(A/N: Sasuke's turn again! And I get to explain about the Akatsuki. Once again, most of it I already knew… but if I got something wrong, go ahead and let me kno and I'll change it. This one was kinda fun. I'll never let Sasuke completely forget Itachi, no matter how dead I made him. Please RnR and enjoy!)
Sasuke sat in a room Kisame had brought him to. It was Itachi's room; Kisame didn't have to tell him, he just knew. The room had no decoration, nothing of any characteristic. On a small wooden desk, Sasuke saw various weapons sprawled about. When Sasuke went through his desk, he found more weapons and tools. None of it surprised him; Itachi was connected to his work. He loved to fight. But as Sasuke dug through Itachi's belongings, he found something that did shock him: a picture.
A small smile spread across Sasuke's face as he looked at the dusty picture. It was old, filled with memories of a time much simpler than the one Sasuke lived in now. Sasuke remembered the day that picture was taken fondly. Itachi had been happy then. He agreed to take Sasuke out to train with him. Itachi hit every target, when Sasuke didn't hit any. But, back then, Sasuke didn't mind as much. He actually ended up hurting his ankle. Itachi laughed, telling Sasuke he would get better soon. Then he carried Sasuke on his back home.
After that, Itachi's rank went up and he stopped training with Sasuke. That day had been one of the last days Sasuke had seen his brother smile or laugh. It also marked one of the last days Sasuke had smiled for real or truly been happy. After that, Itachi ruined everything. Sasuke knew he would never be able to think of his brother fondly again, whether he was dead or not.
Although Sasuke still hated Itachi, even after his death, Sasuke couldn't bring himself to throw the picture away. It was a symbol of a time that was easier and happier. Sasuke couldn't throw away such a memory, like it meant nothing to him. Something told Sasuke that Itachi couldn't throw it away, either. He put it back in the bottom of the desk, where he had found it. It would gather dust again, but it wouldn't be forgotten. Some day, he may look at it again. To remember a time when he had a brother, and actually loved him.
There was a knock at the door and Sasuke turned, calling, "Enter."
"Zetsu opened the door and walked in, "The Hidden Leaf Village was attacked shortly after your arrival. It didn't concern us until now. Konoha's ally, the Sand ninjas, are on their way to aid them. They will get to the village by tomorrow. As it is, Konoha is losing to the Sound. If Orochimaru wins, he will have all of Konoha under his control. Many of the villagers have moved over to Orochimaru's side already. Those that haven't are being massacred. Their specially trained ninjas are fighting with all of their strength, but are becoming outnumbered. They won't last much longer."
Sasuke sighed; he didn't want to hear this. "What does it have to do with us?"
Zetsu bowed his head slightly, acknowledging that Sasuke was of higher rank. "Well, Scarlet," he took a steadying breath, "Orochimaru has a proposition for us."
"I will not work for Orochimaru," Sasuke said suddenly, his voice rising a little.
"Short temper, yeah, yeah," Deidara said, coming up behind Zetsu.
"Turquoise," Zetsu said, turning and bowing his dead.
"Zetsu," Deidara replied in a dismissing tone, inclining her head slightly. Deidara only held respect for the leader. She was of higher rank than everybody else. She had everybody but Zero and her partner, Sasori, call her by her ring, Turquoise. Below Deidara was White, one of the more mysterious members who worked with North. After him was Sasuke, who had been paired with Kisame. Below Sasuke was Zetsu, who worked with Three, a very quiet ninja. Below him was supposed to be Orochimaru, but he left and was never replaced. After Orochimaru were Kisame, then North, Three, and Sasori. The leader, who most called Zero, used to work with Orochimaru, but claims he prefers to work alone.
Deidara turned to Sasuke, "What's the matter, boy? Don't like Orochimaru?"
"He used me once," Sasuke said with a small bow to show respect, "I won't let him do it again."
"Orochimaru likes using people, yeah, yeah. But he doesn't use us. We used him once, he wouldn't threaten us by trying to use us," Deidara replied shortly, "Helping him helps us, yeah, yeah. With Konoha out of the way, we can take down the other Hidden Villages. The war is still here, yeah, yeah. Can't be avoided, just used to our advantage."
Sasuke sighed and shook his head, "I don't want to work with Orochimaru."
Deidara shrugged, "Then leave." A half smile appeared on her face as she looked across at him, "We're going. Zero has decided. If you don't come, I'll kick you out and take your hands off, too." As Deidara said this last part, her smile turned wicked. She obviously wouldn't mind varying out her personal punishment of cutting a ninja's hands off.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, forcing himself not to think about Deidara's blade slicing through his wrists. "Fine, I'll go," he replied, not looking at Zetsu.
"Good boy," Deidara replied mockingly. She nodded to the two ninjas and left, the bloodthirsty smile still on her face.
Zetsu forced a small smile, trying to be remotely nice to the newcomer. "Don't mind Turquoise. She's all talk; she only acts when the leader tells her to. Most of the others here are pretty nice, too. We don't need friends, but somebody to talk to is always nice." He shrugged, "If you need anything, I'm always open. I'm sure South wouldn't mind either."
Sasuke nodded, "Thanks" Zetsu left Sasuke to his thoughts, which traveled to Orochimaru, then to Yukie. He had left her without a second thought. He had assumed he would return to her and Orochimaru once he killed Itachi. What in the world had convinced him to abandon Yukie? Yes, he had depended on Orochimaru and obeyed him without hesitation. But Yukie had made it all seem better. Her aura drew others to her and she comforted them. Her very presence could make somebody feel welcome. But surely she was happy now, even without Sasuke beside her.
