Caged Birds

by PlasticRoses79

Neji could tell by just looking at Itachi that this -whatever this was- it was going to turn his entire world upside down. Itachi seemed to promise nothing but a roller-coaster life, never knowing the next weave of the track or the direction it would take. What else was there to do but take the seat next to him and strap in? (AU)

16. Rescue Mission

Author's Note: This chapter was so difficult to write. It's close to 15k words (my brain is fried) *dies*

Warning: Readers 17+ , Violence, blood, Sado-masochism, Character death, Itachi is all fucked up

-o0o-

.

---

Downing another cup of sake, Tsunade placed the empty ochoko back in the bottom drawer of her desk. She only had enough time to wipe her mouth before Jiraiya and Naruto walked through her door. Tsunade propped her elbows on her desk, and twined her fingers together. While some thought that it was her serious pose, Shizune knew that it was how she attempted to hide the fact that she was buzzed. It had been a stressful week; starting with Kakashi requesting permission to assist Itachi in Otogakure.

Then she listened to the recording of Obito's interrogation and felt sick to her stomach. After hours of torture and being under hypnosis, Obito didn't tell them jack squat about Madara's upcoming plans. Ibiki concluded that the man didn't really know Madara's true plans. Tsunade called bullshit on that but allowed Ibiki to handle it. Torture and interrogation wasn't her cup of tea, she was far too impatient for that.

"Granny!" Naruto yelled as he walked up to her desk. "That Madara bastard and a Hyuga elite assassin took Sasuke!"

Behind him Jiraiya sighed and face palmed. During the entire ride Naruto had been talking nonstop about how he was going to pummel Madara and his assassin. Even though he had told the boy several times that the girl wasn't an elite assassin, she had just encountered two idiots.

"Be quiet, Naruto." He pushed Naruto to the side and approached the desk. "Sasuke was taken two hours ago. We need to dispatch a team."

Tsunade could feel a vein throbbing in her forehead; a sign that she was about to break her desk on their heads. "How in the hell did that happen?!" She shot a glare to silence Naruto who was about to open his mouth. "Jiraiya, he was your responsibility."

"Well while you were getting drunk, I was overlooking the interrogation of Obito. Besides I thought this country was secure enough that Madara couldn't just come and go as he pleased."

"I wasn't getting drunk! I was securing an alliance with Kiri and keeping Iwa off of our backs!" She stood up from the desk and gripped the ledge. "Instead of pointing fingers, I suggest you tell me everything that happened before you and that brat become dents in the wall!"

They both watched the wooden ledge dent under her grip. With a nervous glance, Naruto took a step back. He didn't want to be a dent in the wall, so he was taking no chances. Instead he was going to just keep a safe distance away from now on.

"Tsunade," Jiraiya spoke calmly. "We need to get Sasuke back as soon as possible. We owe that much to Itachi. Also, there is something that I need to discuss with Hiashi."

Releasing the desk, Tsunade took a seat. "What do you need to talk to Hiashi about?"

"Madara's accomplice was a Hyuga girl. She looked to be around Naruto's age."

"Did you question Hiashi about the girl?"

"Yes," he took a seat as well and motioned for Naruto to do the same. "He denied any affiliation with the girl or Madara. But I think he's lying."

A frown marred the Hokage's features. "I'll personally notify Hiashi on the matter. Hayate is back so you two can take over the Sasuke rescue mission. Madara's whereabouts are unknown but with the help of Aburame -"

"Actually," Jiraiya interrupted. "Itachi had a tracker placed on Sasuke years ago." He chuckled as he pulled out a device from his pocket. "He had been planning ahead to secure Sasuke's safety from any threat long before Madara even thought about sending him to Oto."

"Wow, Itachi is awesome!" Naruto swooned. Then he realized something else. "Wait! Why is Itachi in Otogakure? What the hell is going on?"

The two elders made eye contact, quietly debating on what they should reveal to the boy. It wouldn't be right to tell him the truth first instead of Sasuke.

"Naruto," Tsunade waited until she had his full attention. "When the time comes, we'll explain everything to you. But now I need for you to focus. Sasuke is our number one priority right now." She turned her gaze to Jiraiya."I will summon Hiashi and get to the bottom of this. While you assemble a team."

Looking at the door, Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Shizune! Come in I know you're listening outside of the door."

A startled yelp could be heard on the other side of the door before the assistant opened it and poked her head through it. She opened her mouth to explain herself but was silenced.

"Contact Hiashi Hyuga and tell him to get here ASAP!"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune's head disappeared out of the room and the door closed. No longer caring who was in the room, Tsunade opened her bottom drawer and retrieved a bottle of sake. Sake was mandatory whenever she met with the Hyuga's clan head. As she poured herself a drink, the two men watched her skeptically.

"Keep your opinions to yourself..." Tsunade muttered before she took a sip of her drink.

Standing up, Jiraiya shook his head and patted Naruto on the head."Come on let's go." They stood up, said their goodbyes and left. Naruto had an uneasy feeling about everything but decided not to voice it. It was clear that they both knew a great deal about Itachi's whereabouts. More than likely they had always know. However, as Tsunade said Sasuke was their first priority.

Itachi was capable of taking care of himself.

---

Kakashi ran through the forest to reach his team before things got out of hand. His intentions were to form an alliance with the Akatsuki not engage them. Since they both shared the same objective the logical thing to do would be to work together. Though he was aware that it was easier said than done. Convincing Tsunade to grant him an extension had been damn near impossible. But once she caught word that Rasa had left for Oto she quickly rescinded the order for him to return.

Rasa was a cunning man; he wouldn't risk war unless he was sure that victory was certain. So for him to even agree to an alliance with Orochimaru must mean that the snake had something up his sleeve. If they succeeded in assassinating Orochimaru, the Kazekage would have no choice but to back down as well. He was never the type to wage war without someone backing him up. There was also Itachi, he didn't intend on letting the man just die there. Not in a place like Otogakure. He would make sure that Itachi made it out alive. Then they all could put their heads together and take down the true evil.

Madara

The sound of fighting was louder now and he knew that he was getting close. He could see light from a campfire up ahead and he headed straight in that direction. Oddly enough, only two people were fighting while everyone else were standing around looking bored.

With a sigh of relief, he slowed down and jogged to Anko who was standing next to another woman

"Finally," Anko rolled her eyes when she saw him. "These two jerks have been acting like children." She had tried to tell Asuma to wait for the Captain to arrive before he did anything rash. Even Sasori tried to talk some sense into Kisame, but the two brushed them off.

Kakashi joined the rest of them in watching Asuma and Kisame fight and trash talk each other.

"Who in the hell brings knuckle blades to a sword fight?" Kisame asked while he swung his sword in a lazy arc. "You can't even get close to me with those things?" He grinned at the man.

"We'll see!"

The second assault was deadlier than the first. Kisame was a force, unstoppable and inexorable, parrying the blows easily, toying with Asuma until Asuma put a foot wrong, allowing Kisame to lunge in for the kill. But Asuma feinted to the side, dropping to the ground heavily he swept his foot out causing the larger man to lose his balance. Asuma rolled to his feet and tried to press his advantage, rushing forward and aiming for the man's gut. But Kisame moved to the side, tilting away from the killing blow so that it ripped his shirt and grazed his chest but didn't enter his body.

"Thought I couldn't get close to you?" Asuma chuckled. He made sure to stay a good distance away from the fuming man.

"Fuck you!" Kisame bit out.

"Asuma, stand down!" Kakashi ordered.

"Listen to your superior."

"Shut up!"

"Will both of you grow up?" Konan was growing more annoyed by the second by the men's antics. While they were having a pissing contest, Itachi was in Oto going through God knows what.

"Look," Kakashi sighed. "I know that each of you have your reasons to distrust Konoha - the same goes for us. But right now we need to work together."

"Why do you want to help Itachi?" Konan asked."Why now all of a sudden?"

"Konan is it?" Kakashi's eyes crinkled at the woman. "You can say that we share a bit of a history together."

Taking a step forward, Kisame stood next to Konan. "Still doesn't answer the question! Why do you mutts want to help Itachi now?" He took another step closer but Konan placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Do you have a plan?"

Kisame's head snapped to the man that was flanking his left. "I hope you aren't thinking about working with them, Sasori."

"Relax Kisame," Sasori looked at Kakashi. "Perhaps you and I could speak in private."

Kakashi debated on the offer; there was something about the redhead that wasn't right. He couldn't quite place it, but somehow he got the feeling that among the four he was the one that he needed to watch. They had gathered information on every member throughout the years, but Sasori had always remained evasive.

"Sure." He finally agreed. If he wanted their cooperation he would have to put the past behind him and focus on the mission. "Asuma, no more fighting." He ordered before he followed Sasori a few meters away.

Sasori turned around to face him, for a split second there was a gleam in his eyes but it was gone by the time Kakashi blinked. He wondered if it would be rude to ask the man how he managed to look like he was seventeen when he knew for a fact that he was older than him. The redhead was attractive in an eerie way; his skin was pale - unblemished. There wasn't a single wrinkle or age line. His eyelashes were full and dark framing his alluring brown eyes.

It was his cherub like features that made him one of the deadliest assassins. His enemies always underestimated him, giving him the upper hand in every fight. Kakashi was grateful that there wasn't a full brawl because it would have ended badly - for Konoha.

"I agree that a temporary alliance between us would be a smart move. However, I'm still confused on how you are even aware of Itachi's predicament." Sasori watched his face - eyes - closely.

Answering that question truthfully could result in making things worse. If the Akatsuki knew that Itachi was working with ANBU how would that sit with them? Kakashi thought back to how highly Itachi talked of the assassins. It was time for him to test their bonds.

"I was the one who escorted Itachi through this forest. He was even asked by the Hokage to join ANBU."

Sasori didn't even bat an eye at the information. "And I can safely assume that Itachi didn't accept the offer."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Itachi is loyal," Sasori responded dryly. "So since he denied the request why are you still agreeing to help him? Is it a scheme to gain his trust? Or are you doing this because you simply care. Which I find hard to believe."

"I'm doing this because if I don't Itachi will die and I would prefer it if he didn't." Kakashi shrugged. "Simple as that."

A moment passed and Sasori silently stared at him. He thought over the man's words and quickly assessed the pros and cons of an alliance of any kind with Konoha's ANBU. "What will happen once we have obtained Itachi? Would you turn around and try to arrest us?" His brown eyes narrowed into slits as he continued to stare intently at the man. "Or will you attempt to keep Itachi for yourself?"

Apprehending the Akatsuki once and for all would be a smart move. Though they wouldn't go easily and he would lose a few of his men, if not all, in the process. At the moment, it wasn't really worth it. "After the mission is complete we can go our separate ways." Than again, he would prefer it if they didn't, they would need the Akatsuki to pursue Madara.

Sasori stuffed his hands in his pocket and headed back to the campsite."You have a deal, Hatake-san." He calmly tossed over his shoulder.

...

"So we're teaming up with the Boy Scouts, huh?" Kisame shook his head. "I don't care as long as we get the job done."

"What is your plan?" Sasori asked Kakashi.

They were all standing around the campfire, listening to Kakashi's plan on how they would proceed in infiltrating the country and rescue Itachi. It was a simple plan that took him, all of five minutes since they agreed to an alliance, to come up with.

"That's your plan?!" Kisame asked. "You can't be serious!"

Ignoring him, Kakashi looked over at the person that would have the biggest role in the retrieval mission. "Do you think you can handle that, Deidara?"

With a feral grin the blonde pyromaniac nodded his head in affirmation. "I brought enough explosives to wipe this country off the map."

"But you won't," Konan spoke up. "Be mindful of the civilians, Dei."

Snorting, Asuma crossed his arms. "Don't tell me you actually care about civilians."

"You don't know shit about Konan!" Kisame growled.

"Watch your fucking mouth!"

"Kisame, Deidara," The woman smiled. "I can defend myself. As for you rancid breath, keep your thoughts to yourself until we complete the mission."

"She's right. We need to put our differences aside and past grudges and focus on getting Itachi out of there." Kakashi's eyes remained on Asuma the entire time. He knew that the man had a bad habit of speaking his mind at the wrong time. Among them, Kisame and Asuma were the "kick ass first", "ask questions later" types. While Kakashi and Sasori were the most rational and analytical out of the bunch. In order to balance each other out they would have to be split into mixed groups. Kakashi just hoped that they could all get along for the duration of the mission.

---

"Are you sure that it is okay for me to partake in these kinds of activities?" Tokuma whispered.

Neji frowned in contemplation. "Well seeing that you were assigned to stalk me, you're only doing your job." He patted the man on the back. "Relax Tokuma. If Hiashi even attempts to interrupt, he'll have to answer to Hanabi."

Visibly relaxing, he smiled. "I suppose you're right."

Neji's three body guards - as Tokuma called them - decided to have a little fun inside of the confines of the Hyuga mansion. And what was more fun than karaoke?

For half an hour, they waited for the three women to prepare for the show. Neji wanted to joke about women taking forever to get ready but he reminded himself that saying that would be calling the kettle black. It was a hard job maintaining such healthy locks.

"Gentlemen and Gentlemen!"

They turned their heads to see Hanabi standing in the doorway of the entertainment room. The young girl was dressed in a pink sequin dress, her long hair was hanging in loose curls and pink lip gloss completed the look.

Hanabi snapped her fingers and placed a hand on her hip. "My name is Beyoncé! And these are my minions!"

"Minions?" Tenten walked around the corner wearing a red dress and red lipstick. "Beyoncé doesn't have minions!"

Flipping her hair, Hanabi laughed. "Everyone in the world is Beyoncé's minions."

"Play nice, Hanabi." Hinata reprimanded her younger sister. She was also wearing a lavender sequin dress and opted for clear lip gloss.

As the divas bickered over their group's name. Neji glanced over at Tokuma who was looking as if he was two seconds away from fainting.

"Tokuma," Neji tapped him on the shoulder. "Snap out of it."

Shaking his head, Tokuma turned around and faced the opposite direction. His feelings towards the weapon's mistress were starting to disturb him. Surely if you fancied someone you shouldn't want to tackle them down to the ground. It was preposterous. He decided to seek advice; Neji seemed like an expert on these kinds of things.

"Neji," he waited for the man to raise a brow at him. That was how poor conversationalists communicated apparently. "Have you ever wanted to attack someone that you were attracted to?"

"Attack them?"

"I," He lowered his voice. Which was useless because the women were too busy bickering to pay attention to them. "I have been having peculiar urges aimed towards Tenten."

"Peculiar urges?" Neji didn't know who he should be concerned for: Tokuma for having the urges or Tenten for being on the receiving end of the urges.

"Sometimes I want to hold her hand and other times I want to...well I guess straddle her." He looked over at Neji. "With her permission of course."

Neji wanted to ask him if he were a virgin, but he thought that it would be too forward. He was just as clueless and inexperienced; in fact he was still unaware of a lot of things regarding sexual attraction. But he could safely say that Tokuma was interested in Tenten.

"Gentlemen and Gentlemen." Hanabi walked into the room and stood by the karaoke machine. "I'm Beyoncé and these are my Kunoichi's." Hinata and Tenten flanked the young girl and struck a pose.

"I didn't know Beyoncé performed with ninjas." Neji mumbled to himself but he clapped anyway. He leaned over and whispered. "Just be yourself. Don't attack her. State your intentions clearly."

Nodding his head, Tokuma clapped as well.

Then the show started, with Hanabi in the middle taking the lead. Well she was Beyoncé, apparently. The three girls put on a rather entertaining show where they singed and danced to several popular songs by the Pop star. It was obvious that Hanabi was enjoying the spotlight far too much.

Neji was a little embarrassed by the fact that he knew the words to several of the songs. While Tokuma was trying to figure out how he'd never heard of the "Queen B". There was one song when the dance moves were slightly provocative. With a scolding look from her sister, Hanabi allowed the two older women to take the lead during that performance. Tenten and Hinata started to roll their hips sensually to the rhythmic beat of the song.

"Avert thine eyes." Tokuma whispered to himself and looked away.

And Neji couldn't help but to snicker at that. When the performance was over, they gave the women a standing ovation because anyone that could sing and dance for that long deserved it.

"Thank you peasants!" Hanabi dropped her microphone. "The Queen is out!" She walked over to the couch and flopped down on it. Hinata and Tenten followed suit. They all looked equally exhausted.

"That was really entertaining." Neji nudged Tokuma in the side. "Don't you agree?"

"Most certainly." Tokuma agreed. "I really enjoyed the song...Bootylicious."

The silence stretched for a full minute before everyone in the room erupted into laughter. Well besides Tokuma; he was trying to figure out what was so funny. The clearing of a throat ceased all laughing in the room. Everyone turned their head to the doorway where Hoheto was standing.

He looked around the room, his eyes lingering on Tokuma momentarily before they landed on Neji. "Hiashi-sama has summoned you."

A strong sense of foreboding settled in the pit of Neji's stomach, but his face remained indifferent. He didn't want to cause any of his friends to worry about him. Even though he was sure that they all knew what was coming. Hiashi had given him a small reprieve but it would appear that it had expired. Without a word, Neji stood up and followed the man out of the room.

When he was gone the silence continued to stretch on as everyone thought about the inevitable.

. . . . . .

Again Neji found himself in his uncle's office. He'd known that it was only a matter of time before his uncle summoned him. As if it were too much trouble for Hiashi to approach him on his own. There was always a maid or a guard that sought him out. They lived in the same house, only a few rooms away but the man had never come to him directly. For some reason that bothered Neji, but he saw it for what it was. Hiashi was the clan head before he was ever his uncle.

"Neji," Hiashi's voice was deceptively calm. "It has come to my attention that you were involved with another man recently."

His uncle was never the one to beat around the bush, but damn he could have eased into that one. Neji wanted to lie; the desire to run was also present. The last time he was in a situation similar to this, it didn't end so well for him.

The branch member next to him handed the clan head a manila folder. Hiashi opened it and read the contents. "Uchiha Itachi - 23 years old. Member of the criminal organization: The Akatsuki."

Neji felt as if he'd been stabbed with an icicle. How did his uncle know about Itachi? His mind raced as he searched for a logical explanation. The truth was there but he kept ignoring it because his friends would never betray him. Was Itachi really in a criminal organization? Well that would explain a few things. So many questions raced through his mind. All of it was a lot to take in, especially with everything that had been going on.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Hiashi asked quietly. He'd been shocked when he learned that the Uchiha prodigy was affiliated with such scum. But the truth as there in his hands.

Neji tried to find his voice again. "How?" He swallowed thickly. "How did you find out?"

"So it's true," Hiashi closed his eyes. "Leave us." He commanded his guards that were flanking him. Once they were gone, Hiashi stood up from his seat; he caught the way his nephew tensed in his own seat. "Neji, how long have you been...involved with men?" He walked over to the front of his desk and looked down at the boy.

Talk about embarrassing. Neji felt extremely uncomfortable in that moment and it showed on his face. "I...he's the only man...person that I've ever been involved with."

"Do you love him?" Hiashi asked casually, as though he were asking about the weather.

It was a trick question; Neji was sure of it. Lying would be foolish and only serve to make things worse for him. But the truth would be just as bad. Memories of himself when he was eight and his uncle telling that he wouldn't have a sodomite as a nephew kept bombarding his mind. This time was different though. He wasn't a child anymore; he was stronger now, much stronger. Therefore he chose not to lie. If he lied it would give off the impression that he was ashamed about his feelings towards Itachi, but he wasn't. Not anymore.

"Yes," Neji answered with confidence and conviction

Hiashi took his time to absorb the information. To learn that his nephew was not only involved with one of Madara's goons but was actually in love with him was unsettling. How could Neji be so careless? Falling for a man - a murderer at that.

Sighing, Hiashi leaned against his desk wearily. "I thought that you would have grown out of that."

"It's not something that someone can grow out of." He spat bitterly. "You can't just beat it out of someone either."

"Apparently not. I will forgive you for your past transgressions, Neji." Hiashi was convinced that he was being merciful and understanding. "However, you are to never see him again. And you will no longer engage in such...heinous acts."

He had known that Hiashi wasn't going to gush over the confession like his friends did. Still it angered him. "You have no control over that, uncle." Neji knew that it was best if he thread lightly but he was fed up. "You control my life enough. Now you want to control who I fuck?"

"Hold your tongue!" Hiashi demanded his voice seemed to shake the entire room.

Abruptly, Neji stood up from his seat. "What will I have to do next for you to get it?! Have another panic attack?" He sneered. "Can't you see that I'm suffocating here? Isn't it bad enough that my entire life has been mapped out for me before I could even walk! Haven't you done enough?"

They stood facing each other; every thought Neji had was on his face, painfully predictable. So earnest and passionate as he stared defiantly at his uncle.

Such a fool.

Turning around, Hiashi yanked the folder from his desk and pulled out a few pictures. "Look at this!" Hiashi shoved them in the boy's face. "Look at the people that he's killed!" He needed Neji to realize that what he was doing was for his own good. It was too late for him to play the role of the coddling uncle. His role as the clan head overrode that years ago.

Neji snatched one of the pictures and looked at it. His hand trembled at the sight and the photo slipped from his hand. Inhaling deeply, he tried to keep the nausea at bay. Another one was thrown in his face and he didn't bother catching it. Instead he watched it fall to the floor. In the picture the person was so bloody that he couldn't tell if they were male or female.

"These are just from the past year, but who knows how long he's been doing this!" Hiashi closed the folder and gave it to him. Neji tried to shove it out of the way but he was persistent. "Take this! Stay here and read it!" Hiashi stood back as the folder and Neji fell to the ground.

The weight of everything finally taking its toll on the boy. Hiashi had to fight the urge to reach down and pick him up. It was necessary; one day Neji would realize that. "I will come back in an hour. I want you to read every single document in that folder and realize that what I am about to do next is for your own good."

"Uncle no!" Neji tried to plead with him to not do the one thing that he had been dreading. "Please, uncle not right now!"

Disregarding his pleas, Hiashi straightened his back and removed all traces of emotion from his face. "I have been lenient with you. I have done so much for you and this is how you repay me!" He looked down at the lowered head of his nephew knowing that his next words would take away very ounce of freedom that he had. "It is time for you to take a wife, Neji. Your father was the formal delegator for the Branch and that position is rightfully yours. The current delegator is preparing to retire and though I was going to grant the position to Tokuma, I am choosing you instead."

Blankly, Neji stared at the papers that spilled out of the folder. Some were facing up while the others were facing down. His uncle talked about the proposal as though it were a gift. But they both knew it was a punishment more than anything.

"...I understand that this isn't a position that one can handle without experience. I am giving the job of overseeing Hinata's training to Ko. That will give you more than enough time to learn the job of delegator and integrate yourself back into the Branch." Hiashi continued. "I will uphold the marriage tradition and host a Ball where you can mingle with suitable brides, but I will have the final decision on who you marry. By the end of the year you will be wed."

Numbness. It was the only thing that he could feel. Not anger, fear, pain - nothing.

"Neji, look at me."

Neji lifted his head and looked up at his uncle impassively. His pale eyes were dull; any hint of light was gone. The zombie like appearance made Hiashi want to take back everything that he'd said. Yet he knew that one day his nephew would be grateful that he had someone who cared about his well-being.

"Stay here, read the file. Tomorrow we will meet with the council." He waited for any sign of confirmation that his orders were clear. The only thing he received was a deadened stare. There wasn't even any defiance in the boy anymore. He'd trampled on every bit of emotion that Neji had left. An apology was lodged in his throat; would it even be worth the effort?

Hiashi decided to just leave without another word. He'd barked out orders and controlled the Hyuga how he saw fit for years. Since he was twenty he held the weight of his clan on his shoulders. Every member looked to him for guidance and strength. It was a tiring job, but he had to do it.

It was his fate after all.

The door to the office slammed but Neji didn't even notice it. Hesitantly, he picked up one of the documents and flipped it over. It was a report on Itachi using the alias "Hikaru" in Wind Country where he took down an entire drug compound. There were several documents similar to that. They all had one thing in common; the victim was a criminal of some sort.

However, murder was murder at the end of the day. Itachi was a murderer; he had known that. But was Itachi truly a monster? If so, what did that make him? Because he was still in love with that monster.

---

"The relationship between pain and pleasure in human sexuality is as profound as it is complex."

Itachi stood in the middle of Red Room of Pain on the tenth floor of Hebi Tower. With his arms clasped behind his back he listened to the warlord's speech. A speech that he honestly didn't give two shits about. Though his outward appearance was one of keen interest.

"It is a polarity that lives in each of us and deserves our curiosity." Orochimaru held out his hands. "This room was designed for that, Itachi-kun. Go have a look at everything before we begin."

"Orochimaru-sama," he bowed respectfully and did as he was instructed.

The room wasn't all that exciting. On the walls hung various whips, riding crops, and floggers. There was a Dore Alley bed complete with a sling. Two metal cages, a metal stockade contraption and a black chest sat at the end of the bed. Itachi walked over, bent down and opened it. He was not surprised by the contents. Ben Wa balls, bondage tape, rope, and various dildos.

Boring.

"Are you ready?" Orochimaru asked from behind him.

Itachi rose to his feet and turned around to face the man. Today the warlord was wearing a black silk robe, and lingerie complete with a garter belt and stockings. He had been fishing for compliments all morning, but Itachi didn't make a single comment on his appearance - much to the warlord's irritation.

"Yes," Itachi cracked his knuckles. "Do you have a safe word?" He asked.

Orochimaru laughed with his hand covering his mouth demurely. "There's no need for a safe word, Itachi-kun. I have a high tolerance for pain." He was also confident that the drug that Kabuto administered last night did its job. Now Itachi was obedient and fully devoted to him. If he wanted the man to remain that way, he would need to administer the drug periodically. But that wasn't important right now.

"Well, let us begin." Itachi walked over to the wall and ran his fingers over all of the tools. Contemplating on what he wanted to use first. Picking up a collar and leash, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This was where he could be himself with no restraints.

There was something dark and shrouded underlying his tone when he spoke again. "From this point on you will acknowledge me as Master." He turned around to face the warlord. "You have no name. You haven't earned the privilege to have one yet."

Humoring him, Orochimaru bowed his head; a small smirk was playing at the corners of his mouth. He would allow Itachi to believe that he was really in control. All he needed to do was say the trigger phrase and their roles would simply reverse.

"I have a gift for you." Itachi held out the collar and smiled. "Come here."

Orochimaru took a step but Itachi held up his hand.

"Crawl."

Obeying, he got on his hands and knees and began to crawl over to where the man was standing. He moved as slowly and sensuously as possible. When he was directly in front of Itachi, he looked up at him and batted his eyes seductively.

There was no warning or any words exchanged when Itachi placed his foot on the crown of Orochimaru's head and shoved his face into the carpet. Applying pressure, he pressed Orochimaru's face further into the carpet. "Don't you know that it is forbidden for a slave to look his master in the eye?" Itachi asked coldly.

Removing his feet, he squatted down and grabbed a fistful of the man's hair and pulled his head back. Orochimaru was glaring at him but there wasn't any real malice behind it. It was obvious that he was enjoying the degradation.

"I'm sorry Master." He said mockingly.

"Hn." Itachi placed the leather collar around his neck. Once the leash was connected, he stood up. "I thought that you were trained but I see that I will have to break you in." He yanked the leash roughly until the man crawled on his own. Deciding not to choose a safe word was foolish, even for someone who thinks that they're impervious to pain. And Itachi was going to show him the reason why.

Itachi lead his pet over to the one of the cages. "This is your punishment." He watched impassively as the man crawled into the cage. There was an air surrounding Orochimaru; one that smelled of arrogance. Itachi was going to strip that away from him - piece by piece.

After the cage was locked, he walked back to the chest and pulled out a black blanket. "You will be released once you beg for it." He threw the blanket over the cage.

Inside of the cage, Orochimaru could see absolutely nothing yet it didn't bother him. It was just a cage and a blanket, nothing to be worried about. He tried to imagine what it would be like when Itachi finally fucked him. All of this humiliation would be worth it, he was sure. Time seemed to not exist in the cage so he had no idea how long he was in there but his heart rate suddenly sped up. He glanced around but saw nothing and the room seemed to close in on him.

The cage was more of a psychological torture. It was the feeling of being suffocated, alone and scared that broke its victims. Normally if a person was claustrophobic they would make that known beforehand, but Orochimaru refused to chose a safe word and neglected to discuss terms with Itachi. Big mistake.

Outside of the cage, Itachi was admiring a few surgical tools that he had overlooked earlier. He couldn't wait to hear Orochimaru's screams as he sliced into his skin. Ten minutes had passed since he placed the man in the cage. There was a sharp pain behind his right eye and it caused his head to throb in pain. Closing his eyes, two lavender orbs stared back at him.

Neji?

"Itachi-kun let me out of here!" Orochimaru screamed as he rattled the cage.

Itachi's onyx eyes snapped opened and he shoved the image of the man from his mind. He glanced over at the cage, ignored the man's screams, and continued to look at the scalpel. It would seem that Orochimaru still hadn't learned his lesson. Once he released the man from the cage, the real fun could begin.

"I'm sorry! I'll be a good slave, Itachi-kun!"

Itachi walked over to the chest and pulled out bondage tape. He threw it on the bed and walked around the room in search of nipple clamps. He looked at the ceiling and smiled. There was a device that he could to use to suspend Orochimaru with hooks through his skin.

"Master!" Orochimaru called out frantically. "Master! Let me out!"

Itachi walked over to the cage and pulled the blanket off. Orochimaru was lying in the fetal position cowering in fear. He looked around the cage skittishly. With a small cooing noise, Itachi bent down and comforted the distraught man."There, there my little pet. I just wanted to make sure that you knew your place." He spoke sincerely yet it was a farce. He unlocked the cage and grabbed the leash.

Orochimaru was a nervous wreck when he crawled out. "How dare you!" He yelled frantically.

"I have a treat for you. Go to the bed." He stood up and towered over the man. "I said go to the bed, slave." He repeated.

"No, I think I've had quite enough of this." Orochimaru raked his fingers through his hair. It was damp from sweat and tears. He had never experienced anything like that during his sessions with Kabuto.

Without another word, Itachi walked over to the wall and picked up a leather whip. He walked to the chest and pulled out a gag. All the while, Orochimaru watched him warily. He stood to his feet and adjusted his robe so that it was firmly in place.

"I said that I had a treat for you, but it looks as if that will have to wait." Itachi said apologetically. Then his face hardened. "Kneel!" His voice was like thunder. "Remove your clothes!"

"Itachi." Orochimaru breathed, the word filled with desire. Even as he feared for his safety he desired him. Slowly, he untied the robe and let the silk slip from his shoulders. The lingerie came next. When he was fully naked he kneeled down and bowed his head submissively.

The sound of the whip cracking made him flinch but he kept his head down.

"20 lashes will be your punishment." Itachi circled around the man. "10 for your disobedience, 5 for failing to address me respectfully and 5 just because it pleases me."

As Itachi punished the man, his blood started to boil - not in arousal, but in sadistic glee as he watched the flesh being ripped off of Orochimaru's back. His tortured screams only succeeded in rousing him further.

-o0o-

Kabuto had been pacing outside of the room since the beginning of the session. He had orders from Orochimaru not to interfere unless he asked him to, but he didn't trust Itachi. That morning, he went to check on the man to see if the drugs worked. He was pleased with himself when he saw how more compliant Itachi was.

Still, there was a chance that the drug could backfire and Itachi would end up like Juugo. He'd be reduced to a mindless killing machine. Of course, they could use him like they used Juugo. But the change was irreversible; Itachi would remain that way for the rest of his life.

There was a trigger phrase that Orochimaru could use to keep Itachi in check. Though, he knew that it would take a lot for Orochimaru to use it. He was too confident in his own abilities and that could be his downfall. Now was not the time for them to mess around. The Kazekage has agreed to an alliance, Madara would be arriving soon to assist him in waging war against Konoha. Tomorrow was going to be a big day for them. However if Orochimaru died, Rasa would desert them without a doubt, and they needed Suna's military strength if the hoped to go against Konoha and Kiri.

The sound of Orochimaru's screams could be heard through the door. Kabuto reached for the handle but paused when he heard the hint of pleasure in the man's voice. Orochimaru was enjoying every bit of it.

Kabuto smirked smugly. Only he knew that in order to break Orochimaru one would have to do it mentally instead of physically. The man truly did have a high tolerance for pain. Sighing, he walked away from the door and headed to his lab. There was no point in worrying about his master. Orochimaru could handle himself.

-o0o-

Itachi stared at the door to the room. A sinister smile appeared on his face once Kabuto walked away from the door. He had known all along that the man was standing there. All of the things that he had been doing to the warlord so far were child's play.

"Slave," Itachi looked down at the man's bloody back. "How about we play a game?"

Cautiously, Orochimaru lifted his head, making sure not to make direct eye contact with Itachi. "What kind of game?"

"The game where I ask you a question and if you lie to me," He reached down and grabbed his hand. "I'll break a finger."

"Actually," Orochimaru snatched his hand away. He hissed when the wounds on his back stung."I'm ready to be fucked by you. So now it is time for you to obey me." He chuckled darkly before saying the trigger word. "Genjutsu."

Itachi blinked slowly.

Feeling accomplished, Orochimaru stood up, ignoring the way the cuts on his back protested the action. "I just can't wait anymore, Itachi-kun. I want you now." He walked over to the bed. "No need to prep me, I've been -"

"I see you still haven't learned your lesson." Itachi pressed the scalpel to the man's pale throat causing him to bleed. "You know I killed my first target with a scalpel. I was a little rusty then but now," He lightly ran the tool across Orochimaru's neck. "I'm an expert."

"Genjutsu!" Orochimaru tried the trigger word again. The warm blood started to trickle down his neck; luckily the cut wasn't deep enough to be fatal.

Itachi's laugh was low and baleful. "It's not going to work. Did you really think that a simple drug would ever be enough to make me want to fuck someone like you?" Roughly, he grabbed the warlord's hand. "First question; how many guards are on the tenth floor?"

"Genjutsu!"

Sighing, Itachi grabbed Orochimaru's index finger and broke it. He mentally applauded the man for not screaming. "How many?" He asked again.

"I heard you last night. The drug ruined you! So why doesn't the trigger word work?" Panic laced the man's words and his eyes darted around the room as he searched for an escape.

"You and Four Eyes are incompetent." He responded casually as he grabbed another finger. "You see, I had already been on the brink of insanity. You can't take something away that I never really had. The only thing you succeeded in was prolonging your death." He broke Orochimaru's middle finger with a loud crack.

This time the man did scream but Itachi covered his mouth. "I was going to give you a swift death. But your suffering would be much more pleasurable. Now how many guards are on this floor?"

Of course he talked; they all talk eventually. For Orochimaru it took all of his fingers and both of his arms to be broken before he answered one question. Once all of his limbs were broken. Itachi had a little fun with the scalpel. Before he gave his last breath, Itachi had all of his questions answered. Now, he just needed to make a decision. His mission was now accomplished; he'd succeeded in killing Orochimaru. From the information that he tortured out of the warlord, he came to the conclusion that escaping the tower itself would be difficult.

Did he really want to escape anyway? What he told Orochimaru wasn't a lie. His sanity was obliterated. It was apparent in the way that he was idly writing Neji's name on the wall with Orochimaru's blood.

"I'm a monster," Itachi murmured to himself as he stared at the wall. "I don't deserve to live." He fell to his knees and covered his face with his bloody hands. "I'm a monster." Itachi chanted to himself over and over until he started laughing maniacally.

If Neji could see him now. What would he say?

There was a knock at the door. "Orochimaru-sama we have a problem!" Kabuto yelled from the other side. "Please, open the door!"

Itachi turned his head, peeked through his bloody hands and stared at the red door. Then he dropped his hands, stood up and walked over to the warlord's corpse. Maybe he could have a little fun before he kicked the bucket. Itachi smiled at the thought.

Knocking again, Kabuto started to think the worse when the door finally cracked opened. Hesitantly, he stepped into the dark room with his gun drawn. "Sir?"

A loud yelp escaped his lips when he felt something wet and heavy being thrown at him. He fell under the weight and yanked his hand back when he felt silky hair. When the lights were switched on he gazed down at the dead body of his master and lover. "Orochimaru-sama?!"

"Now you two can spend some quality time together," Itachi picked up the man's discarded gun. "You should be thanking me for being so considerate."

"I'll kill you!" Kabuto tried to lift himself up but the dead weight was crushing him. "You won't get away with this!"

"Hn." Itachi aimed the gun at his leg and fired. Over Kabuto's loud screams he spoke again. "Now stay put. I'm going to give you two a little alone time." He shot him in his right leg as well before he walked out of the room and closed the door.

A guard rounded the corner and he shot him in the head before he could say a word. Bending down he picked up the guard's gun and a floor access card.

If he was going to die, he would at least go down with a fight.

---

When Hiashi came back to the office, all of the papers were picked up and placed back in the folder. Neji was sitting in the lotus position meditating near the indoor Zen garden. Walking over to the other side of the massive office, Hiashi stood a few paces back from the boy. He knew that meditating was what Neji did when he was distressed. Patiently he waited for him to finish. Hiashi had been bombarded with questions from his daughters once they saw him and not Neji walking out of the office. Hinata was going to be disappointed in him for forcing such a task on Neji, especially since he told the boy that he wouldn't. While Hanabi would be more vocal with her outrage. More than likely there would be a few pranks awaiting him in the near future.

"Are you going to allow me to finish my studies? Or will I have to drop out of school as well?" Neji asked his eyes remained closed.

Hiashi took a few minutes to think the question over before he answered. Normally, there was no need for branch members to seek education from outside sources. Only the ones who were personally selected to hold key positions in the company were allowed to. It would be a shame to allow his scholarship to go to waste. However, the position of Branch delegator didn't require a degree. It didn't require a higher education at all. Now he was faced with a dilemma that he hadn't prepared himself for.

He had been too focused on making sure that Hidan couldn't harm Neji and keeping his nephew away from another one of Madara's henchmen that he'd overlooked a few things. But how did he know that the Uchiha wasn't also in on it? Hiashi had a suspicion that Itachi was only assisting Hidan in whatever sick game he had planned for Neji.

"You will no longer need to continue your studies." That was his final decision on the matter.

"If I drop out I will lose my scholarship for good. They won't give it back to me if I try to return to school in the future."

"There will be no need for you to return to school in the future."

It took a while for Neji to respond to that. He was more than likely silently seething. When he did finally respond, his choice was low and inscrutable. "Understood, Hiashi-sama."

The use of the honorific hurt Hiashi more than anyone would ever know. Neji no longer calling him "Uncle" only served to cement their new relationship with each other. And he'd brought it on himself so why did it bother him?

Hiashi watched Neji stand up, bow and walk out of the office without saying another word to him.

Out in the hallway, Neji saw Tenten and Tokuma waiting for him. He walked straight up to TenTen and looked at her dead in the eye.

"Was it you?" He asked calmly.

A few seconds passed before she realized what he was referring to. Tenten tried to read his current mood before she answered yet it was difficult to get a read on him.

"Yes," She saw how his eyelids shrinked slightly. "I was worried about you. We all were, Neji. I only gave him a name that's it."

"That's it?" Neji's voice rose and he had to walk away before he did something that he would regret. His anger and frustration wasn't aimed towards his best friend. So taking it out on her was wrong and he knew it.

Tokuma called his name, but he ignored him and hurried his steps. Instead of going to his room, he walked down the stairs. Hinata was at the bottom and he walked right past her, leaving out of the front door. Neji didn't know where the urge came for, but he felt a deep desire to visit the one place that he hadn't stepped foot in since he was a child.

It was time for him to have a talk with his father.

---

It was like a dreadful void; and it had nothing to do with the lack of civilians bustling about right now. Otogakure was like a necropolis; a city of the dead. Infiltrating Oto had been easy for all six of them; Deidara and Genma were responsible for creating a distraction on the border. Deidara had enough explosives to handle the task. Raidou stayed back in the forest to communicate with Konoha and procure their way out of the country.

They were split into two groups: Kakashi, Sasori and Kisame made one group. While Asuma, Konan and Anko made the other.

Kakashi was more than a little impressed by the men's prowess. Especially Kisame, it was amazing for someone of his stature to move through the streets so fluidly without making any sounds. Well except for the occasional grunts of frustration. He knew that the man was anxious to get the show on the roll and he got his wish when a huge explosion went off near the front gates. Moments later the Air Raid siren went off.

"About time, kid." Kisame smirked. They had been waiting on Deidara to start the show. They stood in the shadows and watched the mayhem that ensued. It was like watching ants fleeing an anthill. All of the guards scattered around, panicking. From the front of the tower a man walked out.

"Kimimaro Kaguya." Sasori said quietly. "He's one of the Generals." He narrowed his eyes at the man's haggard appearance. "Something is wrong."

"Besides the fact that Deidara is making it rain at their front gates?" Kisame joked.

Kakashi watched the General closely as well. He could also tell that something was strange about the man. His eyes widened in realization. "He's afraid."

"Yes," Sasori quirked his lips. "Which is a good sign for us."

Scratching his head, Kisame squinted his eyes and tried to figure out what the two men were seeing. "How in the hell do you guys know that from just looking at him? Especially from this distance.

"What have I told you about always studying your enemy?" Sasori wasn't expecting an answer so he continued. "Long story short, Kimimaro doesn't panic. Figure the rest out for yourself."

They continued to watch Kimimaro bark out orders to the soldiers. His usual mask of cold indifference was gone and there was panic written all over his face.

Kisame glanced at the two men then rolled his eyes in irritation. "I don't have time for guessing games! Have they made it to the top yet?"

Kakashi lifted his glance; he knew that Asuma and his team should be at the top of the tower by now. All they needed was a signal.

"Itachi is moving." Sasori stared at the blinking red light on his smart watch. "He was on the tenth floor but now he's on the eight."

Another explosion went off; this one was bigger than the other one. Kimimaro and majority of the guards that were surrounding the tower ran off in the direction of the explosion.

"We need to hurry before they start firing back." Kakashi said. He had planned for Deidara to drop a few bombs then flee but it would appear that he was having too much fun.

"Don't worry Deidara can handle it."

Kisame chuckled. "Sasori's right. As long as he has his explosives that kid is a force to be reckoned with."

"Cap' we're in."

"And there goes our cue. Let's go." Kakashi said.

. . . . .

After Asuma sent the signal they entered the tower from the roof. Only a handful of guards were stationed there so taking them out had been a piece of cake for all three of them.

"Itachi is on the eight floor." Konan stared at her palm pilot. She was relieved to know that Itachi was still alive. "In order to access each floor we'll need an access card."

Anko pulled out three cards from her back pocket. "I nabbed these from those guards." She passed a card to Konan and Asuma. "Got one for each of us just in case we get split up."

"Good job, Anko." Asuma patted her on the back roughly causing her to punch him in the shoulder.

Watching the interaction, Konan smiled slightly. Then her smile faltered when they encountered five guards. Placing the device in her pocket, she reached for the throwing knives in her thigh holster.

"Hands above your head!" One of the guards yelled. All five of them pointed their guns at them.

"You're in my way." Konan said as she threw the knives, accurately aiming for the guard's head. Unlike ANBU, the Akatsuki delivered nothing but head shots. When the guards hit the floor, Konan walked right past them. "Let's go." She said without bothering to turn around.

Asuma frowned, "I thought I was the team leader." He murmured.

"Konan's bad ass!" Anko laughed as she followed the woman and caught up with her.

As they walked side by side, the Ex-team leader walked a few paces back and sulked. He was starting to feel singled out. "Why'd I have to be put on a team with these women?"

"We heard that." The women told him simultaneously.

Asuma removed the cigarette from behind his ear and lit it. He opted for keeping his mouth shut just like he had been advised to do. They went down a short stairwell and walked out onto the tenth floor. The smell of blood was heavy in the air and the cause for it was lying right in front of them.

"What in the hell?" Asuma looked at the trail of bodies that lined the hall.

"Itachi." Konan said sadly. "We need to get to him now."

Nodding their heads they hurried their steps and made their way to the stairwell that would lead to the ninth floor. According to the tracker Itachi was now on the seventh floor.

"Help me!" Someone yelled from behind a red door.

Sharing a glance Konan and Anko stood on either side of the door with their weapons drawn. Asuma counted down with his fingers before kicking in the door and moving out of the line of any possible attack. Not missing a beat, the two women peered into the room before stepping in.

"Who in the hell are you?"

They looked down at the man who was lying under a dead body. Then they took in the room.

"Is this a torture chamber?" Anko asked.

"Red Room of Pain." Konan winked at her before walking over to the man. "Kabuto, huh? Let me guess, Itachi is responsible for killing the snake?" She smiled derisively at the man.

Asuma's cigarette fell out of his mouth as he saw all of the blood in the room. "Your guy did this? Fuck!" He walked further into the room and stared at the writing on the wall. "Screw? What the hell does that mean?"

Frowning, Konan walked over to the man and took in the name written on the wall. It was obviously written in blood. "What did you do to Itachi, you sick bastard?"

Laughing, Kabuto tried to move again but it was useless. Itachi had left him there to slowly bleed out. "You'll see."

Konan walked over to him, kicked Orochimaru's corpse out of the way and stepped on one of Kabuto's bullet wounds. Disinterestedly, she watched him grit his teeth.

Leaning over, Asuma whispered to Anko. "I think everyone in that damn organization is insane." He grimaced at the aftermath in the red room and the bodies that they saw in the hallway. Yeah, the Akatsuki was hardcore.

"Time to go meet that creep in hell." Konan shot Kabuto in the head. Turning around she faced her teammates and shrugged. "We can't waste time."

All of them are fucking lunatics! Asuma shook his head and followed the women out of the room.

---

It was like watching a mother searching for her lost child in a store.

Saki and Sasuke stood back and watched as Madara walked around the penthouse in search of the person that he had come to Amegakure to meet. At first, he was calm; he simply checked all of the rooms. Then he called out for someone several times and was greeted with silence. Now he was clutching his phone to his ear, pacing the floor as he tried to get an answer.

Uchiha Madara was panicking.

"Where are they?" The man whispered under his breath. "None of them are answering my calls." He continued to pace the floor as the two teenagers stood back and watched quietly.

Sasuke was sporting a new bruise; this one was on his face. While they were getting ready to depart to the airport, he tried to make a run for it. However, Madara stopped him. Though it was Saki that gave him the bruise. Madara had ordered the girl to teach him a lesson. He could only assume that it was his uncle's way of creating a drift between them. Which was unnecessary because Sasuke didn't trust neither one of them to begin with. Saki had apologized more than once but he ignored her every time. She didn't hold back or hesitate when Madara ordered her to "punish" him. If she was only playing along she was doing one hell of a job.

"Hidan," Madara sounded relieved. "Where are you?" He saw that the teens were watching him and he walked off into the back of the apartment. This penthouse was where Pein and Konan lived. They were supposed to be here, waiting on him to discuss their next move, but neither of them was there. He'd called every single member of Akatsuki and not one of them answered his call besides Hidan.

"I need you to come to Amegakure. Now!" Madara tried to keep his voice leveled but the perturbation was clear. "That can wait. I expect you here by the end of the day." He ended the call.

"No need to worry," he reassured himself. "Once Hidan gets here we can go to Oto and meet with Orochimaru." Still, he had no idea where the other members were. The logical assumption was that they each had their own assignments, but he should have been notified.

They were up to something and he was going to find out what it was.

---

"What's their status?" Tsunade asked. She bit her nails nervously as she waited on a response.

"They've successfully infiltrated Otogakure and Hebi Tower." Yamato said. "They are split into two teams. I just intercepted a distress call confirming that Orochimaru is dead. I believe the country is currently in mayhem."

Tsunade had mixed feelings about the information. As the Hokage, she was relieved to know that Orochimaru was dead and war was evaded. But she was also hurt that her old friend had to die under those circumstances. Orochimaru was promising during their younger years; he could have even been named the fourth Hokage. Yet, he attempted to assassinate the third Hokage and defected.

Over the years she'd heard rumors of the vile acts that he'd committed in different countries before he gained control of Otogakure. It was only a matter of time before he had to be assassinated.

Clearing her head, Tsunade focused her attention on what was important. "Give Kurenai the command. We need to take advantage of the country's current state now!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Her heels clicked on the tile as she walked off. She had been on her feet nonstop checking on Jiraiya's and Kakashi's teams. While the latter was in Oto, the former was on his way to Ame to retrieve Sasuke. She felt bad for having to render Naruto unconscious, but that was the only way to keep the boy from trying to tag along. Currently, he was at Iruka's under heavy sedatives. He was going to hate them once he woke up.

Sighing, she opened the door and crossed the hall into the next room. "Shikaku." She greeted the strategist. "Tell me something good."

Shikaku Nara chucked dryly. "As of now I haven't been able to actually prove my theory. However, I am positive that the Akatsuki have cut their ties with Madara."

"You just admitted to not finding any proof on the matter. So how can you be so sure?" Tsunade walked over to the nearest chair and sat down. Brazenly, she removed her heels and wiggled her toes. Her feet were killing her.

"Not only are the Akatsuki risking their lives, but they also agreed to team up with their enemy as well."

"Then why is Madara in Amegakure, at their main base? Kakashi even said that their leader wasn't with them."

"Irrelevant," Shikaku waved his hand dismissively. "The woman, Konan is there. If their leader was truly against the idea she wouldn't be there." He also thought about the possibility that they were also going against their leader's orders as well. Either way he was sure that they were no longer in cahoots with Madara.

"So what are you suggesting? We should extend an alliance with them?" Tsunade was skeptical when Kakashi told her that the Akatsuki agreed to work with them. To think about actually making the alliance permanent was ridiculous.

"Not an actual alliance. More like a bargain."

"You want me to bargain with a criminal organization that has been at the top of the International Most Wanted list for years now?"

"You were willing to give Itachi a clean slate. Why not the other members?"

Her blonde brows dipped and she pursed her lips while she thought about the Nara's words. Shikaku had never lead her astray before. Nevertheless, this wasn't an easy decision to make.

"Make your decision after this test run is over." Shikaku smirked at her. "I'm sure that the pieces will fall into place on their own." Especially since Kakashi already told him that he was going to suggest a permanent alliance with the Akatsuki anyway.

Nodding her head, she placed a hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn. "Okay, if they can cooperate with Kakashi's team and refrain from any form of treachery I'll think about it."

"Sounds good enough."

"Now about what Hiashi told me this morning?" She straightened up in her seat to keep herself attentive. "I know that you and Ibiki were listening in."

Shikaku's lips were set in a grim line when he recalled Hiashi's tale earlier that day. "Unfortunately, he was telling the truth about his brother. As far as the other detail, we're not sure yet."

"Damn. How could he do something like that?" Tsunade couldn't believe her ears when Hiashi had told her about his deal with Madara. For eleven years the entire city was under the impression that Hizashi Hyuga's death was a tragic accident.

"In order to secure our own safety we eliminate any and all threats. It's politics."

"Not family!" Tsunade couldn't believe that he would compare them trying to protect the lives of their citizens to a power hungry clan head."

Shikaku pinched the bridge of his nose. Something he did when he was trying to find a way to explain himself in layman's term. "Would you rather risk one life or one hundred? I'm not agreeing with his actions. It's just that a civil war would have wiped out majority of that clan; innocent people would have died and the Hyuga would've eventually ended up like the Uchiha."

"Hiashi could've talked to his brother. They could've come to an agreement! Anything other than that!"

"Hiashi could've but he didn't." Shikaku shrugged. He'd put too much effort in a discussion that was irrelevant now. "There's not much that we can do. As far as the other detail, I think it was a smart move on his behalf."

"Sometimes I wonder why my grandfather ever passed that Clan Act. I have zero control in any of their affairs. And even though it was clever of him to deceive Madara like that, if his plan backfires it'll be the girl who suffers."

"Tsunade-sama!" Yamato suddenly burst through the door. "They have Itachi!"

---

"What is your name?"

The small child looked up at the man that was covered in blood from head to toe and trembled. "Mizuki." She whimpered.

Itachi looked around the cell at all of the children that were in shackles. They were cowering in the corner, afraid of him. Could he blame them? He'd come through like a madman and slaughtered every guard in sight. His body even felt heavy with the weight of the blood on him.

"Why are you all here?" He asked.

A girl with red hair walked to the bars of the cell. She was wearing rags and he could see bite marks and bruises all over her body. "Some of us are sex workers of the sixth floor. Or test subjects of the fifth floor, sometimes both. This is where we are kept until we are needed."

There were at least twenty children in the cell. The girl looked as if she was the oldest one out of the group. "What is your name?" Itachi asked her. She seemed like the only one that was bold enough to talk to him.

She adjusted the cracked glasses on her face. "Karin."

"Hn. Are you familiar with the layout of this tower, Karin?"

"Yes."

"Tell me about the other floors."

While she went into detail about the functioning of each floor, he absorbed all of the information. Orochimaru was a disgusting man that deserved nothing less than the death he received. To keep the citizens under his control he took their children away, mainly the first born or anyone that interested him. In order to secure alliances with different countries he would supply them with child slaves to do as they pleased with. While the parents believed that their children were in the tower they were more than likely in another country. Also, Kabuto conducted experiments on the children and used them as guinea pigs in his lab. Itachi had the urge to go back to the man and rip his limbs off. He hated nothing more than a rapist - or anyone that took advantage of children.

"Are you going to free us?" Karin asked once she finished telling him about Hebi. They could hear the bombs going off outside and the gun shots that had been going off in the tower.

"No," Itachi reached down and picked up two rifles and placed his arms through the slings. Once he had two guns secured on his back he picked up a third one and held it in his hand. "It's not safe to have children running around the tower right now. I will come back for all of you."

The children watched him leave the room with hopeful smiles on their faces.

Outside of the door, Itachi leaned against it and clutched his head. It was starting to throb again. Why did he make that promise? He was on a suicidal mission to kill as many guards as he could before they finally put him out of his misery. There was no way he could keep that promise. But he couldn't just standby and do nothing.

They're not your responsibility. Children die every day.

"I told them that I would come back for them." Itachi yanked at his hair painfully to silence the voice. "I can't let those children suffer." He mumbled to himself.

Nobody came to your aid when you were suffering.

Itachi walked down the hall, holding on to the stoned walls as his feet sagged. As always he was alone. Nobody saved him from Danzo. Nobody came for him last night. And nobody would come for him now.

He was utterly alone.

Forever alone.

"Damn!" Itachi fell to his knees, clutching the sides of his head in agony. The pounding was much worse than before and he couldn't keep his eyes open due to the pain. He felt the rifle slip from his hands and his palms began to sweat. In the distance he could hear the sound of footsteps approaching.

"Itachi!"

Itachi thought that he was only imagining the feminine voice that was calling his name. Briefly, he pictured his mother's face, but he knew it was impossible. Nobody was there with him, he was alone. Finally falling over, he hit the ground hard.

"Itachi!" Konan ran to him and sat down next to his limp form. She noted all of the blood on him and panicked. "Itachi!"

"Contact Kakashi. Tell him we have Itachi." Asuma told Anko before he pulled out a first aid kit from his pack.

Turning him over on his back, Konan saw rise and fall of his chest. "He's still breathing." She sounded relieved. "We're here now, Itachi."

. . . . .

Asuma carried Itachi on his back; Anko and Konan covered his rear as they ran up the stairwell that lead to the roof. After contacting Kakashi they were instructed to wait on the roof for further instructions.

"Where exactly is the Captain?" Anko asked.

"Waiting on reinforcements." Asuma yelled over his shoulder. He stopped at a door and swiped the assess card. Once the door was opened, he continued his sprint up the stairs. The smell of the caked up blood on Itachi's clothes made him want to vomit. He was still trying to grasp the fact that this one man was capable of so much carnage.

When they left the tenth floor, they'd encountered so many corpses that he felt as if he was on a battlefield. How could the Hokage want a maniac like that to join their ranks? Though in a way, it was similar to his first mission with Kakashi. During that time Kakashi was ruthless and unyielding on his assignments. There was no such thing as an innocent bystander in his eyes. Everyone was a target. Still, look at him now. He was a completely different man. Maybe, just maybe, Itachi still had a chance. He could even have a session with Ibiki just like Kakashi did.

Once they were on the roof, Asuma lowered Itachi to the ground. Then he walked over and looked down below. A few civilians were outside of their homes watching the flames that the guards were trying to put out at the gates.

He glanced behind him to see Konan sitting next to Itachi, checking his pulse. Anko came over and stood next to him. "Kurenai will be here soon." She said. "Our job here is practically finished."

"Yep," He stretched his arms over his head and smiled. "This was a whole lot easier with help. Not only is the snake dead, but Otogakure will now be under the control of the Land of Fire."

-o0o-

"That's why you were so confident of that insane plan of yours." Kisame crossed his arms and whistled. "Leave it to Konoha to take advantage of a country in turmoil."

"Can you blame us?" Kakashi asked. "This was the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone."

"So you never cared about saving Itachi in the first place?"

Sasori listened to the two men while he kept his gaze on the Konoha's troops that were currently storming the gates of Otogakure. He would admit that it was clever; enlisting their aid in taking out Orochimaru and creating enough havoc so that they could invade the country. It was ingenious.

"Saving Itachi was my personal goal in all of this." Which was true. Although, the initial plan was to use Itachi as a scapegoat. He and Jiraiya didn't like the idea. Neither did Tsunade. But the council thought it was a great way to keep the heat off of their of looking like bullies, they would appear as saviors who were rescuing a country that was in desperate need.

"You son of a bitch." Kisame said but there was no malice in his tone. Itachi was safe; who cares if they were used to aid Konoha in invading a country.

"You needed the Kazekage to believe that Orochimaru's death wasn't tied to Konoha. So you sent Itachi - who was conveniently assigned on a mission here." Sasori raked his fingers through his hair. "Since Deidara did all of the work of keeping the soldiers occupied until your troops came, why'd you go through the trouble of splitting us into teams?"

"I wanted to see how well everyone worked together." Now was time for the tricky part. How was he going to convince them to join forces to take down Madara after they were practically used? Taking a deep breath, Kakashi took a chance and asked.

"Fuck you, Boy Scout."

"Okay."

"Sasori!" Kisame couldn't believe his ears. "After that shit they pulled on us? You want to work with them again?"

"We will need allies who are cunning if we are to take down Madara." Sasori smiled and both men tensed at the eerie sight. "Of course we will have to discuss a few things first."

---

"Hello," Itachi lifted his head and looked at the redheaded boy that was kneeling next to him. "Are we the same age?" He asked.

On the other side of the bedroom, Kisame threw his head back and laughed at the question. "Even the kid thinks...you're a kid!"

Not paying any attention to his teammate, Sasori reached into his medical bag and pulled out bandages. "No, I am not 13 years old." He reached into the bag again and retrieved surgical suture.

Itachi's dark eyes watched his every move suspiciously. "Are you a doctor?"

"Not necessarily."

"Then I'd prefer it if you didn't touch me."

Kisame watched the interaction closely. He knew that Sasori - albeit calm and collected - did have a mean streak. Also, they never had to interact with children so he didn't know how Sasori would handle Itachi's bluntness.

"That's completely understandable." Sasori put the items back in his bag. "However, you are going to need some medical attention. Are you wary of me because I am a stranger or because I am male?"

"Damn Sasori you can't be so straightforward with kids like that." Kisame walked over and stood next to the other side of the bed. "What he's trying to say is..." He couldn't even find the right words.

"I know what he is trying to say." Itachi tried to sit up but a sharp pain shot up his back bringing tears to his eyes.

Sasori watched how Kisame fretted and panicked over the young boy. He'd never seen the large man act so...compassionate. Standing up, he reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone. "I'll call a female physician." He dialed a number and walked out of the room.

"How old is he?" Itachi asked when the door was closed.

"Guess!" Kisame sat in the recliner that was next to the bed. "I'll give you one hint! He's 7 years younger than me."

"27"

"Hey! I'm not that old!"

"25"

"Close, he's 22."

Itachi stared at the ceiling of the bedroom. When he woke up that morning and couldn't move, he'd panicked. Then Kisame came in the room, with a menacing look about him - plain and simple he was afraid for his life. But then the man explained the situation to him and everything started to come back.

What happened to him was something that he knew from reading. The act of rape was a common topic in the Greek Mythology books that he'd read, but it was always handled so lightly. And it mostly happened to women. Because of his naiveté he never once thought that something like that could happen to him. One story even went so far as going into detail of how a defiled maiden was normally sentenced to death. That was something that Itachi could never grasp. Why did the maiden have to suffer for the vicious acts of another? Did the same go for him? Was he unworthy to live now?

"Itachi."

Itachi turned his head to look at Kisame. It took him hours to realize that the man wasn't going to harm him, though even still in the back of his mind he was expecting to be proved wrong.

"Don't worry about it. Once we get you patched up, I'll train you myself so you can be strong."

"Why? Why would you want to help me?" His trust in people was shattered. Madara, his own uncle was capable of such treachery so why would he trust a stranger?

Kisame flashed him a genuine smile. "Because we're partners now." He extended his hand. "I'll promise to always watch your back, if you watch mine."

For what felt like an eternity, Itachi stared at the offered hand before he took it. "Deal."

---

"That's good, Itachi." Inoichi smiled at the man's back. "You see that there are also good memories to hold on to as well."

Itachi looked out of the window of the building and stared at the clouds. The nightmares he'd witnessed in Otogakure were like a distant memory. However, it had only been three days since he woke up in a room at the Hokage tower. He was surprised and relieved to see his teammates there as well, including Kakashi.

They had all came for him - a monster like him.

Konoha's true plot was revealed to him by the Akatsuki, but he had the same reaction as Sasori had. They were assassins; paid to do the dirty work so others didn't have to do it. In his eyes it was just another assignment. As for Otogakure, it was currently under the control of the Land of Fire and the children that were in the cells were freed. All of them were returned to their families, except the girl Karin who was brought back to Konoha. Konan had taken it upon herself to take the girl under her wing. Kisame had joked that Konan was going to start going around recruiting women to join her own organisation.

Itachi wouldn't put it past her.

Then his world had been shattered all over again when he was informed of Sasuke's capture. He was even more infuriated when he learned that the rescue mission to Amegakure was unsuccessful. After destroying the room he was in and attacking several guards he had to be sedated. When he woke up again it was to the sight of watery cerulean eyes.

Apparently, Naruto had been assigned to spy on them two years ago. He had to hand it to Naruto; he'd really succeeded in pulling a fast one on him. The teenager was distraught and even went as far as to blame himself for Sasuke's predicament. But Itachi reassured him that despite his initial intentions, he was still a part of their family. Any fool could see that Naruto and Sasuke were head over heels for each other. He didn't blame Naruto for what happened to his brother. Instead he blamed himself - and Jiraiya. Eventually, he stopped pointing fingers altogether and came to the conclusion that everything bad in his life was because of one person. One twisted old man.

Turning around from the window, he took a seat at the leather chair that sat across from the therapist. In order to take down his uncle he needed to be in his right mind. There couldn't be a repeat of Otogakure. So after a ton of persuasion from Sasori and Kakashi he agreed to have a meeting with Yamanaka Inoichi. Itachi couldn't believe how easy it was to open up to the man. He was responsible for doing the regular mental evaluations on ANBU operatives.

"Do you think you're ready for a session with Ibiki?" Inoichi asked. "Remember, he can only suppress the memories, but they'll still be a part of you, Itachi."

"I can't change who I am." Itachi folded his hands in his lap. "I understand that. I just want to move forward in life and not have nightmares about what I did in Otogakure."

"You don't want to forget about the Danzo incident?" He watched Itachi tense in his seat at the mention of that name. "I can tell that you still have a hard time dealing with that."

"I think I need some time to think that over. But I am positive about the memories of Otogakure."

Inoichi stood up, "Well if you're sure I'll go get Ibiki so we can begin. It'll take half an hour at most." He walked out the room.

Itachi blew out a shaky breath and ran his fingers through his hair. Last night he'd woke up in the middle of the night. When he went to the bathroom he could see blood all over his hands. He stayed there washing his hands for so long before Kakashi came in and stopped him.

No, he couldn't continue to live like that. It was time for him to seek the help that he'd needed years ago. Allowing his mind to be damaged for so long almost cost him his life. Besides, he wanted - needed to see Neji and he would do so after he got himself taken care of.

It was time for them to discuss a possible future together.

-o0o-

As Inoichi stated the session didn't take long at all. He could honestly say that he was feeling lighter on his feet. The memories were still a part of him, but for now he could go day to day without dwelling on them. Hopefully, he could actually have a decent night of sleep for once.

Itachi was on his way to his assigned bedroom when he spotted Kakashi standing by his door. The man's attempt at acting natural was pathetic.

"Oh hey there Itachi." Kakashi waved. "Fancy meeting you here."

"You're standing right in front of the door to my room." He deadpanned.

Turning his head to look at the door, Kakashi widened his eyes in feigned realization. "This is your room, isn't it?"

Itachi remained silent; mentally intimidating him into getting to the point of why he was outside of his room waiting on him. He had been up all night, for obvious reasons, and he woke up at dawn to exercise with Kisame. Who was still pissed off that he had to stay at ANBU headquarters. The other members didn't seem to mind it that much; the deal they made with the Hokage was pretty solid.

"I was just stopping by to inform you that you had a visitor." Kakashi's eyes crinkled as he smiled under his mask.

"Who would that be exactly?"

Instead of answering, Kakashi reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture and placed it in Itachi's hand. "Why don't you give that to him yourself?" He winked and inclined his head in the direction of the room.

Itachi's heart fluttered when he looked at the Polaroid of him and Neji. Then his head snapped to the door of the room. Kakashi couldn't really mean that Neji was actually here. Could he? He opened his mouth, nothing came out, and so he closed it. Trying again, he only managed to get one word out. "Fuck..." Okay, that wasn't what he really wanted to say. In fact, there was so much that he wanted to say that he couldn't possibly find the right words.

"Well, I have a meeting with Hokage-sama." Kakashi stuffed his hands in his pocket. "I'll make sure you two won't be bothered." He said before leaving Itachi standing there, mouth agape like a complete idiot.

Itachi needed to get himself together. He wasn't the one to lose his cool in tedious situations like this. This was what he wanted. He had wanted to see Neji so that they could talk and...Other stood straight, his expression that of a mask, hiding the torrent of emotion that burned through him - still bluffing. Placing his hand on the doorknob, he hesitated for a split second before he turned the knob and opened the door.

It didn't take long for his mask to crumble when he locked eyes with those pale orbs that he loved. Itachi's voice was thick with emotion. "Neji." He whispered.

Somehow his body moved on its own accord and he crossed the distance to get to the man that was standing in the middle of the room. Without warning or care of formal decorum, Itachi embraced Neji. Savoring the man's warmth and smell of his hair as he nuzzled him.

"Itachi?" Neji wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from him. But he returned the hug just as eagerly. He didn't know how much he had truly missed Itachi until now. There was still so much that they needed to discuss, yet right now, nothing else mattered more than just being in the arms of the man that he was madly in love with.