Services
Summary: Just do as mother says. Sasuke-centric, post massacre.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did, I'd be paid for making crap like this. But, looking at my money well, I think I've hit rock bottom.
A/N: another depressing story on my part. I think I need therapy.
The funeral was long and, to the eight-year old, dragged on for what seemed like hours. The sky was clouded, but the humid atmosphere of early autumn still hung around the heads of those who had turned out to attend the service. Most pulled uncomfortably at their sleeves and collars, and others opted to pull out a small fan for a faint breeze.
The young boy stood silently, ignorant of the heavy air and gloomy weather. He did not fiddle with his clothing, nor did he wave himself cool. He waited quietly, dry-eyed, for the procession to end, but it had not registered to him that the service had just begun.
Family friends stood beside and behind him, some weeping loudly, some uttering hushed sobs and whispered condolences. The lone child shut out their laments, focusing primarily on keeping his stone-like visage.
After the funeral ended, he walked the empty road through the district, maintaining his steady gaze toward the ground. In the days previous, the Hokage had kindly sent a few genin and chunin teams to clean the quarter, but, whenever the onyx haired boy set his eyes on the buildings, all he could see was the cloudless night stained red. He crossed into his house, passed down the hallways, and closed the door to his room. Laying on the bed, he closed his eyes before the inevitable tear could slip past.
"Sasuke, I don't care what any ninja law or your father says, if you don't show feeling, you'll end up without a wife and lonely for the rest of your days." The woman nodded with authority, returning to showing the boy how to make his bed.
The child looked up at his mother, eyes wide. "But Okaa-san, you're married to Otou-san, aren't you?" The lady laughed at her son's comment, amazed how innocent one could be at such a young age.
"I guess you're right there, Sasuke." Her smile faded a little and she spoke in a more serious tone. "But, if there's ever a reason to, let it out. If no one's around, just cry. You can call me if you need to, and I'll be right there. Okay?"
Nodding vigorously, the bright-eyed boy leapt atop his straightened sheets, disrupting the blankets and sending his pillows to the floor. Brushing off his mother's exasperated sigh, he felt a wide grin make itself across his face. "Always, Okaa-san!"
No one was around. No one would be around anymore. A cry tore through his throat as he buried his head in his pillow, gasping the sheets tightly. Tears streamed down his face as all the anger, sadness and loneliness from the excruciating day set in, soaking his shirt and staining the bed.
No one was around, but no matter how loudly he called for her, no matter how long he screamed her name, she would not come. How he wished, from the deepest ends of his heart, that she could.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed. I don't know why I keep on writing these types of things… however, they do seem to get a good response, so I might just keep at it.
Please review and tell me your options on the matter!
--DML