A/N: This was written for the "Next Generation" challenge in narutodrabble on LJ.

cradle and all

Sasuke remembers the time when he was first told about death. He remembers thinking that it had nothing to do with him, that it was something he didn't need to be concerned about. He also remembers the time when he first saw death, a mouse squeezed in his tiny fist when he ran to show it to his mother.

Compassion.

Sadness.

Sasuke remembers the time when he learned that death has something to do with him. He remembers waking up in the middle of the night, afraid that his parents were dead. He remembers not being afraid for himself, but for his parents, his brother.

He remembers, all too well, the night when death came knocking on his front door, in the shape of his brother. He learned that death was something only weak endure, and that hatred was something weak are unable to feel. Only by hating could you survive.

Now, as an adult, Sasuke remembers waking up in the middle of the night, terrified that his child might some of these days kill him.

end