All 6 of the Konoha shinobi froze before looking at Moriko in shock.

'Kagegakure? That's not on any of the maps nor in the records…' Shizune was standing in the doorway with a squealing Tonton in her arms.

Ibiki snorted before sniping, 'that village is just a myth. There is no such place…'

'On open records.' Tsunade interrupted.

'What?'

'There is no record of Kagegakure on the open records. Shizune, fetch me the Nidaime's (1) personal records from the classified Hokage library!'

Ibiki narrowed his eyes at the Godaime Hokage. 'You have been withholding information from the ANBU!'

'In the sake of peace and the prevention of war, yes.'

'What kind of information is so important that it is locked away without ANBU even being aware of its existence?'

'The knowledge of how the Nidaime Hokage gained his Kokuangyou no Jutsu (2) and the peace talks that ensued.'

Ibiki rounded on Moriko with a look of anger. Even Tsunade looked shocked at this input, although Kakashi merely looked amused. Nearly everyone had forgotten Moriko was there.

'What? You honestly thought that the Nidaime learned that jutsu out of thin air?'

I see the situation is worse than we thought… I'll have to inform the council that new peace talks need to be arranged the moment I can contact the village.

'Here Tsunade-sama!' Shizune had returned and handed the personal records to Tsunade.

The records were a large wad of loose sheets bound in a red leather spine with the Konoha leaf symbol on the front. There was a seal placed just below the symbol. Tsunade bit her thumb and dropped some blood on the seal before standing back and forming the tiger seal with only her right hand before shouting 'Kai!' (3)

'If anyone other than the current Hokage tried to break that seal then the documents would destroy themselves. So don't even think about trying to break into my office to get to them.' Tsunade said that with a significant look to a certain peeved interrogator. 'For if I walk into my office one day to find missing papers of a pile of self destructed documents the perpetrator will wish that they had died as a child!' Feeling that she had made her point, she flicked through the records to find the required pages and reading them aloud to the assembled shinobi.

'April 29th

It's true. The rumours I mean. They're true. Team 12 came in this afternoon from their C-rank mission with some friends. Two envoys from the forgotten village of Kagegakure. They say they're here to negotiate a peace arrangement. The council has agreed to arrange talks for tomorrow. So doubtless we'll learn some more then. Nii-san (4) says they are Kage. But they are not from the 5 ninja villages; so do they have the right to call themselves Kage?

'April 30th – Inter village peace talks

The two Yinkage from Kagegakure engaged us in peace talks today. I can't say much as the whole culture of Kagegakure appears to be entirely based in secrecy. But if you're reading this then the village must be in trouble. Do not engage the ninja of Kage at any cost. They are more powerful than we could ever hope to be, and if you attempt to fight them then you will be annihilated! Arrange peace talks instead just as we did for they would be powerful allies. On another interesting note; Nii-san seems rather smitten with the Rokudaime Yinkage… (5) Although said Yinkage doesn't seem to have noticed yet. It's hardly surprising considering Nii-san is not the most forward of people.

'There isn't much then until what appears to be the final entry concerning Kage and it's inhabitants…

'March 10th

We have peace; and an alliance far more powerful than anything precedent. It turns out the Rokudaime Hokage has been persuaded by Nii-san to stay. Hopefully this will strengthen the alliance. But it is not my business, so I will not enquire. The Godaime Yinkage left late this afternoon to return to her home village. Kagegakure as was agreed holds the peace treaty. We are left with only the ability to call them in need. I wonder if the Rokudaime will actually teach me the shadow jutsu she has been threatening to…

'After that the entries are not about Kage.'

'I hope you will honor that peace treaty…'

'The moment you tell us what that treaty entails we'll see what we can do. Unless you weren't paying attention, we weren't left with a copy of the treaty!' Tsunade was sarcasm at its best; but Moriko didn't seem to mind as she explained with the utmost patience.

'That was for your own safety. If it became wide knowledge that you were allied with Kagegakure it would've caused you more trouble than it was worth making an alliance for… The treaty itself states that if either village found a resident from the other village. Then that resident would be healed if the resident requires healing, fed, clothed and housed, whilst a message was sent to the other village such that they can reclaim said resident.'

'How do we know you are a resident of this Kagegakure?' Ibiki was not letting this go without a fight.

Moriko showed them her hitai-ate, (6) which was currently tied around her upper left arm. It was made of black cloth with the standard metal plate attached to it, only the symbol on this hitai-ate was a cross.

'This is proof of my qualification as a kunoichi of Kagegakure. The village is very particular as to who is allowed to have these.'

Tsunade pondered this before making what had the potential to be a politically crippling decision. She hoped Iwagakure, (7) Kirigakure (8) and Otogakure (9) didn't learn of this. Especially as it appeared Orochimaru was already after Moriko.

'Fine. You can stay with Kakashi and train with his squad since he owes you one.'

'Hokage-sama?!'

'Is there a problem Kakashi?' Tsunade's voice had entered a dangerous octave.

'Um… No…'

Tsunade turned back to Moriko. 'You are to contact your Kage as soon as you are physically and spiritually capable. Whilst we are mentioning your health, you are fit enough to leave as soon as you feel ready. Just let the nurse who is at the front desk know you are leaving so the hospital staff don't panic.'

'Now that's sorted I have a pile of paperwork that Shizune is bugging me to complete. Ibiki come with me!'

Tsunade marched out of the hospital ward dragging along a reluctant Ibiki who had wanted to ask Moriko some more questions without the Hokage's interference.

Kakashi sighed. He didn't need this at the moment. He was already trying to keep his newly reformed Team Kakashi together with the annoying addition of Sai. Now there was to be another upset in the team dynamic.

'If it's a problem I can always lodge here for the minute…'

'It's ok. Just thinking over logistics. Come on, I'll settle you into the apartment.'

Ooooooo

Yay another chapter up! Please review it makes me feel appreciated and therefore want to write more… Any constructive criticism is welcome. Blazing Aurora

Here is a small glossary for those not understanding the significance of some of the Japanese words in this story:-

Nidaime Hokage – 2nd Hokage (A previous head of Konoha. Now dead.)

Bringer of Darkness technique – A genjutsu technique, which causes the ninja's opponent to be enveloped in total darkness. While in the black void, the ninja will be unable to see any incoming attack or threat. The Nidaime used this attack against the Sandaime Hokage (3rd Hokage Sarutobi) whilst Orochimaru was controlling him in the attack against Konoha

Kai – Release

Rokudaime Yinkage – 6th Yinkage (A head of Kagegakure. E/N-Go Kagegakure!!!...Wonder if Aurora will notice this note… )

Nii-san – brother

Hitai-ate – Forehead protector; it is a statement of the ninja's village as well as proof that s/he is a qualified ninja

Iwagakure – Village Hidden in the Clouds (not too long ago Konoha fought a major war with this village. It was the war that gave Yondaime the name 'Yellow Flash')

Kirigakure – Village Hidden in the Mist (Momochi Zabuza's village)

Otogakure – Village Hidden in the Sound (Orochimaru founded Oto and is it's current head)