Chapter 26

It was another two months before Sasuke made his appearance known to Konoha. Naturally, Sakura and Naruto were the first two rushing to the gate and welcome the ninja. Genma and Ibiki were debriefing the former rogue on his travels.

"Security precautions," Ibiki stated.

Which was true. Other teams coming in from missions began handing over their papers for review.

"So where did you go?" Naruto asked, as the adults looked over Sasuke's report and filed him into the database. To keep a record that he was visiting.

"South," the Uchiha answered.

"What did you find there?" Sakura wondered.

The teen shrugged. "The Land of Tea is a lot greener than ours."

It wasn't exactly what the Medical Ninja expected to hear. But that didn't seem to faze the knucklehead as his grin widened.

"You hungry?" the blonde asked.

"I guess–"

"Great! Let's go get ramen!"

The Uchiha should've known. Some things never changed.

"How long will you be here?" Ibiki asked.

"A week or two," Sasuke answered.

"You can't stay longer?" the pink-haired shinobi questioned.

"I'm not done yet." And the subject was dropped.

"You're free to–"

"Oi, Mai!" Their heads turned to follow Naruto's line of sight, cutting off Genma. "Mai!"

The said ninja had just entered the gate with a small three-man team. A C-Ranked mission. Her fourth once since being fit for duty outside the walls. Her head turned to stare at them with a passive expression.

"Look who's here!"

Her attention shifted to the Uchiha. They stared at each other for a long moment before the Be Fong turned away once they were granted easy access. She moved into the Village without a word.

"Whoa," the blonde mumbled.

Though Sakura expected as much. There was a lot of work to be done to repair the relationship between the Uchiha and Be Fong.

"Leave her alone, Naruto," the Medical Ninja spoke up. "Mai will come around on her own terms."

Even though the newly appointed Chuunin wished to chase after her and convince the Phantom Ninja to join them. "Fine..." the blonde huffed.

Ramen wasn't particularly Sasuke's first choice of food, but it made Naruto happy, so the Uchiha went along with it. But it was odd. Being present when absent for so long. He didn't think that it was going to be easy in the slightest, watching as Sakura and Naruto conversed. Others joined them as the day went on; Kiba and Akamaru, Sai, Shikamaru, Hinata, Ino, Choji, even Shino, surprisingly. But there was one person who refused to show themselves. Even when the Uchiha searched for her presence while the others were occupied. His wandering eyes were never noticed.

"Sasuke, do you need somewhere to stay while you're here?" Ino questioned, having hung back. Her actions didn't go unnoticed by Sakura, who shot daggers over a shoulder in annoyance. Damn Ino was a fast worker.

"No," the former rogue said.

"But your apartment..."

He glanced over at her in question.

"It's... uh... not there anymore. It was given to someone else."

Because they didn't think he'd be back. And to be honest the Uchiha didn't think so either. He didn't blame for the vacant apartment to go to someone else.

"I have–"

"I already have lodging," he shot down the offer so quickly to not warrant any arguments. Ino sighed internally in defeat. Sakura was rather surprised to hear the former rogue had plans, turning away and watching as Naruto and Kiba began bickering over something trivial. Where would he go?

Though exhausted, the knucklehead wanted to continue their adventures around Konoha. Until the Medical Ninja reminded him that the Uchiha would be around for the next week or so. There was plenty of time.

"Sasuke, if you don't have anywhere to stay, I have a couch," Naruto offered when they were the only ones left.

He knew the former rogue would never wish to room with Ino or Sakura, and the others were trying to rebuild their relationship with their once enemy. Just them being out together was a step forward. He was the only one close enough to really offer such a thing.

"I'll manage," he stated, walking away down a side street.

The blonde's expression slightly fell, wondering if the former teammate would ever remove that wall of his that didn't allow anyone in. He was making an effort for the Uchiha to feel welcome. They all were. Though maybe it was too early for results yet. After all, this was his first-time truly home since he defected.

"Naruto..."

His attention was grabbed, noticing the former rogue had paused in order to turn and glance back.

"Thanks..."

Naruto grinned widely. A small smirk came to Sasuke's lips before continuing on his way.

He could have been walking for hours without knowing it. Konoha had changed in many ways since Pein's destruction. Though he didn't expect it to remain the way it once had been. Things needed to move forward. So even though it was the Village he grew up in, it was as if the teen had seen this place for the first time. Sasuke realized he had come to the outskirts with a familiar path before him. It was unconscious really, looking back at the buildings of Konoha. Renting a room at a hotel would not be a problem, nor asking the Hokage for lodging during his stay. Instead, Sasuke continued on until the houses thinned out before disappearing. Leaving only overgrown grass filling his vision before coming over a hill. And there it sat. The familiar view of a house that was nestled on another hill, just out of sight with the surrounding tree line.

There were a few lights on inside. Illuminating a soft glow meaning someone was home. Though it was hard to tell where they were since chakra levels were displaced in various areas equally. Standing in front of the door he hesitated for a moment before knocking. There was no movement nor answer. He knocked again.

"I knew it was only a matter of time."

The sudden voice made him quickly turn, startled slightly at the fact that he had been taken off guard. That someone had suck up behind him. And it made the Be Fong smirk in victory, while shifting the bag in hand.

"How long have you been following me?" Sasuke questioned.

"Since the outskirts," Mai said. "I saw you disappear around the path. Wasn't hard to guess where you were headed."

They stood there for a moment staring at each other, Sasuke from the slight perch on the wrap around porch, and Mai in the yard. She had changed out of the uniform from the gate, showered off the dirt, and neatly pulled back the hair.

"Are you coming inside or just came by to say hi?" Mai asked.

"A little bit of both... if you allow it," Sasuke said.

That was true. She had the final say if the Uchiha was allowed inside or not. Turning the former rogue away would not be a problem.

"Don't you have a place to go back to thanks to the Hokage?"

"I haven't asked yet."

Finally, the Be Fong began to approach the door. She moved around Sasuke to unlock it and venture inside.

"Come on. I'll make some dinner."

The silence was almost painful, and though the two were used to going about their business in the past without saying a word sometimes, now things were different. He moved around the living room inspecting it. He reached for a framed image when a sharp pain shot up the arm. Grunting under his breath, the former rogue used the other arm to pull it down. It was the picture of Team 7 back when they were Genin. He was surprised she still had it. What happened to his was unknown.

"Food's getting cold," Mai said.

Again, the Be Fong had move so quietly from behind to stand in the doorway he hadn't known. He set the item back in place to follow. Sasuke wasn't sure how to start up a conversation as they sat at the table, quietly eating. And then he was scolding himself for not coming up with anything. Why was this so difficult? Why wouldn't the Phantom Ninja say anything? What was his problem? Even when enemies they managed to say something. What had changed?

Mai collected the dishes before putting them in the sink, completely bypassing him and entering the hall. Sasuke sighed, standing to follow. They had to talk. Was that moment they shared back at the Uchiha Compound a fleeting feeling for her? Enough time had passed for her to process things. Maybe her thoughts towards him had changed in the time he was gone? Maybe he wasn't welcomed here like the former rogue thought?

"Mai–"

The Phantom Ninja emerged from the bathroom with a medical kit full of supplies. His brows pinched in confusion.

"You don't honestly think you could fool me, did you?" Mai questioned.

Another sigh escaped his lips softly, but one of relief, before chuckling, "How could you tell? We only met briefly at the gate."

"The way you're holding yourself. And your movements throughout the day have been very carefully planned out."

Movements throughout the day? She had been following him. How had he missed this? Her eyes roamed his form.

"You can't lift your arms very far. You either have a chest or shoulder wound."

The Uchiha nodded.

"I'll have to cut you out of that top. Sit."

Dragging out the wooden chair sitting in a corner in the living room, Sasuke followed Mai into the kitchen. They stopped in front of the sink as she began pulling out items from the box and setting them down. The former rogue managed to shrug out of the cloak he wore, throwing it on the table in the other room and stood before the Be Fong. She turned with a pair of hand taking the bottom hem of the fabric and slicing up the front. There was no use attempting to salvage it from the dried and wet blood still mixing into the cloth. There were also shreds of fabric around the upper part of his body with parts missing.

"What trouble did you get mixed up in?" the Be Fong wondered.

"A rogue that attacked travelers on the road," Sasuke said. "Thought he could catch me off guard."

Mai forced him to sit after peeling away the top. "It looks like he did."

Sasuke grunted as the Phantom Ninja set to work.

"Have you grown careless now that you're in Konoha's good graces."

"Of course not," the Uchiha said. "That man was not your normal run of the mill bandit either."

"Looks more like an animal attack."

Which was true, looking at the way three claw marks had ripped into the skin. A small hiss escaped his lips from a stinging sensation that came from the rubbing alcohol. The edges of the injury began to bubble in response as there was a reaction.

"They were attached to his hands. Three blades molded together and wrapped in place by a leather bind."

As the cotton swab moved away Sasuke felt the Be Fong's hands press against the skin gently. Warmth spread from the palms and into his muscles.

"This better not be a habit of yours," Mai said.

"It got your attention."

Her eyes rolled. "What are you, seven?"

Sasuke chuckled, only to wince slightly when a particular movement wasn't welcomed. Mai noticed this, hands shifting to focus on that specific area. The minutes ticked by in a comfortable silence as the Uchiha stared at the far wall in thought. He knew better than to distract her so the process went quicker. She was doing a surprisingly good job at it, feeling the skin pull together.

The sensation began to fade away, knowing the Be Fong was finishing up. The injury wasn't completely gone. The rest would need to heal on its own. At least the former rogue could move more freely now with little discomfort.

"You were very cold this morning," Sasuke pointed out.

"Well, I couldn't be acting as if everything was all sunshine and roses," Mai said. "I'm not supposed to easily forgive you. No one knows we saw each other before today."

The Be Fong began to wrap the wounded area. She motioned for him to lean forward a bit in order to warp around the back and chest without a problem.

His brow rose. "Have you forgiven me?"

"Don't get your hopes up anytime soon."

To prove her point, Mai tugged on the bandage tightly. It caused a grunt to escape his lips and he shot her a warning look out the corner of his eye. But it was hardly menacing. It only made the Be Fong snicker lightly.

"Others would get suspicious of us being friendly right away and I don't like being the center of attention."

Taping the bandage at the end Sasuke felt her pull away, rummaging around on the countertop. The Be Fong didn't stay away for long as the Uchiha felt her arms wrap around the shoulders from behind, hands draping around in the front for him to see.

"So you'll just have to deal for now."

Her lips were close to an ear so the former rogue could feel her hot breath.

"If I stayed... would you forgive me faster?" Sasuke asked.

Her brow cocked out of his view. "Are you proposing that you are staying?"

He didn't answer.

"You staying here wouldn't matter to me either way. It's still a process we need to work through."

Of course it was. He should know better than anyone for having experienced the same hurdle with his late brother. Forgiving him wasn't easy. And sometimes even now he struggled with a few things. They didn't stay in that position for long as Mai's nose scrunched up, pulling away.

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"You stink," Mai said. "When was the last time you had a shower?"

Bathing from the shoulders down was not an issue for the Uchiha, basking in the warmth and allowing the steam to fill the bathroom. It was relaxing after weeks on the road. Though he couldn't reach his hair properly to lather it with soap rinse it out. Mai noticed this when Sasuke emerged with only half wet hair. She made him sit in the chair once more, straddling the back so he could lean back towards the sink.

The Be Fong washed the hair, properly ridding the dirt and grime from weeks on the road. Though the teen was scrubbing a bit aggressively to also wash away some dried blood it relaxed him, eyes closing. Sasuke never realized that he would possibly enjoy such a thing. Though this was the first time someone had done this for him. Even when covered in injuries working with Orochimaru and Akatsuki, the Uchiha would just stick it out and deal with things himself. He'd never accept help. Though this was pleasant.

Too soon the conditioner in his hair was being washed away down the drain. Sasuke realized the way the Be Fong had been massaging his scalp made him drowsy. Lazily his eyes opened to stare up at Mai, who was concentrating hard at work to relax him. Turning off the faucet and squeezing out the excess water the Phantom Ninja glanced down to find him staring.

"What?" she wondered.

There was a pause before he answered, "Nothing..."

Having him sit up, she used the towel to rub against the wet hair. Her eyes observed the former rogue's posture from behind. Though Sasuke refused to show weakness in front of others she knew he was absolutely exhausted. His shoulders were slightly slumped forward allowing the Be Fong to move his head any way without resistance.

When done Mai stared at the back of his head. The Uchiha was completely relaxed. For a moment she wondered if he fell asleep before his body shifted.

"Do I smell fine now?" Sasuke asked.

A soft laugh escaped her lips, bending down so the nose was buried in his hair. "It'll do," Mai said.

Sasuke chuckled.

She showed him to a guest bedroom. Not that he couldn't remember where it was in the house, he didn't stop her. The Phantom Ninja watched from the doorway as he examined the room.

"It's nicer than I remember," he commented. "All of it."

"Hard ranking missions pay well."

Obviously. This place hand been border lining a dump when they were children. Things used to fall apart each day. Living here was always unpredictable where you could count on something not working. The former rogue tried for years to get her to move into Konoha like him. Live in an apartment. Not on the outskirts after the massacre of the Uchiha Clan. Mai had for a time, but then decided to leave upon realizing what this home once was. In the past he had complained. Now Sasuke was grateful to be away from the others. This was a place the Be Fong could enjoy her solitude.

"I may have clothes for you lying around... I'll check and give them to you in the morning."

He nodded.

"You're missing something," she mused.

The statement confused him.

"Where is your curse seal?"

The Uchiha was surprised she even noticed. "When Itachi died, he freed me from the curse seal Orochimaru set, so I could awaken the Mangekyo."

Mai sighed, head craning back to rest against the doorframe in thought. "That's so like him. Thinking about others before himself."

"You're one to talk.

The answer startled her slightly, meeting his gaze. His expression had grown a bit serious.

"You're always taking risks with no concern for your wellbeing," the Uchiha said. "Itachi and you are both similar in that way." And Sasuke wished she wasn't as the Phantom Ninja looked away.

"Well... I learned from the best, I guess," she whispered. Mai pulled away from the doorframe, backing out. "Nig–"

"Will I see you tomorrow?"

She paused.

"I know you're not one for crowds, but while I'm here, will you be around."

There was a beat of silence. "I have training with Belva in the morning..." Mai said.

He should've known she'd be busy with other things.

"But I'm sure I'll see you around."

Mai left down the hall. Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle lowly.