Itachi POV

It's been a year since I've seen Shisui. My heart aches when I think of him. I haven't seen him. What if what happened was a dream or genjutsu? What if it wasn't him. My mind says Shisui is gone, never to return, but everything else says he is here. I feel his chakra permeating the air, surrounding me as a constant shield.

Akatsuki missions are hard, harder than my ANBU missions. I'm having to use my Sharingan more, my Mangekyō too. My vision is getting blurry at the edges, and that's dangerous for a Shinobi. I've taken to keeping my Sharingan active, increasing my reserves and keeping my sight clear. I hate the cloak with the red clouds painted on it, but I wear it anyways.

It's hard not to feel depressed at times, memories of the massacre flitting throughout my mind. 'Sasuke' I think. How is he? He would be around eleven now, probably more mature than the innocent eight year old I left behind. Suddenly overcome with the desire to check on him, I send out a crow, the one with Shisuis eyes. "Watch him." I whisper, the words getting lost in the wind.

My mouth turns down in the faintest hint of a frown as I sense a vile presence behind me.

"Orochimaru." I say. "Does Leader-Sama have another mission?" I hear his hissing laughter.

"Itachi-kun. Kukuku. No leader-Sama has no use of us right now."

Then why was Orochimaru here? It's not like we even remotely like each other. I hear the slither of snakes and wrap myself in a genjutsu, watching as "I" get captured in Orochimarus Sen'jashu (Shadow Snake Hands). "I" burst into a murder of crows. I release the genjutsu. "What is it you're after?" I ask softly, aloofly.

"Your eyes hold sssuch power Itachi-kun. I want them!" Orochimaru lunges, only to be intercepted by what seems to be the wind. I feel a familiar chakra wash over me. My eyes widen. It's....!