I'm sorry this took me so long to update! I had band camp and summer reading to finish and the first week of school was hectic...the Florida school system sucks for sending us back so early. We started JULY 31, can you believe it?

Kudos to Hayles for providing me with plot ideas and Icy Fyre for the 4th's name…or what I'm using as the Fourth's name.

"I want to take Kakashi as my apprentice."

The Third Hokage was used to surprising demands, but this one was far more unusual than most. For Orochimaru, anyway. He typically refused to take on apprentices, despite becoming Mitarashi Anko's sensei—a decision that had shocked them all. But for him to willingly step forward like he just had was unheard of, unthinkable.

"Kakashi is already the student of Arashi Kazama," he replied calmly, masking his shock. "To take him on as an apprentice, you would need his approval."

Orochimaru's mouth twisted into a horrible snarl; he made no secret of his distaste for the younger shinobi.

"I could talk to him for you," the Hokage offered. "I know you two don't get along."

Orochimaru smiled. "Thank you, Sarutobi-sensei. You don't know how much this means to me."

The Hokage smiled too. "For my favorite student, a small favor like this is no matter."

As he watched the younger man leave his office, he was filled with the feeling that maybe things were finally beginning to return to normal after so long, that Konoha had entered a new era after so long a way.

Perhaps I was wrong about him, he thought. Perhaps he is the right one to succeed me after all.

"I don't like it, Jiraiya." Arashi argued with his old teacher. "I have nothing but respect for Orochimaru, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to hand over one of my students to him."

Jiraiya stared out the window absentmindedly. "I wonder if Tsunade is in town…"

"Are you even LISTENING?.!"

The big white-haired man studied the young blond across from him, his spiky hair mussed, the coat thrown hastily over his jonin outfit, and his wide eyes both angry and worried all at once.

"Relax, Arashi." He smiled slightly. "I know Orochimaur. He won't do anything to hurt Kakashi."

"Kakashi is already a jonin; he doesn't need more training." Arashi retorted.

"There's always more he can learn," Jiraiya countered. "Just like you could still learn a few things from me, old student of mine."

Arashi glared at him. "It's not the same."

"It is the same, and you're being ridiculous."

"You don't think that maybe he has his own reasons for this? Some motive we don't understand?"

Jiraiya laughed so hard he nearly choked on his sake. "Everyone has a motive for what they do, Arashi."

Arashi looked doubtful "So you trust him, then?"

"Of course. He's my best friend." Even as he said this, though, a dark shadow fell over his pale face…was it doubt? Suspicion?

Arashi didn't notice his unease. "I would just feel better if he were learning under you."

Jiraiya smiled into his sake and failed to respond.

"Orochimaru? Are you serious?"

Kakashi nodded solemnly.

Sarutobi Asuma whistled softly. "Damn! That's an honor, man."

"I don't know about that…" Gai argued. "He's pretty creepy, that guy."

"Reminds me of a snake." added Ibiki. "He's not human, Kakashi."

"Look, it's not like I chose this!" Kakashi protested. "The Hokage said it would be good for me to do this, and Sensei couldn't talk him out of it."

"I wouldn't want to be you, though." Ibiki said. "No matter what the benefits are, nothing could persuade me to do this."

Kakashi sighed. "Thanks for the encouragement, guys."

"Hatake Kakashi!" called a soft voice.

The four boys spun around all at once, shocked by the sudden intruder in their conversation. Orochimaru stood there, a strange smile on his face.

"It is time, Hatake Kakashi." He beckoned with one long, grey hand.

Kakashi swallowed hard, paralyzingly aware of the sudden fear that coursed through his body. He took a slow step forward, then another, forcing his body to move forward though his mind screamed for him to stop.

"Good luck," Asuma whispered behind him.

"Orochimaru…hmmm…sounds interesting, yeah."

"Did I ask your opinion, Deidara?"

"No, boss, I'm sorry…yeah…"

"Sasori, you will go to Orochimaru and make him the offer of joining our group."

Sasori bowed slightly. "As you wish, sir."

"Why do you want him to do that, yeah?"

Sasori rolled his eyes at the other Akatsuki member. "Because what he is doing will get him banished from Konoha soon."

"Oh…that makes sense, yeah."

This was written really fast, because I'm about to get kicked off my comp...but the next chapter is where the real action starts. Anyone with random plot ideas they want me to throw in, suggestions, comments, I'd appreciate them!