Thirty Kisses Theme 02 - News

She was on patrol, and had been for the last ten hours, when she got the news. A chuunin came with the news, panting from exertion after working to catch up with the ANBU squad. The girl was maybe fifteen, and by the patch on her arm, a runner for the messenger unit.

"Commander." The girl maintained control over her breathing enough to speak. None of the squad stepped forward, for it was protocol not to acknowledge the ranks while on patrol. "This border patrol has been moved from code yellow to code orange."

"Code orange?" The lieutenant asked, his bird mask still and unmoving. The squad was waiting for an answer.

"Yes, sir. The Hokage had it moved up just now." The chuunin dipped her head to the lieutenant.

"On what grounds? The chuunin exam turns this area into neutral territory." The fifth strongest asked, his baboon mask comical and grinning.

"One of the chuunin examiners was found dead this morning at Kikyou Castle." The girl dipped her head now to the baboon.

Uzuki Yuugao, who had not spoken since the messenger appaeared, finally parted her lips to let words utter forth.

"Which examiner?" The girl looked up, having not expecting a voice from the commander, though it was her she was addressing.

"I… I'm afraid I do not know. I was not told." Yuugao's cat mask was stoic and calm.

"Of course. We have received your message. We're done here." The chuunin took a moment to breathe deeply before running off after the next ANBU squad.

Yuugao stood still, her shoulders square, her eyes closed. She could hear the silence as the rest of her squad waited for her orders. They knew what was going through her mind.

She'd kissed him goodbye before she left, a soft brush of lips, both smiling. If he were… if he had been the one…

"Commander…" Her lieutenant grabbed her arm. "Orders."

She opened her eyes. She couldn't afford to think such thoughts. It couldn't be him anyway.

"Move out."