Nightshift 35: West Wing, South Hall 1-A

[31st-of-china.livejournal.com]

[Coming from here]

So they still had to deal with one of the brainwashed patients tonight; the rest were being carted off for experimentation. Something had changed in the routine. There'd been a pattern earlier, one night to those "trials", the others for the brain-washed patients. But tonight was different for some reason.

So what made it change?

Sanzo was suspicious of sudden change, mostly because it always signaled something was up.

Was it because of that "Jill" pissing Landel off? Or just pure whim?

Whatever the reason, it wouldn't do the patients any favors.

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[toadally4boobs.livejournal.com]

The way Itachi greeted him told Jiraiya two things immediately--that Itachi still had some measure of respect for his elders and that Itachi was at least a polite serial killer. Jiraiya decided that if Itachi was going out of his way to show respect, then maybe he would be more open to discussion than he first thought. At least something was going to go in his favor today, if he was reading the younger ninja correctly.

"Itachi," Jiraiya greeted in turn with a nod. "Are you without a partner for nightshift as well?"

He let Itachi have that bit of information, confident that he'd be able to fight the man off if Itachi was actually stupid enough to attack him. Which Jiraiya was fairly certain he wasn't. Before he went insane, Itachi had been a prodigy.

[youlackmascara.livejournal.com]

Itachi's eyes flickered a little. That was a strange question. He had expected a more direct approach. However, Jiraiya's roundabout way of confronting him at least told him that the Sannin was alone, provided he wasn't lying.

"I do not consider a partner necessary," Itachi said slowly, considering the situation. Perhaps he should simply be direct, if Jiraiya would not be. "I wish to speak with you," and his tone brooked no argument, however much he might respect the other, "but I have a mission to complete tonight."

[toadally4boobs.livejournal.com]

"Funny," Jiraiya replied, keeping his face impassive, "because I want to talk to you."

He glanced at Itachi, sizing him up. The man was focused on this "mission", so delaying Itachi to speak to him wouldn't be possible. Instead, the only way would be...

"It might be hard for us to speak to one another during the daytime," Jiraiya stated slowly--Itachi would know automatically he was talking about Sasuke and Naruto. "So if you wanted a partner tonight..."

Muscling his way into Itachi's mission wasn't going to win him any points. Jiriaya knew there would always be the next night. So, he let Itachi choose.

[youlackmascara.livejournal.com]

Itachi just stared Jiraiya down for a moment without answering. So Jiraiya would also try to pull information out of him. That could not happen.

It would be difficult to make this a one-sided interrogation, but it was necessary, so Itachi would manage it. Taking Jiraiya with him could prove dangerous, though, if he interfered with the mission. On the other hand, the Sannin could serve as a distraction to any monster that happened to attack them.

"You may come with me, if you wish," he said finally, "as long as you do not interfere." His politeness had its limits.

[toadally4boobs.livejournal.com]

Jiraiya almost grinned at how Itachi stared at him incredulously. The man was expecting that he was going to ask about Akatsuki, and Jiraiya knew that Itachi wouldn't answer any questions about his organization. He wasn't stupid enough to ask questions concerning that. Well, unless his question was somehow unknowingly related....

"I won't interfere," Jiraiya stated quite seriously. "Learning the layout of this place will be useful."

And then, he smirked a little. "The information I wish to ask you about doesn't concern Akatsuki. It's more of a personal curiosity that I have...."

It was the last he would mention of it for the moment, not wanting to irritate Itachi by delaying him further. Unless, of course, Itachi just wanted to get it over with. Either way was fine with Jiraiya.

[youlackmascara.livejournal.com]

Itachi nodded a little and set off down the hallway. It was reasonable for Jiraiya to want to familiarize himself with the Institute, but Itachi would have to be on his guard. They were enemies outside of these walls, and he could not afford to underestimate Jiraiya.

He was confused about the man's second statement, though. Personal curiosity? What personal matter could he have with Itachi? Itachi almost wanted to ask him to explain, but he did not want to give away any sort of information, whatever the subject. He decided to let Jiraiya bring it up when he desired. Itachi could work from there, perhaps using the conversation to his advantage to find the information he himself needed.