Chapter 35

Chapter Inspiration: Coward by Hans Zimmer

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Kakashi and the others paused in their advances through the forest, glancing around the destroyed area. The trees were deathly silent and the chakra that had been surging through the air had completely vanished, Sakura stated, causing their halt in the first place. The question was who had won, though in their mind it was a silly one to ask. Still, the Medical Ninja reached out trying to find answers before advancing into the unknown.

"I'm still picking up on Mai," the older teen finally stated. "She's just ahead of us."

"What about the others?" Naruto asked.

"Those are the ones that's missing."

"And the one that was tainted?" Kakashi wondered.

"It's faint..."

He didn't like the sound of that, eye narrowing. Whatever it was could still be alive and stalking the Be Fong. And if she was injured that could be trouble in itself.

"It's near Mai."

"Let's keep moving," the Jounin said.

The sight before them didn't surprise the ninja honestly. The bloodshed and the method of the Phantom Ninja's extermination was something they were used to. But it was the sheer number of torsos they attempted to count that was alarming.

"She couldn't have escaped this unharmed," Sai stated.

"You'd be surprised," Naruto answered. "Remember her fight against Madara and Obito?"

Still, she had nearly killed herself from exhausting the strings by sewing herself up on the spot. But no one voiced that.

As the rain made their feet slosh in the forming mud and wet grass the Jounin held up a hand halting them once more. Someone was sitting on the ground in front of them, shoulders slightly hunched and head bowed, though even with their back facing them all could easily tell it was someone familiar.

Naruto grinned, "Knew you wouldn't be bested so easily, Mai! The Hokage had nothing to worry about honestly."

The silence that hung in the air began to grow uncomfortable as an alarm went off in Kakashi's head. Something wasn't right.

"Mai...?" he called out when there was no answer. Her body twitched slightly, head picking up and shoulders rising slowly.

"The tainted chakra should be directly in front of us," Sakura spoke lowly. "But that doesn't make sense."

"Come on, stop playing around," the knucklehead said. "It's cold and raining out. Let's get back to Konoha before we get sick."

There are trespassers, a voice spoke from the darkness of her mind.

As the silence dragged on Kakashi's senses continued to warn him that something wasn't right. Looking to his team he motioned towards them with a hand to move back a few paces. The older teens shared a look before doing as he said. It didn't seem right to be shying away from an ally.

There's power. So much power. I can feel it coursing through your veins.

"Mai," the Jounin spoke more forcefully with authority.

I was right to bring you out here alone.

"Answer us right now."

However, they are in our way.

But they were not the enemy, a voice tried to reason as Mai's head slightly shifted. The voices sounded familiar, all of them did, along with the chakra signatures.

You cannot trust anyone.

A flash of a memory came to mind. A very recognizable home that was covered in blood with a dark figure standing in the room over a pair of dead bodies and swirling red eyes.

That's why you became what you are. I can see your heart. Your darkest memories. Your fears. And your desires.

"Mai, enough!"

The older teen's back straightened at the command. Now the team was on high alert, their brows narrowing.

"I don't like this," Sakura muttered. The dark chakra was growing. "Not one bit."

Who are they to order you around? They are beneath you. You are a god amongst mortals.

That was true. She surpassed all of them on nearly every level a ninja could. Even without this new addition... the Be Fong was undefeated.

Shall we show them?

The ninja pivoted on the ball of the foot to face the team in the crouched position causing a look of horror to appear on their faces.

"Her eyes," Sakura gasped.

They were pitch black, head movements slow as if observing every one of them carefully in a calculating way.

They have come here to stop you.

"What's that in her hand?" Naruto questioned.

Their attention drew to the item in hand. A long sword. It wasn't the older teen's normal choice of weapon.

From becoming stronger.

"Be on your guard," Kakashi ordered. "That's the sword the Hokage warned us about."

That's what you've always wanted. To be stronger.

"Mai has been possessed." Their heads snapped in his direction. "Don't touch it or you will be in a similar state. We need to figure out a way to remove it from her."

Because he is doing the same.

"I'm more worried about avoiding that blade," Sai said.

It was true. Mai wasn't some lowly Genin or Chuunin. She had been a Jounin far longer than Naruto and Sakura, was a member of Phantom, even worked part-time with ANBU. Despite Team 7's strength together this would not be easy.

It's the only way he'll come home.

Mai's grip on the hilt tightened.

You've always wanted to prove yourself. That you don't need protection. You can look after yourself.

"Get ready," Kakashi warned.

And I can give you that. Remove any obstacles in front of you so you can become the ninja you've always wanted to be.

The ninja lunged forward with such speed it was almost alarming. But Team 7 expected no less from her as the Jounin pulled forth a kunai to block the attack. The force behind their clash forced the young man back a few steps, the two at a draw as the others were on guard watching them. Hand shoving their weapons to the side Mai spun on a foot arching around the sword once more with deadly accuracy. Naruto quickly stepped in, locking blades inches from Kakashi's shoulder.

"What are you doing, Mai!" he roared in her face. "Snap out of it!"

A foot slammed into his gut forcing the Jounin away and tumbling to the ground causing him to grunt from the sheer strength behind it.

"Mai!" Sakura shouted.

In an instant, the Phantom Ninja vanished.

The four of them began to quickly look around trying to pin point her location with no luck at all. But they expected it, to feel hunted.

"Do not panic," the Jounin ordered. "That's what she wants. We're in her element. Don't think like her because it's not something you're used to. That will get you killed, try to think ahead."

His visible eye narrowed, tugging up the headband to reveal the Sharingan.

"By no means should you trust her at this moment. Mai will kill us where we stand so don't let your guard down."

From the shadows the Be Fong watched them try to figure out what to do next.

Think back on life.

The four of them were standing back-to-back now. They were finally beginning to calculate a plan, realizing they were not on the same side.

Think back on every memory you've had since you can remember.

There were many. Ones involving family. Friends. Love. Happiness. Laughter. Fear. Disappointment. Guilt. Hate. Heartache. Treachery. Anger. Bloodshed. Violence. Pain. It was all there, the memories replaying in her mind. Many she had repressed for good reasons.

The bad far outweighs the good.

Sadly, Mai could not counter it with denial.

See, you know I'm right.

"Mai, this is insane!" Naruto shouted into the trees and over the low rumble of thunder. "We're not your enemies!"

Ah, but they could be. Those that you have held dear in the past have always turned their backs on you. It is only a matter of time.

"Please, Mai!" Sakura called. "This is madness!"

Yes, it is. But the world thrives on madness. And you will be the one that is in control of it now instead of becoming caught up in it.

"She's not using her strings," Sai muttered lowly. "Why is that?"

He had a point. They should be dead in only a matter of minutes if the Be Fong actually wished to kill them.

"Because the sword has yet to learn how," Kakashi reasoned. "Its strength is through the weapon, not her Kekkei-Genkai."

What good has come from any of it. After everything you have done you are still alone in the end.

For now, Team 7 would count their blessings that they weren't at a disadvantage in the case of the Chakra Strings being immobile. How long remained a mystery, but they had to hurry before the sword learned to fully utilize the ninja.

Because the one you really want isn't there.

"Mai," Kakashi spoke. It had been too quiet. Amongst the trees the Be Fong's eyes were squeezed shut. "Talk to us."

He never is.

Mai wished the dark voice would stop.

Because he never cared.

Her sights set on the enemy below.

For once in your life take what rightfully belongs to you. And protect yourself from those around you that will only break you in the end.

The ninja came lunging from the branches with murderous intent that had Sai shoving Sakura out of the way and defending against Mai. They were a whirlwind of slicing blades and quick maneuvering. The Be Fong managed to hold off all four opponents without hesitation and missteps that had them all narrowly dodging a few deadly blows. Even the Sharingan was useless, her movements completely shrouded in darkness.

"Kakashi, what else can you tell us about this sword?" Sakura questioned as the two watched Naruto and Sai battle against the Phantom Ninja.

"It's possessed by a dark entity," the young man said. "Not much is known about the weapon because those against it rarely live. And those once hosts have never survived because it is forcefully taken from them by another rogue that seeks power. Rumor is that once in your possession it knows everything about you and hones in on your darkest memories and thoughts to turn you against allies for its own benefit."

"Is she still conscious?"

"To an extent. Mai might know what is happening, but is unable to see reason because this darkness is very cunning. Even for someone like her and with her past..."

He didn't have to say it. There were enough things this sword could feed off of to make Mai act in such a way.

Rushing into the danger as the edge sliced into Sai's upper arm, but not too deep, Sakura pulled back her fist before coming in for the attack. It forced Mai away as the knuckles slammed into the ground causing it to break and crack around them from the chakra behind it. Using the situation to his advantage Naruto attacked first lunging over the space to gain the upper hand for once despite his team's protests.

"Enough!" the blonde shouted.

His forehead cracked against Mai's rather violently that had the two of them recoil and halt all attacks. It was such a mundane and trivial attack, making the ninja blink and try to regain her thoughts and balance. She was completely disoriented.

"Wake up! And start thinking some sense! I don't know what kind of crap that damn blade has been spouting in your head, but whatever it is, they are lies."

You know I speak the truth.

"Hell, maybe it is right on some levels."

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted in protest at his blunt statement. They were supposed to try and resolve the matter, not encourage it.

"But you know better than to be influenced in such a way!"

Of course, you do, because you've witnessed it all even when they were too blind to see it. What would they know?

"Listen to me, you don't want to do this! You protect people! That's why you never followed Sasuke, why you stayed behind all those years ago. Why you survive through everything we've been through against Zabuza, Orochimaru, Akatsuki, Madara, and Obito! You care, even if you play it off that you don't, so stop this madness and let go!"

You don't want to do that.

Yet a part of Mai began to want to, listening to the Jounin's words.

They won't support you in the end. It's all a ruse!

"You are a good person! We've seen it countless times before you put your life on the line when you don't have to, but do it anyway! Though we may be selfish at times asking you to do so, it's because we trust you! And we are thankful for it time and time again!"

Her grip was beginning to loosen on the sword.

If you release me, they will kill you.

"Mai, it wanted you here for a reason. Granny Tsunade wouldn't have sent anyone else after these rogues you took care of."

Because you need me.

"This was its plan all along. You are the perfect host."

The Phantom Ninja's shoulders slumped slightly, head jerkily shaking as if trying to be rid of something in her face.

How will they forgive you after this?

"Just let it go, Mai. You don't need it. Never have and never will."

Make them all suffer so you can show them what it means to live the life you've been put through.

The Uchiha massacre, along with the fields covered in death from the war came to mind tipping the balance.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" the Be Fong screeched.

The sound coming from her throat was absolutely terrifying, the four never hearing a noise like that escape her before. The sword was turned in hand swiftly. Team 7 anticipated an attack, weapons at the ready, when the ninjas watched the blade become shoved into the ground with such force it was buried halfway up. A black aura escaped her body and formed into a cloud overhead. Something appeared out of the dark mist emitting a loud roar as the ninja ripped her hand away. It began to suck back into the weapon until all that was left was the silence around them, save for the rainfall still falling. Everything froze. [song ends]

Mai panted heavily, staring at the blade and seeing her reflection in the surface of the metal. Her eyes were wide, but the darkness had disappeared giving back her normal slight. Shoulders trembling, there was a small sheen of sweat along the forehead. Naruto was the first to approach, moving around the possessed weapon at a good distance before kneeling beside the ninja and resting a comforting hand on a shoulder.

"It's alright," he spoke softly. "You're alright."

Pulling the older teen by the upper arms it was hard to tear her gaze away for a moment before wrapping her in a tight hug, burying her face in a shoulder.

"Everything is okay."

Mai took a shaky breath before clinging to the blonde and began to cry. As the others watched Kakashi's eyes turned away from the sight to stare at the weapon.

"What do we do with it?" Sai asked.

"We have to bring it back to Konoha," Sakura said. "But the question is, how?"

"No one touches it," the Jounin stated. "Let's first try sealing it up in a scroll."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"We'll try something else if we reach that point."