Well done, Kai. 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 inauguration of a new Kage.  It would seem that Kumogakure no Sato has finally gotten their issues sorted out and elected a brand new Raikage. 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, Kai.

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.

---

Kai 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 charmer 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, Kai 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, Kai 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, Kai 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. Kai 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, Kai 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, Kai 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 Kai could appreciate. This could end up being profitable for him, making it very easy for him siblings 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.

Kai offered her a polite smile as he waited for the female to compose her self. Pulling out his identification papers, he slid them across the desk to her.  "Mishima, Kai, 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."

Kai 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 Kai. "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 Kai, 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."

---

1538

"Come now boy I have a gift for you." An elder male stood in front of a young child no more then eight years old. After a few seconds the man turned around for a second before facing the boy again holding a cage. Inside the cage was a falcon with a hood over it's head to cover it's eyes. "Train it my boy, train it to obey, to help in the hunts." The man held the cage out to the boy who took it with a smile, his first pet. Other the next few weeks the boy fed the bird even as it peeked and scratched his hand, but the boy never gave up, until the day came where the bird would eat from the palm of the boys hand, no longer needed the cage, and listened to the boy. Now that the boy had done this he brought it back to the older man, his father, to show him that he trained it. "I've trained the bird father." The boy put his hand out with the bird on his wrist calmly. The man took the bird with both hands, and gave the boy a disgusted look. "You ruined it." The man snapped the birds neck with a flick of his wrist, dropping it to the ground. "You didn't teach it to obey, you taught it to love." The boy said nothing, he knew better then to question his father.

Zeref woke from his slumber, the sun now just peeking through his window casting it's light upon his face. He never had real dreams, but only memories flashed through his mind as he slept, as if his father was still trying to mold him into the weapon he desperately tried to create. Zeref sat up, swinging his legs over the bed to plant his feet on the ground before standing up. It was early still, but Zeref needed to hand in a mission and see if there were any others worth taking. The time was fast approaching where he could request to become a chuunin, from stranger, to genin, to chuunin all with in a few months, he wondered if that was a record for the village.

He dawned his normal attire, one that didn't match the normal shinobi of the village by any means. He wore his typical gray waistcoat that hung down to his ankles. Shit shirt was a dark sleeveless shirt with red trim, his pants much like his shirt is also black. He has bandages around his ankles and feet with typical sandals for foot wear. Iron clips on his belt that he clipped his kunai to, three on each side. Finally he grabbed his steel gauntlets and slipped them over his hands. His appearance was that of an assassin, or mercenary not one of a shinobi. 

Grabbing a bagel as he slipped out the door he headed towards the mission office. He had just completed his first C-ranked mission, and was hoping he could grab a second one, they paid better and they weren't as boring by any means. The office was just a few blocks from his home, allowing for quick turn ins and hand outs, usually Zeref was the first there, and the first to grab the new missions. 

Zeref neared the office, a few villagers waving slightly upon seeing him. Slowly but surely he was becoming a well known Genin of the village, everyone thought of him as the polite outsider who was quickly earning his way, but they didn't know the truth. The villagers, the village, his teammates, the other shinobi, were all a means to an end, simple stepping stones that Zeref needed to step on to reach his goal. Truth be told if someone were to offer him a better position and it benefited him better in the long run, he would burn the village to the ground, or if the village offered him the same position and benefit to help reach his goals, he would see all other villagers burned. In the end, it didn't matter what or who Zeref used to gain power, and strength, nor if he had to leave bodies in his path, he would reach the top.

Zeref pushed open the doors and for the first time, noticed he wasn't the first. Zeref had never seen the boy before, maybe a new genin? Had to be an outsider since Zeref was familiar with all those in the academy since he just came from it himself. Missing the first part of the conversation the guy at the desk was having, but from what Zeref could say, there was something wrong with the guys paper work and he would have to come back later. 

Zeref moved to the desk and slide his mission paper to the lady behind the desk. The secretary smiled slightly as Zeref. "Done with another so soon? That's the second one this week alone." Zeref shrugged returning the smile. "Trying to reach the next rank as fast as possible." The secretary shock her head taking the paper from Zeref putting it away in his file. Don't over work yourself dear, missions and training is all you do, you will lose who you are." What an annoying old hag Zeref thought to himself. "I'll be sure to take a time off soon, promise." The secretary nodded, and went back to filing paper work.

Zeref looked at the other male that was there with him, now that he was closer it was clear that the male was roughly the same age and size as Zeref. Besides that the two were as different as night and day in the terms of looks. "Are you new here? I never seen you around here, or at the school house of that matter." Every person Zeref met, could be a possible tool to use, whether it be for training, missions, or info, almost everyone had a purpose he could use.

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The sound of the door opening would draw the attention of Kai, causing him to look back at the entrance. He took note of the person who walked in, head tipping some. The male that entered seemed to be dressed in some strange sort of fashion, as if he were not quite a shinobi. Kai did not say anything for the moment, instead watching quietly as the male made his way inside and began to speak to the secretary.

"Done with another so soon? That's the second one this week alone."

"Trying to reach the next rank as fast as possible."

"Don't over work yourself dear, missions and training is all you do, you will lose who you are."

"I'll be sure to take a time off soon, promise."

There was alot that one could tell about a person by the way they interacted with others. Kai's crimson gaze did not miss anything; the way the two interacted seemed genuine, but something was off about it, and the male could not quite place it. Almost instantly, the male's mind partially activated itself, running the signs and symptoms through various simulations until he came to a conclusion. While the male did not voice his opinion, he resolved remember the information. Turning to walk away, the male set to go about his day until he heard the voice of the newer male addressing what could only be Kai.

"Are you new here? I never seen you around here, or at the school house of that matter."

Looking back, those red eyes seemed to shine for a split moment before Kai turned to face this person. Why was this persona questioning him? Kai obviously had business here at the adminstration building -- what if he were a visiting foreign messenger? To address someone like this, demanding to know whom they were without reason?

Or was Kai's judgement already clouded towards this person based on his earlier conclusion? Either way, the male would answer, simply for the sake of gathering information. Perhaps this persona was a shinobi of the village, even if he did dress weirdly.

"I am a transfer from an allied minor village. Mishima, Kai." Arms would fold across his chest, those red eyes flashing somewhat yet again as the male spoke. Whoever this persona was, he had better be someone important within the village, or else the male would be pissed off and annoyed. Kai would wait for this persona's response before making a decision, but his mind was already wandering off, wholey disinterested in having this conversation. People tended to bore him in a sense. Once you knew how a persona thought, they were predictable to a ludicrous extent, both in combat and out.

---

460 | 1998

Zeref made eye contact with Kai, the shine of the boys eyes was quick, but crimson eyes weren't common so it wasn't hard to catch. The hair on the back of Zerefs neck stood up on end, and odd foreign feeling. Fear? No that wasn't right, excitement was a better word. Locking eyes with the boy was like locking eyes with a predator in the wild, both of them was sizing the other up it was clear as day. Just who was this boy and why did he cause Zerefs this feeling with in him.

"I am a transfer from an allied minor village. Mishima, Kai."

A transfer, that was rare to say the least but not unheard of, Zeref himself could be considered one. "Hm, Transfer genin huh. That's pretty cool actually. Gives you an edge over the rest of us in a sense." The boy didn't just give his reason for being here but also his name, Mishima Kai, Zeref put it in his memory. Kyo, Zeref. I'm from a mountain village not far from here. Are you from his country and a different one?"

Zeref caught it again, the flash of the crimson eyes and then it hit him. The reason the boy made his hair stand on edge, gave him a bit of excitement was that the boy had the same eyes as him. Not in color, but in what they have seen, it was only speculation but Zeref felt as if the boy in front of him, this Kai, had gone through a similar upbringing as himself. Zeref couldn't help but wonder if they were on the same path, or if Kai was different from himself.

"Well since you are new, you should try and find a team soon. The exams are coming up soon and it'll be a great way to test yourself against the other genin in the village. Zeref walked over to the mission board looking at some of the missions. All boring, and simple, mail run, repair roofs. Zeref shocl his head not bothering to take any of the papers down, there would be new ones later on in the day hopefully. and being on a team means you don't need to waste your time on trivial missions like being an mailman."

Zeref turned around to face the Kai again, hands hands hanging by the kunai near his belts stopping them from clicking against one another. "Actually come to think of it,if you ever want to you could track me down and take some harder missions with me too. Since they don't require you to be on the same team, but simply a pairing of two or more. Zerefs voice was perfectly natural as if everything he was saying was genuine. Maybe that was the biggest difference between the two. Where as Kai eyes would shine for a second, or his body langue gave it away, Zeref had complete control over his bodies actions right down to controlling his 'tells'. Maybe Kai wasn't like him and Zeref was just being a bit paranoid, it was to early to tell.

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