Let It Burn: Life [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 22

Naruto wasn't a fool. Sure, he could be oblivious to obvious things at times, but he knew when something was wrong. Especially when it came to his teammates. And something had happened during Mai's mission. He could see it in her actions and the way she had become more reserved once again. No longer engaging in their conversations when spoken to. If anything, she was trying to put distance between them. When Konohamaru showed up one afternoon to display his Clone Jutsu, along with the Sexy-Girl Jutsu Naruto taught him, the Be Fong didn't even react like the others had. Even Sai at least showed somewhat of an emotion. But Mai merely turned on a heel and left them alone.

At first, the Genin thought it had been the clone image of Sasuke that set her off when Konohamaru changed from naked girls to naked guys because Sakura was giving him an earful. Sai had been the other one, and the two were in a compromising position. But that wasn't the case, the teen came to the decision. Naruto found her on top of the Hokage Mountain later that day.

"Mai," he greeted.

She didn't respond.

"We need to talk."

"Are you breaking up with me?"

It was meant to be a joke, but without any humor in her voice the Genin wasn't laughing.

"What happened during your last mission out there?"

Straight to the point, the Be Fong thought to herself. That was a new tactic for him.

"Nothing."

"Don't give me that bullshit."

She sighed. "I came across one of Orochimaru's escaped experiments and it was horrendous. I killed it, the end."

Naruto stomped his foot in frustration, shouting, "Damn it, look at me!"

The outburst startled Mai, her head snapping around to show her mild surprise. Sighing, the teen ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

"Stop trying to force us away, again! Even Sakura's worried, okay? Enough! Like it or not we're not going anywhere! In fact, we refuse to allow you to cut us out of your life ever again! Just talk to us already! What happened?"

"And how do you know this isn't the real me, huh?" Mai snapped back. "You know nothing about me. You've been gone for so many years and Sakura's nose has been buried in books learning how to be the next great medical ninja under Tsunade. In the Academy she didn't give a rat's ass about me and you were too busy trying to prove yourself to everyone around you to worry about anyone else! So don't preach to me that you two know anything about who I am as a person! Get over yourself! Nothing happened on that mission. So drop it."

They glared at each other for a moment and that had the Genin thinking. Words that were meant to be hurtful were said for a reason. She wasn't one to speak them so freely, known to keep everything bottled in. Many would say it was just stress, that Mai had finally snapped. But Naruto could see through that. This verbal attack occurred for a reason. The hint of a smile reached his lips.

"Why are you smiling?" she questioned in an irritated manner. This wasn't funny.

"Because there it is."

Her brows pinched in confusion.

"I know you care about us because you wouldn't be trying to force us away with words like that. Whatever is going on, that mission... you don't want us to get hurt in the process of whatever is going on. You don't want us to worry."