Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 59

Everyone who had been present to witness the Be Fong's slip up made sure to give the ninja wide birth. Which was smart of them to do. Mai was hyper aware of everything going on around her as the days passed, sticking to the shadows or the confines of her own home. She waited on word from Masaru and grew anxious. The young woman didn't doubt his skills in the slightest, but what if he'd been caught for once? Then she could be sitting around for hours, days, months without any answers and Sasuke's personal vendetta would continue. That latter had her impatient, chomping at the bit to leave Konoha right now. Though Mai trusted Masaru and stayed put. She meditated trying to clear her mind from all of the things that were said.

I am not weak.

She was practicing web techniques with the Chakra Strings throughout the home and grounds. It helped keep her mind off things. At least she managed to come up with more ways to trap and kill a person within her range.

Masaru reappeared three days later.

"Anything?" the Be Fong asked.

"Of course," the man answered. "But I don't think you're going to like what I have to say."

"Tell me."

Team Taka continued to kill rogues. This time in the countries close to the border of the Land of Fire, which was dangerous.

"Why?"

"They are looking for someone," Masaru said. "There's rumor of a new rogue from Lightning Country. Apparently, he can emit lightning bolts without the use of hand signs. Harness the energy throughout his entire body."

"More so than a normal ninja's hands and feet," she concluded. "Is this person a threat?"

"Not right now... but they could be. It's a kid really, no older than you. Some kind of chakra mutation that affects the skin cells so when performing attacks, he doesn't fry himself in the process. Because of this, he's unstable. Deserted on his own terms when realizing he has no control over it sometimes. Was afraid he'd hurt someone else again. Many tried to teach him, but all failed. Something happened on a mission with his teammates and one of them died by accident. Which is when this mutation became known."

"He's innocent."

Like No Face.

"But he could become dangerous in two ways. Either he never learns to control it and hurts others to a point where Kage Villages will hunt him down. Or he learns to control it on his own and decides to seek vengeance on those who may have wronged him."

"Fifty-fifty." Masaru nodded as Mai placed a plate of food on the table for him to eat. "You know where he is?"

"Hiding out near the Valley of the End. Sasuke and the others aren't far off, and drawing closer to his location day by day. There are a few other places they can look for information and then they will have him."

And someone else will die.

"Can you find his exact location?"

The man stared at her a moment. "I know where he is. Along with your friend."

Mai didn't care about Sasuke's whereabouts right now.

"Can you hide this rogue?" the Be Fong wondered. "Keep him safe?"

Masaru thought for a moment in silence, "Possibly."

"Can you teach him?"

"Possibly."

"Never thought you'd shy away from a challenge."

Because the Be Fong was one for him in a way learning teleportation. In the end, it had been a success.

"I don't, but this is tricky. Though, I am in need of a new pupil now that No Face has disbanded." Masaru stood having finished the meal. "I will find and hide this rogue as long as you need. What will you do?"

What she did best, "Hunt."

He stared at her for a long moment. "Why do you not ask me to kill these serial killers myself?"

With his special jutsu they would never even realize he was coming and be completely unguarded. Everyone thought he was dead after faking his demise. It was the perfect opportunity to catch Team Taka by surprise. And it made since for Masaru to go through with it. Everyone he knew was dead because of the Uchiha.

"Because it isn't your burden to take on," she answered. "You and the others... were all innocent bystanders. I take full responsibilities for my actions. That I didn't do anything. This isn't your fight."

He understood completely, the man nodding. "This will not be easy for you."

No, but things never were for the Be Fong.

"Farewell then," the rogue said. "We will not see each other again."

No, they wouldn't. Because he was going somewhere far away. A place the Be Fong wished to go, but never could.

"Thank you for everything, Masaru," she said. Truly meaning it.

He was gone in the blink of an eye.