13: Team Ro

                                    

                                          
I repeat my background story to him one last time, assuring him it's in my brain for good.
                          
"My name is Mitsuki Yuhi. I specialize in genjutsu and am a distant cousin of Kurenai Yuhi of the Leaf. I was a hostage of the Akatsuki all my life, but the Leaf infiltrated their forces and rescued me. I am a water-style user." The Hokage specifically told me to use only one of my two chakra natures--revealing my kekkai genkai might raise suspicion. It's not every day one comes across a storm style user. I chose water, since I'm not very good at controlling my lightning without water present.
                          
"Very good," he grumbles, walking back and forth behind his desk, hand on his chin. "I'll have to introduce you to Kurenai some time. She'll be excited to meet her distant cousin." He smirks but I don't return it. This all feels so strange.
                          
"Yes, sir." I answer, getting to my knee to bow. He calls the ANBU back in from the hallway and they take a knee on either side of me, bowing before the Hokage.
                          
"I'd like one of you to show Mitsuki here to the ANBU locker room, she's to meet up with Team Ro." They nod and stand, and one leads me out. One last look at the Hokage and he gives me a reassuring nod. I nod back but still feel afraid. 
                          
This is actually happening. I am actually about to become an ANBU Black Op of the Leaf. I swallow, hard.
                          
The alternative was massacring an entire clan, I remind myself. 
                          
We get to a door at the bottom of the Hokage Tower and the ANBU slides it open, letting me in first. 
                          
"You can get your uniform at that window there," he says, pointing into the room with his chin while he holds the door open. "Good luck," he says as he goes to return to the Hokage's office and resume his duties.
                          
I walk up to the window, feeling small in this strange room. "Hi," I say at the window. Someone sits behind it looking bored, "I need a uniform."
                          
He looks me up and down and turns around to grab a cardboard box off the wall. On it says 'SF' which I assume stands for Small and Female. He also grabs a black sword from a bin. 
                          
"Through the next room, you can change and then they'll tat you," he says as if scripted.
                          
"Tat?" I ask, confused. I take the box and sword, which is safely stored in a holder with a strap.
                          
"The tattoo," he says arrogantly. "The one all ANBU have."
                          
I nod, maybe a little too quickly, and he falls back into his seat. His eyes are still bored and he points to a door on the other side of the room.
                          
"Uh, thanks." I say, heading to the door.
                          
I push it open and there are changing rooms. I find the closest one and click the lock shut. 
                          
In the box is the uniform. On top, the metal arm guards, spiked sandals, pouches, and porcelain mask. I take the mask out, my fingers grazing the smooth painted surface. It's cool to the touch.
                          
The mask is a cat with red-stripes, much like the ones other ANBU wear. Mine has two stripes on either cheek, like whiskers, a triangle centered on the chin and forehead and round eye holes. 
                          
Also in the box is the grey flak jacket and black underclothes, as well as long black gloves that pass the elbows. 
                          
It takes me a few minutes to get all the gear on. The metal arm guards feel heavy and strange around my arms. I look in the mirror and put on the final piece--the mask--and stare at myself in the dark, cloudy mirror. I look just like any other ANBU. Taking the mask off, I step out of the dressing room in full gear.