Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 22

The silence hung in the air as the two stared at one another. Sasuke thought the ninja would still be unconscious and Mai was a little unsure of where to start. There were a lot of things to discuss. A lot of pain. A lot of heartbreak.

"Well, aren't you going to at least say hello?" the Phantom Ninja finally spoke. "Or continue to stand there like an idiot in the doorway?"

The Uchiha sighed, "In some ways you haven't changed." Making his way closer, the rogue came to stand beside the bed. "I guess I should have expected that, however... it's not as carefree or teasing as it used to be."

"A lot has changed, Sasuke."

"I suppose it has."

He couldn't honestly think after everything had happened between them over the last few years, she'd welcome him so easily with open arms. No, Sasuke didn't believe it would be that simple. Both had developed trust issues at a young age after the massacre of the Uchiha Clan. And whatever trust they had between each other had been shattered on the night he defected. At the time the Uchiha knew it was the right thing to do, to grow stronger and leave her behind, but as time went on he realized how selfish he had been about the whole matter. In dealing with his own suffering and anger, he failed to realize he had not been alone. As children Mai had always been the stronger of the two and that was still the case today. The Be Fong deserved an apology... but now was not the right time. Because she wouldn't exactly believe him. Not yet.

"I've been talking with the Hokage, Kakashi, and Naruto," he finally spoke up.

"Sakura told me they were thinking of lifting your charges."

"And you don't think they should."

The teen watched him for a moment. "To an extent. You pulled a lot of shit these last few years."

Unfortunately, he couldn't argue with her there and chose to remain silent.

"Why did you, of all people, have a change of heart?" she wondered. "And so suddenly?"

"Can you really find it so hard to believe that I may be capable of change from everything I've seen and witnessed?"

The Be Fong's brows narrowed.

"You plunged a sword through my chest, tried to kill our teammates, attacked the Kage Summit, joined Akatsuki, hunted the hosts of beasts, and killed countless people along the way. Can you blame me?"

No, he couldn't.

"I went through hell because of you. So don't think your sudden choice to help us in the war will mean everything is okay again, because it isn't."

"My intention to return was not to get back in your good graces." Mai cocked a brow. "Maybe not entirely..." he then muttered lowly. "I finally understood my path with the help of Itachi and resurrecting Hokages to learn the truth for myself."

"I'm surprised you listened."

He nearly chuckled, shaking his head instead. "I didn't at first, which was why I followed Madara... or Obito, whatever you wish to call him. When I finally had Itachi's eyes and spoke with him as a corpse..."

"It took you long enough."

"I was clouded by hate and vengeance."

"That is no–"

"And even if that was my drive to grow stronger... it still wasn't enough." Her brows pinched in confusion. "I was unable to see the truth behind the lies of what was thought to be real. And it was nearly too late to change the course of my actions and it almost cost the lives of everyone in this world. Including your own. I didn't defeat Obito, nor did Naruto, or the Hokages."