"This is your mark. Take him down, without disturbing the public."

"Yes, captain."

Report to me once you are done."

Her man appeared after a few hours, casually making his way across the crowded marketplace. She flexed her leg, limbered up, propped the bow up from the window. Arrow notched, her sights followed the target down the alley. She would get a clear shot. She inhaled. It was just a target, one which deserved it. She exhaled. Retracting and slinging her bow onto her back, she made her way down from the building. It wouldn't do to return without evidence.

"How was it?"

"The mission was a success, captain."

The captain nodded. "As expected. How was it?"

"It was… fine, captain."

"That's good to know. Did you feel anything when you killed him? Any satisfaction, enjoyment?"

"Of course not, captain. I don't want to take pleasure in death."

"That reassures me. Well done, Kestrel. Dismissed."

"So, your first kill?"

"Yeah. It was… harder than I thought."

"Not what I'd expect from the Prodigy." She glared at him, hiding her smile.

"You know I hate that."

"That's what makes it fun." The kage suspended himself, leaning over the bunk to look at her. "Enough time you'll get used to it. Dealing death."

"But I don't want to."

The assassin dangled. "Then you're in the wrong place, Kestrel."

"I suppose." She looked towards the ceiling. "Good night, Shiro."