Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 69

Chapter Inspiration: Dead in the Water by Ellie Goulding

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Kakashi sighed heavily walking into his home after a long hard mission. A shower washed away all the dirt and grime from the nights spent sleeping on the ground and scouting in trees. He flinched when a dark bruise on an arm was accidentally prodded. The young man stood under the warm spray with closed eyes. He needed to relax, but that wasn't easy anymore. Even reading his beloved Come, Come Paradise series couldn't take his mind off of things. They were now collecting dust on his shelf.

Finally turning off the water Kakashi dressed in lounge pants and a tugged on a long sleeve shirt ready for a long night of rest. Hopefully the nightmares would not make their presence this evening.

There was a knock at the door, causing him to pause mid-step confused. He wasn't expecting anyone, tugging on his mask. It was Izumo.

"What can I do for you?" Kakashi wondered.

"Hokage wants to see you," the Chuunin said.

"This late? I spoke with her a few hours ago and just got back–"

"She insists. This can't wait till morning."

Sighing heavily, he nodded. "Let me get my uniform–"

"No need. This is informal."

The man knocked on the door to the Hokage's office minutes later. Izumo took his leave at the front door of the building to return to his post. He was called inside right away. Shizune was present as well.

"Is something wrong with the mission report?" Kakashi asked.

Tsunade looked tired, stressed. The same went for her assistant. If anything, they appeared a little nervous as a bottle of sake sat on the desk with a half-filled cup in the leader's grasp.

"It's been six months," the Hokage finally spoke up.

The Jounin felt his stomach drop. They were not about to have a discussion about his latest mission.

"Since the incident we have combed through her home for any documents or Intel she may have kept hidden regarding her past involvement within our organizations. Nothing was found of course, she was careful. She was prepared... in case something happened. There were letters. Her home was to not be destroyed in the event of her passing and instead be handed over to the ninja community. Ibiki will be turning it into a place where ANBU, Root, and Phantom Ninja can recover from life threatening injuries.

"All of her possessions could either remain with the household or distributed amongst friends if they wanted to claim it. They all declined saying to put it to good use instead. Even Belva received a private letter from her pupil. But there was one item that was not intended for us."

Reaching into a desk she drew out an envelope.

"It's addressed to you."

He was hesitant, afraid to touch it. The days had not gotten better since her passing. Naruto had thrown himself into training and becoming the next Hokage. Hinata had been removed for the ninja roster and was seeing a therapist to help cope, helping Iruka at the Academy to take her mind off of things. Meanwhile, Sasuke had not been seen or heard from since the trial. Those who were on guard to be sure the Uchiha never left said he didn't do much of anything. Only wandered the desolate compound and stayed in his childhood home most of the time undisturbed. The ninjas that would drop off supplies and groceries for him to live went unnoticed.

As for the others they were finding their own methods to cope. No one liked to talk openly about any of it. Finally, Kakashi reached forward and took the item. It felt heavy in his grasp.

The seal was already broken, but he wasn't surprised. Tsunade needed to be aware of everything in the case. Needed to go over every piece of paperwork that came from the Be Fong's home to be sure nothing was leaked.

"I can't imagine what she was going through when writing that... She was too young to have to been put through any of this."

Tsunade finished her glass of sake before refilling it once more. Kakashi worked up the courage to open the letter. Shizune shifted nervously, looking to the woman, who stared at the Jounin. His reaction to the contents as the minutes ticked by was exactly what she expected. He couldn't hide anything from them as his eye widened, hands shaking.

Kakashi glanced up at them once done. Hoping this was some sick joke. But neither of them were smiling.

"How..." His throat had gone dry, struggling to find words. "How is this possible?"

"We cannot know for sure..." Tsunade said. "But it seems she knew all along and took extra measures. As if aware of what the outcome would be."

When the Jounin's eye turned down to the letter once again, the Hokage continued, "We've been making preparations for months, but we couldn't say anything until we knew for sure this would be a success. The doctor in charge was sworn to secrecy and looking through all the medical files Mai Be Fong did visit the hospital for tests, but there are no further records. When confronting the doctor who saw to her, she had no memory of the Be Fong's visit. Mai was careful so this didn't get out. In the end it makes sense as to why she asked this of you. Aside from Naruto, Hinata, and Belva, you were probably the closest to her. As Mai's sensei, you were her first confidant. And you're the only one who can handle a decision like this."

Kakashi felt he couldn't breathe. The young man was having trouble focusing on the handwritten letter and Tsunade's words.

"She didn't look it, did she?"

No, of course not. If there had even been a hint of any of this...

"She could've saved herself. With the fact that the Chakra Strings fused with her body it would have been possible to mend such a wound given the extent given her history. Or at least protect the host in a time of great need. Upon examining the body, I wondered if maybe the reason why she didn't heal was because she was actually suicidal. That she had finally given up and worked against the Kekkei-Genkai. To try and let her go to be at peace. But when examining her during the autopsy there was something greater than her life to protect. Which is probably why Sasuke managed to break through her defenses. Mai sacrificed herself and managed to prolong her chakra so there was a chance. Both could not survive."

"Why didn't you say anything sooner about this?" Kakashi asked.

"Would it have made it better?"

No. Probably not.

"I tried to bring it to your attention at the end of the funeral, but decided it was better to wait. We couldn't know... we couldn't be sure it was going to work. Decided we didn't want to say anything to prevent further heartbreak. It was such a small thing it was hard to know if it would survive or not. That's why it took so long past the normal period of time."

Kakashi ran a hand down his face, trying to remain strong. "Does Ibiki know?"

Because the thought of the man knowing of this secret terrified him.

"No."

Her answer surprised the Jounin, head whipping up to look the Hokage in the eye.

"Sasuke... was right in a sense during the trial. We had already planned out Mai's future for her once discovering her potential. We are also at fault for her death. Maybe this time... we can prevent such a terrible fate. No one needs to know. Not yet, anyway."

And that made him breathe a little easier. There was a chance for normalcy instead of a sense of overwhelming expectations.

"Forty-eight hours," Tsunade said. "That's all I can give you and a decision must be made."

"No. No..." he sighed. "I don't need forty-eight hours." Standing a little taller to address the Hokage, the Jounin took a shaky breath. "Yes. Of course, I'll do it."

Tsunade didn't have a doubt in her mind that he would refuse and that caused her to smile sadly. [song ends]