Summary: Sasuke gets curious about why Orochimaru is no longer with the Akatsuki

Time check: About a week before the events in the 'Research Mishaps' chapter

Dismissal

Something had been Sasuke for some time now. He had been trying to ignore it and think of something else but he couldn't take it anymore. Today was the day he would ask the question he has been avoiding for some time.

He wandered around the Lair for a while and with some help from a few wandering minions Sasuke found who he was looking for. The boy walked right up to Orochimaru determined to get this over with. Kabuto was also there as luck would have it. The two elder ninja were discussing their latest scheme and took a while to notice that Sasuke was behind them.

When Orochimaru did finally recognize his protégé was there he turned around and asked "Did you need something Sasuke-kun?"

"I don't need anything, I just have a question."

"What is it?"

"Why aren't you part of the Akatsuki any longer?"

"Things weren't working out, that's all."

"Care to be a little more specific?"

"Well you see…"

Before he could finish the answer the Sanin paused as he thought back on the incidents preceding his dismissal from the group.

~FLASHBACK SEQUENCE~

Orochimaru had been making it a habit to follow Itachi everywhere he went. And I do mean everywhere. Itachi was on the verge of strangling the snake handler for feeling the need to accompany him to the bathroom and watching him go. Orochimaru always claimed he was looking past Itachi to the door to make sure they weren't going to be ambushed but the Uchiha didn't believe that for a second. No self-respecting ninja would ambush someone while they were using the bathroom. On the way in or out maybe, but not as their target was relieving themselves.

It didn't stop there. Orochimaru also was caught watching Itachi bathe or shower so Itachi had to resort to putting barriers up every time he went near a bathroom or bath house just to make sure the older shinobi wasn't there being a creeper and asking him about if he could have his body for his jutsu. Once he couldn't get anywhere near the bathroom Orochimaru started trying to find ways into the Uchiha's room.

There were incidents involving Orochimaru watching Itachi change. A few times he even watched Itachi sleep. The last straw came when Itachi noticed some of his undergarments were missing only to find them in Orochimaru's possession. Itachi immediately stormed off down the hallways to Pein's room knocking anyone in his path out of the way. He banged on the door as loud as he could and demanded Pein speak to him right away. Konan had answered the door and Pein could be heard in the background.

"This better be a damn good reason to be interrupting us."

Itachi promptly demanded the ninja world equivalent of a restraining order on Orochimaru based on the premise of avoiding sexual harassment. Pein promptly made Itachi spell out in detail what he meant by sexual harassment. After hearing all the facts he ruled in favor of Itachi and would have the Uchiha assigned a strong partner who could enforce the terms (basically acting as a bodyguard really) and have Orochimaru's quarters reassigned to the extreme opposite end of the hideout.

~END FLASHBACK~

After a long pause Orochimaru finished his weak explanation, "…. differences of opinion. Nothing major, really."

Sasuke wasn't at all satisfied with the answer. He was sure his new sensei was leaving out some important details. If he stayed here long enough he felt he might learn more of the truth in time. The look on Kabuto's face gave away he too didn't believe the answer. Maybe Sasuke could get more information out of the medic nin if he caught him on a day when he was mad his Lord and in the mood for revenge.

"Right Kabuto, it was just some differences in opinion, that's all."

"Sure, let's go with that," Kabuto said not wanting to go against his master's words but not really agreeing with the reasoning. Kabuto knew quite well the exact circumstances of Orochimaru's dismissal since he was already working for Sasori at the time and present the day Orochimaru ran off in shame.

~Kabuto's memories~

After Orochimaru was banned from being anywhere near Itachi the ninja was bounced around from partner to partner. Each time he had done something to piss them off and they had heard enough of Orochimaru's woe is me why does Itachi-kun hate me whining. Soon there were a lot of angry ninja inside the Akatsuki hideout. This led to Pein holding a meeting for all members of the criminal group, except Orochimaru since the meeting was about his behavior. When the meeting was over the person responsible for the formation of the meeting was allowed to enter and face his fellow members.

"Orochimaru, after vigorous discussion and a group vote, by unanimous decision you are hereby voted out of the Akatsuki. You are the most irritating and expendable member, goodbye."

"What?" Orochimaru was dumbfounded. (He should have seen this coming but somehow it was a shocking revelation.)

"It's a polite way of saying pack your shit and leave now before we terminate your existence," Konan said without emotion.

"Fine. I'll leave, but you'll be sorry. I'll go found my own organization and it will be better than this one and way more feared then you'll ever be! No, I'll found my own Village and I'll raise an evil shinobi army the likes of which has never been seen. Just you wait and see!"

Then Orochimaru ran out of the room, packed his things and went off to found the Sound Village. The whole scene was quite juvenile but at least he did actually accomplish part of his goal. He had founded his own Village and raised an evil army of ninja, but whether they were well known or feared outside of Konohagakure was yet to be seen. Reflecting on this memory made Kabuto question why on Earth he willingly joined with and pledged his life to such a ninja. Most likely the total freedom to experiment until his heart's content. No other good reason was coming to mind.