Prompt: "Illusionary Sky"

"Mommy," Sasuke whispered. "What's up there?"

A small arm shot up, chubby finger wiggling at the passing clouds.

"Why, Sasuke, heaven's up there." She bent down and nuzzled his soft raven hair, breathing in deeply. His delicious baby smell filled her nostrils.

He giggled, squirming. "Mmm…heaven, Kaa-san? 'Tat the blue stuff up there?"

She laughed. "Nah, that's just the sky."

"But I tot you said it was heaven!" He tugged on her long skirt, eyes briefly catching on the familiar Uchiha symbol embroidered on the beautifully tailored cloth.

Mikoto gently unraveled his grip. She paused. "Heaven…you can only go after you leave this world, darling. The sky is the closest you can get while still on this earth, baby. If you're good, you'll get to go to heaven someday, okay? So just wait and be a good little boy."

"M'kay. Sasuke'll be good." A wide smile stretched across his innocent face.

--

"Thank you so much for the interview, Sasuke-sama! We all love your music and movies. Have you considered becoming a model? Of course…I understand about your brother, but…not all models—" The chubby man that had shoved a microphone in his face quivered under his cold stare.

Fangirls screamed in the background, pushing and shoving with manicured nails for a better look at the great "Sasuke-kun".

--

Sasuke carefully shut the door behind him and heard its satisfying click.

He pulled out a "custom-made" cigarette. After lighting it with trembling fingers he took a long drag.

No one knew of this except his manager, who didn't care as long as he kept raking in the money. After all, he was just another pretty face for the magazines.

Sasuke shuddered, body trembling with delight and satisfaction. Another drag to prolong the effect and euphoria was hastily taken before relaxing and falling onto his couch.

"I stood on my tippy-toes to wave at the clouds." He paused, carefully smiling his camera-ready smile, then giggled and sighed. "I climbed and climbed and flew so high…but…Kaa-san, the sky just wasn't there. It just wasn't there…but don't worry. I'm coming. I'm coming, okay? You won't have to wait any longer. I'll be right there.

I love you."

--

Sasuke Uchiha, teen heart-throb, never showed up at the studio. He reportedly died of a car accident, his motorcycle smashed by a passing truck.

--

Sakura Haruno, freelance reporter, visited the site of the crash. She knew that the scars on his cut-up body were not from any passing truck.

Close up, he didn't look quite as perfect. There were bags under his eyes, and his clothes hung lose on his frame. His hair wasn't made of silk, and yes, his eyes were just dark, dark brown.

Of course. Digital airbrushing did wonders.

But, she thought, he had never looked more beautiful. For once, the smile on his thin lips wasn't for someone else.

AN: Yes...more angst! ANGST! And that stuff he was smoking? It was crack. Poor Sasuke-kun was getting high. The way I wrote it doesn't seem quite right. Any of you know a better way to put it...?
Once again, this is unbetaed (my betas are going through some hard times so I don't blame them). If you see any mistakes, give a few pointers! Help and suggestions are always appreciated. And if you enjoyed it, drop a review--it's nice to know that people are actually reading your story.

Sneak Peek:

"I'm sorry, Sakura." He was mumbling.

"Shut up. You're an angel, Sasuke. I'm dead, so save me." She states this simply, in a matter-of-fact way, clear-proud-strait-demanding.

He laughs. "I'm no angel."