Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 49

Mai was beginning to feel at peace and content with her decision to stay among No Face. She was completely in her element hunting in the shadows. The Phantom Ninja also enjoyed not being surrounded by so many people like in the Village. Of course, those around her weren't the colleagues she'd grown to care for and trust, though they were beginning to grow on her, namely Akihiro. He wasn't as sour towards the Be Fong's presences anymore, having grown to accept her since the cave in. Now he was more willing to work alongside her when partnered up on missions. It was a relief to most members not hearing his whining anymore.

There were areas of the mainland that Mai traveled to for the first time, and new techniques were learned with each mission. The older teen always thought that she was skilled enough in her many years of training with Kakashi, Belva, Ibiki, and Anko, along with other various Leaf Ninja, but she was wrong. There was always room to grow. Especially without the aid of the Chakra Strings that she always relied on in battle and mundane activities. Working without them to their full extent was a new experience, something she was not accustom to since being a Genin when completely oblivious to the real power behind them.

It gave her more opportunities to work on hand-to-hand and weapon combat with Joon and Asami, even Taijutsu with Beon and Makoto. The leader was impressive, and more often than not Mai found herself on the losing end. That was something she wasn't accustom to, but she wasn't a sore looser about it always wishing to give it another go to correct mistakes.

"She's determined," Kenta muttered. "I'll give her that."

"Unlike you, who's lazy," Fumi teased. The young man's brow twitched as the others snickered, a smirk even coming to Masaru's lips.

One bonus to Beon knowing the Be Fong's secret was that when the two went out alone Mai was able to freely flex her abilities and work out the Chakra Strings. Sometimes the man would ask for demonstrations to see the extent of her skill set and every time was impressed. Especially with the stories the Be Fong told him.

"You've become one with the strings?" She nodded in confirmation. "I've never heard such a thing where they have a life of their own and will stitch up the host without being asked."

"It was a surprise to me when it happened. I've done it consciously before, but there are times when they act on their own."

"Have you tried it on someone else?"

The Phantom Ninja blinked in thought. "No, I haven't... if my ability wasn't such a secret then maybe I'd try it out on our next mission if someone was hurt." She didn't want to give herself away unless it was a dire situation. "Why did you become the leader of No Face?" she questioned one day. "And how?"

There were few who wished for such a title and those that obtained it by removing the previous leader. It was another feat to keep a group intact such as this one.

"It wasn't something I strived for," he admitted. "It happened on its own. The more I traveled I came across every one of them and offered companionship. Traveling by yourself can get lonely. And I had been watching them all before approaching to observe their skills. If I knew they could survive on their own that was good in my book. I don't have time to babysit and constantly watch over those with less experience. That's what gets you killed or exposed."

That was a smart rule to go by.

"I was content being on my own, but needed to survive. I had a sister once, who was only a few years younger than yourself when she died. It was a mission and her partner was careless. He sacrificed her to save himself because he was a coward. He was put on trial for his actions because my clan was well known in the aera and my parents' wanted justice. They never got it though. The court ruled in his favor stating, 'her death was for the good of the mission'. But my sister wasn't the ninja to chance anything. She was observant of her enemies, but had failed to be wary of supposed allies. Mika could've easily taken care of enemy ninja to protect partners 'for the good of the mission', but this ninja didn't care. He just wanted to survive."