Sacrifice and Resolve

It was only when Anko placed a hand on her clothed breast did Kurenai take control of her senses and gently push her friend away. "A-Anko, wait a minute," Kurenai said, her breath short and her body aroused. 

"I...I need to go!" Kurenai said. She opened the door and swiftly escaped before Anko could try to explain her actions. The former apprentice of Orochimaru stared at the door for a moment. She then touched her lips. A cruel smile appeared on her face. Her once warm expression quickly morphed into a visage between joy, satisfaction, and anger.

"Mmm, such a sweet taste, Nai-chan. It's too bad though. Run if you want, but I'll return the friendship you've given me all these years a hundredfold. You took away my hopes of ever being happy here. So...I'll take away every single last hope from you until even your own body will trust me more than it will trust you! Just like you took away every last ounce of trust I ever had in this shitstain of a village, I'll take everything away from you!" Anko said. If there was anyone Kurenai had to blame then it would be herself for falling for such a ridiculous ploy.

It had taken every inch of Anko's willpower to not wring Kurenai's throat where they had stood, but Anko was no imbecile. If Kurenai had died in Anko's apartment then the connection would have easily been made and she would be hunted down without remorse. The Tokubetsu jonin was also aware that she was not capable enough to handle all of Konoha. She also wasn't sure she could sneak away undetected against the likes of the Hyuga, and the Inuzuka, and other tracking clans. Hell, the explosion that the Uchiha brat had done a few days ago had sent the village into lockdown. Everyone under the Chunin rank was issued a curfew until further notice. Honestly, it was great Naruto had told her the plan beforehand. This strict movement was ridiculous.

"Tsk, maybe I should just go back to the base. Just kissing her only pissed me off more, or...I could work on my own little side project. Ibiki doesn't need me in the office today. Good thing too. I'd have to resist giving him more scars than that bald head of his already has," Anko said with a slight grin. She walked further into her room and closed one of the doors behind her.

...

"Hokage-sama, I...I would like to speak with you in private," Kurenai said, standing in the room with about five chunin who had been making an annual report. Between the walk from Anko's place to the Hokage Tower, she had tried to remove the more than obvious flush from her face.

Hiruzen frowned from his subordinate's tone, but it was obvious that something had unsettled her. A sigh from his lips, he quickly excused the chunin whom he had been speaking with. "Alright, it's just us, Jonin Yuhi. What is the problem?" The Hokage asked. He didn't rush the jonin since it seemed like short of breath. Once she finally regained some of her composure, Hiruzen motioned for her to speak.

"Hokage-sama, I think our...investigation has gone on long enough. If...the subject was still going to be connected to Orochimaru, then it no doubt would have happened by now. Perhaps it might be best if we...ceased monitorization of Mitarashi Anko," Kurenai said with...shaky haste.

Hiruzen took a deep breath of tobacco from the pipe which he had been smoking from. He then slowly exhaled. "Were you discovered?" He asked. Yes, Hiruzen felt bad that he had to keep an eye on a potential connection to Orochimaru so heavily. It was obvious that Anko was as much a victim as anyone else under his former student's selfish ambitions, but...he had not kept the village alive for so long by being unwise. No matter how much it hurt, he could not place significant trust in Anko just yet. Still, that did not leave him no more curious than before.

"No, I wasn't...discovered, but...I...erm...no longer have a simple, familiar relationship with her. She now sees me as a potential...romantic interest," Kurenai said.

This...was not something Hiruzen was expecting. All accounts of Anko visitation therapy sessions, it was not just for her, all shinobi had to undergo at least a day of counseling in Konoha to proceed with their career, had suggested that she was never one for relationships before. Granted she had...friends, closely selected friends mind you, but people who had been stationed to be her friends. For Anko to be...romantically interested shouldn't be surprising, but...given her psychological profile it was a bit...odd, but then again who could rationalize intense feelings such as love?

"I see. So the situation has taken a surprising development. Truth be told, I did not foresee this ever happening, but if it is the case...perhaps we may use this to our advantage. It would certainly explain her short-tempered attitude as of late," Sarutobi replied. Kurenai stilled at the way he was mumbling to himself. Surely her leader couldn't suggesting that she actually go through with...this...ridiculousness.

"I love you, Kurenai! I love you more than that idiot Asuma ever could or ever will! You don't need that cheating bastard, Nai-chan. I don't have much, but I can make you happier than any man ever could!"

Those words caused a shiver to go down Kurenai's spine. If Anko was telling her that, then she was aware that Kurenai had a passing interest in Sarutobi Asuma, but...what did she mean by what she said? Kurenai had known Asuma ever since they were children. He was many things, but...he wasn't a cheater...at least she figured he wasn't. Then...what was Anko talking about?

"I am dreadfully sorry, Kurenai. However, I must update your mission parameters. This will be the final examination into Anko's suspected activities. Unfortunately, I can't allow you decline this assignment. If Anko truly has become attracted to you...then please use it to the best of your ability and watch over her. I won't ask for it to be a long period of time, but this will be the last assignment and I want absolutely no second guesses," the Sandaime said.

Kurenai was not sure what she was supposed to say. She was supposed to willingly go along with her best friend's surprising attraction to her. Just the thought of being kissed so...roughly like that sent a back-shivering breeze down the Genjutsu user's spine. Whether it was from fear or...excitement one could not say. "H-Hokage-sama, I've never...I mean...I don't have experience with...same-sex relationships," the jonin honestly replied. Hell, she had never even considered...this type of relationship with Anko of all people.

A hearty laugh erupted from the Sandaime Hokage of Konoha and he exhaled. "Kurenai, I'm not asking you to enter into a romantic relationship with Anko. I'm merely asking that you...look the other way a few times to her attraction and remain closer to her to monitor her. However, you must not grow attached to her. If she passes, and you do grow attached after, then by all means, but I cannot have this mission compromised. Do you understand?"

NO! No, Kurenai did not understand why she was being forced to endure this all of a sudden. Was Anko really this much of a flight risk? Kurenai did not believe so. Anko had been a loyal shinobi for many years. However, Kurenai could not refuse such an order. No matter how much she wished she could.

"Yes...Hokage-sama," Kurenai said, though her voice was not sure as sure as the command which had come forth from it. This was something that Hiruzen readily noticed. He stood to his feet, his hands folded behind his back. His heavy gaze peered into the streets of Konoha.

"Kurenai-san, I understand I've been asking a lot of you. Not just you, but also Ibiki-san, and many others of Anko's friends, but I assure you that this is necessary. I cannot, and will not allow the travesties wrought by Orochimaru in my younger days repeat themselves now. I will bear Anko's hate if she discovers this. It will not be your fault. I understand that these actions might be excessive and monstrous to you, but...if I can keep seeing these smiles faces of the villagers then I do not mind it," he replied.

Unfortunately for Hiruzen, Kurenai was not as moved by his words as she would have liked to be. It was not a foreign concept to her. Sacrifice the few...to save the many. There was not a single leader who did not understand this principle, but...what good would it do the many...if the few held enough hate to try and tear the many apart? "Yes Hokage-sama, I accept this mission!" Kurenai said, a salute to show her resolve no matter how frail it felt. The Hokage acknowledged her words with a nod and he watched her leave.

Once Kurenai was gone, Hiruzen exhaled. Sacrifice the few...to save the many. Hiruzen wondered...would Naruto ever see it that way...just as his father had?

....

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