Authors Note: Well it seems I need to tone down my language, and so that is what I am going to do. Perhaps this story will be smoother and less verbose then my other two stories. I hope that this one is enjoyable for everyone and I will try to weave my old style into this story. Anyway I hope that you enjoy this story. Please don't hate me because it is a death fic. Please Listen to Annie Lennox's song Into the West

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, nor do I claim the song Into the West. This is rated R for now…have no fear there will be a sequel. As I said before this is a death tale, I have been thinking about this for awhile and I have worked up the courage to write and put it forth publicly. This has absolutely no ties to Waltz of Stars, or Mercury Falling, I will provide links to these other stories if you wish read them or re-read them again. Please review this to tell me how I am doing, if I am less verbose, and most important if you enjoyed it or not.

Humble Author, P.S. THERE WILL BE A SEQUAL TO THIS…..

Mirth

Lament of Stars

Did You Read the Authors Note? Please listen to Into the West while you read this story

Lay down, your sweet and weary head.

Night is falling. You have come to journey's end

A fractured sob shattered the night, heavy with grief…wispy and broken. It was a mangled sound that curled to the cold heavens, and faded with the last dying fingers of the sun.

"Iruka…,"

A severed plea that was unheard, whispered against the creeping night warding against the darkness, feigning death's cruel embrace.

Sleep now

And dream of the ones who came before

They are callingFrom across the distant shore

"Iruka it's alright…rest,"

Autumn eyes that once shimmered with the golden threads of life, laughter, and lust were faded, their vivid essence trickling away with each shallow breath. Love still lingered there, a fiery ember that refused be choked away by bleak hands of dissolution. A sigh fell from lips stained with blood, a request for one last kiss.

"Kashi…I can hear the shore…faintly,"

Why do you weep

What are these tears,

Upon your face?

Tears spilled, unheeded from azure, and scarlet eyes, slipping down a handsome face twisted with grief.

Flinching when trembling fingers traced these twin paths of sorrow leaving behind trails of dark scarlet….

Soon you will see

All of your fears

Will pass away

A shutter tore though Iruka's body and he arched in Kakashi's lap gasping, a moan trickling from between cracked lips.

The weak light in Iruka's eyes flickered, then dulled...

"I-Iruka…don't be fearful…I am here…don't be afraid."

"I am not...you are here with me...makes it...alright."

Safe in my arms

Your only sleeping

"Kashi I'm trying to hold on…but I am so…tired,"

Kakashi's vision blurred and a sob ripped through his body threatening to slice his throat, and consume him.

"Stubborn sensei…I told you to sleep….you…you're safe now."

"If I sleep…you won't kiss me anymore…,"

"I will be here when you open your eyes, and then I will kiss you…sleep,"

What can you see

On the horizon

Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea a pale moon rises

The ships have come to carry you home

Moonlight spilled from the heavens, ethereal and forgiving, spreading her fingers over Iruka's torn body while the stars wept silver tears of anguish.

"Wish you…could come with me…."

Kakashi's world broke with whisper lingering of Iruka's last breath. His death sigh swirled up into the into the seething mercury of the skies.

"I love you…."

And all will turn

To silver glass

A light on the water

All souls pass

Into the west