I am glad Sakura-san was found. It will be easier to focus attention elsewhere now, without having to divide it.

( Private to Kisame//Unhackable )

Where is he.

The quiet can take you by surprise sometimes. It's so very easy to get lost amidst your own thoughts that the rest of the world around you suddenly ceases to occupy the forefront of your mind.

Fortunately I am not one of those that allows his mind to wander.

( Private to Sasuke//Unhackable )


( Private to Zelda-san//Unhackable )


( Private//Unhackable )

...Here again?

And nothing has changed. As expected...

[The voice that can be heard on the other end is notably Itachi's, but there is something openly sharp and cutting about it, not at all the way he normally addresses the residents of World's End. There is a mixture of dry amusement and annoyance combined in his words...]

So, there are many of you not quite themselves, is that so? And judging by the mass response, these changes range from absurd to perilous.

I'll have to take care whom I cross paths with, I suppose.

[Soft footsteps along dead grass. The crunch of leaves, the whisper of a cloak. A cold, nostalgic sigh.]

Sasuke... where are you? I'm not the only one worried about you.

[His footsteps stop, and instead of grass and leaves, the rush of water and a crisp wind can now be heard. It appears he's made his way out of the forest, and is slowly heading into town.]



[OOC: For anyone wondering, this is Itachi's door'd self, and he is now, for the duration of the event, the Genkakukage, the leader of his own village, known as the Hidden Village of Illusions, or Genkakugakure. Seriously lame, huh? =) In this "canon" he never deliberately left Sasuke alive, his little brother miraculously escaped the massacre. He had decided of his own free will to kill the clan so that he could reshape it to fit his ideals, because, let's face it, Itachi's always been disappointed in them. Itachi joined Akatsuki for a time afterward, but when they ceased to be useful, he broke apart from them and formed his own village. Think Orochimaru, only... Itachi. His goals right now include finding Sasuke and killing him, and wiping out Konohagakure. Also, he'll try to hide the fact he's as nasty a bastard as he is. Beware~!]

Too many questions. Not nearly as many answers as would be useful.

Fewer still the commonality willing to excavate those answers.

Perhaps fear of the repercussions has backed us all into the corner?

( Private to Kisame//Viewable to Akatsuki Only )

( Private to Sakura//Unhackable )

( Private//Unhackable )

Maybe time will tell... but we're running out of time.

The probability of our adversary actually being wolves seems unlikely.

Not so long ago I made the mistake of provoking the Crimson King myself, and he retaliated with riders on horseback sent to take away Aaron, because of his youth. At the time there were not many and Aaron was saved... but by the sounds coming from the northern forest, such is not the case this time.

Their numbers are perhaps doubled, maybe even tripled. Perhaps more... With the Crimson King it is difficult to say.

It is my suggestion everyone be prepared to handle such foes.

Aaron, and all current residents at the pagoda permitting, I would like to return for a while.

There are limits to everything. I have met those of my patience.


( Private to the Crimson King//Unhackable )


( Private to Zelda & Queensguard//Unhackable )

[The voice post begins with someone stumbling about, and a loud fumbling sound following! There's a shout, then a gasp, and a relieved sigh heaved into the microphone, somewhat muffled as if spoken through a mask. Apparently the one posting had tripped over something, and very nearly dropped their communicator. When all is well, they speak in a lighter voice that carries quickly.]

OW! Where the heck... this isn't where I went to sleep...

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY STAIRS?! Jeeeeeze!

H-heeeeey.....


WHERE IS MY ITACHAAAAN!???!!!?!!!


...she was right here a minute ago, I could have sworn it! I PUT HER RIGHT THERE!

Maaaan... SENPAI, HAVE YOU SEEN ITA-CHAN? I hope those Uchihoochies didn't get a hold of her. Come to think of it.. isn't this pagoda where they were staying? It smells funny!

I wonder if fathips is around here.

[A brief shuffling sound is made, like a cloak rustling against quickly moving legs. A short, sneaky laugh is the last thing that is heard before the communicator shuts off.]

I will be making rounds through the city today. If you find yourself in danger and I am near, I will help however I might be able to.

Sasuke, Aaron, do not venture outdoors or apart from one another today. I will make up for my absence as I am able to, tomorrow. That much I promise.

Konan... perhaps we might reestablish our original plan?

( Private to Zelda and the Queensguard//Unhackable )

Happy birthday, Aaron.

Ah... and Ihy, if you'd be so kind to give Aaron what he wants most today, I would appreciate it, and be in your debt.

...This is most displeasing.

I wonder if a genjutsu would effectively hide these... unwanted attributes.

...Was it for naught? A wasted effort, then...

My gratitude goes out to those that were there for Aaron during... mine and my brother's unintended leave of absence.

Konan, Prince, Zack, Brienne, Zelda... Dean... thank you.

Your honor knows no bounds.


( Private to Sasuke//Unhackable )


( Private to Aaron//Unhackable )


( Private to Konan//Unhackable )

...Konohagakure.

Sasuke, where are you?