I have no rights to Naruto.

Please pay attention to the italics – very important.

Enjoy.

O0o0o

-x

"What do you mean they are gone?" the icy tone of Tsunade's voice heralded a warning, Team Kakashi wisely stepping back from her desk despite their own shock, allowing Shizune to talk.

"They weren't at the graveyard and the house was empty."

Honey eyes narrowed in anger, her fists clenched as she attempted to not break her new desk.

"The door was unlocked and many of their clothes plus their packs were gone." Shizune finished, carefully edging towards the door and wincing when Tsunade threw an empty sake bottle at the wall.

Pointing at Sakura's team mates Tsunade ordered angrily, leaving no room for argument as the diamond on her forehead nearly disappeared between her furrowed brows.

"Find them."

Bowing Kakashi and Yamato lead them out of the Hokage's office and out of the tower, exchanging puzzled glances.

"Where would Sakura-chan have gone?" Naruto asked sadly, disappointed that his sister would have gone without him.

"Where would Morino –san have gone with Ugly." Sai said more accurately.

"Hnn."

Kakashi and Yamato looked around in the same confusion as their younger teammates, shrugging Kakashi offered. "No other choice."

In lightning speed Kakashi ran through a series of hand signs and with a shout and bloom of smoke his pack of Nin dogs were before the group.

"Yo." Pakkun saluted, shaking his body and trotting over to Kakashi for his orders.

Crouching down Kakashi smiled as he rubbed his head. "Hey Pakkun, I need you to find Sakura and Morino Ibiki."

"You pink haired student and the tall guy." Pakkun confirmed. "What are they doing together?"

"Married." Sasuke offered to the dog's wide eyed amazement.

"Okay so." Pakkun let out a series of barks and he and the pack ran off leaving Team Kakashi to follow.

-x

-x

Two weeks later Tsunade sat with her hands clasped under her chin as she looked out of the window from her desk in thought.

"What are you going to do?"

Turning to her white haired team mate she sighed deeply her eyes worried. "I don't know. To declare Morino Ibiki and Morino Sakura – of all people, missing nin would be catastrophic."

Jiraiya nodded his head in silent agreement. "No sign of them in Suna?"

"No sign of them anywhere." She corrected him.

The knock on the door announced the arrival of Team Kakashi as well as the other Konoha 12 and their sensei's, all there to discuss the disappearance of Ibiki and Sakura. They filed into the room, circling and bowing to the Hokage who waved a hand at them and spoke.

"It's been two weeks, and without something soon, I will have to declare Morino Ibiki and Morino Sakura missing-nin."

"You can't do that!" while Ino started it the protests quickly filled the air.

"Be quiet." Tsunade's roar quickly shut them up as she angrily explained. "I will have no choice, so unless you can give me some ideas or places to look to send you, we are out of choices."

Her words subdued them, quietened them.

Until Anko came barrelling in the door, nearly falling over in her haste, her face shocked and eyes slightly wild. "Hokage ... Hokage."

"Breathe, what is it?" Tsunade ordered annoyed at the interruption.

"Ibiki . . . Sakura, they're back." Anko's words tumbled out, everyone looking at her in disbelief.

"They're back?" Yamato repeated, looking from his team to Anko who was nodding vigorously, Sasuke standing beside her, a hand on her back.

"Sorry it took us so long." Sakura spoke gently as she and Ibiki entered Tsunade's office as if they had only gone for a stroll, everyone's eyes opening and jaws dropping at the sight of them. Asuma didn't even miss the loss of his cigar as it fell to the ground in his shock, Kakashi's book following as Tsunade knocked over her sake.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto nearly stuttered as he said his sister's name, his blue eyes wide in disbelief, Sasuke and Sai following with their respective.

"Hnn?"

"Ugly?"

Sakura smiled lovingly at them, her whole demeanour happy, glowing and beautiful. Opening her mouth she was interrupted by the cries and whimpering from the ting bundle in her arms, adjusting her arms she rocked her arms smiling sweetly down.

"Sakura-chan who . . ?"

"Forehead?"

Naruto stopped helplessly, Ino finishing off for him as everyone's eyes were captured by the tiny squawking baby in Sakura's arm, Ibiki standing next to her, ready to pounce if any one got too close. Smiling sheepishly, but her eyes sparkling Sakura turned her arms to show the beautiful baby she was holding.

"I'd like to introduce Morino Kaida, our daughter."

Silence followed her statement, making her giggle as Ibiki smirked and chuckled at everyone's shell shocked state.

"Ah . . . what . . ."

" Wh. . . Troublesome."

"Bu . . . "

Little Kaida's whimpers increased despite Sakura's rocking and Ibiki looked indulgently down at the beautiful baby in his hellcats arms.

"Give her here hellcat." He said smiling as he dropped the pack from his back and gently took the baby for Sakura's hands as he said. "Come to daddy, my little angel."

Rocking her against his strong chest Ibiki hummed softly to her, a little mewl emitting from the tiny pink lips as Kaida curled her fists and listening to her daddy's strong heart beat drifted off to sleep. Sakura sighed happily at the beautiful sight, her eyes meeting Ibiki's as she lightly laughed. "Daddy's little girl."

"Sakura." The stern voice of Tsunade cut across the room, interrupting Ibiki and Sakura who looked at Tsunade and everyone else in the room as if they had forgotten they were there.

"Explain."

Smiling at her Shishou, Sakura deliberately ignored the frustrated expression; nothing could ruin her good mood. Smiling widely she happily pointed a finger at Ibiki and said.

"It was all his idea."

-x

"A hint of poison, a common poison, slow acting, it won't harm me or the baby." Sakura said, everything in her hiding her panic, it wouldn't do too much harm if treated in time.

"And with the lemonade it was. . . "

"Tasteless and odourless" Sakura finished, horror taking over her face, sweat starting to bead her brow. As she felt the poison quickly making its way through her body – to her womb.

"Not even the famed Apprentice of the Godaime Hokage caught it." Kenabi or more accurately Maharani laughed.

Her body would be able to flush it out, but her baby, it was a risk, one she and Ibiki had talked about, but she could keep her baby from harm, cut off the blood flow, induce labour – a cramp ran through her body, her body was already at work she had no choice, she would go into labour anyway.

-x

"Ibiki!"

Sakura was screaming in pain as Ibiki clutched her hand in his, the tears from her face, the agonising look of pain, the blood that filled his nostrils. It was just like the genjutsu Naoma had put him under, but this was real, this was worse.

"You can do this hellcat. You can do this." He coaxed his free arm rubbing her back.

"Push SAKURA. You have to push!" Tsunade barked in earnest, her brow worried as Shizune bit her lip beside her.

"No Ibiki. I can't. I can't. It's too early, it's too soon." She dissolved in tears, spasm of pain after spasm of pain racking through her body making her scream. Ibiki grabbed her face in his hands and leant his forehead against hers, his voice harsh and his eyes boring into hers.

"You can hellcat. You have no choice. You have to do this."

"I can't. I can't." Sakura cried tears and snot running down her face as she pleaded with him, begging for this to be a nightmare.

She couldn't lose her baby, she didn't want to give her away, her baby would be safe with her.

"You can. You must." He said forcefully. "You can do this. You can do this."

You have to do this hellcat, to protect our baby, I know it hurts and it's scary but you have to, I'm here with you. Ibiki meet her eyes, willing for her to understand.

"Nooo, I. AAAAaaaaaaghhhhhhhh!"

The scream rent through the air, Sakura panting heavily.

"Sakura if you don't start to push I will slap you until you do!" Tsunade shouted angrily.

"You can do this hellcat." Ibiki's words finally getting through to her made her nod and as another spasm of pain hit she began to push and push and push. Blood hit the floor in a splash, sweat covered her entire body, Ibiki held on to her with force, not letting go, whispering all the time. "You can do this hellcat, you have to."

And as he spoke he felt her hand make the necessary hand sign hidden in his palm. She cast the genjutsu and he prayed it would hold.

Finally with a final scream it was over. But there were no cries.

Sakura having closed her eyes opened them and sharing a pain filled glance with Ibiki looked at Tsunade.

Had it worked, would it hold? Did they really have to do this? Yes.

"Shishou?" her voice was quiet, tired, pained, as she watched her walk around the bed, Shizune rushing forward to work on Sakura.

"It's a boy." Tsunades voice quivered as she looked down at the bundle in her arms. Her honey eyes rose holding such a look of sadness and regret that Sakura gasped, ignoring the work Shizune was carrying out on her, the call for blood and need for stitches.

"Hokage."

Looking at Ibiki Tsunade gave a quiet sob. "I am so so sorry." She handed the blue bundle to Sakura backing away to allow the couple to bond. She watched as Sakura opened the blanket and dainty hands traced the features of the beautiful, perfect, still born baby in her arms. Ibiki held her, one hand coming to rest on the tiny head. Neither cried.

Shizune finished her administrations and pulling a blanket over Sakura's lower body quietly said. "I'm sorry." The nurses quietly cleaned the room.

Ibiki looked down on the tiny bundle in his hellcats arms. His chest heaving, so perfect and peaceful looking he couldn't hold on anymore.

"Ibiki."

Get them out of the room, please get them out, I can't wait any longer.

The pained plea from her was the last straw.

"Get out."

The low growl startled everyone. "What?" Tsunade questioned.

"Get out." This time the venom in his voice had the nurses scurrying, Shizune walking over to the door.

"Ibiki . . ."

"Get out!" the roar rattled the window, Shizune running out the door as fast as she could. Getting angry at his order, even taking into account the circumstances Tsunade narrowed her eyes and was about to tell him to shut up and comfort his wife, when Ibiki stood to his towering height and in two steps caught her bruisingly by the arm and hauled her on to her tiptoes. Getting to the door he slammed it opened and flung her out of the room.

"Ibiki . . ." he looked up and let the tears flow as he saw the lost look in his hellcat's emerald eyes, the tears falling down her cheeks and how small she looked in the bed. The room was filled with blood, stained cloths littering the corner, trays of bloody instruments at the wall. Breathing deeply he took a step forward and closed his eyes. Finally opening them he went and sat on the bed, taking his hellcat into his arms he looked down on the still baby in her arms and let her cry.

As she removed the genjutsu he put up a Chakra barrier, ensuring no one would hear what they didn't want them to hear. Sakura opened the blanket and looked at the beautiful sight of her daughter, tiny, pink and looking slightly squished – she was perfect.

"She's so . . . tiny." Ibiki whispered enthralled. His large finger oh so carefully caressing her cheek, trailing down to touch her tiny fingers, letting out a tiny gasp as she clasped his finger in her small hand.

"Ten fingers, ten toes." Sakura sighed, tears running down her face. "She's perfect."

Ibiki leaned over and kissed his hellcat on the head his own eyes glossy as he felt her pain, looked at the beautiful bundle in her arms and knew what they had to do.

"Daddy should hold her." Sakura whispered holding out the tiny bundle for Ibiki to take, carefully arranging his arms she gave him the precious bundle, tears flowing feely as she watched.

Looking down at the tiny baby – his tiny baby, Ibiki took in the wisps of dark pink hair on her head, the tiny nose, soft skin and strong grip, she had on his finger. Placing a gentle kiss on her head he said.

"You're like a little angel, so tiny and beautiful . . . . my little angel. No one is ever going to hurt you, or make you cry. You'll have me and your mommy and all your aunts and uncles to protect you – even if half of them are idiots. I 'm going to teach you so much, me and your mommy are going to give you everything, show you everything. My little angel . . . you are so perfect."

Sakura gave a little sob at how natural Ibiki was holding their daughter, which turned into a sad laughed as she mewled fiercely and tried to bury her head into Ibiki's chest.

"She's hungry."

Ibiki smiled sadly, ignoring his own tears as he handed her back to Sakura. "That's mommy's job."

He watched in fascination as Sakura pulled off the top of her gown and with some manovering and coaxing had his little Angel latched onto her nipple and feeding. It was an amazing sight.

"She's strong."

Sakura nodded her agreement. "Fierce little cry when she wanted her food."

"She'll be a fierce little thing." He agreed, gently touching the wisps of hair as she feed. "Kaida."

"Little Dragon"

"She had us for parents and look at who are her aunts and uncles." He said.

"Morino Kaida . . . it's perfect." Sakura smiled sadly.

"But you'll always be my little angel." Ibiki promised as he settled down on the bed with Sakura, effectively taking the two women in his life into his arms.

-x

"We picked these up from the house." An ANBU walked forward carrying two bags, one for Sakura and the other a baby bag. The sight stunned them all, the colourful teddy bear bag shocking them into silence as they all looked awkwardly at it. It had been a gift from Shizune for them to use specifically for this purpose, for when they went to hospital to deliver the baby, she had given it to Sakura and Ibiki at her check up two months ago. Now white faced and trembling she stepped forward saying. "I'll . . . take it."

Rizzo patted the woman on the shoulder taking it before she could reach it. "I got it girl, you sit down."

Ko nodded at her. "If I know Ibiki he'll give us a job to do, we can take it away with us."

"Lets' get this over with." The two looked at the group and with a gentle knock on the door quietly entered the room, shutting the room firmly after them, just allowing them the sight of Rizzo hiding the baby bag behind a table.

The door shutting they waited for Ibiki to motion them over, Rizzo picking up the baby bag again and bringing it over to the bad. Setting it down at the foot of the bed she looked at the tiny sleeping babe in Sakura's arms. Ko looking over her shoulder gave her arm a squeeze before turning and congratulating Ibiki.

"You'll take care of her . . . right?"

Rizzo felt her heart lurch as Sakura's pleading emerald eyes demanded an answer.

"I promise, we'll treat her like a princess." Rizzo said quietly, nearly jumping as Ibiki diverted her attention away from a crying Sakura. "Her name is Kaida . . . my little angel."

"A good strong name." Ko clapped the younger man on the back.

"It's lovely." Rizzo agreed, moving to get the bag and pulling out a couple of baby onesies offered them to Sakura, who giving a snort of amusement picked the one with pink baby dragons and proceeded to dress the baby, quickly wiping her bum and putting on a nappy.

"There should be enough in the bag for two days, Ibiki dropped off another bag to the hotel yesterday so you have that as well. There's formula, nappies, creams, sudders, a few toys, her balnket and everything else I could think of in the bag."

"We can buy anything we need for her Sakura." Rizzo calmly and soothingly said, trying to calm her as she grew edgy and desperate – desperate to delay the inevitable.

Watching the women and watching his sleeping little angel Ibiki growled in frustration and banged his fist against the wall.

"We're not taking the chance of this ever happening again." Ibiki admitted his voice hard and pained making Ko shiver, instantly knowing that Maharani's end would be as painful as possible. They wanted everyone to think twice – hah think a hundred times, before daring to threaten their daughter.

"Get rid of the fucker and come for your daughter." Ko said with a fierce understanding look at Sakura and the babe.

"You'll send out you contacts?"

"Any and all information I get I'll send your way. I have some favours to call in . .delay that bastard if he shows his head."

Ibiki grunted, his shoulders suddenly slumping. "You'll . . ."

"We'll take good care of her; we won't let anyone touch her."

Ibiki closed his eyes and shook the tears from his eyes, walking over to the bed he quietly said. "Hellcat . . . it's time."

It was indescribable how saddened he felt as he watched her clutch their beautiful girl to her arms, her head shaking minutely as Rizzo moved away from the bed, leaving him to sit down.

"Hellcat."

Teary emerald eyes met his as he bowed his head, leaning it against her forehead as he sat down next to her, his fingers tracing his little angel's face.

"She'll need out be checked out by a healer when you get there."

Ko simply nodded, Sakura kissing the tiny head and handing Kaida to Ibiki with a sob. Holding out the baby bag Rizzo carefully arranged the contents, Ibiki kissing his little angel goodbye before he gently laid her inside the bag, carefully arranging everything around her. With a hard sigh, he clenched his jaw and laid the flap over the opening without tying it.

Stepping closer to Sakura, Rizzo held out the precious bundle watching in awe as with a series of hand sign, a kiss on her fingers Sakura touched the bag, momentarily coating it in her minty green Chakra.

"She'll be fine, I promise." Rizzo looked at Sakura, hoping she could see the sincerity in her eyes. Not wishing to make it any harder Ko took Rizzo by the elbow and said their goodbyes, their own eyes stinging as Ibiki wrapped Sakura in his arms on the hospital bed, tears flowing down her pale and grief stricken face, while they left.

-x

Ko walked over to Team Kakashi and shook their hands, nodding to the rest of the group and ANBU that were left – at Monkey's signal half had left to gather as much information as they could and be prepared for Ibiki tomorrow. "We'll head, camp tonight and we'll make time."

Rizzo nodded her agreement, sighing as she said. "Watch him, his temper will either be foul or . . . . . make sure everything is sorted. Sakura will need her friends; just don't expect her to be herself for a long time. It took my aunt months to recover and she said the pain never goes." A hand rubbed over the soft material of the baby bag, a sad look directed at the door.

Checking on their precious cargo, the genjutsu would hold for a couple of hours but she still felt on edge, they needed to get to the hotel and leave as quickly as possible. What she said was true, Ibiki would be in a bad mood, who knew how long it would be until they saw their daughter again.

-x

"NO! No." Sakura straightened and ordered them, her breathing heavy and her eyes a little wild as she looked at the tiny coffin in front of her. Stepping forward she whispered sorrowfully. "I'll . . . I'll take him." Ibiki wrapped his arms her from behind and hugged her tightly, his eyes sweeping the room, Sakura's doing the same, her voice wavering as she vaguely asked. "Where are Ko and Rizzo?"

"They left last night."

They were gone, gone with her baby; her little Kaida was half way to Tea by now. So far away from her. Her baby was gone.

Sakura left Ibiki's embrace and stood before the coffin, tears beginning to trail down her face, one dainty hand resting on the coffin as she whispered. "My baby."

Ibiki rubbed his head and clenched his fists, suddenly straightening his back he strode over to her and put his hand on hers. "Hellcat."

"I know . . . . I know." The words were weary and heavy.

She knew it had to be done, but it didn't diminish the feeling that her heart had been wrenched out. Her baby wasn't in her arms . . she was missing apart of herself.

Sakura picked up the too small coffin in her hands, the last of her tears splashing the wood as she sniffed and tried to regain her composure. Pain filled emerald met steady dark eyes as she slowly walked out of the room, Ibiki towering over her, one hand wrapped around her as he put his other on the coffin, his face giving nothing away.

Strengthening her, they needed to get through this together; it was their secret, their burden. It was the only way to keep her safe. Let the bastard think he had won, let him think he had killed their daughter, let him get cocky and arrogant and then they would hunt him, kill him, destroy him. No where would hide him, Ibiki would guarantee it.

-xx

Everyone listened in awe of their story, amazed by the truth. Unsettled and dismayed by the gentleness and natural way Ibiki was holding his little angel to his chest, how she was so happily sleeping away on top the chest of one of the most dangerous shinobi ever – her mother another.

"That's it! Enough with all these secrets, coups, genjutsu's and plans. Is anything ever simple with you two?!"

Anko said in frustration her hands raking through her hair roughly; normally she would have loved it – except when she didn't know about it, Sasuke rubbed her back with a small smile as he looked at the beautifully happy Sakura watching her daughter in the arms of her husband.

Taking the first brave step Naruto walked over and peered at Kaida's face, his face breaking out in a smile as he turned and hugged her. "She's beautiful Sakura-chan, congratulations."

The protective and deadly vibes coming off Ibiki were enough to keep everyone away from him, Naruto just nodding his congratulations to the tall, protective man.

Ino took no notice of this and bounded over to Ibiki – her common sense deserting her.

"AAAwww let me hold her!"

Ibiki quickly and effectively palmed her face and pushed her to the ground with a growl that made Sakura laugh. "Daddy's little girl."

Bending down Kakashi picked up the plushie shaped kunai and held it up."Sakura?"

"Oh Kunny."

Everyone sweat dropped as Sakura said the toys name and plucked it from Kakashi's hand, tucking it back into the blanket with Kaida, from where it had fallen when Ibiki had stopped Ino.

"You're never going to do anything expectant are you?" Yamato lamented, taking in every one's reactions when he smiled at the family.

A low rumble came from Ibiki, a sadistic smile on his face making everyone feel sick - it was fucking scary, Morino Ibiki holding a little baby wrapped in the blanket from Sasuke and Anko, and smiling like that. –as he said. "Where would the fun in that be?"

Sakura smiled and yawned, quickly apologising. Ibiki bent down and with his free hand offered her his pack, no way on earth was he letting go of his little angel, with the pack on her back Sakura fitted under Ibiki's free arm and followed him as he turned to leave the room.

"Where are you going?"

Turing back to answer Tsunade's question, Sakura gave a tired but dazzling smile as she looked from Kaida to Ibiki and back to Tsunade.

"Home."

They left the group in a state of shock, exchanging glances to see if the last few moments had really happened.

With a soft and happy smile Sai spoke.

"I may be mistaken, but I believe the Kazekage has won the betting pool.

A beautiful child. That pulls a kunai out from under the blanket.

-x

-x

The End

-x

-x

-x

O0o

Dia Duit.

Well that's the end of And the Unexpected Keeps on Coming. It took a year and four months and I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful reviews and staying with me as Sakura and Ibiki's story progressed.

As this is the end of this story I would love to know what you thought and felt – I gave you a happy ending and one big huge surprise – so I hoped you liked it.

Give me a week or two and I will be back at my Sakura and Hidan story – Tell Them I was still alive when you saw me. I hope to hear from some of you in regards to that story.

Thanks so much for reading and all your kind words.

Lots of love,

The Rose and the Dagger x x x x