Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 57

Mai cocked a brow in Hinata's direction when the ninja stared at her impatiently when they crossed paths two days later.

"What?" the Be Fong questioned.

"Where have you been?" she asked. "I came by your house five times and you were never there. You weren't outside the Village, were you?"

"No–"

"And don't say you were with Kakashi, Shikamaru, or Belva, because they were looking for you too. Naruto had half a mind to tell the Hokage you were missing and was seriously contemplating breaking into your house."

Thankfully the latter of those options didn't happen. After Masaru and her talked for hours discussing the serious matter at hand – him leaving the next night once resting and being fed – Mai cleaned up the mess. Though some of the wooden walls and floor were still splintered in areas which could cause some suspicion.

"Went to a few holistic doctors around the Village and did some overnights for more tests."

Now the Hyuuga was no longer irritated, instead slightly worried. "Is everything okay?"

"Perfectly fine. The dizzy spell were because I was dehydrated and a lingering bout of pneumonia I picked up from that extensive mission outside the Village. It was the rainy months in some of the territories I traveled between, so I shouldn't have been surprised."

The Hyuuga breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I'm glad you're all right then. Please don't do that again. With those killers out there... I feared the worst. The last thing I want to do is be put on a retrieval mission and discover it's your body we're trying to find."

"Sorry," and Mai truly was.

"I know," the young woman smiled. "I'm glad I ran into you." It was the Be Fong's turn to cock a brow. "Everyone's getting together for a picnic. Sakura and Ino's idea since everyone's home from missions for the first time in a while."

"I'm not sure..."

"Come on, Mai, some social interaction with everyone else isn't going to kill you."

No. But she'd rather not be asked more questions by the others. Or receive looks of sympathy on her current situation.

"Besides, I thought you'd be interested in joining us. Some of the guys are talking about a few friendly spars between them after eating."

The Phantom Ninja rolled her eyes. "What is it about males and needing to show off to each other?"

Hinata laughed. "Not sure, but it's fun to them. And I might secretly enjoy seeing them loose to you."

Mai smirked at that.

They were the last to arrive. Kakashi was rather surprised to see that the Be Fong actually joined them of her own free will. None had to twist her arm to force the ninja to come along. Naruto grinned as he welcomed Mai to their mini party.

"Where have you been?" he asked. "Was wondering if I had to send out my clones to search this Village high and low for you."

"I was busy," Mai merely answered. Because no one but Hinata knew of her little visit to the hospital and she intended to keep it that way. No one needed to worry or ask unwanted questions.

"Everything okay?"

It was no secret Sasuke's departed once more. And based on the look he was giving her, the knucklehead wanted to be sure everything was fine.