Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 44

Mai was used to always being on the front line. Observing everything, engaging with the enemy head on. Which is why sitting among the cover of the trees out of sight was a rather odd thing to experience when in a group. Alone was more natural. But she never complained once on perimeter duty with brother and sister, Joon and Asami. They were stationed at other points in the trees out of sight, but Mai kept tabs on them and their movements.

It seemed like a simple enough mission. They had been hired to recover a scroll from rogue Rain Ninja that had taken it from the Land of Grass. The only thing they were told was that it contained Forbidden Jutsus that if learned could bring about a civil war between the two countries. How the Kages had yet to hear of this she didn't know, but the Land of Grass was a small country with little ninja above the title of Jounin. And none were elite. They could go to the Tsuchikage or Hokage for help, however, none wished to involve the Kage nations.

There was movement beside her on the tree branch. Beon's sudden appearance didn't startle her. He was wearing his mask again, they all were, while the Be Fong had pulled the lower facemask up into place hiding all facial features.

"Any movement?" he asked.

"Two are on patrol, five in total," she answered. "I'd get moving if I were you."

"And why is that?"

"Based on how long they've been camping out they're getting restless and will start moving again. If you want to stop them before they reach a populated area, this is the most isolated one at the present moment."

No Face weren't even sure where the final drop off of the scroll would be, but couldn't wait any longer.

"You know the terrain of Rain Country fairly well."

"I know the terrain of nearly every country. I traveled quite a bit and far distances before coming to you."

Obviously, and that was useful to him when entering territories none of them originated from.

"Make sure none escape," the leader ordered. Beon left her alone in silence.

He had nothing to worry about. The intricate web of strings would be certain none strayed.

Despite Beon's check in, she knew Joon and Asami were also watching her every move. Waiting for her to slip up in some way. The older teen was right to assume from the beginning that they were related. Their angular jawlines stood out on top of the dark hair and green eyes when not wearing the masks. They were both from the Land of Waves, having defected two years ago. The Be Fong had to wonder what their second elemental jutsu was. Their eyes were sharp like a hawk making them the prime picks for scoping out the terrain and they were very skilled hiding in the shadows. The only thing that made Mai aware of their positions were the strings.

After a few more minutes of waiting, the Be Fong sensed the two sides engaging. No Face struck to the trees. Worked among the shadows and cover of the branches. Those on patrol were removed first, and then one at their makeshift camp out in the open. His sudden death obviously sent the Rain Ninja into a panic as they tried to pinpoint No Face's location. One even performed Clone Jutsu to improve their chances, while the remaining two men ran. They thought heading deeper into the forest would lose their pursuers.

Mai watched as they passed her tree below. Oh, how wrong they were. With the flick of a wrist the 'shield' became perfected. One didn't make it to the edge though as Kenta came swooping in catching a ninja around the waist and twisting them through the air out of sight. The target was dead in seconds feeling his chakra disappear.