Disclaimer: Naruto and all its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 7

Having barely gotten any sleep the night before, Sasuke was in a foul mood when breakfast came around. Not that he was ever in a good mood anyway. But he was in a particularly bad mood today and even the people around him avoided him slightly, albeit barely noticeable. The more arrogant higher ups that usually mock and taunt him for being a 'newbie' too were unusually silent today. Sasuke took no notice of them however, and was merely absorbed with his own thoughts again.

He picked at the barely edible food and was so distracted that he completely forgot to take the energy pills that every Akatsuki member was given. So that they can 'perform at their very best'. Sasuke had scoffed when he was first told to eat them but had obeyed nonetheless, not wanting to get himself into any messes in the first few days of his joining. But when he had felt a spike in his energy levels after the consumption of the pills, he had continued eating them without question.

Shortly after, when he was wandering the base doing petty chores and just getting lost in his own thoughts again, did he feel the effects that the absence of energy pills was having on his body. The fatigue and less-than-normal stamina and energy levels were to be expected, but what he did not expect was to lose control over his consciousness as well.

For what felt like hours, his mind drifted back and forth between the present and what seems to be someone's memories. He couldn't tell whose they were, or even differentiate it between his own imagination and reality, too caught up in the struggle to set his mind back on track.

Eventually he did manage to regain control, and the flashes of unfamiliar faces, places and events slowed in frequency before stopping completely. In the wake of this, Sasuke was tempted to forget that this ever happened and continue with the life as he has known it but there was a now a new and foreign feeling in him. The feeling that a part of him was missing. Sakura's words also haunted him.

It was this curiosity that led him to set aside revenge for his parents for the first time since joining Akatsuki. It was also this curiosity that led him to deliberately 'forget' to take his energy pills for the next week. It wasn't easy to do so though, as Sasuke later realised that he had become addicted to it. The withdrawal symptoms and cravings nearly had him cave a few times, but the foreign feeling and his curiosity was stronger.

They did always say that curiosity killed the cat, but Sasuke was willing to take the risk this time.

He would soon find it was worth it.

"I'm impressed Itachi. You took less time finding me than I expected."

Itachi debated on replying but figured he didn't have much left to lose, "It was easy once you think about it. Returning to the crime scene would be the last thing the police would suspect a criminal of doing. A crime scene under the protection of the police no less."

"Ah yes. I figured it would be a big slap in the face for the police if they ever found out that they were indirectly protecting the man that they are so relentless searching for," Orochimaru grinned, "It would be amusing. So amusing indeed." At this, he cackled maniacally as he pictured the look of defeat on the entire police force when they find out that they had been playing into his hands this entire time.

Itachi immediately took this chance to sneak right behind Orochimaru and firmly pressed the nozzle of his gun to the pale man's temple. At the feel of the cold metal, Orochimaru sobered up but didn't seem the least bit intimidated.

"My, my, aren't you taking this a bit too far?"

Itachi ignored him.

"Where is Sasuke." He deadpanned as a demand rather than a question.

Orochimaru smiled innocently, "What are you talking about, Itachi? Your dearest little brother died in that fire with your parents. Right here in this building, in fact. Surely you know that."

Itachi narrowed his eyes. "The fire that you started," he hissed, his body now boiling with anger and sadness as he remembered the day. All the exits were mysteriously blocked off or locked when the fire started in the top three floors of the main building of the Uchiha Corporation. The fire brigade was in time to save the sturdier-than-normal building, but not the people trapped inside. Many lives were lost that day, including his parents'. But he knew for a fact that Sasuke was not one of them.

"Sasuke was never in the building when the fire started. He was with me the entire time. He told me that he was joining Akatsuki before he disappeared."

"Well then I think you should take this up with Akatsuki. This is none of my business."

"I think this is entirely your business, Orochimaru. I know that you are working with Akatsuki."

Orochimaru seemed to pause, before bursting into laughter. In response, Itachi tensed and pushed the gun harder into his skin.

"Well, now this is unexpected," Orochimaru managed to choke out amidst the laughing fit.

When he finally sobered, he stood up and threw his hands up in glee, not at all caring about the gun that is still aimed at his life.

"Finally, a challenge! Things are finally getting interesting." His eyes were wild with madness and complete and utter confidence at his own victory.

In a split second, Orochimaru disappeared from Itachi's sight. Itachi immediately ducked as Orochimaru swiped and missed his neck with a razor-sharp scalpel. Taking advantage of Orochimaru's momentary loss of balance, Itachi aimed a kick to his face but felt no impact as Orochimaru recovered faster than expected and jumped a good few feet backwards.

They now stood facing each other, neither making a move as they squared each other up.

"You know too much, Itachi. I'm afraid I'll have to kill you."

"Not if I kill you first."

And with that, they both charged at each other.

Thank you for reading!