Fallen for the beauty of success

A/N: An adaptation from Edgar Allan Poe's story "The Portrait".

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Over the years, many artists tried to capture the beauty of many women. Some succeeded, but, not one was enough to measure up to the work of the great Uchicha Sasuke. His work was to a large extent cherished and his fame grew by the minute.

Besides the fame and talent, the other light in his life was his dear wife, Uchicha Tenten whom he treasured so. She was a beautiful flower with delicate traces that made most men desire her. Tenten was blessed also with captivating almond eyes, silk-like chocolate brown hair and always a gentle smile on those thin, peach colored lips.

Tenten loved and supported her husband at all times and, although she acknowledged his talent, there was something that she didn't was fond of about his art. Painting had consumed most of Sasuke's life and literally took him from her. He'd always be busy with his job and never paid attention to her.

She could leave him and devote herself to someone else, but she loved him too much to be able to abandon him. Since the day she met him in a daisy-filled meadow where they fell instantly in love and swore to devote themselves to each other, or so it was supposed to be.

So, when he asked to do her portrait she felt both joy and anger, but being the loyal wife she was, she said yes.

And so, for many weeks there she sat still, watching him, completely absorbed by his work.

Although she felt a vast amount of sadness inside her, she would continue smiling, never frowning, because she knew how much he loved his work, even more than her.

Sasuke only saw her smile, that so genuine smile of hers and though that the painting would be perfect, combining his two treasured things. What he did not see was that she grew weaker as the days went by. He did not notice the change that was happening in front him.

He being used to lock himself in his work room, with only a dim light provided by one candle was not bothered by hunger or thirst, but she wasn't. He did not remember that.

Some saw the half finished work, complimenting how natural and astonishing it was. And those who saw it did not ask about her, only about him. She noticed this, but hid her pain and continued smiling. There, still, alone with her thoughts.

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Almost finished with his work Sasuke did not take his eyes of the painting not even to look at her. He by now knew her so well that felt no need to look at her. Sasuke, once again did not notice that the glow Tenten once had in her face was replaced by paleness.

After the last stroke of the brush on her lips, Sasuke stopped and looked amazed at the painting. This was by far his best work.

Almost shocked, he said: "The painting is alive!" He smiled.

Finally looking at his wife he felt a twinge in his heart and all of a sudden tears dripped down his face.

Tenten was dead.