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Disclaimer: Unsurprisingly, I own nothing. Naruto and Harry Potter belong to their respective creators.

T minus 14 days: Tharly Mansion, Great Britain

"So you're the one they came to."

Tom Marvolo Riddle, Heir to Salazar Slytherin and Dark Wizard beyond compare, remained impassive. He sat on his chair, idly twirling his wand, as the speaker marched forward into the light. The occasional spark fluttered from the end as the wand spun delicately round his long fingers. The speaker stepped further into the dimly lit chamber, his movements graceful and sinuous. Long hair hung lankly to his shoulders, a smile twisted across his lips, eyes filled with a cold malice. "What, no calls for the guards? No rage at an intruder? I'm surprised. Most men would be furious to see an intruder march into their inner sanctum."

Voldemort regarded him coldly. "I am not most men."

The speaker stopped, mere feet away. "I suppose you aren't."

Waving his wand lazily, Voldemort summoned a second throne. The newcomer sat. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am - "

The Dark Wizard cut him off. "The snakes told me you were coming. They always recognize their kin. So, Orochimaru, Sannin of Konoha, what brings you to my land?"

Orochimaru looked at the Dark Wizard. "Didn't your creatures get that far?"

Voldemort flicked his wand gently. A table appeared, bearing a pot of tea and two ornate cups. He pointed at the pot. It rose slowly in the air then poured its contents into the two cups. Then it disappeared. "I'd much rather hear it from the source."

Orochimaru kept on smiling. "My former colleagues received some assistance from you. I'd like to ask for the same."

A cup rose from the table into Voldemort's left hand. The Dark Lord sipped gently. "That, I think, is impossible. An agreement was made. I will help no others, least of all you. If you require magic, find another wizard. I would recommend my old master as being the next best alternative, though I fear you and he would not get along."

Orochimaru snarled. "I could easily force you to comply!"

Voldemort made no move. "You could. But I am not without power. You would be forced to kill me, and then where would you be? Threats won't work on me, Orochimaru. You'll need something much better."

Orochimaru considered this. He had never expected the wizard to behave like this. Fury he could have dealt with. It would have given him leverage. But for the wizard to remain so calm, merely sipping his tea, playing with his wand like a schoolboy lounging after class… Finally, he spoke. "Well, then. Why don't you tell me what you want?"

Voldemort permitted himself the slightest of smiles. "I want what everyone wants. Power."

Orochimaru nodded. "Then why keep an agreement with my former colleagues? They will one day challenge and destroy your power."

"Perhaps."

"No, Dark Wizard. They will destroy your power. Once they assemble the jinchuuriki, they will possess a weapon capable of destroying any nation in seconds. For all your spells, you could not resist that for long. What was it they offered you?"

Finally, Voldemort showed emotion. Rage twisted across his features for an instant. Then he was calm. "A threat and a promise."

Orochimaru understood. "I can give you far, far more…"

Voldemort looked at him suspiciously. "Go on."

"I can give you the world on a plate. Your knowledge and my power, imagine the combination! And as for my former colleagues… I have the power to destroy them too."

Voldemort laughed derisively. "You lie. I know they are stronger than you!"

Orochimaru smiled. "Then, yes. But now… I have the key to realizing the ultimate power. Power beyond their imagination. They will pose little threat to me, I guarantee it."

Voldemort frowned. "And were I to accept… When our foes are gone, and we have control… What then?"

Orochimaru shrugged expansively. "Then we will see which is the stronger: magic or jutsu. But it will be one against one, your skill against my strength. Far better odds than Akatsuki would offer."

Voldemort considered this. Orochimaru waited expectantly.

"I accept."

Orochimaru smiled triumphantly. "I shall return in a few days. We can start work from then."

With that, he rose, gave the slightest of bows and walked into the shadows. Voldemort watched him gone. "Blake?"

The witch stepped forward from the shadows. "He's gone, Master."

Voldemort nodded. "Tell me what you saw."

Cassandra Blake, the Mystic of Surrey, knelt before her master. "My eyes saw his power, Master. He has the power of the snake inside him. He is ruthless, ambitious, but there is something… He is driven by grief. And deep inside, he still holds feeling for his old comrades."

Voldemort nodded. Blake's was a Reader, capable of detecting what was hidden in people's hearts when in the same room as them. Her skills were matched only by her fanatical and unswerving devotion to her master. A truly useful pawn. She had warned him of Akatsuki's power, and now she did the same for his newest ally. He realized that Blake was speaking. "… Master, why would you agree? Surely you see that he cannot be controlled?"

Voldemort looked at her coldly, watching her fear, then smiled. "Nothing is ever as it seems, dear girl. Nothing is ever as it seems. You still have much to learn."

"It's settled. The assault will commence four days from now. Keep a close watch on the mansion until then."

The Konoha team were silent. Itachi's plan made sense, but trusting the one of the greatest traitors the village had ever known… It weighed heavily on their hearts. Eventually, Kakashi spoke up. "Everyone get some rest. We'll go back on rotation at dawn." The team rose, a little stiffly, still feeling the effects of their recent battle. Still, they were able to reassemble the camp site and prepare their sleeping bags.

Toshi walked over to the Uchiha. "Umm… Thanks." Itachi stared at him coldly. Toshi looked away, then stepped over to his bags, settling himself down to sleep. He had regained consciousness to find the legendary missing-nin carefully re-setting his broken arm. The shock had nearly knocked him out again. The Uchiha hadn't said a word, merely healed him and walked away. The arm felt a little stiff, but it seemed perfectly usable. He closed his eyes. If someone had told me I'd be working with Akatsuki… Slowly, he drifted off.

Kisame had disappeared, claiming he was going to scout the area. Kakashi watched his team fall asleep, then looked at Itachi. The missing-nin stared back. "Shouldn't you go on patrol, Kakashi-sempai?" Kakashi looked away. "I should. But first…"

"Go ahead, Kakashi-sempai. Ask your question."

Kakashi was silent for a while. He'd never thought he'd have a chance to talk to the Uchiha again. After Itachi had left the village, a kill on sight order was issued. Not that it mattered: few, if any, jounin would be able to match him for more than an instant. Kakashi gathered his thoughts. "Why? Why choose to work with us? Why not simply kill us?" he asked. Itachi gave the slightest of smiles. "Why ask for reasons? Isn't it enough that you have our aid?" Kakashi pondered the reply.

"Then what happens when we're done?"

Itachi rose smoothly. "Let the future take care of itself, Kakashi-sempai" he said. He turned and began walking. Kakashi watched him leave. Suddenly he halted. "You did a lot for Sasuke," he said, without turning. "And Obito liked you. I'll be in contact soon."

Kakashi closed his eye and nodded. Itachi disappeared.

T minus 10 days: Near the Tharly Mansion

Jiro had taken point. He sprinted, some two hundred meters ahead of the team. They were almost at the target. It was one hour past sunset, and the shadows had lengthened to provide excellent cover. He was near the edge of the woods, the open plain that surrounded the house mere meters away. He halted, and waited for the team to catch up. He focused carefully on the house, scanning the exterior for any signs of change. The house was mostly dark. He looked up at the sky. Then he saw it. What the…?!

Grabbing his radio, he whispered furiously. "Abort, Abort! Mission Abort!" Despite his signal, he stayed on for a few moments more. Ten wizards were circling slowly, making their descent. The doors of the house opened. The target stood there, accompanied by a female and a small rat-like man. They strode forward, ready to meet the new arrivals. The wizards landed smoothly. Dismounting, they walked up to the target. The first knelt before him. Jiro was too far away to hear what was said, but he could see enough to understand. New Allies…He looked at the house. He had an unpleasant feeling that someone was watching him, but he saw nothing. Except… A brief flicker at a window that almost could have been a face… He dismissed it. Turning, he ran back into the forest. They would need to come up with a new plan after this…

Kakashi processed the information carefully. Ten new wizards, he thought. This is getting troublesome. Reaching a decision, he looked at his team. "I'll contact our… allies. Until we can re-evaluate the situation, we'll carry on surveillance as before. The assassination is postponed."

Summoning Pakkun, Kakashi gave the nin-dog the instruction to contact the Akatsuki pair. Then, he settled down to wait. This mission keeps on getting worse. Kami knows how it will all end…

A/N: A little slower than usual, but all to the point. Thanks for all the feedback, I'm pleased people enjoyed the Omake chapter. Sadly, that's probably the last moment of levity to be had. It's all dark from here. But on the plus side, I've already written up an incredible fight scene which you'll be reading shortly, so if its alright with you, we'll replace comedy with lots and lots of bloodshed...