Let It Burn: Life [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 20

When a person dies one can nearly always count on it raining. When the Third's funeral took place, it was pouring, everyone huddled together under the various umbrellas as they waited in line to say their final goodbyes. Some allowed themselves to be soaked. Feeling numb. Today, however, the sky was cloudless with the sun bore down on the entourage that stood in front of the newly placed headstone.

Asuma Sarutobi.

It was a mission gone wrong when Akatsuki entered the Land of Fire and killed a monk from a temple, a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Of course, only a few knew of that information. Still the team of four experienced ninjas – Shikamaru, Kotetsu, Izumo, and Asuma – went up against two Akatsuki members, Hidan and Kakuzu, that they tracked down to a Bounty Station. It ended with the death of Asuma. Clearly, they had underestimated this group of criminals. And the worst part of it all was the fact that Shikamaru had been there to witness the event first hand. Ino and Choji arrived as backup. The Akatsuki retreated. Despite their presence and efforts to save their mentor, the wound sustained was fatal.

Discreetly, Mai glanced among the crowd that came to pay their respects, not spotting the Nara. Ino and Choji were there though, trying to hold back tears. Sighing, the ninja squinted against the sunrays, cursing the cheery weather. It was a mockery, really. The fact that they had to suffer over the loss of a respected comrade and the sun smiled down at them without a care in the world as if everything was fine. It was far from fine.

Eventually the crowd dispersed and the Be Fong one of the last to take to the streets. She walked into the Hokage building, where Shizune greeted her with a smile. The teen offered a nod in return while waiting next to the closed doors to the Hokage's office. Mai knew Team 10 was inside requesting to track down the Akatsuki members responsible for Asuma's death. They had a score to settle. However, Tsunade would not allow such a thing. Revenge could blind a ninja, which would make them sloppy and she wasn't about to lose three more talented individuals under her watch in the same week. Not without a proper plan in place.

"Mai?"

Head turning, she watched as Kakashi made his way down the hall.

"What are you doing here?" the young man wondered.

"Checking in," she answered.

"For what?"

"I've been sitting on the sidelines long enough. My vacation is up."

"Are you sure?"

The teen cocked a brow and he chuckled in response.

"What's going on in there?"

"Shikamaru and his team want to go after Akatsuki before they get too far, but the Hokage won't allow it because they don't have a leader."

"Hmm," he mused before ruffling her hair. "I guess I'll have to change that."

Without knocking, the young man walked inside before the door closed again behind him.

"Why does that not surprise me?" Shizune sighed from her desk.

Because it's Sensei, Mai said to herself. Minutes later, Team 10 exited the office with Kakashi at the head.

"Oh, hi, Mai," Ino greeted.

The Nara's eyes flickered in her direction.

"Are you coming with us?" Shikamaru asked.

"Not sure," the Be Fong said. "I guess you will find out."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He smelled of cigarette smoke, a habit he had picked up since the death of his sensei. Something to remember him by. His way of grieving.