Chapter 62

Chapter Inspiration: Brave Enough by Lindsey Stirling feat. Christina Perri

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The Be Fong waited in Konoha for two days. During that time, she sought out Belva and Kakashi on her own to train. Neither brought up the sparring incident and the ninja didn't flaunt her newfound Teleportation Jutsu in front of them. Mai knew the woman was aware of it though, not putting it past Kakashi to share. Besides, Belva knew better than to argue at this point because it wouldn't change anything. They meditated and moved throughout the Village using the Chakra Strings with speeds and patterns pretending to capture targets that posed as trashcans and sacks of potatoes.

It wasn't like out in the field, but the young woman was certain if she asked anyone to step in, they would all say no. Well, maybe Naruto or Hinata would agree... but she didn't want to put them in a situation where they felt like they had to. Not after what they witnessed.

Kakashi was a little more hesitant to train with her. Not because he was afraid. Because the Jounin didn't know what kind of mindset she was still in.

"I know I messed up, that I shouldn't let things get to me, but I have triggers... and I'm working on them," Mai said when he hesitated to agree. "Especially since I am here until the serial killers are found."

"You don't need any more training," he stated.

"Maybe not... but it gives me something to do. I can't just sit around."

"You should try it once in a while. Some people find it relaxing." Kakashi sighed, head shaking. "Very well. We'll go to one of the back training grounds so we aren't bothered."

They trained well into the evening of the second day, long and hard till the both of them were left panting. The Be Fong's place was closer to rest, offering the Jounin food and something to drink after he showered and changed in a spare of clothing kept lying around. She went for a shower soon after and upon finishing discovered he had fallen asleep stretched out on the couch. The young man was in deep when he didn't even shift as she threw a blanket over him.

It was completely silent as Mai ate, before moving out to the porch and taking in the calm atmosphere. Tomorrow was the day the old members of Taka would meet up. She would leave in the early morning. There was no telling when they would reach the forest and wanted to be sure she was able to set up. Watch the perimeter, even if they took hours to appear.

She found herself in the living room late that evening, staring at the occupied couch. Kakashi looked peaceful, content, at ease. Sasuke had told her once before she looked the same when he woke up beside her. At first the young woman didn't believe him, but upon seeing a similar expression on his face when on the off chance she woke before him... she began to wonder if it was possible for her to feel that way. Even when asleep. It must be nice. Resting a hand on the arm of the couch the ninja's fingers accidentally brushed against the tips of the Jounin's spiked hair freezing for a moment to be sure she didn't disturb him. There was no reaction on his part as he continued to slumber.

He slept over her home many times before. Mostly after the war, like Naruto on occasion, when Sasuke wasn't visiting. And never once did the Jounin remove the mask covering the lower face. Despite Team 7's antics from when the four of them were Genin. To even now when Sakura and Naruto grew bored, managing to rope in Sai as well, Mai knew they snuck throughout Konoha attempting to discover what the Jounin actually looked like. Being a member of Phantom, the Be Fong accidentally caught him mask free. Of course, the Jounin didn't know that fact. The young woman couldn't understand why he wore the mask. There was nothing wrong with his face, no horrible scars to hide or out of place facial features to be insecure of. In fact, many would consider Kakashi to be rather handsome.

Mai bent down, staring at the young man's upturned face, observing it carefully. At some point, she realized Kakashi held feelings for her. She didn't know when that started... A part of the Be Fong hated herself for that, being so blind to others' feelings when it came to any type of affection, concern, even love in any type of way. After taking a moment to be sure the Jounin was indeed asleep, Mai closed the space between them, lips lightly pressing against his forehead, lids falling shut.

Could she love him like Sasuke if given the chance? If her life wasn't so complicated and messed up? If she were someone else...?

The Be Fong waited. And waited. And waited to feel something. Anything... But nothing came.

Tears began to form behind the eyelids out of anger and hopelessness. With a shuddered breath the Be Fong pulled away. Trying to hold back sobs that wished to escape. The young woman's jaw clenched, eyes squeezing tightly shut. She couldn't do it. As much as she wished to, Mai could not let go of her feelings for Sasuke.

I'm sorry, the ninja thought. I'm so sorry.

Why couldn't things be easier? Why was everything always a struggle? Why when everything seemed to be going right things were ripped from her grasp? Why couldn't she be happy?

"I will kill Sasuke."

Mai blinked at the memory...

"My decision is final."

The Raikage's voice rang in her ears. When Yamato, Kakashi, Naruto, and herself managed to catch up with him during one of their many attempts to try and save the Uchiha before the Kage Summit. When it was thought Taka kidnapped and delivered the host Killer Bee to the Akatsuki. Before the war when the young man was a known criminal to all nations.

"How desperate are you for revenge?" Mai asked.

"I won't stop until I kill him," the Raikage answered, looking over a shoulder.

"Naruto is right. Killing brings hate. What nearly happened to Konoha is a result of that. He's trying to save your damn lives – innocent lives – and you completely disregard that for one criminal."

"I don't care. He took my brother. That means war. Sasuke will die by my hand if I see fit."

The Phantom Ninja reached up to remove the mask.

"Mai–!"

Kakashi stopped Yamato from interfering. She was doing this to make a point. The Raikage and Be Fong stared one another down.

"What about those who are willing to get revenge on his death, and end up attacking Kumogakure?"

His eyes narrowed. "Are you now threatening my Village?"

"I'm talking about Akatsuki, who wouldn't hesitate to level Kumogakure to put the Village in its place; below them."

The Raikage was taken back, thinking this over. He hadn't considered that.

"Raikage... what will you do when they come knocking at your door?"

He couldn't answer.

"I'll tell you exactly what will happen, for we've witnessed it ourselves. Kumogakure will meet a similar fate as Konoha. But this time, Akatsuki won't be so forgiving. They won't bring people back from the dead from a change of heart. Everything you've built will be destroyed if the hatred does not stop here. So I ask, will you let it burn?"

"You have no right–!" Karui shouted.

She was stopped by Samui's hand. The ninja realizing the man was at a loss for words. Which was a rare feat.

"Lord Raikage, we're going to be late," a ninja spoke up.

His train of thought was broken, nodding in response. "What is your name?" the Raikage asked.

"Mai Be Fong."

The man's eyes widened. "Then I take it Belva is your sensei."

"And Kakashi Hatake."

Again, he nodded. "If Sasuke Uchiha were to come at you with killing intentions or threaten those close to you, what would you do?"

"It's already too late for that, Lord Raikage. He drove a sword right through my back with the intent to end my life."

Those from Kumogakure were startled by this information.

"Obviously you have more tolerance for betrayal."

"No, I just choose not to act on it just yet. I have patience for the right moment when others will not be harmed. When someone doesn't have to feel the consequences of my actions."

"Hmm..." He turned away. "I won't change my mind. I will kill Sasuke. I guess it is up to you to make sure those in Konoha don't burn when they wish to come looking for revenge."

Yes, back then Mai had patience, but it was running out. The Raikage was right. It was up to her to be sure that Konoha didn't burn because of the Uchiha. She was not about to allow all of their hard work to unite the nations and create peace to burn to the ground for someone's blind ambition for the impossible. The situation had to be handled swiftly. Before there was a swell of panic among the countries and another possible civil war trying to hunt down these serial killers.

Now came the hardest part as Mai stood in the kitchen with paper and a pen lying on the counter top, staring at the blank surface. How could she write down everything she wished to say into one letter regarding what she was about to do? [song ends]