A/N: Takes place in the beginning of the game which would probably be considered Kurenai's first kill since it is her first mission.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Red Ninja or the characters.

First Kill

She doesn't even think when the wire wraps around the unsuspecting guards neck, so much like the way it does when she practices on wooden posts, only this time there is a spray of crimson when she pulls and not splinters.

It's over in a second and the head drops with a dull thud once the wire loosens, rolling to a stop by her feet.

Kurenai spares it a single glance before looking away, yet in that one glance she knows she will always remember that image.

The man's dark eyes open and unseeing, his mouth gaping grotesquely and blood running down the left corner of his lips.

It reminds her suddenly of the night those ninja killed her father by slitting his throat, only the difference is she doesn't know this man nor does she feel anything for him.

It's her very first kill and despite Master Chiyome and even Zenzo's numerous warnings concerning the aftermath of these experiences, she doesn't feel anything remotely the way they described.

There's no sudden sickness or loss of breath. No sense of emptiness or gnawing guilt. It's just quiet and thoughtful.

Kurenai realizes what she has done but can find nothing within her to sympathize with this mans end at her own hands.

Contemplatively, she rolls up her wire before lifting the decapitated body so she can hide it before moving on. After all, the mission isn't over and she can't afford to have any setbacks, not even for her first kill and the supposed struggle she should have with it.

Once the body and head are hidden, Kurenai turns to continue before pausing momentarily at an afterthought.

Is there something wrong with?

She hadn't felt pleasure in taking the man's life nor had she felt sadness…it was merely part of the mission and what she needed to achieve in order to secure her own survival and success.

Did that make her a terrible person?

Kurenai frowned and steeled herself to move forward.

Even if there was something wrong with her, even if she suffered a break down later. For now, the mission was priority and there was no room for error. She swiftly crept through the shadows of the buildings, following the route that had been planned beforehand.

"First kills are hard…" Master Chiyome had said. "But they do not control you. Over time, it will get easier but that does not make you a monster, for this is the path our job entails. Remember this if you are ever unsure Kurenai…We are ninja, our duty lies in shadows, blood and deceit…the jobs no one else is willing to consider. We do these things for the sake of our clan and our Lord. So grieve if you must, but don't let it wear you down or you will surely be defeated…"

Kurenai paused before the gate, which would lead her closer to the Noh theatre. Two guards stood side by side, chatting softly to one another while keeping vigil. Her heart ached strangely.

Was it sadness? Or fear?

She reading her kunai that was attached to the mass of wire and shifted her stance.

Was is excitement?

…Or am I just too broken to understand clearly?

She could hear drums in the distance and hear clapping. The theatre was close and she had no more time for the internal wonderings.

Blade in hand, she moved.

…regardless of what I feel, I am a ninja and I will do what is necessary.

Blood painted the wall and floor and in minutes, two more bodies joined the list of her kills. Breathing hard, Kurenai made for the door.

"First kills are hard…" Master Chiyome had said. "But they do not control you…"

A/N: Please review. Not very good and could use further explanation but I'll see about editing in the near future.