Chapter 46

Mai had never witnessed No Face move so quickly before – from the Land of Birds, across Rain Country, and down to River Country. There were rarely any stops until they were on the outskirts of the small town late in the evening. It was so dark they couldn't see and finally slept, only to be up at the crack of dawn to help in the rescue effort.

This time they were not in the shadows. Mai never felt more exposed, even with the mask hiding her face. Those lingering about the streets seemed to not mind their appearance. If anything, it was a relief as rescue operations were well underway. That was when they were greeted by a man dressed in clothing that at one time could have come off as regal, but was now caked with dirt and water.

The water that flooded from the dam had already lowered considerably, though the water markings and damage to the homes was clear to see how bad it had been. Something that stood out to Mai the most was the man's title. He was a prominent official in the town and that made the Be Fong more on edge that this was a trap they had walked into. The Chakra Strings felt out their surroundings to be sure they weren't attacked. But there were no movements to suggest such a thing.

"The lower district was hit the worse and where most of our rescue efforts have been focused this morning," the man relayed. "We were just finishing up here before joining the others."

"We head there now," Beon stated.

No Face moved through what remained of the streets. The group came up on the gutted-out buildings that took the most of the damage. Dead bodies had already been cleared away that were out in the open, but search and rescue was far from over for those stuck under the rubble or buried alive under crumbled buildings and muck.

"Split up between the homes."

Mai followed Asami and Kenta, wishing more than anything to use the strings in a situation like this. It had worked out well for her when Konoha was destroyed by Pein, pulling those trapped free. To do so now would expose her. The only thing the ninja could do at the moment that would benefit all of them was to only use them to seek out villagers and guide rescue parties to them quickly.

"Is there something that bothers you?" Beon asked. He had been aware of his newest member's tense posture and wary eyes from the beginning.

Mai glanced over at him through the slits of the mask, asking, "If No Face likes to operate under the radar, how does a high-level official know of you all?"

"We have a history together." And he left it at that. Which was understandable. It wasn't her place to pry, following Asami into the wreckage.

For hours they searched finding wounded, dead, and living. They dug till the skin on their palms and fingertips felt almost raw, being offered thick gloves by an old woman so it didn't feel like the rubble and mud was eating away at them.

"I'll look over here," Asami spoke up. Mai glanced over at the young woman as she stared at a cluster of homes that lay in ruin. "Hopefully if I do find someone, they will be alive."

The Be Fong watched her go, scanning the area before pausing. There was movement on one of the Chakra Strings. One that wasn't monitoring No Face and the villagers. This one was a stray in case something interesting came up. Head turning, she caught sight of a building. One that might have been considered important at one point with how tall it stood. It didn't appear completely sturdy, which could be the reason something tugged at the string. Could be a timber that fell. More reached in out of interest and was followed by two more tugs. Something lurked inside. Whether it was an animal or person she did not know venturing up the four stone steps and through the gutted structure. There were pillars that circled the wrap around edge, walking over a window frame where the glass was blown out.

The movement was coming towards the back of the building stepping around everything in her path. Sure nothing was disturbed to prevent something from breaking in this already unstable structure. While at the same time be sure whatever was inside this building wasn't aware they were no longer alone. Mai wasn't expecting to see a safe door once reaching the end in the growing darkness. It was built into the stone wall, only open a crack as a shuffling noise sounded from inside. Fingers flexing to be ready to attack if they did so first the Be Fong had the strands latch onto and pull open the door, slowly, carefully. There was nothing but darkness.

"You can come out," the Be Fong called. "I know you're in there. Everything's going to be all right."

Whoever they were only huddled away further from her calls. They were at a standstill for a few moments before the Phantom Ninja reached up to remove the mask.

"Hey, look at me," she whispered softly.

Three pairs of eyes turned in her direction, pupils shining in the low lighting.

"Sorry, it's just a mask. I'm a lot less scary than I look, I promise. Why don't you come on out now. We've been looking for you."

There was movement in the darkness before the figures began to slowly emerge. Mai's eyes widened. They were children, all with tears running down their cheeks and looking worse for wear with torn clothing, along with dried blood and mud on their skin. There were actually eleven of them, all under the age of seven.

"Have you been here this whole time?"

They nodded mutely. How on earth had they survived?

"Let's get you out of here, yeah? There's food, a bath, and fresh clothes waiting for you."

That seemed to lift the spirits of some.

"We can't find Ms. Miyagi," a little girl spoke up.

"Who is Ms. Miyagi?"

"Our teacher."

The Be Fong had not heard the name among those they were working with and wondered if the woman had perished in the flood. There was no way to truly find out till the body count was done and everyone that had survived gathered. Now was not the time to dwell on the possibility of death.

"I'm sure she's around here somewhere. In the meantime, can you trust my... friends?" They looked to her lost. "They have the same mask as me, but they are harmless, I promise."

One by one they nodded, Mai slipping back on the mask to cover her features.

"Let's get moving, shall we?"

She helped them one by one through the decaying building as the light grew brighter the further they went.

"How did you end up in the safe?"

She hardly believed that children would be able to open and close the door by themselves. It was heavy to operate for an adult who wasn't a ninja.

"Ms. Miyagi took us on a field trip," one answered. "We were inside and heard a lot of screaming."

"She told us to stay and left us in there. Then the door was closing."

A chill ran through Mai at this information.

"How was it reopened?" she questioned.

"We kept pushing until it finally unlocked itself, but it was too heavy."

Hence the reason it was open a crack. If they all had been inside when the dam broke it could only mean one thing in the ninja's mind. Ms. Miyagi sacrificed herself to save the children to close the door. The strings instantly sought out another person, anyone would do, but there was also a chance that the water swept everyone that had been inside away. They could be anywhere in the town– she finally felt it, a figure lying in a heap feet from the vault.

It was no wonder the body was missed in the first place, caked in mud and out of view. There was no life there as Mai slowed for a moment confirming it wasn't just junk that had become stuck. Someone was still down there, but the Phantom Ninja was not about to let the children continue on alone or drag a body out with them. If it was indeed their teacher there was no way the Be Fong wished to show them something so traumatic.

Within minutes they were at the main section as light streamed in. It caused some to shield their eyes from the brightness. It had nearly been a full day in the dark for them.

"Sena, there you ar–" Asami's voice came, only to pause at the sight of what was in her company. "There are children over here!" she called out of the broken doorway.

Instantly, members of No Face came spilling in to stare at the sight of the eleven children before jumping into action, coaxing them out.

There was a tug on Mai's pant leg. The older teen glanced down to find there was still one left as he had hidden behind her.

"Why do you wear a mask?" the boy asked.

"To keep myself safe," was the best way the Be Fong could put it.

He stared at her a moment longer than was necessary before declaring, "You look better without it."

The genuine nature of the comment it shocked her before Joon came and scooped him up into his arms.

"Is that the last of them?" Kenta asked, coming to her side.

Blinking out of her surprise, Mai's eyes scanned the various halls that disappeared into the shadows, but she felt nothing.

"Of them, yes." They stared each other in the eye. "There's a body back where I found them, but I didn't have the heart to check and see who it was. Their teacher is missing... I believe she sacrificed herself to save them."

He cursed lowly under his breath. Asami sighed, "We should check it out sooner rather than later. At least move it here where it's a bit more stable and we'll wait to bring the body out once the children are out of range–"

There was a tremor from outside, most likely from a building collapsing. It made them stumble slightly along with those still loitering about the entrance. That was when Mai heard it as sections of the structure around them began groaning, breaking off, and crumbling. Her eyes widened, watching as the ceiling began caving in above them, head whipping towards the rest of No Face and those that were innocent around them. Some of the villages had gathered outside with news that children had survived, a handful searching for their lost children.

The Be Fong didn't hesitate, arms throwing out with splayed hands. The Chakra Strings slammed into them tossing all in danger out of the way. There were a lot of screams and shouts of surprise, but she had better things to worry about, like the fact that herself and the ninjas beside her were still in danger as the concrete fell closer. Asami screamed as Mai raised her arms higher and created a more intricate net attempting to catch the falling building. Kenta performed a hand sign seconds before it slammed into them.

Those outside scrambled to their feet trying to make sense of what happened when their eyes turned toward the once building and noticed the destruction.

"No!" Joon shouted. He went to rush forward when Beon stopped him. "Let me go! Asami is still in there!"

"Whatever is left of it is ready to fall," the man stated. "Stand down! If we all rush in at once, if they are still alive, they could be buried further." His grip tightened when the young man attempted to jerk free. "Look around you! There are others who need our help. They are still in danger."

"Then you will condemn them to death?"

"No, I will figure out a way to venture inside without putting them in danger. You are too emotionally involved to assist here. I need you to keep a level head and help the others. Can you do that?"

Joon continued to stare at the cloud of dust kicked up from the cave in.

"Can you do that?" he shouted gaining his attention.

"Yes," he managed out through clenched teeth.

There was a tense moment of silence. Beon slowly let go allowing the young man to leave and tend to the child he had been carrying who was now crying.

"Masaru, Takashi."

Both were at his side in an instant as he turned to face the building once more.

"What are our options?"

His eyes landed on the dark-skinned man.

"Can you teleport them in and out?"

Masaru's head shook. There was no telling where they were and if there was enough space for him to enter. It would do more harm than good to try a rescue attempt in that manner. The leader swore quietly under his breath, glaring at the pile of rubble.

"Takashi, feel them out."

The three of them were stuck in place with very little room to move. Not that they would even attempt it in case it brought what was above crumbling further. Kenta was the only one standing, straining against the heavy rubble. The jutsu barely managed to take effect trying to create a rock dome around them for cover. But it was only halfway completed and wouldn't hold out. Meanwhile, the Be Fong was crouched on hands and knees feeling the rock digging into the spine as the Chakra Strings attempted to lessen the weight.

The strain was great as Kenta cried out and fell to his knees. Asami was crying, lying on the ground and feeling the concrete starting to crush her from the waist down being partially buried. It felt like she was suffocating.

"Found them," Takashi relayed, sensing the chakra. "They're still alive."

"What seems to be the problem then?" Beon asked.

"If we start digging it could place more pressure on them or could trigger another reaction. The foundation under us is already unstable."

"Could we try digging up and under them?" With Takashi and Makoto combining their Earth Jutsus it could be enough.

"We'd have to dig pretty far away so not to cause another disturbance and come right up under them, but we have to hurry. They will run out of air soon."

"Do it."

Mai could feel the sweat dripping down her face. Though the air was damp it grew warmer by the minute. Not just because it felt like their bodies were on fire from the exertion, but the air was thinning out. Asami was already going dizzy with the pressure already placed on her.

"Is there any way to dig out?" she gasped.

"I'd have to let go and we'd be dead," Kenta stated.

Mai could do it too, but needed to remain focused on the strings at the given moment. They squeezed and moved about the rubble carefully so not to accidentally trip another reaction. It was slow going on her part.

Beon could only stand and watch the unmoving destruction. Hope that his team members were found alive. Masaru had left to help search for Makoto in the town to aid Takashi in the rescue mission. Out of the corner of the man's eye he watched Joon moved about, always keeping an eye on the rubble for any signs of his sister. He was becoming impatient and was unable to focus, completely ignoring orders from the others.

"Beon!"

The voice made his head turn, watching as the official came running in his direction.

"I heard there was a collapse. What happened?"

"A tremor triggered it," the leader said. "Your people are safe, but three of mine were caught in it."

The man's eyes widened, looking to the rubble. "We must get digging immediately–!"

"Already being taken care of, but this is a delicate procedure. If your people could stay out of this area for the time being that would be most helpful."

"Of course," and he was off running again to pass on the information. Looking back at the pile for any signs of movement only fifteen minutes had passed, but it felt like a lifetime.

"I can't breathe," Asami gasped.

She was startling to black out and Kenta wasn't doing any better, wheezing beside Mai. Meanwhile, the older teen scrunched her eyes closed. Not that she could see anything in the first place. She was trying to block out the fact that they were trapped in darkness in order to focus on her plan in motion.

"Just... hold on a bit longer," Mai spoke. The more they talked the less oxygen there would be. It was already feeling like a burden to breathe.

"It's crushing me," Kenta wheezed.

Mai was surprised he managed to hold on for this long. If only he could remove a hand to attempt a jutsu they may be better off. But doing so would cause what remained of the dome to crumble and bury Asami completely alive. Finally, the Be Fong had it. The strings were locked in. She could've cried out in relief, but they were not out of danger just yet.

"Hold on," she ordered, the words barely resonating with her half-conscious teammates.

Beon's brows furrowed when seeing something shift in the rubble. He thought it to be a trick of the eye before it happened again. It was pushing against the center where the three had last been spotted causing the mud and debris to fall away like rain sliding down a roof. The debris pulled away lessening the pressure and as more cleared the man could see what the cause of it was. Mai was slowly standing from her crouched position, spine pressed against the earth. It also revealed Asami and Kenta, his jutsu crumbling as he lost consciousness. The strengthening 'shield' made its way between Asami's lower body and the rubble wedging the limbs free. When there was enough of a gap the two of them were jerked through the air out of the danger. They both went flying like rag dolls hitting the ground inches from Beon's feet as he rushed forward bending down beside them.

"Kenta? Asami?"

There was no answer, however, they were breathing as both of their masks were missing sections from the harsh cave in. Looking back up at the Be Fong his eyes widened. He could see what it was that had released them, glowing white and tendril like as they were woven into the ground and floated in the air. There was chakra swirling in the older teen's eyes turning it almost the same color. With a feral cry, the ninja shoved the arms up further, the remains of the building were thrown backwards before she too was being propelled forward overshooting the edge of the building and hitting the ground hard. Her body rolled to a stop.

Beon didn't hesitate to grab both Asami and Kenta's arms and dragged them further from the entrance as what was still standing continued to cave in before it was completely leveled to the ground.

Joon paled at the sight. Having heard the commotion and turning around, the brother watched the remains crumble.

"Oh no," Fumi whispered beside him.

It broke the young man out of his shock as he raced forward, calling out his sister's name desperately. That was when he found Mai's sprawled out figure lying on the ground. He then found their leader standing further away in the company of two others. Rushing forward to his sister's side he scooped her up into his arms and let out a shaky breath to find her still alive.

"They were lucky," the leader stated.

Joon looked to him in relief. The man wasn't staring at him, but across the way. Following his gaze, it was trained on the Be Fong as Fumi approached her with Masaru.

"Sena?" Fumi questioned. Reaching forward she removed the cracked white mask to help her breathe better. "Sena, can you hear me?" A groan was her answer, causing the young woman to sigh in relief. "How are you feeling?"

"Like crap," Mai mumbled, not even opening her eyes. She hadn't felt a strain on her chakra for quite some time. Completely content lying there on the ground resting. Even if it was uncomfortable.

"I'm not surprised."

All were covered in dirt, mud, and cuts, Asami's legs looking the worst where the clothing was shredded in areas due to the rubble digging in and stained it red. Some were even from Mai's strings working around her. Akihiro tended to Kenta, whose back was sore from the strain placed on it and he groaned when the young man peeled away the strips of fabric that still clung to the article of clothing, slowly waking.

Masaru began adjusting Mai in his grasp to carry their member to a healer when she spoke up, "There was a body in there... we were going to retrieve it..." The two shared a look. "Near the back, there's a safe."

"We'll see if we can find it," Fumi stated. She wasn't making any promises given the state of the building.

"I sensed they had surfaced," Takashi said as he and Makoto returned. "Did they all make it?"

The leader looked to the three rogues that were being carried away towards the infirmary tent.

"They survived," Beon said.