Three Days Later

"You're actually here early, ay, Kakashi?" Tenzo asked, watching his teammate approach the great gate of the village-- the spot they were all meeting for their retrieval mission. Kakashi nodded, "yeah." This mission was too serious to him, too dear to his heart to be anything but early. He needed to bring her home. "I guess all we need now is--" "heeeeyaaaaa!" Gai came flying through the air, poised to kick Kakashi straight in the face. Kakashi simply stepped to the side, his hands in his pockets, his gaze void of any surprise or expression; Gai went crashing to the ground. "What are you doing, Gai?" Asked Kakashi, rather uncaring. "Why, making sure you are at your best for this mission!" He declared, standing right up as if no damage had been done. "For you see, my rival," he started, placing his hand on Kakashi's shoulder, and then moved both hands towards his chest as he spoke, "when matters of the heart are at stake," he balled his hands into fists, "you must always remain both vigilant and youthful!" he opened his arms out to either side of him as he confidently finished his explanation. Both Kakashi and Tenzo stared at him in disbelief, Kakashi's face a slight shade of pink. He hadn't realized it was that obvious to anyone but him and maybe the Third. "Now then, let's not waste anymore time! We must go save Koishii as quickly as possible, so that she and Kakashi's youthful love can blossom once more!" Gai started marching out of the village. "Gai, that's all fine and what not, but..." Tenzo started, watching Gai. "But, we don't even know where she is yet." Kakashi finished. Gai stopped in his tracks and turned around. "Right, of course! So what's the plan, Kakashi?"

The skies were gray with gloom as they fast-approached the Hidden Sound Village, Pakkun leading the way. Fat drops of rain fell from the sky one at a time, until suddenly it came down all at once like a blanket. The three Jounin pulled the hoods of their cloaks over their heads; the rain did not bother them. Lightening bolted across the sky as they walked through the new village. It was empty in this down pour. The three kept an eye out, watching for anything suspicious.

But it was all suspicious.

There was definitely something off about this village; windows and doors shut as they passed by, and villagers scowled at them before retreating into buildings or homes.

"Well, that's it. The rain has washed away any scent that was left of her. However," Pakkun started, "she did spend some time in that bar. I also caught a wiff of her and another's scent in that direction." Pakkun finished, nodding his head towards the outskirts of the village. "Right. Thanks, Pakkun, I guess you're finished here," Kakashi said, dismissing his number one ninja hound. "Should we go investigate the bar?" Tenzo asked. Kakashi looked towards the small wooden building, thinking; some people glared at him through the window. He then turned towards his waiting teammates. "No. She was most likely in there to find out where she needed to be. I think it's best to head out of the village for now." Gai and Tenzo nodded, and the three set off to exit the village in the direction Pakkun had set them on.

"This area is definitely protected by some sort of barrier." Tenzo confirmed after miles of walking around the slightly wooded area; the rain had stopped by now. Kakashi nodded, "we must be getting close, then. Now we just need to figure out how to bring it down," he stated, looking at the strange barrier. It was shaped like a dome, and was nearly invisible. It looked as if it were vibrating. "I'll take it down with the power of my youth!" Gai declared, charging at the barrier before punching it with his all might. Gai was bolted back upon contact with the barrier, and his ears began bleeding as he landed on his bottom, nausea taking over. "Gai, that was a little too reckless," Kakashi stated as Tenzo walked over to the shield and began to examine it. Gai stood up, rubbing his ears. "I do believe that this is a sound barrier!" Gai stated, walking towards Tenzo, ignoring how bad he felt at the moment. "Hmm. It is possible," Tenzo agreed. "Sound, huh? I have just the thing," Kakashi stated, positioning for chidori. Tenzo and Gai backed away as Kakashi charged, the sound of a thousand birds chirping away. The shield was hit with an immense amount of force, and his arm shot through with no ill effects. The shield quickly sputtered away, and the team treaded on, confident that they must've been getting close.

About four miles into their run, and painstakingly checking multiple caves, they came across a rocky clearing, a large cave well within view. "This must be it," Kakashi stated. Koishii had to be in there. He could feel it. "So you've made it this far, huh?" A man came into view, his arms crossed. He wore a white robe with white pants, and a large, twisted purple belt around his waist. His hair was gleaming white and tousled, the length of his chin. His eyes were brown and narrow, and his skin was quite pale.

"Who are you?" Kakashi demanded. "I am Metaru, and this is my sister, Tategato." Tategato wore a white kimono with the same purple belt around her waist. Her hair was long and wispy, a glossy silver color. Her eyes were also brown and narrow, though much more feminine than her brother's. Her skin was also pale, and she wore purple eye makeup that came to points on the outside corner of her eyes. "If you want to get to the girl, you'll have to go through us," Tategato challenged.

"Go, Kakashi, we can handle this!" Tenzo assured, getting ready to fight. "That's right. It will be no problem at all!" Gai backed, he too getting into a fighting stance. "Right," Kakashi nodded, sprinting towards the entrance of the cave, fully trusting his friends to cover him. "Like we'll let you get in there!" Metaru shouted, stretching his arm out in front him. A large metal spike shot out from the ground right under Kakashi. He jumped just in time to dodge, only to be met with another larger spike shooting from the ground. He turned upside-down mid-air, and placing his hands around the spike, used it to propel himself into a flip, dodging around a third spike, and running faster than the other four could keep up. "Dammit!" Metaru cursed, watching as Kakashi easily entered the cave. He jolted his hand towards the cave, and from within his fingers shot out shards of rough metal, flying towards Kakashi with immense speed. "Hyaa!" Gai exclaimed, kicking the metal to the ground with ease as Tenzo formed a thick, wooden door at the entrance of the cave. "You're opponent is us," he stated. Metaru grunted, "fine! I'll kill you both first, then!" "Not likely!" Gai retorted, jumping towards Metaru, and swinging a kick at him. Metaru summoned another spike from the ground to use as a shield. Gai stopped his kick just before it could make contact.

The sound of music was heard just then, and Gai and Tenzo noticed that Tategoto was seated on a stool, playing a harp. A red screen began to surround her, and the metal spike Metaru raised began to sway back and forth, as if dancing. "Huh?" Gai looked down to the piece of waving metal, and then it wrapped itself around his extended leg. "What the!?--" the metal picked him up from the ground, and flung him into a nearby tree. The force knocked the wind out of him momentarily as he slid down the trunk.