Disclaimer: Unsurprisingly, I own nothing. Naruto and Harry Potter belong to their respective creators. I'd also like to acknowledge the influence of David Gemmell, possibly the finest ever writer of fantasy in the English Language for one of the scenes. A true genius.

Hoshigaki Kisame was not a great conversationalist. Learning this had taken all of five seconds, dealing with it took all of three hours.

It seemed like a brilliant idea at first, to use the opportunity presented to try and acquire information about Akatsuki. A sharp backhand with a warning not to talk put paid to that plan. Now, Kakashi simply waited in silence, looking out for any sign of Itachi's approach.

"You can have three questions."

Kakashi stared at the shark-faced man. "What?"

"Three questions, and I'll answer them fully. I'm bored, and seeing as I can't kill you, I need something to distract myself with. So shoot. What do you want to know first?"

Kakashi pondered this for a few moments. He dismissed any questions with simple answers; ideally he would want a long explanation that would reveal more than just what he'd asked. "Why are you partnered with Itachi?"

Kisame grinned, displaying his teeth. "Smart move. You use your first question to obtain intel about the operating procedures of the group." He paused, and the grin faded. "We make a good team. He's the brains, I'm the brawn. And no, I'm not bitter about that. I was used to leading before, back in Kirigakure, but I'm not so arrogant to think I should always be the boss. And to make sure you don't waste a question, all the pairs function like this: similar personalities and different modes of operation to ensure that our respective abilities are most useful. Next question."

Kakashi nodded. "What is Akatsuki's final objective?"

Kisame frowned. "Hard to say. There are a lot of different things at work. The Boss wants to change the balance of power, not just in the Five Countries but worldwide. I guess you could say world domination will be the outcome, but each of us have our own purpose for being there, and once that purpose is fulfilled, we'll leave."

Kakashi pondered his last question. He'd never have an opportunity like this again. "Why did Itachi join?"

Kisame shook his head. "Sorry, white-hair. That's something I don't know myself. I have my suspicions, but I really couldn't say. Question time is over."

"No."

Kisame looked surprised. "What?"

"You said I'd get three questions. With answers. Saying you don't know hardly counts."

Kisame nodded ruefully. "Fair enough. You don't get another question, but I'll tell you something for free. Lemme see… I'll tell you how I joined Akatsuki."

Kakashi nodded his approval. But before Kisame could start, a whisper of movement caught his attention. He leapt to his feet, Samehada swinging round. Itachi materialized behind him.

"It's time."

As they set off, Kisame turned to the white-haired Jounin. "Guess I'll tell you another time."

Kakashi smiled. "I'll hold you to that."

It stopped. Its tongue flickered, tasting the air. Then it turned and ran noiselessly over the blanket of leaves.

It was nameless, but not unaware. It knew the difference between the darkness behind and the light in front. The sounds of the forest welcomed it. The feel of the leaves warmed it.

Home.

It knew it was different from. Always it saw many other things, but never another like it. It was alone. And it had no name. All it had was speed, strength and the knowledge of the darkness behind.

And the hunger.

A sharp pain, never fading. When it closed its eyes it could taste the flesh, feel the warm red blood trickle down as its jaws tore the meat from the bone. Its mouth was covered in drool, its stomach grumbling in anticipation. It needed to feed, it wanted to feed.

There!

One of the frail creatures it feasted on was close. The creature slowed, then leapt to a tree. The prey moved clumsily, clattering through the leaves. The creature watched it in fascination. A black pelt that dragged across the leaves covered it almost entirely. Its head was pink, topped with brownish fur. The creature's heart pounded with anticipation.

Then it leapt.

The wizard screamed as the monster fell upon him, raising his wand in desperation. It was already too late. The claws ripped through his stomach, the mighty jaws clamped on his neck. He died almost instantly.

The creature feasted. It ate till it was full, then shook its great head and ate some more. Stalking away from what once had been a man, it felt relief that the hunger was gone.

But it would soon return.

Itachi called a halt.

"We're being tracked."

Kakashi stared. Kisame merely waited. He knew his partner well enough to know when to ask questions and when to simply wait.

"Who is it?" Kakashi asked.

Itachi frowned. "Not a wizard. And not a shinobi. Something… different. But it seems strong." He paused, seemingly lost in thought. Then he looked at Kakashi. "Use your dogs. Find out what it is."

Kakashi nodded.

While the Leaf-nin gave the instructions to his hounds, Kisame took the opportunity to speak to his partner alone.

"What have you got planned?"

Itachi still seemed a little distracted. Kisame shrugged. He was used to this. Itachi could be silent for long periods of time while on a mission. It was occasionally annoying, but such was life. It still beat being paired with Deidara. Or that maniac Hidan. Or Pain…

Despite himself, Kisame shivered. The Akatsuki head was a truly terrifying individual. Ferociously strong and with a psychotic God-complex to boot, he was someone not to mess with. And his partner, the Angel, was just as bad. Cute, but nuts in a way that would make a man run a marathon to escape.

The dogs had returned. They looked terrified. Kakashi spoke with them briefly, then sent them away. He approached Itachi.

"It's not human. They said it's some kind of monster, like a tailed beast."

Kisame was stunned. "A Bijuu?! They have a fucking bijuu??!!"

Kakashi shook his head. "No. It's like a bijuu. Powerful, a large amount of chakra and very aggressive. But not on the same level as a bijuu. Pakkun reckons it eats humans."

Itachi nodded. "Typical of Orochimaru. He loved experimenting with creatures. He probably created this thing and let it loose to slow us down."

His partners, present and former, waited expectantly, but Itachi was still lost in thought. Kakashi became impatient. Kisame gestured at him to calm down.

Finally, Itachi spoke. "This thing could strike at any time and at any place. If we're involved in a pitched battle with Orochimaru and Voldemort, not to mention their minions, the last thing we'd want is a monster blundering into the fight. We'll have to split our force."

Kisame looked surprised. Kakashi nodded in agreement. "So who stays and who goes?"

Itachi glanced at each in turn. "Kisame, you'll stay and take care of the beast. You have the most chakra of all of us and the most strength. Kill the beast then join the assault. You'll probably be joining us as the battle gets hot, which gives us a tactical advantage. The enemy will have adjusted to our force and have committed to dealing with it, therefore the addition of a third attack will destabilize their plans and give us a better chance of victory. Also, Kakashi is better suited to infiltration than you are."

Kisame nodded reluctantly. While Itachi's plan made sense, he was still reluctant to leave his partner with the Leaf-nin. As if reading his mind, Itachi spoke. "Kakashi and I worked on several missions when I was in the Leaf ANBU. We were given several commendations for our team work."

Kisame grimaced. "Fine. But for the record, I'm not happy about this."

In years to come, Kakashi would remember the moment as the most shocking event of his life. The second Kisame stopped speaking, Uchiha Itachi, the notorious criminal and mass-murderer, burst out laughing. Not a mere chuckle, or even a malicious cackle, but a heaving laugh. Looking at his partner, struggling to control the laughter, he said "Fine. I'll make a note of it in the mission log! Would you like me to note it as an official complaint? Maybe we can go before a disciplinary committee? Have a hearing with representation and a three-man tribunal?"

Kisame had smiled. Settling the Samehada, he walked off. Itachi regained his composure, and continued on the path towards the manor. Kakashi followed.

Akatsuki, he decided, were a very odd bunch.

Voldemort was planning something.

There was no evidence for it, no reason to think it. The wizard's manner was respectful, as one might treat an equal. The wizard listened carefully to Orochimaru's advice. In all things he seemed to be genuinely interested in maintaining the alliance between them. But Orochimaru couldn't shake the feeling that the wizard had an ulterior motive.

Of course, that was not in itself a problem. What man attempting world domination didn't plot, even against their allies? The unnerving factor was something else. A nagging suspicion that Voldemort was more than he appeared.

Orochimaru had watched the wizard closely. He was powerful, yes, and of course he did not show his full extent, but that wasn't what troubled him. It was the frightening speed of thought that the wizard displayed. Somehow, Orochimaru had the feeling that something much bigger was afoot, and that he himself was merely a cog in a larger plan.

His first meeting with the man had been worrying, but Orochimaru had dismissed it shortly afterwards. Recently he began to wonder whether he should have.

Still, even if the wizard was plotting against him, Orochimaru was far from powerless. On his orders, Kabuto had began a slow and subtle process of recruitment. He was fairly sure that around a third of the wizards at the manor were more loyal to Orochimaru than to their own Dark Lord, and more would follow. Besides, he had already set in motion a failsafe should the wizard make a move against him. There was no reason to worry. While the wizard's magic was powerful, and certainly there was a lot more to it than he had seen, Orochimaru knew that a shinobi's physical prowess would always give them an edge in a battle against magic. He was sure that he was faster than Voldemort, stronger than Voldemort and had more killing techniques than Voldemort.

But the feeling wouldn't go away…

He sighed. Voldemort smiled slightly. "Troubled?"

Orochimaru shook his head. He moved his queen, beginning an attack on the wizard's exposed left flank. The game was a good example. After their discussion, Voldemort had asked him to teach him to play. He had no interest in it as a game, he had said, but as an exercise in abstract warfare. Orochimaru had obliged. The man's progress was astounding. He had gone from a novice to a jounin's level in strategic and tactical understanding in less than three days. The snake-sannin found it worrying.

Voldemort looked at the board. So simple, yet so elegant. He had always been dismissive of it during his days in Slytherin, regarding it was a waste of intellect. But now he could truly appreciate its brilliance. Pawns and pieces, yet even the lowliest pawn could kill the mighty queen. A truly perfect simile for his defeat against Potter, and the best lesson for the future. The snake-nin was right to be worried, he mused. The stage was set, the middle-game played, the pieces in position. Finally, the end-game could begin.

He moved his knight, threatening the queen and beginning a deadly attack on the right. The final victory would be his. Now and always.

Now and always…

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a/n It's been awhile, I know. College and a trip abroad interfered, and I'd almost forgotten about this story. Then, when I decided to continue it, I ended up having enormous trouble as a result of the original version of chapter 12. I know that the change doesn't seem crucial, but it really was. In any case, I'm still broadly sticking to the notes, and we are almost at the end, so bear with me. Thanks.

P.S. I know us authors work for the pleasure of the job, but reviews are nice! I know it's kind of blackmail, but you make an over-worked, stressed and exam-ridden student very happy everytime you leave a review... ;p