Many took her timidity as a sign of weakness.
He saw it as an advantage. From his experience quiet nature usually hid great strength. While her voice shook with nerves and hesitation the hands she held up were straight and steady.
He saw that she did not want to fight him, but she would not hold back either if she had to.
Kurenai's voice broke through, urging the young woman to take the offense in the training spar.
Her wide eyes were anxious as they met his, but he simply nodded in agreement; moving the senbon around to murmur softly.
"Fight me."
Only after he was laid out on the ground from her perfected eight-palms, and as Kurenai leaned over him with a sheepish unrepentant grin, did he realize what her eyes were trying to tell him.
She had been anxious, not for herself, for him.