Kurenai finds herself in a problem she's tried to avoid for the last few months, not the squad-related or jonin work, just personal matters. Her relationship with Asuma Sarutobi was a slow burn, from academy days to the 3rd ninja war, and even then as senseis to the next generation. Their chemistry came from years of getting to know each other, intimate and personal. But last, she finds that the relationship is threatened by another interest, Taiju. A battle-obsessed womaniser, whom she started off hating with her entire soul, but the scum has wedged himself into her heart. His persistence in helping her with her Genjutsu and Taijutsu greatly annoyed her in the beginning, but it paid off as now she can rival Kakashi's Sharingan and somewhat take on Guy. And to ruin her heart even more he agreed to train the 3 kunoichi she believes in, especially Hinata, whom she considers like a daughter.
"Why couldn't you fall for a decent man?" She chastised her heart.
This love triangle was made apparent when Taiju decided to be a "man" by fighting Asuma for her attention; he really thought that idiotic chivalry tactic would work on her, maybe Anko, but not Kurenai Yuhi. Even now, she has been avoiding one-on-one moments with Asuma, in case he asks her if she considers Taiju a potential lover for her.
She fears she might be open to the thought.
"Ugghh–that bastard is not even here, but he's still dominating my mind." She groaned into her cup.
Returning from another outing with 3/4 of the Ice Queens. Yugao, Hana, and she were discussing the Anbu segregation. The Anbu has 3 factions: Root, Black Ops, and the Suicide Unit. These 3 divisions follow different orders: Root reports to Danzo, Black Ops to the fifth Hokage, and Suicide is a 'freelance unit 'by the words of Taiju himself.
Hana rubbed her dog's head," Is it crazy that I miss him?" She spoke.
Yugao gave her a once-over before responding, " He has that effect on people, he's like a cockroach that won't leave your home." Yugao added.
"No wonder his so hard to kill." Kurenai contributed.
The 3 chuckled, slightly nudging each other.
"On a serious note Yugao, are the girls surviving his training?" Hana asked.
"Yeah, they're thriving and at this rate...they might beat Tayuya and Kin."
"No way!" Hana slammed the table, leaning closer to her," The redhead that curses more than she greets and the quiet one that's equally as sadistic as Anko." Hana chuckled.
"Even I struggle to face one of them; imagine 5 Taiju-level threats."
They shivered at the thought of having 5 battle-hungry girls, ranting about swords and Taiju.
"Nope." They all said simultaneously.
"You all remember when he fought Guy?" Kurenai ignited.
"You mean the fight where he revealed his knockoff Eight Gates?" Yugao joked.
"That fool is surprisingly smart, he's even good at the sealing arts–talking about like he's doing math. Kurenai thought back to that day.
[Flashback]
-Forest of death-
Taiju and Might Guy faced each other in the most dangerous area in the Leaf Village. Two men rejected by Ninjutsu are now masters of Taijutsu and Kenjutsu, respectively.
Taiju couldn't help but chuckle at the circumstances," Guy, do you know how long I've waited to face you?"
Guy didn't respond, waiting in his battle pose, he awaited the mad beast to strike.
"Suit yourself. "
Woosh.
Taiju charged, sword slicing through the wind as he made the first move, swinging his blade he consistently tried to taste Guy's blood, every dodge and block only made him more excited, spinning to deliver a slash to the Green beast's neck, Guy ducked the blow, sweeping at his legs, Taiju jumped over it and swung his sword down.
Thud.
His blade met the earth. Guy rolled over and flashed to Taiju, landing a punch to his jaw. A loud crack was heard at the contact, following it up with a knee to his chest. Taiju spat out blood, eyes bulging as he was at a disadvantage.
Baam.
Guy homered him away with a kick to his chest again, he added enough force to end the fight.
Taiju slammed into a giant tree, body fully embedded.
"I do not enjoy fighting lunatics. " Guy bluntly said.
Rumble.
He heard the tree cracking, Taiju burst through the tree, red chakra around him, teeth sharp and eyes bloodshot.
"You didn't have to embarrass me like that ~" He chuckled, pointing his blade coated in his violent chakra.
Guy looked at him in shock, his form reminding him of the Gates." How are you doing that?" He demanded.
Taiju didn't bother to explain, he attacked.
"Urghh," Guy grunted as he blocked Taiju's kick with his forearm; his arm was pulsating in pain.
Taiju continued by stomping with his other foot, forcing the Jonin to block with both arms. The force dug his heels into the ground, his balance was shaky, and Taiju used this opportunity to deliver a slash to him.
Sword style: Bridal tears.
He announced, a crimson slash moved to Guy, cutting at his left shoulder, the vertical strike, reaching to his abs, blood escaping the Jonin.
"Aaghhh!" He groaned in pain, channeling his chakra to a burst, and he unlocked his Gates, reaching the 6th one.
The sixth gate release!
He roared out, skin darkening, hair erect, and blue chakra flowing around him in the same nature as Taiju's.
"Finally the Beast bleeds." He licked his lips.
The two blitzed each other, clashing in purple rampaging chakra. Every strike caused havoc in their surroundings. Mother Nature halted their battle. These two monsters would only stop once the other is no more breathing.
[End of flashback]
"They fought for 5 hours straight, when Anbu were called to stop them, the whole area was destroyed, blood everywhere and they were still fighting, covered in cuts, bruises, and looking like death was waiting to collect them." Kurenai sighed.
The table got quiet at the memory.
Hana pressed her lips together before speaking, " In a shameless sense, I found it hot when he survived. "
"What?"
"Did you really –"
"Hey–don't judge when Yugao nearly killed him on their first date." Hana exposed.
"Hana! You..."
Just like that, the mood reverted to teasing. They may share an interest in a dysfunctional man, but stranger things have happened.
[Near Kumo's sewer system]
Two ninjas stood over the pile of rubble, a clear explosion that had taken place, and to their shock they found their comrades.
"I told you, Kakuzu, that Jashin-sama would free us ." Hidan boasted.
"You're a cult following fool," Kakuzu responded.
"Hey!" Hidan barked back.
Just a few feet away from them Kisame watched in amusement, "These two can't die but function like brainless corpses. " He mused, turning to his partner, "What do you think Izumi– Should we go for the two-tailed?"
Izumi Uchia, former leaf ninja and half of the two remaining Uchia looked at her Akatsuki partner, a stoic expression on her beautiful pale face, coat opened to show her bandaged cleavage, and hand resting on the zip."There's no use, she's returned to her village, saved by the ones who buried them." She stated, returning to her sulking.
"Mxm–I hate her," Hidan whispered.
Izumi paid no attention to his comment and looked up to the sky, " I hope you're getting stronger little brother."
[End of chapter]