Closing Time

[Rain21199]

For the fourth time that month, Zakuro denied Sekkoutai team Kitsutsuki's request for a transfer. They were stationed in an isolated part of the forest that rarely saw other people outside of the normal shipment of supplies. He understood that they didn't want to be there, but it was there turn to suffer. Next month someone else would be cycled in for a three month stay out there. That was the life of a field operative for the Sekkoutai.

What Zakuro wouldn't give to go back to that. He felt like he could do more good as the head of the Sekkoutai, but he missed patrolling the forests, hanging with his men, and kicking the ass of anyone who dared near them (which happened like once). Most of all, he missed being outside every day, constantly toning his body and perfecting his craft. Now the only thing he has to perfect is his skill at stamping papers.

*SLAP* The sound of a stamp slamming on paper and wood filled the room. Bright red letters spelling out "DENIED" could be spotted on the sheet before it got tossed in a small stack of papers. Zakuro let out an audible sigh. He had reached his breaking point, and it was only noon. The sound of a chair scraping against the wood floor as the tall, broad shoulder man stood up was quickly followed by his voice. "Niku, quit what you're doing. We're done for the day. I can't stand another second in this damn office."

He swiftly moved towards the door and flung it open, causing a slight gust that sent a few papers scattering. A small look of defeat spread across Zakuro's face. "Whatever. Let's worry about those later. Do you want to get something to eat?" He was asking her politely, but it was more of a strong suggestion than a question.

[Servant]

Niku wasn't too pleased with how things had worked out. She'd inquired about joining Mamorinuku prior to becoming a chuunin. Because of that, she'd been given a desk job after a somewhat embarrassing recruitment by Zakuro. Despite having been promoted to chuunin since then, she was still working at the desk though she had grown accustomed to Zakuro, her new boss. She also got time out in the field; it wasn't like they restricted her solely to the desk, but she had responsibilities there which few others were willing to do. She didn't mind the work, but it felt like a huge waste of her skills to be shuffling papers. She often wondered how Zakuro didn't feel the same way.

When he moved his chair from his desk, Niku couldn't help but tip her head to the side. There was no way he'd made it through everything he'd needed to do today. Perhaps, he was just stretching his legs, or maybe getting some food, but then he said "Niku, quit what you're doing. We're done for the day. I can't stand another second in this damn office." She didn't need to be told twice, quickly shuffling the assorted papers into piles so she'd know where to pick back up when she returned.

"Yes sir," she announced as she pushed her own chair away from the desk before standing. She quickly pushed the empty chair back under the desk and turned towards her boss. Despite the fact that technically they were both chuunin, meaning they were of the same rank and, in the village's eyes, equals, as far as Mamorinuku was concerned, Zakuro was the leader of Sekkoutai. In that context, he did outrank Niku. It didn't bother her, he had pretty deftly handled her in her recruitment, so it was easy for her to see him in a leadership role.

As the papers scattered, Niku moved to grab the papers from the floor but Zakuro's voice stopped her."Whatever. Let's worry about those later. Do you want to get something to eat?" She nodded as she stood back up, she slid her cloak, Desire, from her chair and flipped it over her shoulders, readying herself to leave.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to make a move," the kunoichi joked, letting out a slight chuckle afterwards. She walked through the open doorway, so Zakuro could lock up behind them.