Chapter 31

There was a collection of relieved faces once they stepped inside the gates. Even more so when reporting to the lord in his great hall with the council in attendance. The remainder of the mission had lasted in complete silence with no hiccups. Even Masa no longer taunted the Phantom Ninja with his words. In fact, he almost refused to look in her direction.

"We were ambushed," Toshi stated. "And their numbers were far greater than expected. If not for... our teammates from Konoha and Iwa, we would have probably been in worse shape."

"How can I ever repay you?" Lord Reagon questioned.

"A hot bath, a warm bed, some food, and supplies for the trip home," Jiro answered.

The man was rather surprised neither asked for more money, seeing as how their mission had become rather dangerous upon reaching their land. Their request was rather humble.

"Of course."

A proper bath was a welcome as the Be Fong stood under the steady stream clearing away the blood dried on the fingers from where it dripped from the strings. And there was a bit in her hair. She was given a change of clothing to sleep in. Too bad none of this overnight luxury would be enjoyed. Mai never slept well, if at all, in unknown territories. And this one was hostile. Though there was no activity the ninja only rested on the comfortable bed going in and out of awareness.

Once morning approached and the household came alive the lord, Kura, the ninja that traveled with Jiro and Mai, along with a few council members, made their way to the entrance of Suga. It wasn't a surprise to Jiro as he approached the front gate with them close behind to find Mai waiting and equipped to move. The young man chuckled under his breath.

"We thank you for the hospitality," the Iwa Ninja stated. The two shook hands as the lord grinned,

"My pleasure. If either of you are in the area you are welcome any time."

"We'll keep that in mind." Though the two doubted they'd return soon. "Try not to get into too much trouble, Kura."

The daughter gave a slight smirk, "I'll try and restrain myself."

He turned to the Stone and Forest Ninjas. "Pleasure traveling with you."

They shook hands in parting, but when it came to the Be Fong all they did was nod. The same thing happened when addressing the council. Her appearance when arriving and display in the forest had most certainly had a lasting impression on all.

"Ah, before you go..." Lord Reagon followed them a few paces as the ninja prepared to leave. The others watched from a distance to their private conversation, though one of the council members noticed Kura appeared uneasy.

"Is there something wrong?" the man wondered. "Does this have something to do with Be Fong?"

"Do you know anything about her?" Kura asked.

"Only stories. Not of her, but the one infamous Be Fong Clan." He sighed. "Such a shame, she's the only one left."

"I've heard rumors," another murmured. "A Be Fong doesn't go down easily. And clearly that remains to be true from her record that she is unbeatable."

"Why does this bother you so much, Kura?"

Their conversation had drawn the attention of the Stone and Forest Ninjas.

"She didn't even bat an eye or hesitate to kill the Claw Ninjas," the young woman whispered. "Like their blood on her didn't matter. Killing them didn't matter. They were our enemies... And I almost felt bad for them because they were so brutally ripped apart. What kind of person does that?"

Her advisors didn't exactly know how to answer looking between each other.

"There are some forces and people in this world we were never meant to understand," Kenji spoke up. "It's best you don't think too hard on it. Be Fong... she's something else that's for sure. But to us who have been in this field long enough we know she's broken." The man looked to the Phantom Ninja. "Even if she doesn't realize it herself yet."

Lord Reagon laughed at something the Iwa Ninja commented on before facing Mai. He stared at her for a moment, which rather intrigued the ninja because he didn't appear afraid from first impressions. That was a first.

"I could use a ninja like you," he stated. "You're strong, smart for your age. I admire that. You could give my ninja a run for their money."

And for the first time in a long while Mai offered a slight smirk at the compliment. "Thank you."

"If you ever get tired of the mainland or are looking for new employment, come speak to me."

That was a surprise to the Phantom Ninja unable to answer for a few seconds before managing out, "I'll remember that, thank you, really."

"My pleasure. Have a safe trip home."

Mai rather enjoyed the minimal conversation between her and the Iwa Ninja. It wasn't unnecessary conversation and both knew when to no longer carry on. Besides, they rather enjoyed the silence on the boat back to Wave Country. They departed on the docks, the two turning to face each other.

"Finally heading back to Iwa?" the Be Fong asked.

"Hmmm... I have been gone a long while," he mused. "But not quite yet."

Mai cocked a brow.

"Found another job, in the Land of Lightning. Was given it by Reagon's Council. They don't have any men to send so I was approached."

"You work fast."

"Have to in order to make a living."

She hummed in agreement.

"Wanna come with me?" Jiro offered.

Mai blinked in surprise.

"Though you did most of the work in the forest, we made a pretty good team all things considering."

"Thanks for the offer, but I have to get back to Konoha," the Be Fong said. "First major mission since entering the field again so I need to report in. Maybe next time."

Jiro smirked. "I'll hold you to it."

He gave an informal salute merging into the crowd. Mai waited till he was out of sight before turning on a heel making her way towards the Naruto Bridge. Upon reaching the dirt path once more on the other side the ninja's fingers flexed as the strings reached out and wrapped around the tree branches that filled the forest. A walk was nice and leisurely, but Mai was on a schedule taking to the trees.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the time Mai returned to Konoha it was late. Surprisingly enough the Hokage was still awake and willing to hear the Be Fong's report on the matter. When the older teen finished Tsunade was silent for a moment before stating, "Well done. Your first major mission back in the field was a success. How is the arm?"

"Just fine," Mai said.

"Good to hear. Ibiki has a mission for you in three days. Get some rest and report to him when needed."

"Yes, Lady Hokage." With a bow the Phantom member left.

Walking home was when the exhaustion began to sink in. Rolling a shoulder to relieve some of the tired muscles she heard laughing ahead on the street. Naruto and Sakura ducked out from under the overhang of the Chuunin's favorite ramen stand. Mai immediately ducked into the side alley before being seen.

The sight of her home was a lovely sight unlocking and tugging the door to the side to walk in. Kicking off the shoes, the Be Fong proceeded to remove the weapon belt and set it on the dresser in her room. Showering and tugging on loose shorts and a tank top the older teen finally eyed the bed. She wasn't even hungry. Completely exhausted the Be Fong fell onto the mattress struggling to even keep her eyes open to make it. And before her head hit the pillow, she was unconscious.

There was movement in the hall as they silently moved about. Turning the knob, they peeked in noticing the ninja's sprawled out form. They smirked and chuckled lowly under their breath. There was no way to move the Be Fong given the position, instead pulling a blanket from a nearby closet and covering the older teen's form. Brushing some stray hair from the face the visitor then left.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Mai awoke the next morning, her vision was blurry at first. Gaining her surroundings, it was nearly the afternoon given how bright it was outside. Yawning the ninja stretched only then realizing there was a blanket on her. When had that happened?

There was a bump from outside the door as Mai quietly moved about the room. Fingers curling around a short blade and tugging the door back she found the hall empty. It was coming from the front of the home. The ninja crept forward without making a sound. The living room was empty, and the area near the door. Which left...

Turning, Mai sighed heavily, instantly lowering the poised weapon. "Short blades? And I thought you were all about your strings."

"Damn it, Sasuke, I could have killed you." She instantly placed the weapon on the table he was sitting at drinking a cup of tea.

"No, you wouldn't," he stated. "Besides, if you had just searched with your strings you wouldn't have been so on edge."

"They are a bit exhausted because of damn Claw Ninjas that didn't know when to go home."

He smirked. "Wish I could have seen that." Her eyes then flickered to the food that was laid out. "Made some breakfast... though it's actually lunch now." His brow cocked. "You never sleep in."

"Well, there's a first for everything."

"You exhausted yourself returning home."

Mai pinched the bridge of her nose. Of course, he knew. "When did you get back?"

"The night before. You weren't here."

"So you let yourself in."

"If you want me to go, I'm gone."

The Be Fong sighed, head shaking and pouring herself a cup of tea. "Well then, welcome back, Uchiha."

The ex-rogue grunted, taking a sip of his drink as the Be Fong sat down and ate. "So how long until your next mission?"

"I have a few days." They looked each other in the eye. "What do you want to do?"