Itachi and Kisame were two of the Akatsuki's most important members, deep in the organizations inner circle. They were the only two members that had ever been in a meeting face to face with the leader.

While Kisame considered this a great honor, Itachi found it rather trying and unnecessary. While the other members of the Akatsuki only had to communicate by limited telepathy with their leader, or by holographic messages, he and his partner had to drag themselves all the way to the other side of the country to speak with him face to face.

The term 'face to face' was rather loose. The leader wore a long cloak that covered every inch of his body, including his head (which was hidden by a large hood) Now as Itachi stood next to his partner in front of the man, the Uchiha found himself wondering if it was more lack of trust that brought the leader to summon them more than trust.

And right now the Leader was very angry. Itachi had just informed him of what had happened before and after he had delivered his message.

He rose slowly from his chair at the head of the long black table, and advanced on Itachi, "You've killed her?"

The rage in his voice was terrible, but rather than humble Itachi it made his hackles rise.

"No, I'm not a fool." Itachi snapped, and while Kisame had the sense to step back, Itachi felt his hands forming fists, "Of course I haven't killed her! She simply passed out, I made sure of it before I left the scene."

"Where is she?" The leader demanded in a terrible voice. This time Itachi did not reply. He was getting a feeling that he was missing a piece to a larger puzzle…and he was in it so deep already he didn't even bother to answer.

"In Konoha." Kisame answered respectfully for his partner, shooting the man a warning glance, "Not a scratch on her. She'll wake up a little groggy, but she'll be alright before the preliminaries begin…"

"Good." The leader whirled and seated himself once more.

"Why do you need her so badly?" Itachi asked, narrowing his eyes, "Why are you so particular about her being kept perfectly safe? You nearly croaked the last time I dared to touch her, and now you're so mad you might explode. We can continue in our operation with any other Shinobi with the same skill level as the Tasogare…"

"You don't get it, Uchiha." The leader snarled, rounding once more, "There IS no one else with her skill level!"
Itachi bit back a retort, and glanced sideways at Kisame, who helpfully volunteered, "The Uzamaki boy—"

"No...No…" The leader shook his head and raised a hand to stop Kisame's speech, "It's no contest, Kisame. It's got to be Sato. I'm not speaking about brute force here in the girl, I'm talking about a deeper power, a power greater and more terrible than you both could either comprehend, much less control."

Neither of the men had a reply to this.

"When it comes to true power, Itachi, you are fairly low on the food chain," The leader said in a voice of forced calm, folding his black gloved hands in front of him on the table, "Despite whatever you illusions you have…"

Itachi curled his lip. Long had he served the leader of the Akatsuki without irk or without question without once seeing why he was at the top. At first it had only been Hiden who had shown the Leader open disrespect…but now Itachi was starting to see where Hiden was coming from. Kisame had been in the organization longer than his partner, and could not attest to any powers that the Leader had.

So perhaps now was the best time to turn the tables. The leader looked up and seemed not at all surprised when he caught sight of the twin Sharingan staring back at him.

"Itachi what are you doing?" Kisame snarled, baring his teeth

"Shame on you, Itachi." The Leader shook his head, "I was expecting this far sooner. But then again…you never really liked to be predictable…"

Itachi made no reply. Kisame looked outraged.

"What are you doing?" The shark-nin repeated urgently.

"You'll find your eyes won't scare me Itachi Uchiha…" The Leader said in that same terrible voice, advancing slowly on the scarlet eyed-nin, "Quite a revelation, isn't it? So...look at me and tell me what you see…"

The leader pulled of his hood and let it fall around his neck.

Kisame gave a yell of shock, and Itachi staggered back, fear etched all over his dark features, "No-it can't be. You're dead. W-What? I don't understand…"

"I'm dead, eh?" The Leader smiled wanly, and pulled his hood back up to hide his face, "Funny…you'd think I stopped walking around…"

"How can you be back?" Kisame whispered, "It doesn't make sense…I saw you there that night…I was with Yoake when they…I… your body…you were dead…"

"It makes perfect sense, Kisame." Satoshi Tasogare said conversationally, that mad grin still on his rugged features. He raised his hood again shrouding his features in shadow once more, "A Tasogare dies many deaths…"