Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 25

Mai groaned lightly, rotating a shoulder to work out the tired muscles from the physical therapy session. There was nothing left for her to do today. Ibiki had given her the day off. And Shikamaru wasn't expecting her to come by either. For once she was able to do what she wanted. Her eyes scanned the streets. But what to do?

There was movement above, glancing up and watching as Genma raced across the rooftops. He was headed towards the Main Gate. It struck her as odd, because that was not his normal post. Something was up. Mai shifted into the shadows of an alley, taking a deep breath and allowing the good fingers to flex, the others twitching.

"Let's give this a try," she muttered.

The Be Fong became airborne. It wasn't the most graceful mode of transportation through the Village, but she managed to go by undetected. Along the way, the teen nearly ran into Kakashi, as he passed by reading Come, Come Paradise. Immediately, Mai masked her chakra not wishing to be found. Judging by the direction of his travel the young man could possibly be swinging by her home. She'd have to deal with that later.

When the coast was clear the Phantom Ninja was moving again. Genma stopped in the guard tower along the wall. It would offer shade and protection from the weather hot or cold, sunny or rainy, and would be where Izumo and Kotetsu would station most days while scouting when not walking along the wall. There was a tree with thick branches that just reached behind the glassless back window. It was where Mai held on, slowly moving under the leaves until she was within hearing.

"Where?" Izumo asked seriously. It was odd, to hear that tone from him. The two teammates were usually always in good spirits, laughing, joking, carefree. Obviously, the situation was important.

"He's been spotted along the border of the Leaf yesterday afternoon and was headed this way," Genma said. "But as usual his latest whereabouts are unknown. He knows how to cover his tracks."

"What I don't understand is why we are speaking like this," Kotetsu stated. "He allied with the Leaf once more and all charges were dropped, so why the seriousness of the matter."

"You honestly don't believe it was that easy, do you? To just suddenly switch sides like that."

"Things happen."

"Sasuke Uchiha is unpredictable and we have no idea what his intentions are in our land," Genma stated. "Despite the good graces he's worked himself back into, a careful eye needs to be kept on him to make certain this isn't a ruse in any way. I am only telling you he's been spotted so you are careful. I don't trust him completely."

Mai didn't lenist the rest of their conversation as her ears rang. Sasuke was near Konoha. But where? Carefully, so her comrades didn't find her, the Phantom Ninja snuck away back into the trees. Skirting around the busier sections of Konoha, Mai was lost in thought. If Sasuke was in the Village where would he go? Nowhere he'd be seen easily, so old hangouts were out of the question. The top of Hokage Mountain was also not private. If the Uchiha had not made it known to the Hokage he was coming then obviously he didn't wish to be bothered. Her house–

No. He'd sense all of the chakras that lingered there from so many visitors, find it odd, and quickly leave. So then where would the ninja go?

The Be Fong instantly paused, realizing how stupid that question was. There was only one place as she completely changed direction.

A section of secluded area had been demolished in Pein's attack. And it was abandoned, a forgotten, terrible memory none wished to restore it. Stepping over the destruction surrounding the entrance it finally flattened out to the once familiar road for the Be Fong. She barely made a sound moving through the ghost town that was once the Uchiha Compound, the homes in shambles from neglect. There was no time to reminisce as Mai took a deep breath and pressed on towards her destination. Soon, the familiar front door was right in front of her and the Be Fong stood there staring at the wood surface. How long had it been since entering their old home? It wasn't a pleasant memory, and though there had been times over the last few years where the Be Fong would come by the compound this particular home was never on her radar. Instead, she'd visit the large gravestone in honor of the Uchiha.