This is a companion piece to "Silence", from Sasuke's POV. So, that perhaps Silence isn't SO one-sided. :) I just couldn't resist. The lyrics are from Jesse McCartney's "Right Back In The Water". Yeah, I'm a fan. :)

So, here we go!

Distance

"I try to walk away, but, I keep tellin' myself she's the one for me."

Crows crossed his line of vision as he stared ahead unblinkingly toward the horizon, stoically refusing to turn around. Yet, against his will he glances back at her and his mind snaps a mental picture, to store away in the darkest corners of his mind. He'll need her light to guide him back from the dark. Her head is hung, her back turned from him resolutely, and his chest burns with a foreign pain. Doubt causes his steps to falter, and he knows that if he stops, he will never leave. Confessions will spill from his lips like the blood that flows through his veins.

Some words are best unsaid.

He quickens his footsteps as the distance between them widens, and he finds himself watching the tangerine clouds drift across the boundless sky. He winces when he hears her call his name, her voice breaking with the pressure of emotion. A knot forms in his throat as he imagines her tears falling to the dirt. Her name sounds under his breath, like a prayer to Kami that she would forgive him.

Inhale.

His last chance with her is behind him, and the thought leaves his heart aching. He loves her, he knows now, but, this love is so harmful. Composed of tears, and broken promises. It was careless, emotions played with like toys, and he couldn't stand to hurt her anymore. His heart dreamed impossible dreams, where he could love her freely, without the specter of his brother glaring over his shoulder. Without always looking behind him.

Not everything is supposed to come true.

Years could pass, and he'd never see her face again. But, then again it could be anytime, anywhere. If he saw her again, he wouldn't ever walk away. It was his hope that she'd forgive him. His hope fainter than his inner light shining so dim in the darkness. He hoped she'd still love him. That she'd still need him.

Hopefully.

For now, he'd keep her smile. His bright, loving memories of her.

He faces the sunset, his forehead still tingling with the rapture of her kiss. His onyx eyes close tightly to store the feeling far within his heart. He whispers a goodbye against the wind before he no longer sees her figure, not daring to look to back again, for fear he would do something he would regret. He walks away, but his mind stays with her, as does his heart.

Exhale.

"'Cause her love is so contagious it keeps pullin' me in, we were meant to be."