Kimimaro, Haku and the others had now reached the entrance to the land of the hidden Waterfall village. Although meeting some resistance, they had been successful in gaining entry at the avoidance of violence.
Meanwhile, word of the situation had reached the ear of Fuyōna back in the Hidden Mist village, causing him to worry somewhat as to how the other nations had gotten word of their plan to send reinforcements to support the Waterfall.
"I'm sure they are alright," Mei said, trying to put Fuyōna at ease.
Fuyōna placed the report on the table, seeing that Mei was just as worried as he was.
"The report says that under half of the units, we sent made it to the land of Waterfalls," Fuyōna said, not seeming pleased with the situation.
"Looks like the Akatsuki is on the move again," Mei added, seeing the report mentioned Zabuza.
"Yes... Perhaps it is time I dealt with them myself." Fuyōna said, knowing he had allowed them to plot and move too long.
"You can't be serious. Even you can't take them all on alone." Mei said, knowing what he was thinking.
"Not all of them..." He said. Turning on his chair to look his wife in the eyes and getting a questioning look in return.
"What are you planning Fuyōna?" Mei asked, not liking where this could be going.
"For now, nothing," Fuyōna said bluntly, still unsure of how to approach this whole situation.
Mei breathed a small sigh of relief, knowing from the intel they had on the group so far, even Fuyōna alone might not be a match for all of them. Something she feared for the worst.
"Its alright, Mei. For now, we have no choice other than to wait and see what their next move is." Fuyōna then said as he stood up and took her hand in his, causing Mei to feel at ease.
"No matter what, we will protect the village together." He then said, looking into her eyes, giving her confidence.
"No matter what." She then said, leaning in to kiss him as she did.
Kimimaro and Haku had arrived at the village hidden in the Waterfalls with the others. Everyone had been allowed some time to rest and recover from the journey, with those who needed it being given medical attention, such as Ganryu and Iseto.
Kakashi had taken overall command of the remaining force now that Ganryu was out of commission for a little while. However, everyone had simply been put on standby for the time being, gathering everyone in the main hall located at the top of the village.
The whole place was a small wonder to behold. The group had been escorted through a dangerous cave system filled with traps and waterways that seemed to run in all directions, causing one to become lost if following the wrong one.
Once they had finally come to the exit of the cave system they arrived at a large lake that was at the centre of the village, with a large and beautiful tree, seeming to give life to the people and also provide a natural defence to their home.
The group had been escorted towards the main building that overlooked the village, giving them the impression that was where their leader was based.
Once there, they were reunited with Kakashi and the other squads that had also made it to the village in one piece. With Ganryu and anyone else who had been injured being taken away for medical treatment.
"So this is the final team to make it here?" Kakashi asked, knowing that Kogetsu was the next in command after Ganryu.
"It would seem that way," Kogetsu said, being able to see that only so few were here.
Kimimaro, Haku and Koyuki took a good look at Kakashi, remembering him from their mission in the land of Snow.
"Good to see you three again." Kakashi then said, realizing who they were.
"You too, sir," Koyuki said, while Haku and Kimimaro simply nodded.
"It sure has been a while," Kakashi said, before having his attention taken from one of the Waterfall ninjas.
"Excuses me, but Lord Hisen would like to speak to whoever the leaders of your group are." One of the Waterfall envoys said.
"Of course." kakashi said before turning to Kogetsu.
"Shall we?" Kakashi asked.
"Certainly," Kogetsu said before turning to look at Kimimaro and the others.
"Wait here for my return. Once I have spoken to the head of the village here, then we will have a better idea of what to do next." Kogetsu said, getting a nod from the rest of the group.
Kimimaro and the others watched as Kogetsu and Kakashi walked away with the Waterfall ninja, leaving them alone in the large hall.
"So now what are we supposed to do?" Chika suddenly asked while placing her hands behind her head.
"You dummy. Didn't you hear what Kogetsu said?" Kujira suddenly yelled, growing tired of her ability to listen.
"Come on you two, stop it will ya!" Rokuro also shouted, trying to keep the peace between them as they clashed heads.
"Both captain Ganryu and Hattori are in the hospital... Not to mention the others from the hidden Leaf village." Koyuki said, simply ignoring Chika and Kujira.
"We were lucky to have made it here at all," Haku added, knowing that their battle with Zabuza could have taken a very different turn.
"The real question is how did the enemy know we were coming here in the first place." Kimimaro suddenly said, seeming to get straight to the point.
The others stopped fighting and looked at him, not sure what he meant by that.
"What do you mean, Kimimaro?" Kujira asked.
"Yeah, we are at war. Of course, the enemy nations are going to be patrolling the area!" Chika also said as she punched Kujira on the head for ignoring her.
"I'm saying that somehow they knew we were on the move," Kimimaro said.
"I was also thinking the same thing." Haku suddenly said, agreeing with his brother and causing the others to remain silent for a moment.
"If what you are saying is true, then wouldn't that mean that there is a traitor somewhere in our village?" Koyuki said, causing everyone to grow tense.
"Not just our village..." Haku then said, causing the atmosphere to grow even tenser.
Meanwhile...
Both Kakashi and Kogetsu followed the Waterfall ninja who was escorting them to meet the leader of the village himself. Both of them had heard of the man in question before, but neither of them had a face to put to the name.
"Sir, I have brought both of them as requested." The Waterfall ninja said, bowing down before his leader.
"Thank you." A deep voice coming from behind a sliding paper door said, waiting for him to lift his head and take his leave.
It was quiet for a moment while both Kakashi and Kogetsu waited for the head of the Waterfall village to address them.
"So... You are what they sent me, eh?" A rough voice said from behind the cover.
Suddenly the paper doors that concealed the man's appearance opened and revealed him to them.
"So we have Kakashi the copy ninja... And, Who the hell are you?" The head of the Waterfall village said, not seeming impressed.
"My name is Kogetsu, sir. Formally of Lord Mizukage's personal Anbu guard." Kogetsu said as he lowered his head.
"Is that so... Well, if the Mizukage has sent one of his own, then I'm sure you can hold your own." He said, having already weighed them both up with a fierce stair.
"So this is Hisen... Leader of the hidden Waterfall." Kakashi thought as he took in his appearance.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hisen, leader of the hidden Waterfall village." Hisen then said as he stood to his feet to give them both a proper greeting.
Hisen had short smooth brown hair that was greying on the outside and tips, with just the top of his head still having brown hair. He wore a black Waterfall forehead protector around his forehead and his hair hung over the left and right sides of it. He also had small black-coloured eyes and a small brown-coloured goatee that framed his face.
"Now that the introductions are in order, I guess we can get to the reason you are both here." Hisen then said, growing more serious again and getting both Kakashi's and Kogetsu's undivided attention.
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Alright going to end this one here.