I knew I had forgotten some of this stuff.

Sasuke: It doesn't help that Hebi performs memory purges whenever he feels like it.

You do realize that I'm going to kill you for betraying me. -glares daggers-

Sasuke: (0.0)...uh-oh...

"The Hidden Leaf Village is at a disadvantage for the 5th year running. Have you noticed that, Sasuke?" Orochimaru asked the young man who was staring out into the trees.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." He answered distractedly. The Snake Sanin looked at his prized pupil. He hadn't taken the boy over quite yet but it was becoming evident that wasn't going to happen any time soon. "They'll be expecting an attack from us and the Akatsuki. While the Red Moon lays low and continues to cause trouble, it'll make it harder for our plans to be carried out."

"What is on your mind?" Orochimaru inquired, knowing all too well what was usually on it.

"Zabusa and Haku died 5 years ago today." Wasn't the answer the crooked Sanin had been expecting. It was the anniversary of the death of Kazuma Momochi-Hatake's father and "older brother", the day Kazuma learned what really happened when her mother died and the day she lost more of her family. It was also the day Kazuma swore to become an Anbu and hunt the bastard who killed her mother down. That bastard ended up being Orochimaru.

"You miss her, don't you?" The Sanin needled, trying to get a rise out of his favorite "student".

"I betrayed her. I hurt her. Kazuma's never going to let me forget that if I ever show my face around Konoha again." Sasuke sighed. "She's probably an Anbu by now, tracking us down even as we speak…"

"Tsunade steps down, hands the Vessel of Kyuubi the title of Hokage and has your two teammates by his side…I can see your hopelessness."

Sasuke shot his Master a red eyed glare. "I'm not hopeless. I'm depressed. There's a difference."

"Lord Orochimaru! Master Sasuke!" A Sound shinobi appeared before the pair, kneeling to show his respect. "The Akatsuki have been seen in the Land of Waves. Two cells are there: Uchiha Itachi, Kisame, Deidara and the Bloody Zakuro."

"So, what could be in the Land of the Waves that would make my Brother go there?" Sasuke murmured to himself.

"More over, my boy-who is this 'Bloody Zakuro' exactly? That mystery shinobi is responsible for killing more than half of our previous number."

Sasuke shrugged. "What does it matter? If this shinobi did all that, then why hasn't he come here to kill the rest of us? Why the Waves when their activities are heading towards Konoha?"

Orochimaru smiled at the shrewd reasoning. "Very good questions, Sasuke. It seems that 'Bloody Zakuro' in the Waves is nothing more than a rumor."

"Seems like it." The young Uchiha agreed, putting his arms behind his head.

"Should we send a few scouts just to make sure?" Orochimaru asked, getting Sasuke to shrug again. "In the meantime, we will return to the Leaf Village."

"Why not? The worst that can happen is that they end up dead."

Hebi: All Uchiha are snake loving pricks.

Amen. I kill Sasuke and you kill Orochimaru.

Hebi: Agreed...Summoning jutsu to give me form would be nice.

We're still working on that. Be patient.

Hebi: -beaing sarcastic- Good thing I'm sealed in you then.

You do remember the 4th sealed Kyuubi pretty deep, right?

Hebi: -panics- I'll be good!