“Why am I the only one that can see you?” Sasuke asked. “And how is that?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Naruto replied. “It could be that you have my kidneys in you, but no one has exactly explained anything to me.”

“Is there a support group for being dead or something?” Sasuke asked. “There has to be someone you can talk to, like a grim reaper or something.”

“Grim reapers don’t exist.” Naruto said chuckling. “Somebody has been reading something dark.”

“How the hell should I know how the afterlife works?” Sasuke asked. “I’m a living person, I don’t need to worry about that right now. By the way thanks for the kidneys.”

“I never knew you were sick.” Naruto said quietly. “if I had I would have left you alone.”

“I didn’t want everyone to think less of me because I had cancer.” Sasuke answered. “I didn’t want to be different because I had such an illness.”

“It’s not like getting sick was your fault.” Naruto commented. “You can’t help that your body rebelled against you.” Sasuke shrugged.

“Kids will be kids, they don’t know that you can’t catch cancer just from being around me. Exactly what happened to you?”

“I got home from school,” Naruto said frowning. “I had something to eat, and went upstairs to work on my homework. I started to feel sick to my stomach so I decided that taking a nap might help a little so I laid down and went to sleep, needless to say, I didn’t wake up again.”

“Do you think you were poisoned?” Sasuke asked. “And do you think Kurama could have done that to you?”

“I suspect that Kurama was the one that had a hand in my death, but I don’t know for sure.” Naruto said. “Ever since I’ve crossed over, I’ve been a little confused on what I’m supposed to do and why I’m still here.”

“Yeah, I guess I would be confused too.” Sasuke said. “I find it strange that your brother would have anything to do with this.”

“You would be surprised.” Naruto told him. “There are things going on that you have no clue about, that I was somehow able to keep a secret.”

“Maybe it’s time those secrets got told.” Sasuke told him. “Unless they make you look bad.”

“They aren’t mine to tell, but I think you are right, but you’re going to have to be the one to tell them. I fear that might put your life in danger.” Naruto said. Sasuke frowned, he didn’t want to do anything that would put his life at risk, he’d spent enough time fighting for his life as it was.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, especially considering we didn’t really get along.” Naruto said. “But I promise I’ll do everything in my limited power to make sure that you don’t get hurt.”

“I need time to think about it.” Sasuke replied. “That’s not going to have much of an effect on you, but it might make your killer feel more comfortable thinking he got by with it. The more comfortable he is, the more likely he is to make a mistake.”

“You could be right, but I’m not holding my breath.” Naruto replied. “He’s pretty comfortable around people.”

“Why would he want you dead?” Sasuke asked. “Were you going to tell on him for something he did?” Naruto shook his head.

“I don’t know exactly.” Naruto replied. “It’s just a gut feeling I have. I think finding out exactly what happened to me is the key to me being able to move on and not be stuck haunting this place.”

“Maybe.” Sasuke said. “I am curious to find out what happened to you myself. I know Shizune suspects that something happened, and they were sending you to have an autopsy done before your body was released. Maybe they’ll find your cause of death.”

“I’m sure they will, but knowing how I died isn’t going to solve who killed me.” Naruto pointed out. “I wish that it had been something like cancer and maybe then I could have moved on to whatever happens in death.”

“How do you know that’s how it works?” Sasuke asked. “Does the type of death have that much to do with you being stuck here?”

“I don’t know, but it would make sense the more violent the death, the more the need to know what happened, which means a person is stuck until they know what happened.” Naruto replied. “I don’t want to put you in that position, but you are the only person I know of that can see me.”

“I can’t imagine how much that must suck.” Sasuke said. “It must be weird to be a ghost.”

“You have no idea what it was like to wake up, and realize that no one could see me. I didn’t even realize I was dead at first.” Naruto replied. “It took me a little while to figure that out, so much for being smart.”

“It doesn’t make you stupid to not know what happened to you.” Sasuke replied. “It must have been sudden.”

“Much quicker than I wanted it to be.” Naruto said glumly. “I thought I had much more time to live then I did. The fact that I’m stuck in this situation sucks.”

“Yeah, and I thought mine did.” Sasuke said quietly. “At least I’m still alive, which turns out to be thanks to you. I probably wouldn’t have been too much longer. Are you certain that it was your brother that did this too you?”

“I don’t know.” Naruto answered honestly. “He was the one that gave me my snack, and I started feeling bad after that. I don’t know who else could have done it.”

“Whatever you ate could have been tampered with before he gave it to you.” Sasuke said. “It could have come from the store like that.”

“I guess you have a point. I always thought that Kurama and I had a decent relationship, but at this point anything is possible.” Naruto said thoughtfully.

“Were you and Kurama fighting?” Sasuke asked.

“No. We got along fine, mostly because he wasn’t there very much just because he worked.” Naruto answered. Sasuke frowned, he didn’t think that Kurama was capable of hurting his little brother, but he could be wrong. There could be more going on in that home than anyone knew about.

“I don’t know how much I can help you,” Sasuke told him. “I’m no detective, but I’ll do what I can. Just know that I might end up in the psych ward once people figure out that I’m trying to help a ghost.”

“I don’t think anyone is going to realize that you’re helping a ghost,” Naruto replied. “They might think you just have an interest in your classmate’s death.”

“That would work except everyone knew that we didn’t exactly get along.” Sasuke pointed out. “I reckon though that doesn’t matter. Do you know for sure that you’ll move on once you know what happened to you?”

“I don’t know anything for sure,” Naruto replied. “I’ve never been dead before.”

“You have a point, I guess I would be just as lost as you are,” Sasuke said yawning.

“I’m sorry, I’m keeping you from resting,” Naruto said. “I know you need time to heal from your surgery.”

“That’s okay, all I’ve done is sleep.” Sasuke said. “I’m amazed at how quickly I get tired.”

“That’s normal.” Naruto replied. “You’re body has been put through a lot with the transplant.”

“I suppose your right, my parents won’t be too happy if I don’t get my rest.” Sasuke said.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“What caused your kidney failure if you don’t mind me asking?” Naruto asked. “You’re awful young to be dealing with kidney failure.”

“You know I was diagnosed with cancer back when I was ten years old.” Sasuke said. “All the drugs that they pumped into me to kill the cancer cells, killed my kidneys.”

“Those drugs were supposed to save you,” Naruto said frowning. “And they were going to end up killing you.”

“They were pretty potent drugs,” Sasuke said. “They made me sick as hell. I hope I never have to go through that hell again.”

“I’m sorry that you had to go through it, to begin with,” Naruto said quietly. “No one should ever have to go through all that just to get a small chance to live the life they deserve.”

“As long as I get to live, I’ll do whatever it takes,” Sasuke replied. “I just want to be able to grow up and not have to worry about being sick anymore.”

“Well, you have my kidneys,” Naruto stated. “And I was healthy as a horse so I don’t think you have to worry about going into kidney failure again.”

“Maybe not, but I do have to worry about my body rejecting them,” Sasuke replied. “I’m going to be taking medication for the rest of my life, but I think it will be worth it if I get to grow up and go to college.” Sasuke frowned, wondering if his comment sounded a little insensitive since Naruto would not be able to graduate high school or go to college.

“Does it bother you to think about the things that you won’t get to do?” Sasuke asked suddenly. “I’m sorry, I brought it up, I wasn’t thinking.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Naruto said shrugging. “It bothers me a little to think that someone had so little regard for my future that they decided I didn’t deserve to have that future. That’s not your fault. I just want to find the person that did this and make sure that they get the punishment that they deserve.”

“I can understand that.” Sasuke said quietly. “I promise I will do my best to help you, though I’m not sure what I can do.”

“I believe you.” Naruto said. “I don’t know why you are the only one that can see me, you of all people, who has more reason than most to hate my guts. I haven’t made things easy for you, but you are the only one that can see me.”

“Maybe that’s part of the reason you are stuck here.” Sasuke said quietly. “We didn’t exactly have the best meetings ever, but maybe I’m the only one that can help you because of that.”

“I don’t know.” Naruto shrugged. “It’s not like anyone ever explains anything. I’m hoping by the end of whatever this is, I’ll know what’s going on.”

“Does anyone ever understand why they die though?” Sasuke wondered. “It’s not fair that you had to die so young, but the only thing that can be done is to find the person that did this to you. I wouldn’t have thought revenge would be the way to go though.”

“I don’t think it’s revenge per se.” Naruto replied. “I don’t want to cause them any harm, I just want them to answer for what they did. Maybe it will help me understand what I did wrong that made people believe that murder was their only choice.”

“Maybe.” Sasuke said yawning again. “I hope we can find those answers for you. No offense to you but I don’t want you haunting me for the rest of my life.”

“I don’t intend to haunt anyone.” Naruto chuckled. “But I guess I can make things more difficult for you if I need too.”

“Please don’t, my family is under enough stress as it is. I don’t need them thinking I’m crazier than they already do.” Sasuke told him.

“Since there isn’t anything we can do tonight, I’m going to go back home I guess if that’s what I can call it now.” Naruto said frowning.

“What are you going to do all night?” Sasuke asked. “I don’t think sleeping is one of those things you have to worry about anymore.”

“I don’t know.” Naruto said frowning. “I guess I’ll figure that out later.”

“Well, don’t get too bored.” Sasuke said. “I’m going to sleep until they release me from the hospital. There’s nothing to do here and I hate being bored.”

“You can’t rush your recovery.” Naruto replied. “There might not be another pair of kidneys if something happens to these.”

“I know, so I’ll be careful.” Sasuke replied, as he watched Naruto slowly fade from someone who had looked like they were flesh and blood to a creature that you could see through until he was no longer in the room.

* * *

Closing his eyes, Sasuke drifted off to sleep, allowing his worries to fade away with his consciousness. He wasn’t sure how he was going to be able to help his classmate, but he knew without a doubt that he would try. He couldn’t leave Naruto, just barely hanging on. What had happened to Naruto hadn’t been Naruto’s fault, he deserved to be able to move on from this life and to whatever happened next. It wasn’t right that Naruto had to be concerned about whomever had stolen his life from him, such a thing shouldn’t keep Naruto from being able to move on.

“Sasuke,” Sasuke slowly opened his eyes at the sound of his name being called, turning his head to the side, he frowned when he didn’t see anyone beside him. Was he losing it or did something happen during the transplant that caused him to start seeing and hearing ghosts? Sasuke hoped that wasn’t the case, the only ghost he wanted to deal with at that moment was Naruto. Sasuke wouldn’t have anything to do with that one either if Naruto hadn’t approached him first.

Sighing, Sasuke stared up at the ceiling, he didn’t want to be seen as some sort of ghost whisperer and he hoped like hell that wasn’t going to happen, but he supposed he would have to find a way to live with it if that’s how it turned out.

“I’m not going crazy.” Sasuke muttered, “I will not end up in a mental hospital.” Though he was pretty sure that’s where he’d end up if his parents or brother found out that he was talking to a dead classmate.

“Are you sure about that?” the voice asked, as Sasuke started closing his eyes again. “What normal person talks to dead people?”

“Who the hell are you?” Sasuke asked. “And what the hell do you want with me?” Sasuke sat up in the bed, moving carefully, he didn’t want to end up pulling out his stitches because he was panicking.

“Someone you know very well.” The voice said, and Sasuke frowned. The only dead person he knew was Naruto and this voice certainly didn’t belong to him.

“You’re not Naruto, I think he’s gone for the night,” Sasuke said frowning. “I don’t know who the hell you are.”

“Not to worry, I’m not here to hurt you.” A blonde head stuck his head in the doorway, causing Sasuke to scowl at his brother’s friend Deidara.

“You scared the hell out of me.” Sasuke snapped. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Deidara asked as he entered the room. “I’m sure you know by now that Naruto Uzumaki was found dead at home.”

“I do know that,” Sasuke said. “I don’t know all the details though.”

“It was probably suicide,” Deidara said. “I know he’s been struggling with depression and bipolar disorder for a long while.”

“That answers a few questions,” Sasuke muttered, thinking back to all the times Naruto had been either hyperactive or completely moody and didn’t want to be bothered by anyone. “But I don’t think his death was a suicide.”

“Do you have reason to believe that?” Deidara asked and Sasuke shrugged.

“Just a feeling that I have, nothing concrete at the moment,” Sasuke told him.

“That kid had a lot of problems, his home life wasn’t the best,” Deidara said. “Most people wouldn’t have blamed him for taking his own life.”

“It wasn’t suicide. I don’t know what happened, but I know that Naruto wouldn’t do that, he had too much to live for.” Sasuke argued.

“I wish you could explain that thought,” Deidara said.

“If I explained anything, you would tell my parents and I would be getting shipped off to the closest mental hospital. I’m not ready for that conversation yet.” Sasuke told him.

“If Naruto didn’t commit suicide what happened to him?” Deidara asked. “He was healthy as a horse.” Sasuke frowned, Naruto had used those exact words with him.

“I don’t know, but there could be something unnatural about his death. He said he ate something and then he started feeling sick, and he went and laid down.” Sasuke said. “He never woke up again.”

“You think maybe he was poisoned or something?” Deidara asked and Sasuke shrugged.

“That’s what it sounds like to me, but I guess they won’t know anything until after the autopsy is finished,” Sasuke told him.

“Who would do something like that to him?” Deidara wondered. “He was a pretty good kid, aside from getting into it with you pretty frequently.”

“I don’t know. Anyone could have tampered with the food, his brother, his parents, the people at the store it came from.” Sasuke said.

“How is it that he was able to tell you what he did before he died?” Deidara asked.

“It’s going to sound crazy,” Sasuke replied. “Not sure I should tell you.”

“Kid, when have I ever thought you were crazy?” Deidara asked.

“This sounds crazy though, and I think it’s because I have his kidneys, but I have this connection where I can see him,” Sasuke told Deidara, before falling silent and waiting for Deidara to start laughing at him.

“How do you know it’s his kidneys that you have?” Deidara asked after a moment of silence.

“He told me,” Sasuke replied.

“Well, I guess he would know,” Deidara said. “Is there a reason that he’s haunting you?”

“He wants me to help him discover what happened to him,” Sasuke replied. “Because I’m the only one who can see him.”

“That could lead to you getting into trouble if it turns out that he was murdered,” Deidara said. Sasuke shrugged.

“You work with the police so maybe you can help me if I get into too much trouble.” Sasuke shrugged.

“I’ll do what the best I can, but if you come up with any solid proof that he was murdered, you bring it to me and let me handle the arrest,” Deidara said. “Itachi would kill me if something happened to you.”

“I can promise I’ll let you take over if I get to that point,” Sasuke replied. “And Itachi doesn’t need to know anything about this right now.”

“If you get hurt he’s going to have my head for not saying anything,” Deidara said.

“If it gets that serious fine, but until then not a word,” Sasuke replied. “Now leave me alone and let me get some sleep.”

“I told Itachi I would stay with you tonight so you didn’t have to be alone,” Deidara replied. “So you get me all night.” Sasuke shrugged, he didn’t care as long as his brother’s friend let him get some sleep.