The day Sasuke died, so did Naruto.

There were few tears on the day of his funeral. That was to be expected. A few village elders whispered sadly, remembering the glorious days of the Uchiha clan, and the tragedy of the last of its members.

Instead, Neji remembered first meeting the passionate and young Sasuke. Neji remembered him in the Forest of Death, and how he saved Sakura from those sound ninjas - overwhelmed with that dark powers of the cursed seal. He thinks that was the beginning of his descent. Neji remembers chasing after Sasuke, not only for Naruto's sake, but for the village as well. Neji realizes the impact of his death. Neji is mournful, but not sad.

Instead, Lee remembers fighting Sasuke the day the Chunin Exams began. Lee remembers being amazed at the boy's cool attitude and remarkable skills. He remembers thinking that Sasuke would be a worthy opponent and good friend. Maybe the Kakashi to his Gai. Lee remembers seeing Sasuke charge through Gaara's indestructible forces with hand ablaze in hot white flames. He remembers hoping to one day overcome that power. Lee thinks about how Naruto is faring. Lee is disappointed, but not sad.

Instead, Shikamaru remembers how all Ino ever talked about was Sasuke. Shikamaru remembers being vaguely jealous of such a guy, but too lazy to do much about it. He remembers watching Sasuke battle Yoroi and force back the cursed seal when it threatened to took control. Shikamaru wonders why he couldn't have done that later. Shikamaru remembers chasing after Sasuke when he left the village. He remembers what it felt like after - the bitter disappointment and the pain of his friends injuries. He is thankful of Sasuke; Sasuke made him grow up to become a better leader, a better shinobi, and a better friend. He thinks about how much Sasuke's death is worth. Shikamaru is disgruntled, but not sad.

Instead, Ino remembers how hard she crushed on Sasuke all those years. Ino remembers how Sasuke broke up hers and Sakura's friendship, but helped them grow as well. Ino remembers how people always talked about Naruto inspiring them to become better people. She remembers thinking about how Sasuke was the one who inspired Naruto. Ino is crestfallen, but not sad.

Instead, Hinata remembers thinking how happy she'd be if Naruto only looked at her the way he did Sasuke. Hinata is discouraged, but not sad.

No one had to say how Sakura and Kakashi felt. Ever gesture, every movement spoke volumes. The disillusionment left a path.

If you asked those people why they were not sad, each one would tell you to look at Naruto.

The day Sasuke died, so did Naruto.

Standing at the memorial for fallen shinobi, Tsunade thinks about what it means to be a hero. She wonders if giving up your dreams for a friend counts as being a hero. After all, he did save Naruto's life in the Wave country.

Tsunade wonders if eliminating a terrorist of Konoha counts as being a hero. Sasuke killed Orochimaru before his death.

Tsunade wonders if letting your own brother, a missing nin of Konoha, die without intervening is being a hero. Even though Itachi would have never hurt the village.

Tsunade thinks about Sasuke's new team, waiting and wallowing outside the village, hidden in the trees. The one with Zabuza's sword, the small, oranged haired kid, and the girl with flaming red hair. She wonders if Sasuke saved them. Does that qualify as being a hero?

Tsunade then decides that none of these means being a hero. Tsunade carves Sasuke's name into the stone.

She decides being a hero is stepping in at the last second and pulling Naruto from death's door. She decides being a hero means battling a powerful enemy and saving the villagers of Konoha - even though she knows that wasn't Sasuke's intention. She decides that letting your body be ripped to shred before taking one to the chest to save a friend, so that that friend may live. She decides that giving up your dreams for the sake of others is being a hero.

The day Sasuke died, so did Naruto.

After Sasuke's death, the village fell into a monochrome of colors. Everything moved without sound, everything became gray. Naruto doesn't remember what happened after he saw Sasuke's body plummet to the ground.

All Naruto remembers is how those dark red eyes captured him, like dragging his soul to death with him. All he remembers is the last words on Sasuke's lips.

"I will save you, but not on a whim."

Naruto remembers the burning chakra searing his skin. He remembers feeling the canines of his mouth turn into fangs, the sharp pain in his eyes as they bled to red. He remembers tunnel vision. He remembers a scream, one that wasn't his.

Naruto remembers feeling a wave of relief wash over his body and his mind went blank and went to sleep.

He never really woke up after that.

Naruto opened his eyes and saw the faces of his friend change from worry to joy. He remembers being crushed by Sakura's sudden hug. He remembers Sai smiling with tears for the first time. Naruto feels safe until he remembers.

He remembers that Sasuke isn't there.

People told him the story. Some twisted versions, some exaggerated one. But Naruto remembers. Naruto remembers very well.

He remembers the night he and Sasuke met in secret. A promise that he wouldn't try to take Sasuke back, and Sasuke wouldn't try to flee. He remembers exchanging a few words, learning of Sasuke's true desires. He remembers touching Sasuke, gentle yet torrid touches. He remembers the heat taking control, the gate in his mind opening to reveal things he used to feel embarrassed about.

"I have dreams."

Sasuke understands what he means, and kisses him lightly at first and then more violently, letting his actions do his talking.

He remembers waking up, naked and content, but alone.

Naruto remembers the day Sasuke died very well.

Naruto spends his days sitting atop his roof, staring at the place Sasuke died.

Naruto can't bring himself to leave his grief because he's happier in death with Sasuke then being alive and alone. He knows he's being selfish, the village, his friends, are all depending on him. But Naruto just can't. Sasuke was his first everything. Naruto still wonders why he could never have the one thing he always wanted.

The day Sasuke died, so did Naruto.