Title- Ink Cartridge

By- Envo

Disclaimer- Do not own Naruto.


Take Twelve: Nightfall


In his profession, they can't afford any promises. It is an unspoken law; even he is bound to it. She knows the answer, but she asks anyway.

"How long?" How long will this mission last? How long will you be away... how long before you return to me? In the end, the many questions and heartaches collapse into just two simple words as if they alone represents the lump lodge in her throat. As if they are enough to convey the anguish and fear choking the life out of her at the thought of him leaving.

She hopes to herself that tonight, just this once his answer will be different. That she will not have to light another stick of vanilla candle to accompany her during the sleepless nights he is away. She tries hard not to think about the countless containers before the half-emptied box underneath the bed. Maybe, just maybe

"Soon."

But it is always the same.

The coil around her heart tightens. She inhales, her attempt to soothe the heart she knows is bleeding.

The room is silent, so quiet in contrast to the loud clamor in her head. Her fingers curl around the balled bed sheet in her hand before she relaxes her shoulder and flexes stiff digits. She smiles up to the pair of eyes so strangely bright against the equally black backdrop. She doesn't need to add herself to his troubles.

He starts towards her with the same silent steps, the same graceful stride that embodies a large cat's fluid movements. She watches him stop at the edge of her bed, so close that if she reaches out with her hand, she will graze the seams of his button-up shirt. His eyes burn behind the guise of distant coldness, and she feels a pool of warmth well up in her abdomen.

Even in the shroud of midnight, he sees everything and misses nothing.

She closes her eyes at the feel of his long fingers tunneling through her slightly tasseled hair and sighs as it finally settles at the base of her nape. Her skin picks up the overwhelming source of heat nearing, and with a sudden tug at her hair, a pair of thin lips meld themselves onto hers.

There are no fireworks or lighting thunder come booming between their shared breathes. It isn't one of those long, drugging kisses that always leave her light-headed or one so intimately passionate it will have her blushing hours later still. But in their place now is a gentle softness that never surfaced before. With one hand on her nape and the other bracing against her shoulder blades, he easily cages her in. He hovers over her, teases her lips with his teeth, but doesn't press for more. His touches are light, almost as light as a feather that is unwilling to move, to part. She pushes down the prickling sensation at the back of her throat, the sting at the corners of her eyes and arches deeper into his embrace, wishing to stay sheltered in his warmth even for a second's more. If only this second will not come to an end.

She withdraws first. The hand resting at her nape makes a move at stopping her retreat, but she backs away still. The fire is muted behind his eyes when he gives in to her silent request. Disappointment flares, but someone needs to be sane, to be strong. Her hand reaches up and rubs away the faint frown taking root and works a smile up her face. Drawing out the inevitable will only prolong the agony of parting. But she doesn't believe in goodbyes.

"Don't keep me waiting long." Please come back to me.

She carefully schools her expression and her tone into a lighthearted chide as he slowly pulls away, smoothing her hair as his hands fall to his side. There are no sounds, but in her ear she hears herself screaming, pleading.

"Soon."

And she can only nod as he walks towards the door, his silhouette fuses into the folds of darkness, watching and knowing that she may never see him again.


A/N: Trying a star-crossed scenario with a darker flare to it. Hope you enjoyed it!