Lips of an Angel Chapter 6: Barely Breathing, a naruto fanfic

Author's Note: I must be going wacky. I must. I can't believe I even wrote this chapter! Also-- there are no breaks between the lyrics and the prose in this one. Sorry about that-- when I tried to put the breaks in, it wasn't working. The song is 'Barely Breathing'.

Lips of an Angel

-Barely Breathing-

"Sasuke, I won't be coming back from this mission." Her voice stated, drifting through the air and settling into his intense hearing. "It's a suicide mission—but it's required. "

He watched her fluid movements as she finished fastening the ANBU vest over her chest and placed her rabbit mask atop her skull. She moved to fasten her slick black gloves over slender hands before slipping on the large combat boots the usually adorned her feet.

"Why would Naruto send you…?"

She smiled lightly toward him, adjusting the katana strapped to her back. "He's been debating over it for days—I'm the last person he wanted to send. I volunteered… I'm the only one fit for such a mission. No one else in Konoha can do this."

I know what you're doing, I see it all too clear
I only taste the saline when I kiss away your tears
You really had me going, wishing on a star
But the black holes that surround you are heavies by far
I believed in your confusion, you were so completely torn
Well it must have been that yesterday was the day that I was born
There's not much to examine, there's nothing left to hide
You really can't be serious if you have to ask me why
I say goodbye...

He sighed, turning his head toward the floor—there wasn't anything he could say to deter her. Sasuke had learned not to argue over the choices she made, and just to accept them; she as her own woman, after all. In life there were things that even he had no control over, and she was one of them.

Leaning his back against the door so he was blocking her exit, Sasuke spoke again. "Did you tell them goodbye?"

"They're too young to understand I won't be coming home." She smiled. "But I did write them letters; you can give it them when they're older."

He shook his head. "No. Don't just walk out the door—at least tell them goodbye and goodnight."

There was silence as she piled her scrolls and kunai into the pouch at her hip. "I'll stop in on my way out."

'Cause I am barely breathing, And I can't find the air
I don't know who I'm kidding, imaging you care
And I could stand here waiting, a fool for another day
But I don't suppose it's worth the price, worth the price
The price that I would play

Sasuke changed positions, allowing her to leave the bedroom and step into dimly lit hall. His eyes were closed as she passed, helping to keep his thoughts blockaded in his mind. Listening to the sound of her retreating footsteps tapped at his resolve. He'd trained himself for sacrifices, but how would they react when she didn't come home…?

"Would you mind walking me to the gate?" she questioned lightly. "I'm sure they'll be fine for a while with no one home."

He pushed himself off the frame of the doorway, tossing his hands into his pockets a little too quickly. "You already said goodbye?"

"They're asleep." She responded, pulling her mask over her face. "It's time to go."

Everyone keeps asking, what's it all about?
I used to be so certain, and I can't figure out
What is this attraction? I only feel the pain
There's nothing left to reason and only you to blame
Will it ever change?

They walked in silence down the dirt streets and cobblestone pathways of Konoha. He was pretty sure she was crying behind the ANBU face she placed over her own, and he was positive she was frightened by the way her hands kept clenching.

"Are you angry with me?" she questioned, her voice just a whisper.

"No."

She was quiet for a moment. "We're doing this for you."

He turned to face her, questions written over his face. 'We…?'

Standing in the road up ahead was the other person she had mentioned—he stood tall, his mask still pulled off to the side. The dark color of his short hair blended in with the night sky as he smiled into the distance. He knew they were coming, and nodded in acknowledgement.

"Sai." Sasuke stated.

There was no response from the other man. Sasuke refrained from the glare poking at the back of his eyes and instead focused his untamed rage into clenching his fists. Sai's mask fell into place over his face.

"I'll give you five more minutes, then we need to leave." He stated, shooting off out of sight in the direct of the village gates.

"You're both leaving…?" he questioned her, turning his head toward her petite form. "Why?"

She pulled the mask away, revealing her sea green eyes to his view. "I'm sorry if I'm treading somewhere I shouldn't…"

Without warning, she kissed him.

I've come to find, I may never know
Your changing mind, is it friend or foe?

I rise above, or sink below
With every time, you come and go
Please don't come and go

Sasuke found himself back at his home without the answers he'd wanted—part of him wanted to ring Naruto's neck, and the other half wanted to follow the two ANBU who were traveling toward their end. He slid the doorway open, slipping his sandals off at the entrance. The lights were out, and the children were still asleep. He lit the lantern sitting on the steps, and then began his trek down the hall toward his bedroom.

Without bothering to blow out the lantern, Sasuke sat on the bed and ran his fingers through his hair. What was he supposed to be feeling right now? A woman he'd spent so much of his life with was leaving… she wasn't going to be coming back. Shouldn't he be feeling remorse for himself instead of his children?

To say he wasn't upset would be a lie. Sasuke knew he was expecting too much of himself if he were to say he wouldn't cry.

"Sasuke-kun?"

He looked up as Sakura stepped into the room. There was no motion to meet her halfway, or to say anything back. Seeing her lipstick hair and petite form had cemented his suspicions on Hikari's suicide mission with Sai—and why they were doing it for him.

"She left too?" Sakura stated, trying to seem strong. "Sasuke-kun… I…"

"Do you want to stay tonight?" he asked her, his eyes starting at the floor instead of her face. "I have a feeling neither one of us needs to be alone tonight."

Author's Note: Umm… I hope no one thought it was Sakura who was going to die.

Love and hugs—

Crystal Renee