Chapter 40

Sasuke was true to his word. He returned when promised. It caused Mai to smile at the sight of the ex-rogue when seeing the Uchiha make his way across the grass towards her home. There had been fewer missions for her over the next few months so she took time off to spend amongst Belva, Naruto, Shikamaru, Hinata, and Kakashi to name a few when bored. The Be Fong continued training in her spare time as well. And just to keep busy, the older teen asked Ibiki to send her on lower ranked missions to pass the time. It was then the Hokage began hinting at the fact that she would like her best ninja to think about the prospects of becoming a mentor to those graduating the Academy. Though it would mean removing Mai from the field, the woman thought it would be good for her. To have a better distraction apart from being surrounded by carnage and death beyond the walls of the Village. Of course, Tsunade wasn't expecting Mai to jump at the chance enthusiastically like Sakura had weeks ago, but the offer was there nonetheless should she ever tire of her life in Phantom.

It was a lot to think about, seeing as how her life would be drastically changed upon taking the position. She had worked on teams and seen the horrors that lay outside of Konoha should another threat arise. But would she be a good mentor to children? She hardly managed to connect with others when at that age and even now there were very few she confided in or attempted a friendship with. Genin were a whole other story. Children were naturally curious. They would ask many questions about their sensei. Which mean to an extent, the Phantom Ninja would need to be open. Mai was also well aware of how terrifying she could be when facing against an opponent and didn't want to corrupt such innocent minds with bloodshed. And then there was the fear of losing one of them to a mission that could go bad. Like what happened to Kakashi at a young age.

She remembered watching those coming back from missions and being distraught over losing a student. Some recovered, some didn't, and there was a fear bubbling inside of her at the fact of losing someone she may grow too close to. After all, when Kakashi nearly died during Pein's invasion she had been overcome with terrible emotions that made it feel like her heart was being ripped out of her chest. She could only guess the same could be said to him should he loose Naruto, Sakura, or herself. Maybe even Sasuke and Sai to an extent.

She brought up the mentorship to the Uchiha one evening on a visit. They were sitting on her couch reading, the female between his legs as her back rested against his chest, while he leaned against the armrest. He was all for the idea of Mai taking up a team for herself offering nothing but praise and how she would do a fine job of mentoring a team of Genin. It also meant that she would be free of harm outside the walls and wouldn't go on as many deadly missions anymore. That would help him breathe a little easier. Though he didn't voice it. There were things he had seen from beyond Konoha and the Fire Country itself that only made it clear that even without Akatsuki or Obito there were still people out there that wished to rise to power and take control. The fear of something potentially happening again where faced with another war... It worried Sasuke she would be on the front lines again like the last time. What if she wasn't so lucky the second time around?

"I'm not mentor material," Mai protested.

"We thought the same thing about Kakashi when we met him and now, we respect him," he answered, playing with her strands of hair.

"I'm a killer."

"All ninja are, in case you have forgotten. It's our job to eliminate threats."

"But I've never been sorry about it. Genin... they will feel conflicted when their first kill comes. How am I supposed to console them or offer words of wisdom when I can't understand what they are feeling?"

"You should worry about that when the time comes. The right words will come to you in the heat of the moment. It always does and they will listen to you."

"Why?"

"Because they will respect you for who you are as a ninja and understand the ways of the world because of your experience. They will not be sheltered or shown lies of how they think things will operate. You will make them stronger than we ever were as Genin."

The Be Fong sighed, turning so her cheek rested against his chest. "I'll think about it..."

Still, despite her reservations, it gave the older teen some sense of hope that maybe she could make a difference by not being beyond the wall anymore. Maybe having a team of her own would give the Be Fong a sense of normalcy?

Sasuke kissed her forehead, wrapping both arms around her tightly to hold her close.

"I love you," he muttered into her hair.

Mai full out grinned. "I love you too, Sasuke." And for the first time in her life everything seemed to be piecing itself together.

However, not all good things can last forever.

"Settle down," Ibiki ordered upon entering the meeting room.

Mai sat beside Mushi as those present ceased their chatter. All sat or stood at attention as the man stood at the front.

"I'm sure some of you have heard rumors, and I am here to present the facts that have been gathered. Five months ago, the Kages and other various leaders throughout the mainland began submitting reports regarding rogues turning up dead. No one took notice to it; rogues are hunted all the time either by higher ranking ninjas or their own kind. That is, until a few weeks ago."

That caught their attention.

"There's a pattern."

Anko then pulled down a covering on the back wall to reveal a map. There were various points of interest marked on it.

"Since Akatsuki, the Villages have been exterminating other threats that could have taken their place and plunged us into another war. With this collection of kills there are a variety of rogues in the black book or not. Some are not even known by name. But no one is authorizing these exterminations. Most haven't even been on our radar or are so far down the list that it is not an immediate concern. Which leads us to believe that we are dealing with a serial killer."

"Or someone holding a substantial grudge," Mushi mumbled beside Mai.

"There's no telling if whoever this is would attack other ninja if crossed. There have been no present cases regarding that, but I have to warn you to be cautious when all of you head out on missions."

"And what about the others?" someone questioned from the back. Regarding the lower ranked ninjas that came and went from the Village. "Are they to be left in the dark?"

"They are being informed right now as we speak, but there is some information that I am not at liberty to share with them given security, hence this private meeting."

Well, at least the teams were going to be aware.

"Over the course of the next few months, I will be assigning missions to all of you to go undercover. We need to discover why this killer is targeting rogues and what their purpose in doing so is."

"Could be getting rid of the competition," Kotetsu said. "Testing themselves to become stronger."

"And that is what worries me. Anyone with too much power is likely to attract those craving it and we could have another Akatsuki on our hands."

And no one wanted that to transpire.

"They might not even form a group if they keep killing off other rogues," Izumo said.

"Who in their right mind would trust someone that didn't bat an eye to killing someone else not in league with a nation like themselves," someone else asked.

There was no answer to that because it was highly possible rogues would be willing to gamble with their lives if they had something to offer this murderer. Especially if they had nothing else to lose.

"We have limited information to go on," Ibiki continued. "We don't even have a description for this character, but remain aware of your surroundings at all times if you accidentally stumble into their hunting grounds."

Looking at the map on the wall it was hard to tell where that would be. Each kill was sporadic, clumping in a few areas, but not giving away a specific point of interest. The murders even went as far as the border of Rock Country, Wave Country, and the Land of Iron. At least whoever it was decided to stick to the mainland.

"Those of you on these detail missions will receive a summons to report to my office immediately."

The ninjas were dismissed.

"Think you'll be on the first mission out?" Mushi questioned.

He didn't doubt Ibiki would allow one of their strongest ninjas to sit on the sidelines. The man would place her straight into the line of fire on their quest to hunt down this serial killer. And her orders would be a strategic one so there was a high probable chance of the Be Fang facing off with this unknown assailant due to her track record.

"No," the Be Fong answered truthfully. "I'm still on leave by the Hokage's orders from my last missions three weeks ago."

His shoulders shrugged. "Doesn't mean you won't get pulled off of it if this is priority. Seems like this is an all hands-on-deck situation."

True, but the Hokage had been sticking to her word as of late. There had been a time when Mai would receive time off from missions, but wouldn't necessarily stay in the Village that long. There were always more missions to complete, and with the number of Phantom and ANBU Ninjas being stretched thin to try and maintain peace over the years she was always needed. The older teen had always asked for missions too, not liking to sit around for too long. Even if that meant returning from a mission and leaving the same day on a new one. Being active kept her mind of off things.

Though since Tsunade suggested she take on a team of Genin, the woman had not allowed her to do that anymore. It wasn't because Mai lacked in her skills either, but the ninja did have to wonder her reasoning behind this. Was the woman concerned for her mental health? Or were there simply not enough missions anymore where her level of execution was no longer needed? The rest periods were for ninja to reset themselves and prepare for new missions. Especially those with higher ranking that sometimes dealt with situations no normal person could handle or even stomach. But they rarely affected the Be Fong. Maybe like Naruto, the Hokage thought she was too attached and was trying to force her to be more social inside the Village.

Her head turned to look at the young man beside her. "Why do you sell yourself short? You could be called out first as well."

Mushi laughed, because he knew his help wouldn't be needed this time around. He was just as skilled, but a mission two months back left him with an injury to the face. It left four deep claw marks on the right side running over the eye, jaw, and curving around the back of the neck. He wore an eye patch as the area continued to heal. Thankfully, it no longer appeared as mangled and grotesque when first brought back, needing to wrap himself in white bandages for weeks to prevent infections and scaring kids in the streets. It would be permanent, but the doctors had yet to assess the eye to see how much had repaired.

"Maybe next time," Mushi said. "Unlike you, I'm actually enjoying my time off."

Her eyes rolled. "And what makes you think I'm not?"

"You're still training! And don't deny it, I've caught you a few times when I'm on walks around the training grounds that are usually vacant."

"I have to stay in shape."

"Believe me, you don't need any more practice. You could control those strings in your sleep if you wanted to."

"Mai," a voice called out.

She glanced over to find Kakashi waving towards her. They had plans with Naruto, Sai, and Sakura to meet up for lunch.

"Take care of yourself, Mushi," she said, making her way towards the Jounin.

"You too, Be Fong." He watched her join her former sensei and disappear into the crowded street.