03 // Video

[snakeinpants]

[As usual, Orochimaru is in his laboratory at SERO. There are subtle changes in the room from the last time--his name stenciled on the door and more assistants running around. All are evidence that he has, as promised, started to rise through the ranks. As always, his smile is enigmatic and disarming even while being an obvious reflection of his

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[Private, Voice]

[shar1ngan]

[Itachi is very good at hiding his emotions when he knows he needs to, but it's a struggle this time]

Have you? What would that be, Orochimaru-san?

[snakeinpants]

[It may not be much, but like blood in the water to a shark, Orochimaru can almost smell this weakness.]

I'm certain there is no need for feigned ignorance here, Itachi-kun.

[shar1ngan]

[He's silent for a long moment]

Orochimaru-san.

[He takes a breath, and lets it out, struggling for control. Threats will mean nothing to this man]

What is Sasuke's status?

[snakeinpants]

[Orochimaru nods and the camera pans down to show a body covered in a white sheet.]

I was only able to obtain this afterwards. I'm sure you understand that I do not approve of such a waste. [The camera pans back up to Orochimaru.] I am willing to return it to you. However, you cannot expect me to bypass this opportunity. [Orochimaru knows he has no need to elaborate.]

[shar1ngan]

[Itachi's face goes wooden as he stares at the body. It might not be Sasuke. Part of his mind screams that it can't be Sasuke. But he knows it is Sasuke because otherwise why would Orochimaru be showing it to him?]

Yes...thank you, Orochimaru-san. [His lips are so dry they feel as if they're cracking and bleeding with every word] Shall I come to you now to...take possession of...of the body?

[snakeinpants]

Of course. [Orochimaru is the very picture of politeness. Naturally, he cannot wait to begin experimenting on the Sharingan he has obtained--how he trembles with excitement at the prospect--but first, first, he knows he must deal with this.] As per our agreement, I can guarantee your safety if you wish to collect him. [How he lies. Ordinarily, he would take advantage of Itachi's slip up. It is only because he already has what wants that he will give Itachi his assistance.]

[shar1ngan]

That's very kind of you.

[How he loathes this man, but he can't do anything until he knows Sasuke's body is safe. Even if Sasuke can't feel pain now, he needs that. It's his brother's birthday, after all.

And Sasuke is dead.

Maybe forever. Maybe if he does come back, he'll hate Itachi again]

I'll be there soon.

[snakeinpants]

[Orochimaru merely nods again.] I'll be waiting. [And the feed cuts out.

Orochimaru orders all of his assistants out of his lab, and inputs the codes for SERO's security to recognize Itachi's face and allow him entry. He has Sasuke's Sharingan, already safely removed, taken elsewhere. And should Itachi decide to become violent, he has several Voids awaiting his command. They stand against the far walls as a silent reminder of who is in charge here.]

[Actiony loglike thing]

[shar1ngan]

Itachi knew Orochimaru would keep his word, at least insofar as letting him in. He was reasonably certain that he'd be allowed out again, as well. Even with Voids at his command, Itachi was a formidable opponent, and unlike Sasuke, he was prepared.

He had ordered Shikamaru to remain hidden. Orochimaru wouldn't allow the boy to accompany him, even if he wanted him there, and there was no sense in delivering him, gift-wrapped, into SERO's hands regardless.

His expression was calm, but slightly tight around the mouth as he entered Orochimaru's lab. His crimson eyes flicked around the room thoroughly, taking in the sheet-covered corpse without lingering, then up at Orochimaru's face.

"And Kakashi-san? I presume he is also dead, but was of no interest to you."

orz I should have asked but I just went ahead. Sorry ;;

[snakeinpants]

Ordinarily, Orochimaru would have been envious of those eyes. But not any more. He had finally acquired a set for himself. Unfortunate that he did not have the Uchiha vessel to go with it, but that could be remedied in time. So it was he was the picture of ease and confidence as Itachi approached him.

"Oh? If I had known you cared, perhaps I could have salvaged his body as well. As it is...." Orochimaru shrugged, an eloquent rolling of his shoulders. There hadn't been much left of Kakashi, and he hadn't really cared either way. "I doubt anything remains."

What are you apologizing for ;3;

[shar1ngan]

Itachi shook his head. He cared, of course. Kakashi had been his friend, and even his lover for a short time. But his grief over Sasuke's loss left little room to mourn about this right now.

"It is unimportant," he said quietly, then raised his head to eye Orochimaru. "I want to destroy SERO, to rip the company from its foundations and reduce it to ash. You know that I have the ability to do this."

He raised a hand. "I will not do so, under two conditions. Firstly, I must have your guarantee that Kakashi's employees will not be pursued. Secondly, your guarantee that you will not go after Sasuke or I again. You have your Sharingan. Keep them and use them for what you want. But I will allow you no more. Do you understand, Orochimaru-san."

Cuz I should have asked D:

[snakeinpants]

Orochimaru loathed the fact that Itachi was right. It was an inconceivably hard pill to swallow. But, ah, it would not last forever, after all. Itachi would die one day, but Orochimaru was eternal. It was this that enabled him to retain his cool, and calmly offer his reply.

"I had nothing to do with either of these...incidents, but I will do my best to see no harm comes to them. As for the rest, I believe I have everything I need." There was little use in pretending otherwise, and Orochimaru had no intention of downplaying what he believed was one of his greatest successes. "As you have said, Itachi-kun. This place is too small for strife. Death, too, is often impermanent." Orochimaru knew he did not need to say more.

You mean about Kakashi? That's fine! It's perfect!

[shar1ngan]

Itachi took a step closer, a dangerous step between two such powerful ninja. Though they were still quite some distance from one another by most people's standards, every step closer was a threat.

"I am aware that you had nothing to do with these incidents, Orochimaru-san," he said, his voice lowering. "And so I will not blame you for what has already gone forward. But I refuse to believe that you lack influence, or the ability to influence the right people within your organization, even though you are new to it. I know you too well. And so I will have your personal guarantee, because if any of those innocent men come to harm at SERO's hands it will be you, personally, who will suffer."

Flattery and threat, in combination. The only way to deal with a man like Orochimaru.

No, no, I meant about going to action log ^^; It's working out, but yeah

[snakeinpants]

Orochimaru maintained his relaxed posture, hiding his tension well. Itachi had been witness to some amount of weakness on his part on two ocassions. There would not be a third. His NV, however, had a mind of its own as it slithered down his sleeve to drop next to Sasuke's body. The large, white snake stared at Itachi and hissed.

"Very uncharacteristic of the Itachi-kun I know. I wonder what could have happened to you. But, very well. I will prevent SERO from harming those in question. However..." Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I am only granting you their lives as part of this exchange. It is a one time deal." He didn't want Itachi calling in supposed favors all the time, after all.

Yeah XD It's working <3

[shar1ngan]

Itachi nodded solemnly. The words were a jab, and an effective one. He couldn't afford for Orochimaru to realize that things were strange with him. It could make things very complex if more members of the Akatsuki were to arrive later.

"Just as we have an understanding amongst one another, I have an understanding with others in the city," he said with a faint shrug. "This is not a large island, and I have always abhorred unnecessary violence. If you think this is uncharacteristic of me, you may not know me as well as you think."

His eyes moved to the snake, narrowing as it coiled near Sasuke's body. "Of course, this is only for this exchange. I will keep my word and allow SERO to continue to exist so long as those two conditions are met."

8D;;; <3

[snakeinpants]

"Such a detailed cover. I'm impressed," Orochimaru said, as he moved behind Sasuke's dead body, placing it between them. He offered no further comment on Itachi's odd behavior. Regardless of what he said, Orochimaru was suspicious. He would find everything out for himself one day, but not right now.

"I'm glad we have an understanding." Orochimaru extended his arm out to the snake, and it crawled back up it to disappear into his sleeve. "You might not think so, but SERO is doing important work here. I'm pleased to be a part of it."