Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters
Overview: Not much goes on in this chapter. Mostly just plot information on the bad guys and stuff like that.
Unexpected
Chapter 4: Plans
Itachi, disguised as Sasuke, was yet still recovering from his injuries. His 'friends' visited him every so often and each time, he was forced to put up an act. However, for the most time being, he was alone and had the time to plan against the Akatsuki. Even though the grudge was only against some of them, all of them needed to die. Why? Although the Akatsuki didn't have much relations, a grudge against one member meant a grudge against all the members. Even if he killed only one Akatsuki member, all the others would see him as a traitor and pursue him. Itachi also had to kill all the members at once within a few weeks. That was to prevent one remaining Akatsuki member from re-establishing the Akatsuki and then going after him.
A tap on the window alerted Itachi. It was a small bird carrying a piece of paper on it's leg.
Itachi, opened the window and took the paper from the bird's leg. Soon after, the bird disappeared in a puff of smoke. As he, unravelled the paper, he noticed it was completely blank. Knowing exactly why this is so, Itachi turned on his Sharingan and read the chakra written note:
Dear Itachi-san,
Hope you're doing well in the hospital. Your tip was very useful. Though I must say, I don't think my fake suicide was any bit convincing. Afterall, clones can only do jobs to a certain extent. Then again, I shouldn't judge like that since I wasn't even there to see it. Anyways, good luck killing the Akatsuki.
And this time, if you reply, it would be nice to write some sort of greeting.
Your 'close friend', Orochimaru
Itachi took a few moments of thought. If the Akatsuki think Orochimaru is dead, they will proceed to investigate the killing of their members without knowing I am a traitor. If they know Orochimaru escaped, then they will know I tipped him off and betrayed them. Either way, the Akatsuki will eventually come to Konoha to look for me. That is the main point, but it would give me a slight advantage if the Akatsuki didn't know I was a traitor. Orochimaru must have known this and purposely made a bad act so that the Akatsuki would know I am a traitor. Thus, Orochimaru must have a secret agenda against me. Hmm, and that is also reinforced with the fact that Sasuke wasn't trained as well as Orochimaru could have done. Itachi, after assessing the situation, flipped the paper and bit his finger. He then proceeded to form a solid needle of chakra and used it to write his reply letter in blood.
Next, Itachi summoned a bird and feed it some of the rice included in his hospital meal. After waiting for the bird to be finished, he gently tied his reply letter to it's leg. It wasn't as if Itachi was kind or anything to be so nice to the bird. It's just that, that way, the bird would be more loyal.
"Deliver this to Orochimaru," he said. "And tell no one you've seen me,"
The bird chirped happily in reply and took off with the paper.
After the bird left, Itachi considered the next phase of his plan. Despite the fact that it was already thoroughly planned out, Itachi decided it was best to create contingency plans for every possible negative outcome. This would be impossible for most people to plan but Itachi, on the other hand, was not only a genius but also had the Sharingan which allowed him to easily memorize things.
In an unknown area of darkness covered in thickmist, the Akatsuki gathered together in a meeting.
"So, we have two main decisions... yeah?" a voice said. "Whether we are to recruit new members... And whether to go after Itachi, Orochimaru or both... yeah?"
"Hmm, it would be easier to deal with Itachi if we have more people," a second voice said. "But on the other hand, if they turn out to be untrustworthy, then we will have to deal with more traitors. Also, we shouldn't allow time for the traitors to gain more power."
"I say why plan so much? We can just completely overpower them with brute force," a third voice suggested.
"The risk of that would be high since they know our numbers and power yet we don't necessarily know about theirs," the second voice commented.
"What do you think?" a fourth voice asked towards a fifth person.
"We should immedietly go after Itachi," the fifth voice said. "Even though that is what he most expects us to do, all in all, it would be the best decision."
"I agree," a last person spoke in a not so serious voice.
"Me too," the fourth voice agreed. "What about you others?"
The remaining members either agreed or shrugged.
"Hmm, if your all going, then I'll stay," the fifth voice said.
"Why?" the fourth voice questioned.
"Itachi has a suicide jutsu that has the power to kill all of us... yeah," the first voice spoke for the fifth. "However, because he is intrested in killing all of us for some reason, he won't use the jutsu until we're all together... yeah. So, it would be best if one of us stayed... yeah?"
"That makes sense," the sixth voice commented. "But then shouldn't we leave the weakest behind?"
"No... I shall stay, it would be for the best intrest," the fifth person insisted. He knew that in truth, Itachi didn't really care about killing all the Akatsuki, but just some specific members. And since the weakest person was not one of the specific members, Itachi might still use his suicide jutsu. Though however, it was very unlikely that Itachi will even use the jutsu at all, but it still isn't good to take such a risk.
"So that decides it...yeah," the first voice said to all the others execpt the fifth person. "We're going after Itachi... yeah."
Meanwhile, at another place, Orochimaru and his right hand man, Kabuto rested.
"What do we do now Orochimaru-sama?" Kabuto asked. "Sound country has been demolished."
"Don't worry," Orochimaru assured. "I can easily rebuild it later. Besides, soon the Akatsuki will clash with Konoha who is sided the Sand and Itachi. That battle between them will most likely bring all their powers below mine."
"So you just plan on waiting then?" Kabuto continued to ask. "Or do you plan on betraying Itachi-san and reclaiming Sasuke? Then again, knowing you, you wouldbetray Itachiand watch Konoha go down too."
"Your interpretation skills still amazes me to this day," Orochimaru replied.
"It's nothing much," responded Kabuto. "I'm sure you have plans that I do not know of."
"I do, but it's they're not that important," Orochimaru said, watching as a bird swooped down in front of him and disappeared into smoke, leaving behind a piece of paper.
Orochimaru took the paper and unravelled it. Immedietly at first glance, Orochimaru smirked. Still no greeting, eh Itachi-san? He then proceeded read the letter.
The Akatsuki are not the only ones who want your head. Keep caution and stay alive... I'll still be needing your alliance.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Anyways, next chapter will be longer and more exciting... I hope. Also thanks to my two reviewers, fire and marshmellowgang,for reviewing and an ego boost.