Naruto: Mastered Your Strategy?

Morning.

"What happened to your door?"

Anko entered Kurenai's room and couldn't help but ask with curiosity.

Kurenai was curled up in the corner of her bed, hugging a pillow, still dressed in a red nightgown.

"It's so late, and you're still in bed? Did you drink again last night?" Anko noticed the empty bottle on the table.

She casually sat on the sofa like she was at her own place, showing no restraint.

Kurenai didn't respond. Anko turned to look at her and noticed her friend's exhausted expression, with heavy dark circles under her eyes.

"What's going on?" Anko was startled.

"Did someone break into your house? Did you fight? Are you okay? Where's the thief? Did he escape?"

A barrage of worried questions poured from Anko as she rushed to Kurenai's bedside.

Kurenai finally reacted, giving Anko a calm look before irritably scratching her head.

"It's nothing," she said.

"…I got drunk last night, went out, and forgot my keys. That's why the door is busted."

After saying that, Kurenai looked away.

Anko sensed something was off with her mood and asked with concern, "Did something happen? Your lips…"

"I said nothing happened!" Kurenai's voice suddenly rose but stopped abruptly.

"Sorry."

She bit her lip and lay back down, facing away from Anko.

Kurenai's mind wandered. Ever since she was young, the men in her social circle had always been respectful, never crossing any boundaries—especially Asuma, who wouldn't dare to do anything inappropriate. Yet what happened last night filled her with an overwhelming sense of shame and humiliation.

Ren's mocking face haunted her thoughts, making it impossible for her to sleep all night.

That damn guy! He will pay for this!

Kurenai seethed, her teeth clenched in anger.

Suddenly, she sat up, startling Anko, who was pondering how to comfort her.

"Didn't Genma and the others say they were going to teach him a lesson?" Kurenai asked Anko.

"Him?" Anko looked surprised for a moment, then realized who she was talking about.

"You mean Ren? Why are you asking about him?"

Kurenai immediately calmed down, "It's nothing, just curious."

Anko, though puzzled, shrugged and said, "Yeah, they said so. Whatever, let them do what they want."

"I don't really care, but I don't think it's the right way to handle it."

"I thought about it after I got back. Ren saved my life, after all, so we're even. Going out of my way to mess with him feels petty."

"Yugao wasn't in favor of it either. Maybe I'll tell her to talk to Hayate so they can drop the whole thing."

"But what if they've already made their move or are planning something?"

"What do you think, Kurenai?"

Anko rambled on, her expression changing as she talked through her thoughts.

Kurenai fixed her gaze on Anko.

"You're on his side?"

Anko jumped. "I'm not!"

"Not a chance." She quickly shifted to a dismissive attitude.

"That little punk? Why would I side with him?"

Anko started to look irritated herself and waved it off. "Forget it, let Genma and the others do what they want."

Kurenai swallowed what she had initially wanted to say and spoke calmly, "It's better if you avoid him in the future. His reputation could cause trouble for you, and after what you saw the other day, he's not worth the effort."

Anko rolled her eyes. "You don't have to tell me that."

She stood up, glanced at Kurenai, and added, "Asuma's throwing a little get-together. Guy's coming, and it sounds like Kakashi might join too. It's rare, so he asked me to invite you. Are you coming?"

Kurenai lay back down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Just tell him I'm sick and not feeling well."

Anko made a face that clearly said, I knew you'd say that.

"Also, don't let Asuma come looking for me."

"Fine, I'm out then."

"Close the door on your way out."

"Does it even matter if your door's closed? You really need to get it fixed."

Bang!

The room fell silent once again.

Kurenai lay still, staring at the ceiling, wanting to cover her eyes with her arm, but when she lifted her arm, she saw the bruises on her wrist.

The events of the previous night replayed in her mind.

She shut her eyes in frustration.

That bastard! Damn it...

...

At the Barbecue Restaurant.

"Where's Kurenai?" Asuma asked when Anko showed up alone.

"She's sick, so she couldn't come," Anko replied, taking a seat across from him.

"She's sick? But she was fine just a few days ago," Guy said, confused.

"I don't know, she looked pretty worn out, and she wasn't in a good mood," Anko said. "I'd suggest you guys avoid pushing her buttons."

Asuma remained silent.

"Where's Kakashi?" Anko asked, noticing only the two of them there.

Guy sighed, "He came, but had to leave."

"Kakashi got called on a mission. He had to head out right away," Asuma explained.

"Right, he is in the Anbu after all, and a captain too." Anko nodded, understanding, though the mention of the Anbu quickly brought a certain someone to mind.

"Have you ordered yet?"

She grabbed the menu and started picking dishes.

"So it's just the three of us in the end," she said.

"No time to call anyone else now," Asuma said.

"Why bother?" Anko rolled her eyes. "The main person didn't show."

Asuma coughed awkwardly, not responding.

"Guy and I are just your backup, huh?"

Having been called out, Asuma sighed and admitted, "I've asked her out plenty of times, but she never wants to come. I thought maybe with everyone here, it'd be different this time."

"Well, tough luck," Anko said as she poured herself a cup of tea.

"Who made her get sick?"

"I think I'll go check on her," Asuma said hesitantly.

"You're just too eager," Anko began lecturing him. "You don't understand a girl's mind at all. Do you really think having a meal together and giving her flowers is enough to win her over?"

Asuma was at a loss for words.

"I really have no clue what's going on in Kurenai's mind…" he muttered.

Anko paused as she sipped her tea, suddenly recalling Kurenai's red, swollen lips and the bruises on her wrist from earlier.

"You guys... have known each other since you were kids, right?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"Yeah, we all grew up together," Asuma said, nodding. They had been friends since their days in the Ninja Academy, already knowing each other for over a decade.

"Childhood friends, huh," Anko mused.

Asuma just smiled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Anko continued sipping her tea, holding the rim of the cup to her lips, the warm steam gently misting her eyes.

"Nothing... I just think you've had it tough."

"If only she thought that way too," Asuma chuckled.

"...Maybe she does," Anko whispered.

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