Time That Passes By

Chapter 24 - Mai's will

Mai's POV

I sigh.

"Seriously, how did it end up like this?" I said, shaking my head.

"Well, you insist on coming" Asuma, who's beside me said.

He blows out the smoke from his cigarette.

We are currently on the way to a temple. Asuma, Shikamaru and lastly me. I limited our team since I didn't want any risk.

"And I already told you about the vision I got. And you still insist on going on the mission. Sometimes I pity Kurenai" I said.

"Mai-san, this vision of yours, does it happen often?" Shikamaru ask.

I turn to him.

"No. This vision rarely comes at all. But recently... I have been getting it quite frequent. My father once told me, getting a vision of the future are very rare even among my clan members. But I got two vision in the same decade" I said to him.

"Two?" Shikamaru ask.

I chuckled.

"Well, The other one... Lets Just day it saved a certain Kazekage from dying, hm?" I said.

Although, the vision I got was late. But at least I manage to save dear Gaara.

But whats pass has passed. Now, I need to focus on saving this man's life.

I glance at Asuma to see him calmly looking ahead, but stopped smoking.

"yare yare, the younger generation now are really still as stubborn as before" I mumbled.

We reach to a temple, not so far away from Konoha.

Report arrived in konoha about the fire temple. And Asuma's friend...

I look at all the bodies and the damages...

Is this what Akatsuki do? What exactly is their aim?

Asuma and Shikamaru came walking back to me.

"We found out the whereabouts of the Akatsuki members. They're heading to a bounty exchange" Shikamaru said.

"Base on my knowledge, There should be about 5 nearest bounty exchange from here" Asuma said.

"Kagebunshin should be sufficient" Shikamaru said.

"Yeah" Asuma replied as he start heading out.

I look at him.

"Are you sure its wise to find them?" I ask him.

"I have to... For the sake of my old friend" Asuma said.

I sigh but smile slightly... i look at him as he walk ahead.

"Shikamaru, you're lucky to have a teacher like him..." I said.

"I know..." He replied.

we then waited for the bunshins to spot them.

Flashbacks~~~

"Sensei!!!"

My body tense. I saw an image of the kids crying around the body of a man I know very well. He was covered in blood, the girl try to heal him but its no use...

He's already dying...

Rain fell down, covering their tears... but the look on the man's face... is a smile...

Saying is last words to his trusted students...

leaving one important message to his closest student...