彼は私の秘
Kare wa Watashi no Himitsu
"He is My Secret"
Assignment
A girl, barely sixteen, stood on top of the Mizukage building that stood at the centre of Kirigakure, clad in complete ANBU armor. Her mask was shaped as a wolf that had a red streak of paint across both high cheekbones of the mask. She was not alone.
"During this mission, your code name will be 'Yumi' as you portray a civilian of Sunagakure." Said the Mizukage's aide, "Of course you understand the importance of this mission due to the treaty kept between Kirigakure and Sunagakure. However, the news about the target defecting from the village has been restrained from the public ear thus far. So, in order to avoid an arousal of trouble as the result if word got out, the Kazekage himself has asked if the assassination could happen away from any villages. Do I make myself clear?"
The girl, standing in a stoic pose bowed as she breathed against her mask, "Yes sir!"
Approximately eight hours since she had left her village, Yumi had arrived at the Kazekage's office, where the middle-aged Shodai Kazekage sat behind a desk, holding out a simple folder to which the girl accepted. As Yumi trifled through the file, the Kazekage looked outside a nearby window as he spoke up, "As you can see, your target is no other then Chikamatsu Monzaemon, the inventor of the Puppet Technique. Though young, because he is the inventor of such a Technique, he is one of the most powerful shinobi this village had produced. That is why I have marked him as an S-Class criminal after he killed a couple of shinobi, as well as civilians, less than a week ago before leaving the scene."
The Kazekage then looked at the girl, "Hunter-nin, this assassination is no ordinary one. Because the Puppet Technique is relatively new, we do not know what he is capable of. Also, he was a native born to this village so he is very familiar of how our shinobi work around here so that is why I have sent for an ANBU member from another village sent to do this job. Hunter-nin, unveil your mask so I may see who I am now responsible of."
Yumi was hesitant at first, but proceeded to take off her wolf mask, but did not dare to open her eyes as soon as she sensed astonishment from the Kazekage and his two bodyguards – the latter two, was less obvious. "Why!" exclaimed the leader, "I have heard women amongst the ranks of men in ANBU, but never such a young woman! What was he thinking, sending a girl who has just barely begun to bloom – "
Out of slight irritation, Yumi had cut him off right then and there, "With all due respect sir," She opened her eyes, revealing her Kekkei Genkai, "I can take care of myself." Something had caught Yumi's attention at first right then and there, but she didn't know exactly what.
The Kazekage didn't say anything at first, but after a few minutes, he spoke, "You certainly are full of surprises…?"
The girl was only paying half-attention now, "Yumi."
"…Yumi. A young Hyuuga amongst the ranks of Kirigakure's ANBU…such a protégé away from home…" He seemed to be consumed with various questions that her background had aroused involuntarily.
"Sir…?" One of the bodyguards spoke up, grabbing the Kazekage's attention. He whispered something into his ear.
"Oh yes! Sorry to keep you waiting like this. Kisho here," He gestured at the bodyguard who had spoken up, who was initially surprised by this, "Will escort you to a place we had prepared for you."
Yumi then snapped out of her stupor, and couldn't help but smile at Kisho's uneasiness, "If I may Kazekage-sama, may I change into my civilian clothes? Eyes will wander, especially because of my Hyuuga eyes."
The Kazekage nodded in agreement, "Kisho will wait for you at the entrance." Yumi, along with Kisho, bowed and left.
As soon as the door closed, the other bodyguard dropped his stoic posture and took off his turban, revealing a mop of pale sandy hair and bright purple Kabuki paint that masked just the right side of his face. He appeared to be around Yumi's age, perhaps younger. But it was the depth of his blues that betrayed him, a depth that is rivaled with only free will. When the Kazekage had first met him, he believed him to contain a lot of knowledge and wisdom way beyond his years, and it took him awhile to understand why.
The bodyguard then left his post from the said Kage and walked towards a mirror that hung on the wall, pausing only to take out a thin brush, followed by a small bottle of bright purplepaint from almost as if it was thin air. The guard stood there, looking at his reflection and finally, after awhile, spoke up in a slow and quiet manner, "I do not mean to question your… authority," He then began to paint the other half of his face, taking his time, "But why me Kazekage-sama? Out of all people…?"
The Kazekage propped his elbows on his desk, fingers entwined as he stared off in a random direction, "Because you are the Suna's greatest asset – not only the most trusted and loyal shinobi we have had ever have, but powerful also. You have also completed all of your past missions successfully…" Now resting his arms on the desk, he stared into the mirror to only find that he was being stared back at by two, daunting blue eyes, "…and we can not fail in capturing her…" Finished, the standing shinobi placed the bottle and brush back to where he had gotten it without removing his gaze from his superior. "That is why I had chosen you to carry out this mission,
Chikamatsu Monzaemon."