Ok. This is the Jiraiya Itachi scene. I bet all of you were just waiting to read this. Kidding. I know that all of you can't wait until the Massacre... I am just that evil. Grins. Ok. Airyo-chan is saying that she isn't a good Beta! I am scolding Airyo chan. She is an awesome Beta and I am lucky to have her. You guys scold her, as well. Anyway, enjoy! Comic relief, coming right up! (I am unsure if they attempt kidnapping Naruto before or after the festival. Whatever)

Weakness

Itachi found himself leading Kisame through the forest, heading towards where Jiraiya and Naruto were thought to be. He thought to himself about the schedule. They were supposed to capture Naruto before the Tournaments, but now, it so happened that after a series of unfortunate events, they were capturing Naruto strictly after the Tournaments. How horrid.

He was still acting coldly towards Kisame. He couldn't help it; it was a personal offence to him, what had happened at the hot springs. And anyway, he wasn't female enough to forgive him easily. That was a job for girls. Yes, in conclusion, Itachi was still quite sour, and Kisame was still tiptoeing around him.

And so, with that frame of mind, Itachi and Kisame found out where Naruto was. And just like Itachi's calculations, Naruto was with Jiraiya. Itachi breathed out a mental sigh of relief, knowing that they couldn't kidnap him now. Konoha would still be safe from the Akatsuki's plans! For now, at least...

Kisame seemed to agree. "Itachi-san, is it worth it, a fight with a Sannin?" He questioned politely, avoiding eye contact with Itachi. Itachi thought about what to reply. If he said no, Kisame would be suspicious. The only thing he could do is make it seem like he was trying to best the Sannin, but if Jiraiya actually was there, he could say that it was in their best interest to run away. Yes, that sounded like a good plan.

"No." He answered stoically, keeping his eyes trained ahead of him. "But, we can still somehow acquire the Nine Tails. Every person has a weakness." Itachi finished, glancing briefly at Kisame to take in his reaction. Kisame was hurriedly nodding in approval to whatever Itachi was saying.

Kisame, in his own right, was a ferocious warrior. He never bowed down to anyone. Yet, Itachi had a way of being intimidating, especially when he glowered. Yes. Especially when he glowered.

"We shall spend a few days observing them both; even the greatest ninja have weaknesses." Itachi said, not bothering to see Kisame. He knew that Kisame would agree. And anyway, the two weren't the hardest to observe; they were both very loud, and conspicuous. What a ...stealthy combination for a ninja.

And observe, they did. They observed as they moved around, training, eating sleeping, and so forth. Itachi had discovered a horrible habit of Jiraiya's. And that was to get drunk out of his mind. How a person like this was a legendary Sannin, he would never know. Orochimaru, he could understand; the creepiness level that he achieved was unreachable to anyone else. But Jiraiya, the author of porn books? No, just no.

Kisame was particularly surprised when he saw a particular event, which was particularly disgusting. This was a big event for , it was around five o'clock in the afternoon, and there was a festival at the town Naruto and Jiraiya were at.

Now, everyone knows that such joyous events always involve money. Frankly, if you don't have any money, you are not able to participate in such events. It was an unfair world, nowadays.

And so, the Akatsuki duo watched with utmost concentration; especially the events that were yet to transpire. Jiraiya asked Naruto, who was training, for his wallet. Naruto, in his naivety, (Itachi could have actually pitied the poor lad; that was, if he could pity, that is) handed the wallet right over to the triumphant Jiraiya. Kisame was grinning sadistically the whole time.

Although Itachi was too far away to hear exactly what Jiraiya was talking about, he could lip read. Lately, however, his eye sight seemed to be getting worse; so had his coughs. It was a blessing within a curse; Itachi knew now, for certain, that his time was limited. He had to visit a medic, at some point. Having medicine would be a good thing.

Itachi's time was limited. That made him more anxious by the day; Sasuke needed to get strong, and fast. He needed to kill him. He needed to avenge their family. He needed to do that, for the peace of both the brothers. But, Itachi couldn't exactly barge into his day to day life and goad him into doing just that; for that, they needed to meet, and the sooner, the better. Sasuke needed to hate him; just as much as he hated himself.

And so, he could lip read exactly what Jiraiya was talking about. "The three temptations to a shinobi are: Alcohol. Money. And women. It is very important not to abuse any of those rules," He preached to an oblivious Naruto. Itachi wished he could take pity on the child, and inform him that what Jiraiya had just stated- while it might have been true- but not at all followed.

And then Jiraiya led Naruto to the festival, and left him there. Inwardly, Itachi tried not to panic (well, not exactly panic. He never panicked) at the dilemma that had presented itself to him. For an Akatsuki without hidden agendas, the smartest choice right now would be to kidnap Naruto at this very moment. However, Itachi wanted the exact opposite; he wanted to keep Naruto safe in his own, twisted way. For Konoha. But the only way to do that, is distract Kisame from the real goal: Naruto. More specifically, the Nine Tails inside of Naruto.

"Should we attack Naruto now, Itachi?" Kisame asked doubtfully, watching the grinning Naruto from the sidelines. Itachi's mind was spinning quickly, finding a solution to the problem that had arisen.

"Too many people. Jiraiya is still a Sannin, and with that many people around, we are bound to cause a commotion." Itachi said, in that cryptic way that he thought explained everything, but in reality, to the simple minded (such as poor Kisame here), it explained nothing. Kisame nodded in agreement, not wanting to seem like a fool in front of Itachi.

They trailed Jiraiya, who left Naruto in the dust to enjoy himself. And all was well, until they saw Jiraiya entering a club. Itachi really hated those places; they were made to dull the mind. But they had to get in somehow, and then Itachi saw the perfect opportunity to complete their goal, and get revenge. Now, Itachi was a peaceful person, but that didn't mean that he wasn't an Uchiha. He didn't believe in murderers, or meaningless death, or anything of that sort; but Itachi was an Uchiha, and they weren't exactly forgiving. As they say, born an Uchiha, stay an Uchiha (no matter how much Itachi had tried to change that).

"This is the perfect opportunity to get close to our target." Itachi told Kisame blandly, giving nothing away. Kisame could only scratch his head in obvious confusion.

"We, or more specifically, you, Kisame, will infiltrate the building under a disguise." Itachi continued, using fanciful language to befuddle Kisame even more. They always did say that revenge was a dish served best cold... and Itachi wholeheartedly agreed. But, he thought that revenge served freezing would be even better.

"Jiraiya seems to take an interest in the fairer sex. You shall use that to your advantage. Good luck, Kisame. I shall be watching." Itachi said, and some, unsubstantial part of him had just discovered his inner sadism. There was always a first, after all. And with that, Itachi disappeared, leaving Kisame, ah, to the wolves.

It had finally dawned on Kisame what he was supposed to do. But it was far too late. Yet that didn't stop him from screaming out a desperate, "ITACHI, WAIT!" to the dust. Well, Itachi's revenge was simple: have Kisame go in the club disguised as a woman, and try to get even more information on Jiraiya, their opponent. He was going to get a taste of what it was like to be mistaken (even if he did it purposely) as a woman. Revenge had never felt so good.

And so, he felt amusement that he hadn't felt since he was fourteen, as he watched Kisame make his way as a woman, into the club. A scantily dressed woman. A scantily dressed woman in high heels. Kisame was actually doing well with that; Itachi wondered if he'd had practice before...

Now, Itachi just took a moment to let Kisame's appearance sink into his head. Kisame had transformed into a pale blonde woman with green eyes. In pigtails. He had dressed himself in a low cut top and a short skirt, trying to, and was trying to (and failing) to 'walk the walk'. Itachi blanched. He was scarred for life. Maybe revenge hadn't been such a good idea, after all.

His visibility was cut off, as Kisame entered the club. And so he waited. And waited. And waited. Kisame (the girl version?) didn't come out until a few hours later, looking rosier than when he (she?) came in. And then a tipsy Kisame managed to make his way to Itachi's slightly overpowering chakra. Even if Kisame was tipsy, he was still a dangerous S Class criminal.

The moment that he saw Itachi, he transformed back into his normal form, and charged at Itachi. Itachi, somehow, was expecting that. He did deliver a rather killing blow to Kisame's masculinity, after all. But Kisame was no match for him, even when sober. The fight was over in a matter of seconds, with Kisame laying defeated on the ground. He hadn't even used the Samehada, which he had transformed into his bag at the time of the 'mission'. And then he passed out, leaving Itachi to deal with the aftermath. Idiot.

In the morning, Itachi faced a hungover Kisame, demanding of the information Kisame had obtained yesterday. A glaring Kisame told him what he had learned. Very grudgingly, might Itachi add. Well, maybe Itachi deserved it, but still.

"His weakness is women." Kisame said, and then refused to say anything more. Itachi's genius mind had already come up with a perfect plan, even with only that information. He could just use Genjutsu on a woman to bewitch her to like Jiraiya, and keep him busy. He and Kisame would then sneak up on Naruto, at their hotel room. Jiraiya would see through the Genjutsu (he was a Sannin... somehow), and come to save Naruto at the nick of time, making them take their leave. And hopefully, never come back. That way, he could protect Konoha, and dissuade the Akatsuki. And the best part was, they wouldn't suspect anything. Classy.

He told Kisame of his plan (the woman part, and not the saving Konoha part, obviously), and Kisame agreed, especially since he wouldn't have to be a woman, this time. Kisame, while still quite angry, was still wary of Itachi, knowing that Itachi was much stronger than himself. Then they started carrying out their plan.

It went well in the beginning. Itachi had cunningly fooled a woman to swoon at Jiraiya, and all was well in the world. He and Kisame had found Naruto, scared him, and delayed the kidnapping for a moment. Kisame did that, actually, although he was quite unaware of that. Until he showed up.

Honestly, it was a blessing within a curse. While it foiled his plans, he saw exactly what he wanted to see. Yes, his little brother, the reason of Itachi's existence, had arrived to defend Naruto. Sasuke looked a little older than a few years ago, when he last saw him (he inconspicuously fingered his neck. No, in fact, the locket was not there) with that Hyuuga girl. And then Itachi immediately sensed something wrong with him.

Why was Sasuke's chakra tainted with Orochimaru's? He then remembered Orochimaru's words, his obsession with the Sharingan... he should have known. Orochimaru went after his little brother. That was when Itachi grew angry. Sasuke was not strong enough to defend himself. He had to teach Sasuke a lesson in defending himself; he really did. Sasuke couldn't afford to be weak!

"All my life." Sasuke began, with Itachi looking on indifferently, and a scared Naruto in the background, "I have waited for this moment." Sasuke held his hand as he gathered chakra on his palm. It was lightning shaped, and it was interesting, to say the least. Wasn't this Kakashi's famed Chidori? Itachi was lost in thought as Sasuke came to him. Without thinking, it was a reflexive action, really, he caught Sasuke's glowing palm, and forced him back to the other hand of the corridor.

When Sasuke was crashed into the wall, Itachi found it appropriate to hold him by his neck gruffly, and hiss in his ear. It seemed to be the only way to get through to Sasuke; to get through the sense of urgency. Sasuke needed to kill him, dammit! For the peace of the Uchiha. He needed to kill him before the stupid disease ate Itachi's body inside out! And with those thoughts in mind, Itachi began his exhausting tirade.

"You lack... hatred." Itachi said, making sure to get his point across with a dramatic pause. There was a weak gasp, signifying that Sasuke didn't agree what was said. Well, he needed to hate Itachi more; as much as Itachi's abhorrence for himself. To make the statement have more impact, Itachi started to 'beat' Sasuke 'up'. A few punches and hits would do.

He punched Sasuke in the stomach, and then against the wall. Again, and again, and again. Until, finally, he knew that it was time. For this feeling of urgency to be conveyed, he had to cause not only physical, psychological, but mental pain, as well. The Nine Tails kid tried interrupting at one point, but Sasuke had let out a weak, "Don't interfere", stopping Naruto in his tracks.

Itachi's eyes activated the Sharingan, and captured Sasuke's eyes. It seemed he also had Sharingan, but it was not yet complete; he only had two commas out of the three. That Sharingan wouldn't help him at all. Itachi almost flinched as the world went red and black; his two least favourite colours.

He made himself and Sasuke relive the Uchiha Massacre; reminding himself and Sasuke of the pain and horror he caused that day. Of their entire family (except for them) had been wiped out, by none other than himself. It was stupid, really. Stupid how he let himself go in the company of others, namely the Akatsuki. It was stupid how he chose to ignore his sins; his sins that would send him to eternal, damnable hell. The only relief and redemption would be death; death by Sasuke's hand.

Sasuke was writhing in agony, screaming obscurities. Itachi was able to make out a single, "No, brother, don't show me this!", but that was it. Itachi pondered upon that comment. He had to show him this. He had to show him the Massacre to strengthen Sasuke's hatred. Had to. It was all for Sasuke, after all. In the end, it would only benefit Sasuke.

In less than one mental hour, the Massacre was finished. For good measure, Itachi played it thrice, or maybe four times, he couldn't remember, at this point. All he could remember was his mother's ghostly smile as she hit the hard wood floor, her head severed from her shoulders. All he could remember was his father's stern face, breaking into one last smile as Itachi's sword pierced his body. All he could remember were the screams of the old, as well as the screams from the children. The young, young children, who had never sinned, or deserved the damnable hell that Itachi sent them to.

When Itachi cut off the world of the Tsukoyomi, Sasuke's body slumped down to the ground. It seemed that he was unconscious. Itachi was dazed, himself, not that he would show that to anyone. It probably didn't show on his face; Itachi had had years practising the blank mask that he adorned daily.

Then, at that precise moment in time, Jiraiya finally arrived with a flash and a 'boom'. The woman that Itachi had hypnotised was on his shoulders. Inwardly, Itachi was relieved; Jiraiya had come in the nick of time. Now it would be unnecessary to collect the Nine Tails. His plan had worked. He had to put up some sort of fight, however. Kisame was still here and watching him.

Jiraiya, after his flashy introduction, tried to trap them with a trapping jutsu. The hallway was engulfed in slimy, pinkish flesh. It was a shame, really, that Jiraiya had to ruin the suspense of Itachi guessing what it was, by answering Naruto's question.

"This is the inside of a fire frog's stomach. They're going to be digested. No one can break through these walls." Itachi's mind whirled furiously, trying to think a way out of the situation. No good. He'd have to use, 'that'.

'That', was actually a jutsu from his Mangekyo Sharingan (he preferred not to think about that damnable jutsu. His best friend Shisui had been sacrificed to acquire such a farce.). It was called Amaterasu, black flames. Supposedly, they were the flames from hell, and that was why they couldn't be quenched. They were really powerful, but the side effects were horrible... Itachi was almost tempted to think that the reason for his coughs and lung problems were the flames. Or probably the Mangekyo Sharingan.

He motioned for Kisame to run after him, as they exited the scene, much to Jiraiya's surprise. This technique was not inescapable, after all. Itachi hurriedly activated his Mangakyo Sharingan, his fire burning to through the frog's stomach, creating a hole large enough for them to pass through. Kisame reluctantly followed Itachi out of the place; it seemed that he was not over the events of yesterday.

But Itachi paid him no heed. He had no time for that. Sasuke needed to get stronger, sooner... he suppressed a cough that was building up in his lungs. It was a good thing that his eyes didn't bleed this time, like they sometimes did. That was mostly when he attempted to do the Susanoo, however...

When he was deemed that they were far enough away, he fell into a well delayed coughing fit, with a bewildered Kisame at the side. Itachi's fingers were stained with blood by the time it was over. He turned to face a slightly anxious (and apprehensive) Kisame, and raised an eyebrow imploringly.

"We need to get you to see a medic!" Kisame said rashly, staring at Itachi. Itachi simply shrugged (he was going to die anyway, he could take a little pain) apathetically, observing that Kisame was quite loyal. That was unexpected; but yes, Kisame did seem the type to commit to something wholeheartedly. It seems the ones that you could trust least were the quite and level headed ones (Like himself).

"I'm having none of that!" Kisame declared, not looking afraid of Itachi for the first time.

"If you didn't notice, Kisame, we are in the middle of a forest, god knows where." Itachi commented dryly, turning his eyes to face the sky. Yet, Kisame insisted on finding a medic to cure his weakness.

Yes, this was Itachi's weakness. Everybody had one, after all. But this weakness was more lethal than others, since it was bound to kill him one day, if Sasuke didn't. It was slightly scary that Itachi was fine with that.

Finished! Hahaha! I wrote most of this at three in the morning at an airport! Huzza to me! Anyway, prelude to the Massacre next chapter. I'm very excited. Grins. Although I have so much to write... it started humorously, but then it ended on a very angsty note. As it always does when Sasuke is involved. Anyway,

Review, Review, Review,

Sincerely, Aurora-chan!