Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 40

Sasuke was true to his word. He returned when promised. It caused Mai to smile at the sight of the ex-rogue when seeing the Uchiha make his way across the grass towards her home. There had been fewer missions for her over the next few months so she took time off to spend amongst Belva, Naruto, Shikamaru, Hinata, and Kakashi to name a few when bored. The Be Fong continued training in her spare time as well. And just to keep busy, the older teen asked Ibiki to send her on lower ranked missions to pass the time. It was then the Hokage began hinting at the fact that she would like her best ninja to think about the prospects of becoming a mentor to those graduating the Academy. Though it would mean removing Mai from the field, the woman thought it would be good for her. To have a better distraction apart from being surrounded by carnage and death beyond the walls of the Village. Of course, Tsunade wasn't expecting Mai to jump at the chance enthusiastically like Sakura had weeks ago, but the offer was there nonetheless should she ever tire of her life in Phantom.

It was a lot to think about, seeing as how her life would be drastically changed upon taking the position. She had worked on teams and seen the horrors that lay outside of Konoha should another threat arise. But would she be a good mentor to children? She hardly managed to connect with others when at that age and even now there were very few she confided in or attempted a friendship with. Genin were a whole other story. Children were naturally curious. They would ask many questions about their sensei. Which mean to an extent, the Phantom Ninja would need to be open. Mai was also well aware of how terrifying she could be when facing against an opponent and didn't want to corrupt such innocent minds with bloodshed. And then there was the fear of losing one of them to a mission that could go bad. Like what happened to Kakashi at a young age.

She remembered watching those coming back from missions and being distraught over losing a student. Some recovered, some didn't, and there was a fear bubbling inside of her at the fact of losing someone she may grow too close to. After all, when Kakashi nearly died during Pein's invasion she had been overcome with terrible emotions that made it feel like her heart was being ripped out of her chest. She could only guess the same could be said to him should he loose Naruto, Sakura, or herself. Maybe even Sasuke and Sai to an extent.

She brought up the mentorship to the Uchiha one evening on a visit. They were sitting on her couch reading, the female between his legs as her back rested against his chest, while he leaned against the armrest. He was all for the idea of Mai taking up a team for herself offering nothing but praise and how she would do a fine job of mentoring a team of Genin. It also meant that she would be free of harm outside the walls and wouldn't go on as many deadly missions anymore. That would help him breathe a little easier. Though he didn't voice it. There were things he had seen from beyond Konoha and the Fire Country itself that only made it clear that even without Akatsuki or Obito there were still people out there that wished to rise to power and take control. The fear of something potentially happening again where faced with another war... It worried Sasuke she would be on the front lines again like the last time. What if she wasn't so lucky the second time around?

"I'm not mentor material," Mai protested.

"We thought the same thing about Kakashi when we met him and now, we respect him," he answered, playing with her strands of hair.

"I'm a killer."

"All ninja are, in case you have forgotten. It's our job to eliminate threats."

"But I've never been sorry about it. Genin... they will feel conflicted when their first kill comes. How am I supposed to console them or offer words of wisdom when I can't understand what they are feeling?"

"You should worry about that when the time comes. The right words will come to you in the heat of the moment. It always does and they will listen to you."