Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

A/N: This is the first story I've uploaded on this account. It's unedited, so I hope if there are any mistakes they aren't bothersome. I hope you enjoy and please leave reviews! Also, I'll upload the second chapter tomorrow since it's also part of this prologue.

*A novenario is a Spanish tradition where for nine days after the death of a person, relatives pray for the safe arrival of the deceased person's soul into heaven.


He was never the type who would go out of his way to communicate with people. He lived his days mostly alone, without anyone that he could be sure that he could call his friend, that is of course with the exception of his brother Itachi.

Itachi, a few years older than him, was the only person he could confide in. Sasuke found himself unconsciously depending on his brother for several things. Although he would not admit it aloud, Itachi was truly the only person he put all his faith and trust into.

He was lazily strewn across the floor of his living room, it was a hot day and he was trying to stay as close to his only fan as possible.

"Hey, it's been awhile since we've seen each other, you should come over soon you know." He heard his brother's voice through his cell phone.

"Yeah, I'm getting a break from school soon, so I was planning on going. It's only fair since you came here last time." He chuckled softly as he said it.

When he spoke to his brother, it was almost like he was a completely other person from the one he normally was. His demeanor was relaxed, the air about him was light, and he knew that it all had to do with Itachi's influence. Itachi was the kind of person who made anyone feel comfortable and at ease around him.

"How was school, did you make any new friends since the last time we spoke?"

"What are you, a mother? Haha, well I'm pretty confident that I've been doing great thus far, as for friends, you know I'm not good at making those."

"I'm sure it's not because people don't approach you, am I right?" His brother said laughingly.

"Well yeah, I guess you're right, it's pretty bothersome when people approach me though, especially when they're girls, they always seem to have something else on their mind when they speak to me."

"And is that so bad? Maybe you should try getting yourself a girlfriend, don't you think little bro?"

Sasuke, although slightly annoyed by his brother's words, couldn't help but grin at his brother's pandering tone.

"Yeah yeah, what about you, how's Kakashi?"

Kakashi was Itachi's male lover who was a few years older than Itachi. They had recently begun living together after seeing each other for a few years. Sasuke got along fairly well with him, and he didn't have any prejudices about his brother being with a man.

"He's great, he's finally all settled in, I could tell it took him awhile to get adjusted to such a big living space." Itachi chuckled lightly.

Both Itachi and Sasuke were orphans since a young age and they inherited their parent's estate after their deaths.

Their parents died after their private plane crashed leaving no survivors, along with them were other members of the Uchiha family. The only family they had left was some cousins, and aunts and uncles that Sasuke wasn't very close to, but who Itachi maintained a closer relationship with.

Sasuke lived alone with Itachi until he decided to go away for college. He currently lived alone in a one bedroom apartment that was fairly close to his university.

"Yeah, I guess it is pretty big there, I'm actually looking forward to seeing you guys, I need a break from the city life." Sasuke sighed as he said it.

"You think so? Well when's your break anyways?"

"It's a week from now, so I'll be taking the plane there as soon as I get out of my last lecture."

"Well I can't wait little bro, I'll call you in a few days, just call me or text me if you wanna talk, it's my turn to cook today so I need to go."

"Yeah, I need to finish up a few papers due this week, so I'll text you if anything."

"Alright, well speak to you soon."

"Ah, wait Big Bro…"

"Yeah?"

"Um…"

"I love you Sasuke. Is that what you wanted to hear?" Itachi sneered into the receiver.

"Shut up. I love you too… have a good night, and give my regards to Kakashi."

"Will do, well bye then."

"Bye." With that Sasuke hung up the phone and proceeded to make himself his own dinner.

Since then, three days had passed.

Sasuke tossed and turned in his bed kicking the blanket off of his legs. It was 3 AM and because of the heat, he was completely restless. Spring had just barely begun, and he was already dreading the upcoming summer.

"I probably need to get myself an air conditioner soon." Sasuke thought aloud.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone.

"Huh, I wonder who it is at this time…"

He quickly grabbed his phone from his bedside table. He saw that Itachi was the one calling.

"He never calls at this time, I wonder what's wrong." Sasuke thought and he felt his heart quickly pick up its pace.

"Itachi, what's wrong why are you calling so late?"

"Sasuke…"

It was not Itachi's voice that Sasuke heard, but rather Kakashi's.

"K-Kakashi?" Sasuke stammered as he spoke Kakashi's name. At this point, he was positive that something was wrong.

It remained silent on both ends until Sasuke broke the silence.

"Kakashi, where's Itachi, is something wrong?!"

"Sasuke…"

The silence seemed to drag on as if for an enternity.

"Itachi… He's passed away."

"What?" Sasuke felt his heart drop. There's no way he heard right, he knew something was wrong, but there could be no way that Itachi had… died… As soon as he thought of the word, he became hysterical.

"He can't be, how? He's got to be alright!" He found himself shouting into his phone.

"I'm sorry Sasuke." Sasuke noticed that Kakashi, who up until this point had managed to keep a serious and steady voice, spoke with a voice that quickly cracked as soon as he said it.

There was no way Kakashi would lie about anything like this. The fact that Itachi had passed away had become completely clear.

"I see…" Was all Sasuke could mutter. By this point, he realized that he had been crying, and that the tears were falling uncontrollably from his eyes.

"He went out drinking with friends last night. He was with Kisame and Kisame offered to drive him home. Kisame was drunk and there was a serious collision. Since the impact was made on the passenger's side, by the time Itachi arrived at the hospital, it was too late and Kisame remains in critical condition in a coma."

Sasuke knew Kakashi was having a hard time telling Sasuke what had occurred. It was difficult for Sasuke to bear listening to it at all.

"I'm sorry, I should have called you sooner Sasuke, but I…" Kakashi's voice wavered as he said this.

"I know." It was all Sasuke could manage to say. His head was spinning, his chest felt tight, and he didn't know what to do with himself.

"Your family agreed that it would be best to hold a funeral. They're leaving it up to you whether you want to hold a burial or cremate his body Sasuke."

"I'll decide on that when I get there." He said as he hung up the phone.

Sasuke fell on his knees and looked up towards his ceiling.

"Why?! Why?! Itachi! Why?!" He yelled as he sobbed. His body shook violently as he gasped for air in between his cries.

"Why…? Why…?" His voice seemed to be escaping him.