"No! I don't like it. Absolutely not!"
"But Captain!"
"No, I said I don't like it. There are too many things that could go wrong."
Nishira sat at the table back at the inn and explained the run in she'd had at the fight earlier that night. Masazo had almost blown a fuse when she explained she'd been recognized.
"You took a stupid risk and now we're against the wall. What were you thinking?!"
His voice rose and Nishira motioned him to bring it down, looking around, only to meet eyes with the proprietor. She looked back at Masazo and gestured they should go upstairs. He grumbled as they climbed the steps to the shabby room. As soon as Nishira closed the door behind her she resumed her petition.
"Listen, Captain, please! This could be the in we're looking for, there is a hidden village recruiting rogue shinobi. I now have confirmation, but we don't know which one. This is a way to get those details."
"You took a stupid risk. You fool! You didn't clear it by me! Your Captain! Your commanding officer!"
His words spat from his snarling mouth with sharp points. His index finger and thumb pressed together as he pointed it at her.
"Yes, I understand that but-"
"You have jeopardized the whole team, and this mission. I would strangle you if I didn't think this was a more direct way of getting what we're looking for."
"So, you'll let me go through with it then."
"I didn't say it was the only option, another option is to abort the mission, and there is nothing telling me to do otherwise."
"Captain, captain, listen. Please, I can do this. This used to be my playground, well more like a prison. But this used to be my prison. It sucked then but I'm much better at what I do now. I know the wardens and the other prisoners. I can be the insider!"
"No, no, I can't take that chance. You're still an unknown. This is your first field mission, and I cannot take that chance now. You could screw it up and kill us all."
"Just listen to me, you old bastard!"
"How dare you-you yuppie! What do they teach at the academy these days?"
"They teach us to trust our comrades, to try new things, and to listen to others."
He looked at her.
"Ok they don't, but my first squad did. And it usually worked out."
"This isn't some kids club, this is a life-or-death mission, and you just jeopardized mine and the others' lives because of your stupid reckless need to be in the middle of everything!"
"I'm not the one who tried to exclude me from the mission in the first place! What a great show of teamwork!" She emitted a tense breath to calm herself. "Come with me! Hide in the shadows that you're so good at, watch me and you can watch my back in there. There's only one way of finding out what we want to know. He never mentioned he knew about Haru or Yasuhi, so their cover is safe, it's only me putting my life on the line."
"No, I refuse, we are going to abort this mission right now."
Nishira grabbed her hair near the scalp in frustration.
"I have never worked with such an arrogant, bull headed, infuriating prick in my entire life, and I served gods who thought I was a speck of dust!"
"Listen here, missy! You may have gotten away with yelling at your gods or your other captains, but you will listen when you are in my unit."
"Well I'll just go without your permission!"
"You will do not such thing. You'll get yourself killed. I will knock you out and take you back to the village myself if I need to."
"Why do you care so much?"
"Because it's my job! It's my job to get you home safe. It's my job to make a call that puts your lives above the mission. Because you- you hard-headed fool! You will run into the fire and die without a second thought of preserving yourself. Do you think I'm unaware of who looks out for you?"
Nishira stopped, confused.
"You don't think I see the great copy ninja who used to be one of the most ruthless ANBU operatives get all mushy and coddle you, or how you look at the fox kid and his friends. You go for dinner with some of the highest ranking jonin in the village, including Lord Hokage's son. Do you know how many people would have my hide if I got you killed."
Nishira sat on the hard mattress, shocked.
"Captain, I-"
"No, no. When we return to the village, I am requesting you be transferred to another unit. Someone who can tame that smart mouth. Because I'm sure as hell tired of it!"
Masazo left, slamming the door behind him. She continued to sit there, unsure of what to do. She wished Sekawa was here. She would have kicked Nishira's ass, or high fived her. It depended on the situation. Nishira knew what to do. She needed to listen to her captain, needed to apologize, grovel for forgiveness, and she needed to suck it up and go home as ordered. Nishira let out a prolonged groan. She didn't want to do any of that. The burning passion of righteousness stoked her anger, but it began to ebb the longer he was away. She threw out a fist in frustration.

She waited for the rest of the evening, drinking in the inn. The place was only peppered with people, some quietly keeping to themselves, others in a festive mood of celebration. The tipsy warmth that comes with liquor settled there and Nishira felt the pull of it as she lifted her glass to take a large gulp of her drink. It didn't burn anymore when she swallowed. But she thought bitterly and with a childish groan that compromising with Masazo was the adult and reasonable thing, but not the more satisfying way.
"Fight with your father?"
Nishira looked up at the bartender with an easy smile.
"Yeah, he always wants it to be his way."
The inn keeper chuckled, and in Nishira's vision he began to sway.
"Fathers just want what's best for their children. I'm sure he has his reasons."
"He does, and I know it. You're so right. Ugh! I know what I have to do."
"Maybe it's time for bed. I can help you up if you'd like-."

Masazo pushed the inn door open, glowering at the sight of her chugging the last of the contents of her drink, the crook of her arm held in the inn keeper's grasp. He promptly went upstairs. Nishira plonked down the cup, gave a few coins extra to her wise supplier and then wobbled as she walked up the stairs behind him.
"Dad, wait."
Nishira stopped mid way up the stairs, the world starting to spin. She gripped the wall, pressing a hand to her head. Masazo came back down to meet her.
"You're drunk." He hissed it under his breath.
"You said we were going home; This was how I'm dealing."
He picked her up and carried her up the stairs over his shoulder. Nishira weakly waved at the rest of the inn, suddenly turned upside down.
"Bye everyone!"
There were a few drunken replies. Masazo easily carted her to their shared room, tossing her unceremoniously on one of the matchbox beds. The grey paper-thin blanket bunched around Nishira as she rolled over.
"Sleep it off, we'll talk in the morning. We are continuing the mission."
"Really, Captain? Thank you!"
"You stubborn fool, you're just like- well never mind, get some sleep."

There were no coverings on the window, so the sunlight pierced through the flimsy glass and invaded the sensitive regions of Nishira's eyes as her head throbbed insistently. Nishira looked up to see Masazo sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Good, you're up. I can't believe you can stomach that mud water. Get up, we have a lot to do."
She groaned, slowly rubbing her head.
"What happened last night? When did you get back?"
"I should tan your behind for getting drunk on mission."
"You said we were going home. I was upset. I still think we should stay, but as much as I yelled at you, and for that I am very sorry, I think it's our best shot."
"I agree."
"But I will follow you… wait what?"
"I agree. We should complete the mission. I went to the drop off spot this morning. The boys are set up with the other fighters. My orders are let's do it."
Nishira leapt up, ignoring the pulsing behind one eye from doing so.
"Really?"
"Yes, but I have some conditions, and we're going to compromise so you don't walk in blind."
"Okay! Yes! Well, I'll need a dress, and some shoes, and and, oof, some painkillers and water because this headache is killing me!"
Masazo gave a hoarse chuckle.
"You are on your own for that, and I don't know the first thing about shopping. My daughter used to tell me I had no idea about any of that kind of stuff. I always told her she looked nice. You'll need to use your judgment on that, and I need your expertise. Can you do that for me?"
Nishira smiled.
"Yes, Captain, you can count on me."
He stood.
"Ok, your orders are to get up, and get going. We don't have much time."
Just as Nishira rose to use the communal floor bathroom, there came a knock. She opened it to see a messenger with a large white box in his arms tied with an oversized rich green ribbon and a sticker with an expensive label embossed on it.
"Package for uh- Miki?"
"Yes, that's me."
He handed her the box and Nishira turned back into the room, bewildered. Masazo stood.
"Think it's something dangerous? Would he attempt to kill you before the event?"
Nishira smelled the box.
"I wouldn't put that past him, but it smells like roses. I think it's okay."
She set it on the bedspread and undid the velvet green ribbon. Removing the lid to reveal a ridiculous amount of pale pink tissue paper and sprigs of dried flowers. There was a note on top written on expensive card stock. She picked it up.

Here. For the event.
And bring the watchdog.
- DR

Digging through the crinkling tissues, she pulled out a long sheath of rich buttery burgundy silk. Masazo gave a low whistle.
"That can't have been cheap."
"Oh, it's definitely not." Nishira noticed there were shoes and a jewelry box in there as well. He was always meticulous. "But it's not for me, not really. This is just a picture frame, and I am the picture. He's going to show me off like a prized oxen at the market. I knew it. He'll never change. It's not a partnership. He wants the monster as a pet, like his predecessor. Captain, you are not going to like what is going to happen. It'll be too gaudy for your tastes. Offending that wonderfully sensible mind of yours."
Masazo frowned.
"Well, if you're done playing dress up, we have some planning to do."

On the edge of Gokayama stood a cluster of cheap buildings. All one storey, squatting in long rectangles, clustered to form a square compound. The stripped-down exterior matched the basic interior. Haru sat on the thin plastic wrapped mattress covered in a sheet that was probably white at some point, but now was a faded yellow with a couple of frayed corners. The room was barely bigger than a prison cell, the furniture was just as sparse. A single bed, small dresser, and a couple of hangers on a rod installed onto the surface of the wall. A voice garnered his attention, and he looked up to see Yasuhi leaning on the door frame with a smug grin.
"Did you see me last night? I kicked ass!"
Haru gave him a smile but as he moved his arm, he winced.
"Your shoulder still bugging you?"
"Yeah." Haru rotated the afflicted arm. "It'll be fine by tonight; I'll heal it a bit more. But we have to be careful. Yasi, they can't figure out why we're here."
"It's fine, I'm just having fun. Nobody will know anything."

A shout echoed down that long hall that served as the entrance to the long line of single rooms. Yasuhi leaned out to see who had called out. Three of their fellow fighters made their way in determined strides towards them. The looks on their face were decidedly unfriendly. The one at the forefront wore a sneer, that was mirrored in the man at his right elbow. Curiously, the third one on the left was grinning, the glint in his eyes made the expression a little more unnerving. Yasuhi and Haru had heard about these three and their influence around the barracks. They'd been here longer than most of the fighters in residence, and no one was sure whether they meant to leave or not. Mabo was the self-proclaimed leader around here, nobody feeling the need to challenge him. Instead, they just avoided the confrontation, making it someone else's problem, or make enough ryo and leave.
"Hey new guy! We need to talk."
Yasuhi clasped his hands behind his back, his grin was one Haru knew well. But before he could warn Yasuhi to tone it down, the group was upon them.
"Yeah? What's up, buddy?"
"We have a match next time."
"Yeah? Well, that sounds like a good night for us then."
Yasuhi crossed his arms over his chest, the grin spreading wider. Haru looked carefully between the two men.
"You're going to throw it and let me win."
"And why would I do that?"
"Because I said so. Tabei here is betting against you, so you're going to lose so we can make a nice profit. Your buddy over there can get in on this action too, make some good coin for both of you."
Yasuhi pursed his lips as though considering the offer, Haru was decidedly becoming more nervous, the mere moments felt stretched into minutes instead of only seconds.
"Interesting offer. Here's my counteroffer; Don't be a little bitch and beat me for real."
Haru looked unblinkingly as he waited for someone to throw the first punch at his partner, deservedly, eyeing as Mabo's fists clenched. Haru didn't know which of the thugs behind Mabo was Tabei. The grinner grinned more, the smile threatening to take over the rest of his face. The other one snarled and Haru was ready to intervene should he go for it, but Haru was surprised when Mabo held out an arm to block his guard dog. The smug smile on Mabo's face didn't make Haru feel any calmer about the situation at hand. Mabo laughed.
"Hmm, we got ourselves a tough guy. Well, tough guy, you better bring it then."
"Oh I will."

The two opponents stared at it each for a heavy beat before Mabo turned and his goonies followed him out of the building. Haru jumped to his feet.
"What the hell, Yasi?! You know they're going to tamper with the match now. They might even kill you!"
"Let them try."
Haru let out a deep groan. Typical, he thought.

"Haru, you're needed at the administration building!"
A booming voice rang from the doorway. Haru gave Yasuhi a look, who responded with a tight nod. A summons from the administration building meant only one thing; Haru had been hired for a job. With any luck, he thought, it'll be what we're looking for.

"You summoned?" Haru's knuckles rapped lightly on the door.
"Yes, Haru, come in. This is Yudao, please have a seat."
The man before Haru sat behind a large wooden desk, the stacks of paper on its surface were perfectly stacked and placed precisely one inch from the edge of the desk. A set of pens lay perfectly straight, paired on the man's right, and the surface was immaculately kept. Even the man himself was spotless, clothes pristine, hair pushed back, a careful frown that began to show lines at the edges of his lips. Nothing flashy on his person, but the suit was moderately expensive, and the details were subtle; the design in the stitching showed intricate, hand done detailing of a majestic bird swooping gracefully, but the black-on-black hid its secret, only yielding to those who looked carefully. The man sitting to his right, however, couldn't have been any different. His clothes were tattered, but he still seemed at ease, leaning back into the wooden chair, a hairy arm draped over the back of the chair. A toothpick bobbed and weaved at one side of his mouth, his unshaven cheeks pulsing with the chewing. The once across from Haru began to speak.
"I am the fixer for this branch of the Doromizu Organization, please note that neither of you are representatives of Doromizu Organization nor are you directly employed with them. We here are a third party and therefore have no liability for your actions and decision. That being said, you both have been hired. The job is to protect the client's new wife."
"Oh that's it? This'll be easy." The laid-back man scoffed, titling his head back to look at the ceiling, exposing his long neck with specks of stubble
"What's the threat?"
"Client says they have a family member who is targeting the wife. His niece, who has a grudge. That's all you get to know. But if this job goes well, the client says he is looking to keep on those that meet a specific criterion, and you two have proven to be promising."
"So soon? I've only done one fight." Haru was ignored.
"One more thing you need to know. There will be another team employed by the same client, on another mission. You will know them by this pin you will attach to the lapel of your uniform, which allows you access to the building."
He held up two pins of a bronzed sparrow, before passing them to each of them. Haru's eyes scanned the brooch, his finger running over the smooth cold metal.
"Hey! How much is this job paying us?"
"Rest assured, you'll be generously compensated." The man slid two pieces of paper on the desk towards them. Haru picked up the one in front of him and pretended to care about the number written in front of him, but peered at the address, it was the palace of the Daimyo. He looked back to the man behind the desk, who peered through his glasses.
"Who is the client?"
"You'll meet his subordinate at the address written there who will go over your role in much more detail. As such, your contract with the Doromizu organization is complete. However, if your circumstances change, you may return to us should you please. We wish you all the best. You may go and collect your belongings and leave the compound."

Haru would do just that but before he went to the meeting place, he stopped by the dead drop to tell the others of what was happening, Inside the fake pipe was a scroll for each of them. He left Yasuhi's and took his.