The Singer's Tale (REWRITING)

Death.... It's Always Hard To Take.

:(

@~Third Person~@

Atsu's body relaxed and she toppled over, breaking the silence that covered the air. Sakura's hand flew to her mouth and she sobbed, tears flowing down her cheeks. Naruto sniffled and large waterfalls also fell down his cheeks. Kakashi was frozen, his hand still in its same position as hot tears fell from his eyes and dripped onto Atsu's corpse.

"Atsu!!" Naruto cried and picked Atsu up, hugging her close to him, "Wake up, Atsu-chan.... Your too strong t-to.... t-to...." Naruto sobbed and held Atsu's cold body closer to him, his tears dripping onto her head.

"A-Atsu..." Kakashi fell to his knees and held his face in his hands, "I-I'm so sorry.... P-Please..." He sobbed as Haku and Zabuza stood frozen in front of the pair.

Suddenly, Gato appeared with his thugs and started to yell at the group. Naruto looked up at the two other ninja, "She died for you.... She said she didn't even like us..... What about me, huh? I thought you were my best friend, Atsu-chan!" Naruto sobbed before holding onto Atsu tightly.

Tears started to fall from Haku and Zabuza's eyes and dripped onto Atsu's legs, staining her clothing, "She barely knew us.... Yet she still..." Haku sniffled and Zabuza wiped away his tears grudgingly before turning to Gato, "I might as well kill this fat ass for her at least..." Zabuza growled and ran towards Gato, determined to kill him. Haku followed close after and as did Kakashi.

@~Atsu~@

I sat in a bright room once again, this time, I was sitting in front of two rabbits. One was a bright white, while the other was a midnight black. Kaguya suddenly appeared behind the two rabbits, a frown placed on her lips.

"I was hoping we'd never have to meet here...." Kaguya whispered and I furrowed my eyebrows, "Where is here, exactly?"

"You are in the drift between life and death, I call it the Drift for short," Kaguya explained and I stared at her, "Here, people decide on either death or life. Only few whom have died at the wrong moments in time are allowed to visit the Drift."

"Then why are you here?" I asked suspiciously and Kaguya coughed lightly.

"I was getting to that. I'm here since I am a big figure in your mind. Anyone whom enters the Drift is escorted either to life or death by the most significant figure in their life or mental state."

"But I barely know you," I said bluntly and she sweat dropped.

"Well, I'm just a big figure in your mind, okay?"

"Whatever.." I murmered before pointing at the rabbits, "What's up with the rabbits?"

"The rabbits symbolize your choices: life or death," Kaguya explained and I nodded, "Why rabbits?"

"Rabbits are a very important symbol in your family, and in mine as well. The white rabbit symbolizes death and the black one life," She said and I stared at the rabbits.

"So... I just choose?"

"Yes. You can either choose to stay with your friends and loved ones-" Kaguya waved her hand over the black rabbit and an image of all of the people I know and tolerate appeared. Wait, is that a Duckbutt I spy? "Or leave them, and leave the important role you play in this world vacant. Sending the world into an endless cycle of death and darkness." She waved her hand over the white rabbit and an image of war, fire, blood, and death appeared.

I stared at the images and the rabbits. The choice should be easy right? It would be simple to just choose life and be done with it but...... If I die... I can escape the cruelty of the world.... I would be free. But, then I'd be leaving all of my friends back home and... I'd be leaving Kakashi, Greek, Latin, Chirstina, Hanzel and Gretel, and... Most importantly, Naruto.

Naruto... My best friend... My first friend.... I wanted to stay with him until the end. I promised to myself I would help him reach his goal to become Hokage, and I will fullfill that promise.

For the first time in my life, I... Smirked. I smirked up at Kaguya and raised my hand, "You've made the correct choice," Kaguya smiled, "This is for Naruto.. I don't care about what happens to the rest of the world. It can go burn in hell for all I care." I exclaimed before slashing my hand through the black rabbit's image and everything brightened.

I closed my eyes tightly before opening them again. A bright light filled my vision, before I was welcome by darkness. I felt things crawling all over me and I scowled, feeling dirt cover my entire being and sink into the seeps in my clothing.

I moved my hands, noting my entire body was numb except for my left hand. I closed my eyes and quickly did some hand signs with a single hand. I erupted through the dirt and started to cough. I took deep breathes, looking around. It was the middle of the night it seemed, making me smirk.

[] Time Skip []

Only those who know her personally were grieving, although everyone in the village was there. It wasn't necessarily for her, but for her memory. Team 7 stood silently at the front of the crowd, all clad in black.

The Chunin Exams had been delayed even, for this single funeral. Atsu was close to the ninja of Konohagakure, even with her silent and brooding personality. She was valued, and that's all that mattered.

Sakura was crying, not bothering to hold back her tears. Naruto was sniffling, rubbing his tears away. Sasuke was silent, his face blank as he stared at the grave. The photo of Atsu wasn't the best, it was of when Naruto had painted her face once.

Kakashi was standing behind the grave, his head held high and his eyes blank. He couldn't, no, he wouldn't show tears, Atsu wouldn't want that. She would want them all to talk about how much they despised her, or how horrible a person she was. It was entertaining.

"What's all this?" A voice exclaimed, making everyone turn. Their eyes widened and Naruto scrambled to see who it was.

The owner of this voice strolled through the isle, white hair flowing, and red eyes glowing. The girl walked up to the grave, grabbing the picture. "Really? This isn't the best picture of me, guys."

"Atsu!" Naruto cried, running up to her and tackling her in a strong hug. "I-I thought you were dead!"

Slowly, all of the people whom loved her slowly came into a group hug around her. "Atsu!" They cried, and Atsu rose an eyebrow.

"We thought you died!" They all yelled, suddenly angrily and Atsu rolled her eyes.

"Atsu..." Atsu turned, seeing none other than the Kakashi Hatake with tears in his eyes. "I-I'm so sorry..."

"I don't die that easily." She exclaimed and Kakashi pulled her into a hug, sobs wracking through him. Atsu's eyes softened and she returned the hug.

"I missed you."

"I never left."