Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 24

A month after being discharged from the hospital, the Be Fong began to make progress. First the feeling in the arm began to slowly come back bit by bit. During the second month, Mai was cleared to return to minimal duty on the wall. And by the third month entropy finally showed its worth when the pinky twitched. Just the pinky though.

However, the ring finger quickly followed with minimal movement. By the fourth month came the middle finger, and the nerves in the arm could start to sense something up to the elbow. It was progress that baffled the medical team at the hospital, and only made Sakura smirk at their reactions every time.

"There wasn't a doubt in my mind you wouldn't exceed expectations," the pink-haired shinobi said, escorting her teammate from the building.

It was slightly odd to be complimented by Sakura. Especially since they didn't always see eye to eye on things. But since the war she was trying mend their relationship. And in turn, the Be Fong tried to show her kindness as well.

"Thank you," Mai said.

"How is your training with Shikamaru progressing?"

"Our hours are shorter now that I'm on the wall... but it's going well." She sighed. "Ibiki seems to enjoy seeing me visit the Nara Compound. Whether for his own amusement to see me working out of my element or it's the fact that now he can clearly watch my movements for once since I'm not in the shadows."

Sakura gave a small smirk and laugh. "It must be odd for you."

It was. For so many years Mai had lived in the shadows, watching, observing, fighting, surviving. This ordinary dull, mundane day-to-day repetition was strange. She wasn't used to it. As if a part of her was missing. She didn't like it, but didn't completely hate it either.

"Have you heard any news?" The silence that stretched between them was enough of an answer. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have asked."

No, she shouldn't. But after years of working together the Be Fong should have expected it. After all, Sakura had a habit for saying things before thinking it through.

"I'm sure you'd know before myself being close to the Hokage," Mai said. They had reached the front doors to the hospital. "See you later."

There had been no word from Sasuke or his whereabouts, and the Be Fong thought she would have heard something by now. A part of her grew worried that maybe another country captured him for his past crimes. Or maybe Orochimaru had slipped back into his old ways to take the Uchiha as his new host body. Yet at the same time Mai realized the Uchiha would never allow any of that to happen. She was being foolish to think that way. Besides, whoever the would-be captor was, they would want to gloat about their prize to every corner of their lands.

"Man, with the war over this job is almost boring," Kotetsu sighed. "All we deal with now are annoying cranky travelers."

Izumo hummed in agreement, though Mai didn't bother to comment. She'd rather it be quiet then have to worry about being attacked at any second. Konoha was finally living, the ruins of Pein's attack behind them.

That wasn't the only thing that changed since the end of the war. Mai had been receiving quite a few visitors. More so than before. Belva would come every other night, even sometimes in the afternoons after grueling therapy sessions when it was difficult to move having exhausted the muscles. They also did their own form of training with the Chakra Strings before, during, or after dinner. Small amounts to remind the nerves what it felt like to harness such power again. Fighting was still bearable, using the good arm, but it was not up to her standard.

The woman wasn't the only one to stop by. There was Naruto who would come by before or after missions just to sit and talk. He did most of the talking and there were times they'd go for ramen together in the Village. Even Shikamaru would come by with his board games. Hinata was a most welcoming sight. And Kakashi. The Jounin would even come by after exhausting missions outside the walls when it was clear he was ready to pass out. He would eventually on her couch, and the Be Fong covered him with a blanket, then be sure to leave the next morning before he woke. Upon returning home later that evening Kakashi would be gone.

Mai saw him in the streets, along the wall from her perch wandering about, and the Hokage building. Was he always this present before and the teen never took notice? No. She wasn't one to let something like that slip through. Living in the shadows, Mai was aware of his every move. All of Team 7. And now with this attention... the Be Fong almost found herself... suffocating. This may people so close and all at once... It was too much.

"Is there something wrong with me?" Mai suddenly questioned one evening.

Hinata and her were sitting in the living room drinking tea. Lanterns hung outside along the wrap around porch lowly lit, and the walls had been slid open to allow the cool evening breeze entry. The Hyuuga looked at her puzzled.

"I feel like I'm drowning. There are too many people around me. Not you, others," she added quickly. "They've become part of my life in ways I didn't ask them to be and I don't know how to handle it. This attention, the... the caring."

Hinata observed her lost expression, staring into the cup at her own reflection. "You haven't felt this kind of love and attention since we were young." With the Uchiha.

"Not this much at once," Mai whispered. "And it wasn't in my favor to hold on to those feelings because that was all ripped away... and maybe as I entered the Academy, I hoped to find it... but I was scared. Of losing it again. In a way I did with the one person left from my past. I'm a coward."

The Hyuuga nearly choked on her drink. "How could you even call yourself that?"

"I hid in the shadows so no one could touch me. So I could keep a distance. Because I didn't want to be cared for. And now I don't know what to do with it all... but I feel like I will go mad if I'm not given space."

A hand rested on Mai's arm, breaking her thoughts. "You are the bravest person I know. Don't ever think so lowly of yourself." She then sat back again. "I don't blame you... this is overwhelming. And you can't tell them to stop either. That would only make them worry. Thus making the situation even worse."

"Then why aren't you questioning me now?"

Hinata gave a small smile. "Because I consider you a close friend. I understand what your limits are. I know when you need someone. We are both quiet people. Enjoy our space and alone time. When it's too much for me..." She gave a small smile. "I get very flustered and embarrassed."

Mai offered a small smile as well.

"But I'm used to it, you're not."

"Does it get easier?" The Be Fong always wondered.

"In a way, I guess... I got used to it. It took some time, but I had Neji, Kiba, and Shino to thank for that."

Mai sighed. "I feel like I'm going mad."

"Hopefully not... But some alone time could do you good."

"I enjoy your company."

"That means a lot coming from you," Hinata grinned. "But you used to evade all of us. You were nonexistent for nearly three years. I think you can regain the progress you had again."

"Things aren't quite what they are anymore."

The Hyuuga glanced over to stare at the arm resting on a pillow. It would twitch every now and then. A side effect of the reversing paralyses. Now the nerves were almost hypersensitive as it relearned things.

"But it's getting there."

"Well, maybe it's time you get some practice in?" Hinata offered.

Mai's head cocked.

"It may not be graceful, but it's a start to how things were for you. Maybe then you'll be distracted and it won't feel like you are drowning."

Mai chuckled, "When did you become so wise?"

"I'm trying to become more so since the war." One of her fingers tapped the side of the cup. "Naruto still dreams of becoming Hokage... so I hope I can help him with that. To stand by his side. I need to grow, and I know there will be challenges, but I intend to meet them head-on."

The Be Fong didn't doubt her friend's determination to be able to accomplish her dream.