A/N !
I thought it be cool to a write a story where Sasuke must learn to deal with Naruto's death. Honestly I've read a bunch of fics where Naruto has to coup with Sasuke's death, but never the other way around.

Itachi is still alive, and so Kabuto and Orochimaru... yeah, a lot of the events in manga had not happen yet in this fanfic. which means Konoha is still alive (wahhhwoo!)

This is for mylilchickadee, if you don't know her/his stuff, look up the name here or on fanfiction. net, amazing amazing writing. More chapters to come. Soon soon soon Take this as sasunaru or not. It's really all up to how you guys interpret it.

When I found out what happened to Uzumaki Naruto, I did not scream, cry, or smile.
I didn't feel any sort of remorse, I was not angry, and it didn't make my bones tingle with excitement.
I felt a numbness over come.
When I found out Naruto was gone.

I hadn't even flinch when I took two tips of my nails to my face and pitched my cheek. I couldn't quite feel anything, and I certainly did not know how to feel. This was a new emotion I assumed most normal humans felt often, and since I was the exact opposite of most normal people, I was exempt. I began to feel uneasy about myself because I didn't understand, and I hate to be confused or in question. I hate feeling weak and lost, I like to know my options and my path, and I do not like surprises. A rush of tiredness swept through my whole being. I do not know what I need truly, but I'm almost sure in that moment I heard the wet cave like bedroom call out for me.

"Sasuke."

Then it hit me, a disgusted shocking feeling, because for a second I almost wished it was him calling out my name.

My eyes starred upwards to the lonely blankness of the ceiling as I studied intently each crack, split, and bump. He was in my dreams, in this ugly orange clothing, with his ugly retarded attitude, and his ugly, ugly face. I hated him, I still hate him, so there is no reason to ponder anything about him. I pushed the thoughts out of my head, and pushed myself up and to my feet, dragging them along this lonely cold stone floor.

But still, when I did learn of his death it was brief and not quite clear. It was an overheard discussion between Kabuto and Orochimaru.

And it only took that brief faint string of words to put me in such a walking coma-like state.

When I really shouldn't be feeling anything at all.

Why is it when I walk my foot steps seem twice as noisy, and why does it feel like I am taking extra spoonfuls of oxygen when I breathe.

I find Kabuto.

He is sitting there studying some sort scroll, his gaze concentrated giving me no attention.

Necessarily this would not be a problem, I don't care what he thinks when I need something. I stop caring long ago of what people want and expect from me, this includes being used; I've been considered a tool all my life after my family died. Before women and men looked at me as assent, as an Uchiha, something strong. After I found my mother and father dead on the floor did people start to call me student, missing, vessel.

Except for those two.

Even when I tried to kill Naruto, he called me brother.

Even when my brother hands were gripping my neck and chocking me, he still called me brother.

But have I never called him brother since I was a child.

And I abandoned Naruto with no intention of ever considering his feelings.

So, why do I suddenly feel this bitter taste in my mouth.

I remember why I can not call out for Kabuto.

It's because I can't find the damn will to. It feels as though my voice box has dried up and died, died with everything else.

But my face is stoic and calm, because I'm a damn Uchiha, even if people don't think so.

Fuck.

I sallow and say, "I have a question, concerning Naruto."

"Oh?" he turns his neck and smirks, "the way you say his name, Sasuke-kun. It makes it almost seem like you miss him."

For some reason, that makes my skin itch.

How dare he.

I lift an eyebrow and wait, Kabuto likes to toy with people, but I know his games. He likes to pretend he is doing good, but honestly everything he has ever accomplished was for his benefit or Orochimaru's. But eventually he speaks.

"We have just gotten the news of Naruto-kun dying. News about the Kyuubi travels quickly. It seems that your friend went on a rampage in Konoha, a lot of destruction..." he pauses to get a good look at my face, but I remain calm. He puts a hand to the center of his glasses and pushes them up, and giggles. This would remind me why Kabuto is such a creep, but my thoughts are else where.

"Did he die because of the fox?" I do not realize that I just have spoken until I finish the question.

"No."

"Then...how?"

He sighs, "He was executed by Konoha."

Then do I suddenly feel a pang of hatred, it hits me so hard that all the air escapes from my lungs.

He goes on, "Not when he was attacking the village, but it was shortly after the attack. They must have quickly made the decision, you know Konoha, always being careful," he laughs at that. Because he knows that I know that he and I both know that is bullshit.

"And the worse part", he laughs again and it irritates me so, "He was beaten up and very badly hurt afterwards," he pauses and his face is composed and not crazy like before, "He must have been in a lot of pain."

Somehow, the scum of all scum that is Kabuto can muster up a bit of sensitivity and honest sorrow in his voice, "It is actually terrible," he looks directly at me, "That boy never had a fair life."

I feel disgusted now, because I know it's all true. But in the back of mind I know this could just be a cruel sick joke by Kabuto, because he is capable of that.

But I know he is not lying, Konoha is a sick and twisted place.

Capable of anything.

Kabuto smiles, "Funny. Orochimaru always wanted to have another encounter with that fox child. He even mentioned getting his hands on him," he closes his eyes, chin resting in on cupped palm. Now he is starting to play games.

But whoever said the games were based on fictional accusations? I wouldn't be surprised if he was the only one in my life who hasn't lied to me yet.

I can not be around anyone anymore. I turn to leave, Kabuto goes back to whatever he had left off.

There is a coiled twisted feeling in my gut, my cheeks feel hot and flushed, and I feel the same huge amounts of tiredness from before. I do not realize what I am doing until I sit down on my hard slab of wood I call bed.

I touch my hand to my cheek and realize I am crying.