"You had a lot of stories to keep straight," Natsumi said quietly. She tried to imagine keeping a secret like that from her parents, spinning elaborate fantasies every time they asked about her work. No. Ibiki had been right. Whether she lacked the strength or the desire to defy their wishes, she couldn't have entered ANBU without their blessing.

Well, she had it, and she was here. She'd already discarded the bandage that protected her new tattoo, run her first mission, collected her first bruises. Her shoulder still ached dully, flaring to new life every time she moved her arm. She'd have to think of a story for that. Hypocrite.

She took a deep breath and loosed her folded arms, holding out her bruised wrist. "I got back from my first mission this morning. We completed our objective, but I let one of our opponents get too close. He took me down." She tipped her jaw, baring the fingerprints branded into her throat. "He would have done worse, if my teammate hadn't come in time. I...don't plan to tell my parents, either."