"Sadness is an inappropriate response to death. When a life has been lived honestly, successfully, or just to the best it can be lived, the correct response to death is a smile."
19 year old Hatake Kakashi, also known as ANBU Captain Inu, stood in front of the Memorial Stone, a dazed, yet sad gleam in his single coal eye. His gaze traveled across the stone, looking for the long since memorized and familiar names.
Uchiha Obito
Nohara Rin
Uzumaki Kushina
Namikaze Minato
The young man's shoulders shuddered slightly as he let out a quiet and strangled sob. But no tears came; he had long since cried himself dry.
"Are you sad, mister?" A young voice came from behind him.
"Yes." Kakashi said quietly, soft footfalls reached his ears as the owner of the voice came closer.
"Why? Did someone die?"
"Yes, a long time ago."
"Oh. Then why are you still sad? I mean, did they live a life worth living? Were they happy?" Kakashi turned his head to see a small child, possible 5 years old, with spiky and unruly blond hair and bright cerulean eyes, staring up at him. "Don't be sad because someone died, be happy that they lived a happy life, one worth living." Kakashi's eye softened as the child looked at him, a small smile on his tanned face.
"You're right kid. Thanks." The two stood in silence for a while longer before Kakashi turned and began walking away.
"Wait!" The ANBU stopped and turned around, "My name's Naruto, what about you?"
"Kakashi." Naruto smiled.
"It was nice to meet you 'kashi." A small, fond smile found itself on Kakashi's masked face,
"You too, Naruto."
YEARS LATER
Naruto stared at the Memorial Stone, and the newest name carved into it, as he sobbed. A little while away, Kakashi watched his 16 year old student, a sad look in his eye. He approached a placed a hand on the teen's shaking shoulder.
"Naruto..."
"W-why? Why did he have to die?" The blond sobbed,
"I can't answer that, Naruto. Nobody knows why someone had to die. Trust me, I know how you're feeling all too well. But let me tell you something someone told me a long time ago: 'Don't be sad because someone died, be happy that they lived a happy life, one worth living.'" The jonin said softly. Naruto paused, sobs quieting, as he stared at his sensei with watery blue eyes.
"That was you?" Kakashi nodded,
"The words you said to me that day are one of the few words I live by. I am able to smile everyday because I know Obito, Rin, Kushina, and Sensei would want me to. I'm still sad that they had to die, but I'm happy that they were in my life. Jiraya-sama would want you to do the same." Kakashi eye-smiled and ruffled his student's blond hair. "Now how about you and I go get some ramen?" Smiling slightly, Naruto wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded.