"Kakashi, Dosuke, what now?" Rin asked, her voice soft.
"We are not invaders. Let us follow Takikage's plan," Kakashi said. He glanced around and walked to the house.
Dosuke found a switch. Light filled the room.
"Finally, rest," Obito said. He flopped onto a bed. The day's travel and cliff climb had drained him.
Dosuke untied Fu from his chest. He laid her on a quilt.
"She is still asleep?" Dosuke asked, watching Fu's steady breaths.
"A few days ago, she was like this," Rin said, changing Fu's diaper. "Minato said her seal is flawed. She will normalize when it is fixed."
Dosuke pulled military ration pills from his pouch. He handed them out. "Eat light. We have not eaten since evening. Tonight, we take turns on watch."
Kakashi took a pill. "Taki's stance is unclear. Stay cautious."
Dosuke, Kakashi, and Obito kept watch. The night passed quietly.
At dawn, knocks sounded.
"Lord Takikage requests you," a voice said.
The noise stirred Kakashi and Dosuke from light sleep.
Kakashi signaled Dosuke. His hand crept to his pouch, ready for a weapon.
Dosuke formed a thin water film before him. He eased the door open a crack.
Mizusuke, the masked ninja from last night, stood a few steps back. The distance was polite, not threatening.
"Breakfast," Mizusuke said, pointing to a fat chef with a food box. "Takikage invites you to his office after."
"My lords, your meal," the chef said, smiling, offering the box.
"Thank you, Mizusuke," Dosuke said. He took the box and shut the door.
"Takikage wanted us last night," Dosuke said, setting the box down. "What do you think, Kakashi?"
"We have no choice," Kakashi said, voice low. "We are in their village. Those ninjas yesterday could crush us."
"Like fish on a cutting board," Dosuke said.
"Fish? What?" Obito asked, confused.
"Nothing, Obito," Dosuke said, waving him off.
"Look at this food!" Obito said, opening the box. Sushi spilled out.
Dosuke grabbed tweezers, syringes, and test tubes from his pouch. He scraped bits of food, mixed them in a tube, and shook it. The liquid turned light blue.
"No strong poison," Dosuke said, eyeing the tube.
"I am eating," Obito said. He stuffed caviar sushi in his mouth. "So good! Lin, Dosuke, Kakashi, try it."
Rin sat with Fu, now awake. "It looks fancy," she said.
"Sister, I want some!" Fu said, squirming.
Rin gave her a piece. "Eat slow, do not choke."
"I am not eating," Dosuke said.
"Me neither," Kakashi said.
Rin and Obito froze, staring at their food.
Obito, mouth full, mumbled, "Huh?" He kept eating.
After breakfast, Kakashi and Dosuke flanked Lin, who held Fu.
Obito trailed, rubbing his belly, burping.
They walked to the office Mizusuke pointed out.
Villagers stared curiously. Taki ninjas eyed their Konoha headbands.
Dosuke studied the village. Last night's dark hid its details. Cliffs circled Taki like a barrel. Waterfalls poured down, misting the air. A breeze kept it fresh.
Villagers wore light clothes. Shops sold crops. A huge waterfall marked the village entrance, per the Chunin's map.
* Perfect for Water Style, * Dosuke thought.
They reached the office building.
"Stop. State your business," a guard said.
"Mizusuke said Takikage called us," Kakashi said.
A ninja in a green robe and mask appeared. "Lord Takikage allows the Konoha ninjas in."
He gestured. "Follow me."
Fu clung to Lin. "Sister, I am scared," she whispered.
Rin soothed her. They followed.
As they entered, a faint figure watched, then vanished.
The guide knocked. "Come in," a voice said.
"Lord Takikage, the Konoha ninjas are here," the guide said.
"Good. Let them in," Takikage said.
The guide vanished.
Dosuke and the others exchanged looks.
"Come in," Takikage called.
Dosuke opened the door.
The room was neat. A large desk stood in the center.
"Sit," Takikage said, pointing to a sofa.
He sat at the desk. "Did you take a mission to bring Fu here?" he asked.