The three teammates reported their findings to Yoru.
"Captain Fox, the target's bed is too tidy. The covers weren't unrolled. Judging from the indentations, he only lay there, staring at the ceiling all night, without turning once."
"Captain Fox, the target never used the bathroom. No water stains, no signs of activity."
Yoru frowned. "Strange. After spending time with a kunoichi like that, wouldn't it be natural for him to… do something after returning home? Yet he didn't use the bathroom, didn't move in bed, just lay stiff the whole night? That's abnormal. Highly suspicious."
Behind her mask, Purple Cat flushed crimson. What does he mean, 'wouldn't he do something'? Do men and women really always…?
Antelope added: "Captain, he did use a brush last night."
Yoru's expression darkened. "Even stranger. He shut the lights and drew the curtains early, so why use a brush?"
After leaving the house, they returned to ANBU headquarters. Purple Cat noticed Black Ape summon Fox away, assigning him some secret new task.
When Yoru came back, he said to her:
"Purple Cat, from now on, you'll observe that Senju kunoichi's every habit, especially her behavior around the target."
"…Understood."
Purple Cat was from the Yamanaka clan, and her abilities were highly valued by ANBU.
For the next week, their squad had only one mission: nightly surveillance of the couple's meetings.
By the lake, beneath trees, behind houses, the two lovers embraced without restraint. Each time, half an hour at least, lips and hands tangled until they could no longer breathe.
At first, Purple Cat could barely stand to watch, her face burning. But after days of observation, she grew numb to the sight, memorizing every detail of their habits and reactions.
One week later, Yoru dismissed Antelope and Black Bull, then spoke to her quietly:
"Purple Cat. Use the Mind-Body Switch Technique on the Senju kunoichi. Deliver this message to the target: next month, on the fifth, the Senju clan will hold Uzumaki Mito's funeral."
"Yes, sir—…eh?"
She froze.
A funeral for Lady Mito? But last night, I saw her in the courtyard gazing at the moon!
Could it be… Lady Mito's time was coming to an end?
Yoru's tone hardened. "Don't think too much. Just follow orders."
Purple Cat nodded with difficulty. The last elder of the Founding Era… is about to pass away.
That night, as the Senju kunoichi walked home from the hospital, ANBU appeared and silently led her into a side alley. She thought it was for a secret healing mission, something she had done before.
She had no chance to warn her waiting lover.
In the alley, Purple Cat stepped forward, mask gleaming in the moonlight.
"Mind-Body Switch Technique!"
The kunoichi froze for a breath. Purple Cat slumped softly into Yoru's arms, while her spirit slipped into the other's body.
The kunoichi's expression shifted as Purple Cat adapted to her new vessel.
"Go," Yoru ordered. "Make sure the target believes it without a shred of doubt. You know what to do."
Controlling the Senju kunoichi's body, Purple Cat walked into the alley where she often met her lover.
Soon, the man appeared.
She forced herself to run into his arms, wrapping them around his neck.
Her entire body stiffened from shame. I can't keep this up… unless…
A desperate thought struck her. What if I imagine he's Captain Fox? Then maybe…
Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Darling… I need to go back soon. We only have ten minutes tonight."
Their lips met, the man's hands growing restless, climbing over her borrowed curves. Every touch on the Senju kunoichi's skin reverberated back into Purple Cat's own mind, shattering her composure.
She feigned tremors to keep him unsuspecting, whispering breathlessly:
"Darling… for the next few days… I can't come out at all…"
"Why?" he asked, panting.
Purple Cat bit down her shame. "Grandma Mito's funeral is coming. The clan has kept it secret, no one knows yet. On the fifth of next month, we'll hold the ceremony."
The man froze, his passion cooling. "…I see. Then go back. Family comes first. Once the funeral is over, we'll meet again."
"…Alright. I'll miss you."
Purple Cat fled the alley as soon as she could, rushing back to the compound to end the jutsu.
After handing the kunoichi safely to ANBU for protection, Fox's squad returned to their quarters.
Yoru dismissed Antelope and Black Bull, leaving only Purple Cat behind.
Sitting on a bench, he frowned, deep in thought. Why spread false news of Lady Mito's death? Not just his squad, other ANBU were planting the same message across the village.
Is this some scheme against the Senju?
But then he shook his head. Doesn't matter. I'm just an ANBU operative. My job is simple, survive, survive, and survive.
Turning, he noticed Purple Cat leaning against the lockers. Her neck and ears were crimson.
"Purple Cat, your ears and neck are red. Aftereffects of the Mind-Body Switch?"
He couldn't see her face, only the flush crawling down her pale skin.
Her voice trembled. "…I don't like missions like that."
Yoru blinked. "Sorry. I didn't realize it would affect you so strongly. Next time, I'll assign it to a male Yamanaka."
"No!" she burst out, then faltered. "I-I wasn't refusing your order. It's just… I had to imagine he was you, Captain, just to get through it. And that… that embarrassed me…"
Her words slipped before she could take them back.
Yoru froze. Has my presence… unknowingly drawn her to me?
He stepped closer, fingers brushing along her slender neck, teasing. "I'm right here now. You don't need to imagine anymore."
His touch traced fire across her skin. Purple Cat shivered violently, a soft whimper escaping her lips as she collapsed against him.
For the first time, after weeks of watching others, she experienced her own trembling, her own racing heart.
Her snow-pale skin flushed pink under his touch,
The blush of a girl, intoxicating and fragile.
A shade between red and white, blossoming into the tender pink of desire.