Let It Burn: Life [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 40

Chapter Inspiration: 4h30 by Danger

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Team 7 tensed in shock. Even Mai's eyes widened a fraction as he held out a hand in her direction.

"Come with me," he said again.

"Are you insane?" she breathed. "Why now? You left me behind! How dare you ask such a thing!"

"Because now we know the truth. The both of us have grown stronger. Nothing can stop us now. There's nothing left for us in Konoha."

"Unlike you, Sasuke, I've managed to become better acquainted with those that reside there. I care for them."

"They are not my friends–"

"Yes, they are, to an extent! Friends have always gone after you, followed Naruto! But you pushed everyone away! Including me! And now you want it back as if nothing is wrong?"

"The only thing I want back is you, Mai. I want my friend. You're the only one that understands me. We both went through this together. No one else can understand!"

"Because you don't allow people to try."

"And have you?" he asked. "Have you honestly allowed anyone in?"

"A few."

"That's bullshit. There are still some things you refuse to speak about. How about the state of mind you were in once Konoha took us from the compound after the massacre?"

No, no one knew about that.

"Or how utterly lost you felt when everything was all over? How weak we both were in those years of trying to survive on our own?"

No, because she always tried to appear strong.

"How you actually disliked our classmates because they treated you like an outcast because you were different and weren't accepted?"

No, the Be Fong would never let on about such a thing to anyone but him.

"Face it. They know nothing about you. Not even Team 7. When you disappeared for those few years no one really searched for you. They gave up."

How did he know that?

But no matter how much the Uchiha spoke, Mai refused to take his outstretched hand. Yet he waited as the teen thought this over. He owed her that much to make a decision like he had when deserting.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke," she breathed.

The arms that hung carelessly at her sides spread further with a jerk. The area around them was torn apart. She couldn't desert and follow Sasuke. Konoha was still her home.

The sudden tremors that burst through the ground beneath them left Sasuke stumbling, trying to move out of the way of the crumbling bridge in order to bury him. Yet the Leaf Ninjas seemed to be unaffected. In fact, none of them could move.

"Damn it," Kakashi muttered.

In their exchange the Jounin had failed to notice that the teen fused her strings with them so they did not get involved. The young man had to watch as she raced forward into the destruction to attack the Uchiha head on. This was just like their first meeting when finally learning of Orochimaru's whereabouts, as they glided across the water in a heated battle that had chakra sparking in the air. And with a surge, the Chakra Strings became visible to the eye twisting and turning the Be Fong in every direction. Throwing the Uchiha back the way he came. Both engaged in a fury of slicing weapons, drawing their blades and pushing against the other trying to show dominance. Neither was backing down.