Chapt. 38- Night Shift

(Shigure's P.O.V)

Back at the akatsuki hideout while waiting for orders, I couldn't help but think of the scenario I had created with Sasuke. I would have to keep Tobi away from him eventually, since anything that freak wanted was clearly evil. I thought back to when Jiraiya had passed away fighting Pein a few weeks ago. I can't really comprehend what Naruto must be feeling at this point, but I must just assume he has chosen to protect the village, even if I'm a pariah. Things would be getting very complicated shortly, first when Tobi informed me of Pein's invasion of Konoha in the next couple days. I wouldn't be able to leek any information at this point to warn them without being caught. Sitting still while your comrades get massacred is a horrible feeling, since I doubt Pein will be defeated. Next, I have to deal with the whole ordeal with Sasuke and Itachi. Whenever Sasuke found Itachi one would die and many different routes would play out.

If Sasuke won, I would have to lie and risk a lot to keep the kid from going down something bad, since Naruto has always wanted to save him from darkness, I suppose if I helped maybe he would forgive me a bit. On the other hand, if Itachi kills his little brother it would be much different. Itachi is a mystery all on it's own, and I have no idea what he would do since I'm basically his second priority after his brother. Why did having the sharingan have to be so complicated?

(Flashback)

I'm sitting quietly on the table as Itachi walks into the hideouts kitchen alone.

" Do you have a minute to speak?" Itachi said in a monotone.

" Yes. What do you wish to discuss?" I reply

" Why do you possess the sharingan? Last time I saw you it wasn't there, and what is your reasoning to have it." Itachi questioned with a bit of vigor.

I narrow my eyes and reply, " It shouldn't concern you."

Itachi takes a step closer and says, " It very well concerns me. I want to know why I'm looking at eyes that have looked at me before."

I frown and respond, " Look here, I know we've had our differences, but why do you care so much about why I have the sharingan?"

" It's not just the sharingan, it's Shisui's sharingan." Itachi icy snapped.

" If you must know I took this from Danzo to further my power. It was necessary for me to do." I snap back at him.

" Fine. I just hope you know what you're doing. You've always been a bit extreme dating back to the days where you were once my ANBU captain." Itachi smoothly says back.

I sigh and follow up with, " Well, I won't deny who I am."

" Very well, but know you're here for the same reasons I am. I know you well enough to see through your words." Itachi states with the ever so slightest smirk.

I stare at him for about five seconds to mull over what he had just said and reply, " I see. What gave you the notion?"

" Oh, You have never been somebody driven by hunger unless it comes to human flesh or sake." He replies.

" Fair enough, but things do change. I'll speak with you another time." I declare as I get up off the kitchen table.

" Hn." Itachi grunts as he leaves the room.

(End Flashback)

I got up out of the hideout to meet up with Kisame and start looking for the Hachibi. Since Deidara had died, Itachi was out on his own mission like Tobi and Zetsu, and Pein and Konan prepared for Konoha I was left out with Kisame to track the eight tails.

I walk out into the starry night sky and see the tall ex-Kiri nin waiting for me.

I walk up to his right side and say; " We should have news anytime on Itachi's return."

" I assumed so. I'm very curious to hear what happened." Kisame chuckled.

" Same, now are you ready to set off for Lightning Country? I hear the Hachibi is the brother of the Raikage." I state.

" Same, too bad it's just a recon mission. Samehada would love to feast upon those two." Kisame replied manically.

" Hmph, I think my Shibuki would have a hay day as well." I shout back.

" I bet, so how bout we have a sword fight when we get back, eh? Samehada vs. Shibuki?" Kisame asks.

" I don't see why not." I say back with a confident smile and continue with, " Now let's get moving. When I get back I want to hear how Itachi faired."

We both start walking east to Lightning country casually. Kisame wasn't half bad when you didn't care if he wasn't a psycho killer. He had a good sense of humor and didn't annoy me too much like Deidara, so at least this wouldn't be a bad mission.

(Sasuke's P.O.V)

I had made it to Itachi, and now was the time to ask him my questions. When he disregarded any questions about him or our family, I had one more thing to ask.

" Who is the man Shigure? Is he related to us?" I ask.

Itachi gives me more of a baffled look, as if I shouldn't know that, yet answers, " The man you speak of is in the Uchiha clan, but not closely related to us."

I gave a small stare at him and thought to myself about not being the last of the clan.

I quickly replied back with, " Why is he never mentioned before?"

" He was exiled over 15 years ago and striped of any title. He was denounced from the village and clan, so that's why he isn't talked about." Itachi replied.

After this I would have my destination for information.

(Itachi's P.O.V)

What I had lied to Sasuke about was something to hopefully set him straight. Seeing Shigure in the akatsuki didn't make any sense whatsoever before, and hopefully he was here to protect Konoha the same as I. Shigure would never chose to go after something unless he was begged, so I never bought the whole " Power hungry" act for one second, even if it was quite convincing. From how Sasuke talked about him it seemed like he had some encounter with him, so I decided to play along with Shigure's game. It would be helpful if Sasuke saw him as an Uchiha to help guide him more easily back to Konoha, and if I were wrong I would still have my fail safe with Shisui's eye that I planted. After today all I would be able to do is hope.

Hope you like the angst so far! next chapter will also be Sasuke centric, so hope you've enjoyed it.