro went in and sat in the chair available. "You know Kankuro san, it wouldn't hurt to look like you were excited. I mean you are going to be a father."

"Hn."

"You shinobi are all the same. But a child needs a positive environment in order to grow up healthy." Umi put Daiya's chart on the counter. "That includes feeling loved by both parents."

"You sound like my sister." Kankuro stated. He stared at the girl. Each time they came she challenged him a little. He liked it. It reminded him of Sakura. Too bad she was married to one of the academy instructors.

"Temari san isn't just a pretty face. She's smart too." Umi laughed. Daiya entered the room. "Ah Daiya san, please undress and put on the robe. The medic will be with you in a moment."

Kankuro turned to give her some privacy as she changed. "I'm done."

A few moments later the medic, Bin, entered. "Good morning. How are you today?"

"I'm fine, just tired more than ever. I also don't have an appetite." Daiya answered. The medic was listening as he read over her chart. Umi entered the room again, and handed a paper to Bin.

"Hmm. Daiya san, have you ever noticed blood in your urine?"

If Daiya couldn't pick up on the tenseness of the other two, Kankuro could.

"Yes, once or twice." Daiya answered. She looked at Bin. "Why?"

"It seems like there may be some complications. I'm not quite sure, I'll need Umi to take a blood sample." Bin began writing on her chart.

"What type of complications?" Kankuro spoke up. "How does it affect the baby?"

"Ah you do care!" Umi said with a small smile. She was preparing Daiya's arm to draw blood.

"I'm not sure yet. That's why I need to do some testing," the medic tapped his pen on the counter. "Daiya, other than what you've told me is there anything else? Your sleep patterns, morning sickness, anything?"

"I've been having trouble sleeping, and I don't really have much of an appetite," she began to fidget nervously.

"Mhm." The sound of his pen on the paper.

"You have an idea. You can at least tell her something, instead of worrying her." Kankuro spoke up. He didn't have any romantic feelings for Daiya, but he was worried. He could only imagine what she was feeling.

"Kankuro san, it's too early to be sure. I have to get the lab results back first. Please trust me and be patient." Bin answered.

"Hn. There's only one medic I trust, and you're not her." Kankuro said gruffly.

"I understand Kankuro san, but please allow me to read the test results and consult with another medic." The words fell out nervously. Kankuro was not an elite jounin, for no reason. He was intimidating as hell.

Umi pierced Daiya with the needle and the color slowly began to drain from her face.

"It's ok Daiya san, relax," the nurse's voice was soothing, and soft. She removed the needle and left with the two tubes of blood. "I'll be right back with some juice for you."

Umi left the room, and Kankuro followed her out. Thoughts were racing in his head, and he could hear his father's voice.

'Weak women, bred weak children.'

'I bet you will give me the weakest grandchildren, Kankuro.'

'Your bloodline is strong, are you going to mix it with someone beneath you?'

Now here he was being told there were complications. There was a problem with his child. His father was right. A weight suddenly placed itself on his shoulders.

His feet took him back to the lobby area. The receptionist looked and him and quickly averted her gaze. The paperwork on her desk suddenly became interesting.

"Call my sister, and Daiya's sister. Tell them to get over here," he requested. The receptionist looked shocked, staring at him. "NOW!"

The loudness of his voice carried over the lobby, causing a few patients to jump. Kankuro walked over to the ugly green couch. He laid his head back, and stared again at the ceiling. A sigh escaped him as his father's words were replaying in his mind.

Minutes passed, and the door opened, "Kankuro san," Umi spoke. "we need you back here."

The shadow caused by his height forced a shadow on the man beside him. He walked off, following Umi, through the door again.

"You shouldn't walk off like that," she said. Her voice still carried the softness of before almost comforting him. "Daiya san and your child need you."

Kankuro began to rub his neck.

"I know you and Daiya san aren't a couple, but she needs some support from you."

"What is wrong with the child?"

"To be honest, I don't' know." Umi stopped in front of the examining room. "I just know she'll need you."

"Exactly, what I don't want," the honest answered passed his lips.

"Why, if I can ask?"

"She's not Sakura." After whispering that barley loud enough for her to hear, Kankuro entered the room. Umi not only knew Sakura, but admired her. She had worked with the Konoha medic on several occasions when Kankuro and Sakura were dating. Umi thought Sakura was perfect for Kankuro. She challenged him, and loved him all in one. Umi remembers how she had even seen Kankuro smile, while Sakura was visiting. The hurt in Kankuro's eyes screamed out loud to the nurse. She shook her head, knowing Kankuro would never let go of the pain he felt after their breakup.

Another fifteen minutes passed and both sisters entered the examination room.

Temari crossed over to stand beside Kankuro. Lia stood beside Daiya. Kankuro was surprised the pair managed to get into the office without killing each other. Kankuro didn't like Lia either, but he chose to ignore her. Temari on the other hand, made it a point to remind her each time they passed to let Lia know how weak she was.

"What's taking so long?" Daiya asked. The young woman was sweating. Her hand was placed over the bulge in her stomach.

"I'm going to go find out," the sole man in the room stood. Just as he reached for the doorknob, Bin opened the door followed by Umi.

"Temari san, so nice to see you," he greeted. There was a sense of dread in his voice that each of them could feel. "And you must be Lia san, Daiya san's sister. So nice to meet you finally."

"You also." Lia replied.

"If you two don't mind, may I speak to the parents alone please?" Bin requested. He sat on the stool that was for the medic's.

"No, I want Temari here." Kankuro placed an arm out to keep Temari in her place.

"And I want Lia here also." Daiya spoke. She gave a pleading look to her sister. Lia placed her hand on top of Daiya's, stroking it.

"Fine, then." Bin shifted on the stool. He could not decide if it was the news that made his sitting position uncomfortable or the actual stool. Neither sat well with him a the moment. "Daiya san, you mention once in conversation that your village was attacked when you were younger, am I correct?"

"Yes, we were. The neighboring village hired some rogue shinobi to attack us, why?" Daiya was curious as to see how this related to her pregnancy.

"And you were hurt in this attack?"

"We both were," the brunette looked at her sister. "Lia was beaten, and I was stabbed"

"Yes, well it appears the people that attack you used a type of poison on their weapons." Bin pushed his glasses upward. He felt guilty, knowing what he knew. After all he was going home to his two children. "Have you ever noticed, even before your pregnancy, that you were tired faster than most your age. Or that you never had a appetite."

"Yes, but I"m not sure I understand," her face crossed in confusion. Kankuro understood. The puppeteer had on his back at that very moment scrolls containing puppets laced with poison.

"The poison they used was either very poorly made, or a slow kill type of poison," he opened her file. "This poison has been stealing your life ever since you got that injury."

Temari, Lia, and Kankuro's minds were working quickly.

"Please just tell me plainly." Daiya pleaded. The gown clutched in her hand.

Bin cleared his throat to stall. As a medic he could deliver news two ways, each like removing a band aid. One was to rip it off, let the pain come and deal with it. The other is to slowly pull the band aid off, stalling. He was never one for subtlety or stalling.

"The poison is also stealing away the life of the child." There band aid ripped off. He watch her face change. Daiya clutched her stomach.

"My baby is dying," she whispered over and over.

"Yes. This is taking away your child's chakra." Bin said. He made a point to look Kankuro in the eye. "Which I might add is an amazing task, considering the amount his father has given him."

"How do we fix this?" Kankuro finally asked flatly.

"We can't. No one can remove that poison." Bin looked down at the chart. The look of panic and desperation on Daiya's face grabbed at his heart. There was the guilt again.

"I refuse to accept that. Figure it out." Kankuro answered. He raised to his full height. In normal conflict this would intimidate his opponent. This was no exception.

"Kankuro san, believe me when I say no one is able to do this." Bin stammered.

"I was on the brink of death from poison. It can be done. Find someone." The words did not need them, but Kankuro's voice carried the 'or else' threat.

"I'll do my best, excuse me," the medic sped out of the room.

Daiya for once was glad that Kankuro was on her side. This was the first time he ever showed any interest in the baby.

"Thank you, Kankuro san." Daiya whispered.

"Kankuro we need to speak to Gaara." Temari pulled his arm. She began to walk to the door, and Kankuro followed.

review if you'd like. terri