Chapter 23

"I see you're alive and well," Ibiki said.

The man glanced up from the report on the desk to where the Be Fong stood just feet away in his office.

"For the most part," she answered.

The man chuckled, staring at the injury. "I honestly don't know how you managed it... But you have my respect."

"Thank you, sir."

"We can't put you on missions, you know that. And having you sit around and do nothing I know won't be good for you either."

The Be Fong weas glad that they were on the same page in that department.

"I can count on you to be back to work in record time though. Have you regained any movement since the war?"

"Not as of yet, but I'm not worried."

Of course not. "For now, I want you to be focused on your physical training, no arguments."

He could use her in interrogation. However, Ibiki wasn't a hundred percent sure on where her mind was at, given the trauma that could have unfolded on the field. A number of Leaf Ninja were already being looked after in regards to their experiences. The Be Fong was too cunning hiding her true emotions and Ibiki did not wish to tamper with it. That was dangerous as it wasn't that long since the conflict ended.

"I will be transferring you to security along the gates once your therapist gives the approval to report to light duty. You will join Kotetsu and Izumo during the morning to afternoon shift."

Well, it was better than desk duty. "Yes, sir."

"For now, I'd like for you to visit the Nara Household once a day."

Mai's brow cocked. "Sir?"

"You will train with Shikamaru on strategy by playing Shogi or Go. That will give you something to do while you're recovering. Exercise your mind. It will be good for you when returning to the field."

"By playing a board game?"

"It worked for Shikamaru, and look where it's gotten him."

She couldn't argue with that. For a Chuunin, the teen was a genius with it came to combat. He should be ranked higher than where he was at currently, but higher status never concerned him.

"Shikamaru's already agreed to it. In fact, I believe he's already waiting for you. Dismissed."

It was an odd request from the commander, but the Be Fong knew better than to further question it. She made her way through Konoha to the Nara Compound. Sure enough when passing under the gate, the teen found Shikamaru hunched over a Shogi board examining the contents on the wrap around porch to his home.

"I thought I was going to be playing myself all day," Shikamaru spoke. His head picked up. "You're late."

"I didn't know I had to be here at a specific time," Mai said. "You should have told Ibiki."

The Chuunin shrugged his shoulders. "I figured you had more pressing matters being a member of Phantom. Still, I thought you were quicker when reporting in."

"Not at the moment. I've had to do everything on foot as of late." The Be Fong took a seat on the other side of the board and the two began to reset the pieces. "It's been nice... taking my time."

He was the first one to make a move on the board.

"I'm sorry about your father," the Be Fong said. "You probably don't want to hear it because everyone else is saying the same, but I am sorry for your loss."

Shikaku had been one of the commanders at HQ to make sure ever battlefield was connected. When the incoming attack honed in on their location, no one ran for they knew it was too late. Instead, every single one of them remained behind and continued to assist in the war effort until last breath. All of them were deemed heroes. The whole area had been obliterated. There was nothing left for loved ones to bury. All they could do was honor their sacrifice moving forward.

A moment of silence passed between the ninjas.

"Death is a terrible, lasting thing," Shikamaru finally said.

"How is your mother?" Mai wondered.

"Slowly coping... but it isn't easy." And it couldn't be for him either. He just wouldn't say it.

She gave him a hallow smile. "It never is," the teen whispered.

"Do you still think about them? Your adopted family?"

"All the time..." Mai moved a piece. "And I also have my real family to think about from our encounter during the war. There's a lot I don't know about them after all these years. I never asked because I never wanted to look in the past. That was my mistake."

"I heard Tsunade say there were Be Fong Clan members that made their appearance on the field. Who were they?"

"My parents and uncle were among the five."

"I'm sorry you had to face them."

And the conversation was left at that. No one wanted to remember the war. It was best to forget the horrors they had witnessed.

"How's your arm?" Shikamaru questioned.

"Unresponsive. But it'll eventually regain feeling and movement from that the doctors say." This next move gave him the upper hand. "Why did you agree to do this for me?"

"It's been a long time since the last time we played. I'd like to see how much the both of us have improved. And we've been so busy in our roles as ninja that it's been hard see one another. We're classmates, in some cases teammates, yet I feel like we hardly know each other. And when you're on the field, it's good to know who you're fighting alongside."

Their eyes locked.

"It's not that I don't trust you, but eight of the original ten Genin to make it into the Chuunin Exam have grown up together," the Nara continued. "Yet you've always managed to skate by on the outskirts. With one foot in, but one foot out. There's no need to keep secrets anymore, there's no enemy we're up against that is a major threat. While some might see getting to know you as an accomplishment to understand the Mai Be Fong, I've always been interested in knowing who you are since the Academy. But you're not an 'thing' I wish to conquer or control."

"Why?"

"Because you're a human being... despite your incredible power and intense persona on the battlefield that is a bit inhuman."

They stared at one another for a moment before a genuine smile crossed her lips. "I knew I always liked you for a reason, Shikamaru."

He chuckled in response. Without even looking at the board, Mai slid a piece into place.

"Rematch?"

It was then the Nara realized he had lost. Just like the last time they played. "Of course," he answered.

An amused look crossed her features. "You're losing your touch."

"Nah, I'm just seeing if you're paying attention."

Mai slid a piece forward starting another game. "Keep telling yourself that."

The sun began to set by the time the Be Fong left. The Nara watched her form disappear down the road, having walked her to the gate. Just as before the Phantom Ninja had been a fierce competitor, making sure he didn't win every round. She made him work for it.

"She didn't want to stay?" his mother asked from the porch.

"I offered the dinner invitation, but she declined saying she had somewhere to be," was his answer.

He highly doubted that. The Be Fong was a loner after all. Thinking back the Chuunin couldn't remember one time he witnessed Mai engage in a family type setting. Maybe that was too much for her. Still, it was surprising how long she stayed and conversed. It was the most he had ever heard from her.

He smirked, pushing off the fence. "Maybe next time." A chuckle escaped him before muttering, "So troublesome."

Leaving the Nara Compound behind the street crowd was thinning out as it grew late and families headed home. And without worrying about someone overhearing, think the teen was going crazy, Mai started reciting under her breath,

"Move your pinky."