Well done, Yato. Your last mission was a success. Your contributions to our cause have not gone unnoticed, and as such, we would like to reward you with a special assignment.

We are sure that you have heard the rumors floating about the actions of a certain kage. It would seem that Kumogakure no Sato has finally begun taking steps to remove the so called ‘God’ from power. Normally, we would not care to involve ourselves in such trivial matters of the state of a nation, but with the inauguration of Hastur came the decline of our influence in the region. The loss of our foothold in Kaminari no Kuni and the village itself is something we cannot sit idly by and allow to continue.

However, there are rumors and unconfirmed reports of a rebellion forming in Kumogakure, one that plots to overthrow Hastur and seize the city. After the issues and losses we faced at Inabyama, we feel the need to investigate these rumors more thoroughly. If the rumors are indeed true, it would mean a new Raikage is to be elected to lead the village. And with the installation of a new Kage usually comes a crackdown on crime in the area, and the renegotiations of trade policies. While we do have figures, plans and models in place within the civilian government of Kumogakure no Sato ready to bend the policies and such to our expectations, we require someone outside of the political spectrum to operate in the field.

And that is where you come in, Yato. We are not require that you ally yourself with the supposed rebellion; should it fail, we still require a field agent within Kumogakure no Sato. Consider this a secondary objective alongside your primary.

You are to rise within the rankings of the Kumogakure no Sato shinobi system and act as a double agent, providing intel to us and acting on our behalf in the region. There will be others like you, who will make themselves known to you when we wish for it -- we are you sure you understand why we cannot inform you of who they are, lest this information fall into the wrong hands.

How you go about your mission is completely up to you, but please take heed; if you are exposed, do not expect any help. None of the other agents will assist you in anyway, shape or form if you are exposed to be a double agent, however, given your skill set, we are not worried about this.

Your 'official' information file -- that is, your shinobi record -- has been planted in the Kumogakure no Sato shinobi records, with all the correct information including a graduation date, class scores and test results. There is no need to worry about the papers being found as fraudulent; several of our planted agents have already seen to it that your paperwork has all of the official stampings. Copies of these records have been sealed into this scroll as well; familiarize yourself with them, then follow protocol. If nothing else, we are thorough in preparation. You cover story is the usual -- you are transferring to Kumogakure no Sato from one of the minor allied villages as part of a policy that we were able to secure within the village some years ago.

When you arrive in Kumogakure no Sato, you are to head to the address we have provided to you; this address is to be your base of operations while you are stations. It is where we shall send any and all operatives when we require you to assist them, or be assisted. In the morning, you are to report to the administration building to sign your paperwork and begin in your 'official' capacity as Kumogakure no Sato ninja.

---

Yato refolded the letter with a small sigh, and fed it to the lone candle that resided upon the table at which he sat. The world outside was quiet with darkness having descended several hours ago as the male had arrived in the village. The male had quickly made his way to the address listed in the letter, letting himself in rather easily. As the male settled into his new housing, he began to form a mental list of things he would need in the coming days; weapons, for sure. Supplies, food, and paperwork.

Weapons would be easy; the child was well versed in hand to hand combat, and worked well with a simple kunai. Other supplies would come as he needed them, and food was no real issue. But, it was an issue that could be solved tomorrow. Blowing out the candle, Yato would make his way over to the pallet, and settled himself down to sleep.

---

Morning would come all to quickly, but it was a blessing; the male did not sleep much during the night, but then again he never did sleep much before beginning a mission.  Perhaps it was time for a shower? Getting up from his desk, Yato stripped down to his small clothes and fetched a clean pair of underwear from a nearby drawer. Stepping into the adjoining bathroom, he turned on the hot water. He prefered his showers burning, and the bathroom to feel like a sauna. As the water began to heat, and the bathroom began to steam, he could not help but think over what he had to do today -- he was to report to the administration building and get his paperwork over with so that he could start taking missions and begin his real mission.

After stripping off the last of his clothes and ducking under the water, the male could not help but groan as the dirt, grime and the anxiety was scalded off his body. When he was satisfied that he was finally clean, Yato stepped out from under the water and grabbed a towel hanging nearby. As he dried himself off, he could not help but admire his body. For a male in his late teens, he had the physique of a man in his late twenties. According to his doctor, his youthfulness was due to the power of his yang nature chakra, which apparently kept his body in top physical condition. He was going to complain; just another wonderful reason to be him.

Pulling open drawers to find himself some clothing to wear, the male would produce a a black sleeveless shirt with a black hood that has a zipper down the middle. This shirt sports a red cross design in the front. He wears black pants with a black belt and black boots. Yato wears black gloves with red rims. From the pocket of the pants the male would produce a scroll, which upon opening, would release a rather large hooded mantle into the room. Grabbing up the heavy cloak, Yato would slip it on over clothing he wore, and look at himself in the mirror once more. When he was satisfied with his clothes, he grabbed a brush and pulled it through his hair, thanking whatever deity that watched over him that he was blessed with easy to manage hair. When he was done, Yato snatched up his identification papers, a kunai and three shuriken to deposit into clothes in various places, then headed out the door.

It would not take him long to reach the mission board; perks of having the organization pick out his housing. They were a huge fan of hiding in plain sight, something Yato could appreciate. This could end up being profitable for him, making it very easy for him to pick up missions on the fly. Stepping into the building through the door, he would glance around. As expected at nearly 6 in the morning, the place was empty, save for the overnight secretary who was slumped at her desk, softly snoring. Chuckling quietly, the male made way over to the mission board, taking a quick look to see what was there to be completed. He quickly saw the latest missions were occupied by a wide range of people, something about a scouting and delivery mission that seemed like it would take them several days to complete. Nothing seemed to be too stressful, but perhaps these were for the lower ranked ninjas?

Seemed legit enough. Pulling the paperwork he brought with him from his pockets, he took it over to the desk and rang the bell. The secretary jumped up with a gasp, knocking her stationery to the floor.

Yato offered her a polite smile as he waited for the female to compose herself. Pulling out his identification papers, he slid them across the desk to her.  "Noragami, Yato, I.D. number zero nine two eight eight nine. I'm reporting for duty, as instructed."

The secretary adjusted her glasses, peering down at the paperwork. "Oh, okay. You were not expected to report in until 10 am. One moment however, there is a bit of paperwork involved with this. Can you wait a second, and I will begin putting your info into the system."

"Yes ma'am. I got nothing but time." The child grinned at her as she walked away, nodding slowly. It was true -- he did have nothing but time. With that breakfast in his belly, he was feeling fine; like he could go for hours.  A moment later, the secretary reappeared, holding a form and offering him a pen. "Sign here, please."

Yato took the pen and scanned over the paper before signing the form, and slid it back to the female who placed a scroll onto the desk and slid it over to Yato. "And here as well, please." Another scribble, and the scroll was handed back. As the secretary took the scroll away, she looked about and a frown crossed her face.  "Oh darn." With a sigh, her attention was returned to Yato, an apologetic expression crossing her face. "As I said before, you were not due to report in until 10 am, and it seems that I am missing some of your paperwork. Unfortunately, It has to be drafted by hand, and the person who does it is not here yet. Could you come back at 10, and we can finish your process then?"

An eyebrow was raised on the young male, but he nodded. There was nothing he could do, so he would have to oblige for the moment. "Sure. I can come back then."

---

Nil's day began with feeling of bright sunlight upon his face, a soft pillow beneath his head, and the heavenly feeling of layers of swaddling, comfortable blankets wrapped all about him. The soft chirping of morning birds alighting his barely-waking senses as the gentle rays of the sun just barely roused his semi-conscious form to wakefulness through the open window of his bedroom. The flitting forms of the birds outside his window the first things to greet Nil's eyes as they opened onto this new day. Their small, feathered bodies gently and gracefully hopping to and fro on the building beside Nil's family's main compound.

As Nil took his first truly wakening breathe he gave a large, long yawn and sit up beneath the warm, heavy covers. Stretching his arms above his head and arching his back ever so slightly as a smile graced his features. Taking a moment to enjoy the nice weather Nil wondered briefly as to what time it was before shrugging and hopping out of bed. Clad in nothing but his undergarments did Nil then straighten his bed and pillows, taking extra care to make as little impact on the duties of the caretakers the family employed for cleaning and the like. He did his best to stay self-sufficient and, for as long as he had been old enough to be self-conscious about it, he had insisted no-one assist him in dressing himself or readying himself in the morning.

A glance downward, to the ugly scar that still marred his mid-section, was all the reminder he needed as to why. Nil grimaced slightly before giving his head a clearing shake and stepping into the bathroom. Stripping down to enter the shower and the warm, calming feeling of the waters flowing over him only heightened the peaceful mood of the morning further.  The clean, free feeling making Nil sigh as he stepped back out into the cooler air of the room and began to dress himself. Taking the bandages he kept from his bed-side table and applying them to his midsection, it was almost ritualistic how consistent and steady Nil's morning routine had become.

After tying the sash of his kimono securely and adjusting the loose-fitting fabric for decency Nil made his way out into the compound proper. His pouch of Shinobi tools containing several senbon and a Kunai his family had gifted him for his birthday. Speaking of his family, this was another part of his day that was ritually consistent and something Nil would always be thankful for. Despite the size and prestige of their clan, and the other duties that might require their attention, his mother and grandfather always took their mornings to eat with him.

His mother, a woman with darker hair than he but whom he shared much the same facial structure and eyes of, greeted him with a smile as Nil entered the dining area. His grandfather, meanwhile, was a man with fine, if almost stern-looking, features. His hair was whitened with age and long enough to almost meld with his beard and mustache, the two flowing together down to his chest.  Despite his naturally severe countenance his grandfather gave his own small smile as Nil greeted them.

"Good morning Mother, Grandfather."

Over the course of their dining they asked Nil about his Shinobi career. Obvious concern tinging their questions though his mother seemed more mildly distressed than curious while his grandfather was his usual cautious, yet optimistic, self on the matter. Regardless Nil once again affirmed his desire to continue his path and, with a good night's sleep and full breakfast, set out for the bulletin boards to see what he could get up to today.

As Nil made his way through Kumogakure No Sato he was able to pick up that it was approaching ten o' clock. While this wasn't as early as he would have liked to have woken up Nil nonetheless approached the bulletin board with confidence. A naive level of surety and dedication to his village fueling the young shinobi's steps. At first Nil was almost distraught, as a rather massive line had been formed at the secretary's desk, but after realizing that not all of these people were here for the bulletin boards Nil breathed a sigh of relief.

Glancing about for a way to move past the line without causing too much trouble Nil bit his lip in trepidation as he looked to and fro. Seeing nothing in the way of options of even REACHING the board for now Nil decided to step around the building and wait. Not wanting anyone to confuse him for being in the line. As Nil rounded the corner of the building, however, his day would prove to get much more interesting as he ran into a certain Masu Uchiha, not that he would know this yet. Thus with a not-so-graceful yelp did Nil fall back to his rear, blinking in confusion as he looked up at the girl before him. A stark, sheepish blush painting his cheeks as he stammered out a quick apology.

"Oh! S-Sorry about that. Umm... I... I-I guess I'm a bit distracted today."

Nil swallowed softly, hoping this strange girl wouldn't be angry at him for his lapse in concentration.

Word Count: 900
Word Count Total: 900