born under a bad sign.

[Cassidy]

BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN

Night descends upon the vast metropolis of Kumogakure no Sato, artificial lights glowing with life like earth-shackled stars across the city landscape. A soft, chilling breeze sweeps through from the cloud-capped mountains overhead. A stray dog barks at that it cannot see. And, unbeknownst to the civilians resting in their homes, a predator stalks the shadows. It does not care for the company of others. It does not have mercy. It does not stop. It simply carries on, withholding an eternal craving to feed.

And, with no one to stop it, it shall.

---

Annotations: Invite only. ♥

[Cassidy]

Chapter One : Like Honey From A Bee

Elsa sighed. The previous night's escapade hadn't exactly left her with sufficient time to rest for the next morning's endeavor. Rubbing at her eyes, she reminded herself to plan her schedule accordingly whenever she went out to Kaminari no Kuni on a hunting trip. But, of course, she doubted she would remember. Whenever she managed to steal a slice of time for herself, enough to warrant and accommodate such an activity, she usually went ahead with it without a second thought. The untamed outdoors was her playground, the thirst for adventure flowed through her veins.

The problem with that, however, was the aftermath of her venturing. With barely enough time to sleep, today's morning routine was anything but thorough. While she preferred to don a new look (sometimes even a new persona) every day, she was forced into giving up the detailed precision of such a task in order to get to her destination on time. For the first time in a long time, she would leave her small apartment abode with her natural coiffure. Long, smooth strands of black dropped down just below her shoulders, framing an oval-shaped face and accentuating the dusk blue eyes within. These strands of ebony would end in small curls at the tips, bouncing lightly as she ran and leaped across the rooftops of Kumogakure no Sato's wealthier uptown district.

The girl was never one for excessive make-up. Therefore, she didn't care that the little time she had completely prohibited her from putting any on. For someone who could spend weeks in the woods without a care, after all, make-up wasn't a necessity. But when the application of such privileges aided her in keeping up a disguise, and assisting with the completion of a goal in return, things were different. Luckily for her, however, today's "assignment" wouldn't require the use of such a thing. With that being the case, she was perfectly content (albeit a tad 'vulnerable') with donning her first and original persona: the authentic, one-of-a-kind, Elsa Shikata.

Though, in her honest opinion, Elsa Shikata wouldn't normally be caught wearing a schoolgirl uniform. The beige-colored vest, over the short sleeved white shirt, was too lifeless. The dark pink skirt too girly. The knee-high black socks she liked, but the cute little brown shoes (with the golden buckles) simply screamed 'daddy's little princess'. No, she'd rather be wearing something else. Something darker, but elegant. Something practical, but contemporary in design. But, she supposed, the outfit did highlight the positive points of her figure. Something she was naturally proud of. This temporary job of hers wasn't all that bad... was it?

[Cassidy]

She knew today's assignment was centered somewhere around the uptown district- near the famous Raikage Tower- but upon reaching the plaza she'd been headed for, she was forced to retrieve and open the letter she had been given that detailed the specifics of her errand. She hopped down from the second-story roof of a classy apartment complex, landing silently onto the neatly paved street below. This early morning, only those few with jobs to attend to occupied the thoroughfares of Kumogakure no Sato. The boulevard in this part of town was, for the most part, empty at the moment. The fresh morning breeze that swept through carried the scent of fresh water, lightly numbing the sides of the girl's cheeks, and spawning soft orbs of red on each one. She quivered, feeling the ice-cold but strangely satisfying chill run down her spine.

Opening the message she had been given prior to leaving for her hunting trip, Elsa would push a stray strand of sable hair behind her ear as she started to read what was specified. Her eyes widened at the sight of the address listed. Her destination... was the Raikage Tower. B-But... but that would mean... ?! "Nagi, Nami, and Kami." She'd mutter, an old phrase her aunts would reiterate whenever something was simply too shocking to believe. This, however, was actually happening. Her target: the soon-to-be, Sandaime Raikage. She was hesitant to do what she was being asked to do, simply because it would seem like an action that went far beyond the pale, but... she had already been paid in advanced.

She nearly crumpled up the letter in her hand, but shook her head in immediate response. She was doing this, she couldn't back out like some coward. Not to this. So she re-read the message typed on the document, memorized it, folded the document in question, then placed it safely in the breast pocket of her short-sleeved white shirt. Elsa would then take a single step towards the direction of the Raikage Tower that loomed overhead, stopping immediately thereafter. Remaining completely still, with her dark blue eyes fixated on the tower, she pondered the validity of her decision one last time. Then, after lightly huffing, she continued forwards.

Now that she knew who she was after, her decision to ignore the application of cosmetics started sounding like a bad one. Having applied a little make-up would have probably helped her pull this off a bit easier. It... it was the Raikage, after all! Quietly passing through the front entrance of the Kumogakure no Sato's legendary tower, as to not arouse unneeded attention, Elsa would slip through and make a beeline for the nearest ladies room. Her hand immediately reached for the knob that would allow the release of cold water, her curvaceous form looming over the sink as she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. Sleepy eyes, dry but full lips.

She'd splash her face with cold water and prepare for what was to come. Drying her face with paper towels, she'd sigh. And, when she was ready, she'd exit the restroom and approach the front desk.

| Continued here. |