I am rather tentatively branding this as a crossover story, on account of it having one recognizable element from the Narutoverse. Well anyways read, review, and criticize what an awful writer i am. Enjoy(or dont.)

VVVVVV

The problem wasn't that the car had hit me, that kind of thing was survivable with a few broken bones as a granted mercy. The problem was that i was dead. No getting around it, no messing about. I was as dead, if not deader, than a doornail. I floated above my dead, rather mangled body.

"ANTHONY SULLIVAN?"

I didn't hear the voice so much as i felt it. And it was most certainly a voice that spoke in all capitals. I turned slowly and wasn't surprised much surprised by what i saw. "You'd be death then?"

"INDEED."

The correct emotion should have been fear or sadness. But i wasn't one to be too shaken up about things i couldn't change. So i simply nodded my head. And shrugged emphatically. "All right then."

Death's face adopted a confused expression, without actually changing in any way. He was a master of the art of expressionless expression. "YOURE NOT GOING TO CRY OR STRUGGLE? OR SAY SOME SUCH NONSENSE ABOUT THIS BEING UNFAIR?"

I shook my head. Quite resolute.

"No I'm about ready to die."

Death tried another question. Wanting to cover every angle. "YOURE NOT EVEN GOING TO CHALLENGE ME TO A GAME?"

Again i shook my head. "No i'd definitely lose. No just take me wherever it is I'm supposed to go."

Death hefted his razor sharp scythe. And swung it down in an arc that sliced individual atoms in half in its descent and tended to slice sounds in two. And so with a whisper quiet 'swish' the thread that bound my soul to my regretfully mangled body was cut. And i began to float away. Not up or down, simply away. "Where am i going?"

And Death said. "WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO GO."

"Oh, alright then, goodbye."

"UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN."

VVVVVV

When next consciousness touches me, things are different. All is dark muffled and peaceful. Its quiet, So quiet i can hear my heartbeat. I momentarily note this as rather odd. As i probably shouldn't have one anymore. But if this is the afterlife than i certainly don't mind.

I don't know how long things stay this way. One minute, or a thousand years but eventually. Things...Change. Heat, constriction, pressure. Something is off and I'm out of the loop. There is suddenly a barrage of noise and sensation. And then...

Light, blinding light. I can barely see anything but fuzzy imperceptible shapes. And i can hear...

Voices. Chatting in what i soon recognize as english. Its indistinct at first. I can only hear small muffled snippets of speech.

"damn it...stabilize!...fading!"

I was suddenly very freaked out. Who needed stabilizing?! Was it me?

"No!...were...-sing her!"

No, as far as i knew i was still a he. Which meant that they were talking about someone else. Which was good.

"Just hold on Jessica!"

A new voice said, no longer were the noises and sights of the world out of sync. Everything was coming into sharp focus.

"Please Jessica! The baby is safe, but i need you to pull through too! I wont lose you!"

What was going on here? Who were these people? And where was i? Then suddenly it clicked. I had a front row seat to a birth.

MY birth.

I could hear a woman screaming in agony. Her cries intermittent with low heaving sobs. It must have been my mother.

"She's losing too much blood!"

One of the nurses yelled.

I could see one of the doctors pull my apparent father aside. They spoke in low hushed tones. I couldn't make out much. But i know i heard;

"...nothing we can do."

Oh god. My mother was dying. I hadn't even properly met her yet and my mother was dying.

My father turned from the doctor. And towards my mothers side. Making long deliberate strides. From where i had been lain. I could see him clasp her hands with his.

"Jess i- i don't know how to say this bu-"

My mother raised a shaky finger. And placed it, gently on his lips silencing him. Her teary eyed expression saying more than words could ever convey.

"I know dearest, i know. Just...

One last request."

My father nodded, vigorously.

"Anything just name it!"

My mother convulsed. And screamed her agony for all to hear. She settled down, sobbing as she spoke her next words.

"Let me hold him, just this once. Please..."

My father nodded and walked to were i lay. He picked me up gently, and brought me to my mothers side. She reached up. And shakily took me in her embrace. Her hold on me was firm. Even as the rest of her shook and convulsed. Her next words were to me.

"Your eyes, you have such strange little eyes."

She said, as she gave a shaky, watery little chuckle.

"I can already...tell how special you are...you're going to do...great things."

She said, her voice was shaking. And her breathing was ragged. She looked up at my father. Then back at me. She placed a kiss on my forehead. And i sensed the gravity of what she had just done. This was her first, and only blessing to me.

She held me close to her. And i could hear her heartbeat slowing.

She again looked up at my father. Her voice now only a barely audible whisper.

"I love you both. So much."

And then i heard her heart stop.

VVVVVV