Chapter 63

Chapter Inspiration: Monument by Röksopp & Robyn [play 00:00-03:05]

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"Good morning," Hinata greeted.

She was relieved to see the guest after days of silence on her end. The Hyuuga hoped that with her being here, she was ready to talk about what happened as Mai stood on the other side of the open door. However, she was dressed in uniform. Hinata's smile fell a bit. Talking didn't appear to be on the agenda today.

"Do you have a mission today? I thought you were still on leave?"

"Change of plans," the Be Fong answered.

"Well, would you like to come in for a little bit?"

"Sure."

Moving through the compound the two came to the sitting room. The Hyuuga slide the door open.

"Shino, we have company."

Mai froze before stepping inside. The bug expert lounged on the larger couch on the far side of the room. His attention shifted towards them and the Phantom Ninja hung back. This was not part of the plan. Hinata was supposed to be alone–

"Mai?"

The two noticed her hesitation. Shino took in the calculating look in her eyes. Something was up.

"Sorry," she apologized. The Be Fong took a seat.

The Hyuuga offered a cup of hot tea as the silence carried on.

"Where are you heading?" Hinata asked.

"I need to do some clean up outside the border," Mai answered. "There's a criminal presence hanging around that the Hokage wants to be rid of."

"Is it safe?" Shino questioned.

The serial killers were still out there and there had been no recent word on their whereabouts. These individuals could be lying in wait for the perfect moment for the Village to screw up by sending her out beyond the walls. Especially when it seemed no one else could handle the matter besides the Be Fong. Then there was the latest interaction they had during training... this whole situation made the Aburame wary. Nervous even that she may still be a bit... unstable.

"Yes. Otherwise, the higher-ups wouldn't have approved it."

"How long will you be away?" Hinata asked.

"Hopefully not long. It's not too far... but sometimes there are unexpected changes if the target moves position."

"That's understandable–"

"Why did you come by?" Shino interrupted Hinata.

Instantly the Be Fong was on guard.

"We were supposed to enjoy an afternoon off," Mai simply stated. It was the truth. Before what happened with Kiba the two friends made plans. "I came by for a rain check."

"You're not telling the whole truth."

One of Mai's brows slightly rose. The gig was up and knew it was useless to keep up the charade any longer. They weren't inexperienced Genin that could easily be tricked.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here, so this changes things... somewhat."

"What are you talking about?" Hinata questioned.

Mai sighed, "Listen carefully."

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When Kakashi woke the next morning, he didn't find it odd that the house was empty. It usually was, as the Jounin folded the blanket and placed it neatly on the cushions. Changing back into uniform he paused for a moment before turning to stare at the wall beside him. The wood was splintered. And not in a way where a piece of furniture accidentally bumped against it in the process of moving. Fingertips brushing against the wood the edges were obviously sanded down and it was deep meaning the hit was a rather violent one. When had that happened?

His eyes traveled further down the wall finding more nicks as he went, even on different walls... and a few furniture pieces. Thinking back to the last time he had visited none of this had been present. Did Mai and Sasuke have a fight? He'd rather not think about it. After all there were no physical signs of an altercation. At least nothing visible to his eyes but the Be Fong wore clothing that nearly covered every inch of her. Head shaking, the Jounin sighed heavily.

What on earth is going on, Mai?

This couldn't continue. He needed to find her, talk to her, get some answers for once in his life that made sense. Because he was growing increasingly worried for the Be Fong. Kakashi needed to find Mai sooner rather than later. The young man left the home and made his way towards the center of the Village. He checked out the various team hangouts, and few areas the Jounin came to know that were Mai's favorite places to hide away from everyone else. When trying to relax by enjoying the quiet scenery or meditate. Nothing. Either the young woman was aware he was trying to find her and was hiding in the shadows as always or he was actually far off in his search. Maybe this entire time Kakashi managed to do a complete loop of the Village Mai had returned home? His stomach growled loudly having missed breakfast. The Jounin ducked under the overhang of a stand to find something to eat.

It was a little after midday when Kakashi began to make his way back towards the Be Fong's home. He took a detour around the main market. A familiar voice sounded ahead, glancing up from the book in hand. Team 10, Team 8, Team 7, and Team Gai were gathered talking among themselves. However, the closer he drew, the Jounin noticed their worried and confused expressions. They were speaking quickly, conversing back and forth in a way that made the young man realize they were looking for answers. To what though?

"Something up?" His voice made their heads snap in his direction.

Hinata was nearly in tears, stating, "I can't find Mai."

"I was just looking for her, but I'm sure she's around–"

"She performed a jutsu that rendered Hinata and I unconscious and disappeared," Shino pointed out.

Kakashi's heart dropped. For a second time Mai turned on allies, but it had to be a misunderstanding. Yet there was a part in the back of his mind that told him they weren't lying.

"You make it sound like she's not in the Village."

"We've checked all of the obvious places."

"Except her house," Sakura stated.

"I just came from there this morning," the Jounin said.

"Do you remember anything else?" Shikamaru asked.

"Our memory is still a little foggy," Shino said.

Something wasn't right.

"Search the Village," Kakashi ordered. "And take one of my hounds. That way we can communicate and find her scent faster."

The young man wasted no time approaching Mai's home once more, Pakkun sniffing the surrounding area. Maybe he had just missed her. Mai could have returned after her encounter with Hinata and Shino.

"The scent is old," the dog spoke. "She hasn't been here since early this morning."

There was only one other place he could think of to search for Mai's whereabouts.

"Kakashi, to what do I owe this visit?" Belva questioned. She was sitting on the porch with a cup of tea when they appeared.

"Mai is missing."

The woman cocked a brow. "Are you sure she's not taking some time for herself? The two of you were training rather hard yesterday."

"Mai used a jutsu on two of her friends that rendered them unconscious. No one has been able to find her since this morning. She's still on strict orders to not leave the Village... and it's now starting to look like she's disobeyed those orders."

A grave look came to the older woman's face at this news. "I haven't seen her."

"I've got her scent," Pakkun spoke up.

"Where?" he asked.

"Inside."

They followed the dog into the house towards the back before the animal halted, scratching at the floor. Belva didn't hesitate to throw open the secret hatch and descended into the floor. Kakashi followed quickly. The lights turned on and the mug slipped from the woman's grasp, shattering. There were weapons missing on the walls that had been there earlier. Mai was now armed to the teeth to cause serious harm meaning the young woman would try going beyond the wall. And with her Teleportation Jutsu... slipping outside of Konoha was easier than ever.

"It's her scent alright," Pakkun said.

"Damn it," Kakashi grumbled, eye narrowing. The ninja rushed up the stairs again. "Pakkun, rally the others. This is an emergency. We'll meet at the gate."

Below ground, Belva listened to the retreating howls of the dog. Teeth clenching, body shaking, she was overcome with emotion.

"What have I done?" the older woman whispered.

They had trained for this. These last two days... it all made sense. Mai was only practicing to be sure she was ready to go beyond the walls and hunt without permission. She only prayed that her pupil was all right.

"What did you find?" Shino questioned.

"Mai visited Belva's house and gathered weapons. For what reason remains unknown, but it's safe to assume she's left the Village."

"I remember why," the Hyuuga spoke up. Their eyes immediately went to her.

"Are you sure?" Shino asked.

"My head's feeling a bit clearer now."

"What is it?" Naruto asked.

"She... had a theory about something," the female ninja said. "While Mai was out on her infiltration mission regarding a rogue faction called No Face, she witnessed the death of the leader, and came face-to-face with whoever did it. She's left to hunt them down near the border."

"Right..." Shino remembered. "She called it a 'clean up'."

"Is she out of her mind?" Sakura shouted. "Mai will get herself killed! There's a reason the Hokage told her to stay here!"

Hinata took a deep breath. "I know... She's horribly outnumbered and if they were able to take out all the members of No Face–"

"Mai could die," Naruto concluded. "Does this killer have a name?"

"No," she whispered. "She didn't give a name."

The Jounin's expression grew serious. "This is no longer a matter that can wait to be taken to the Hokage. We need to act now."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Naruto exclaimed. "We all in this together. Mai needs our help." Even if she didn't want it.

"I agree," Shikamaru added.

"Everyone, inform the Hokage what is going on. Team 7 you're with me. Pakkun will follow her scent. For all we know, the two sides have already engaged."

As Team 7 left, the others rushed to inform the Hokage. Hinata and Shino stayed behind at the gates a moment longer.

"We didn't tell them everything," he stated.

"I know," Hinata whispered as they stared at the retreating backs of Team 7. "But how could I tell them...? I can hardly believe it myself."

That Sasuke was the serial killer all along. And that the members of Taka were in on it. How they were killing off rogues to prevent another Akatsuki from taking shape. Even if these rogues weren't ordered to be hunted yet.

"Why?"

"Because I'm hoping she's wrong. That it was all a trick of the eye in the heat of battle."

In times of war, it was common to see loved ones that weren't really there. Hallucinate about things you never wished to see. Especially in stressful situations. Nightmares were a cruel thing.

"Sasuke loves her, even if he didn't know she was there," Hinata said. "Why risk becoming a criminal again?"

That would only mean they couldn't be together, especially if he was caught.

"Mai's hunting the serial killers that eliminated innocent rogues. I'm just afraid she'll get hurt."

Because she was becoming... unstable, which was very unsettling. Even if the Be Fong always managed to return home seemingly unharmed, the Hyuuga had a bad feeling, rubbing an arm in thought.

"Come on, we should go to the Hokage," Shino said. [song ends]