Chapter 54

Mai didn't want to sit around any longer. It wasn't in her nature. Yet for the first time in her life decided to follow the Hokage's orders and did not sneak outside the gates. She asked Ibiki for office work, even D-Ranked missions around the Village. The request went denied. The man didn't want her around files having been debriefed on the No Face mission. He completely understood the Hokage's reasoning to keep Mai inside the gates. They even spoke with Belva that training outside in the forest was not an option for the indefinite future.

The woman traveled to the Be Fong's home twice a week not only keep an eye on her once pupil, but to be sure she was progressing in some sort of way. These serial killers were not something to take lightly. She searched for new techniques and fighting patterns to improve Mai's speed and mobility. Belva refused to allow her protégée to became the next target taken down.

It was only a matter of time before the bodies began to pile up again outside the Village.

Mai knew what the higher ups were trying to do by keeping her away from Intel that came in. Sometimes the young woman couldn't help wonder if they thought she was indeed stupid. They all trained her. They should know by now that stealth was second nature. That hiding chakra was a simple matter of becoming completely undetected. Even inside her own branch where Mai knew of all of their meeting rooms and secret passages to listen in for information when bringing in a target. It was sloppy on their part. Which was how the Be Fong came to understand what exactly was going on without her presence in the field. She had to know what had happened to those left behind.

Fumi was the first in Ice Country, most likely the wound sustained hindering her in battle. From reports it was a swift, clean kill. It didn't make the Be Fong feel any better. Makoto and Akihiro were found together by the Tsuchikage's ninjas on the border of their land. Their location didn't come as a surprise. Those two were loyal to Beon and his cause, who would do everything in their power to protect what was left of No Face. Their deaths were brutal. The details had Mai sitting at home with the lights off that evening, on the floor of the living room burying her head into her hands and drawn in knees.

Asami and Joon's deaths hit her the hardest. They were found feet apart in Bear Country by Konoha Ninja. Jugo had killed the sister by completely crushing her bones with his bare hands till there was only a broken body left behind. Suigetsu was the one to kill the brother based on the multiple markings on his body that had cut the skin to ribbons. Mai would recognize their work anywhere. For the siblings the young woman actually cried, unable to remain standing and collapsing to the ground in her kitchen when it all sunk in. The guilt, the anger, the helplessness. It had the Be Fong packing a bag full of the essentials she would need to travel, ready to return... she had no idea where the other three were.

All would constantly be on the move. Judging on the distances between their final stands, No Face had split up. There wasn't enough information of her to accurately search the mainland. Mai could travel for days on end without any luck. The young woman cried out in a rage, fist slamming into a wall and cracking the wood in the process. Running off into the forest without any sense of direction was only going to get her killed and she wasn't thinking straight in the first place. All of the stress made he sick, throwing up in the bathroom. Mai felt numb. Now there was only Takashi, Kenta, and Masaru. There had been no word of their whereabouts.

The deaths among No Face were worrying to Tsunade. The serial killers would count up the bodies and realize someone was missing. Ibiki, Kakashi, Belva, and her couldn't keep this from the other ninja any longer. At least those active in the field that would potentially run into the criminals. She called in every member of Root, ANBU, and Jounin to reveal their findings from the No Face mission.

"I thank you all for coming," the Hokage started. "I know many of you are busy and some are coming in on your day off, but this is of great importance."

Many realized that seeing the amount of elite present.

"We have three serial killers on our hands outside the walls of Konoha." That was not something they were expecting to hear. "Their targets are rogue ninjas." A murmur went through the crowd. "The numbers have been increasing for months and we sent undercover ninja into the field to investigate. However, on a mission unrelated to the deaths, one of our own came face to face with this individual, who we thought had been working alone. Through intel, it came to light that this is the work of a group. I cannot stress how wary all of you must be from here on out when you step outside the Village. Their methods of killing targets are brutal."

"And we're unsure who it is?" Anko asked.

"Correct."

"Then how can we know when in their presence?"

"We don't. Their target isn't the Villages, but those operating outside of it without any protection."

"For now," Mushu commented towards the back.

How true. Once the serial killers ran out of targets they could easily set their sights on those belonging to Villages.

"Be sure to keep an eye out. Don't let down your guard for a second till these individuals are brought in. The ninja who came across the criminals is one of the last remaining from the currently hunted group."

Ibiki began passing around copies of the mission reports for the leader of each team to look over and discuss with the others.

"They are currently in our protective care and none know of their involvement. We hope these killers will overlook the fact that a number is missing, but someone escaping hasn't been possible before, and we won't leave anything to chance."

The woman's eyes scanned the room.

"Your missions will continue as normal and under no circumstances are you to stray and search for this person. If you do come across any information that may be useful you are to return immediately and report in. Regarding your rankings the heads of your divisions will relay any other Intel they see fit. You are dismissed, except for Kakashi, Kurnai, and Shikamaru's teams. Please stay behind."

Naruto's brows pinched in confusion as to why they were staying out of everyone else. He caught the Nara's gaze. Even Shikamaru seemed a bit on edge with the fact that all of them were present and standing before the Hokage. Ibiki was the last to leave to give them privacy.

"What's wrong?" the Nara questioned.

The woman paused for a moment. She had thought long and hard on this. Some were closer to Mai than others and Tsunade needed numbers on her side to watch the Be Fong. Protect her, if need be. While a ninja could handle her own, they were stronger with numbers given the situation.

"Just tell them, Lady Hokage," Kakashi broke the silence.

She sighed heavily, "This is regarding the ninja who is currently under our protection. They have strict orders to stay inside of Konoha, and I have no reason to suspect they would go against those orders. Still, I wouldn't put it past these serial killers to do everything in their power to hunt them down. They could come into the Village and I will not allow this person to be killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Why were they working within a rogue team in the first place?" Shikamaru asked.

The Hokage handed over another file in her possession for them to look over.

"They were called No Face. A band of rogues from various nations that we were not aware of their origin and intent till Intel came in. They had been roaming the mainland for a while and we were unsure what their goals were."

"You were afraid they would turn into Akatsuki," Sakura stated.

Tsunade nodded. "No Face had not formed because of revenge or bloodshed or riches. They preferred to be left alone and travel unseen only helping those in desperate need. Even venturing to towns that didn't have enough money to hire Kage Village ninja."

"So they were essentially good," Naruto stated in surprise.

"Yes."

"Then why were they killed if they didn't pose a threat in any way?" Shikamaru asked. "We can assume they weren't even concerned with land and claiming territory of an area."

"No, they were indeed peaceful. But the fact that they were rogues seemed to be enough of a reason."

"That's just cruel and unjust."

"Serial killers don't seem to care about that. When the leader of No Face was killed, everyone else managed to escape. Our ninja returned safely, but ever since the members of No Face have been picked off one by one."

"And one of our own could be next," Choji said.

"She is the last one." That did not sit well with any of them. "We got word early this morning that the last known members outside the wall were found dead in River Country."

"So who is it we're supposed to look after?" Ino asked.

"Think about it," Kakashi said. "Who has been gone all of these months and only showed up a few weeks ago?"

Dread filled Naruto at the thought looking to Sakura, who was equally alarmed. It didn't take long for some of the others to put the pieces together. Mai. These criminals were after Mai.

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Mai was sharpening weapons in the living room when there was a knock at the door. The Chakra Strings recognized the two visitors and sighed lightly, setting the item down to answer. Naruto and Hinata stood on the porch, the young woman smiling, but it was the knucklehead's serious expression that gave it away.

"This isn't a normal house call, is it?" Mai asked.

"We need to talk," Naruto stated.

She nodded. "Come on in, I'll make us some tea."

"We didn't come for tea," he said, causing the Be Fong to pause. "You're not talking your way out of this one, Mai. We want answers, the truth."

"Tsunade told you?"

"Yes," Hinata answered. "We're worried about you, Mai. And from what we've been told this isn't something to take lightly."

If only they knew the whole truth. "Fine, no tea. But are you going to stand out there on the porch all day or come inside?"

They sat at the kitchen table, Mai leaning against the counter. "Why didn't you say anything?" the blonde asked.

"Because it wasn't for you to worry about," she answered.

Naruto sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Mai," Hinata spoke up. "We're your friends. We're supposed to worry about you."

"This is my fight, not yours," the Be Fong whispered.

"Your fight is our fight," Naruto insisted. "That's what it means to be teammates and friends. We help each other no matter how dangerous the situation is."

The young woman stared at the both of them, admitting, "I can't leave Konoha, but I can't stay here forever. I'll go insane. But these serial killers won't stop."

"They could get bored if they can't find you, stop looking."

"Not this time. They've never left a rogue alive once crossing paths. The serial killers will move on to other targets, but they won't forget a missing member of No Face."

And now she was the last one. The Be Fong was aware that Kenta, Masaru, and Takashi were now dead. They made it to River Country before Sasuke caught up. Based on their location it seemed they were attempting to return to the town they had saved from a flood months ago. But they didn't make it. The Be Fong was doing everything in her power to remain calm in front of them. At least when sharpening her weapons, it was a distraction.

"We won't allow them to kill you," Naruto stated. His eyes were determined, so was Hinata. They were good for each other, the Be Fong noted. The Hyuuga was growing more confident every day when with him.

"You can't stake out in front of my house. Besides... no one knew where I was from."

"Just please don't do anything stupid," Naruto begged. "Stay in the Village, Mai, until these people are found. We won't allow anything to happen to you."

She believed them as the couple left a few minutes later. If only they knew that the one that was supposed to kill her was Sasuke. Mai rubbed her temple, feeling a headache coming on and closing her eyes. If Naruto and Hinata knew... so did her other former classmates. She wished that less people knew about the situation. Tsunade meant well... but this could get complicated. Things already were unfortunately.

The Be Fong's finger twitched, eyes snapping open and staring at the porch. Someone had suddenly entered her field of Chakra Strings. And they hadn't walked into it. Whoever it was appeared out of nowhere. Head picking up to scan the tree line on the far side of her land she noticed the growing shadows from the setting sun. The individual in question emerged from it moments later.

Mai stared at the figure across the small field, feeling a chill run through her. The young woman instantly recognized who it was as they drew closer. There was no white mask, only a black cloth covering their features from the nose down. His eyes gave nothing away and that was unnerving as she broke the silence,

"Are you here to kill me?"

Mai wasn't sure how Masaru was alive or found her out of all of the Villages. A part of her should have expected nothing less from him. Of course, he would survive out of everyone. Whatever had been found was most likely a well-constructed clone. The man stopped a few feet away.

"I've known who you were before Beon was killed," Masaru admitted.

That came as a surprise.

"He confided in me your secret to also make me aware that we may be hunted. I told none of the others who you were even after you disappeared."

"Why?"

"Would it have made a difference if they knew?"

No, probably not. They were too busy trying to survive. Clearly that had not turned out well for any of them.

"Their fear is what got them killed and because they separated even before you disappeared."

That explained why she didn't see Kenta or Takashi the morning she slipped away. They had not been on perimeter duty.

"Without Beon we were nothing. But maybe with you... we may have had a chance to survive."

He was trying to make her feel guilty. "He offered me to stay and I did till I saw fit. I'm no leader."

Not like Beon.

"Maybe not, but it would have been something. The mission for our survival was no longer on your mind. You ran once we came across the serial killers. Someone from this Village." He didn't move forward to engage or raise his voice to shout his revenge for the loss of the others. Masaru only stood there and observed. "You know him, don't you?"

Even if she said no, he'd never believe her. He was just like Beon and there was no use lying. "Yes."

"And you refused to engage. The shock must have been great for you."

"I would've never expected it to be him. He was supposed to have given it all up."

"A rogue that was once bad never changes their ways of thinking completely. Sometimes they can warp into something much worse to justify their actions."

"Speaking from experience?"

There was a beat of silence. Enough where Mai didn't think he was going to answer. Steer the conversation in another direction.

"My mother," Masaru said. "And then my sister because she wished to follow our mother's line of work. Both were in the black book and both attempted to gain some normalcy after so many years of death and being on the run. But they always returned to that life. Both are now dead and I was labeled as one of them."

Which was his reason for leaving. He didn't have to voice it for her to understand.

"Once a person defects from a Village it's nearly impossible to return to things they once were."

That was something the Be Fong wished to never believe.

"So, what are you going to do?" the young woman wondered.

"What will you do?

What would Mai do? There were many answers to go with, but at the present moment nothing definitive. Her emotions were very much in conflict with each other. Making a decision shouldn't be this difficult, it never was. But this time it was someone she truly cared for that was involved. Something flipped through the air from Masaru's grasp. Mai reached up to catch it without fail. Upon opening the fingers lying on the palm was a golden coin.

"When you have your answer fill that metal with chakra. I will be in touch."

He was gone before the ninja could say anything.