Sasuke Uchiha stared at the ceiling above him, he could feel his stomach twisting and turning like he was going to throw up at any second. Closing his eyes, his head spinning Sasuke wondered if he would ever start to feel any better. He hated being sick with a passion, but it felt like that’s all he’d experienced the last couple of years.

“How are you feeling?” Sasuke turned his head towards the door and opened his eyes at the sound of his brother’s voice.

“I feel like shit,” Sasuke answered honestly. “I’m starting to wonder if this treatment is even worth it.”

“You know what Tsunade said, your chances of surviving the rest of the year without treatment are slim,” Itachi said quietly. “I know you hate being sick, I hate it for you, I wish I could change this for you.”

“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” Sasuke told his brother. “I wouldn’t want anyone to go through this kind of hell.” 

“I have to believe that one day all of this suffering that you are going through will be worth it,” Itachi said. “I’ll do whatever I can work however many hours I need to to make sure that you are taken care of.”

“You're only twenty you shouldn’t have to work so hard,” Sasuke murmured. Their parents were successful business owners so they weren’t often home, while Sasuke missed them, he enjoyed spending time with his older brother. 

“You are worth it,” Itachi replied sitting down on the edge of Sasuke’s bed. “Having my brother live to see adulthood is even better.”  Sasuke shrugged, he wasn’t sure what was going to happen in the future, but he knew he was grateful that his family worked hard to ensure that Sasuke got the treatments that he needed. 

“I hate feeling so crappy all the time,” Sasuke admitted. “I was sick enough with chemotherapy, but now being told that I need to be on dialysis until I can get new kidneys sucks. Dialysis takes more out of me than chemo did.” 

“I’m sure,” Itachi replied. “But it’s going to save your life or at least prolong it until you can get a transplant.” 

“I hope it’s soon,” Sasuke said. “But if it doesn’t happen at all, I know that I fought for as long and as hard as possible.”

“I don’t even want to think about that,” Itachi replied. “There’s no option where you don’t survive this.”

“You need to prepare yourself. I might not survive this.” Sasuke said quietly. “And it sucks, but if I have to die there’s nothing I can do about it. I need to prepare myself for that possibility.” 

“You are thirteen years old, you shouldn’t have to prepare to die,” Itachi said shaking his head. “You should be concentrating on being a kid, not focused on losing your life.” Sasuke shrugged, he agreed, he never should have had to deal with cancer and cancer treatments for the last three years of his life, if there was one thing he’d learned since being diagnosed with leukemia at the age of ten years old, it was how to be grateful for every day that he had breath to breathe. 

“I’m grateful that I’ve made it this long,” Sasuke told his brother. “I remember when I was first diagnosed Tsunade wasn’t sure that I would achieve remission. I’ve beaten those odds, I’ve been in remission for two years, and I hope that I don’t ever relapse, but I’ll deal with that bridge if it comes to that.”

“You’re a good kid, you're stronger than you think you are,” Itachi said quietly. “If anyone can beat this you can. You just have to have the patience of a saint. I don’t know if I could.”

“If your life depended on it, you could,” Sasuke replied. “One never knows what they are capable of until they are faced with an impossible situation.”

“Naturally, my brother is a wise owl.” Itachi chuckled. “I guess with your experiences, you're bound to have picked up some knowledge and wisdom along the way.”

“Just a little bit,” Sasuke replied. “When are Mom and Dad coming home?” 

“I don’t think they’ll be home tonight. Their meeting ran a little late.” Itachi replied. Sasuke sighed, he should have been used to that by now, it seemed like his parents were gone more than they were home. 

“They would be here if they could,” Itachi said gently.

“I know, but I wonder if they miss us as much as we miss them when they’re gone?” Sasuke wondered. “They missed out on most of my chemotherapy because they worked so much.” 

“Unfortunately your chemo came with a pretty hefty price,” Itachi replied. “They wanted to ensure that you got all the treatment you needed without fear of the doctors discontinuing it from lack of payment.” 

“I know. I hate that they have to work so hard. I feel like if I had never gotten sick, they would be home more.” Sasuke admitted. “I feel like a lot of things are my fault.”

“You can’t blame yourself for getting sick, that’s not your fault,” Itachi said. “You just had some shitty luck. As for Mom and Dad working so much, they enjoy what they do. They probably wouldn’t be gone as much but they would still be working just as hard.”

“I’m glad they enjoy their work, but it would be nice to see them for longer than five minutes at a time,” Sasuke said. “I feel like they’ve missed most of the important milestones.”

“They would be here if they could,” Itachi said. “In the meantime you have me to drive you crazy.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sasuke offered his brother a small smile. He would like to be able to spend some time with his friends without worrying about whether a common cold would end up putting him in the hospital though.

“What’s bothering you?” Itachi asked. “And don’t say nothing 'cause that would be a lie.”

“I want to spend time with my friends and not have to worry about getting sick,” Sasuke replied honestly. “I want to be able to forget that I ever had cancer to begin with.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen at least for another three or four years,” Itachi replied. After five years of remission, a patient was considered cured, but there was no promise that Sasuke was going to last that long. It was a miracle that he’d lasted for three years without a single relapse. 

“I’ve made it longer than Tsunade believes that I would have,” Sasuke replied. “There’s no reason to believe that I won’t hit the five-year mark.”

“I pray like hell that you do,” Itachi replied. “But considering that you are already having issues with other body parts because of the chemotherapy isn’t a good sign. You’re just going to have to be careful for a little while longer, you’ve made it this far.”  

“I know, I’m just ready for a normal life. I wouldn’t even mind Naruto Uzumaki still being an asshole to me.”

“Do I need to have a conversation with him?” Itachi asked. “If he’s still picking on you, I can shut that shit down real quick.”

“Naruto is always going to be an asshole,” Sasuke replied. “I don’t care what anyone says to him, he thinks he’s better than half the kids at school because of who his parents are, but one day he’s going to learn that he’s not better than anyone else at all. I hope I’m around to see it.”

“If he keeps making fun of you for being sick, I’m going to step in and scare some reality into him,” Itachi replied. “There’s no reason to keep making jokes about the hell that you’ve been through.”

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“He’s never had to struggle a day in his life,” Sasuke told Itachi. “So how can he understand what it’s like to be sick? He gets everything handed to him.”

“He’s going to learn what it means to struggle if I end up breaking his jaw,” Itachi muttered. He was furiously protective over Sasuke, and he didn’t mind beating the hell out of a little kid to make sure Sasuke was kept safe.

“Not a good idea,” Sasuke told him. “I don’t want you to end up in jail. Naruto isn’t worth it.”

“You’re right he’s not, but it would give me pleasure to teach that kid a lesson that he won’t soon forget,” Itachi said, shrugging. “He needs to learn to have a little respect for those that have been through hell.”

“He doesn’t care,” Sasuke commented. “He’s been sheltered his entire life, why should he care about what someone else is going through.”

“If he keeps it up, I’ll make sure he ends up transferred to another school. This is getting beyond ridiculous.” Itachi replied. “Why can’t he just leave you alone? Does he bully anyone else at school?”

“No. Just me probably feels like I’m an easy target because of my past.”

“He’s going to find out the hard way that that isn’t the case,” Itachi replied. “I’ll send Deidara to have a little conversation with him before school. Maybe he’ll leave you alone.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Sasuke replied. “But I’m not going to school today anyways, I feel like shit.”

“I wouldn’t make you go to school when you feel bad anyways.” Itachi said. “I just hope that you start to feel better.”

“Usually after diayisis I feel better the next day and getting a bunch of sleep.” Sasuke said shrugging. “So all I need to do is take a long nap.”

“Which means you need to stop worrying about what everyone else is thinking or doing.” Itachi said. Sasuke shrugged.

“I want to be a part of things, I’m tired of being left out.” Sasuke replied. “Just because I had cancer doesn’t mean I’m going to give it to anyone else. At least Sakura seems to understand that, she’s the only that’s stood by me this entire time. Naruto became a dick right afterwards.”

“I remember the two of you used to be best friends.” Itachi said. “I always wondered what had happened between the two of you.”

“I don’t know. He got weird after I was diagnosed with cancer and he’s been a bully ever since.” Sasuke replied. “I’ve wondered about that myself, but I never come up with any answers.”

“Well, it tells me he was never a good friend to begin with because real friends stick beside you when things get hard.” Itachi told Sasuke.

“I’m sure your right.” Sasuke said shrugging. “I just find it hard to believe that he was anything but good. I guess the evidence of his behavior should be proof enough that he’s not a good person.”

“But you still want to believe that he change back into the person he was before you got sick.” Itachi said and Sasuke nodded. “I don’t think that’s going to happen, but one can always hope.”

“Do you think I’m going to get some new kidneys in time?” Sasuke asked. “I know my situation is pretty serious if I don’t get any. I know I could die without them.”

“I don’t know.” Itachi answered. “But I’m hoping and praying that you do.”

“Somebody else will have to die in order for that to happen.” Sasuke commented. “I’m not sure I want that to happen.”

“If they die they won’t have need of them.” Itachi pointed out. “Why not help out someone whose dying?”

“I don’t know. It just bothers me thinking about someone else dying.” Sasuke said. “I hate thinking of anyone dying to help me.”

“If you were healthy wouldn’t you do the same?” Itachi asked. 

“I would like to think that I would.” Sasuke replied. “But truth be told, I’m not sure.”

“That’s a healthy response.” Itachi replied. “You’ve been through a lot healthwise.” Sasuke nodded, truth be told he thought his response was kind of assholeish but he wasn’t going to tell that to Itachi.

“Get some sleep, I’ll wake you up when it’s time for you to eat.” Itachi said as he stood up and started towards the door.

“I’m not sure that I can eat.” Sasuke commented. “I’m still pretty nasuous.”

“You need to eat something even if it’s something small.” Itachi said.

“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.” Sasuke told him. “I am going to try and going to sleep though.” 

1.2

A few hours later, Sasuke was shaken awake roughly, Sasuke grunted as he turned over onto his side. 

“Come on Sasuke, wake up.” Itachi’s voice pleaded.

“Leave me alone, Itachi, I’m tired.” Sasuke groaned, before slowly opening his eyes.

“The hospital called, they have a pair of kidney’s for you.” Itachi said, that caught Sasuke’s attention and he shot up. He’d been talking about how he hadn’t been sure that he was going to get a pair of kidney’s just a little while ago, but it looked like that dream was coming true.

“Did they say who it was?” Sasuke asked. Itachi shook his head, and hurried over to Sasuke’s closet and grabbed Sasuke’s hospital bag, they’d had it prepacked because they knew they could get the call at any time.

“They didn’t say and they likely aren’t going to.” Itachi replied. 

“But it’s most likely someone my age, which means I went to school with them at some point.” Sasuke said and Itachi shrugged. 

“Perhaps, but that isn’t important right now.” Itachi replied. “Getting you to the hospital right now is what matters. You can feel guilty about this later.” Sasuke sighed he knew Itachi just wanted to focus on Sasuke getting better, but he couldn’t help but wonder who died in order for him to get these kidneys. 

Pushing himself to his feet, Sasuke started towards his door, he didn’t think the doctors would care that he came in clothes that had been slept in, they wouldn’t care about it at all, they would want to focus on getting him ready for surgery.

“Get in the car, I’ll get everything ready.” Itachi told him. “I don’t want you to have to worry about anything.” Sasuke nodded and headed out of his bedroom, and down the hall. He was hoped that the transplant went well, he was nervous because he wanted to be completely healthy again, but he’d been sick for so long he wasn’t sure he would know what to do with himself.

“I guess I should be grateful that I’m getting a new pair of kidneys.” Sasuke murmured. “But I can’t help but worry about whomever died so that I could get them. I hope that whoever it was, they are now resting peacefully away from this broken world.” 

Exiting the house, Sasuke made his way over to Itachi’s truck, and pulled the door open and climbed in. Reaching into his pocket, Sasuke quickly sent out a text to Sakura.

Sasuke

Getting a new pair of kidneys. Just got the call.

Sakura

That’s exciting news! I’m happy for you! Let me know when I can come to see you at the hospital.

Sasuke

Will do. I just hope that it goes well.

Sakura

You have some of the best doctors in the world working on you. I do not doubt that things are going to go okay with your surgery.

Sasuke

I know you are right, but you know I’m going to stress over it anyways. I’ve been sick for so long, I don’t even remember what it’s like to healthy, what am I going to do with myself?

Sakura

You’ll figure it out. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, you deserve this. You deserve to be healthy and happy and you are finally getting that opportunity.

Sasuke

I know, I get that opportunity at the cost of someone else’s life and I don’t think that’s fair. Someone our age died so I could get their kidneys.

Sakura

They didn’t die specifically to give you their kidneys but something happened and I don’t think there could have been anything anyone could have done to help them, otherwise they would still be alive.

Sasuke

I know, Itachi says I don’t need to worry about it, but I can’t help it. I want to know who it was that gave me their kidneys so I can make sure they are properly remembered.

Hearing the driver’s side door open, Sasuke dropped his phone onto the seat next to him as he turned to face his brother.

“Sakura wants to know when she can come visit me.” Sasuke told his brother. “I expect that you’ll keep in contact with her.”

“I will.” Itachi agreed as he shut the door behind him and started the truck, before slowly backing out of the drive.

“Do Mom and Dad know?” Sasuke asked.

“Not yet, I plan on letting them know as soon as you are taken back into the operating room.” Itachi replied. “I want to keep you calm until then.”

“I’m fine.” Sasuke said drily. “Just concerned about the person that died.”

“Unfortunately, there’s no need to be concerned about them. They exited this life.” Itachi pointed out. “Whatever happened to them, I’m sure the doctors tried everything they could.”

“I don’t know.” Sasuke said. “I wonder if they’ll tell me who it was.”

“Probably not out of respect for this person’s family. They might not want to know who their sons or daughters organs went too.” Itachi replied. Sasuke frowned, he could understand that, but at the same time he wanted to be able to thank them for his second chance at life. 

The rest of the short drive to the hospital went by in silence, each of the boy’s lost in their own thoughts and own worries. At the hospital, Itachi parked in the emergency room parking lot, and climbed out of the truck, walking around and opening Sasuke’s door for him.

“I can walk.” Sasuke told his brother. “But you can grab my bag.” 

“You’re lucky I don’t throw you over my shoulder.” Itachi told him. “I feel like I should do that.”

“Don’t you dare.” Sasuke hissed. “I’ll never forgive you.” Itachi chuckled and reached out and ruffled Sasuke’s hair. 

“Not to worry little brother, I won’t do anything to embarrass you,” Itachi said, nearly walking into his little brother as Sasuke suddenly stopped walking. 

“What are you doing?” Itachi asked, noticing that Sasuke was staring off into the distance.

“Naruto is here,” Sasuke replied, frowning. He wondered if that meant that someone Naruto was related to was in the emergency room, but he hoped that he didn’t have to sit anywhere near the other teenager. He didn’t know how to talk to the other teen without yelling and throwing fists.

“You can fight with him later,” Itachi warned. “You have a transplant to get ready for.”

“And I’m sure that’s exactly what we’ll end up doing,” Sasuke muttered looking away from the teenager that was leaning against the wall with his arms against his chest. 

A few minutes later, Sasuke had been signed in and was hurriedly rushed out of the room to get prepped for surgery. Itachi sighed and went to find a room to find a private place to call his parents. They needed to know Sasuke was finally getting the kidneys he’d needed for several months.