TEAM 8

YUUHI KURENAI

First Manga Appearance: Chapter 34
First Anime Appearance: Naruto Episode 20
Name Meaning: Yuuhi=Setting sun, Kurenai="Crimson"
Hidden Village: Leaf Village
Rank: Jounin
Age: 31
Notable Features: Crimson colored eyes
See also: Hyuuga Hinata, Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba

HISTORY: 

A Jounin master, Kurenai is the leader of Team 8 (Hyuuga Hinata, Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba). Near the series start, Kurenai attained the rank of Jounin. She is highly trained in Genjutsu illusion techniques.After Kurenai was assigned her Genin team, she went to the Hyuuga family head Hiashi to ask if it was okay that the family's heir would be putting her life on the line everyday. Unimpressed with Hinata's progress, Hiashi dismissed his daughter’s abilities. Kurenai was surprised but she accepted his response. She then kept a watchful eye over Hinata, noting how she did poorly on their team missions. When Hinata later pushed herself more than ever before in the Chuunin Exam, Kurenai was greatly impressed by this newfound strength. When Neji was later enraged by Hinata's words, Kurenai jumped in alongside other Jounin masters to stop the young man.

Over time Kurenai would develop a close relationship with fellow Jounin Sensei Sarutobi Asuma. Though she would deny they were dating, the two did develop a bond. When Uchiha Itachi returned to the village, she did her part to subdue him. When she became endangered, Asuma jumped in to help. With the arrival of Might Guy, Itachi and his partner Kisame fled.

Over the next several years Kurenai would further train her students and watch as they finally passed the Chuunin Exam. Her relationship with Asuma would grow. With the grave dealings of Akatsuki coming to the forefront, Asuma would think over his place in Konoha and his relationship with Kurenai. When he was called away to track Akatsuki down, he made one final stop by Kurenai's apartment. He could not bring himself to talk to her though, by the time she noticed someone outside, he was gone.