Sorry for no uploads last... 2 weeks I think? Just some stuff came up. Next week, I'll do a double upload to make up for it.

XXX

Itachi Uchiha

Since he had woke up, he had suspected the Leader would intervene at one point or other. The idea of disloyalty in the Akatsuki brought with it a death mark from the organization, as the Leader assumed once anyone was informed of their mission, they would never want to turn away from it. And if they were, then they simply did not have the best intentions for the world at heart.

Distantly, he respected the Akatsuki for that. But at the same time, it did not take a genius to realize that gathering the Tailed Beasts, being of enormous chakra and destruction, into one place was asking for a calamity or misuse of power. The Leader was too confident in himself to believe such a thing could happen, but he would not live forever. Even if he succeeded, even if Itachi supported him until the very end, the day would come such a weapon would fall into the wrong hands.

It was for that reason he'd remained a triple agent for Konoha. The Uchiha Prodigy, turned Murderer of the Uchiha, turned Akatsuki agent, turned Hiruzen's entrenched spy. No one had suspected him, not even Madara. His intel was light but important, and even after the Third Hokage's death, he had kept a log of all relevant information. The day of his intended final battle with Sasuke, he'd intended for Sasuke to discover these notes and bring them back to Konoha to further build his status as a hero to them.

That day... should have been the day it changed for him. But not the way it did.

He walked into the shimmering water, detaching himself from the paralyzed crowd like a specter out of the graveyard. He could feel the eyes lock onto him, including the woman. Not stopping his walk, he let his left hand droop out of his sleeve and form a double hand sign. Not a jutsu signature, but apart of the international ANBU sign language.

Run. Hide.

He had hardly finished them when the giant shadow of a bird crossed over him. He flicked his gaze up and concealed the hand as it landed before him.

No, not a bird. Konan.

"It's good to see you again, Itachi," she said neutrally. Her amber eyes were still laced with familiar blue makeup and her hair done up with the paper flower. Her wings, flapping incessantly even in the light breeze, expanded several meters out from her. Even if her tone was non-confrontational, it was clear she did not want him passing to Kisame.

"I wondered when you would come searching for us," Itachi replied in the same calm voice. He dared not look over his shoulder to see if the crowd was scattering, and Konan gave no indication that they were or not. Perhaps, like the Leader she served, she had come to see non-extraordinary people as below her. It made his stomach twist slightly, but at least she were no Deidara or Kakuzu. Those monsters were already long dead.

Would it be her turn today?

Her eyes flashed. "After what we learned, I'm surprised to find you walking healthily about. Although the glasses don't suit you that well."

"I'm sure Madara had much to say."

She blinked again, and some of the calm faded into the true intent behind her appearance. "So, you've known."

"Surely you remember it was he who introduced me to the organization in the first place. You didn't think that the only other Uchiha wouldn't take an interest in me."

"I'd have thought that if you knew he was another of your clan, you would have simply moved to kill him like you did the rest. Even if he was someone of great importance and strength... surely you would not have had any hesitation." The wings tensed. "Will you now?"

He let the Sharingan activate. "I do not seek to fight you." He meant it, truly. Whatever Konan and the Leader were and intended, they were only a side operation to getting Sasuke back. Defeating them and ending Akatsuki was not Itachi's main objective; that, he had hoped, would have lied with Sasuke. Maybe Naruto as well.

"YOU FAILED US!"

The ghostly rattle made him freeze, and in that moment Konan struck. It was a small thing and he almost didn't notice it, he was so intensely focused on her. He had never seen her fight or had reason to believe he ever would, and so his knowledge of what her paper was capable of was minimal. He only saw the first bit of a massive paper-link chain erupt out the water at the last second as it tried to bind around his waist. He back-flipped away from it, but the chain simply followed him-

In the vision of the Sharingan, its movement rapidly slowed. He coated his hand in a chakra film and gripped the chain like it were the neck of a snake. With one firm tug, he ripped the chain apart in his hand-

The rest of the paper coiled thrice-fold and wrapped around the hand, wrist, and elbow before squeezing. His other hand scraped at the paper, and was surprised to see it give away to just another layer-

Paper bombs!

Her hand had already made the sign, and the water had a second to bubble in discontent before it was exploding with the force of all the explosions that the paper-chain was made of. He had less than that to free himself of it-

"Water Style: Water Fang Jutsu!"

Three violent torrents of water erupted and tore through the chain link before the explosion could reach his arm. He allowed the impact of the last explosion to jettison him into the air and away from Konan, landing neatly on the water.

She hadn't moved from her earlier position. "You shouldn't have crossed us," she said bluntly, and raised her hands with fingers splayed. "After all we have tried to accomplish and built as the Akatsuki, I would have hoped you of all people would not do this!"

Itachi looked behind her- the Leader and Kisame were still standing there. From this distance and Konan's large chakra needing his attention, he couldn't get a read on his partner. Did he get placed under a genjutsu? What's wrong with him?

Then the paper was again on him, and he could only continue the fight.

XXX

Kisame Hoshigake

Back and forth, Itachi and Konan danced across the lake. The sharks, perhaps sensing just how much they were outclassed by these new apex predators, were not even bothering to circle them but were staying closer to Kisame's side.

Noticeably, on the side away from the Leader.

"We can't trust Itachi to stay true to our morals any longer," he was finishing, rippling purple eyes observing the fight with some curiosity. "I've deemed it necessary to execute him. It was suggested the same be done for you, Kisame, but I knew you weren't so viciously independent and selfish as he. You've always been a loyal and friendly member to the organization. Even Hidan could be moved to sentimentality when you were around."

Kisame nodded robotically. "I... remember those times, yes."

Shouldn't I be trying to help him?

Or should I try and help Konan? She's my superior, after all.

"You've seen the world for what it is," the Leader said earnestly. "For the pain that it offers us in its current state. It's why you joined us and separated yourself from Kirigakure. Who could blame you, after what they did to you? After everything you saw?"

A memory of his former sensei and Samehada's former master simmered close to the surface, and he shook his head. No, they're not like him. The Leader and Konan aren't playing me like a fool...

Samehada squirmed uncomfortably in his grip, sensing his inner discomfort. He could see on the shore his clansmen dispersing. He though he could see Ryuuga bundling up Shizuma in one hand with another leading Tusina away with his other-

"The Akatsuki was built off members of questionable pasts to show that a grand future like ours could be achieved by even those the shinobi world spits upon," the Leader said quietly. "You and I... we are the same. We did not choose to be this way. But you see men like Itachi!" he gestured as the Uchiha sent a fireball into a barrage of paper shuriken. "He chose to be that level of scum by killing his own people. I gave him the chance to join us and redeem himself, but it seems he's always had the same selfish desires at heart instead. No intent on working for the greater good, just himself."

"I'm sure you know about his little brother?"

Kisame's sharp teeth clashed together behind his lips. "I have. Do you know... what he is to Itachi?"

The Leader peered at him, a wistful smile breaking past the loaded piercings. "He has not told you, then?" He sighed. "It makes me wonder what other lies he had told you."

The freshly repaired third string of the koto in his mind snapped. "What is he?"

"According to a... reliable source... Itachi intended to die by his brothers hand in order to evolve his Sharingan. He never meant to kill Sasuke, the little brother he intnetionally spared in the Uchiha Massacre. All his actions have been either duplicitous in nature to earn our trust, or to further Sasuke's own development. He is a dangerous, twisted individual. You see why we can no longer trust him to remain alive."

The fourth string snapped. "And... his partnership to me?"

"Likely a deception as well. I can hazard he intended for his death to elevate Sasuke out of Orochimaru's shadow and to a sort of hero to Konoha, who would warmly receive him. This action would have given our strongest enemy a new potent adversary. All of his work, all of his promises of loyalty... meant nothing." The Leader's own voice trembled slightly with anger and disgust. "Such men make me sick. Those who cannot be held even to their own word... have no place in the world I intend to build."

The fifth string trembled violently, held together be the smallest of hopes and prayers. Samehada was fully agitated, biting at his ankles and thrashing the surface of the water to lap water over his feet. But he felt nothing but a hollow, icy pick going through his stomach and emerging out the other side.

Lies... lies... all of it... lies... lies... Fuguki... Fourth Mizukage... lies... lies... Itachi...

ITACHI...

"You're a very blunt man, Kisame. But just think... were we not happier as children?" Tusina looked at him a little sadly. "I know there's still a bit of you like that left in you, too," she said softly. "You're not as ugly as the world wants you to be, unless you're trying to be. That's when the line is crossed, I think."

And then it was him and Itachi sparring, mere hours ago. And laughing, laughing with each other like life-long friends! His laugh without any trace of malice or hint of underlying betrayal, just two men enjoying combat in a world dedicated to it.

Is it all true, Itachi? Have I just been another tool to you, like I was to Fuguki? Are we all just tools to some higher power? Have I always been?

Tusina... was I ever a free, happy child? I cannot remember. Perhaps it was always like this. Maybe you only wanted to try and make me feel better in the moment, or wanted me to calm down so I would not come near your child again. How much of what you said was a lie? Is that all people tell now? Lies lies lies LIES?

"You..."

"Hmm?"

"Who told you these things? Who suggested that you kill me?" His hand tightened fiercely over Samehada, forcing it to still in his grip. "The 'Leader,' taking word from someone else? Who are you working for?"

The Leader stiffened, but he quickly recovered and held up a stopping hand gesture. "I have an advisor, similar to Konan. I am still very much in control of-"

"Is it Tobi? Or should I say... Madara?"

There was a long moment of quiet between them, punctuated only be the sounds of the separate fight. The fifth string quivered, fraying more and more-

"I wish he had told me he had contacted you before," the Leader said at last, his tone cold. "I'm surprised he had. But if you know him, then you know what a valuable resource he is for-"

Kisame lunged, swinging Samehada high over his head-

The Leader's outstretched palm did not so much as twitch, but before Kisame had even come close to closing the distance, he was blown backwards by a colossal, invisible force. He struck the water's surface hard and struggled to keep from sinking. He pulled himself back up and looked back at the Leader and the still floating elders, who had not made any move since the Akatsuki had unveiled itself.

"After all we have shared, you turn your back on me as well?" the Leader shouted at him, eyes brimming with disgust. "You of such limited and narrow mind, I hoped you would make a fitting tool for us, Kisame! But I see even those intended for such a role sometimes cannot help but break the mold!"

The koto shattered entirely, as if struck by a boulder. Pieces of wood went flying in everywhere, and with every fragment there was a piece of Kisame's logic, reasoning, and calmness. A prickly feeling was crawling over the hand that held Samehada, gradually consuming his arm, his upper shoulder. There was nothing holding back either of them, nothing differentiating sentience from the absolute feral state of a beast with only simple desires.

Only a single memory, unfiltered, hung back.

"Class... you know what today is, correct."

"Yes, sensei!" Many of the childrens' mouths were stagnant, but several others were almost gleeful. Their training had either broken or built their minds.

The class instructor looked around at all of them, apathetic eyes giving no one particular attention. Kisame felt cold as they glossed over him.

"Your Kazekage is watching on proudly. This is what he wants for all you. Only one- the strongest, smartest, and most vicious- will have the honor of approaching him. Use your training to win- or don't. It no longer matters." The instructor smiled. "Just like in real life, your preparations and hard work can be overturned in an instant by someone who is simply better than you. Break the rules, obey the rules, remember your lessons, or dismiss them for your gut feeling. Just remember, only one person will ever leave this room alive."

He gave a farewell wave as he closed the door behind him. "You may begin the graduation exam. Have fun."