Back by the popular demand of… four people lol. Here comes the lead up to the Orochimaru smack down. Though my ideas are running low so don't expect speedy updates from now on.

For the first day of my four-day 'holiday' I decided to train with Sasuke in the nearby dojo. We would work on chakra control, then I could teach him the other more advanced jutsu of our clan.

But before we could make much progress, Kisame entered, looking quite alarmed. "Itachi san, it seems you're in danger." He tried to sound calm but his eyes gave him away.

"How so?" I wondered aloud, hoping this wouldn't affect Sasuke's safety in any way.

"Well, first there are a few things I have to explain about Orochimaru. I suppose you've heard about the human experiments that he does? Him being from your home village and all." He began.

"Sasuke, please continue your training with Konan sama." I said, sending him away. This conversation could get dangerously close to the murdering of my clan. Not only that, but just mentioning Konoha had begun to upset him.

When he had slid the door shut, I turned back to Kisame, "Go on."

"Well, he can prolong his own life by taking other people's bodies." He continued, "According to Sasori, the next stage in his plan is to get the Sharingan."

"So I am the next one on the list." It wasn't a question.

Kisame nodded, "Your brother is safe because of Leader's protection. Not to mention he doesn't even have the Sharingan yet. But you most certainly are not."

"I'll take care of this." I replied, leaving the dojo. 'I hope you don't mind if the Akatsuki are minus one by the end of today.' I thought at Leader.

To my surprise he replied, 'Orochimaru is jeopardizing the trust in our organization, of course I don't care.'

'Then, where is he at the moment? I will deal with this now.'

'In the basement, don't mind Zetsu, he lives down there too.'

I scaled the rocky slope and leaped over the fence which contained the onsen area, which I was by now very familiar with. I had learnt of the trap door in the back corner, that led to the basement.

Entering, it was very damp and somewhat humid. The stairs were quite slippery. It was at the bottom of these stairs that I met Zetsu.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Can I help you?" he, rather they, asked.

"Is Orochimaru around?" I asked, whilst marveling at the array of plants that grew in this dank darkness.

"UNFORTUNATELY! Through that door." He said, helpfully pointing into the pitch-blackness, "AND DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING! Some of the plants bite."

"Thank you." I replied, avoiding a particularly nasty looking one. He still seemed to be watching me like a hawk.

"WHAT DOES HE WANT WITH OROCHIMARU?" he muttered, "Don't talk about people behind their backs, its rude. SHOULD I'VE SAID IT IN FRONT OF HIS FACE!?"

Finding the door, I knocked on it, awaiting an answer.

"Ah, Itachi san." Orochimaru drawled as he opened it, "What brings you he-"

But he was cut off when I performed the fire ball jutsu, filling the room behind him with flames. Zetsu screeched at the presence of fire, obviously worried about his precious plants. But I ensured no fire reached that side of the door.

I saw Orochimaru's chakra mass head underground and come up behind me. The Mangekyou Sharingan lit up in my eyes as I turned, "For seventy-two hours you will burn." I intoned.

For me it was but a few seconds later. Orochimaru slumped forwards and headed underground again. This time he didn't come back up.

"YOU RATTED OUT THE SNAKE! Now we have more room for ourselves. I STILL CAN'T GET AWAY FROM YOU THOUGH! You're so mean sometimes…"

But I was too busy thinking about Orochimaru's sudden disappearance to pay much attention to Zetsu. Was he planning on returning? Obviously he wanted my body in prime condition, that would explain the utter lack in attacks.

At least it was impossible for him to take Sasuke at the moment.

Kisame suddenly came sprinting down the stairs, but he soon halted when he spotted the charred remains of Orochimaru's lab.

"Itachi san, did you-"

"No." I replied sharply, "But I don't think he will return anytime soon." I could see that hesitant fear in his eyes once again. If I could scare off a sannin, what else could I do? Well, I suppose that's what he was thinking.

I shuffled over to him and leant on his arm out of fatigue. "Please, help me back up the stairs." I asked, not really needing that much help, but I still had to earn his trust. For that to happen he had to see me in my weakest state. Even if I was laying it on a bit thick.

But still, I wish I had more stamina. Using the Mangekyou three times in three days was taking its toll.

I knew my eyes couldn't keep healing themselves over like this. Eventually I'd be completely blind. I had at least a few more years to ensure Sasuke became strong enough to fend for himself. I could give him my eyes before they're completely destroyed, granting him unlimited Mangekyou Sharingan.

I'd have to stop babying him now.