Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 60

"Mai?" Sakura blinked in surprised.

She didn't expect to find her teammate at the hospital. The Phantom Ninja asked for an audience with the Medical Ninja at the front desk.

"What can I do for you?"

The Be Fong shrugged. "My medical stash and concoctions are running low," she said. "I usually do it myself, but you're much faster and efficient." And she was on a time crunch.

The compliment threw the pink-haired shinobi off for a moment before answering, "Sure, what do you need?"

Walking towards one of the bays that held various items and ingredients Sakura began mixing the desired order. Sleep agents and a truth serum that was used during interrogations were only two of the things she needed. She then began to fill the young woman's pouch with bandages and ointments.

"Why are you low on bandages?" The Be Fong rarely got hurt.

"Naruto is prone to accidents when he comes to visit after missions. Kakashi sometimes has injures as well but is too stubborn to admit it."

Sakura laughed. "I'm not surprised then." As the two walked back to the front of the hospital she questioned, "Why were you in a rush for the mixtures?" It wasn't like she was going anywhere.

"I never know when I have to go off on another mission when this all blows over. I want to be prepared."

"Mai," Sakura called out before she could leave. "About what happened... he didn't mean it... any of it... You know how Kiba gets sometimes."

"I know," the Be Fong whispered, not looking her in the eye. "Doesn't mean he had any business saying that."

"No, but if you do see him... go easy on him. Deep down he feels bad."

"I'll think about it."

Nodding they waved goodbye to each other as Sakura watched her go. For some reason a part of her believed Mai wasn't telling her the whole truth behind the visit, but shook her head at the thought. Secrets weren't new with the Be Fong. The young woman probably had her reasons. Reasons the shinobi didn't think were worth a fight.

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Everything was packed into the black bag that lay on the bed including the items she had acquired from Sakura. All were accounted for after a third time checking to be sure nothing was forgotten. Then the Be Fong slipped out the front door, locking it behind her. The Phantom Ninja didn't carry a mask on her person, dressed in all black to blend into the shadows of the forest for the journey. There was a black hood though and lower face covering so to only reveal the eyes. Even the headband had been left inside the home to not show her alliance. Before Mai could reach the edge of the woods that surrounded her little patch of land she paused.

"Little late for a visit don't you think, Naruto?"

The knucklehead grinned, stepping out from the coverage of the path that led towards the heart of the Village. "Don't know why I try anymore," he stated. "You're always aware of everything."

Not everything, she wanted to say. Even the great Be Fong was capable of slip-ups...

"Why are you here?" she asked. The young woman refused to turn around and face him as he stopped a few feet away.

"Couldn't sleep so I went on a walk. Feet just dragged me here."

"I'm a bit busy, Naruto. You're allowed to go inside my house and sleep if you want when it comes to you." Mai went to depart again–

"Didn't know you had another mission." Again, she paused. "I haven't seen you on the rosters in the past few weeks. Not even around town the last few days."

"Things change. Something's come up and I need to venture outside the gates. Top secret. No one can know of my coming and going."

"I didn't realize that was a thing."

"That's the difference between being a Jounin and a member of Phantom. We do things off the books sometimes."

"Is it dangerous?"

There was a beat of silence. "When isn't it?"

If Naruto knew she was leaving that wasn't good. It could put all of this in jeopardy of the higher ups knowing of her movements. She was still under strict orders to stay in the Village.

"Can you keep a secret, Naruto?"

"When it comes to you, of course, because I know your life is on the line if there's a leak."

Though a part of him was curious as to where she was going. Even as a Jounin he was aware of some of the more private matters when it came to the Leaf.

"Where are you headed?"

"To tell you I'd have to kill you." It was meant to be a joke, but the young man's smile was a bit strained behind her back.

"You know, Mai, you're going to have to trust me a bit more."

"You'll come to find that not anyone can know everything. I answer to Ibiki, Naruto. You want answers you have to go to him; I doubt he'd say anything."

"I expect that kind of secrecy from others, but even if I was Hokage and you were my right-hand man would you still keep secrets from me?"

Mai was caught a bit off guard by the question, mind flashing back to a memory before the Fourth Shinobi War. Just before they first met Obito face-to-face as Madara at the inn on the way back from the Summit. In their attempt to change the Raikage's way of thinking.

"Naruto?"

Mai spoke up from her position in the hotel room. The knucklehead was lying on the floor staring up at the ceiling as they waited for Kakashi and Yamato to return.

"Hm?" he mused.

"You're going to be an amazing Hokage one day."

He grinned broadly. "As long as you're there as my top ninja!"

Mai laughed lightly, feeling truly happy for once in a long time. "You've got it, Naruto."

Being the Hokage's right hand ninja the two had to work hand in hand – like an extension of the other in diplomatic, wartime, and mundane situations. Both had to be completely and utterly honest with each other. But was doing so going to be easy for the Be Fong after so many years of hiding away? At the time she agreed to it... things were much different then. Mai finally turned to look at Naruto over a shoulder, face a complete mask and void of any emotion.

"If the situation called for it... yes, I probably would keep sercets from you." For some reason the answer made him a bit disappointed before she added, "But I wouldn't like it."

For the first time she realized that this was what Itachi must've felt. Working behind the scenes without giving away his true intentions. To hide everything from those he loved and going at it alone. It was a terrible and lonely feeling.

"Well, just be careful and come back in one piece," Naruto said.

Giving a short nod she pulled up the black hood and lower facial mask. "I will."

Naruto watched her leave until she was completely gone from sight. A chill ran through him. Something about the whole situation didn't sit well with the Jounin, making his way towards the house and unlocking the door with a spare hidden under a rock beneath the porch. He didn't want to return home grabbing a blanket and lying on the couch. The young man wanted to be sure she came home the way she promised. In one piece.