SUMMARY: Time for the Wave mission.
Soon after she moves in, their Sensei decides they are ready for a C-Rank.
C-Ranks are often escort missions for people who think they may run into bandits and are willing to spend a little to makes sure they are protected.
Re might have qualms about killing but she knows some pretty good explosive and paralysing seals.
If they can't save themselves, it won't be her fault.
At least, that's how she's trying to think of it.
Bandits aren't victims.
Or are they?
She'll never know.
She hopes she doesn't have to kill anyone.
It is unlikely.
She hopes she doesn't have to be there when they die, that she can distance herself slightly.
It is more likely.
The Hokage's office is near the Academy.
The three of them haven't been here for a long time.
Their old teacher - Umino Iruka is there.
They don't particularly dislike him but they don't really like him either.
Naruto likes him because he was the only one who treated him the same as the other students.
Ru doesn't really care because it's not like Iruka was more than a good teacher to him.
The three of them respect him for his skill.
They also respect him, although they really shouldn't, because he managed to realise that Naruto isn't a monster.
But they shouldn't have to respect him for that.
He shouldn't be one of the only ones.
The occupants of the Red Light District don't but they shouldn't really count.
They're too busy getting high on pleasure or drugs.
They probably don't even realise.
That is a good thing.
So yes, they don't particularly feel anything for Umino Iruka but they respect him for, as Re puts it, "Being able to look past blinding hatred and not being a sheep too.".
Their client is drunk.
Even if they couldn't see it or hear it, they would have smelt it.
He goes on to insult Naruto.
Ra and Re won't stand for that.
Re's temper rears its head.
Ra gets physically violent when angry, Re gets a sharp tongue.
"Well if you don't want us, you can always find another team. You paid for a Genin team, here we are. If-"
Kurenai-sensei cuts in.
"That's enough Sumire."
Re doesn't look very happy but she shuts her mouth.
Their client is no happier than her but he has to concede to her points.
Iruka watches over them concernedly but he doesn't say anything.
Ra elbows Re who apologises.
The builder doesn't return the courtesy.
Ra knows something is wrong about this.
Sakura skips alongside her teammates.
Ra knows something is up.
Re and Ru the trusting idiots haven't realised anything yet.
She leans over to Re and confides her suspicions.
Sumire and Sakura giggle with their heads together and throw Naruto some interesting looks.
Re prods Ra and Sakura flounces over to Naruto.
She giggles while Ra whispers into Ru's ear.
Naruto's face goes pink in embarrassment.
Ru's face goes pink in anger.
Sumire shyly makes her way over to their Sensei, who sends them an approving nod when they are done.
Something is going on and Team 8 are in the middle of it.
They have to be careful.
Street protocols.
It is the right call.
The builder - Tazuna - may be drunk but he is shifty.
The entire mission reeks of something being wrong.
Tazuna is keeping secrets.
They don't want to be killed for his secrets.
If they are going to be killed, it'll be for anyone in their small group not anyone else.
They don't know this bridge builder, don't really care about him.
They'll escort him home, protect him until he builds the bridge.
After that they don't really care.
Maybe they would have.
But they don't.
"Sumire?"
"Yes, Sensei."
"Have you got your seals?"
"Always."
"Re, can I activate it, pretty please?"
"Ok, Ru."
"Use lightning!"
"Shhh."
Kurenai doesn't think the hiding Nins are going to enjoy being electrocuted.
Oh well.
It's not like she cares.
Their technique is smart - but it's not raining.
If it was, they'd be untraceable.
As it is, it is a pretty bright day so...
Naruto gleefully takes Sumire's seal and tosses it on the water before yelling, "Hai!".
A bolt of lightning strikes the puddle and two unconscious men are revealed.
Kurenai recognises them.
They are somewhere in the initial pages if the Bingo Book.
The 'Demon Brothers'.
She has to try really hard not to laugh.
All it took was one seal.
Still, she doesn't take it too lightheartedly - they undoubtedly have bounties.
Kurenai's not exactly splashing in money but her recent choices have meant she's been able to save some.
Still, she'd have to be an idiot to leave them.
Maybe it wouldn't matter to someone like Asuma or Kakashi but it does to her.
Maybe she can treat her Genin and Anko to dinner sometime?
It's not that she doesn't appreciate her usual dinner, it's just that she and Anko don't know how to hunt yet.
She knows how to act in restaurants.
Anko pouts.
Her cute little (unofficial) Genin have gone for a mission with Kurenai and now she doesn't have anyone to talk to.
There's Ibiki of course but he's her boss and he's more loyal to the Hokage and Danzo's ROOT than her.
She can't tell him anything.
And now she doesn't have kids to (torture) train, she's a little bored.
She won't ever tell anyone but she hates the fact they're all terrified of her.
Yes, it is useful.
Yes, it works.
But that doesn't mean she particularly likes it.
How is she meant to make friends and not be like Orochimaru if they all run the other way?
Ah, well.
She's sure there are some Chunin somewhere who haven't heard of her that she can mess with.
Ru knows that Ra is right.
He might seem knuckle-headed but he's not stupid.
He knows how to read the mood, he just pretends to be oblivious.
It serves him well.
The bridge builder doesn't seem particularly surprised by the attack from the pair who are Shinobi, not bandits.
They have to tread carefully - the mission is dangerous.
He already knew that.
But he can smell it now.
They have to be on guard.
It's like his first time alone in the District.