Author's Notes: I think I finally figured out how I'm going to tell this story smiles I'm doing it through song! throws fist in the air Now I can continue it without feeling bad about no updating Sacrifice because… well… I can only write when I come up with an idea due to a song. I'm such a genius. Anyway, I want to alert everyone that this story will not be told in chronological order. It's going to be very random, different scenes from different times and parts of the story.

Lips of an Angel

-- Bliss (I Don't Want to Know) --


'I'll go ahead and pour myself a drink
I really couldn't care less what you think
Well I don't have to listen now
Live this day down
If I can't feel a thing'


Raising her hand to grab the bartender's attention, Sakura ordered up her fourth bottle of sake. She'd given up on allowing someone else to pour for her during the second bottle; they just weren't fast enough. Considering she wasn't much of a drinker, she had a bad habit of overdoing it when she did drink. Tonight was one of those times. Of course, she had an excuse for coming in that night, just as she always did.

"Sakura… you need to stop."

"Shut up." She poured the sake into her cup, then tossed it back into her throat without a second though. "I don't have to listen to you."

The man beside her ran his hand through his hair. She had always been a complicated, frustrating woman—enraged by the smallest things. Although she had a reason to be angry, he refused to admit it. Sasuke had too much pride to accept that her drinking binge was fueled by his own stupidity. He probably wouldn't have known she had been sitting in the bar for the last hour if Naruto hadn't told him. Sakura never seemed to be the type of girl who would drink herself into an emotionless oblivion.

"I need another bottle."

Too frightened to protest her request (there was already a hole in the counter from his previous attempt), the bar tender served her as she requested. Sakura's green eyes were glazed over, and her hand swayed a bit before it landed on the bottle. It was enough to let a small smile out, albeit fake.


'You might as well save your goodbyes
We can give this train wreck one last ride
I'm gonna have to listen now
Live this day down
If I don't make things right
I'll tell you one last time'


Sasuke grabbed her wrist. "This isn't helping things, Sakura."

"I don't care. It makes me stop thinking about you."

He pulled the bottle from her grasp, setting it far from her reach. When he stopped to think about it, he didn't know what kind of drunk Sakura truly was. Playing with fire wasn't something he was unfamiliar with, but an angry Sakura was never fun. His eyes watched her mannerisms. The tautness of her facial muscles and the way she clenched her fists were obvious signs of her anger.

"I don't like seeing you like this."

The words just slipped out; Sasuke almost regretted them. Sakura sighed, setting her elbows on the counter and slamming her head into her hands. There was no sobbing from within her makeshift coven, but Sasuke was positive she was crying. He didn't blame her. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he coaxed her into a calm state.

She removed her head from her hands, allowing her void eyes to stare blankly at her empty glass. "What did you come here for?"

"Naruto told me you were upset."

"Can you blame me?" she shrieked, turning herself to face him. "I spent my whole life trying to become stronger so I could bring you back here, and instead you wander back with a baby and a wife! What was the point of me doing all this growing for you?"


'I don't wanna know it's over
So save your goodbye kiss
I don't wanna know it's over
Cause ignorance is bliss
I can hardly see
What's in front of me
Cause the vodka's running on empty
I can't stay sober
If it's over
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)
So save your goodbye kiss
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)'


Sasuke wasn't sure what to say. He hadn't expected to be rushed into Konoha hospital when he walked into the village; he also hadn't expected Sakura to be his responding nurse. The Hokage had yet to sort things out with his case, but had granted him amnesty under the oath that he would remain in the village and under the watchful eye of ANBU at all times until she could figure out what do with him. After that meeting, Tsunade sent him to the hospital for an overall check up on his health.

When his pink haired teammate walked in the room, everything stopped.

That had been a month ago. He and Sakura hadn't spoken since. According to Naruto, she had spent most of her time submersed in outrageous studying and drinking. It had been his suggestion to visit the bar she frequented. Sasuke hadn't expected to find her as shattered as he had.

"I… I wish things could have been different, too." He responded.

"Oh, that's wonderful." Sakura's snide remark filled the air. "It's not going to change the fact that I wasted a decade of my life trying to find you, bring you back, and help you heal. Someone else who I've never met did it instead, and you willingly went along with it. Now you have a family; I'm happy that your content for once…"

Sasuke lifted a hand. "Don't say it."

"No, you're going to hear me out."


'I woke up with a heartbeat in my head
I reached for the bottle by the bed
I saw your side was not slept in
Cold sheets again
Remind me of what you said
We need to take a break for a while
It's been so long since I smiled
I don't wanna listen now
Live this day down
With you so drunk and high
So I'll say goodbye'


Sakura was silent for a few minutes, obviously contemplating the tongue-lashing she was about to administer upon him. He watched her turn toward him, flashing her angry eyes upon his face. Pent up tears of frustration brimmed on the edges of her eyes, threatening to fall along with her speech. Regret rooted itself deep in Sasuke's heart as he watched the emotions playing across her face. The sense of betrayal she felt was obvious in her glare.

"I never promised you anything Sakura, you know that." He countered. "I never said I was coming back for you."

Her jaw dropped before she composed herself once more. "Dammit Sasuke, I don't care! That doesn't matter to me!"

"You know I feel bad."

"I thought you would understand better than this. How am I supposed to accept the fact that everything I've been fighting for is over? I've spent years of my life focusing on you, trying to become a better person. I've grown so much… and in the end, you moved on without me. Do you know how that makes me feel, Sasuke? It may just be the alcohol that's making me so angry, but I know I feel lost now. What was the purpose of all the time and effort I put into growing as a kunoichi and a human being? I feel like I have no point anymore!"

Sasuke turned his gaze toward her hands as they gripped the countertop, denting the stone with her vice-like grip.


'I don't wanna know it's over
So save your goodbye kiss
I don't want to know it's over
Cause ignorance is bliss
I can hardly see
What's in front of me
Cause the vodka's running on empty
I can't stay sober
If it's over'


Sakura stretched over his arm to grab a hold of the sake bottle. Taking a swig, she gulped the liquid down and smashed the container in her hands. She hated him as much as she still loved him. There were so many conflicting emotions within her heart and head. Everything was pulling her into different directions, and neither said was releasing its grip. She was stuck.

"I don't blame you for being angry, but don't think this is the way I wanted things to turn out."

"What do you mean?" she inquired. "You're not making any sense."

"Hikari doesn't mean as much to me as you think." He responded.

She snorted. "Either way, you still married her and she bore your child. There's no room for me in your life anymore."


'I don't wanna know it's over
So save your goodbye kiss
I don't wanna know it's over
Cause ignorance is bliss
Now I know I can't stay sober
Cause you left me here like this
I don't wanna know
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)
So save your goodbye kiss
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)
(I don't wanna know)
Cause ignorance is bliss
I can hardly see
What's in front of me
Cause the vodka's running on empty
I can't stay sober
If it's over
If it's over
I don't wanna know
If it's over
If it's over
I don't wanna know'


"I wish that was true." Sasuke admitted. "I wouldn't mind shoving you out completely and forgetting everything. It would make things a lot easier and less annoying."

Sakura glared. "Then do it. You have the power to leave, just like you did before."

"I'd love to, but it's not an option anymore." He answered.

"Oh, now you learned that running away doesn't solve a thing. Bravo!"

Sighing, Sasuke stood up. "There are some things that never leave, no matter how much you try to push them away. Even if I run, you'll still infest my head."

Watching him turn away, Sakura's eyes fell to the floor. This wasn't what she expected to be doing upon Sasuke's return to Konoha. Arguing with her friends always left a bitter taste in the back of her throat; this one was enhanced with the lingering flavor of her liquor choice. Despite the woozy feeling in her head, she forced herself to stand and reach out for him.

She didn't want to lose him again.

"Sasuke…"

He didn't turn around. With his hands inside his pockets, Sasuke stopped his trip to the door.

"Besides… I don't want to say goodbye to you again. It hurt enough the first time."

Without another word, Sasuke walked out the door.


Author's Notes: Woo… I hope you all enjoyed this little installment. Remember to review!

Love and hugs—

Crystal Renee