Chapter 49

Mai was beginning to feel at peace and content with her decision to stay among No Face. She was completely in her element hunting in the shadows. The Phantom Ninja also enjoyed not being surrounded by so many people like in the Village. Of course, those around her weren't the colleagues she'd grown to care for and trust, though they were beginning to grow on her, namely Akihiro. He wasn't as sour towards the Be Fong's presences anymore, having grown to accept her since the cave in. Now he was more willing to work alongside her when partnered up on missions. It was a relief to most members not hearing his whining anymore.

There were areas of the mainland that Mai traveled to for the first time, and new techniques were learned with each mission. The older teen always thought that she was skilled enough in her many years of training with Kakashi, Belva, Ibiki, and Anko, along with other various Leaf Ninja, but she was wrong. There was always room to grow. Especially without the aid of the Chakra Strings that she always relied on in battle and mundane activities. Working without them to their full extent was a new experience, something she was not accustom to since being a Genin when completely oblivious to the real power behind them.

It gave her more opportunities to work on hand-to-hand and weapon combat with Joon and Asami, even Taijutsu with Beon and Makoto. The leader was impressive, and more often than not Mai found herself on the losing end. That was something she wasn't accustom to, but she wasn't a sore looser about it always wishing to give it another go to correct mistakes.

"She's determined," Kenta muttered. "I'll give her that."

"Unlike you, who's lazy," Fumi teased. The young man's brow twitched as the others snickered, a smirk even coming to Masaru's lips.

One bonus to Beon knowing the Be Fong's secret was that when the two went out alone Mai was able to freely flex her abilities and work out the Chakra Strings. Sometimes the man would ask for demonstrations to see the extent of her skill set and every time was impressed. Especially with the stories the Be Fong told him.

"You've become one with the strings?" She nodded in confirmation. "I've never heard such a thing where they have a life of their own and will stitch up the host without being asked."

"It was a surprise to me when it happened. I've done it consciously before, but there are times when they act on their own."

"Have you tried it on someone else?"

The Phantom Ninja blinked in thought. "No, I haven't... if my ability wasn't such a secret then maybe I'd try it out on our next mission if someone was hurt." She didn't want to give herself away unless it was a dire situation. "Why did you become the leader of No Face?" she questioned one day. "And how?"

There were few who wished for such a title and those that obtained it by removing the previous leader. It was another feat to keep a group intact such as this one.

"It wasn't something I strived for," he admitted. "It happened on its own. The more I traveled I came across every one of them and offered companionship. Traveling by yourself can get lonely. And I had been watching them all before approaching to observe their skills. If I knew they could survive on their own that was good in my book. I don't have time to babysit and constantly watch over those with less experience. That's what gets you killed or exposed."

That was a smart rule to go by.

"I was content being on my own, but needed to survive. I had a sister once, who was only a few years younger than yourself when she died. It was a mission and her partner was careless. He sacrificed her to save himself because he was a coward. He was put on trial for his actions because my clan was well known in the aera and my parents' wanted justice. They never got it though. The court ruled in his favor stating, 'her death was for the good of the mission'. But my sister wasn't the ninja to chance anything. She was observant of her enemies, but had failed to be wary of supposed allies. Mika could've easily taken care of enemy ninja to protect partners 'for the good of the mission', but this ninja didn't care. He just wanted to survive."

"Please tell me they didn't send him out with someone else."

"No, I got to him before that happened. I wore a mask to conceal my identity and hunted him down. It wasn't that hard. I enjoyed making him feel like prey, watching him squirm. I killed him slowly, painfully, and without mercy as he begged. Left him dead on the steps of the justice building with the word 'coward' burned into his chest. I disappeared before being found and didn't return home so nothing was linked back to my parents. That was when I created the masks that we wear today so no one knows who I am. But it's been long enough they probably wouldn't recognize me. Except maybe the hair," he chuckled before turning serious once more.

"I'm not proud of what I did, but I don't regret it either. He deserved to die. Makoto was the first one I found, then Masaru a few years later. And before I knew it our numbers were growing and each of us shared similar experiences. We only wished to harm those that wronged us and nothing more before dedicating a life to protecting and helping those in need. If any of us were still holding grudges they would not be welcome to continue with us."

No Face was nothing like Akatsuki.

"And what about yourself?"

"I was still attached to a Village before coming here, but I've killed enough targets in the past to a point where it almost makes me numb," Mai said. "But that doesn't mean the death of those close to me is easy. I have no hesitation, which is exactly what my superiors want in a ninja. Orochimaru and Akatsuki are dead. The resurrected army is gone. There's no one else I wish to personally eliminate."

"And this serial killer?"

He had her there as she thought it over for a moment. "Very well, there is one more. But as someone in my line of work there is always one more. I kill because I don't wish for another war to happen. There was enough bloodshed during the Fourth Shinoib War to last me and everyone else involved a lifetime."

Beon nodded in understanding.

"I hold no grudges." Not since Itachi's death at least.

"Is there something you live for now?"

The Be Fong's thoughts immediately went to Sasuke and gave a small smile. "There is someone. We grew up together and shared some hard times."

"And where is he now?"

Mai cocked a brow in the man's direction. "I didn't say it was a 'he'."

"You didn't have to. It was written all over your face."

Her eyes rolled, which caused him to smirk before she looked out over the forest. "I'm not sure where he is," she answered. "He comes and goes most of the time for weeks and months on end."

"Where does he go?"

"He never says."

"What is he searching for?"

"To become stronger."

"Is he not already after all these years?"

Mai gave a short laugh. "He's more than capable as a ninja and is stronger than most. I personally don't feel there is a need for him to do so, but it's his decision. One that I support it even when I just want him to come home."

"Do you wonder if the reason you stayed with us instead of returning is because you're trying to see what he sees being beyond the wall?"

The Be Fong was caught off guard by the statement, but after a few moments finally answered, "Maybe. But I'll admit... being out here without being monitored is freeing."

His brows pinched in confusion. "Why are you watched?"

"I'm a strong asset to my Village... and sometimes I like to do things on my own. They keep tabs on me based on my past."

"That doesn't sound like living."

No, but it was something she'd grown used to in the nineteen years of her life. Mai shrugged.

"Maybe not, but it's fun messing with them from time to time. Makes things a little more exciting."

The two shared a laugh.

In the evenings, Mai was placed on guard duty. Since it was also her area of expertise Beon used it to their advantage. She was assigned a new partner every week, most of their perimeter scans quiet and without fuss. Only a few times did they have to worry about stray ninja from other countries that were passing through. Sometimes the pair would watch from the shadows. Others when ninjas would grow too close, they needed to be diverted with a swift tactic to be sure they veered off course. Never did No Face have to move their lodgings.

It was nights with Masaru that were the quietest. Not a peep came from the man, while with others a word or two would be said from time to time. Mai was the one to do the only talking when need be. There were the few moments where the Be Fong was able to witness Masaru's Teleportation Jutsu up close when diverting another party. And it was flawless in its execution. Most of the time Mai wouldn't be sure of his arrival if not for the Chakra Strings that sensed his sudden appearance amongst their net.

It was growing cooler out, Mai noted, meaning that autumn was upon them. She wondered how the group would move about in the cold months. If they would forgo the north completely to stay warm since they didn't have permanent home lodgings. Coming to a cliff, Masaru and Mai over looked the small town nestled below with lanterns glowing dim in some of the windows. They were gathering things, needing a few supplies for the road ahead to Bear Country between Whirlpool and Lightning. It was the perfect moment to move about the quiet streets in the dark so not draw attention. The man would be the one gathering supplies, while Mai watched for any stray individuals walking about. This is when teleportation could be most useful moving to and from locations without detection. Not needing to break locks or disturb too many surfaces that would make some suspicious that they had been robbed right away. And by the time owners realized it, No Face was long gone before a search could ensue.

"We're all clear," the older teen spoke quietly. "We should move now."

It took only a matter of hours with no hiccups in their mission. Sensing Masaru in the last hut that would benefit them the Be Fong shifted from the shadows of the homes and back into the forest. To wait for the man beside their finds that had been gathering in a pile. He arrived moments later with the last of it.

"Good haul, Beon will be pleased." She dug through a few items to be sure everything was accounted for. "That jutsu really is handy..."

"Do you want to learn how?"

Mai's head whipped around at the deep voice. Stunned that it came from the one member who never spoke once since she arrived months ago. Maybe longer based on his personality.

"How... What?" The ninja nearly stumbled over her words.

"Teleportation."

Kakashi and Belva had never offered such a chance before to learn the highly skilled jutsu. Maybe it was because they didn't think she was ready. Or maybe thought that she was strong enough. Either way she was stunned.

"I've been watching and measuring your chakra levels," Masaru said. "If taught properly you could accomplish it. And I could use a ninja who is skilled in that art. With our growing numbers two would be better than one."

"Are you being serious?" the Be Fong asked.

"Yes."

There was no way the Phantom Ninja was going to pass up such an opportunity. "When do we start?"